Auto Bild Allrad tests SUV summer tyres

Introducing its 2022 summer tyre comparative test, Auto Bild Allrad comments that SUV tyres really can “make a noticeable hole in the household budget.” – but motorists can nevertheless save money by choosing the right tyre.

After evaluating ten tyres in the popular compact SUV size 235/55 R18, Auto Bild Allrad test specialists Henning Klipp and Dierk Möller offer the tip that “the most expensive types of tyres are often not the best.” This certainly applies to the publication’s summer 2022 tyre comparison, which features several affordably priced tyres – including one of the joint test winners.

Auto Bild Allrad tested the tyres’ off-road capabilities as well as how they perform on wet and dry asphalt, the latter testing including measures of rolling resistance, drive-by noise and ride comfort. The testers divided points equally between the dry, wet and off-road disciplines.

Commenting on joint winners the EfficientGrip 2 SUV and Ventus S1 evo3 SUV, the Auto Bild Allrad testers write that “neither Goodyear nor Hankook slip-up in any discipline and deservedly share the test victory.” They add that the third-placed Falken tyre was their “first choice for driving dynamics” even though it didn’t earn full marks in off-road testing.

Rated exemplary

Joint winner: Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV
+ Convincing premium tyre with very good driving characteristics on all surfaces, harmonious wet & dry handling, short wet & dry stopping distances, high ride comfort, low rolling resistance.

Joint winner: Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 SUV
+ Top driving characteristics off-road & on dry surfaces, good traction on loose gravel & muddy terrain, dynamic dry handling, shortest wet & dry stopping distances, reasonably priced.

Rated good

Falken Azenis FK510 SUV
+ Convincing driving characteristics on wet & dry roads, dynamic handling, precise turn-in, short stopping distances
– Mediocre traction on mud, high rolling resistance.

Michelin Primacy 4
+ Balanced performance potential, short dry stopping distances, low rolling resistance.
– Average aquaplaning qualities, high purchase price.

Toyo Proxes Comfort
+ Excellent wet grip & high aquaplaning safety, precise wet & dry handling, good ride comfort, reasonably priced.
– Mediocre pulling power on wet grass.

Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV
+ Stable, safe driving behaviour off-road & on wet surfaces, short dry stopping distances.
– Mediocre traction on sand, slightly lengthy wet stopping distances, elevated rolling resistance.

Rated satisfactory

Pirelli Scorpion Verde
+ Balanced driving behaviour off-road & on wet roads, good aquaplaning characteristics.
– Lengthy wet stopping distances, delayed steering response, light understeer on dry roads.

General Grabber GT Plus
+ High pulling power on loose gravel, short wet & dry stopping distances.
– Average traction on grass, understeer on wet & dry roads, mediocre ride comfort.

Not recommendable

Imperial EcoSport SUV
+ Good pulling power on grass & gravel, affordably priced.
– Limited capabilities in the wet, dangerously lengthy wet stopping distances, inharmonious understeer on all surfaces.