The most popular size in this segment is 215/65R16. Such shoes are worn by the popular Chevy Niva, the rather expensive Volkswagen Tiguan, and the best-selling Renault Duster - we used it as a carrier. Understanding that crossovers spend most of their time smoothing the asphalt, we limited ourselves to comparing competitors only in these conditions, leaving the primer as an optional option - outside the scope of the classification.
At the head of the column with 936 points was the Nokian tire - the Hakka Sport Utility model. The leader has the highest speed of rearrangement among the test participants. The cost is not at all a record - 5,000 rubles, this provides a completely affordable price-quality ratio: 5.3.
Noticeably more expensive is the Michelin-starred Latitude Diamaris, which scored 926 points and took the vice-champion position. We consider this tire to be the most balanced and free of shortcomings. The exception is the price: it is the highest. That’s why the corresponding price/quality indicator is 6.3.
On the bottom step of the podium was Pirelli (model Scorpion Verde), losing only a point to Michelin in the overall standings. Due to the much more modest price, the price/quality ratio of 5.3 is the most attractive in the leading group.
The Continental, represented by the ContiCrossContact UHP model, is slightly behind the first trinity. It came close to the 900 point bar (898 to be exact), which separates excellent tires from simply good ones. These wheels are expensive (5,700 rubles), and therefore in terms of price/quality ratio (6.3) they compete with Michelin.
The top five is closed with 886 points by the Dynapro HP model from the energetic company Hancook, which is constantly improving the characteristics of its products. In terms of price/quality ratio (5.0), the tire managed to catch up with Pirelli. At the same time, it beat Bridgestone's Dueler H/P Sport, which scored 885 points, even if only by one. Based on the characteristics determined during our test, Hankook and Bridgestone can easily be called twins: these tires differ in nuances that only high-precision equipment can detect. The only noticeable difference is the price. If so, why pay more? 5.0 vs 5.9 leaves no doubt which purchase is more profitable.
Viatti took seventh place with the Bosco A/T model - 868 points at a price of 3,700 rubles. give a price/quality ratio of 4.3.
A very profitable purchase, although domestic competitors have a price/quality ratio of less than 4.
Eighth place with 866 points is occupied by Goodyear (Efficient-Grip SUV model) with an exorbitantly high price. The highest speed index (240 km/h) could serve as a partial justification - but where in Russia can you drive so fast? It just warms the soul. According to the price/quality indicator (5.9), we include Bridgestone and Yokohama among the same “soul-warmers”.
By the way, the latter, having scored 842 points, lagged behind its main competitor, Bridgestone, by more than 40 points and took only ninth place.
The domestic Amtel with its Cruise 4×4 model is literally hot on its heels. He is a little slower than the bulk of the participants, his top speed is “only” 190 km/h, but this did not stop him from scoring 841 points and taking tenth place. In terms of price/quality ratio (3.6) it is the best buy.
Very close to it is All Terrain (“Cordiant”) with a semi-all-terrain tread. For such a tire, 834 points and eleventh place in the competition with asphalt colleagues is a very worthy result.
Twelfth place, completely unexpectedly for us, was taken by the Japanese Dunlop model Grandtrek PT2, which was able to score some 804 points. It seems that the lowest speed index (180 km/h) has nothing to do with it. But she clearly doesn’t like the rough Russian asphalt. In terms of price-quality ratio (5.5), this sissy is located in the middle between the Nokian, Pirelli, Hancook tires on the one hand and Bridgestone, Yokohama, Goodyear on the other.
WORD AND DEED
Tires for all-terrain vehicles, unlike ordinary passenger cars, operate in more difficult road and off-road conditions. Their features are not only specific sizes and increased load capacity. They are structurally stronger due to a more powerful frame and reinforced shoulders and sides. Sometimes such tires are labeled with the abbreviation SUV, more often with a destination code. Here are the most common (but not required) categories.
M/T (MT) - Mud Terrain- tires with toothy tread for mud. As a rule, driving on asphalt with such tires is not recommended. Here they make more noise than their purely asphalt counterparts. The grip properties are low, since due to the wide grooves the contact area between the rubber and the asphalt is minimal. Yes, and they will wear out quickly.
A/T (AT) - All Terrain- universal tires that combine increased cross-country ability with satisfactory performance on asphalt. However, on hard roads it exhibits the same shortcomings as the M/T, but to a lesser extent.
H/T (HT) - Highway (Terrain)- road tires for paved roads. More comfortable than the two previous categories, with better grip on asphalt. Naturally, they are inferior in cross-country ability to A/T and, to an even greater extent, to M/T.
S/T (ST) - Sport (Terrain)- as a rule, they differ from the H/T category by a higher speed index. The tread pattern is even less aggressive and does not involve driving on dirt roads. If you are not going to drive, there is no point in overpaying for them.
On sale there are passenger car (PC - Passenger Car) tires of the same size as SUVs. They can be used instead of all-terrain vehicles, provided that the speed and load capacity indices are correctly selected, but if you drive only on flat roads. You will have to forget about curbs, ruts, holes and other obstacles that load and strain the sidewalls.
215/65R16 SUV SUMMER TIRES RATING: BY LOCATION
12th place. Dunlop Grandtrek PT2 98S
Place of manufacture: Japan
Tread depth 7.1–7.4 mm
Shore hardness 61 units.
Tire weight 10.7 kg
Price/quality 5.5
The weakest braking is on dry and wet surfaces. The leader of the exercise loses 7.5 m on a wet road and 7 m on a dry road.
