2023 Best SUV Tires Tested

Sadly Tire Reviews isn't performing an SUV summer tire test this year, but luckily the German publication AutoBild once again have us covered if you want to know what the best tire is for your SUV!

This year AutoBild tested twelve SUV tires for the crossover SUV segment in the 225/65 R17 tire size.

As usual, all the tires were tested in the dry and wet, and had their rolling resistance and noise / comfort levels graded, but as this category of tire is also intended for some "light off-roading" they tested the twelve SUV tires in mud, sand, dirt and even on wet grass! This means this really is the best test this year you show you what the best tire is for your SUV!

There's a LOT of data from this test, so we won't preface anymore - This is how the best twelve SUV tires fared in the dry, wet, gravel, mud, dirt and sand!

Test Size: 225/65 R17
Tires Tested: 12 tires
Test Categories:
5 categories (15 tests)
Similar Tests

Test Category Best Performer Worst Performer Difference
Dry (2 tests)
Dry Braking Pirelli CINTURATO P7: 34.6 M Aplus A919: 40.3 M5.7 M (14.1%)
Dry Handling Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 103.3 Km/H Aplus A919: 97.4 Km/H5.9 Km/H (6.1%)
Wet (5 tests)
Wet Braking Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 49.9 M Aplus A919: 63.6 M13.7 M (21.5%)
Wet Handling Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 86.8 Km/H Aplus A919: 82.5 Km/H4.3 Km/H (5.2%)
Wet Circle Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 14.41 s Aplus A919: 15.23 s0.8 s (5.4%)
Straight Aqua Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 95.9 Km/H Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport: 83.8 Km/H12.1 Km/H (14.4%)
Curved Aquaplaning Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 2.95 m/sec2 Aplus A919: 2.35 m/sec20.6 m/sec2 (25.5%)
Off road (5 tests)
Gravel Traction Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 8265 N Pirelli CINTURATO P7: 7140 N1,125.0 N (15.8%)
Dirt Handling Pirelli CINTURATO P7: 66.6 Km/H Toyo Proxes Comfort: 65.1 Km/H1.5 Km/H (2.3%)
Sand Traction General Grabber GT Plus: 8886 N Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport: 7230 N1,656.0 N (22.9%)
Grass Traction Aplus A919: 2924 N Bridgestone Turanza 6: 2289 N635.0 N (27.7%)
Mud Traction Aplus A919: 3261 N Pirelli CINTURATO P7: 2337 N924.0 N (39.5%)
Comfort (1 tests)
Noise Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV: 67.3 dB Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport: 70.4 dB3.1 dB (4.4%)
Value (2 tests)
Price Aplus A919: 300 Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV: 610 310.0 (50.8%)
Rolling Resistance Bridgestone Turanza 6: 7.42 kg / t Aplus A919: 9.56 kg / t2.1 kg / t (22.4%)

Wet

Wet braking was led by the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV. The Michelin looks a little out of place in this test, the Pilot Sport 4 SUV is an ultra high performance summer tire, and all the other tires in the test are more touring / comfort bias tires. Perhaps the Michelin Primacy 4 would have been a better match for the test, but this does give us an excellent insight into the differences between the two categories of tires.

It should come as no surprise that the Aplus A919 in last place was the cheapest tire on test, but it might be a surprise that the Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport also struggled to stop the car.

The Michelin was also the fastest around the wet handling lap, beating the new Bridgestone Turanza 6.

The Michelin also had the best straight aquaplaning resistance, significantly ahead of all the tires bar the Uniroyal RainSport 5, which usually wins the deep water tests!

Dry

The Pirelli Cinturato P7 managed to beat the Michelin to be best in dry braking, with the Aplus once again trailing the field buy a significant margin.

The more comfort bias Pirelli couldn't hold off the more sporty Michelin during the dry handling test.

Off Road

The dirt handling course was led by Pirelli, with the new Hankook Ventus Prime 4 a close second! 

The next three data points are gravel, sand and mud traction tests, measured as a pulling force. It's important to note that offroad testing is some of the hardest testing in the world, none more so than mud, so worry less about the precise order and more about general trends.

These general trends are that the budget Aplus might not be able to grip on wet roads, but is great on wet grass and in mud but not sand. The General Grabber GT Plus was best in sand but poor on grass... it seems even general trends are difficult with offroad testing!

