Which is better to choose Cordiant or Matador comparison of winter and summer tires

The correct choice of truck tires (for vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tons) is not only about choosing the most wear-resistant tire. Unlike passenger tires, it is necessary to take into account the axle on which the tires will be used.

Each axle has a special tread pattern, which can be installed on:

steering axle;
driving axle;
trailer or semi-trailer;
universal tires.

Steering axle tires can be called the “main” tires of trucks. This rubber can sometimes be seen installed on the drive axle.

Their area of responsibility is controllability and comfort in the cabin. The tread pattern of the steering axle tires has its own specifics - four grooves of decent depth, located longitudinally. This produces a ribbed tread that does a very good job of draining water in the contact patch and gives a clear response to steering wheel movements.

The rubber of the drive axle is considered the main driving element among all the tires installed on the wheels of a truck. Its task is to ensure stable grip on the road surface. The tread pattern of such wheels consists of many separate blocks, which are located at different angles to each other, thereby achieving productive braking and directional stability. Drive tires are never installed on civilian buses, as they make a lot of noise and wear out quickly.

Universal tires can be installed on any truck axle. Their tread pattern is a symbiosis of the two above groups: it consists of longitudinal grooves and has transverse blocks.

A trailer tire should not differ in a number of characteristics, with the exception of one - low rolling resistance, which allows to save fuel to some extent. Their tread pattern is somewhat similar to the steering one, but such tires cannot be installed on the steering axle! But on the contrary - it is possible. This is usually done after a certain degree of wear on the steering tires.

Choosing inexpensive tires

What should you put on your truck so as not to overpay for nothing, and at the same time not to become the hero of the saying “the miser pays twice”?

Let’s turn to one of the largest trading platforms on the RuNet, for example, Yandex Market, select the “truck tires”, “summer” sections, sort them in ascending order of price and consider popular models in the range of 7-12 thousand rubles. We will take only those tires that have reviews from Russian buyers, otherwise the article will look like an advertising leaflet that describes the advantages of tires highlighted by their manufacturer. Which is not always true.

It turns out the following TOP:

Kama NF 202.
Kama NR 201.
Kama NU 301.
Cordiant Professional DR-1.
Cordiant Professional FR-1.
Cordiant Professional TR-1.
Yokohama RY023.
Kormoran Roads 2D.
Bridgestone R227.
Bridgestone M729.

Kama NF 202

Russian tires for the drive axle of a truck. The cheapest offer on the market. You can buy such wheels for 7 thousand rubles apiece. The tire was developed taking into account issues of fuel economy and maximum load capacity.

The five-rib tread pattern does a good job of solving the issue of fuel efficiency by reducing rolling resistance. Its wide ribs maximize the contact patch.

With the help of toothed grooves located longitudinally on the tread, water is quickly drained from under the wheel. Diagonal wavy sipes improve traction and grip. The shoulder sipes, which turn into longitudinal grooves at the edges, divide these zones into independent blocks, which helps to evenly distribute the load on the tread, thereby increasing the strength of the rubber.

The tread contains wear indicators, which allows you to visually assess its residual life. The tire structure is made of all-metal cord; steel threads are present in the carcass and breaker of the tire. This gives the rubber additional strength while maintaining elasticity, making it resistant to deformation and natural wear. The tire tread can be re-cut and welded on.

Domestic carriers praise this tire for its affordable price, modern tread, low noise, durability, and predictable behavior on the road and in ruts.

Among the negative reviews you can occasionally find complaints about poor balance.

Kama NR 201

Russian truck tire with a universal tread for driving on asphalt, dirt roads and rough terrain. Its development and production is carried out jointly with the Continental AG concern. Suitable for trucks and buses.

The manufacturer promises increased load capacity, reduced fuel consumption, increased speed characteristics, a range of up to half a million kilometers and an unconventional design, which includes the presence of metal wire in the frame, breaker and in the part between the frame and the tread. The tire consists of several dozen steel cables arranged in parallel and pressed together using rubber.

Car owners are satisfied with the price-quality ratio of these wheels, wear resistance, strength, and ease of balancing.

