Dunlop Tires
Dunlop was founded in 1888 by John Boyd Dunlop — the man who invented the pneumatic tire. That's not marketing fluff; the modern tire literally starts with this brand. And then Dunlop went racing: 34 overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, starting in 1924 — more than any other tire manufacturer, ever. Eight Formula 1 World Drivers' Championships on Dunlop rubber between 1959 and 1969, including four straight years as the sport's sole tire supplier. When people say a tire brand has "racing heritage," Dunlop is the brand they're describing.
Here's the part that changed recently, and it matters: Dunlop hasn't been a Goodyear brand since May 2025. Goodyear ran Dunlop in North America from 1999 (a joint venture with Japan's Sumitomo Rubber Industries), took full control in 2015 — and then sold the whole Dunlop brand back to Sumitomo in a deal worth about $735 million, closing May 7, 2025. So today Dunlop is a Sumitomo brand worldwide, sitting next to Falken in the same garage. Sumitomo says it wants to build Dunlop back up as a premium global brand. We'll believe it when the tires prove it — but the ambition is real.
What does that mean for your driveway? Right now, Dunlop is the smart-money brand with a racing badge: tires that cost less than the premium names and carry genuine engineering behind them. That's the honest position, and it's a good one.
Dunlop winter tires
Winter Maxx WM02 — the studless winter for cars and small crossovers. Asymmetric tread, 3D sipes that bite ice and lock together for dry-road stability, and the three-peak mountain snowflake rating. Dunlop announced the WM02 and its SUV sibling as the current studless lineup for this winter season. It's the value alternative to the Blizzak WS90 and Michelin X-Ice Snow: real winter engineering, less money. Dunlop backs it with the Maxx Warranty — in the US market that's a 7-year warranty with 50,000-mile tread life coverage, road hazard protection, a 90-day trial, and roadside assistance. Confirm the exact Canadian terms when you buy; we'll verify them on your quote.
Winter Maxx SJ8 — the WM02's bigger sibling for CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks. Same studless winter philosophy, built for heavier vehicles and bigger sizes. The honest winter answer for a RAV4, CR-V, or F-150 that needs real ice grip without the premium-brand price.
Dunlop winter vs the big names is the classic Canadian debate. Our tire guides cover it — or call (647) 819-0490 and we'll give you the straight answer for your car.
Dunlop performance tires
Direzza ZIII — the extreme performance summer. This is the tire that carries the racing badge honestly: motorsport-derived compound, track-day capable, built for the driver who knows what a heat cycle is. It's a summer-only tire — brilliant from May to October, dangerous in January. Seasonal honesty: summers in May, winters in November.
SP Sport 5000 — the ultra-high-performance all-season. The daily-driver answer for the sports sedan or coupe owner who wants sharp handling without swapping tires twice a year. Genuine sport-sedan manners, real rain grip, and priced below the big-name UHP all-seasons.
Dunlop SUV and truck tires
Grandtrek — Dunlop's SUV and light-truck line, covering everything from highway touring to all-terrain. It's a big family with regional variants, so ask us which Grandtrek fits your truck and what's actually stocked in Canada — we'll check before we quote, not after.
Dunlop tires for Tesla and EVs
Honest answer: Dunlop doesn't sell a dedicated EV tire the way some brands do. What matters for your Tesla is load index — EVs are heavy, and the wrong load rating is a safety issue, not a comfort preference. We verify load index on every EV quote because most shops don't. A properly-rated Dunlop winter like the WM02 works fine on a Model 3; we'll confirm the exact size and rating for your car.
The bottom line
Dunlop is the brand for the driver who knows tires: racing history you can verify, current engineering, and prices that don't punish you for the badge. The Winter Maxx WM02 is the sweet spot — a genuine studless winter tire for less than the premium names charge. The Direzza ZIII is for the track-day crowd. Everything else, ask us — we'll tell you straight whether Dunlop or something else fits your car and your budget.
Ready to price out a set of Dunlops?
We sell and install a wide range of Dunlop tires across the GTA, at your driveway and on your schedule. Text or call (647) 819-0490 with your tire size and we'll give you a straight quote — no upsell.
FAQ
Q: Who owns Dunlop tires now? A: Sumitomo Rubber Industries of Japan. Goodyear sold the Dunlop brand to Sumitomo in a deal worth about $735 million that closed on May 7, 2025. Goodyear had run Dunlop in North America since 1999.
Q: Is Dunlop a good tire brand? A: Yes, with honest expectations. Dunlop has genuine racing heritage — 34 Le Mans wins and 8 Formula 1 titles — and its current tires like the Winter Maxx WM02 and Direzza ZIII are well-engineered. In North America it's positioned as a value and mid-tier brand, priced below the premium names.
Q: What's the best Dunlop winter tire? A: The Winter Maxx WM02 for cars and small crossovers, and the Winter Maxx SJ8 for SUVs, CUVs, and light trucks. Both are studless winters with the three-peak mountain snowflake rating.
Q: How does the Winter Maxx WM02 compare to the Blizzak WS90? A: The WM02 is Dunlop's value play against Bridgestone's flagship. Both are studless winters with the 3PMSF rating. The WS90 has the longer reputation; the WM02 typically costs less. For most GTA drivers, either gets the job done — call (647) 819-0490 and we'll recommend based on your car and budget.
Q: Is the Direzza ZIII a track tire? A: It's an extreme performance summer tire that's track-day capable, built with motorsport-derived technology. It's not a winter tire — run it May to October and switch to winters in November.
Q: Does Dunlop make tires for SUVs and trucks? A: Yes — the Grandtrek line covers SUVs and light trucks from highway touring to all-terrain, and the Winter Maxx SJ8 is the studless winter for CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks. Availability varies by size in Canada, so ask us what's in stock for your vehicle.
Q: What warranty does Dunlop offer? A: The Winter Maxx WM02 carries Dunlop's Maxx Warranty — in the US market that means a 7-year warranty with 50,000-mile limited tread life coverage, road hazard protection, a 90-day free trial, and roadside assistance. Canadian terms can differ, so confirm the exact coverage on your quote.