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Falken ZIEX CT50 vs Goodyear Assurance MaxLife — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
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6 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Why this score
| Source | ZIEX CT50 | Assurance MaxLife |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 75 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 85 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | ZIEX CT50 | Assurance MaxLife |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 60 | 30 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 80 |
Snow
Why this score
| Source | ZIEX CT50 | Assurance MaxLife |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 73 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 80 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | ZIEX CT50 | Assurance MaxLife |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 53 | 65 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 95 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | ZIEX CT50 | Assurance MaxLife |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 83 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 90 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | ZIEX CT50 | Assurance MaxLife |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 48 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Falken ZIEX CT50 | Goodyear Assurance MaxLife |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 62 | 66 |
| Dry | 79 | 79 |
| Wet | 62 | 42 |
| Snow | 37 | 74 |
| Comfort | 58 | 71 |
| Treadwear | 63 | 85 |
| Handling | 70 | 48 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Falken ZIEX CT50 receives mixed to negative feedback, primarily criticized for its excessive road noise and acoustic performance. While users acknowledge acceptable handling characteristics and reasonable tread longevity, the persistent noise issues significantly detract from the overall ownership experience.
Pros
- Acceptable tread wear longevity
- Competent handling performance
- Reliable dry road stability
Cons
- Excessive road noise and 'wooing' sounds on tarmac
- Low treadwear rating (300) compared to aftermarket alternatives
- Susceptibility to manufacturing defects such as slow leaks
Observations
- Mazda CX-9 owners consistently report that the tire compromises the vehicle's intended quiet cabin experience.
- Users note that the tire's performance and noise levels do not improve with consistent rotation or pressure adjustments.
The Goodyear Assurance MaxLife is widely regarded as a high-longevity tire that excels in daily commuting and highway driving, though it sacrifices performance in wet conditions. While users appreciate the exceptional tread life and quiet ride, the consensus indicates significant concerns regarding traction in rain and standing water.
Pros
- Exceptional tread longevity and durability
- Quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Reliable performance for standard daily commuting
Cons
- Poor traction and handling in wet conditions
- Noticeable reduction in fuel efficiency compared to OEM alternatives
- Lack of sidewall protection for rim safety
Observations
- Tesla Model 3 owners reported significant safety concerns regarding wet-weather handling and a lack of rim protection.
- High-mileage drivers, such as rideshare operators, report high satisfaction with noise levels and tread endurance over long distances.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Falken ZIEX CT50 | B · Goodyear Assurance MaxLife |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Premium Touring Summer tire |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 46 |
| Rim diameters | — | 15″ – 20″ |
| Tread depth | — | 11 - 13/32″ |
| UTQG | — | 820 A B |
| Treadwear warranty | — | 85,000 mi |
| Sidewall | — | Vertical Serrated Band |
| Max pressure | — | 50 - 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
Falken
Goodyear
Winner: Goodyear Assurance MaxLife — better snow, treadwear and comfort. Pick the Falken ZIEX CT50 if handling and wet matter most to you.
Goodyear Assurance MaxLife scores 74 vs 37 on snow.
Falken ZIEX CT50 scores 70 vs 48 on handling.
Goodyear Assurance MaxLife scores 85 vs 63 on treadwear.
Falken ZIEX CT50 scores 62 vs 42 on wet.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.