At high speeds they are susceptible to side winds. Correcting the direction is complicated - a blurry “zero”, a significant delay in reactions. You shouldn’t even think about sudden maneuvers; they are only possible at the lowest speed. The car suddenly starts sliding, and early, at a speed of about 60 km/h.
On a wet road there is a strong drift at the entrance and a skid at the exit, and again at low speed.
Comfort let us down. They make loud noise from 20 to 65 km/h. They start squealing early when turning and braking. They transmit shocks from convex irregularities.
They skate better than anyone else: at a speed of 60 km/h it is unattainable for the rest, at 90 km/h they are in the leading group.
Lowest fuel consumption, satisfactory smoothness.
Extremely weak braking on dry and wet surfaces, problematic handling during extreme maneuvers on wet surfaces, difficult behavior at high speed and handling on dry roads during extreme maneuvering, noisy.
804 points
Will allow you to save fuel in any mode.
11th place. Cordiant All Terrain 98H
Place of manufacture Russia
Tread pattern symmetrical
Tread depth 9.1–9.4 mm
Shore hardness 64 units.
Tire weight 11.9 kg
The average price in online stores is 3100 rubles.
Price/quality 3.7
This universal tire with a toothy tread has naturally weak braking, although it is better than the “asphalt” Dunlop: on a wet road the braking distance is 3 m shorter.
At speed, the car is driven slightly from side to side, without requiring steering. An attempt to gently change lanes causes a sluggish reaction, and then a sharp skid of the rear axle.
The speed at the changeover is average, controllability is difficult. Large steering angles and a sharp skid at the exit. On wet asphalt, drift at the entrance and skid at the exit, lack of information content on the steering wheel.
The toothy tread makes a loud noise, especially in the speed range of 45–80 km/h. They shudder on moderate bumps. Rolling resistance is increased at any speed, in this they are on par with Amtel.
High cross-country ability, average speed when moving, satisfactory smoothness.
Weak braking on dry and wet surfaces, increased fuel consumption, difficult directional stability and controllability during sudden lane changes, noisy.
834 points
They will show their best qualities on unpaved roads.
10th place. Amtel Cruise 4x4 98T
Place of manufacture Russia
Tread depth 8.3–8.5 mm
Shore hardness 65 units.
Tire weight 11.5 kg
The average price in online stores is 3,000 rubles.
Price/quality 3.6
Braking on dry and wet roads is average.
On a straight line the car floats slightly from side to side. Direction correction is complicated by increased steering angles and delayed reactions. The speed at the changeover is average. In dry conditions, it is problematic: large steering angles and strong roll contribute to a sharp, unpredictable skid. In the wet it’s a little better, but the behavior remains difficult due to the large steering angles coupled with a complete lack of information content.
They make a booming noise from 25 to 65 km/h. They make the car shudder on moderate bumps.
Rolling resistance is above average at all speeds.
Average braking, satisfactory noise level, good cross-country ability.
Increased fuel consumption, problematic handling during sharp maneuvers on dry roads, difficult behavior at high speed and handling on wet roads.
841 points
Universal tires for city streets and dirt roads.
9th place. Yokohama Geolandar SUV 98H
Place of manufacture Thailand
Tread pattern symmetrical
Tread depth 8.0–8.4 mm
Shore hardness 66 units.
Tire weight 11.1 kg
Price/quality 5.9
Braking is weak: the results on dry and wet roads are comparable to those shown by the more off-road Cordiant. The ride is smooth at high speed, but responses to direction corrections are thoughtful.
The speed of extreme maneuvers is low. Controllability is difficult - an unexpected slip leads to departure from the trajectory. Smooth steering wheel actions are preferred. On wet surfaces, speed is limited by strong, progressive skidding.
The noise is loudest at speeds of 40–45 km/h. They push the car hard on moderate bumps.
Rolling resistance is low at any speed.
Economical at any speed, behavior at high speed and level of comfort are satisfactory, good maneuverability.
Weak braking, difficult handling during sharp maneuvering.
842 points
Universal tires of a wide range - for country, city and dirt roads, will help save fuel.
8th place. Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV 98V
Place of manufacture Germany
Tread pattern symmetrical
Tread depth 8.3–8.6 mm
Shore hardness 71 units.
Tire weight 12.4 kg
The average price in online stores is 5100 rubles.
Price/quality 5.9
Braking is average on dry and wet surfaces. At high speed they make the car walk slightly, albeit within the lane.
During the adjustment, a slight steering of the rear axle was noted. The speed at the changeover is average. Low information content of the steering, shooting skid at the exit. On wet surfaces, steering of the rear axle turns into a sharp deep drift.
Comfort is satisfactory. Large bumps transfer to the body, and small ones itch slightly. They voice road junctions and surface changes. Rolling resistance is high at 90 km/h and average at 60 km/h.
Braking is average.
Increased fuel consumption at 90 km/h, difficult handling on wet roads.
866 points
They show their best qualities in suburban modes and do not give up on dirt roads.
7th place. Viatti Bosco A/T 98H
Place of manufacture Russia
Tread pattern asymmetric
Tread depth 7.3–7.6 mm
Shore hardness 74 units.
Tire weight 11.4 kg
The average price in online stores is 3,700 rubles.
Price/quality 4.3
Braking is average on both dry and wet surfaces. They seem to roll the car smoothly, but during soft lane changes they are noticeably delayed, then sharply, like a slingshot, they shoot to the side.
