Goodyear Viva 3 Review: Does it Live Up to the Goodyear Brand?
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Pros
- On dry roads, it is safe to drive.
- Offers some traction when walking on snow
- Extremely reasonable price point for a product made by Goodyear.
- Excellent treadwear coverage under the warranty considering the cost.
Cons
- The dry handling and braking performance is much below the average for the class.
- The handling in the rain lacks a surefooted and secure feeling.
- Very lengthy wet braking distances
- There is not much life left in the tread of the tires.
- Some owners have reported problems with the balance!
- On the highway, it’s distractingly loud, and it’s not really comfy.
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On this page, we are consistent in recommending that people invest in tires of a good quality. Why? Simply put, since they are far more reliable than less expensive tires. There are several situations in which the price difference between an expensive and an inexpensive tire can very literally mean the difference between life and death. Road safety is an issue that simply cannot be valued in monetary terms. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you purchase tires from manufacturers who have a great reputation in the industry.
If you follow that guideline, then Walmart has a really nice offer on tires for you to take advantage of. Goodyear, based in the United States, produces a passenger all-season tire under the brand name Viva 3, and it is sold under their brand name. Indeed, an authentically American tire at a cost that is comparable to that of Chinese tires. It seems too wonderful to be true, doesn’t it? Of course. Even if the tires come from a renowned manufacturer, it is virtually never a smart idea to go with the cheaper option when purchasing tires. And, at least in North America, Goodyear is the corporation that is considered to be “the” tire manufacturer.
To tell you the truth, I was taken aback when I saw how much the Viva 3 costs. It is far less expensive than any other product that Goodyear offers. Take, for instance, the standard 205/55R16 dimension; it has a lot of admirers. At Walmart, the Viva 3 in this size can be purchased for the low price of $65 dollars. On the other side, the Assurance All-Season is Goodyear’s touring tire with the lowest price point, and it can be purchased at Tire Rack for $94.99. You will save $120 on the purchase of a set of four tires. Isn’t it cool?
The problem is that it is not the case. The Assurance All-Season may be more cost-effective, but it still makes use of a variety of advanced technology developed by Goodyear. On the other hand, Viva 3 has none of these features. Zero. Instead, Goodyear came to an agreement with Walmart that makes it the sole retailer of the Viva 3 in the United States. In point of fact, the tire was developed with the clients of Walmart in mind, who tend to have more limited financial resources.
Believe me when I say that I empathize with those who are working with limited financial resources. Changing tires every three to four years may be an expensive endeavor for most families, which is why tires like the Viva 3 appear to have a lot of potential. The Viva 3’s primary drawback, on the other hand, is that it almost certainly won’t be less expensive over the course of its lifetime.
To put it another way, higher-quality tread compounds not only offer the driver improved performance, but they also maintain their effectiveness for a longer period of time. Much longer. There is a rationale behind why the Assurance WeatherReady from Goodyear costs $143.99 for the same 205/55R16 size as the Assurance All-Season and Viva 3 tires that were previously discussed. In terms of handling, braking, and wear, it simply competes in an other league entirely.
What exactly does this imply with regard to the Viva 3? Is it as terrible as it seems? My in-depth evaluation of the Goodyear Viva 3 will provide the information you need to find the answers to your queries. I’ll go over the overall performance of the Viva 3 in the following paragraphs, including how it handles and brakes in dry and wet conditions, how it handles and brakes in snow, how comfortable it is, and how long its treadlife is. You should brace yourselves for a choppy journey. Literally.
Oh, that’s right, before we get into that, let’s take a look at the features that Goodyear incorporated into the Viva 3 that set it apart from the competition. Or simply to save money. Or, if you prefer something more straightforward, we can have a look at the marketing speech.
What are the features of the Goodyear Viva 3?
The Goodyear Viva 3 is an all-season passenger tire that was developed specifically for drivers of compact automobiles, mid-size sedans, and minivans by Goodyear. Walmart provides the tire in an extensive variety of sizes, beginning with a wheel diameter of 14 inches and going all the way up to an 18-inch wheel diameter. Because of these sizes, the shop is able to cover a significant number of older automobiles, which demonstrates unmistakably the owner demographic that Walmart targets.
In the meanwhile, Goodyear describes the Viva 3 as a bargain all-season tire that offers comfort and control. On the other hand, the Viva 3 is described as having confident handling and a quiet ride on the website of Walmart. And that it offers an affordable combination of all-weather traction and treadwear that is designed to last for a long time.
The type of tread compound, which is the single most significant factor for traction, grip, and braking, is not specified by Goodyear. Goodyear tires have a reputation for having poor traction. In any case, the tread pattern consists of the now-standard four wide circumferential grooves, which can be found on most tires manufactured today. These grooves direct a significant amount of water into the lateral grooves of the tire, which increases the tire’s resistance to hydroplaning and its grip when driving in wet weather.
In the meantime, the tread incorporates shoulder blocks that are stable, which improve the cornering grip and stability on dry roads. Sipes with a zigzag pattern were used on the tread blocks, which is an interesting design choice made by Goodyear. These sipes increase the amount of biting edges, which not only help when driving on ice but also improve snow traction. The same sipes can be found, however more commonly on winter tires.
