The brutally honest verdict on Firestone’s budget all-season tire — who should buy it, who should run away, and whether that $300 savings is actually worth it.
Why You’re Really Here
You were just pitched these tires at Firestone, Costco, or Sam’s Club as a “budget-friendly alternative” to Michelin Pilot Sports or Pirelli Scorpions. You placed the order, but now you’re second-guessing. There are almost zero professional reviews online, so you turned to Reddit for the unfiltered truth. Should you keep that appointment, or cancel and buy the premium tires?
The Weight-to-Performance Breakdown
Here’s what Reddit’s collective wisdom reveals: your vehicle’s weight is the single biggest factor in whether these tires will work for you. The soft sidewall construction that makes them comfortable on light cars becomes a liability on heavier vehicles.
BUY If You Drive…
- Lightweight sedans (under 3,200 lbs) — Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla
- Compact crossovers — Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-30
- Economy commuters — Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Toyota Camry
- Non-aggressive drivers who prioritize comfort over cornering
AVOID If You Drive…
- Sport sedans (3,500+ lbs) — Infiniti G37, BMW 3-Series, Audi A4
- Performance vehicles — Subaru WRX, VW GTI, Civic Si
- Heavier crossovers/SUVs — Ford Edge, Mazda CX-9, Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Spirited drivers who value responsive handling and cornering
The “Marshmallow Sidewall” Problem
“The steering responsiveness is abysmal. It felt like driving an aquarium on top of a trampoline.” > — Reddit user on Infiniti G37
This is the #1 complaint across Reddit threads. The Firehawk AS V2 uses a softer sidewall compound that prioritizes ride comfort and noise reduction. On lighter vehicles, this is fine. On heavier sport sedans or performance cars, it creates a disconnected, vague steering feel that many enthusiasts find unacceptable.
What “Soft Sidewalls” Actually Means:
- → More body roll in corners (the car “leans” more)
- → Delayed steering response (input doesn’t feel immediate)
- → Less “road feel” through the steering wheel
- → Quieter, more comfortable highway cruising (the upside)
Tread Life: The Uncomfortable Truth
- Worst Case: 20,000 miles
- Average: 28,000 miles
- Best Case: 33,000 miles
Multiple Reddit users report the Firehawk AS V2 wearing out significantly faster than expected. While Firestone advertises a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, real-world experiences suggest 20,000–33,000 miles is more realistic.
💰 The Real Cost Calculation If you’re saving $300 upfront but replacing tires 20,000 miles sooner, you’re actually losing money over time.
- Firehawk AS V2 (~28K miles): $500 ÷ 28,000 = 1.78¢/mile
- Michelin Defender (~60K miles): $800 ÷ 60,000 = 1.33¢/mile
The Road Noise Mystery
This is where Reddit opinions diverge wildly. Some users call them “incredibly quiet,” while others say they’re “the loudest tires she’s ever had.” What’s going on?
- 😊 “Incredibly quiet at highway speeds” — Owner of 2019 Honda Accord (smooth roads, mild climate)
- 😤 “Loudest tires I’ve ever owned” — Owner of 2017 Mazda CX-5 (rough roads, cold climate)
Why Noise Varies So Much:
- Road surface: Concrete highways amplify tire noise vs. smooth asphalt
- Vehicle insulation: Luxury cars mask noise better than economy cars
- Tire size: Wider tires = more road contact = more potential noise
- Wear level: Noise increases significantly as tread wears down
Performance Breakdown
- Dry Traction: 7.5/10 — Adequate for daily driving; lacks grip for spirited cornering
- Wet Traction: 7.0/10 — Good hydroplaning resistance; confidence-inspiring in rain
- Light Snow: 5.5/10 — Acceptable for light flurries; not recommended for snowy climates
- Steering Response: 4.5/10 — The weak point; soft sidewalls create vague, disconnected feel
- Ride Comfort: 8.0/10 — Excellent bump absorption; soft sidewalls excel here
- Tread Life: 5.0/10 — Wears faster than competitors; plan for 25-30K miles realistically
Your Safety Net: Return Policies
Here’s the good news: you’re not locked in. Both Firestone and Costco offer generous trial periods that let you test-drive these tires risk-free.
Firestone Auto Care
- ✓ 90-Day Buy & Try Guarantee
- ✓ Full refund if not satisfied
- ✓ 50,000-mile treadwear warranty
Costco Tire Center
- ✓ Satisfaction guarantee
- ✓ Free lifetime maintenance (rotation, balancing)
- ✓ 5-year road hazard warranty included
The Final Verdict
6.5/10 (CONDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION)
The Firestone Firehawk AS V2 is a legitimate budget option for the right driver—but a frustrating mistake for the wrong one.
✓ Keep Your Appointment If…
- You drive a lightweight sedan/crossover (under 3,200 lbs)
- You prioritize comfort over sporty handling
- You’re okay replacing tires every 25-30K miles
- Saving $200-300 upfront matters more than long-term cost
✗ Cancel & Upgrade If…
- You drive a sport sedan or performance car
- You value responsive, connected steering feel
- You want tires that last 50,000+ miles
- Your vehicle weighs over 3,500 lbs
Better Alternatives to Consider
- Michelin Defender T+H (Score: 8.8) — Best for: Maximum tread life • ~$160/tire
- Continental TrueContact Tour (Score: 8.2) — Best for: Comfort + tread life • ~$130/tire
- Pirelli P7 All Season Plus 3 (Score: 8.0) — Best for: Responsive handling • ~$140/tire
- Goodyear Assurance MaxLife (Score: 7.5) — Best for: Budget + longevity balance • ~$115/tire