The speed at the changeover is above average - the tires seem to have been created specifically for the Duster. On a dry road the reactions are slightly delayed, on a wet road there is a slight passive skid that does not require compensation.
The hum reaches its peak at a speed of about 45 km/h. On small bumps, the door trim and instrument panel “talk.” They push the body hard on medium and large bumps.
Rolling resistance is average at all speeds.
High speed during extreme maneuvers, stable behavior during extreme maneuvers on dry and wet surfaces.
The directional stability leaves much to be desired, it is tough.
868 points
They will please you in urban conditions, on streets with high quality surfaces.
6th place. Bridgestone Dueler HP Sport 98H
Place of manufacture: Japan
Tread pattern symmetrical
Shore hardness 69 units.
Tire weight 11.2 kg
The average price in online stores is 5,200 rubles.
Price/quality 5.9
Braking is slightly better than average on wet surfaces, close to average on dry surfaces. At high speed, the car is slightly moved away from a given direction under the influence of a slight cross slope or side wind.
The speed when performing the rearrangement is average. Fast steering causes a sharp skid, while smooth steering causes steering of the rear axle. On wet surfaces, speed is limited by sudden skidding. The driver is disturbed by increased steering angles.
They buzz quite loudly in the range of 30–60 km/h. They push the car on medium bumps, large and small ones are well damped.
Rolling resistance is average at any speed.
Stable in all respects.
Minor comments regarding directional stability, handling and comfort.
885 points
For city and country trips on hard roads.
5th place. Hankook Dynapro HP 98H
Place of manufacture Hungary
Tread pattern symmetrical
Tread depth 7.0–8.1 mm
Shore hardness 71 units.
Tire weight 11.7 kg
The average price in online stores is 4,400 rubles.
Price/quality 5.0
Braking is slightly better than average on dry roads, average on wet roads. On a straight line, they make the car yaw slightly when encountering bumps. Slight delay in reactions when adjusting direction.
The speed at the changeover is high on dry roads, average on wet ones. Handling is satisfactory. On a dry road, skidding occurs with a large amplitude. On wet roads there is a delayed reaction and large steering angles.
Rough asphalt and all irregularities are heard. They transmit light vibrations on rough asphalt and shocks from convex road irregularities. Rolling resistance is low at 60 km/h, average at 90 km/h.
Economical at a speed of 60 km/h, all characteristics are stable.
Minor comments were made regarding directional stability, handling and comfort.
886 points
For urban and suburban driving, also good on dirt roads.
4th place. Continental ContiCrossContact UHP 98H
Place of manufacture France
Tread pattern asymmetric
Tread depth 7.7–8.4 mm
Shore hardness 71 units.
Tire weight 10.1 kg
The average price in online stores is 5,700 rubles.
Price/quality 6.3
They brake well on dry surfaces (fourth result) and excellent on wet ones. The lead in braking was lost to Pirelli. At high speed the movement is smooth, without deviations. A clear “zero” and high information content help with soft maneuvering.
The transfer speed is average. On a dry road the response is good, but when you shift the steering wheel the information content decreases. A sharp, deep skid at the exit. If you do not have time to extinguish it, the car is thrown outside the second corridor. On wet surfaces the same comments - skidding. But not as sharp as dry.
Comfortable. The overall background noise is increased, but irregularities are not heard. Shocks and vibrations are transmitted from all road irregularities.
Rolling resistance is low at all speeds.
Excellent braking on wet roads, good on dry roads, low fuel consumption, clear course at high speed.
Difficult handling during extreme maneuvers on dry roads, tough.
898 points
For urban and suburban driving on high-quality hard surfaces, they will help save fuel.
3rd place. Pirelli Scorpion Verde 102H
Place of manufacture UK
Tread pattern asymmetric
Shore hardness 65 units.
Tire weight 12.1 kg
The average price in online stores is 4,600 rubles.
Price/quality 5.0
The braking is the best: they beat the Continental, which is usually the leader in these disciplines, and the outsider gets one and a half car lengths of exercise - 7.3 m on a dry road and 7.6 m on a wet one. They are keeping the course clearly. Good reactions to direction adjustments. The speed of rearranging is high on dry roads, and average on wet roads. When driving on dry land, speed is limited to a small, easily corrected skid.
On a wet road, large steering angles and a decrease in information content on the shift are noted. The speed is limited by a smooth and soft skid.
Comfort is almost like that of the Continental: rustling rustling, dull sound of irregularities. Shocks and vibrations from road irregularities. Rolling resistance is average at any speed.
Better braking on dry and wet roads, clear course at high speed, clear handling during extreme maneuvering on dry roads.
Tough, minor comments on wet handling.
925 points
They exhibit their best qualities in suburban driving on roads with good hard surfaces.
2nd place. Michelin Latitude Diamaris 98H
Place of manufacture Poland
Asymmetrical tread pattern
Tread depth 7.2–8.5 mm
Shore hardness 66 units.
Tire weight 11.6 kg
The average price in online stores is 5800 rubles.
Price/quality 6.3
Braking on dry surfaces is good, even better than the Continental. In the wet - in the top four. At high speed they drive the car straight. A clear “zero”, good reactions and small steering angles help in soft maneuvers.
High speed on transfer. The behavior is clear, the handling is flawless. On dry roads the clearest reactions and the best information content. On wet surfaces, the speed is limited by a slight skid, which is easily stabilized.
The best in terms of comfort. Any irregularities pass smoothly. Quiet, making only a slight noise on coarse-grained and rough asphalt.
