2019 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test

Dry BrakingContinental Premium Contact 6: 34 MCST Medallion MD A1: 37.8 M
Dry HandlingContinental Premium Contact 6: 104.7 Km/HCooper Zeon CS8: 102.3 Km/H
Wet BrakingGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5: 46.9 MCST Medallion MD A1: 60.2 M
Wet HandlingNokian PowerProof: 89.8 Km/HCST Medallion MD A1: 84.7 Km/H
Straight AquaMaxxis Premitra HP5: 82 Km/HNexen N Fera RU1: 77.8 Km/H
Gravel HandlingNokian PowerProof: 67.4 Km/HHankook Ventus Prime 3 K125: 65 Km/H
Gravel TractionHankook Ventus Prime 3 K125: 9902 NContinental Premium Contact 6: 8440 N
Grass TractionGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5: 9548 NBridgestone Turanza T005: 7987 N
Mud TractionCST Medallion MD A1: 2725 NContinental Premium Contact 6: 2230 N
NoiseCST Medallion MD A1: 64.2 dBBridgestone Turanza T005: 67.4 dB
PriceCST Medallion MD A1: 270 Continental Premium Contact 6: 550
Rolling ResistanceBridgestone Turanza T005: 7.56 kg / tNexen N Fera RU1: 10.24 kg / t
The 2019 Auto Bild AllRad SUV tyre test tested ten 225/55 R17 tyre patterns using BMW X3, covering dry, wet, gravel, mud and grass performance! 

As with other tests in 2019, the gap between the best and worst tyres on test is getting ever smaller, and while the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 took another win, three tyres were awarded the second place slot!

The Continental PremiumContact 6, Hankook Ventus Prime 3 and Nokian PowerProof all were deemed "exemplary" buy Auto Bild, with each tyre having a slightly different balance of performance overall, but all equally as recommended.

This is a data heavy test so full information can be found below, but it's worth noting nearly any of the top six placed tyres would be excellent purchases in 2019. Check the results from each test carefully, and decide which tyre best suits your own personal requirements.

 

Dry

The Continental PremiumContact 6 proved to be the best in the dry, placing top in the dry braking and dry handling tests. The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 placed a close second, with the Hankook third overall.

Wet

In the wet the Goodyear proved to be the best tyre, but the Nokian Powerproof was excellent during the wet handling test.

All ten tyres were extremely close during the aquaplaning testing.

Off-road

Off-road testing is extremely difficult to conduct, and the results of these tests seemed to show no real trends.

The Nokian Powerproof was fastest during gravel handling, but only eighth overall for gravel traction, while the winning Hankook in the gravel traction test was slowest round the gravel handling lap!

There doesn't seem to be any correlation between gravel, grass and mud traction results.

Environment

As proven before, the Bridgestone Turanza T005 has extremely low rolling resistance.

The budget CST proved to be the quietest tyre on test, with the Hankook also scoring well.

The Continental PremiumContact 6 was the most expensive tyre to buy.

Results

1st: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
  • 225/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd34.6 M34 M+0.6 M98.27%
Dry Handling2nd104 Km/H104.7 Km/H-0.7 Km/H99.33%
Wet Braking1st46.9 M100%
Wet Handling2nd89.3 Km/H89.8 Km/H-0.5 Km/H99.44%
Straight Aqua7th80.2 Km/H82 Km/H-1.8 Km/H97.8%
Gravel Handling5th65.9 Km/H67.4 Km/H-1.5 Km/H97.77%
Gravel Traction3rd9526 N9902 N-376 N96.2%
Grass Traction1st9548 N100%
Mud Traction4th2514 N2725 N-211 N92.26%
Noise3rd65 dB64.2 dB+0.8 dB98.77%
Price8th490 270 +220 55.1%
Rolling Resistance4th8.69 kg / t7.56 kg / t+1.13 kg / t87%
Excellent handling, precise steering response and very short stopping distances on dry and wet roads.
None mentioned.
Test winner.

