When looking for new affordable tires, LingLong tires are a name that crop up a lot in this area. They used to be associated with being cheap and nasty tires, but the company has once again become a popular choice for motorists in the US, so have they turned a corner and left their old reputation behind?
In this review, we will take a closer look at why LingLong tires are so popular and whether they are worth considering for your next purchase.
We’ll explore the different types of tires they offer as well as their performance and what makes them stand out from other tire brands. By the end of this review, you will know all there is to know about LingLong tires and be able to make an informed decision on your next tire purchase!
LingLong Tire Review
The Shandong LingLong Tires Company are a Chinese tire manufacturer founded in 1975. They are amongst the top 20 tire companies in the world and the top five in Mainland China.
They specialised in mass producing tires for what they call TBR, which stands for “Truck and Bus Radial” with over 45 different tires for trucks, buses and any long haul vehicle.
They also produce tires for passenger cars and SUVs, with their most popular models being the Touring and Comfort range. These tires are known for their durability, reliability and affordability.
The Touring range is designed to provide drivers with a comfortable ride even in wet conditions, whilst the Comfort range offers excellent handling on both dry and wet roads. Their all-terrain tires have been praised for their performance in wet weather especially.
They currently produce tires in multiple manufacturing bases around the globe including China, Thailand, and Serbia. Linglong tires are sold and can be found in up to 173 countries and regions.
They have gained a reputation for being extremely durable and affordable being some of the cheapest tires you can buy, making them instantly popular with motorists trying to save a few bucks.
LingLong also own and produce other budget tire brands including Leao, Atlas, Crosswind and Greenmax.
Are LingLong tires any good?
As we have now discovered, LingLong make a variety of tires for all vehicle types. But are they any good?
LingLong tires used to be criticised for their poor quality and they were the butt of many jokes in the automotive industry. However, since then they’ve made huge strides in improving their quality and now many independent reviews have shown that LingLong tires are up to par with some of the biggest tire brands in the industry.
Linglong Tire recently achieved remarkable success in the “2017 Test World Summer Tire Test“ conducted by Finland’s Test World team. Out of 17 products tested, Linglong ranked first among all Chinese brands. This was a major accomplishment and showed their recent commitment to improving their quality of product since their 2009 Consumer Reports test rating which scored them dead last.
There are also many unique features of LingLong tires that you would want, especially for trucks drivers. This includes special tread patterns to reduce stone retention, rounded shoulders to reduce the effects of tire scrubbing during sharp turns and wide footprints to evenly distribute the weight whilst also having a low rolling resistance, just to name a few.
Another major benefit of LingLong tires is durability. Their tires are designed to last, which is an especially important consideration for truckers and commercial drivers who are on the road for longer periods of time. It also helps to save money as you will need to replace your tires less often.
However it is not all good news, and LingLong tires are often criticized for their dry performance and lack of precise steering feel or feedback. This means that any aggressive or sporty driving is likely to mean your tires lose traction with the road and the vehicle will begin to understeer.
Fortunately, we found that as long as you are driving within the speed limits you are unlikely to encounter this issue.
Despite these few issue, Linglong tires still offer great value for money and perform decently well in a variety of conditions. They offer good traction especially on wet surfaces compared to other similar tires and their wear resistance is a stand out feature. They also tend to remain quiet even when driving at high speeds and provide relatively comfortable rides.
As the gap between Chinese independent brands and overseas premium brands continues to narrow, Linglong tires have proven themselves to be a reliable and affordable option for drivers looking for decent replacement tires on a budget.
Overall, if you’re looking for a set of tires that are both reliable and budget friendly, then Linglong is definitely worth considering.
LingLong Controversies in the Media
LingLong tires earned a negative reputation in the US after Consumer Reports gave them an abysmal rating during their 2009 test, placing them dead last in breaking performance. The report found LingLong tires needing 22 extra feet for stopping at 50mph compared with other brands in the same test.
In October 2009, a Florida-based tire firm brought charges against Linglong Tire for unlawfully using their confidential tire designs. After an extensive trial in Virginia, the court ruled decisively in July 2010 to demand 26 million US dollars from Linglong Tire as compensation.
Linglong appeal the ruling but were unsuccessful, and the company then refused to pay any damages. As a result of their refusal, their SEMA exhibition booth was then confiscated in December of the same year.
Since then, LingLong has worked on measures to improve rubber content and performance so that they can once again appeal to American consumers better. As a result of these efforts, LingLong tires are now widely accepted across the US and are some of the most popular budget tires.
LingLong Warranties
Linglong tires offer a 5-year limited warranty for their Atlas, Crosswind and Greenmax tires. This covers any issues resulting from road hazards or workmanship; however, it does not include damage caused by misuse of the product or wear and tear from normal use.
LingLong also offered a 3 year warranty (maximum 5 years from the date of manufacture) on their range of off-road tires and up to a 100,000km warranty on some of the most popular models! This shows the confidence that LingLong has in their tires and means that should your tire become unserviceable during that time, you will be entitled to an amount calculated on the percentage of tread remaining.
With this in mind, LingLong tires are generally reliable, and their warranty indicates that the company stands behind its products.