On the negative side, I came across a review that the tires behave poorly in snowy (?!) slush. Yes, that’s right - many people use summer truck tires in winter too.

Let's sum it up

The list of inexpensive tires and budget manufacturers can be continued. But the five above have everything you need. Theoretically, the choice of the majority could be Toyo. This is a logical decision in terms of price-quality ratio. But in fact, Matador and Sava are gaining popularity, along with tires produced in Russia. So it is very difficult to understand the features of the Russian market. However, sometimes it is better to overpay a little money and get a truly high-quality and reliable solution as car tires. Even a relatively large overpayment will pay off with the excellent quality and long service life of your new tires.

It has long been proven by long-term tests that tires from the middle price class are more profitable. It lasts longer, wears less and wears evenly, performs well in difficult conditions and often helps avoid disaster. So these benefits are really impressive. Not all budget tires can boast the same. When choosing tires, consider not only the brand and cost. Look at the reviews of those motorists who have already purchased this model. Reviews can often be used to determine exactly how good an offer is.

Kama NU 301

Although the tire is a summer tire, this is purely nominal; carriers use it all year round. The tread pattern is universal; it can be installed on any bus axle, most often for intracity transportation.

Tire features: excellent directional stability;

energy efficiency;
high traction and grip characteristics;
resistance to punctures and cuts;
effective resistance to aquaplaning;
uniform wear and the presence of its indicators;
Possibility of cutting the tread.

And there are entirely positive reviews about this tire from bus owners who...

No negativity was noted.

Which tires are more popular - KAMA or Cordiant?

In November 2020, on PartReview, Cordiant tires were generally more popular than KAMA.

In terms of votes, Cordiant tires surpassed KAMA:

At KAMA, the ratio of positive votes (323) to negative (178) was 145 votes.
Cordiant had a ratio of positive votes (396) to negative votes (131) of 265 votes.

In terms of the number of reviews, Cordiant tires surpassed KAMA:

There are 158 reviews written on KAMA tires: 94 positive, 20 neutral, 44 negative.
There are 164 reviews written on Cordiant tires: 113 positive, 27 neutral, 24 negative.

Cordiant Professional DR-1

Tires for the drive axle of a truck. At their moderate cost, the tires are reliable and durable, demonstrating productive grip on both dry and wet road surfaces. Cordiant Professional DR-1 tires perform no worse than expensive imported analogues on any road. A multitude of slats the size of half the height of the blocks form numerous edges when in contact with the road surface, which helps the car move away efficiently.

Other tire features:

good longitudinal grip and soft ride;
self-cleaning of stones in the tread;
durable sides;
high energy efficiency.

Reviews about tires from Russian road carriers are entirely positive. Fuel efficiency, wear resistance (tires can easily run more than 200 thousand km), and good grip characteristics are noted.

No negative aspects were identified.

Features of Cordiant tires

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The main feature of tires from this manufacturer is that their tread implies the presence of special hydraulic evacuation ditches. These elements are designed to drain fluid and improve traction with the road surface. This type of tire significantly increases the level of maneuverability of the car.

Cordiant Professional FR-1

Summer tires for the steering axle of trucks, designed for driving both on dirt roads and on highways. A wide range of standard sizes makes it possible to use this rubber on almost all modern trucks.

Cordiant Professional FR-1 is characterized by increased wear resistance even when used on poor-quality roads.

Tire Features:

protection against stones using special protrusions on the side walls of the grooves;
great resource;
durable frame;
excellent grip and directional stability on any road surface;
tensile strength.

The carriers confirm all of the above and find no reason to complain about the wheels.

And again, there are no negative reviews about these domestic tires. Have we really learned how to make high-quality tires?

Features of Amtel winter tires

Tires are produced from a high-quality rubber compound, which provides them with a high level of abrasion resistance and significantly extends their service life. This rubber has the following qualities:

Strength;
Durability;
Reliability.

