2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test

Dry BrakingMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 33.2 MLexani LX Thirty: 39.8 M
Dry HandlingGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 SUV: 112.2 Km/HLexani LX Thirty: 108.4 Km/H
Wet BrakingMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 46.4 MLexani LX Thirty: 68.3 M
Wet HandlingMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 86.2 Km/HLexani LX Thirty: 78.2 Km/H
Straight AquaMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 89.7 Km/HCooper Zeon 4XS Sport: 82.7 Km/H
Gravel HandlingMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 64.5 Km/HNokian PowerProof SUV: 63.1 Km/H
Gravel TractionBarum Bravuris 5HM: 2440 NVredestein Ultrac Satin: 2228 N
Sand TractionCooper Zeon 4XS Sport: 2472 NNokian PowerProof SUV: 2225 N
Grass TractionMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 3492 NLexani LX Thirty: 2829 N
Mud TractionMaxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV: 2960 NLexani LX Thirty: 2470 N
NoiseGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 SUV: 69.9 dBLexani LX Thirty: 72.7 dB
Tyre WeightBarum Bravuris 5HM: 52 KgPirelli Scorpion Verde: 59.2 Kg
PriceLexani LX Thirty: 345 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 605
Rolling ResistanceBarum Bravuris 5HM: 6.68 kg / tDunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV: 8.38 kg / t
The 2020 Auto Bild AllRad SUV / 4x4 tyre test has looked at the popular 255/55 R18 tyre size. While the tyre patterns included in the test are aimed at "soft roaders", which spend 99% of their time on normal roads, Auto Bild still went to the effort of testing the handling and traction on gravel of all ten tyres, along with traction on grass, mud and even sand!

Off-road performance is often an opposing quality to on-road grip, with dedicated off-road tyres performing well in loose surfaces such as gravel and mud, but poorly on-road in the dry and wet.  It's worth noting, as we found out with our off-road tyre test, repeatable off-road testing is extremely difficult, especially in mud, so these figures should only be used as a broad guide.

 

Dry

Dry braking is often closely contested, but the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV proved to have a near meter advantage over the nearest rival. It's also been a long time since we've seen a budget tyre perform poorly in the dry, which is exactly what the Lexani LX-Thirty did, stopping the SUV 6.5 meters behind the Michelin!

The dry handling results were broadly the same, but this time Dunlop narrowly beat Michelin for the fastest lap time.

Wet

Michelin dominated the wet testing, winning all three tests.

Like dry braking, wet braking saw Michelin and Dunlop leading the way, with the budget Lexani tyre taking over 20 meters longer to stop the vehicle. 

This time during wet handling, Michelin held the advantage, beating the Dunlop by a significant margin.

Surprisingly Michelin also performed best in the aquaplaning test, which is often an opposing quality for dry grip.

Offroad

Off-road is where things get really interesting / confusing. Usually, a tyre that performs well off-road, doesn't perform on-road, but it seems Michelin have done their best to disprove that rule.

The Pilot Sport 4 SUV was the best in the wet and dry overall, and had the fastest lap time during gravel handling.

Travel traction was close amongst the top five tyres, with Barum taking its first win of the test.

Grass traction was also won by the French manufacturer.

Maxxis won mud testing, with Dunlop and Michelin having to settle for second and third overall.

To highlight how interesting off-road testing is, sand traction was won by Cooper, wich was essentially last in mud and grass traction!

Environment

The Continental owned Barum Bravuris 5HM showed to have a significant advantage during rolling resistance testing, with the otherwise excellent Dunlop joint last.

All ten tyres were in 3dB of each other.

And finally it will be no surprise that the Michelin was the most expensive set of tyres on test, and the budget the cheapest! No wear testing was performed this time, so we're unable to work out what value each tyre represents.