Environment

External noise is a much easier test, and the Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV proved to be the quietest tire of the group by a huge margin!

The new Bridgestone Turanza 6 continued Bridgestones excellent performance in the rolling resistance tests, leading the Hankook and Uniroyal.

The Aplus was the cheapest tire on test, but this time the Michelin wasn't the most expensive tire of the group, it was the joint most expensive with Goodyear!

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
  • 225/65 R17 106V
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd35.2 M34.6 M+0.6 M98.3%
Dry Handling1st103.3 Km/H100%
Wet Braking1st49.9 M100%
Wet Handling1st86.8 Km/H100%
Wet Circle1st14.41 s100%
Straight Aqua1st95.9 Km/H100%
Curved Aquaplaning1st2.95 m/sec2100%
Gravel Traction1st8265 N100%
Dirt Handling7th66 Km/H66.6 Km/H-0.6 Km/H99.1%
Sand Traction10th7744 N8886 N-1142 N87.15%
Grass Traction5th2474 N2924 N-450 N84.61%
Mud Traction3rd3022 N3261 N-239 N92.67%
Noise3rd68.9 dB67.3 dB+1.6 dB97.68%
Price11th610 300 +310 49.18%
Rolling Resistance8th8.44 kg / t7.42 kg / t+1.02 kg / t87.91%
Test winner with top driving characteristics on wet and dry roads, exemplary safety reserves in aquaplaning, precise steering behavior, good off-road capability, good comfort.
None mentioned.
Exemplary.

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2nd: Bridgestone Turanza 6

Bridgestone Turanza 6
  • 225/65 R17 102H
  • EU Label: B/A/69
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th36.6 M34.6 M+2 M94.54%
Dry Handling3rd102.4 Km/H103.3 Km/H-0.9 Km/H99.13%
Wet Braking6th53 M49.9 M+3.1 M94.15%
Wet Handling2nd86.4 Km/H86.8 Km/H-0.4 Km/H99.54%
Wet Circle3rd14.58 s14.41 s+0.17 s98.83%
Straight Aqua6th89 Km/H95.9 Km/H-6.9 Km/H92.81%
Curved Aquaplaning6th2.76 m/sec22.95 m/sec2-0.19 m/sec293.56%
Gravel Traction2nd8254 N8265 N-11 N99.87%
Dirt Handling9th65.7 Km/H66.6 Km/H-0.9 Km/H98.65%
Sand Traction4th8346 N8886 N-540 N93.92%
Grass Traction12th2289 N2924 N-635 N78.28%
Mud Traction4th2930 N3261 N-331 N89.85%
Noise7th69.4 dB67.3 dB+2.1 dB96.97%
Price9th570 300 +270 52.63%
Rolling Resistance1st7.42 kg / t100%
A new tire with well-balanced performance potential, top performance on wet and dry roads, good off-road qualities, safe aquaplaning properties, fuel-saving rolling resistance.
None mentioned.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews    Buy from £107.51

3rd: Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun

Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
  • 225/65 R17 106H
  • EU Label: C/A/69
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th36.2 M34.6 M+1.6 M95.58%
Dry Handling8th100.4 Km/H103.3 Km/H-2.9 Km/H97.19%
Wet Braking5th52.9 M49.9 M+3 M94.33%
Wet Handling8th84.8 Km/H86.8 Km/H-2 Km/H97.7%
Wet Circle11th15.01 s14.41 s+0.6 s96%
Straight Aqua3rd91 Km/H95.9 Km/H-4.9 Km/H94.89%
Curved Aquaplaning4th2.88 m/sec22.95 m/sec2-0.07 m/sec297.63%
Gravel Traction4th8140 N8265 N-125 N98.49%
Dirt Handling3rd66.4 Km/H66.6 Km/H-0.2 Km/H99.7%
Sand Traction2nd8422 N8886 N-464 N94.78%
Grass Traction7th2444 N2924 N-480 N83.58%
Mud Traction7th2870 N3261 N-391 N88.01%
Noise8th69.6 dB67.3 dB+2.3 dB96.7%
Price5th465 300 +165 64.52%
Rolling Resistance10th8.59 kg / t7.42 kg / t+1.17 kg / t86.38%
Good off-road qualities, dynamic off-road handling, good aquaplaning reserves, safe dry handling, short wet braking distances.
Average wet cornering grip.
Exemplary.

