A friction material is made by molding and curing a composition containing a fibrous base that includes stainless steel fibers but not other steel fibers, a binder, and a friction modifier that includes at least two types of hard particles having a large Mohs hardness, bronze powder and a specific amount of tin sulfide. The friction material has a excellent balance of properties, including a high strain linearity that provides a excellent brake feel, a high torque linearity and a excellent effectiveness, and also minimizes disc rotor attack, disc pad wear and metal pickup. Such friction materials are particularly suitable for automotive applications, such as disc pads.