Autobild are at it again, with the best SUV / mild 4x4 summer tire test you'll see all year (Tire Reviews sadly isn't doing one)! The German publication have tested ten leading SUV tires in the popular 235/55 R18 tire size using a VW Tiguan, and have managed to test the tires in the usual range of tests covering the dry and wet performance of the tires, but also test them on grass, dirt, gravel and even sand!

To add even more awesomeness Autobild included the multiple award winning Goodyear Vector 4Season Gen 3 all season tire. There's been a number of driver reviews on Tire Reviews claiming that an all season tire is actually pretty cabible in certain offroad conditions, and now we get to see!

How do All Season Tires Perform Off-Road?

We've seen plenty of all season tire tests with a summer tire as a reference, so it will be no surprise that the all season tire struggled in the dry, especially dry braking where the sipes and soft compound needed for snow performance really struggle.

It was a similar story in the wet, although the all season tire did have excellent aquaplaning resistance. The exciting new data comes from the off-road testing.

The all season tire performed well in gravel traction, but not so well in gravel handling, but it didn't have a disastrous performance in either test. It did seem to struggle in mud, but having tried mud testing previously, mud is very unreliable to test properly.

Where the all season tire did excel is on grass and especially in sand, where the tire had a huge advantage over the summer tires. Obviously the directional tread pattern and siping work well on both those surfaces.

This is good data for people in the UK who tow things like horseboxes in fields, but there's probably a limited use case for sand!

AutoBild summed up the Goodyear Vector 4Season Gen-3 as: 

Strengths: Legally approved for winter use, high traction on grass, gravel and sand, good safety reserves for aquaplaning, low rolling resistance. 

Weaknesses: Understeering wet performance and dry runway, delayed steering response, extended Wet and dry braking distances, high price level.

Once again, thank you to AutoBild for performing such interesting tests each year!

Onto the results of the summer SUV / 4x4 tires.

Dry

The Falken Azenis FK510 SUV was the best tire in both dry tests with sharp handling and good grip. It was however a very close group amongst the top six sets of tires!

The Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 SUV was second best overall in both braking and handling.

Wet

Falken and Hankook were back at the front for wet braking!

And Falken remained in the lead in wet handling, with the Toyo Proxes Comfort finishing second.

Nexen led the way in aquaplaning resistance.

Off-Road

Gravel handling had the Maxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV leading the way.

Hankook took another top spot during the gravel traction test.

Grass traction proved to be another strong performance for Hankook.

Hankook also led the way in mud!

Falken was back at the front for the sand traction test.

Environment

The Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV took its first win in the external noise testing.

The Michelin Primacy 4 had the lowest rolling resistance.

But the michelin was also the most expensive tire by a large margin.