The noise performance of the Viva 3 tread pattern was also taken into consideration throughout the design process. Additionally, the sidewall has a vertical serration pattern, which makes the tire appear far better overall. At least when viewed from the side, I think it looks nicer than the majority of the all-season products that Goodyear has to offer. I’ll even go so far as to say that.
What are the maintenance indicators?
Goodyear’s Viva 3 is an all-season passenger tire that was designed with the driver of a compact automobile, a driver of a mid-size sedan, and a driver of a minivan in mind. This tire was produced by Goodyear. There is a wide range of sizes available for the tire at Walmart, beginning with a wheel diameter of 14 inches and going all the way up to an 18-inch wheel diameter. The shop is able to cover a substantial number of older autos as a result of these sizes, which reveals unambiguously the owner demographic that Walmart aims to attract.
Goodyear, in the meantime, refers to the Viva 3 as an affordable all-season tire that provides comfort and control and is available in a variety of sizes. On the other hand, the Viva 3 is advertised on the Walmart website as having assured handling and a peaceful ride. In addition, it provides a combination of inexpensive all-weather traction and treadwear that is made to last for a very long time and is meant to be durable.
Goodyear does not specify the type of tread compound, despite the fact that it is the single most important factor in determining traction, grip, and braking performance. Goodyear tires are notorious for having a low level of traction among consumers. In any event, the tread pattern consists of the now-standard four wide circumferential grooves, which are present on the vast majority of tires that are created in this day and age. Because of the way that these grooves channel a substantial amount of water into the lateral grooves of the rubber, the tire’s resistance to hydroplaning and its grip when driving in wet weather are both improved.
In the meantime, the tread has stable shoulder blocks that improve the cornering grip and stability on dry roads. These blocks are located in the shoulder grooves. The utilization of sipes featuring a zigzag pattern on the tread blocks was an unusual design option made by Goodyear. These sipes increase the total number of biting edges, which not only helps when driving on ice but also improves traction in the snow. The same sipes can be found, however on winter tires they are significantly more numerous.
During every stage of the design process, we made sure to factor in how the Viva 3 tread pattern will affect the level of road noise produced. In addition to this, the sidewall includes a pattern of vertical serrations, which gives the tire an overall far more impressive appearance. I believe that it appears prettier than the bulk of the all-season items that Goodyear has to offer, at least when viewed from the side. This is the case regardless of how you choose to view it. Even to the point of saying that, I’ll say it.
How does it behave on a dry tarmac?

I feel obligated to point out that the Viva 3 performs significantly better than several low-cost Chinese tires that have lately been introduced to the market. Both the handling and the stopping distances are satisfactory. The acceleration is adequate.
On the other hand, if you spend just $20 to $30 extra on a tire, you can buy one that has significantly better performance. If you push the Viva 3 beyond its limits, you will notice that it understeers quite rapidly. In addition, the stopping distances are still not up to the standards set by the competitors, which includes Goodyear’s very own Assurance All-Season.
How is it over wet and slippery roads?
When driving on wet pavement, the Viva 3 and the Assurance All-Season have a greater performance gap between them. Although the tire performs well on drier pavement, I cannot attest to its performance on wetter surfaces.
When it rains, the Goodyear Viva 3 doesn’t give the impression of being surefooted at all. When the throttle is opened, the tires slide more easily, and the stopping distances are much longer than they should be. The handling can be dangerous at times.
Do you want a tire that is more reliable when the roads are wet? Tire Rack and Discount Tire both have a profusion of options that are somewhat more expensive but provide much improved grip when driving in rainy conditions.
With that being said, how is it on snowy roads?
Because of the many zig-zag sipes on the Goodyear Viva 3, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it performed well in the snow. When considering the cost, the traction is satisfactory, and the stopping distances are relatively short for an all-season tire. Now, it’s true that the Viva 3 isn’t the best in its class; other vehicles offer more traction and stopping power in the snow. Only in relation to the cost is it of any value.
Is it suitable for off-road driving?
The Goodyear Viva 3 is not intended for use when driving on rough terrain. Not only does it not have sufficient traction on slippery roads, but the tread on the tire is also quite susceptible to damage when driven on slick ground.
Is it comfortable and refined?
When you encounter a bump, the ride that the Viva 3 gives isn’t very smooth, and this is especially true at higher speeds. Additionally, the tire has a significant amount of tread noise, particularly when driven at highway speeds.
Should I buy the Goodyear Viva 3?
You shouldn’t do it, in my humble view. Simply put, the Viva 3 makes far too many concessions, particularly in terms of its level of safety. Keep in mind that this tire won’t last very long, which renders the reduced price moot because it negates the goal of the cheaper price. I am aware that the price is highly appealing for certain purchasers.
Even while there are tires available that are even less desirable than the Viva 3, this does not make them a better choice. There is no getting around the fact that the tire is faulty in a variety of ways. Simply put, Goodyear’s very own Assurance All-Season is a far superior option, while costing almost fifty percent more.