Most popular LingLong Tires – Review & Rating for 2023
LingLong Crosswind 4X4 HP(High Performance SUV)
- Works well even in snow
- Offers smooth and quiet ride
- Handles well on all road types
- Very good value
- Nearly all owners would buy again
The Linglong Crosswind 4X4 HP is an All-season tire designed primarily for SUV’s and performs well in both wet and dry conditions. With its high performance tread design, this tire offers excellent traction and a smooth ride.
The sturdy construction gives the car a very stable feel while also remaining quiet during highway driving. Owners have noted that it is great on all road types, offering dependable performance even in light snow conditions.
The wet performance is a particular feature of this tire and it has been specially designed to maximise its resistance to hydroplaning. We also found out after testing that when surveyed, nearly all owners of the Linglong Crosswind 4X4 HP said they would purchase the tire again.
The Linglong Crosswind 4X4 HP is an excellent choice for drivers looking to get the most out of their vehicle without breaking the bank. Its great value combined with its reliable performance make it one of the most popular tires LingLong have in their lineup and a great option for anyone who needs reliable all-season tires.
However, those who need more extreme off-road or towing capability should look elsewhere as this tire is not suited for such conditions. Nonetheless, overall the Linglong Crosswind 4X4 HP is an excellent choice for anyone looking for quality, dependable tires at a great price.
- Works well even in snow
- Offers smooth and quiet ride
- Handles well on all road types
- Very good value
- Nearly all owners would buy again
- Not suitable for hardcore off-road
- Not designed for extreme towing
- Poor fuel efficiency
LingLong Green-Max Traveler HP(Comfort tires)
- Low road noise
- Decently rolling resistance score
- Soft and comfortable around town
- Great value for money
- Surprisingly good in the wet
The LingLong Green-Max Traveler HP tires are an excellent budget tire that offers great value for your money. These tires offer a smooth, comfortable ride around town and are surprisingly good in wet conditions. We found along with other customers that the noise level is particularly low, and that they score decently for rolling resistance is, making them ideal for everyday driving.
While they may wear slightly faster than other premium tires, the low retail price of the LingLong Green-Max means that you can easily afford to replace each tire a 2 or 3 times for the same price as 1 premium range tire.
This means while you may need to change your tires slightly more frequently, you won’t be stuck with aging tires on your vehicle (which causes tire performance to decrease) and the same amount of money will buy you much more tire longevity.
However, there are some downsides to consider before purchasing these tires. The dry braking performance has been criticised by some owners and the handling can be poor at high speeds or when driving aggressively with understeer being experienced along with no grip and traction control needing to kick in.
Additionally, we found that the tires performed poorly in cold temperatures so if live in colder areas or you plan on using these tires in winter conditions, then you should look for an alternative.
Overall, the LingLong Green-Max Traveler HP comfort tires are an excellent budget option for normal driving conditions and offer good value for money. However, those who need tires suitable for more extreme conditions or higher levels of sporty performance should look elsewhere.
- Low road noise
- Decently rolling resistance score
- Soft and comfortable around town
- Great value for money
- surprisingly good in the wet
- Dry braking performance was criticised
- Not suited for aggressive driving
- Poor performance in cold temperatures
LingLong LDL817 (Long Haul Commercial Truck Tire)
- Unbeatable price
- Great value for money
- Very smooth on the road
- Wears at the same rate as premium tires
- Quiet and comfortable
The LingLong LDL817 is a long haul commercial truck tire that offers great value for money. It may be harder to install than other brand name tires, but once installed it runs very smoothly down the road for a truck tire and we found that it wears at the same rate as more expensive premium tires.
We found these tires to be surprisingly quiet and comfortable during highway driving considering their price, making them very well suited for their purpose and an ideal tire for those who spend long hours on the road.
As well as being comfortable to drive on, the all round performance of the tire is also up to par with the competition. We found them to offer lots of grip in off road situations, as well as being stable and responsive to steering inputs in wet conditions too.
For its price point, this tire can’t be beaten. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for durable, reliable tires without having to pay top dollar prices. The only downside is that installation may require more effort due to the tires tight design tolerances than with other brands so you should factor in any additional costs and time if hiring a professional or fitting yourself.
Nonetheless, the LingLong LDL817 is a great tire for the money and an excellent choice for long haul commercial vehicles.
- Unbeatable price
- Great value for money,
- Very smooth on the road
- Wears at the same rate as premium tires
- Quiet and comfortable
- Difficult to mount
- Tread picks up lots of debris
- Poor economy
Conclusion
LingLong tires are a great option for the average drivers who want an affordable and reliable tire and who aren’t planning on pushing the limit of their vehicle. The company has taken steps to address past issues with their tires and now offer warranties on their products, which can provide peace of mind when making a purchase.
They have a range of tires for everyone no matter what kind of vehicle you drive, and their recent success and positive feedback from customers shows that they truly care about offering the best product they can whilst also not burning a hole in your pocket.
If you are looking for budget tires as replacements for original equipment tires on your vehicle, then based on LingLong’s recent performance, they are the ideal budget tire.
We hope this review of LingLong and their most popular tires has helped you make an informed decision about LingLong tires. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us and we’ll be more than happy to help. Thanks for reading!