Read Reviews    Buy from £111.91

2nd: Continental Premium Contact 6

Continental Premium Contact 6
  • 225/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st34 M100%
Dry Handling1st104.7 Km/H100%
Wet Braking2nd47.5 M46.9 M+0.6 M98.74%
Wet Handling2nd89.3 Km/H89.8 Km/H-0.5 Km/H99.44%
Straight Aqua8th78.2 Km/H82 Km/H-3.8 Km/H95.37%
Gravel Handling3rd67.2 Km/H67.4 Km/H-0.2 Km/H99.7%
Gravel Traction10th8440 N9902 N-1462 N85.24%
Grass Traction6th8766 N9548 N-782 N91.81%
Mud Traction10th2230 N2725 N-495 N81.83%
Noise8th67.1 dB64.2 dB+2.9 dB95.68%
Price10th550 270 +280 49.09%
Rolling Resistance2nd8.39 kg / t7.56 kg / t+0.83 kg / t90.11%
Excellent dry handling, very short wet and dry braking.
Poor grip in gravel and dirt.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews    Buy from £141.99

2nd: Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125

Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
  • 225/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd34.6 M34 M+0.6 M98.27%
Dry Handling3rd103.9 Km/H104.7 Km/H-0.8 Km/H99.24%
Wet Braking3rd48.5 M46.9 M+1.6 M96.7%
Wet Handling6th87.8 Km/H89.8 Km/H-2 Km/H97.77%
Straight Aqua8th78.2 Km/H82 Km/H-3.8 Km/H95.37%
Gravel Handling10th65 Km/H67.4 Km/H-2.4 Km/H96.44%
Gravel Traction1st9902 N100%
Grass Traction2nd9462 N9548 N-86 N99.1%
Mud Traction6th2420 N2725 N-305 N88.81%
Noise2nd64.8 dB64.2 dB+0.6 dB99.07%
Price6th435 270 +165 62.07%
Rolling Resistance7th9.18 kg / t7.56 kg / t+1.62 kg / t82.35%
Good dry handling, good wet and dry braking, good off road, best price / performance ratio.
None mentioned.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews    Buy from £128.99

2nd: Nokian PowerProof

Nokian PowerProof
  • 225/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th35.5 M34 M+1.5 M95.77%
Dry Handling6th103.4 Km/H104.7 Km/H-1.3 Km/H98.76%
Wet Braking6th51.2 M46.9 M+4.3 M91.6%
Wet Handling1st89.8 Km/H100%
Straight Aqua5th81.1 Km/H82 Km/H-0.9 Km/H98.9%
Gravel Handling1st67.4 Km/H100%
Gravel Traction8th8784 N9902 N-1118 N88.71%
Grass Traction3rd9302 N9548 N-246 N97.42%
Mud Traction5th2425 N2725 N-300 N88.99%
Noise9th67.4 dB64.2 dB+3.2 dB95.25%
Price7th475 270 +205 56.84%
Rolling Resistance3rd8.58 kg / t7.56 kg / t+1.02 kg / t88.11%
Good performance on all types of surfaces, very good handling on gravel and wet asphalt.
Increased noise.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews

5th: Maxxis Premitra HP5

Maxxis Premitra HP5
  • 225/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th35.6 M34 M+1.6 M95.51%
Dry Handling3rd103.9 Km/H104.7 Km/H-0.8 Km/H99.24%
Wet Braking5th50.9 M46.9 M+4 M92.14%
Wet Handling4th88.8 Km/H89.8 Km/H-1 Km/H98.89%
Straight Aqua1st82 Km/H100%
Gravel Handling4th66.3 Km/H67.4 Km/H-1.1 Km/H98.37%
Gravel Traction4th9486 N9902 N-416 N95.8%
Grass Traction9th8068 N9548 N-1480 N84.5%
Mud Traction2nd2571 N2725 N-154 N94.35%
Noise6th66.1 dB64.2 dB+1.9 dB97.13%
Price2nd320 270 +50 84.38%
Rolling Resistance9th9.38 kg / t7.56 kg / t+1.82 kg / t80.6%
Great aquaplaning resistance, good handling on dry and wet roads.
Weak grip on grass and sand.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews

6th: Bridgestone Turanza T005

Bridgestone Turanza T005
  • 225/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th35.7 M34 M+1.7 M95.24%
Dry Handling8th102.8 Km/H104.7 Km/H-1.9 Km/H98.19%
Wet Braking4th49.9 M46.9 M+3 M93.99%
Wet Handling5th88.4 Km/H89.8 Km/H-1.4 Km/H98.44%
Straight Aqua6th81 Km/H82 Km/H-1 Km/H98.78%
Gravel Handling6th65.6 Km/H67.4 Km/H-1.8 Km/H97.33%
Gravel Traction7th9061 N9902 N-841 N91.51%
Grass Traction10th7987 N9548 N-1561 N83.65%
Mud Traction9th2395 N2725 N-330 N87.89%
Noise9th67.4 dB64.2 dB+3.2 dB95.25%
Price8th490 270 +220 55.1%
Rolling Resistance1st7.56 kg / t100%
Good handling in almost any environment, high aquaplaning resistance, low rolling resistance.
Weak grip on grass.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews    Buy from £119.99

