Ironman Tires: Are They Any Good? (+12 Brands Compared)
An unfamiliar name, but Ironman is a subsidiary of Hercules Tire and works in partnership with the better known Cooper brand.
How good are Ironman tires? Are they worth buying?
Why Buy Ironman Tires?
Practical reasons for investing your hard-earned money in Ironman tires include:
- Budget-friendly – between $45 and $60 per tire, these are some of the most affordable tires on the market.
- Decent tread life for a budget tire – expect between 40,000 and 50,000 miles.
- Reinforced sidewalls assist with durability and comfort.
- Buttress design for improved stability.
- Excellent reputation and attractive design.
Ironman suits those who need to watch their budget but want a safe and consistent driving experience.
Why Is Ironman Tire So Cheap?
Ironman is a budget tire producer part of the Cooper Tire group. The group structure is a little complex in that Ironman is a subsidiary of Hercules tires which Cooper Tires own.
Factors that help keep the costs down include:
Limited Range
The tire range is limited to a few tires with specified parameters.
Production takes place in Ohio along with Hercules tires. But, plants in China make most Ironman tires to specifications provided by the company.
The labor costs are low, and Ironman doesn’t have the expense of maintaining plant and infrastructure.
Online Sales
Selling online cuts the cost of sales, and these savings pass directly to the customer.
Online sales supply direct to customers and to dealers who buy the tire they need when they need it, rather than holding stock.
However you choose to obtain your tires, online sales are reliable in streamlining costs and time.
No Treadlife Warranty
Ironman has a standard warranty against buying a defective tire, but they don’t offer a tread life warranty.
Because they don’t provide this service, they save on the infrastructure costs needed to provide claims and checks.
You get a new tire if your tire is defective in a specified time frame, prices stay low, and you get a budget tire.
What is the Ironman Warranty?
In the US and Canada, you get road hazard protection for two years or until the tread falls within 50% of the legal limit – whichever happens soonest.
Cover applies to road driving on routes maintained by local government or state.
On customer tire reviews, Ironman tires regularly rate above four stars for budget performance.
Ironman Recommended Tires
For typical vehicles, Ironman recommends:
| Car Type | Examples | Ironman Recommends |
| A compact Sedan is a typical small family car with a petrol engine of more than 1.2L or a Diesel of 1.5L. | Hyundai Electra; Honda Civic; Audi A3; Toyota Corolla; Mazda 3. | IMOVE GEN3 AS; IMOVE GEN2 AS |
| Midsize Sedan – a large family car with internal dimensions of 110-119 cuft, including passenger area and trunk. | Chevrolet Malibu; Volkswagen Passat; Subaru Legacy; Nissan Altima; Toyota Camry. | GR906; IMOVE PT; RB12 |
| Compact SUV or CUV | Honda CRV; Nissan Rogue; Toyota RAV4. | IMOVE GEN3 AS; IMOVE GEN2 AS. |
| A midsize SUV is typically smaller than a full SUV with two or three rows of seats. | Jeep Grand Cherokee; Chevrolet Equinox; Ford Explorer; Toyota Highlander. | GR906; IMOVE PT. |
| Full SUV – basic sports utility vehicle with seating for seven passengers. | Jeep Wagoneer; Ford Expedition; Chevrolet Suburban; Toyota Sequoia. | All Country HT; RB-SUV. |
| Light Trucks – gross vehicle weight of 8,500lbs | Ford F150; Toyota Tundra; Dodge RAM 1500; Nissan Titan. | All Country AT2; All Country AT; RB-SUV. |
Tir specification for some of Ironman’s tires:
| iMOVE GEN 3 | GR906 | RB-SUV | All Country AT2 | |
| Driving conditions | All Season | All Season | All Season; Mud and Snow | All Season; All Terrain |
| Selling points. | Entry-level UHP tire. Asymmetric tread for enhanced performance | Entry level touring. Symmetric tread design for improved handling. | Entry level. | Angled tread blocks for enhanced traction on dirt and gravel roads. |
| Price per tire | $70 – $190 | $60 – $110 | $110 – $170 | $150 – $245 |
| Rim Sizes | 14″ – 22″ | 13″ – 17″ | 15″ – 20″ | 15″ – 20″ |
| Warranty – treadwear. | Limited guarantee. | Limited guarantee. | Limited guarantee. | Limited guarantee. |
| Fuel efficiency (A-E) | No details | No details. | Highway touring design with extended mileage. | No details. |
| Wet Grip braking (A-E) | Increased siping and lateral slits to improve grip. | All season touring compound is durable and provides wet grip. | Circumferential and lateral grooves to improve contact and traction. | Four circumferential grooves improve traction. Full depth Sipes. |
| Rolling noise | Tread block design to minimize noise. | Tread block design to minimize noise. | Tread block design to minimize noise. | Zig Zag grooves for a quieter ride. |
| Extreme snow. | No | No | No | No |
| Ice traction. | No | No | No | No |
Comparing Ironman with Other Brands
Comparing the GR906 (Toyota RAV4) and the All Country AT2 (Ford F150) with other brands.