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
  • 255/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st33.2 M100%
Dry Handling2nd112.1 Km/H112.2 Km/H-0.1 Km/H99.91%
Wet Braking1st46.4 M100%
Wet Handling1st86.2 Km/H100%
Straight Aqua1st89.7 Km/H100%
Gravel Handling1st64.5 Km/H100%
Gravel Traction2nd2427 N2440 N-13 N99.47%
Sand Traction3rd2449 N2472 N-23 N99.07%
Grass Traction1st3492 N100%
Mud Traction3rd2780 N2960 N-180 N93.92%
Noise8th72.1 dB69.9 dB+2.2 dB96.95%
Tyre Weight5th58 Kg52 Kg+6 Kg89.66%
Price10th605 345 +260 57.02%
Rolling Resistance4th7.75 kg / t6.68 kg / t+1.07 kg / t86.19%
Driving dynamics in a class of their own. The test winner is ahead in almost all categories.
High purchase price.

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2nd: Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV

Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV
  • 255/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd33.8 M33.2 M+0.6 M98.22%
Dry Handling3rd111.4 Km/H112.2 Km/H-0.8 Km/H99.29%
Wet Braking2nd48.1 M46.4 M+1.7 M96.47%
Wet Handling2nd84.5 Km/H86.2 Km/H-1.7 Km/H98.03%
Straight Aqua7th85.8 Km/H89.7 Km/H-3.9 Km/H95.65%
Gravel Handling2nd64.2 Km/H64.5 Km/H-0.3 Km/H99.53%
Gravel Traction5th2408 N2440 N-32 N98.69%
Sand Traction8th2242 N2472 N-230 N90.7%
Grass Traction4th3183 N3492 N-309 N91.15%
Mud Traction2nd2840 N2960 N-120 N95.95%
Noise6th71 dB69.9 dB+1.1 dB98.45%
Tyre Weight8th58.4 Kg52 Kg+6.4 Kg89.04%
Price8th530 345 +185 65.09%
Rolling Resistance10th8.38 kg / t6.68 kg / t+1.7 kg / t79.71%
Balanced performance in nearly all categories. High steering precision and short wet and dry braking.
Average rolling resistance.

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3rd: Vredestein Ultrac Satin

Vredestein Ultrac Satin
  • 255/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th34.8 M33.2 M+1.6 M95.4%
Dry Handling7th111 Km/H112.2 Km/H-1.2 Km/H98.93%
Wet Braking5th50.8 M46.4 M+4.4 M91.34%
Wet Handling3rd84.2 Km/H86.2 Km/H-2 Km/H97.68%
Straight Aqua5th86.4 Km/H89.7 Km/H-3.3 Km/H96.32%
Gravel Handling2nd64.2 Km/H64.5 Km/H-0.3 Km/H99.53%
Gravel Traction10th2228 N2440 N-212 N91.31%
Sand Traction6th2319 N2472 N-153 N93.81%
Grass Traction2nd3268 N3492 N-224 N93.59%
Mud Traction4th2720 N2960 N-240 N91.89%
Noise3rd70.2 dB69.9 dB+0.3 dB99.57%
Tyre Weight3rd56.8 Kg52 Kg+4.8 Kg91.55%
Price5th465 345 +120 74.19%
Rolling Resistance2nd7.26 kg / t6.68 kg / t+0.58 kg / t92.01%
Great price / performance ratio, good wet handling, low noise, low rolling resistance.
Average traction on gravel.

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4th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 SUV

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 SUV
  • 255/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd34.1 M33.2 M+0.9 M97.36%
Dry Handling1st112.2 Km/H100%
Wet Braking3rd49.4 M46.4 M+3 M93.93%
Wet Handling3rd84.2 Km/H86.2 Km/H-2 Km/H97.68%
Straight Aqua7th85.8 Km/H89.7 Km/H-3.9 Km/H95.65%
Gravel Handling7th63.5 Km/H64.5 Km/H-1 Km/H98.45%
Gravel Traction3rd2423 N2440 N-17 N99.3%
Sand Traction4th2387 N2472 N-85 N96.56%
Grass Traction8th2967 N3492 N-525 N84.97%
Mud Traction7th2680 N2960 N-280 N90.54%
Noise1st69.9 dB100%
Tyre Weight5th58 Kg52 Kg+6 Kg89.66%
Price8th530 345 +185 65.09%
Rolling Resistance8th8.28 kg / t6.68 kg / t+1.6 kg / t80.68%
Top performance on dry roads, dynamic dry handling, precise steering behavior, short dry braking, good comfort.
Average grass traction.