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Thanks to the excellent material used to make tires, they are able to maintain their quality even after long-term use. Thanks to the increased level of rubber strength, it can be used in the most severe winter conditions. The rubber is characterized by a reinforced steel cord breaker, which allows it to withstand the highest possible loads.

The new rubber compound includes universal additives, which provides the car with a high degree of stability on the road. Thanks to this rubber, the process of driving a vehicle is greatly simplified. With the help of these tires, the stability of the vehicle on the road is ensured.

Automotive rubber is characterized by the presence of tightly directed lamellas. Reviews from drivers claim that this has a positive effect on reducing braking distances. Thanks to these characteristics, the highest quality level of grip between the tire and the winter road is ensured. The tires have a fairly high block rigidity.

The tires have bidirectional sipes, which ensures they have the highest quality traction characteristics. Thanks to the presence of a multi-row asymmetric tread pattern, the most correct behavior of the wheel on the road is ensured. By car you can fully move not only on icy roads, but also on snowy off-road terrain.

Rubber is characterized by the presence of deep grooves, the location of which is the shoulder part. With the help of these grooves, slush is effectively cleaned from the tire tread. In addition, this characteristic ensures the highest quality performance of the vehicle in off-road conditions.

This rubber is characterized by maximum structural rigidity, which ensures the fastest possible response to various commands. Thanks to the use of innovative sipes, the stability of Euro tires on the road is significantly increased. The Finnish company produces not only summer and winter tires, but also all-season tires. These tires have excellent technical characteristics.

All-season tires can be used not only for driving on asphalt roads. It has the appropriate technical data, which allows it to be used for driving on gravel. These tires are:

Durable;
Durable;
Reliable.

Car tires are characterized by the presence of cooling ribs, which ensure a response to changing road surfaces. That is why drivers do not notice discomfort and inconvenience while driving. Thanks to the use of universal technology, the highest possible strength of the frame structure is ensured.

When using Euro tires, winter becomes nothing to them. This is due to the presence of sufficiently strong studs that ensure the vehicle’s stability in slush, snow or ice conditions. Thanks to the high level of resistance of automobile rubber, its excellent performance on any road surface is ensured, which is noted by many people.

Thanks to the universal development of the rubber compound, the tires are resistant to cuts and other negative mechanical impacts. Thanks to these qualities, when using rubber on heavy vehicles, their service life is ensured. Improved traction of the vehicle with the road is provided by wide polished grooves and an aggressive tread pattern.

The design of the tread of automobile rubber is characterized by the presence of unique features, which provides the rubber with the highest quality self-cleaning. Thanks to this characteristic, the vehicle can move on the ground. The stability of the tire at high speed is ensured by the presence of stabilizers that are installed on the central rib. This fact is confirmed by reviews from owners of various cars.

The tires have special wear indicators. This allows the car owner to determine the expiration date of the tire. The tread blocks are characterized by a multi-ball arrangement and rounded corners, which ensures the highest possible acoustic comfort while driving a vehicle.

Car tires are characterized by reinforced shoulder areas, which provides them with a high level of resistance to mechanical damage. The tire is protected from damage thanks to its reinforced shoulder area. The use of tires was carried out not only in winter, but also in summer. Car owners say that the vehicle's wheels behaved very well under these conditions.

Cordiant Professional TR-1

Russian rubber intended for use on trailers and semi-trailers. Suitable for use both on dirt roads and asphalt roads. The manufacturer claims durability, fuel efficiency; special tread elements that prevent stones from getting stuck in it; sidewalls with a special U-shaped metal cord tape, which facilitates the tire fitting process and increases the strength of the tire, which is important when operating with increased loads.

Surely, the reader will not be surprised that everything is in order with this tire; according to reviews, there are no complaints about it.

Yokohama RY023

These tires are already significantly different in price from the previously reviewed domestic ones. They are designed for installation on the steering axle and have several dozen standard sizes, which allows them to be used on almost any tractor. The manufacturer claims a long service life of its tires, high energy efficiency, good directional stability, and predictable behavior on wet roads.