#1 Ironman vs. Michelin
Comparing the GR906 with the Michelin Cross Climate 2 for crossover SUVs:
You will save between $100 and $200 by switching to Ironman, but the Michelin tire offers a better performing, quieter tire suitable for climates where you get snow in winter.
| Ironman GR906 | Michelin Cross Climate 2 | |
| Price | $60 – $110 | $170 – $350 |
| Rim Size | 13” – 17” | 15” – 20” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 60,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | B-C |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | All season touring compound is durable and provides wet grip. | B |
| Rolling Noise | Tread block design to minimize noise. | 69 dB |
| Suitability for Snow | No. | 3PMSF rated. |
Comparing the All Country AT2 with Defender LTX for pickup trucks:
Both tires start at a similar price, but the Michelin tire rapidly becomes more costly. The Michelin tire is the better performer, so if you can get it for a comparable price, it is the more durable tire.
| Ironman All Country AT2 | Michelin Defender LTX | |
| Price | $150 – $245 | $143 – $466 |
| Rim Size | 15” – 20” | 15” – 22” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 50,000 – 70,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | No EU label, but the construction is more fuel-efficient than average. |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | Four circumferential grooves improve traction. Full depth sipes. | No EU label. Reviews indicate excellent wet grip braking. |
| Rolling Noise | Zig zag grooves for a quieter ride. | No EU label. Tires have polyurethane foam to reduce noise levels. |
| Suitability for Snow | No | Not snowflake rated. |
#2 Ironman vs. Firestone
Comparing the GR906 with the Firestone All Season for SUVs:
You pay significantly less for the Ironman tire, and the Firestone tire offers better performance but not by an enormous margin.
| Ironman GR906 | Firestone All Season | |
| Price | $60 – $110 | $160 – $220 |
| Rim Size | 13” – 17” | 14” – 20” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 65,000 miles. |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | D |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | All season touring compound is durable and provides wet grip. | B |
| Rolling Noise | Tread block design to minimize noise. | 71 dB |
| Suitability for Snow | No. | No. |
Comparing the All Country AT2 with the Firestone Destination LE3 for pickup trucks: While prices are comparable, the Firestone performs better than the Ironman with a 70,000-mile warranty.
| Ironman All Country AT2 | Firestone Destination LE3 | |
| Price | $150 – $245 | $150 – $250 |
| Rim Size | 15” – 20” | 15” – 22” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 70,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | No EU label. Firestone scores this as the best for fuel efficiency. |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | Four circumferential grooves improve traction. Full depth sipes. | No EU label. Firestone scores this in the best zone. |
| Rolling Noise | Zig zag grooves for a quieter ride. | No EU label. Firestone scores this as quiet and smooth. |
| Suitability for Snow | No | No. |
#3 Ironman vs. Goodyear
Comparing the GR906 with the Goodyear Assurance All Season for SUVs: The Ironman is more affordable but not by a large margin, and the performance is comparable to the Goodyear.
| Ironman GR906 | Goodyear Assurance All Season | |
| Price | $60 – $110 | Under $100 to $200 |
| Rim Size | 13” – 17” | 14” – 20” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 65,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | No EU label, but has a low rolling resistance for good fuel efficiency. |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | All season touring compound is durable and provides wet grip. | UTQG rated A. |
| Rolling Noise | Tread block design to minimize noise. | No EU label, but considered relatively quiet. |
| Suitability for Snow | No. | No. |
Comparing the All Country AT2 with the Wrangler TrailRunner AT for pickup trucks:
You can pay less for an Ironman tire for your pickup truck, but the Goodyear tire gives greater durability with a generous treadwear warranty, a 3PMSF rating for winter handling, and tougher tires reinforced with Kevlar for off-road adventures.
