Mastercraft Stratus AS Review: All-Season Driving at Its Best

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The Mastercraft Stratus AS is a premium all-season touring tire designed for versatility and a smooth, quiet ride. Part of Mastercraft’s Serenity Plus line of tires, the Stratus AS aims to deliver a refined driving experience combined with strong performance across varying weather and road conditions.

This tire line is engineered for use on crossovers, minivans, and sedans. Key features include an asymmetric tread pattern to reduce noise on the road while providing enhanced grip and handling.

The tires also incorporate Mastercraft’s Comfort Balance technology, which uses a computer-optimized tread design and siping to smooth out vibrations and bumps.

A high silica compound helps enhance wet traction and braking. Overall, the Stratus AS is positioned as an all-season grand touring tire for drivers focused on ride comfort, low noise, longevity, and reliable traction in dry, wet, and wintry conditions.

List of Other Mastercraft Tire Reviews

If you’re interested in exploring other Mastercraft tire options, check out our comprehensive reviews of their various offerings. Mastercraft’s commitment to quality and performance shines through in their diverse range of tires.

• Mastercraft Courser Trail HD Review
• Mastercraft Courser Trail Review
• Mastercraft Courser Quest Plus Review
• Mastercraft Courser MXT Review
• Mastercraft Courser CXT Review
• Mastercraft Avenger GT Review
• Mastercraft Stratus AP Review
• Mastercraft Stratus AS Review

Tire Construction

The Mastercraft Stratus AS tire features an all-season tread design and innovative construction that provides a smooth, quiet ride and excellent handling and traction in wet and dry conditions. The tire utilizes a unique asymmetric tread pattern that is directional, meaning the tires are installed so that they rotate in a specific direction for optimal performance.

The asymmetric design combines different tread blocks and siping to improve grip and evacuate water. The Stratus AS employs an internal structure with twin steel belts reinforced with spirally wrapped Jointless Nylon overlay. This gives the tire improved stability and a very rigid feel, while still retaining some pliability for a comfortable ride. The twin belts also enhance steering response.

Silica is infused into the tread compound to augment wet traction and braking. The silica molecules help create a tight seal with the road when hydroplaning conditions arise. At the same time, polymer modifiers allow the rubber to remain flexible in cold weather.

In all, the Stratus AS is built using a high-density carcass with a 60,000 mile warranty. It delivers responsive handling and a very controlled ride for sedan, coupe and truck fitments. The rigid feel and stable footprint make it ideal for performance applications.

Tread Design

The Stratus AS features an asymmetric tread design intended to provide excellent wet weather traction and handling. On the outside shoulder of the tread, larger blocks and sipes help channel water out from under the tire and maintain contact with the road surface.

The inside shoulder has a less aggressive pattern to minimize noise and vibration at highway speeds. The varying tread depths and alternating rib and block shapes give the Stratus AS consistent grip throughout the life of the tire. Mastercraft engineers optimized this design through extensive computer modeling and real-world testing.

Overall, drivers report that the Stratus AS offers confident handling in rain, snow, and other wet conditions without sacrificing ride quality or noise levels. The directional pattern and stable shoulder blocks enhance high speed stability. Reviewers have praised the Stratus AS for responsive steering input and precision around corners. For drivers in areas with frequent rain or snow, the Stratus AS is an excellent choice for all-season traction.

Performance of Mastercraft Stratus AS

The Mastercraft Stratus AS tire performs excellently across a variety of conditions.

Dry Traction

The tire’s asymmetric tread pattern and continuous center rib help provide responsive handling and braking on dry roads. Independent testing shows short braking distances on dry pavement. Drivers report very direct steering feel and precision cornering grip when pushing the tires hard on curvy roads.

Wet Traction

With its asymmetric tread design, the Stratus AS tire evacuates water effectively through circumferential grooves to maintain traction in wet conditions. The tire earns an A temperature grade for impressive traction and stopping abilities on wet pavement. Testing shows the tire delivering short braking distances on wet roads along with hydroplaning resistance at high speeds.

Noise

The Stratus AS runs quietly for an all-season tire, minimizing road noise even at higher speeds. The tire produces low levels of noise during cornering and braking as well. Owners find the Stratus AS to generate minimal interior cabin noise for a comfortable, quiet ride.

Ride Comfort

Built with a responsive casing and staggered shoulder blocks, the Stratus AS absorbs bumps admirably while still offering sporty handling. The continuous center rib helps provide a smooth ride, and the asymmetric tread pattern minimizes vibration on the highway. Overall, drivers report a supple, refined ride with muted impacts from rough roads.

Treadwear

The tire is built to last, with a 500 treadwear warranty when used as original equipment on new vehicles. Owners experience around 40,000 to 50,000 miles on average before needing replacement. With normal rotation and alignment, the long-wearing compound provides years of reliable traction. Reviewers are impressed by the extended tread life from such a high-performance all-season tire.

Sizes Available

The Mastercraft Stratus AS tire is available in a wide range of popular sizes to fit a variety of vehicles:

• 14 inch wheel sizes: P165/80R14, P175/70R14, P185/70R14, P195/70R14
• 15 inch wheel sizes: P205/70R15, P205/65R15, P215/65R15, P215/60R15
• 16 inch wheel sizes: P205/55R16, P215/60R16, P225/60R16
• 17 inch wheel sizes: P215/55R17, P225/55R17, P225/50R17
• 18 inch wheel sizes: P235/55R18, P245/55R18, P255/55R18
• 19 inch wheel sizes: P255/45R19
• 20 inch wheel sizes: P255/40R20

The load ranges available depend on the size, but most common options are load range SL (Standard Load) and load range XL (Extra Load). The maximum load capacity thus ranges from around 1360 pounds to 2540 pounds depending on the size and load range.