Good braking, economical at 60 km/h, stable handling and directional stability, high level of comfort, good cross-country ability.
No shortcomings noted.
926 points
Tires for all occasions: stable in any conditions on different roads, will not let you down on dirt roads.
1st place. Nokian Hakka SU 102H
Place of manufacture Russia
Tread pattern asymmetric
Tread depth 7.2–7.7 mm
Shore hardness 67 units.
Tire weight 11.3 kg
The average price in online stores is 5,000 rubles.
Price/quality 5.3
Very good braking on dry roads, excellent on wet ones. The movement is smooth. A slight delay in reactions to direction adjustments and insufficient information on the steering wheel at angles of up to 20 degrees.
The highest speed on the reset, clear and stable behavior. On dry land, a good balance helps to clearly follow the chosen path. The information content on the steering wheel is slightly reduced both on dry roads and on wet ones.
Comfort is not ideal. General noise background without sounding irregularities. They push the car on convex bumps. They roll well at any speed and help save fuel.
High grip properties, stable handling, efficiency.
Minor comments regarding directional stability and comfort.
936 points
They will be liked on roads with good quality hard surfaces and will save fuel.
UNDER LOAD
In normal operating conditions, the public's favorite Renault Duster most likely suits its owners. But in tough tests it showed some weaknesses.
The steering, which is viscous in the near-zero zone, makes it difficult to assess the directional stability and reactions of the car during soft maneuvering (with small angles of rotation of the steering wheel). The Duster also does not favor extreme maneuvering, that is, rearrangement. On tires with weak grip properties, even at the beginning of the exercise, a strong drift of the front end occurs, and then, at the exit, a skid. Tires with high grip properties and good response to steering inputs force the steering wheel to follow the required trajectory, but at the same time the car rolls a lot... and lifts the inner “rear leg”. The outer support is not able to hold the rear end when there is a large lateral force, and the car naturally goes into a skid. Those who decide to prance around in a Duster should remember these features of its suspension and not get carried away with sudden maneuvers.
The popularity of installing all-season tires on SUVs is understandable - many models leave the factory assembly line with just such tires, so when replacing them, car owners do not go too deep into the specifics of choosing tires according to the time of year. Consumers are also attracted by the fact that they are often all-season tires They are called all-terrain, i.e. for driving on any roads.
Why then are summer tires better for SUVs? To answer this question, Autocentre specialists selected seven tire models from different manufacturers for the test, which took place in South Africa at a special testing ground. Among them are two summer ones, radically different in tread pattern, and five all-season ones. Two summer tires won - Nokian and Uniroyal. But the difference in their final score is small, while for all-season girls the spread of points is quite significant.
The tire test was carried out at the Gerotek test site in South Africa, where everything is tested, even military equipment.
Among them there are both very good models, as well as “average” and outsiders. Thus, all-season tires from Goodyear and Barum, which have balanced characteristics on all surfaces and show average and above average results in all tests, according to the final assessment, came close to the Uniroyal summer tire. The latter, with excellent resistance to aquaplaning, lagged behind the Nokian due to worse grip properties on dry asphalt. It is worth noting that on asphalt, all-season tires were better than summer tires only in single tests. And when testing the off-road potential, the peculiarities of the tread pattern of two summer tires appeared, which became a reason for a surprise...
Off-road
In contrast to the performance on asphalt, traction on dirt roads was also tested.
Since SUVs are often purchased for outdoor trips, the test program included a test to check the traction force of the tires on the ground. And the most interesting thing is that at this stage of testing the best tire was the Pirelli Scorpion STR, which showed poor results on asphalt, especially on wet surfaces.
At the same time, the leader of the asphalt, the Nokian Hakka SUV tire, was in the rear, which is understandable due to the presence of a longitudinal continuous block and longitudinal grooves in the tread design. It is also important that for driving on unpaved roads you can choose tires with good traction characteristics from the summer line. This was proven to us by the Uniriyal Rallye 4x4 street tire, which performed at the all-terrain level.
The popularity of installing all-season tires on SUVs is understandable - many models leave the factory assembly line with just such tires, so when replacing them, car owners do not go too deep into the specifics of choosing tires according to the time of year. Consumers are also attracted by the fact that all-season tires are often called all-terrain, i.e., for driving on any road.
Why then are summer tires better for SUVs? To answer this question, Autocentre specialists selected seven tire models from different manufacturers for the test, which took place in South Africa at a special testing ground. Among them are two summer ones, with radically different tread patterns, and five all-season ones. Two summer tires won – Nokian and Uniroyal. But the difference in their final score is small, while for all-season girls the spread of points is quite significant.
The tire test was carried out at the Gerotek test site in South Africa, where everything is tested, even military equipment.
Gerotek test site in South Africa
Among them there are both very good models, as well as “average” and outsiders. Thus, all-season tires from Goodyear and Barum, which have balanced characteristics on all surfaces and show average and above average results in all tests, according to the final assessment, came close to the Uniroyal summer tire. The latter, with excellent resistance to aquaplaning, lagged behind the Nokian due to worse grip properties on dry asphalt. It is worth noting that on asphalt, all-season tires were better than summer tires only in single tests. And when testing the off-road potential, the peculiarities of the tread pattern of two summer tires appeared, which became a reason for a surprise...
Off-road
In contrast to the performance on asphalt, traction on dirt roads was also tested.
