General G-MAX AS-07 vs Firestone FireHawk A/S V2 tires

General and FireHawk are the two American tire manufacturers with a long history of making highly capable tires. Their G-MAX and FireHawk tires utilize advanced technologies and features to offer reliable performance.

Specifically, the General G-MAX AS-07 and the Firestone FireHawk are two highly capable UHP all-season tires suitable for use on many popular vehicles sold on the market. These tires are optimized to deliver superior handling and performance like the traditional UHP summer tires, but with the additional advantage of serving year-round. Both of them come with tread life warranties and are great performers in areas like handling, traction, and longevity.

But, as a tire buyer, you might want to know which of the two UHP all-season tires better aligns with your driving style, needs, and budget. So, to help make an informed decision, in this General G-MAX AS-07 vs Firestone FireHawk A/S V2 tires comparison, we will analyze the overall capabilities of both tires, along with knowing their respective traction, handling, and longevity performances, based on our proprietary tire rating system, SimpleScore.

General G-MAX AS-07 tires

Introduced in August 2023, the General G-MAX AS-07 is an ultra-high-performance (UHP) all-season tire suitable for use on passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, and pickup trucks. This tire is suitable for use in dry, wet, and light snow conditions, offering a dependable year-round driving experience. It also comes with dedicated features to improve its braking performance in dry and wet conditions, snow traction, tread life, and control tread noise levels. Additionally, the G-MAX AS-07 also comes with a tread life warranty coverage.

Overall, the G-MAX AS-07 scores a great 8.9 SimpleScore, thanks to its excellent tread life, sharper handling response, and better traction performance.

Firestone FireHawk A/S V2 tires

The Firestone FireHawk A/S V2 was launched in September 2022, and this ultra-high-performance all-season tire can be used on sports cars, sedans, and minivans. It comes with an array of features and technologies to promote longer tread life, offer quieter rides, and ensure light winter weather traction, in addition to dry and wet weather performance. Like its counterpart, the FireHawk A/S V2 also comes with an attractive limited manufacturer tread life warranty for a worry-free ownership experience.

Overall, the FireHawk A/S V2 scores a great 8.3 out of 10 SimpleScore rating because of its impressive handling, strong year-round traction, and extended service life.

General G-MAX AS-07 vs Firestone FireHawk A/S V2 tires on traction

Let’s now dive deeper into the analysis of both tires and find out which one is better when it comes to traction and grip year-round.

Starting with the G-MAX AS-07 first, this tire is rated a great 8.9 out of 10 SimpleScore rating in traction. It boasts a new-gen all-season rubber compound that promotes solid performance in dry, wet, and light winter conditions. The presence of wide circumferential grooves improves water channelling for increased wet grip, while the sipes across the footprint increase traction and grip in wet and light snow conditions. Additionally, the sharper tread block edges and optimized compound keep the tire glued to the surface in dry conditions, even at high speeds.

On the other hand, the FireHawk A/S V2 scores an 8.3 out of 10 in traction. Thanks to the circumferential grooves, large outboard tread blocks, and interlocking lugs, the tire ensures optimum hydroplaning resistance. The 3D sipes provide extra traction in light snow conditions, whereas the adaptive rubber compound allows the tire to perform at its optimum level in dry, wet, and light snow conditions, even when the vehicle is running at high speeds.

No doubt, both tires are great on the traction front, but it is the G-MAX AS-07 that excels with a higher SimpleScore, leaving the FireHawk A/S V2 behind.

ADVANTAGE: General G-MAX AS-07

General G-MAX AS-07 vs Firestone FireHawk A/S V2 tires on handling

Now, let’s take a look at the handling performances of both tires and find out which tire is better when it comes to steering response, ride control, stability, lane changing, and braking performance.