So whether you drive a compact car, family sedan, crossover, or light truck, there should be a Mastercraft Stratus AS size readily available to fit your wheels. The range covers diameters from 14 inches up to 20 inches.

Warranty

Mastercraft provides a warranty on the Stratus AS tire for treadwear, materials, and workmanship. The Stratus AS comes with a 60,000 mile limited treadwear warranty when used on passenger cars and light trucks.

This means if the tire wears down to the treadwear indicator bars before reaching 60,000 miles, Mastercraft will replace it on a pro-rated basis based on remaining usable tread.

The materials and workmanship warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship for the first 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.

If a tire has a defect, Mastercraft will replace it with a comparable new tire at no charge including mounting and balancing. Overall, the Stratus AS warranty provides good protection against premature treadwear as well as manufacturing defects.

Just be sure to rotate the tires regularly and maintain proper inflation pressure to help maximize treadlife and ensure you get the full benefit of the 60,000 mile treadwear warranty.

Pricing

The Mastercraft Stratus AS tire costs between $80 and $200 per tire, depending on the size you need. Here are some example prices:

• 15 inch tire – $85
• 16 inch tire – $95
• 17 inch tire – $120
• 18 inch tire – $150
• 19 inch tire – $180
• 20 inch tire – $200

This puts the Stratus AS at the mid-range pricing level for all-season touring tires. It’s slightly more expensive than budget options like the Cooper Discoverer or Goodyear Assurance, but lower priced than premium tires from Michelin and Bridgestone.

Compared to other mid-range all-season tires in its category, the Stratus AS is competitively priced:

• Yokohama Avid Ascend – $100-$180 per tire
• Continental PureContact LS – $105-$200 per tire
• Toyo Celsius – $95-$180 per tire

So while the Stratus AS isn’t the cheapest tire around, it provides good value given its solid all-season performance, long treadlife, and manufacturer warranty. The pricing is very reasonable relative to the features and quality you get with this tire line from Mastercraft.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Provides light, airy tread design for improved fuel economy
• Offers smooth, quiet ride quality on the highway
• Has sturdy shoulder blocks for enhanced cornering and stability
• Optimized variable pitch sequence minimizes noise
• Sipes help grab wet roads and resist hydroplaning
• All-season tread compound remains pliable in cold weather
• 50,000 mile treadwear warranty indicates long lifespan

Cons

• Not designed for off-road, snow driving, or track use
• Lacks the ultimate grip of high-performance summer tires
• Snow tires recommended for winter driving
• Won’t match the economy of low rolling resistance tires
• More expensive than budget all-season options
• Not ideal for towing heavy loads frequently

Ideal Users

The Mastercraft Stratus AS tire is well-suited to drivers looking for an affordable all-season tire that provides a quiet, comfortable ride and reliable wet weather traction.

Based on its design and capabilities, the Stratus AS is an ideal choice for:

• Drivers of crossover SUVs, minivans, and family sedans who do mostly highway driving and occasional trips in rain or light snow. The tire provides a smooth, quiet ride on the highway while still offering capable wet and winter traction.
• Drivers looking for a long-lasting tire at an affordable price point. The Stratus AS features an impressive 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, meaning it should provide years of reliable service before needing replacement. The competitive pricing also makes it easy to fit these tires into a tight budget.
• Drivers wanting a simple all-season tire rather than dealing with tire changeovers. The Stratus AS performs respectably across all seasons, eliminating the need to swap between winter and summer tires for some drivers. Just mount a set and leave them on year-round.
• Owners of vehicles like Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima seeking a replacement for the original equipment tires. The Stratus AS matches the priorities of these vehicles well with its focus on comfort, quietness, and dependable traction.

With its blend of affordability, long treadlife, and capable all-season performance, the Mastercraft Stratus AS is an excellent value choice for drivers who spend most of their mileage on the highway and want reliable wet weather grip without breaking the bank.

It’s a well-rounded tire ideal for common family vehicles.

Conclusion

The Mastercraft Stratus AS tire is an excellent all-season performance tire for drivers looking for year-round traction, handling, and comfort. Its silica-enhanced tread compound and symmetric tread design provide grip on both wet and dry roads, while reducing road noise for a quiet, smooth ride.

The tire performs well across a variety of weather conditions, from rain and light snow to warmer temperatures. The independent intermediate tread blocks enhance handling and stability when cornering, braking, and accelerating. At the same time, the continuous center rib helps minimize vibration on the highway.

With a focus on safety, durability, and reliability, Mastercraft backs this tire with a strong 60,000 mile treadwear warranty. Offered in a wide range of popular sizes, pricing is competitive compared to other premium all-season tires. Overall, the Stratus AS tire provides a great blend of year-round traction, comfort, and performance.

For drivers looking for a long-lasting, versatile all-season tire, the Stratus AS is an excellent option worth considering. Its thoughtful design and impressive warranty make it a smart choice for a hassle-free driving experience in all four seasons.