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4th: Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV

Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV
  • 225/65 R17 106V
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th36.5 M34.6 M+1.9 M94.79%
Dry Handling6th100.5 Km/H103.3 Km/H-2.8 Km/H97.29%
Wet Braking2nd52.1 M49.9 M+2.2 M95.78%
Wet Handling6th85.2 Km/H86.8 Km/H-1.6 Km/H98.16%
Wet Circle6th14.74 s14.41 s+0.33 s97.76%
Straight Aqua5th90.2 Km/H95.9 Km/H-5.7 Km/H94.06%
Curved Aquaplaning5th2.83 m/sec22.95 m/sec2-0.12 m/sec295.93%
Gravel Traction7th7871 N8265 N-394 N95.23%
Dirt Handling6th66.1 Km/H66.6 Km/H-0.5 Km/H99.25%
Sand Traction6th8102 N8886 N-784 N91.18%
Grass Traction4th2505 N2924 N-419 N85.67%
Mud Traction4th2930 N3261 N-331 N89.85%
Noise1st67.3 dB100%
Price11th610 300 +310 49.18%
Rolling Resistance9th8.49 kg / t7.42 kg / t+1.07 kg / t87.4%
Premium profile with well-balanced, safe driving characteristics, good aquaplaning resistance, short wet braking distances, good off-road capability, good comfort.
Slightly higher price level.
Exemplary.

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5th: Hankook Ventus Prime 4

Hankook Ventus Prime 4
  • 225/65 R17 102H
  • EU Label: B/A/69
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th35.5 M34.6 M+0.9 M97.46%
Dry Handling6th100.5 Km/H103.3 Km/H-2.8 Km/H97.29%
Wet Braking4th52.6 M49.9 M+2.7 M94.87%
Wet Handling5th85.4 Km/H86.8 Km/H-1.4 Km/H98.39%
Wet Circle5th14.72 s14.41 s+0.31 s97.89%
Straight Aqua10th86.2 Km/H95.9 Km/H-9.7 Km/H89.89%
Curved Aquaplaning8th2.57 m/sec22.95 m/sec2-0.38 m/sec287.12%
Gravel Traction8th7796 N8265 N-469 N94.33%
Dirt Handling2nd66.5 Km/H66.6 Km/H-0.1 Km/H99.85%
Sand Traction5th8304 N8886 N-582 N93.45%
Grass Traction8th2435 N2924 N-489 N83.28%
Mud Traction8th2803 N3261 N-458 N85.96%
Noise11th70.2 dB67.3 dB+2.9 dB95.87%
Price7th485 300 +185 61.86%
Rolling Resistance2nd7.63 kg / t7.42 kg / t+0.21 kg / t97.25%
Good off-road qualities, balanced wet and dry handling, sporty steering behavior, short wet braking distances, fuel-saving rolling resistance.
Moderate aquaplaning resistance.
Exemplary.

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6th: Pirelli CINTURATO P7

Pirelli CINTURATO P7
  • 225/65 R17 106V
  • EU Label: C/A/70
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st34.6 M100%
Dry Handling2nd102.7 Km/H103.3 Km/H-0.6 Km/H99.42%
Wet Braking3rd52.2 M49.9 M+2.3 M95.59%
Wet Handling3rd85.7 Km/H86.8 Km/H-1.1 Km/H98.73%
Wet Circle2nd14.46 s14.41 s+0.05 s99.65%
Straight Aqua4th90.9 Km/H95.9 Km/H-5 Km/H94.79%
Curved Aquaplaning3rd2.91 m/sec22.95 m/sec2-0.04 m/sec298.64%
Gravel Traction12th7140 N8265 N-1125 N86.39%
Dirt Handling1st66.6 Km/H100%
Sand Traction9th7998 N8886 N-888 N90.01%
Grass Traction10th2397 N2924 N-527 N81.98%
Mud Traction12th2337 N3261 N-924 N71.67%
Noise9th70.1 dB67.3 dB+2.8 dB96.01%
Price10th590 300 +290 50.85%
Rolling Resistance7th8.35 kg / t7.42 kg / t+0.93 kg / t88.86%
Sporty, dynamic handling with short braking distances on wet and dry roads, good aquaplaning reserves, agile off-road handling.
Average mud and gravel traction.
Good.