| Ironman All Country AT2 | Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT | |
| Price | $150 – $245 | $170 – $350 |
| Rim Size | 15” – 20” | 15” – 20” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 60,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | Exempt class; will vary with loading. |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | Four circumferential grooves improve traction. Full depth sipes. | Exempt class. Sawtooth design with sipes to increase traction. |
| Rolling Noise | Zig zag grooves for a quieter ride. | Exempt class. Computer-optimized tread pattern reduces noise. |
| Suitability for Snow | No | 3PMSF winter rating. |
#4 Ironman vs. Continental
Comparing the GR906 with the Continental All Season Contact for SUVs: You save $30-$50 by switching to Ironman, but the Continental tire offers better all-season performance.
| Ironman GR906 | Continental All Season Contact | |
| Price | $60 – $110 | Starts under $100 to about $200 |
| Rim Size | 13” – 17” | 13″ – 20″ |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | No treadwear warranty. |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | B-C |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | All season touring compound is durable and provides wet grip. | B |
| Rolling Noise | Tread block design to minimize noise. | 71-72 dB |
| Suitability for Snow | No. | 3PMSF Snowflake rated for extreme snow. |
Comparing the All Country AT2 with the Continental Viking Contact 7 for pickup trucks:
You pay less for the Continental tire, but it is a winter tire with a 3PMSF rating. Winter tires are less durable when driven all year. The performance is comparable, and you are probably better with Ironman tires for the bulk of the year with less expensive but better winter tires when you need them.
| Ironman All Country AT2 | Continental Viking Contact 7 | |
| Price | $150 – $245 | $110 – $160 |
| Rim Size | 15” – 20” | 15″ – 22″ |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | Two years from date of purchase – not treadwear. |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | C-D |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | Four circumferential grooves improve traction. Full depth sipes. | D-E |
| Rolling Noise | Zig zag grooves for a quieter ride. | 71-72 dB |
| Suitability for Snow | No | 3PMSF snowflake rated. |
#5 Ironman vs. Cooper
Comparing the GR906 with the Cooper Endeavor Plus for SUVs: The Cooper tire will cost between $30 and $90 more for comparable performance, so the Ironman will suffice for most drivers on a budget.
| Ironman GR906 | Cooper Endeavor Plus | |
| Price | $60 – $110 | $100 – $260 |
| Rim Size | 13” – 17” | 16” – 22” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 65,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | No EU label |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | All season touring compound is durable and provides wet grip. | No EU label |
| Rolling Noise | Tread block design to minimize noise. | No EU label |
| Suitability for Snow | No. | No |
Comparing the All Country AT2 with the Discoverer AT3 for pickup trucks:
You have at least a $40 difference, with the Ironman tires being cheaper and the Cooper tires offering better traction and durability.
| Ironman All Country AT2 | Cooper Discoverer AT3 | |
| Price | $150 – $245 | $197 – $400 |
| Rim Size | 15” – 20” | 15” – 22” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 65,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | D |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | Four circumferential grooves improve traction. Full depth sipes. | C |
| Rolling Noise | Zig zag grooves for a quieter ride. | 73-75 dB |
| Suitability for Snow | No | 3PMSF snowflake rated |
#6 Ironman vs. Yokohama
Comparing the GR906 with the Advan Fleva V701 for SUVs: Similar price to the Ironman, but the Yokohama tire performs significantly better.
| Ironman GR906 | Yokohama Advan Fleva V701 | |
| Price | $60 – $110 | Starts under $100 |
| Rim Size | 13” – 17” | 15” – 20” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | Limited warranty |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | C-D |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | All season touring compound is durable and provides wet grip. | A |
| Rolling Noise | Tread block design to minimize noise. | A-B (quiet) |
| Suitability for Snow | No. | No |
Comparing the All Country AT2 with the Geolandar A/T G015 for pickup trucks:
The Yokohama tire is more affordable and has comparable performance to the Ironman. If price is your determining factor in choosing tires, compare prices to see which offers the lowest cost when you need replacement tires.