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5th: Pirelli Scorpion Verde

Pirelli Scorpion Verde
  • 255/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th34.7 M33.2 M+1.5 M95.68%
Dry Handling3rd111.4 Km/H112.2 Km/H-0.8 Km/H99.29%
Wet Braking4th50.2 M46.4 M+3.8 M92.43%
Wet Handling9th82.1 Km/H86.2 Km/H-4.1 Km/H95.24%
Straight Aqua9th85.3 Km/H89.7 Km/H-4.4 Km/H95.09%
Gravel Handling7th63.5 Km/H64.5 Km/H-1 Km/H98.45%
Gravel Traction6th2379 N2440 N-61 N97.5%
Sand Traction7th2264 N2472 N-208 N91.59%
Grass Traction5th3071 N3492 N-421 N87.94%
Mud Traction9th2650 N2960 N-310 N89.53%
Noise5th70.4 dB69.9 dB+0.5 dB99.29%
Tyre Weight10th59.2 Kg52 Kg+7.2 Kg87.84%
Price7th500 345 +155 69%
Rolling Resistance5th8.11 kg / t6.68 kg / t+1.43 kg / t82.37%
A balanced premium summer tyre with stable and safe behaviour on wet and dry roads, good comfort.
Average offroad performance.

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6th: Maxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV

Maxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV
  • 255/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th35.2 M33.2 M+2 M94.32%
Dry Handling6th111.1 Km/H112.2 Km/H-1.1 Km/H99.02%
Wet Braking6th52.4 M46.4 M+6 M88.55%
Wet Handling7th82.4 Km/H86.2 Km/H-3.8 Km/H95.59%
Straight Aqua2nd88.1 Km/H89.7 Km/H-1.6 Km/H98.22%
Gravel Handling4th64.1 Km/H64.5 Km/H-0.4 Km/H99.38%
Gravel Traction8th2320 N2440 N-120 N95.08%
Sand Traction5th2354 N2472 N-118 N95.23%
Grass Traction6th2996 N3492 N-496 N85.8%
Mud Traction1st2960 N100%
Noise2nd70.1 dB69.9 dB+0.2 dB99.71%
Tyre Weight8th58.4 Kg52 Kg+6.4 Kg89.04%
Price3rd410 345 +65 84.15%
Rolling Resistance7th8.19 kg / t6.68 kg / t+1.51 kg / t81.56%
High aquaplaning resistance, good off road handling, good in the dry.
Average wet performance in all categories.

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6th: Barum Bravuris 5HM

Barum Bravuris 5HM
  • 255/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking9th36.8 M33.2 M+3.6 M90.22%
Dry Handling9th109.7 Km/H112.2 Km/H-2.5 Km/H97.77%
Wet Braking9th55.9 M46.4 M+9.5 M83.01%
Wet Handling8th82.2 Km/H86.2 Km/H-4 Km/H95.36%
Straight Aqua4th87.1 Km/H89.7 Km/H-2.6 Km/H97.1%
Gravel Handling4th64.1 Km/H64.5 Km/H-0.4 Km/H99.38%
Gravel Traction1st2440 N100%
Sand Traction2nd2460 N2472 N-12 N99.51%
Grass Traction7th2993 N3492 N-499 N85.71%
Mud Traction4th2720 N2960 N-240 N91.89%
Noise9th72.2 dB69.9 dB+2.3 dB96.81%
Tyre Weight1st52 Kg100%
Price2nd380 345 +35 90.79%
Rolling Resistance1st6.68 kg / t100%
High traction on gravel and sand, good comfort, low rolling resistance, well priced.
Understeer during dry handling, long wet braking, average traction on grass.