Results

1st: Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV
235/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 35.4 M 34.4 M +1 M 97.18% Dry Handling 5th 100.5 Km/H 101.1 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.41% Wet Braking 4th 47.5 M 45.8 M +1.7 M 96.42% Wet Handling 5th 87.9 Km/H 89.4 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 98.32% Wet Circle 4th 20.54 s 20.35 s +0.19 s 99.07% Straight Aqua 6th 83.1 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 96.07% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.89 m/sec2 3.01 m/sec2 -0.12 m/sec2 96.01% Gravel Handling 7th 65 Km/H 65.9 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.63% Gravel Traction 4th 12177 N 13331 N -1154 N 91.34% Sand Traction 6th 9485 N 9999 N -514 N 94.86% Grass Traction 3rd 3819 N 3868 N -49 N 98.73% Mud Traction 4th 1410 N 1515 N -105 N 93.07% Noise 1st 62.8 dB 100% Price 8th 510 370 +140 72.55% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.17 kg / t 6.83 kg / t +0.34 kg / t 95.26% Convincing premium tires with very good driving characteristics on all surfaces, harmonious wet and dry handling, short wet and dry braking distances, good ride comfort, low rolling resistance. None mentioned. Read Reviews    Buy from £132.55
1st: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV
235/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 34.8 M 34.4 M +0.4 M 98.85% Dry Handling 2nd 100.8 Km/H 101.1 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.7% Wet Braking 2nd 46.3 M 45.8 M +0.5 M 98.92% Wet Handling 6th 87.8 Km/H 89.4 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.21% Wet Circle 7th 20.94 s 20.35 s +0.59 s 97.18% Straight Aqua 8th 80.8 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -5.7 Km/H 93.41% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.81 m/sec2 3.01 m/sec2 -0.2 m/sec2 93.36% Gravel Handling 4th 65.5 Km/H 65.9 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.39% Gravel Traction 1st 13331 N 100% Sand Traction 2nd 9704 N 9999 N -295 N 97.05% Grass Traction 1st 3868 N 100% Mud Traction 1st 1515 N 100% Noise 4th 63.5 dB 62.8 dB +0.7 dB 98.9% Price 5th 485 370 +115 76.29% Rolling Resistance 4th 7.75 kg / t 6.83 kg / t +0.92 kg / t 88.13% Top driving performance off-road and on dry slopes, good traction on loose gravel and muddy terrain, dynamic dry handling, short wet and dry braking distances, well priced. None mentioned. Read Reviews    Buy from £143.78
3rd: Falken FK510 SUV
235/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 34.4 M 100% Dry Handling 1st 101.1 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 1st 45.8 M 100% Wet Handling 1st 89.4 Km/H 100% Wet Circle 2nd 20.49 s 20.35 s +0.14 s 99.32% Straight Aqua 6th 83.1 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 96.07% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.89 m/sec2 3.01 m/sec2 -0.12 m/sec2 96.01% Gravel Handling 2nd 65.8 Km/H 65.9 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.85% Gravel Traction 3rd 12671 N 13331 N -660 N 95.05% Sand Traction 1st 9999 N 100% Grass Traction 9th 3574 N 3868 N -294 N 92.4% Mud Traction 10th 1125 N 1515 N -390 N 74.26% Noise 10th 64.3 dB 62.8 dB +1.5 dB 97.67% Price 7th 500 370 +130 74% Rolling Resistance 10th 9 kg / t 6.83 kg / t +2.17 kg / t 75.89% Good tires with convincing driving characteristics on wet and dry roads, dynamic handling, precise steering behavior, short braking distances. Moderate mud traction, high rolling resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £124.25
4th: Maxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV
235/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 34.9 M 34.4 M +0.5 M 98.57% Dry Handling 4th 100.6 Km/H 101.1 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.51% Wet Braking 8th 50.4 M 45.8 M +4.6 M 90.87% Wet Handling 3rd 88.4 Km/H 89.4 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.88% Wet Circle 1st 20.35 s 100% Straight Aqua 3rd 83.4 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.42% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 2.9 m/sec2 3.01 m/sec2 -0.11 m/sec2 96.35% Gravel Handling 1st 65.9 Km/H 100% Gravel Traction 7th 11847 N 13331 N -1484 N 88.87% Sand Traction 10th 8618 N 9999 N -1381 N 86.19% Grass Traction 5th 3796 N 3868 N -72 N 98.14% Mud Traction 2nd 1478 N 1515 N -37 N 97.56% Noise 9th 64.2 dB 62.8 dB +1.4 dB 97.82% Price 4th 480 370 +110 77.08% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.47 kg / t 6.83 kg / t +1.64 kg / t 80.64% Stable safe driving behavior, short dry braking distances. Moderate Traction on sand, longer wet braking distances, increased rolling resistance. Read Reviews
4th: Toyo Proxes Comfort
235/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 34.9 M 34.4 M +0.5 M 98.57% Dry Handling 3rd 100.7 Km/H 101.1 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.6% Wet Braking 7th 49.9 M 45.8 M +4.1 M 91.78% Wet Handling 2nd 88.9 Km/H 89.4 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.44% Wet Circle 5th 20.55 s 20.35 s +0.2 s 99.03% Straight Aqua 2nd 84.8 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.03% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 2.95 m/sec2 3.01 m/sec2 -0.06 m/sec2 98.01% Gravel Handling 7th 65 Km/H 65.9 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.63% Gravel Traction 8th 11631 N 13331 N -1700 N 87.25% Sand Traction 8th 9454 N 9999 N -545 N 94.55% Grass Traction 10th 3414 N 3868 N -454 N 88.26% Mud Traction 6th 1329 N 1515 N -186 N 87.72% Noise 6th 63.9 dB 62.8 dB +1.1 dB 98.28% Price 5th 485 370 +115 76.29% Rolling Resistance 7th 7.95 kg / t 6.83 kg / t +1.12 kg / t 85.91% Excellent wet grip and high resistance to aquaplaning, precise wet and dry handling, short dry braking distances, good ride comfort, well priced. Moderate traction on wet grass. Read Reviews    Buy from £128.99
