Tests – · 1 test Owners 77 · 32 reviews
Best test result: #3 of 8 in 2022 Consumer Reports All-Season Tires (tested tread life (miles))
Head-to-head
Updated
Continental TrueContact vs General AltiMAX RT43 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 1 + 1 road tests and 32 + 1,371 owner reviews. How we score
TrueContact is ahead, 75–68
Add your size for an exact match
/R
Both Amazon links then search this exact size.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Tests – · 1 test Owners 67 · 1,371 reviews
Best test result: #3 of 8 in 2022 Consumer Reports All-Season Tires (tested tread life (miles))
“I have the General Altimax RT43 on 19s as my winter tires, and they are perfectly fine. For sure louder than oem, because there is no foam, but for wear, tear and handling, perfectly fine. I am not racing anyone or driving aggressively with those tires on anyway.”
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
75
Dry
TrueContact +768Why this score
Source TrueContact AltiMAX RT43 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 73 (est.) ≈ 68 (est.) Reviews found online 79 68 TrueContact: 60% × 72.6 (est.) + 40% × 78.8 = 75
AltiMAX RT43: 60% × 68.1 (est.) + 40% × 68 = 68
No road tests of dry for TrueContact. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).
No road tests of dry for AltiMAX RT43. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).
-
80
Wet
TrueContact +1070Why this score
Source TrueContact AltiMAX RT43 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 78 (est.) ≈ 71 (est.) Reviews found online 83 70 TrueContact: 60% × 77.6 (est.) + 40% × 83.2 = 80
AltiMAX RT43: 60% × 70.6 (est.) + 40% × 70.4 = 70
No road tests of wet for TrueContact. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).
No road tests of wet for AltiMAX RT43. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).
-
70
Snow
TrueContact +664Why this score
Source TrueContact AltiMAX RT43 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 71 (est.) ≈ 67 (est.) Reviews found online 70 60 TrueContact: 60% × 70.5 (est.) + 40% × 70.1 = 70
AltiMAX RT43: 60% × 66.9 (est.) + 40% × 60.3 = 64
No road tests of snow for TrueContact. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.37).
No road tests of snow for AltiMAX RT43. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.37).
-
76
Comfort
TrueContact +1165Why this score
Source TrueContact AltiMAX RT43 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 71 (est.) ≈ 68 (est.) Reviews found online 79 63 TrueContact: 40% × 71 (est.) + 60% × 79.4 = 76
AltiMAX RT43: 40% × 67.9 (est.) + 60% × 62.7 = 65
No road tests of comfort for TrueContact or AltiMAX RT43. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
-
70
Noise
TrueContact +169Why this score
Source TrueContact AltiMAX RT43 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 67 (est.) ≈ 67 (est.) Reviews found online 75 73 TrueContact: 60% × 66.6 (est.) + 40% × 74.9 = 70
AltiMAX RT43: 60% × 66.6 (est.) + 40% × 73.3 = 69
No road tests of noise for TrueContact or AltiMAX RT43. The test half is the tested tires’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.
-
72
Treadwear
TrueContact +369Why this score
Source TrueContact AltiMAX RT43 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests 71 71 Reviews found online 73 67 Tested Tread Life (Miles) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–0 82% 82% TrueContact: 60% × 70.8 + 40% × 72.6 = 72
AltiMAX RT43: 60% × 70.8 + 40% × 66.7 = 69
-
77
Handling (owners)
TrueContact +1364Why this score
Source TrueContact AltiMAX RT43 Reviews found online 77 64
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental TrueContact | General AltiMAX RT43 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 68 |
| Dry | 75 | 68 |
| Wet | 80 | 70 |
| Snow | 70 | 64 |
| Comfort | 76 | 65 |
| Noise | 70 | 69 |
| Treadwear | 72 | 69 |
| Handling (owners) | 77 | 64 |
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.
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
75
/ 100
TrueContact
68
/ 100
AltiMAX RT43
The professional test results behind the scores
Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.