| Ironman All Country AT2 | Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 | |
| Price | $150 – $245 | $100 – $250 |
| Rim Size | 15” – 20” | 15” – 22” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 60,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | E |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | Four circumferential grooves improve traction. Full depth sipes. | C |
| Rolling Noise | Zig zag grooves for a quieter ride. | 71 dB |
| Suitability for Snow | No | 3PMSF snowflake rated |
#7 Ironman vs. Hankook
Comparing the GR906 with the Ventus S1 EVO3 for SUVs: You pay at least $70 more per tire for Hankook, but the Hankook tire offers run-on-flat technology, less noise, and better handling than the Ironman.
| Ironman GR906 | Hankook Ventus S1 EVO3 | |
| Price | $60 – $110 | $150 – $250 |
| Rim Size | 13” – 17” | 17” – 22” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 50,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | A |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | All season touring compound is durable and provides wet grip. | B |
| Rolling Noise | Tread block design to minimize noise. | 69-70 dB |
| Suitability for Snow | No. | No |
Comparing the All Country AT2 with the Dynapro AT2 for pickup trucks:
The Hankook tires cost at least $100 more. For the extra money, you get a 60,000-mile warranty, good fuel efficiency, and a four-season tire with a 3PMSF rating, which the Ironman lacks.
| Ironman All Country AT2 | Hankook Dynapro AT2 | |
| Price | $150 – $245 | $250 – $300 |
| Rim Size | 15” – 20” | 15” – 20” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 60,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | C-D |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | Four circumferential grooves improve traction. Full depth sipes. | D |
| Rolling Noise | Zig zag grooves for a quieter ride. | 73 dB |
| Suitability for Snow | No | 3PMSF rated. |
#8 Ironman vs. Falken
Comparing the GR906 with the Ziex ZE950 for crossover SUVs:
Although it is pricier by some margin, the Falken tire offers a quieter ride, better fuel efficiency, and excellent wet braking, qualities the Ironman struggles to match.
| Ironman GR906 | Falken Ziex ZE950 | |
| Price | $60 – $110 | $150 – $240 |
| Rim Size | 13” – 17” | 15” – 20” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 65,000 to 45,000 miles, depending on the speed rating. |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | No EU label, but other Zeix range tires rate C. |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | All season touring compound is durable and provides wet grip. | No EU label, but other Zeix range tires rate A. UTQG rating AA. |
| Rolling Noise | Tread block design to minimize noise. | No EU label, but other Zeix range tires rate 67 dB. |
| Suitability for Snow | No. | No. |
Comparing the All Country AT2 with the WildPeak A/T for pickup trucks: The Falken tire is the same price as the Ironman, but it is quieter and a better performer.
| Ironman All Country AT2 | Falken WildPeak A/T | |
| Price | $150 – $245 | $150 – $240 |
| Rim Size | 15” – 20” | 15” – 22” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 65,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | C-E |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | Four circumferential grooves improve traction. Full depth sipes. | B-D |
| Rolling Noise | Zig zag grooves for a quieter ride. | 71 dB |
| Suitability for Snow | No | 3PMSF snow rating |
#9 Ironman vs. Nexen
Comparing the GR906 with the Roadian GTX for SUVs: The Nexen tire is the better performer but costs significantly more than the Ironman.
| Ironman GR906 | Nexen Roadian GTX | |
| Price | $60 – $110 | Starts at $150 |
| Rim Size | 13” – 17” | 17” – 22” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 70,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | Nexen rating 9/10 |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | All season touring compound is durable and provides wet grip. | UTQG AA (best rating). Nexen rating 8/10 |
| Rolling Noise | Tread block design to minimize noise. | Nexen rating 10/10 |
| Suitability for Snow | No. | Nexen rating 6/10 |
Comparing the All Country AT2 with the Roadian MTX for pickup trucks:
You pay significantly more for the Nexen tire, and if you spend most of your time off-road, it is the better tire. Otherwise, you may as well invest in budget-friendly Ironman tires.
