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Jonathan Benson - Independent Tyre Tester & Founder of Tyre Reviews

Jonathan Benson, founder and tyre tester at Tyre Reviews

With over 19 years of specialist experience in tyre technology and performance testing, Jonathan founded Tyre Reviews in 2006 as the world's first independent tyre review platform. He is now one of the most recognised and trusted voices in tyre testing globally - quoted by name in corporate press releases by brands such as Continental, Goodyear, Pirelli and Hankook, and featured on BBC Radio, in Top Gear Magazine, Motor Trend and Motor1.

Quoted by the Industry

The world's largest tyre manufacturers don't just cite Tyre Reviews' test results - they quote Jonathan personally. Being named in a Fortune Global 500 corporate press release is the highest form of individual endorsement in the tyre industry.

Continental AG

Quotes Jonathan by name in a corporate press release about the AllSeasonContact 2 winning the Tyre Reviews 2024 all-season tyre test.

Also quoted by name in the SportContact 7 launch announcement.

Continental's Marketing Director responded to Jonathan's test results in the same press release - a direct peer-to-peer exchange between tester and manufacturer.

Goodyear

Quotes Jonathan directly in press releases about the Eagle F1 SuperSport UUHP test win, and featured him in collaborative educational video content across 26+ country pages on goodyear.eu.

Goodyear describes Tyre Reviews as "the leading source of independent tyre information in the world."

Pirelli

Issues formal press releases through press.pirelli.com for each Tyre Reviews test victory, and creates dedicated product editorial pages on pirelli.com citing Jonathan's testing and assessments.

Pirelli has issued 6+ press releases citing Tyre Reviews results since 2024.

Michelin

Lists Tyre Reviews alongside Auto Bild, ADAC and evo as an official independent test source on michelin.co.uk, and displays "Tyre Reviews - Highly Recommended" badges on product pages.

Being placed alongside Europe's most established automotive test publications validates both the platform and the tester.

Expertise & Testing Methodology

Jonathan trained with multiple premium tyre manufacturers to learn professional tyre testing methodology before establishing Tyre Reviews' independent testing programme. His approach combines the scientific methods of manufacturer-grade testing with the editorial independence that only a truly independent tester can provide.

He conducts multiple controlled comparative tests annually at professional proving grounds across Europe and the United States, including having a base of operations at Utah Motorsports Campus. His data-driven methodology uses precision instrumentation to measure braking distances, traction times, lateral grip, handling response, aquaplaning resistance, noise levels, comfort, rolling resistance and tread wear - ensuring results that consumers and industry professionals alike can trust.

To minimise subconscious bias, Jonathan avoids knowing which tyres are being fitted to the test vehicle wherever possible. This blind testing protocol, combined with published raw data, is what allows manufacturers to treat his results as credible enough to cite in their own corporate communications.

Media & Appearances

Jonathan is regularly sought out as a tyre testing expert by automotive media across broadcast, print and digital platforms:

Broadcast & Podcasts

BBC Radio - Featured as a tyre safety and technology expert

Motor1 "Rambling About Cars" - Dedicated episode on tyre technology and testing

Sam Moore's Podcast - In-depth interview on testing methodology

Top Gear Magazine - Tyre testing expert

Motor Trend - Tyre performance commentary

Motor1 - Regular coverage of Tyre Reviews test results and methodology

Tyrepress - Multiple features in the UK tyre trade press

Industry Press

Tyre Trends - In-depth profile on testing approach and industry impact

Top Tyre Review - Interview feature

UMC Behind the Gates - Featured profile from the Utah Motorsports Campus

YouTube

76 million+ views across 400+ videos

285,000+ subscribers

400,000+ average views per video

The most-watched independent tyre testing content in the world.

 

Tyre Safety Advocacy

Beyond testing, Jonathan is a committed advocate for tyre safety. He works with organisations including TyreSafe to promote awareness of the critical role tyres play in vehicle safety, and uses Tyre Reviews' platform to educate drivers on why well-engineered tyres can mean the difference between a safe stop and an accident.

His comparative tests consistently demonstrate the real-world performance gap between premium and budget tyres - producing hard data that translates into safer buying decisions. According to the tyre trade press, Tyre Reviews influences approximately one-sixth of all tyre purchases in the United Kingdom.

Professional Background

2006 - Founds Tyre Reviews, the world's first user-generated tyre review platform.

2006-2018 - Builds the platform into the world's largest independent tyre information resource while training with multiple tyre manufacturers on professional testing methodology.

2017 - Launches the Tyre Reviews YouTube channel, which becomes the most-watched tyre testing content online.

2019 - Conducts and publishes first fully independent comparative tyre test at a professional proving ground.

2020-present - Continental, Goodyear and Pirelli begin citing Jonathan's test results in official corporate press releases.

2022 - Continental AG quotes Jonathan by name in corporate communications - the highest form of individual endorsement from a tyre manufacturer.

2023 - Michelin lists Tyre Reviews alongside Auto Bild, ADAC and evo as an official independent test source on michelin.co.uk.

2024 - Establishes US testing operations at the Utah Motorsports Campus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jonathan Benson is an independent tyre tester and the founder of Tyre Reviews, the world's leading independent tyre testing platform. With over 19 years of specialist experience, he conducts controlled comparative tests at professional proving grounds across Europe and the United States. He has been featured on BBC Radio, in Top Gear Magazine, Motor Trend and Motor1, and is quoted by name in corporate press releases by Michelin, Continental AG, Pirelli, Goodyear, Hankook and more.

Jonathan trained with multiple tyre manufacturers to learn professional testing methodology before establishing Tyre Reviews' independent testing programme. He uses the same type of controlled proving ground facilities and calibrated instrumentation used by manufacturers and European test publications. His credibility is independently validated by the fact that Continental AG quotes him by name in corporate press releases, and tyre brands like Michelin lists his platform alongside Auto Bild, ADAC and evo as an authoritative test source.

Jonathan has been featured as a tyre expert on BBC Radio, in Top Gear Magazine, Motor Trend, Motor1, Tyrepress and Tyre Trends, and on podcasts including Motor1's "Rambling About Cars." Beyond media, he is quoted by name in official corporate press releases by Continental and Goodyear, and his test results are cited on the official websites of Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, Goodyear, Hankook, Nokian Tyres and otheres.

Contact Jonathan

For enquiries about tyre testing, consulting, speaking engagements or media appearances:

Learn more about Tyre Reviews' mission, history and testing methodology.