For the 2019 Auto Express summer tire test, the UK based magazine have tested eight SUV tires in the popular 235/50 R18 size.

As always, we'll leave the Auto Express website to go into all the detail, and just make a brief summary below.

The Test of Surprises

The biggest surprise result from the test was... everything! Nokian and Falken took first and second place respectively with the new Nokian PowerProof, and the Falken FK510. Both tires proved to have a balanced blend of performances, with no major weakness in any area.

Third place was joint awarded to the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 and the older cousin, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT2 SUV, while the usual test winning Continental Premium Contact 6 could only manage fifth place overall, struggling with wet grip.

The Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 SUV seemed to have issues with dry grip, relegating it to sixth, and the final premium brand, Michelin, struggled in the wet, tying last with Cooper.

Is this a turning point for the Falken and Nokian brands, or is this just an oddity of the SUV size and VW Tiguan test vehicle? As this is the last of the major summer tire tests for 2019, 2020 will certainly be an interesting year for tire testing!

Results

1st: Nokian PowerProof
235/50 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 100 Overall: 100 A deserved win due to a balanced performance in the key wet and dry tests. Read Reviews
2nd: Falken FK510 SUV
235/50 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 99.8 Overall: 99.8 Impressive all round performance, with good steering feel. Slightly high fuel use. Read Reviews
3rd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
235/50 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 99.5 Overall: 99.5 Like the Falken, good in the dry and wet but slightly higher fuel use than best on test. Read Reviews    Buy from £128.24
3rd: Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV
235/50 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 99.5 Overall: 99.5 Not as sharp as the Continental or Goodyear, but still a great all round tire. Read Reviews    Buy from £136.36
5th: Continental Premium Contact 6
235/50 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 99.1 Overall: 99.1 Lowest fuel use, but average wet grip. Read Reviews    Buy from £139.91
6th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 SUV
235/50 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 99 Overall: 99 Low noise and good in the wet, the dry grip could do with improving. Read Reviews
7th: Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport
235/50 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 98.3 Overall: 98.3 Poor in the wet and highest fuel consumption on test. Read Reviews    Buy from £124.18
7th: Michelin Primacy 4
235/50 R18 3PMSF: no	Total: 98.3 Overall: 98.3 Low fuel use, but low wet grip. Read Reviews    Buy from £169.94