| Ironman All Country AT2 | Nexen Roadian MTX | |
| Price | $150 – $245 | Starts at $257 |
| Rim Size | 15” – 20” | 15” – 22” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | No treadwear warranty |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | Nexen rating 6/10 |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | Four circumferential grooves improve traction. Full depth sipes. | Nexen rating 8/10 |
| Rolling Noise | Zig zag grooves for a quieter ride. | Nexen rating 7/10 |
| Suitability for Snow | No | No. |
#10 Ironman vs. Kumho
Comparing the GR906 with the Crugen HP71 for crossover SUVs: The Kumho tire is more expensive than the Ironman (at least $70 per tire) but offers better performance and durability, so you can recoup some of the upfront investment.
| Ironman GR906 | Kumho Crugen HP71 | |
| Price | $60 – $110 | Starts at $142 |
| Rim Size | 13” – 17” | 16” – 22” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 65,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | No details |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | All season touring compound is durable and provides wet grip. | Kumho scores 9/10 wet, 8.5/10 dry. |
| Rolling Noise | Tread block design to minimize noise. | Kumho scores 9.5/10 |
| Suitability for Snow | No. | Kumho scores 8/10 |
Comparing the All Country AT2 with the Road Venture AT52 for pickup trucks:
You can pay slightly more for the Kumho tire, and the performance is similar to the Ironman. But the Kumho tire has a 3PMSF rating for more extreme conditions.
| Ironman All Country AT2 | Kumho Road Venture AT52 | |
| Price | $150 – $245 | Starts at $173 |
| Rim Size | 15” – 20” | 15” – 20” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 50,000 – 55,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | No details |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | Four circumferential grooves improve traction. Full depth sipes. | Kumho scores 7/10 for wet and dry. |
| Rolling Noise | Zig zag grooves for a quieter ride. | Kumho scores 6/10 |
| Suitability for Snow | No | Kumho scores 8/10. Has 3PMSF rating. |
#11 Ironman vs. Toyo
Comparing the GR906 with the Celsius CUV for SUVs:
The Toyo tire costs more than the Ironman but gives exceptional handling in wet and icy conditions for an all-season tire.
| Ironman GR906 | Toyo Celsius CUV | |
| Price | $60 – $110 | $140 – $290 |
| Rim Size | 13” – 17” | 16” – 22” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 60,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | C-E |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | All season touring compound is durable and provides wet grip. | C |
| Rolling Noise | Tread block design to minimize noise. | 69-72 dB |
| Suitability for Snow | No. | 3PMSF |
Comparing the All Country AT2 with the Open Country AT III for pickup trucks:
Ironman will save you some money, but the Toyo tire offers greater durability with comparable performance. Plus, the Toyo will get you through heavy snowfall.
| Ironman All Country AT2 | Toyo Open Country AT III | |
| Price | $150 – $245 | $200 – $700 |
| Rim Size | 15” – 20” | 15” – 22” |
| Warranty | Limited guarantee | 65,000 miles |
| Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E) | No details | No EU label, but the AT Plus rates D. |
| Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E) | Four circumferential grooves improve traction. Full depth sipes. | No EU label, but the AT Plus rates D. |
| Rolling Noise | Zig zag grooves for a quieter ride. | No EU label, but the AT Plus rates 70-74 dB. |
| Suitability for Snow | No | 3PMSF snowflake rating |
#12 Ironman vs. Hercules Tire
Ironman is a subsidiary of Hercules Tires.
Comparing the GR906 with the RoadTour Connect PCV for SUVs: The Hercules recommended tire will cost you between $30 and $60 more, but you can expect greater durability and better handling than the Ironman.
Comparing the All Country AT2 with the Terra Tract HPT for pickup trucks:
The price is similar, within a few dollars either way. The Ironman tire is suitable for all terrains (although not exclusively off-road), but the Hercule tire needs well-mannered highways and is not for off-road use.
Alternatives to Ironman Tires
Ironman tire’s primary selling point is affordability, but you can buy cheaper tires, notably the budget brands Douglas, Kelly, and Uniroyal.
You can pay roughly the same but get better performance from brands like Falken and Goodyear.
If you are willing to pay a bit more for your tires, you can get tires with excellent fuel efficiency (Hankook), better handling capabilities (Bridgestone), and quiet running (BF Goodrich).
Conclusion
Ironman is part of the Cooper group of tire manufacturers.
You can buy an affordable tire that will do the job of keeping your vehicle safely on the road.
Other tire brands will offer tires with better performance characteristics, but you may prefer budget-saving and a tire that is good enough for your needs.
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