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7th: Uniroyal RainExpert 5

Uniroyal RainExpert 5
  • 225/65 R17 102H
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking11th37.9 M34.6 M+3.3 M91.29%
Dry Handling11th97.9 Km/H103.3 Km/H-5.4 Km/H94.77%
Wet Braking8th53.8 M49.9 M+3.9 M92.75%
Wet Handling7th85 Km/H86.8 Km/H-1.8 Km/H97.93%
Wet Circle9th14.83 s14.41 s+0.42 s97.17%
Straight Aqua2nd94.5 Km/H95.9 Km/H-1.4 Km/H98.54%
Curved Aquaplaning2nd2.93 m/sec22.95 m/sec2-0.02 m/sec299.32%
Gravel Traction5th8104 N8265 N-161 N98.05%
Dirt Handling4th66.2 Km/H66.6 Km/H-0.4 Km/H99.4%
Sand Traction3rd8398 N8886 N-488 N94.51%
Grass Traction2nd2669 N2924 N-255 N91.28%
Mud Traction2nd3204 N3261 N-57 N98.25%
Noise5th69.3 dB67.3 dB+2 dB97.11%
Price6th475 300 +175 63.16%
Rolling Resistance3rd7.67 kg / t7.42 kg / t+0.25 kg / t96.74%
Top performance offroad, very good safety aquaplaning resistance, well-balanced wet qualities, low rolling resistance, fair price.
Moderate grip in the dry.
Good.

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8th: Toyo Proxes Comfort

Toyo Proxes Comfort
  • 225/65 R17 106V
  • EU Label: C/A/70
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th35.7 M34.6 M+1.1 M96.92%
Dry Handling5th101.7 Km/H103.3 Km/H-1.6 Km/H98.45%
Wet Braking9th54.7 M49.9 M+4.8 M91.22%
Wet Handling4th85.5 Km/H86.8 Km/H-1.3 Km/H98.5%
Wet Circle4th14.64 s14.41 s+0.23 s98.43%
Straight Aqua9th87.1 Km/H95.9 Km/H-8.8 Km/H90.82%
Curved Aquaplaning9th2.56 m/sec22.95 m/sec2-0.39 m/sec286.78%
Gravel Traction10th7523 N8265 N-742 N91.02%
Dirt Handling12th65.1 Km/H66.6 Km/H-1.5 Km/H97.75%
Sand Traction11th7407 N8886 N-1479 N83.36%
Grass Traction3rd2589 N2924 N-335 N88.54%
Mud Traction11th2522 N3261 N-739 N77.34%
Noise5th69.3 dB67.3 dB+2 dB97.11%
Price4th430 300 +130 69.77%
Rolling Resistance5th8.16 kg / t7.42 kg / t+0.74 kg / t90.93%
Balanced safe handling on wet and dry roads, short dry braking distances, low rolling resistance, low price.
Average aquaplaning performance, average offroad performance.
Good.

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9th: General Grabber GT+

General Grabber GT Plus
  • 225/65 R17 102H
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th37.2 M34.6 M+2.6 M93.01%
Dry Handling10th98.4 Km/H103.3 Km/H-4.9 Km/H95.26%
Wet Braking10th55 M49.9 M+5.1 M90.73%
Wet Handling10th84.3 Km/H86.8 Km/H-2.5 Km/H97.12%
Wet Circle10th14.9 s14.41 s+0.49 s96.71%
Straight Aqua7th87.8 Km/H95.9 Km/H-8.1 Km/H91.55%
Curved Aquaplaning10th2.48 m/sec22.95 m/sec2-0.47 m/sec284.07%
Gravel Traction9th7752 N8265 N-513 N93.79%
Dirt Handling8th65.9 Km/H66.6 Km/H-0.7 Km/H98.95%
Sand Traction1st8886 N100%
Grass Traction9th2415 N2924 N-509 N82.59%
Mud Traction4th2930 N3261 N-331 N89.85%
Noise4th69.1 dB67.3 dB+1.8 dB97.4%
Price8th510 300 +210 58.82%
Rolling Resistance4th7.78 kg / t7.42 kg / t+0.36 kg / t95.37%
Strengths Well-balanced off-road qualities, strong off-road traction, low rolling resistance.
Understeering handling on wet and dry roads, slightly longer dry braking distances.
Fair.