Since SUVs are often purchased for outdoor trips, the test program included a test to check the traction force of the tires on the ground. And the most interesting thing is that at this stage of testing the best tire was the Pirelli Scorpion STR, which showed poor results on asphalt, especially on wet surfaces.
At the same time, the leader of the asphalt, the Nokian Hakka SUV tire, was in the rear, which is understandable due to the presence of a longitudinal continuous block and longitudinal grooves in the tread design. It is also important that for driving on unpaved roads you can choose tires with good traction characteristics from the summer line. This was proven to us by the Uniriyal Rallye 4x4 street tire, which performed at the all-terrain level.
Braking with ABS on wet asphalt from 80 to 5 km/h
Braking with ABS on dry asphalt from 80 to 5 km/h
Stopping distance when braking from 80 km/h to 5 km/h. Below 5 km/h, measurements were not taken - when the wheels are locked, the error increases.
Resistance to hydroplaning
The speed at which the tire lost contact with the road was checked, which was manifested by the beginning of the car moving away from the given trajectory.
Water resistance when turning
The behavior of the car when driving through a water bath while turning was assessed. The expert made a subjective assessment based on the nature of the sideways movement.
Handling on wet asphalt
The handling test was assessed subjectively while driving on a constantly irrigated, winding circular track.
Handling on dry asphalt
Handling was tested subjectively on a winding circular track.
Lateral grip on dry asphalt
Lap time on a winding circular track. Instrumentation control – VBOX Racelogic.
Lateral grip on wet asphalt
The control was carried out on two tracks - a wet circular track and a wet winding circular track.
Acoustic comfort
Acoustic comfort was monitored externally while the wheels were rolling at a speed of 60 km/h.
The level of comfort was assessed subjectively when driving on several types of road surfaces - uneven paving stones, washboards, road joints and manholes.
Traction force on the ground
Time to overcome the control distance when starting from a standstill with the traction control system turned on.
| Place | Tire | Expert opinions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Score: 9.3 points |
Speed/load index: T/100 Seasonality: summer External/internal side: yes Tread depth, mm: 8.4 Production date: 45th week 2009 Country of manufacture: Russia One of the two summer tires tested was the Nokian Hakka SUV. Of course, due to the fact that it is a summer tire, the tire performs much better in most asphalt tests. If we compare it with the summer Uniroyal Rallye 4x4 street, the Nokian loses to it only in tests for resistance to aquaplaning and traction on dirt roads, which is explained by the smaller volume of grooves and the number of oblique blocks that form grip on the ground. Although this did not stop the Hakka SUV from receiving a better final score. |
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+ Performance on dry and wet asphalt + Noisy. + Comfort.
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| 2 | Rating: 8.7 points |
Seasonality: summer Directional tread pattern: yes Production date: 21st week 2009 The Rallye 4x4 street tire is from the line of the famous Uniroyal brand, specializing in rain tires. It has confirmed in practice that its grip on wet asphalt provides good handling and stability. This tire performed even better in the aquaplaning resistance test - its directional tread with large grooves effectively removes water from the contact patch. But on dry asphalt, the Rallye 4x4 street behaves worse, so in the end it fell behind the Nokian. |
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+ Resistance to hydroplaning. + Handling on wet asphalt.
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| 3 | Rating: 7.8 points |
Speed/load index: N/100 Seasonality: all season. Directional tread pattern: no External/internal side: no Date of production: 8th week 2009 The Wrangler HP all-season tire from Goodyear turned out to be the closest to summer tires in terms of its characteristics. In a number of tests, it showed results at the level of summer tires, and in others it received average marks, which, in fact, explains the tire’s leadership in this class. On wet asphalt it can slide, but at the same time it allows you to stabilize the car. It's also quite good on dry asphalt. But the Wrangler HP was not up to par in terms of comfort. |
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+ Balanced characteristics. + Lateral grip properties on wet and dry asphalt.
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| 4 | Score: 8.3 points |
Seasonality: all season. Directional tread pattern: no External/internal side: no Tread depth mm: 9.2 Production date: 9th week 2009 Country of manufacture: Portugal Despite the fact that Barum tires belong to the medium class, the Bravuris 4x4 model turned out to be quite successful. It is, of course, inferior to summer tires, but in a small group of all-season tires, it generally showed stable average results in almost all tests, which allowed it to take a fairly good place. On dry asphalt, the Bravuris 4x4 behaves predictably and provides quite normal handling. It is also good in the wet, but still lags behind summer tires. It also performed well in the aquaplaning resistance test. The tire received a low rating for traction on unpaved roads. It turned out to be an outsider only when checking the noise level. |
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+ Handling on dry and wet asphalt. + Balanced characteristics. -
Noisy. |
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| 5 | Rating: 7.8 points |
Speed/load index: H/100 Seasonality: all season. Directional tread pattern: no External/internal side: no Tread depth, mm: 9.1 Production date: 25th week 2009 Country of manufacture: Korea The Korean tire Hankook Dynapro HP (RA 23) also shows its all-season character, showing low results on asphalt roads. The tire grips dry surfaces quite tenaciously, providing normal handling. When you exceed the speed in a turn, there is no clear boundary for the start of sliding, and when you twist the steering wheel, the car begins to drift to the outside of the turn. On wet asphalt this tire is more slippery than others. |
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+ Grip properties and handling on dry asphalt.
