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Last updated 6/11/2024 - Originally published 6/11/2024
Written by SimpleTire
Americus Tires and Sumitomo Tires are two of the leading tire manufacturers globally that offer a range of tires for various fitments. Americus Tire was founded in 1990 and is built for American roads by the American Omni Trading Company and currently manufactures tires for passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, trucks, and commercial vehicles. Sumitomo was founded in 1919 and is one of Japan’s oldest tire manufacturers. The brand focuses on superb quality, precise engineering and workmanship, and innovative design in its wide range of tires. Both brands offer a range of tires in different categories, such as all-season, all-weather, summer, UHP, winter, performance, and so on.
All-season tires are designed for use on passenger and commercial vehicles and are designed to offer consistent traction, responsive handling, and a long tread life. All-season tires are the most commonly used tires on the road and we will be taking a look at two great all-season tires from the brands - Americus Recon CUV and Sumitomo Encounter HT2. Both of these are all-season tires designed for use on CUVs and SUVs. We will be discussing a few similarities and differences between these two tires in this Americus Recon CUV vs Sumitomo Encounter HT2 tire comparison.
Americus Recon CUV tires
The Americus Recon CUV is an all-season tire for CUVs and SUVs that features a silica-based rubber compound that offers solid traction in wet and dry weather conditions. The tires are also designed with wide grooves and an optimized design to lower road noises and vibrations. Additionally, the Americus Recon CUV is backed by a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, ensuring a longer tread life.
All of these features have allowed us to give the Americus Recon CUV an average SimpleScore of 8.1 out of 10.
Sumitomo Encounter HT2 tires
The Sumitomo Encounter HT2 is an all-season highway terrain tire that’s designed for use on CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks to offer drivers strong braking and handling performance on wet and dry roads. The tire is built with smooth, curved shoulder grooves to lower road noises and vibrations for a quieter ride. Additionally, the Sumitomo Encounter HT2 is backed by a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, ensuring a longer tread life.
All of these features have allowed us to give the Sumitomo Encounter HT2 an average SimpleScore of 8.2.
Americus Recon CUV vs Sumitomo Encounter HT2 tires on traction
Traction is essential for maintaining control of your vehicle, particularly in different weather conditions. It ensures your tires stay firmly on the ground, providing the confidence needed for safe driving. Traction affects critical factors such as braking distance, resistance to hydroplaning, and overall maneuverability. Its effectiveness hinges on a combination of elements, including tread design, pattern, and the type of rubber used, all working in concert to optimize tire performance.
In traction, the Americus Recon CUV scored a good score of 7.6 thanks to the wide grooves that force water out of the tread to reduce the risk of hydroplaning on wet roads. Additionally, the silica-based rubber compound boosts wet and dry traction while fending off irregular tread wear.
The Sumitomo Encounter HT2 scored a good score of 7.8 in traction thanks to the four wide circumferential grooves that funnel water out of the tire to reduce the risk of hydroplaning. Additionally, the wave-shaped sipes within the tread bite into the road to reduce the braking distance on wet and dry roads.
Both tires offer similar performance in traction in wet, dry, and light winter weather conditions. However, based on SimpleScore the Sumitomo Encounter HT2 scores slightly better than the Americus Tire, making it the winner here.
ADVANTAGE: Sumitomo Encounter HT2
Americus Recon CUV vs Sumitomo Encounter HT2 tires on handling
When choosing tires, prioritizing handling is crucial since it significantly affects your ability to control the vehicle, particularly at higher speeds. Superior handling allows for smooth maneuverability, and easy lane changes, and ultimately improves your overall driving experience. This essential feature is influenced by several factors, such as tread design, the type of rubber used, and the integration of advanced technology in tire production.
The Americus Recon CUV scored a good score of 7.9 in handling thanks to the broad shoulders and a symmetrical tread pattern. The Sumitomo Encounter HT2 received a great score of 8 in handling, thanks to the optimized tread pattern that boosts handling and stability performance year-round.
While both tires offer similar handling performance, the Sumitomo Encounter HT2 performs slightly better based on SimpleScore.
ADVANTAGE: Sumitomo Encounter HT2
Americus Recon CUV vs Sumitomo Encounter HT2 tires on longevity
Longevity is a top priority for drivers when selecting tires, as it determines how far you can travel on a single set. As the tread wears down over time, the value of long-lasting tires becomes clear, providing consistent handling and traction for an extended period. The lifespan of a tire is influenced by several factors, including tread design, rubber composition, and overall construction.
In longevity, the Americus Recon CUV scored a great score of 8.9 thanks to the silica-based rubber compound that reduces irregular tread wear. Additionally, the tire is backed by a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
The Sumitomo Encounter HT2 received a great score of 8.8 in handling, thanks to the reinforced twin steel belts that fend off uneven tread wear for a longer tread life. Additionally, the tire is backed by a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
While both tires offer great longevity performance with a similar mileage warranty, the Americus tire scores slightly better on SimpleScore, making it the winner here.
ADVANTAGE: Americus Recon CUV
When to use each
Both Americus Recon CUV and Sumitomo Encounter HT2 are all-season tires designed for use on CUVs and SUVs. Both tires are designed to be used in weather consistently above 45 degrees Fahrenheit on paved roads and will offer great performance year-round in dry, wet, and light winter weather conditions. Additionally, the tires are backed by a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, ensuring a longer tread life with a quiet, comfortable driving experience.
Which one should you choose?
So which all-season tire might be the right choice for you? Well, the answer depends solely on your personal preference as both tires have different advantages and disadvantages. The Americus Recon CUV is an all-season tire and offers great longevity. Whereas, the Sumitomo Encounter HT2 is an all-season highway tire designed to carry heavy weight loads and scores better in traction and handling.
Another important factor to consider when buying a tire is the price. The Americus Recon CUV costs $92.97 per tire or $371.88 for a set. The Sumitomo Encounter HT2 costs $155.99 per tire or $623.96 for a set.
Based on SimpleScore, you should choose Americus Recon CUV if you:
- Drive a car like the 2016 Nissan Rogue or something like the 2018 Kia Sportage
- Want a set of tires with better longevity (8.9 v 8.8)
- Want a cheaper set of tires that offers great performance
Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Sumitomo Encounter HT2 if you:
- Drive a car like the 2019 Subaru Forester, or a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse
- Want a tire with better overall SimpleScore (), traction (), and handling (8.4 v 7.4)
- If you drive on long commutes more often
- Are willing to pay more for a better set of tires
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.