Kormoran Roads 2D

Polish truck tires for the drive axle, made using Michelin technology. The rubber demonstrates high traction and grip properties, has a V-shaped directional tread pattern, and excellent performance during braking and acceleration. Another distinctive feature of these tires is increased strength and wear resistance, high-quality grip on wet roads.

Motorists note good handling, low tire wear and durability.

No negative reviews were found about it.

Bridgestone R227

Summer truck tires for steering axle, designed for long-distance transport. The model is very popular among domestic carriers and has an optimal set of diverse characteristics. These wheels are easy to control, make almost no noise, demonstrate good off-road performance, and are perfectly protected from all kinds of damage. About the brand + prices for the entire line of tires

The tread pattern was developed using computer modeling, and this made it possible to optimally select elements that could be combined with each other. Massive longitudinal grooves and an original siping system effectively drain water from under the wheel, preventing hydroplaning. The tire has a high-strength carcass; excellent grip on the road surface and a long service life. In addition, its tread can be restored.

The reviews are positive.

No negative was found.

What factors determine the advantages of tires?

Even after reviewing all the characteristics and features of tires from both manufacturers, it is impossible to say unequivocally which of them is better. They have their advantages and disadvantages. In terms of traction qualities, Amtel tires will be better. If we evaluate noise performance, then euro tires will be better, since Kama tires are noisy.

When choosing winter tires, it is best to give preference to Amtel tires. They are characterized by tire resistance to various mechanical damages, which allows them to make full use of rubber. Car handling on snowy roads will be better when using Amtel tires.

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Despite this, the wear resistance of Kama tires is better than that of its competitor. These tires have reinforced shoulder areas, which allows them to be used mercilessly for 3-4 years. Tires from both manufacturers can be with or without studs, which allows the car owner to choose the most suitable option for himself.

If there is a need to purchase summer tires, then the driver’s requirements are assessed. In terms of road grip quality, Kama tires are better. They are much more confident when cornering. This is explained by the highest quality rubber mixture, which is used for the production of car tires.

All-season tires from both manufacturers are characterized by the highest quality. Car tires can be fully used at any time of the year. In terms of the quality of grip on the road surface, Amtel tires are better than their competitors, which ensures a high level of safety while driving a vehicle.

It is impossible to say specifically which tire is better. Tires from both manufacturers have their pros and cons. That is why their choice should depend on the preferences and requirements of car owners. The comparison allowed us to conclude that Kama tires have strength characteristics. Despite this, Amtel tires have very good traction qualities.

Both Kama Euro and Cordiant are certainly worthy of attention. Both manufacturers offer a very wide range of products. There are options for most cars of domestic and foreign brands. At the same time, the unique composition of Cordiant rubber provides the driver and passengers with a little more comfort while traveling, so they are perfect for passenger cars.

Kama Euro tires are best used where efficiency, rather than convenience, comes to the fore. This is an excellent choice, for example, for owners of small trucks.

The advantages of tires from the company Cordiant are due to the fact that for their production a special rubber mixture is used, which is made from an environmentally friendly composition. In addition, the special tread pattern for each model ensures reliable adhesion of the rubber to the road surface, which increases the stability of the car.

Summer models from Cordiant are especially popular. This is due to the fact that they can withstand a significant level of loads and at the same time provide a comfortable ride in any conditions. Cordiant tires respond normally to weather changes. In addition, due to their good performance characteristics, they meet international quality standards.

Products from this manufacturer have quite a lot of advantages. These include:

Good balancing.
Fast braking.
Affordable price.
High dynamics.
Reliable grip on the road surface.

However, despite all the advantages, such products also have certain disadvantages. The disadvantages of tires include:

Significant noise level.
Low level of maneuverability in bad weather conditions.

VAZ.
GAS.
Moskvich.

Tire comparisons take place in the following categories:

PR assessment.
Place in the ranking.
Difference of votes.
Average vote rating.
Number of reviews.
Property assessment.
Choice of car owners.

Bridgestone M729

Tires for drive axles of heavy trucks and passenger buses. Their primary use is on expressways. The Japanese manufacturer claims excellent grip and traction, exceptional wheel balance and low rolling resistance.