4th: Michelin Primacy 4
235/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 34.8 M 34.4 M +0.4 M 98.85% Dry Handling 6th 100.3 Km/H 101.1 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.21% Wet Braking 5th 48.2 M 45.8 M +2.4 M 95.02% Wet Handling 8th 87.2 Km/H 89.4 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 97.54% Wet Circle 8th 20.99 s 20.35 s +0.64 s 96.95% Straight Aqua 10th 78.1 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -8.4 Km/H 90.29% Curved Aquaplaning 10th 2.72 m/sec2 3.01 m/sec2 -0.29 m/sec2 90.37% Gravel Handling 3rd 65.7 Km/H 65.9 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.7% Gravel Traction 9th 11535 N 13331 N -1796 N 86.53% Sand Traction 9th 9376 N 9999 N -623 N 93.77% Grass Traction 3rd 3819 N 3868 N -49 N 98.73% Mud Traction 6th 1329 N 1515 N -186 N 87.72% Noise 3rd 63.4 dB 62.8 dB +0.6 dB 99.05% Price 10th 590 370 +220 62.71% Rolling Resistance 1st 6.83 kg / t 100% Premium profile with balanced performance potential, short dry braking distances, fuel-saving rolling resistance. Average aquaplaning qualities, expensive. Read Reviews    Buy from £139.87
4th: Nexen N Fera Sport SUV
235/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 35.2 M 34.4 M +0.8 M 97.73% Dry Handling 7th 100.2 Km/H 101.1 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.11% Wet Braking 6th 48.4 M 45.8 M +2.6 M 94.63% Wet Handling 4th 88.2 Km/H 89.4 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.66% Wet Circle 3rd 20.52 s 20.35 s +0.17 s 99.17% Straight Aqua 1st 86.5 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 3.01 m/sec2 100% Gravel Handling 6th 65.3 Km/H 65.9 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.09% Gravel Traction 5th 12150 N 13331 N -1181 N 91.14% Sand Traction 7th 9457 N 9999 N -542 N 94.58% Grass Traction 8th 3616 N 3868 N -252 N 93.49% Mud Traction 3rd 1421 N 1515 N -94 N 93.8% Noise 5th 63.8 dB 62.8 dB +1 dB 98.43% Price 2nd 430 370 +60 86.05% Rolling Resistance 9th 8.54 kg / t 6.83 kg / t +1.71 kg / t 79.98% Best safety reserves in the event of aquaplaning, excellent handling in the wet, short braking distances when dry, low price. Average traction on wet grass, increased rolling resistance. Read Reviews
8th: Pirelli Scorpion Verde
235/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 36.8 M 34.4 M +2.4 M 93.48% Dry Handling 7th 100.2 Km/H 101.1 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.11% Wet Braking 9th 51.7 M 45.8 M +5.9 M 88.59% Wet Handling 7th 87.6 Km/H 89.4 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 97.99% Wet Circle 6th 20.92 s 20.35 s +0.57 s 97.28% Straight Aqua 3rd 83.4 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.42% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 2.9 m/sec2 3.01 m/sec2 -0.11 m/sec2 96.35% Gravel Handling 4th 65.5 Km/H 65.9 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.39% Gravel Traction 10th 11304 N 13331 N -2027 N 84.79% Sand Traction 5th 9534 N 9999 N -465 N 95.35% Grass Traction 6th 3704 N 3868 N -164 N 95.76% Mud Traction 5th 1399 N 1515 N -116 N 92.34% Noise 2nd 63.3 dB 62.8 dB +0.5 dB 99.21% Price 9th 525 370 +155 70.48% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.55 kg / t 6.83 kg / t +0.72 kg / t 90.46% Balanced handling off-road and on wet roads, good aquaplaning resistance. Extended wet braking distance, delayed steering response, slightly understeering dry handling. Read Reviews    Buy from £113.40
9th: General Grabber GT+
235/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 35.7 M 34.4 M +1.3 M 96.36% Dry Handling 9th 99.7 Km/H 101.1 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.62% Wet Braking 3rd 47.1 M 45.8 M +1.3 M 97.24% Wet Handling 9th 86.8 Km/H 89.4 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 97.09% Wet Circle 9th 21.21 s 20.35 s +0.86 s 95.95% Straight Aqua 3rd 83.4 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.42% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 2.9 m/sec2 3.01 m/sec2 -0.11 m/sec2 96.35% Gravel Handling 9th 64.9 Km/H 65.9 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.48% Gravel Traction 2nd 12963 N 13331 N -368 N 97.24% Sand Traction 3rd 9559 N 9999 N -440 N 95.6% Grass Traction 7th 3618 N 3868 N -250 N 93.54% Mud Traction 8th 1310 N 1515 N -205 N 86.47% Noise 8th 64.1 dB 62.8 dB +1.3 dB 97.97% Price 3rd 470 370 +100 78.72% Rolling Resistance 6th 7.94 kg / t 6.83 kg / t +1.11 kg / t 86.02% High traction on loose gravel, short wet and dry braking distances. Average grass traction, understeering handling on wet and dry slopes, moderate ride comfort. Read Reviews    Buy from £150.00
10th: Imperial EcoSport SUV
235/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 37.7 M 34.4 M +3.3 M 91.25% Dry Handling 10th 99.4 Km/H 101.1 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.32% Wet Braking 10th 55.8 M 45.8 M +10 M 82.08% Wet Handling 10th 86.4 Km/H 89.4 Km/H -3 Km/H 96.64% Wet Circle 10th 21.53 s 20.35 s +1.18 s 94.52% Straight Aqua 9th 80.4 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -6.1 Km/H 92.95% Curved Aquaplaning 9th 2.8 m/sec2 3.01 m/sec2 -0.21 m/sec2 93.02% Gravel Handling 10th 64.4 Km/H 65.9 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 97.72% Gravel Traction 6th 11964 N 13331 N -1367 N 89.75% Sand Traction 4th 9537 N 9999 N -462 N 95.38% Grass Traction 2nd 3843 N 3868 N -25 N 99.35% Mud Traction 9th 1230 N 1515 N -285 N 81.19% Noise 6th 63.9 dB 62.8 dB +1.1 dB 98.28% Price 1st 370 100% Rolling Resistance 5th 7.77 kg / t 6.83 kg / t +0.94 kg / t 87.9% Good traction on grass and gravel, low price. Only limited wet suitability, dangerously long wet braking distances, inharmonious understeering handling on all surfaces. Read Reviews