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8th: Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport

Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport
  • 255/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th35.1 M33.2 M+1.9 M94.59%
Dry Handling3rd111.4 Km/H112.2 Km/H-0.8 Km/H99.29%
Wet Braking8th55.4 M46.4 M+9 M83.75%
Wet Handling5th83.3 Km/H86.2 Km/H-2.9 Km/H96.64%
Straight Aqua10th82.7 Km/H89.7 Km/H-7 Km/H92.2%
Gravel Handling6th63.6 Km/H64.5 Km/H-0.9 Km/H98.6%
Gravel Traction4th2410 N2440 N-30 N98.77%
Sand Traction1st2472 N100%
Grass Traction9th2910 N3492 N-582 N83.33%
Mud Traction8th2670 N2960 N-290 N90.2%
Noise3rd70.2 dB69.9 dB+0.3 dB99.57%
Tyre Weight2nd56 Kg52 Kg+4 Kg92.86%
Price4th450 345 +105 76.67%
Rolling Resistance6th8.13 kg / t6.68 kg / t+1.45 kg / t82.16%
High traction on sand and gravel, stable dry handling, low rolling noise.
Limited aquaplaning resistance, long wet braking distances.

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8th: Nokian PowerProof SUV

Nokian PowerProof SUV
  • 255/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th34.9 M33.2 M+1.7 M95.13%
Dry Handling8th110.7 Km/H112.2 Km/H-1.5 Km/H98.66%
Wet Braking7th54.2 M46.4 M+7.8 M85.61%
Wet Handling6th82.6 Km/H86.2 Km/H-3.6 Km/H95.82%
Straight Aqua3rd88 Km/H89.7 Km/H-1.7 Km/H98.1%
Gravel Handling9th63.1 Km/H64.5 Km/H-1.4 Km/H97.83%
Gravel Traction9th2305 N2440 N-135 N94.47%
Sand Traction10th2225 N2472 N-247 N90.01%
Grass Traction2nd3268 N3492 N-224 N93.59%
Mud Traction4th2720 N2960 N-240 N91.89%
Noise7th71.2 dB69.9 dB+1.3 dB98.17%
Tyre Weight3rd56.8 Kg52 Kg+4.8 Kg91.55%
Price6th480 345 +135 71.88%
Rolling Resistance3rd7.39 kg / t6.68 kg / t+0.71 kg / t90.39%
Good safety reserves for aquaplaning, low noise, low rolling resistance.
Long wet braking, average offroad performance.

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10th: Lexani LX Thirty

Lexani LX Thirty
  • 255/55 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th39.8 M33.2 M+6.6 M83.42%
Dry Handling10th108.4 Km/H112.2 Km/H-3.8 Km/H96.61%
Wet Braking10th68.3 M46.4 M+21.9 M67.94%
Wet Handling10th78.2 Km/H86.2 Km/H-8 Km/H90.72%
Straight Aqua6th85.9 Km/H89.7 Km/H-3.8 Km/H95.76%
Gravel Handling9th63.1 Km/H64.5 Km/H-1.4 Km/H97.83%
Gravel Traction7th2364 N2440 N-76 N96.89%
Sand Traction9th2232 N2472 N-240 N90.29%
Grass Traction10th2829 N3492 N-663 N81.01%
Mud Traction10th2470 N2960 N-490 N83.45%
Noise10th72.7 dB69.9 dB+2.8 dB96.15%
Tyre Weight5th58 Kg52 Kg+6 Kg89.66%
Price1st345 100%
Rolling Resistance9th8.37 kg / t6.68 kg / t+1.69 kg / t79.81%
Cheap.
Extremely long wet and dry braking distances, poor steering feel and feedback, dangerous levels of understeer.

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