The General G-MAX AS-07 scores a great 8.9 SimpleScore in handling, which means the tire is very capable of responding to the driver’s steering commands. The dynamic, all-season tread pattern is engineered to provide solid braking performance and ride control on wet surfaces, while the noise levels are remarkably controlled by the variable tread pitch sequencing to offer quieter rides. For confident cornering, stability, and lane-changing, the tire features solid shoulder blocks and optimized center ribs.

Contrarily, the FireHawk A/S V2 scores an 8.6 SimpleScore in handling for a responsive performance and better controllability. The IndyCar-inspired tread design with interlocking lugs boosts wet weather handling, while the large outboard tread blocks improve cornering performance and provide stability at high speeds. For increased braking performance and ride control, the tire’s tread also features 3D full-depth sipes.

By a very small margin, the G-MAX AS-07 wins the handling battle, but the FireHawk A/S V2 is still considered a decent option if you are not opting for the General tire.

ADVANTAGE: General G-MAX AS-07

General G-MAX AS-07 vs Firestone FireHawk A/S V2 tires on longevity

Moving on to the longevity analysis, let’s find out which of the two tires is better at serving longer – the G-MAX AS-07 or the FireHawk A/S V2?

The G-MAX AS-07 earns an excellent 9.0 SimpleScore in longevity, which means this tire is engineered to resist wear despite being a high-performance category tire. It also comes with a 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, which further indicates its long-lasting wear. General offers features like Replacement Tire Monitor and Visual Alignment Indicators to let the drivers visually inspect the tire’s wear condition and alignment status. Thanks to its solid inner construction and optimized rubber compound, the G-MAX AS-07 wears better.

Comparatively, the FireHawk A/S V2 scores an 8.0 SimpleScore, which means this tire is decent enough when it comes to longevity. Thanks to the 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the tire ensures a long-lasting performance. Likewise, the wider footprint helps in pressure distribution for a longer and even wear. The sipes and shoulder blocks are also optimized to keep the tire in shape for long-lasting service.

In longevity, too, the General G-MAX AS-07 surpasses the FireHawk A/S V2’s score, leading the comparison by a 3-0 margin.

ADVANTAGE: General G-MAX AS-07

When to use each

Both tires are engineered for year-round use and provide traction and performance in dry, wet, and light winter weather. These tires should be your preference if you want sporty performance, crisp handling, quicker accelerations, and stability at high speeds. These tires are suitable for year-round service; however, they should not be considered for use in harsh winter weather conditions, in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, as they are not Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified.

The G-MAX AS-07 is suitable for vehicles with rim sizes in the range of 16- to 23-inch, whereas the FireHawk A/S V2 can be used on vehicles with rim sizes in the range of 17- to 20-inch.

Which one should you choose?

Based on SimpleScore, the G-MAX AS-07 is better than the FireHawk A/S V2 (8.9 vs 8.3). However, they both have their own unique attributes, compatibility, and qualities, which must be considered when buying a set of tires that better aligns with your preferences.

When it comes to price, the G-MAX AS-07 is available at a starting price of at least $106 per tire, while the FireHawk A/S V2 comes at a starting price of at least $147 per tire. This means, a set of four G-MAX tires will cost you at least $424, while a set of four FireHawk tires will cost you at least $588.

Looking at SimpleScore, you should consider the G-MAX AS-07 if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Dodge Challenger, BMW X3, RAM 1500, or Ford Explorer.
• Need a tire that’s better in traction (8.9 vs 8.3).
• Need a tire that’s better in handling (8.9 vs 8.6).
• Need a tire that’s better in longevity (9.0 vs 8.0).
• Need a tire that’s overall better and affordable.
• Need a tire that’s compatible with a larger set of vehicles on the market.

Conversely, you should consider the FireHawk A/S V2 if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Nissan Sentra and Cadillac CTS.
• Need a tire that’s slightly expensive but better aligns with the needs of sporty performance.
• Need a tire that’s offered with an equally good tread life warranty.
• Need a tire that’s offered in 17- to 20-inch rim sizes.

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.