Firestone RoadHawk vs Uniroyal RainSport 5
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been seven tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Firestone RoadHawk | six | |
| Uniroyal RainSport 5 | one |
While it might look like the Firestone RoadHawk is better than the Uniroyal RainSport 5 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Class-leading consistency in dry braking across all shared tests
- Balanced wet/dry handling with better rolling resistance
- Stronger value proposition and generally longer projected mileage
- Competitive wet performance without major weaknesses
- Excellent straight and curved aquaplaning resistance
- Often shorter wet braking, especially on concrete surfaces
- Stable and safe wet handling at speed
- Lower exterior noise in several tests
Dry Braking
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Firestone RoadHawk was better during seven dry braking tests. On average the Firestone RoadHawk stopped the vehicle in 3.38% less distance than the Uniroyal RainSport 5.
Best In Dry Braking: Firestone RoadHawk
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Firestone RoadHawk was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Firestone RoadHawk was 1.75% faster around a lap than the Uniroyal RainSport 5.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Firestone RoadHawk
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Uniroyal RainSport 5 was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Uniroyal RainSport 5 stopped the vehicle in 3.93% less distance than the Firestone RoadHawk.
Best In Wet Braking: Uniroyal RainSport 5
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Uniroyal RainSport 5 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Uniroyal RainSport 5 stopped the vehicle in 10.59% less distance than the Firestone RoadHawk.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Uniroyal RainSport 5
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Firestone RoadHawk was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Firestone RoadHawk was 1.04% faster around a wet lap than the Uniroyal RainSport 5.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Firestone RoadHawk
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Uniroyal RainSport 5 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Uniroyal RainSport 5 had 2.05% higher lateral wet grip than the Firestone RoadHawk.
Best In Wet Circle: Uniroyal RainSport 5
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Uniroyal RainSport 5 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Uniroyal RainSport 5 floated at a 2.13% higher speed than the Firestone RoadHawk.
Best In Straight Aqua: Uniroyal RainSport 5
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Uniroyal RainSport 5 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Uniroyal RainSport 5 slipped out at a 5.33% higher speed than the Firestone RoadHawk.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Uniroyal RainSport 5
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Uniroyal RainSport 5 was better during three noise tests. On average the Uniroyal RainSport 5 measured 2.17% quieter than the Firestone RoadHawk.
Best In Noise: Uniroyal RainSport 5
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Tyre Weight
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Firestone RoadHawk was better during one tyre weight tests. On average the Firestone RoadHawk weighed 10.59% less than the Uniroyal RainSport 5.
Best In Tyre Weight: Firestone RoadHawk
See how the Tyre Weight winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Firestone RoadHawk was better during two wear tests. On average the Firestone RoadHawk is predicted to cover 2.79% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Uniroyal RainSport 5.
Best In Wear: Firestone RoadHawk
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Firestone RoadHawk was better during two value tests. On average the Firestone RoadHawk proved to have a 0.69% better value based on price/1000km than the Uniroyal RainSport 5.
Best In Value: Firestone RoadHawk
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Firestone RoadHawk was better during two price tests. On average the Firestone RoadHawk cost 1.38% less than the Uniroyal RainSport 5.
Best In Price: Firestone RoadHawk
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Firestone RoadHawk was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Firestone RoadHawk had a 5.82% lower rolling resistance than the Uniroyal RainSport 5.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Firestone RoadHawk
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Firestone RoadHawk and Uniroyal RainSport 5 performed equally well in fuel consumption tests.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Firestone RoadHawk was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Firestone RoadHawk emitted 26.29% less particle wear matter than the Uniroyal RainSport 5.
Best In Abrasion: Firestone RoadHawk
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Firestone RoadHawk Driver Reviews
Drivers are split on the Firestone RoadHawk: many high-scoring reviews praise its confident wet and dry grip, comfort, and value, especially on smaller/lighter cars and for everyday driving. However, a sizeable number report fast wear and soft sidewalls that look underinflated and can hurt steering precision and cornering feel. When weighted by higher scores, wet grip and overall stability remain positives, but durability and sidewall firmness are recurring drawbacks. Overall, the RoadHawk suits daily use and budget-conscious buyers, with notable compromises in tread life and sporty handling.
Based on 41 reviews with an average rating of 67%
Uniroyal RainSport 5 Driver Reviews
Most drivers find the Uniroyal RainSport 5 excels in the wet, repeatedly praising its grip and aquaplaning resistance, with many noting a quiet, comfortable ride and good value. Dry performance is generally adequate for everyday use, though not a true sporty tyre. A notable minority, especially on performance or RWD cars, report soft sidewalls leading to vague steering and high-speed stability concerns, and some mention faster-than-expected wear. Overall sentiment is positive, with the RainSport 5 best suited to commuters and wet climates rather than spirited driving.
Based on 85 reviews with an average rating of 73%
When I checked tyre tread depth found only 7mm middle and 6.5mm outer edge.
Never had a new tyre under 8mm before, alway 8 to 10mm.
May be that's why there cheap!
Will contact Firestone to see why.
Conclusion
If you want confident everyday performance with predictable manners, lower running costs, and consistently good results in both dry and typical wet conditions, choose RoadHawk. If your priority is maximum security in heavy rain and standing water-motorway ruts, storm downpours, or flood-prone routes-the RainSport 5 makes sense, accepting its compromises on dry precision, noise, and economy.
Key Differences
- Dry braking: RoadHawk wins all head-to-heads (e.g., 36.6 m vs 37.9 m in 2024)
- Wet braking split: RainSport 5 leads in several tests (up to ~14% shorter), but not all
- Aquaplaning: RainSport 5 consistently superior in straight/curved tests
- Handling feel: RoadHawk more precise; RainSport 5 described as vague/understeery on dry
- Efficiency & wear: RoadHawk generally lower rolling resistance and better mileage/value
- Noise: RainSport 5 quieter in multiple tests; RoadHawk can be noisier
Overall Winner: Firestone RoadHawk
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Firestone RoadHawk has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
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Firestone RoadHawk Top Comparisons
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Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.