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| 6 | Rating: 7.7 points |
Speed/load index: N/100 Seasonality: all season. Directional tread pattern: no External/internal side: no Tread depth, mm: 8.6 Date of production: 51st week 2008 Country of manufacture: Germany The 4X4 Road tire of the Fulda brand showed average and below average results in almost all tests. When maneuvering on wet asphalt and in the event of drifts, the tire reacts rather sluggishly to attempts to return the car to a given trajectory, so it is better to avoid slipping. The tire behaves much better on dry asphalt and was the quietest in the test. The tire is also average in terms of comfort, although road junctions go unnoticed. The tire has good traction on the ground. |
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+ Noisy. + Traction force on unpaved roads.
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| 7 | Rating: 6.8 points |
Speed/load index: H/100 Seasonality: all season. Directional tread pattern: no External/internal side: no Tread depth, mm: 9.3 Date of production: 7th week 2008 Country of manufacture: Spain The Pirelli Scorpion STR all-season tire did not show high results in the most important tests, so the final rating was quite low. However, the tire was the best when testing traction on unpaved roads. It also behaves quite decently on dry asphalt – it handles adequately and shows good traction properties in the transverse direction and when braking. However, on wet asphalt the performance of the Pirelli Scorpion STR is not up to par. The same applies to resistance to aquaplaning. In short, a good tire for a quiet ride away from intense traffic flows. |
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+ Traction force on the ground. + Handling on dry asphalt.
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General table of results (click to enlarge)
Testing tires for CUVs
The summer tire test was dedicated to R16 products 215/65. This is the most common and popular size among crossover tires. Our experimental “friend” during the tests was the Renault Duster, an equally popular pseudo-SUV on the Russian market.
About the subjects
For testing, we selected 12 models of “mixed” tires. The fact is that when producing a particular set of tires for a CUV, each manufacturer relies on different parameters. Some people give their tires good cross-country ability, others “chase” comfort and grip on asphalt, and others try to find the fine line between these characteristics.
So, summer tire test R16 passed the following sets of tires:
- Scorpion Verde from Pirelli;
- Grandtrek AT3 from Dunlop;
- CrossContact UHP from Continental;
- Dueler H/T 689 by Bridgestone;
- Bosco A/T from Viatti;
- Geolandar SUV from Yokohama;
- All-Terrain by Cordiant;
- DynaPro HP from Hankook;
- CrossContact LX from Continental;
- Cruise 4x4 from Amtel;
- Latitude Cross made by Michelin;
- Solus KH17 from Kumho.
About the results and tests. Wet track
After balancing each set of tires, we received the first test results. Less lead was used to balance Amtel, Kumho, Hankook and Yokohama rubber brands; Dunlop and Cordiant required the most for this process. This was a test to measure mass heterogeneity. The fewer weights used for balancing, the better the quality of the tire.
We then conducted tests on wet asphalt created artificially using hoses and garden sprayers. Each set was tested 6 times. In the braking test from 80 km/h, we did not stand on ceremony and pressed the brake pedal to the floor, since the Duster has ABS. Having summed up the results and received an overall figure, it became clear that Pirelli tires can be considered the best in this test, and Dunlop tires the worst.
Interestingly, when evaluating tires for handling lateral loads on a wet track, we received similar results. The winner is Pirelli, and the worst performer in the test is the Dunlop tire model. What was the test? We tried to determine at what maximum speed our Duster could be maintained when driving through a specially marked turning arc (radius 35 m).
The last exercise on wet asphalt was to go around an obstacle that, according to the terms of the task, suddenly appeared on our way. And there are no surprises here. On Pirelli tires you can “dodge” at a speed of about 72 km/h, and on Dunlop tires only at 66.5 km/h.
On a dry road
As for the level of comfort. Unfortunately, the most grippy rubber turned out to be the hardest. Pirelli cannot be called comfortable tires. It is much more pleasant to drive with Michelin tires. They make less noise than the other test subjects and ride smoothly. In the rolling resistance test (accelerating to 110 km/h and switching to neutral), Bridgestone and Kumho performed best, and Cordiant performed worst of all.
Off-road
Then it was time to check the patency of the tires. To do this, we went to a special dirt track. The winner of the test was the Geolandar SUV model. Duster with it perfectly “climbs” steep and slippery slopes, and gets out of ruts well. Dunlop tires also won’t help you off-road, but Pirelli tires, which have proven themselves on asphalt, with their “smooth” tread are practically helpless on dirt roads.
Time to take stock
The layout is simple and clear. The overall winners were Pirelli and Continental tires (CrossContact LX model). We recommend the former for asphalt roads with extremely rare off-road forays, while the latter are more universal in nature, so they are best purchased by drivers who often have to drive off the asphalt surface.
The best off-road specialists are Geolandar SUV. An excellent choice for those who like to “knead the dirt.” Viatti tires showed surprisingly good results. Considering their cost, this is an excellent option for an inexpensive crossover!
Note. Most of the tires were marked “M+S”, which indicates the possibility of their year-round use. However, we deliberately did not conduct tests on winter surfaces, since we believe that specialized winter tires are better suited for most Russian regions
Number of standard sizes - 67 (R16 195/55 - R20 2755/45)
Weight of 1 tire, kg - 10.7
Shore hardness, in units. - 65
Tread depth parameter, in mm - 8.8
Weight of weights when balancing, g/1 wheel - 86
Where is it produced? - In Romania
CrossContact LX was selected as the primary equipment for the Duster car (not in Russia). Our test proved that Renault made the right choice. The tires perform their duties perfectly on wet and dry asphalt, are characterized by good ride smoothness and excellent acoustic comfort. They performed well in the sharp detour test on wet/dry roads.