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10th: Nexen N Fera Sport SUV

Nexen N Fera Sport SUV
  • 225/65 R17 102H
  • EU Label: D/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd35.3 M34.6 M+0.7 M98.02%
Dry Handling9th99.9 Km/H103.3 Km/H-3.4 Km/H96.71%
Wet Braking7th53.6 M49.9 M+3.7 M93.1%
Wet Handling9th84.4 Km/H86.8 Km/H-2.4 Km/H97.24%
Wet Circle8th14.79 s14.41 s+0.38 s97.43%
Straight Aqua7th87.8 Km/H95.9 Km/H-8.1 Km/H91.55%
Curved Aquaplaning7th2.64 m/sec22.95 m/sec2-0.31 m/sec289.49%
Gravel Traction11th7499 N8265 N-766 N90.73%
Dirt Handling11th65.3 Km/H66.6 Km/H-1.3 Km/H98.05%
Sand Traction6th8102 N8886 N-784 N91.18%
Grass Traction6th2454 N2924 N-470 N83.93%
Mud Traction9th2747 N3261 N-514 N84.24%
Noise2nd68.3 dB67.3 dB+1 dB98.54%
Price2nd350 300 +50 85.71%
Rolling Resistance10th8.59 kg / t7.42 kg / t+1.17 kg / t86.38%
Short wet and dry braking distances, good traction on sand and grass, low price level.
Delayed steering response with significantly understeering handling on wet and dry roads.
Fair.

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11th: Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport

Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport
  • 225/65 R17 102H
  • EU Label: C/A/70
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking9th37.1 M34.6 M+2.5 M93.26%
Dry Handling4th102 Km/H103.3 Km/H-1.3 Km/H98.74%
Wet Braking11th61.1 M49.9 M+11.2 M81.67%
Wet Handling11th84 Km/H86.8 Km/H-2.8 Km/H96.77%
Wet Circle7th14.77 s14.41 s+0.36 s97.56%
Straight Aqua12th83.8 Km/H95.9 Km/H-12.1 Km/H87.38%
Curved Aquaplaning11th2.41 m/sec22.95 m/sec2-0.54 m/sec281.69%
Gravel Traction3rd8239 N8265 N-26 N99.69%
Dirt Handling10th65.6 Km/H66.6 Km/H-1 Km/H98.5%
Sand Traction12th7230 N8886 N-1656 N81.36%
Grass Traction11th2332 N2924 N-592 N79.75%
Mud Traction10th2573 N3261 N-688 N78.9%
Noise12th70.4 dB67.3 dB+3.1 dB95.6%
Price3rd420 300 +120 71.43%
Rolling Resistance6th8.34 kg / t7.42 kg / t+0.92 kg / t88.97%
Dynamic dry handling, good traction on gravel, lower rolling resistance.
Moderate grip on wet roads, significantly longer wet braking distances, limited protection against aquaplaning.
Conditionally recommended.

Read Reviews    Buy from £104.33

12th: Aplus A919

Aplus A919
  • 225/65 R17 102H
  • EU Label: E/C/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking12th40.3 M34.6 M+5.7 M85.86%
Dry Handling12th97.4 Km/H103.3 Km/H-5.9 Km/H94.29%
Wet Braking12th63.6 M49.9 M+13.7 M78.46%
Wet Handling12th82.5 Km/H86.8 Km/H-4.3 Km/H95.05%
Wet Circle12th15.23 s14.41 s+0.82 s94.62%
Straight Aqua11th83.9 Km/H95.9 Km/H-12 Km/H87.49%
Curved Aquaplaning12th2.35 m/sec22.95 m/sec2-0.6 m/sec279.66%
Gravel Traction6th8068 N8265 N-197 N97.62%
Dirt Handling4th66.2 Km/H66.6 Km/H-0.4 Km/H99.4%
Sand Traction8th8012 N8886 N-874 N90.16%
Grass Traction1st2924 N100%
Mud Traction1st3261 N100%
Noise9th70.1 dB67.3 dB+2.8 dB96.01%
Price1st300 100%
Rolling Resistance12th9.56 kg / t7.42 kg / t+2.14 kg / t77.62%
Good off-road qualities, low price.
Severely limited safety reserves in the wet and aquaplaning, dangerously long wet and dry braking distances, significantly increased rolling resistance.
Not recommended.

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