7th: Toyo Proxes Sport

Toyo Proxes Sport
  • 225/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th37.1 M34 M+3.1 M91.64%
Dry Handling5th103.8 Km/H104.7 Km/H-0.9 Km/H99.14%
Wet Braking8th52.6 M46.9 M+5.7 M89.16%
Wet Handling7th87.7 Km/H89.8 Km/H-2.1 Km/H97.66%
Straight Aqua4th81.4 Km/H82 Km/H-0.6 Km/H99.27%
Gravel Handling2nd67.3 Km/H67.4 Km/H-0.1 Km/H99.85%
Gravel Traction5th9242 N9902 N-660 N93.33%
Grass Traction8th8524 N9548 N-1024 N89.28%
Mud Traction8th2407 N2725 N-318 N88.33%
Noise5th65.5 dB64.2 dB+1.3 dB98.02%
Price4th375 270 +105 72%
Rolling Resistance7th9.18 kg / t7.56 kg / t+1.62 kg / t82.35%
Good handling on gravel and in the dry, high aquaplaning resistance.
Poor wet handling.
Good.

Read Reviews    Buy from £114.50

8th: Nexen N Fera RU1

Nexen N Fera RU1
  • 225/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th36.5 M34 M+2.5 M93.15%
Dry Handling7th102.9 Km/H104.7 Km/H-1.8 Km/H98.28%
Wet Braking7th52.3 M46.9 M+5.4 M89.67%
Wet Handling8th87.6 Km/H89.8 Km/H-2.2 Km/H97.55%
Straight Aqua10th77.8 Km/H82 Km/H-4.2 Km/H94.88%
Gravel Handling8th65.3 Km/H67.4 Km/H-2.1 Km/H96.88%
Gravel Traction2nd9592 N9902 N-310 N96.87%
Grass Traction7th8719 N9548 N-829 N91.32%
Mud Traction7th2410 N2725 N-315 N88.44%
Noise6th66.1 dB64.2 dB+1.9 dB97.13%
Price3rd350 270 +80 77.14%
Rolling Resistance10th10.24 kg / t7.56 kg / t+2.68 kg / t73.83%
Acceptable handling on dry and wet roads, high grip on sand and gravel.
Long wet braking, highest rolling resistance.
Good.

Read Reviews    Buy from £99.28

9th: Cooper Zeon CS8

Cooper Zeon CS8
  • 225/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking9th37.5 M34 M+3.5 M90.67%
Dry Handling10th102.3 Km/H104.7 Km/H-2.4 Km/H97.71%
Wet Braking9th54.7 M46.9 M+7.8 M85.74%
Wet Handling9th86.8 Km/H89.8 Km/H-3 Km/H96.66%
Straight Aqua2nd81.5 Km/H82 Km/H-0.5 Km/H99.39%
Gravel Handling7th65.4 Km/H67.4 Km/H-2 Km/H97.03%
Gravel Traction6th9142 N9902 N-760 N92.32%
Grass Traction4th8879 N9548 N-669 N92.99%
Mud Traction3rd2542 N2725 N-183 N93.28%
Noise4th65.2 dB64.2 dB+1 dB98.47%
Price5th400 270 +130 67.5%
Rolling Resistance6th8.79 kg / t7.56 kg / t+1.23 kg / t86.01%
Good dry grip.
Poor wet handling, grip and long wet braking distances.
Conditionally Recommended.

Read Reviews    Buy from £129.80

10th: CST Medallion MD A1

CST Medallion MD A1
  • 225/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th37.8 M34 M+3.8 M89.95%
Dry Handling9th102.5 Km/H104.7 Km/H-2.2 Km/H97.9%
Wet Braking10th60.2 M46.9 M+13.3 M77.91%
Wet Handling10th84.7 Km/H89.8 Km/H-5.1 Km/H94.32%
Straight Aqua2nd81.5 Km/H82 Km/H-0.5 Km/H99.39%
Gravel Handling9th65.1 Km/H67.4 Km/H-2.3 Km/H96.59%
Gravel Traction9th8579 N9902 N-1323 N86.64%
Grass Traction5th8836 N9548 N-712 N92.54%
Mud Traction1st2725 N100%
Noise1st64.2 dB100%
Price1st270 100%
Rolling Resistance5th8.74 kg / t7.56 kg / t+1.18 kg / t86.5%
Low noise, excellent in the mud.
Dangerously long wet braking distances, poor wet handling, high levels of understeer in the dry.
Not Recommended.

Read Reviews


Discussion:

comments powered by Disqus