And if the owner of a crossover wants to go off-road, then the tires will not disappoint him either.
CrossContact LX is a versatile tire that is perfect for cars like the Renault Duster.
Pros:
- acoustic comfort
- smooth running
- Stable handling on wet/dry roads
Minuses:
- overpriced
First or second place. Comprehensive final score - 8.50
Number of standard sizes - 14 (R16 215/65 - R19 265/50)
Load capacity - 850 kg (load index 102)
Design type - Radial, asymmetrical pattern design
Weight of 1 tire, kg - 12.1
Shore hardness, in units. - 62
Speed index - H (no more than 210 km/h)
Weight of weights when balancing, g/1 wheel - 45
Where is it produced? - In Great Britain
Pirelli is the best tire in terms of safety, stability and reliability. But for excellent grip and excellent handling on asphalt you have to pay with comfort. The tires “hum” on the rough road surface. Also, their rolling resistance is high. However, the main disadvantage of rubber is their helplessness off-road. The Duster owner should think about it...
Pros:
- handling and stability on dry/wet roads
- high level of grip on dry/wet tracks
Minuses:
- noisy and uncomfortable
- not suitable for off-road use
Third place. Comprehensive final score - 8.45
Number of standard sizes - 20 (R15 205/70 - R20 245/50)
Load capacity - 750 kg (load index 98)
Weight of 1 tire, kg - 10.9
Shore hardness, in units. - 66
Speed index - H (no more than 210 km/h)
Where is it produced? - In Thailand
The Yokohama brand rubber tread has special toothed walls on the longitudinal grooves. They work great off-road. Renault Duster, shod with Geolandar SUV, easily got out of deep ruts. And this is without turning on the rear wheel drive.
Tires with off-road properties have a good ride on asphalt. Acoustic comfort is also at the level.
When “rearranging” the car begins to skid. You have to correct the situation with the help of competent and fast taxiing. On a wet track you need to be alert when entering a turn. The tires start to slip much earlier than the winners Pirelli and Continental.
An excellent purchase option for car owners who often drive off asphalt roads.
Pros:
- off-road qualities
- silent and smooth
Minuses:
- not the best grip on wet roads
Fourth place. Comprehensive final score - 8.35
Number of standard sizes - 5 (R16 215/65 - R17 235/55)
Load capacity - 750 kg (load index 98)
Design type - Radial, symmetrical design
Weight of 1 tire, kg - 11.2
Shore hardness, in units. - 67
Tread depth parameter, in mm - 8.2
Speed index - H (no more than 210 km/h)
Weight of weights when balancing, g/1 wheel - 61
Where is it produced? - In Russia
Viatti tires are manufactured at the Nizhnekamsk tire plant based on the new off-take technology. The tread design and tire construction were developed by a company founded by Wolfgang Holzbach, a former vice president of Continental.
Control indicators on a wet track are not inferior to the results of the test leaders. On dry roads and off-road, Russian tires are in the middle.
The tires have well-balanced characteristics, which, coupled with an adequate price, make them almost the best tires in our test.
Pros:
- handling and grip on dry/wet roads
Minuses:
- cross-country ability is at an average level
- average comfort ratings
Fifth place. Comprehensive final score - 8.25
Number of standard sizes - 61 (R16 215/65 - R23 305/30)
Load capacity - 750 kg (load index 98)
Design type - Radial, asymmetrical pattern design
Weight of 1 tire, kg - 9.9
Tread depth parameter, in mm - 8.5
Speed index - H (no more than 210 km/h)
Weight of weights when balancing, g/1 wheel - 43
Where is it produced? - In France
This tire model from Continental was designed and developed specifically for powerful and high-speed cars. This is evidenced by a large selection of dimensions and speed indices. For example, even 23-inch tires can accelerate to a maximum of 270 km/h.
But even at normal speeds, the tires show good and stable results both on a dry track and on a wet road. But there is one more “but”. The tires skid too quickly and are difficult to control at above average speeds.
The main disadvantages of CrossContact UHP can be considered increased rigidity and poor acoustic comfort. It is not recommended to drive on poor quality roads with these tires. It will certainly spoil the impression of a trip even on a good crossover.
What exactly are CrossContact UHP tires? These are good tires for good quality roads.
Pros:
- wet road control
- grip level on dry/wet track
Minuses:
- low cross-country ability
- comfort indicators
Sixth place. Comprehensive final score - 7.95
Number of standard sizes - 54 (R13 155/65 - R18 235/45)
Load capacity - 750 kg (load index 98)
Design type - Radial, asymmetrical pattern design
Weight of 1 tire, kg - 11.3
Shore hardness, in units. - 63
Tread depth parameter, in mm - 7.5
Speed index - H (no more than 210 km/h)
Weight of weights when balancing, g/1 wheel - 36
Where is it produced? - In South Korea
Solus KH17 is not a new model on the Russian market, but for now it remains competitive. Braking on wet roads is almost on par with the Continental and Pirelli. The results in the “reposition” and “turn” tests are encouraging, but it feels like the car has difficulty turning into turns due to the tires being too heavy.
The tires offer good comfort. But off-road there are problems. Even with the 4x4 drive engaged, the Duster floundered in a rut and seemed helpless.
On the other hand, the Kumho has the least amount of rolling resistance.
