That really, really, really depends most on the tire. While not a standardized measurement across all manufacturers, look at the UTQG (treadwear rating) number found on the manufacturers spec sheet available at all the manufacturers websites ... some sellers like TireRack and Discount Tire supply this info at their sites as well. The higher the number, the longer the life.
There is however, a rub. Usually there is a tradeoff for longer treadlife in terms of grip, road noise, smoothness of ride among others.
This is what makes selecting tires such a personal choice and why so many brands and variants can co-exist.
To answer your question in a word, yes, there are most assuredly longer lasting tires out there. The question is are you willing to make the trade-offs, and to what extent, that will suit your needs and driving style and give you the added life you desire?
The Department of Transportation requires each manufacturer to grade its tires under the Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) labeling system and establish ratings for treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance. These tests are conducted independently by each manufacturer following government guidelines to assign values that represent a comparison between the tested tire and a control tire. While traction and temperature resistance ratings are specific performance levels, the treadwear ratings are assigned by the manufacturers following field testing and are most accurate when comparing tires of the same brand.
Treadwear
Treadwear receives a comparative rating based on wear rate of the the tire in field testing following a government specified course. For example, a tire grade of 150 wears 1.5 times as long as a tire graded 100. Actual performance of the tire can vary significantly depending on conditions, driving habits, care, road characteristics, and climate.
Traction
Straight-a-head wet braking traction has been represented by a grade of A, B, or C with A being the highest. In 1997 a new top rating of "AA" has been introduced to indicate even greater wet braking traction. However, due to its newness, this grade will probably be applied initially to new tire lines as they are introduced and later to existing lines which excel in wet braking, but had been limited to the previous top grade of "A". Traction grades do not indicate wet cornering ability.
Temperature
Temperature resistance is graded A, B or C. It represents the tire's resistance to the heat generated by running at high speed. Grade C is the minimum level of performance for all passenger car tires as set under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This grade is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Note: UTQG ratings are not required on winter and light truck sized tires.
I've got about 20K on my set of Dunlop Sport 9000's and it's looking like I'll be putting rears on in the spring. I replaced one front tire this summer due to an impact break in the inner lining.
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