In the overall rankings of 1 tests that ran both, Continental TrueContact finished ahead 0 times and General AltiMAX RT43 1 times.
| Discipline | Category | TrueContact | AltiMAX RT43 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tested Tread Life (Miles) | Treadwear | 82% | 82% | 0.0 | 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Consumer Reports All-Season Tires · 215/60R16 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #3/8 | #2/8 | – | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Consumer Reports All-Season Tires · 215/60R16 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A TrueContact
Pros
- Exceptional ride comfort and smoothness
- Low road noise
- Reliable wet and dry traction
Cons
- Rapid tread wear reported by heavy commuters
- Some complaints about reduced fuel economy compared to dedicated low rolling resistance tires
- Occasional note of slight loudness from a minority of users
Tire B AltiMAX RT43
Pros
- Excellent value and lower price point compared to premium brands like Michelin
- Quiet and smooth ride quality with minimal road noise
- Strong wet and dry traction with dependable hydroplaning resistance
Cons
- Occasional balancing difficulties or vibrations reported by some users
- Softer sidewalls can lead to slightly spongy handling or reduced cornering sharpness
- Winter and snow performance can diminish notably as the tread wears down
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Continental TrueContact
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Positive
General AltiMAX RT43
Community sentiment for the General AltiMAX RT43 is predominantly positive, with reviewers praising its comfort, strong winter and wet weather capability, and solid value as a budget-to-midrange touring tire. However, critics frequently point out soft sidewalls, tramlining on grooved surfaces, and mediocre handling or dry grip under aggressive driving. Tread life reports are mixed, with many reaching 50,000 to 80,000 miles while others report premature wear around 30,000 miles.
r/CX5
·2 upvotes ·2026-03-18
“Anyone running General RT45? Looking to replace the shitastic Toyo A36 on my 2023 PP that I just picked up. Was going to try to make them last until fall, but having picked a screw in one, im probably going to bite the bullet and change them now. I ran the RT43 on both my NA Miata as well as my 5-GT and was happy with them. Tire Rack is running a $140 rebate on a set of 4 right now. Just curious as to people's thoughts. Or, should I just bite the bullet and go with Continental Cross Contacts? Read more”
bobistheoilguy.com
·5 upvotes ·2022-06-22
“I'll be passing on this; I was very disappointed in the RT43. Very soft sidewalls, dry grip was very subpar, wet grip was decent, hydroplane resistance was pretty good. It also tramlined and followed grooves like crazy - worse than the Yoko A13C that came OEM on the Evo - which was the previous top tramlining tire I used.”
fitfreak.net
“I will start by saying that I ordered a set of 4 from TireRack and although I found them just a little bit cheaper on other sites (after the fact), I have no complaints about it as I still only paid ~$70-ish per tire and received them within two days. Secondly, being that I live in New England, wet and snow traction is very high on my list of priorities and lucky for me, it snowed heavily 3 days after having them mounted. I was entering a parking lot that had not been plowed yet and know for a FACT my car would have just spun tires and left me stuck. But not with these. The car seemed to shake left and right a little until it made it to the pavement and easily made it through. I have never felt so confident in the snow before with my little Fit. And then last night. My wife and I went out to dinner and I decided to move my car as I spotted a better parking spot which required a fast and illegal u-turn. I pressed the accelerator hard which typically would squeal the tires but these gripped immediately and the Fit just took off. I strongly recommend them! Oh, and they're rated for a supposed 70,000 miles.”
Top themes
#value and pricing#snow and winter traction#wet grip and hydroplaning#soft ride comfort#soft sidewalls and handling#tramlining on grooved roads#treadwear and longevity
Based on 261 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental TrueContact | B · General AltiMAX RT43 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Premium Touring All Season tire | All Season |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Tread depth | 11/32″ | 10 - 12/32″ |
| UTQG | 800 A B | 600 - 700 A A - B |
| Treadwear warranty | 90,000 mi | — |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | Black Side Wall - Raised Outline White Lettering |
| Max pressure | 44 psi | 44 - 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
75
/ 100
Continental TrueContact
68
/ 100
General AltiMAX RT43
Winner: Continental TrueContact — better handling, comfort and wet. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental TrueContact scores 77 vs 64 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental TrueContact scores 76 vs 65 on comfort.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Continental TrueContact scores 80 vs 70 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental TrueContact scores 75 vs 68 on dry.
Tire A · Continental TrueContact
Tire B · General AltiMAX RT43
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
TrueContact or AltiMAX RT43?
Which is better in the wet, TrueContact or AltiMAX RT43?
Continental TrueContact, 80 vs 70 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, TrueContact or AltiMAX RT43?
Continental TrueContact, 75 vs 68 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, TrueContact or AltiMAX RT43?
Continental TrueContact, 70 vs 64 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, TrueContact or AltiMAX RT43?
Neither, by our numbers: 70 vs 69 on the noise score, within 3 points.
Which is more comfortable, TrueContact or AltiMAX RT43?
Continental TrueContact, 76 vs 65 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, TrueContact or AltiMAX RT43?
Continental TrueContact, 72 vs 69 on our treadwear score.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology