With the continuing popularity of SUVs, a segment which has been growing since the 1990s, Goodyear Malaysia has added a new tyre to cater for SUVs in the middle range. Earlier, in 2017, the company had introduced the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV which was for the more expensive models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Now, with the new Assurance MaxGuard SUV, they cover models in a lower segment as prices start from RM375.
The Assurance line of tyres is developed more for modern SUVs, differentiating it from the older Wrangler line which could be considered more ‘hardcore’. The Wrangler has also been available but its construction philosophy has been oriented more towards pick-up trucks and the workhorse 4×4 SUVs.
The Assurance range, on the other hand, is comfort-oriented since SUVs today are used on the road more than off-road. They are also used more for personal transport than for hauling heavy cargo to sites in the jungle. So the requirements of customers will be different and Goodyear understand this.
Of course, the nature of a SUV still makes it possible for the vehicle to go off-road, although perhaps not on serious expeditions deep into the jungle. But many people who own such vehicles may also use them to go to the seaside or on trails to fishing ponds or for other types of recreation. Therefore, there is still a need for the tyre to be robust to cope with rocks and rough terrain. This is where the Assurance MaxGuard SUV tyre’s ‘2-in-1 protection’ comes in to provide a balance of grip and braking for road use, and durability when driving on rough roads.
With Goodyear’s ActiveGrip Technology, the tyre is claimed to be able to brake in shorter distances on wet roads and also provide good handling and stability. This is achieved by its tread design with an increased number of multi-biting edges and optimized distribution. Goodyear’s claims were made based on factory tests using a Honda CR-V and comparing to the Wrangler Triplemax.
The tyre also uses blended silica in its cap compound for reduced rolling resistance, which helps fuel economy. Further helping to extend mileage is the enhanced tyre footprint (squarish instead of circular), optimized tread depth distribution and cavity shape. These help the tyre to last longer, maximising the value for money spent by the motorist.
DuraGuard Technology, used in many other Goodyear tyres, makes the tyre carcass robust and that is important for withstanding cuts and punctures. The durability comes from having 2-ply construction and a strong steel belt layer that is resistant to penetration.
Because the SUVs are used more on roads and daily commuting, noise levels need to be lower. The earlier Wrangler tyres tended to be noisy because those who drove trucks were not bothered. But today’s SUVs are quieter, like passenger cars, so the tyres need to also run with less noise. Goodyear’s engineers have made sure that Assurance MaxGuard SUV meets this expectation with a carefully designed tread pattern with an angled block design that traps noise, noise reduction ribs and narrower grooves.
The new Assurance MaxGuard SUV is made in Goodyear factories in China, Malaysia and Thailand in a wide range of sizes for popular SUV models in Malaysia, including those from Malaysian brands such as Perodua and Proton. They are available for 16, 17, 18 and 19-inch rim sizes so quite a large portion of the SUV market is covered.
As with most Goodyear tyres sold in Malaysia, the Assurance MaxGuard SUV comes with the brand’s Worry-Free Assurance program where a customers can get free replacement tyres in the event of road hazard damage (potholes or punctures from nails) that is beyond repair (within the first 6 months of use, terms and conditions apply). Additionally, there is also a 5-year factory warranty that covers manufacturing defects.
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