AMS test tyres for compact SUVs

This year, auto motor und sport (AMS) examines products from the “eight most popular tyre brands” in its local market. For its 2024 summer tyre test, the German motoring publication thus looks at the Bridgestone Turanza 6, Continental PremiumContact 7, Falken Azenis FK 520, Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV, Hankook Ventus S1 Evo³ SUV, Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV, Michelin Primacy 4+ and Vredestein Ultrac.

AMS chose to test in 235/55 R18 100/104 V/W, a tyre size suitable for compact SUVs such as the VW Tiguan and Vauxhall Grandland as well as saloons such as the Audi A6. Several of the tested tyres feature the abbreviation ‘SUV’ on the sidewall. Others do not, but all tyres in the AMS test are suitable for SUVs as their load capacities can accommodate the higher vehicle weight.

Three metres makes all the difference

The AMS test program focused primarily on a tyre’s ability to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance, especially on wet asphalt. The test team subjected each tyre model to multiple emergency stops at different temperatures.

Although the AMS test team awarded every tyre at least a ‘good’ rating, their levels of goodness vary. A close look at the results table reveals notable differences between wet braking results, with more than three metres separating the best and worst stopping distances from 80 km/h (49.7 mph). In other words, the car fitted with the worst-performing tyres would still be travelling at least 26 km/h (16.2 mph) at the point where the best performer had stopped.

Round, but not always all-rounders

Tyre makers have focused upon minimising rolling resistance and noise characteristics over the past decade or so, more recently widening their environmental remit to cover abrasion and sustainability, using higher proportions of recycled or renewable raw materials in new tyre production. As AMS notes, these are requirements that manufacturers can’t always implement without impacting performance, and while “every good tyre maker” can develop products for the shortest braking distances, long service life or lowest rolling resistance, the trick is to deliver all three in equal measure – with a particular focus on safety – without one or another characteristic taking a back seat. In regard to the current test, AMS observes that not every tyre maker has brought casing, compound and tread together with equal success.

An outstanding & 2 very good tyres

AMS crowned the Continental PremiumContact 7 its test winner, lauding the tyre’s outstanding grip in the wet, including safety when aquaplaning, as well as “strong grip, precision and reliability” when cornering in the dry. AMS also praises the Continental tyre’s ride comfort, with its only minor criticism being slightly high external noise and rolling resistance. It rates the PremiumContact 7 as ‘outstanding’.

The Continental tyre shared the podium with the second-placed Hankook Ventus S1 Evo³ SUV and the Vredestein Ultrac, which finished the test third. AMS rated both tyres ‘very good’ but comments that the Hankook misses out on an even better result due to “weaknesses in cornering aquaplaning and in driving stability in fast lane changes,” while the Ultrac was sensitive to load changes and offered limited ride comfort.

Test winner – rated outstanding

Continental PremiumContact 7

+ Outstanding grip in the wet, safe when aquaplaning. Strong grip, precise and reliable even in dry bends. Good ride comfort
– Slightly louder external rolling noise, increased rolling resistance/low fuel efficiency

Rated very good

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV
+ Very good, dynamic wet behaviour with high grip level and easy controllability. Direct steering response, very dynamic on dry roads, good comfort characteristics
– Aquaplaning weakness when cornering and driving stability when changing lanes at speed

Vredestein Ultrac
+ Very good grip and easy to control in the wet, safe in aquaplaning. Good-natured handling characteristics on dry tarmac
– Sensitive to load changes, leading to slight rear wheel instability when changing lanes quickly. Limited ride comfort due to slight bumpiness

Rated good

Bridgestone Turanza 6
+ Good aquaplaning prevention and decent wet braking properties. Sporty and dynamic tyre on dry roads, yet easy to control
– Limited traction and cornering grip in the wet. Bumpy on transverse joints

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV
+ High aquaplaning resistance in bends. Good lane change stability in dry conditions, precise, easy to control handling, very low rolling noise, good comfort
– Weak braking, moderate cornering grip and pronounced understeer in the wet. Somewhat sluggish steering response

Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV
+ Despite comparatively long braking distances offers good, balanced wet performance with safe aquaplaning behaviour. Responsive steering, safe swerving, reliable handling
– Long braking distances on both wet and dry roads, highest rolling resistance in the test

Falken Azenis FK 520
+ Very good aquaplaning prevention, easy to control despite less dynamic handling on dry roads
– Limited braking and traction on wet roads. Not very balanced driving dynamics with oversteer and understeer

Michelin Primacy 4+
+ Short braking distances and spontaneous steering behaviour on dry asphalt
– Longer braking distances, weak cornering grip and poor traction in the wet. Deficits in aquaplaning protection. Increased risk of oversteer on dry tarmac when changing lanes quickly and in load change situations