Pros:
- rolling
- braking performance on dry/wet tracks
Minuses:
- not for off-road
Seventh place. Comprehensive final score - 7.90
Number of standard sizes - 1 (R16 215/65)
Load capacity - 750 kg (load index 98)
Design type - Radial, asymmetrical pattern design
Weight of 1 tire, kg - 11.4
Tread depth parameter, in mm - 9.0
Weight of weights when balancing, g/1 wheel - 34
Where is it produced? - In Russia (Kirov Tire Plant)
Cruise 4X4 is a tire developed at the tire plant in Kirov under the supervision of Pirelli specialists. It is the Italians who now own this enterprise.
The tires show good results on both wet and dry asphalt. In tests of handling on wet surfaces, the rubber goes into a small and controlled skid, but still the speed of maneuvers could be higher.
Decent budget tires, which are equipped with all Dusters produced in Russia.
Pros:
- smooth running
- price
- balanced and stable behavior on wet asphalt
Minuses:
- average rolling resistance
Load capacity - 750 kg (load index 98)
Design type - Radial, symmetrical design
Weight of 1 tire, kg - 11.8
Shore hardness, in units. - 64
Tread depth parameter, in mm - 8.5
Speed index - H (no more than 210 km/h)
Weight of weights when balancing, g/1 wheel - 39
Where is it produced? - In Hungary
DynaPro HP are unruly on wet tracks. In particular, they begin to slide early and try to skid. In a real situation this could become a serious problem.
The braking distance on a dry road can be considered quite good, but when going around an obstacle, everything is much worse. Competently performing the maneuver is hampered by prolonged sliding and sluggish tire response to steering wheel turns.
"Average". They are quite reliable if you don't overclock them too much. But they have nothing special to brag about.
Pros:
- braking on dry roads
Minuses:
- grip on wet roads
Eighth-ninth place. Comprehensive final score - 7.85
Number of standard sizes - 26 (R16 195/80 - R18 255/55)
Load capacity - 750 kg (load index 98)
Design type - Radial, asymmetrical pattern design
Weight of 1 tire, kg - 11.2
Shore hardness, in units. - 60
Tread depth parameter, in mm - 9.3
Speed index - T (no more than 190 km/h)
Weight of weights when balancing, g/1 wheel - 74
Where is it produced? - In France
The aggressive tread pattern negatively affected the tires' performance on wet roads. In the “rearrangement” test, the tires showed only extended slips. On a dry road, the result is more convincing - sliding begins smoothly and predictably, which simplifies the process of controlling them.
But in the longitudinal direction, the Michelin's level of grip is clearly lacking. On the track in dry weather, the braking distance is longer by as much as 6 meters compared to the Pirelli.
Despite the wide grooves and special lugs, the tread does not handle off-road conditions as well as the Yokohama. But Michelin tires have the best comfort ratings in the test.
Pros:
- smooth running
- excellent acoustic comfort
Minuses:
- braking on wet roads
- wet track performance
Tenth place. Comprehensive final score - 7.70
Number of standard sizes - 4 (R15 205/70 - R16 225/70)
Load capacity - 750 kg (load index 98)
Design type - Radial, symmetrical design
Weight of 1 tire, kg - 12.3
Tread depth parameter, in mm - 10.0
Speed index - H (no more than 210 km/h)
Weight of weights when balancing, g/1 wheel - 138
Where is it produced? - In Russia (tire plant in Yaroslavl)
To balance the rubber, more than 0.5 kg of lead weights were needed. This is clear evidence of not the best workmanship. True, we received a pre-production batch of tires.
On wet roads the tires show average results, but on dry roads they are inferior to almost all competitors. In the emergency braking test, the Cordiant remained in last place.
The tires behave well off-road, allowing you to confidently drive the Duster both with slipping and “pull-in”. The rubber also pleased me with its level of comfort.
Pros:
- comfortable
- behave well off-road
Minuses:
- they don't roll well
- handling and grip on the track in dry weather
Eleventh place. Comprehensive final score - 7.10
Number of standard sizes - 9 (R15 235/75 - R16 275/70)
Load capacity - 750 kg (load index 98)
Design type - Radial, symmetrical design
Weight of 1 tire, kg - 11.2
Shore hardness, in units. - 61
Speed index - S (no more than 180 km/h)
Weight of weights when balancing, g/1 wheel - 49
Where is it produced? - In Japan
The Bridgestone tires were disappointing on both dry and wet pavement. It is characterized by inadequate and sharp reactions to the steering wheel, so you need to be extremely collected and careful.
On a country road, the tires will slip early. On our mud track they didn't do a good job of getting out of ruts.
The only advantages of rubber can be considered a good smooth ride, as well as rolling resistance.
Pros:
- smooth running
- low rolling resistance
Minuses:
- poor grip on any surface
- not suitable for off-road use
Twelfth place. Comprehensive final score - 6.85
Number of standard sizes - 28 (R15 215/75 - R18 285/60)
Load capacity - 750 kg (load index 98)
Design type - Radial, symmetrical design
Weight of 1 tire, kg - 12.6
Shore hardness, in units. - 58
Tread depth parameter, in mm - 8.1
Speed index - H (no more than 210 km/h)
Weight of weights when balancing, g/1 wheel - 95
Where is it produced? - In Thailand
The braking distance on wet roads is 10 m longer than that of Pirelli tires. On dry asphalt, Dunlop tires also lose to everyone and everything.
The only place where tires can show good results is off-road. They grip well and ride confidently on the verge of slipping.
It’s better not to drive on asphalt with Dunlop tires, but for off-road use it’s a good option.
Pros:
- cross-country ability
Minuses:
- very low grip parameters on wet/dry roads
- Unstable handling on any surface