The tread pattern is non-directional, with four longitudinal central ribs made in the form of rows of massive blocks.

Other features of the tire are the ability to retread, high strength and elasticity, large contact patch, and wear resistance.

Russian cargo carriers appreciated this tire model. They note uniform wear, good traction, and energy efficiency.

Disadvantages include tire noise and insufficient braking on wet roads.

Conclusion

The high performance characteristics of imported branded truck tires are confirmed by numerous tests. Expensive tires will work perfectly even in harsh Russian conditions. And yet we can say absolutely without a doubt that very often the overpayment for a well-known name is unreasonable. And our review confirms this. Inexpensive tires of domestic and imported production are in no way inferior to them in either wear resistance or handling. They are well protected from cuts and punctures. And when developing and producing Russian tires, the deplorable quality of domestic roads is taken into account.

It is also important that Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian factories are already producing solid steel cord tires, which was previously the prerogative of only well-known global concerns. Competition among tire manufacturers in the Russian market has seriously intensified. But literally since 2010, 60% of truck tires sold in Russia come from manufacturers from post-USSR countries.

But domestic carriers still don’t trust Chinese tires for trucks. There are not a single Chinese tire in our review, since, judging by store offers and reviews from car owners, they are not yet popular, although they can produce high-quality products.

Budget winter tires

Tire manufacturers call the temperature 7 degrees Celsius the critical point for summer tires. With its further decrease, signs of “tanning” of rubber appear and, accordingly, adhesion properties to the road surface deteriorate.

As the practice of past winter seasons shows, some samples of Russian-made winter tires may well compete with their foreign counterparts, of course not the first, but definitely the second echelon. As an example, Cordiant tires.

The brand itself still belongs to the Sibur-Russian Tires concern, and has not presented any new products this year, however, the time-tested models are also good. Especially popular are Cordiant Polar 2 and Sno-Max. The quality of their factory studs is very high, the level of protrusion of the studs above the tread surface is almost ideal, and the stud itself is unusual; the manufacturer calls it a “snowflake”. At the same time, the tread pattern and composition of the rubber mixture are perfectly suited for the conditions of domestic winters, and the durable sidewalls allow you not to worry too much about potholes on the road. And in tests, Sno-Max shows better results than some imported models. For the Russian manufacturer this is simply a breakthrough.

Last season, Amtel became part of the famous tire company Pirelli, the Italians simply bought it, but there are no joint winter products this season yet. However, as the Europeans themselves say, the task is to improve quality, not quantity, to raise it to the level of Pirelli tires themselves. This year, time-tested tires from the Nord Master series are on sale. Their strength is their high wear resistance and maneuverability in deep snow and slush. The production of these tires is still organized at two Russian factories. These are Kirov Tire and Voronezh. Their products vary slightly in tread pattern, but proudly boast a red copper-plated stud. In general, Amtel is a good choice for the winter.

If last season the tires of the Nizhnekamsk Tire Plant were excessively overpriced, and as a result, car owners preferred to buy tires from other brands, then this season the price tag has been significantly reduced. At the same time, Kama tire makers offer interesting tires, for example, the same Kama Euro 519, which copies the design of the famous Nokian Hakkapelita 4. It looks the same, but rides more modestly, however, it also costs less, so the balance between price and quality is good.

Another well-known brand is Matador. Alas, the production of Matador tires in Russia has been discontinued. Concern Continental, by right of owner, transferred production from Russia to Slovakia and Germany. The reason is quality problems, but drivers only benefit from this. We received a new Matador MP50 model with the coveted Made in Germany inscription on the side. The tires are very soft and made very carefully and with high quality. Moreover, in different standard sizes they have different designs.

Another budget brand that deserves attention is Contyre. A purely marketing product, born in order to make an inexpensive and nice winter tire, and therefore, the designs are taken from popular import brands, a simple rubber compound composition, low price and coverage of all possible sizes. Everything you need for good sales.

So, to summarize, the lower the temperature, the higher the demand for winter tires. Therefore, it is better to buy them in advance, while there is a variety of models and sizes, and the prices are not so high.