2016 Autobild 4x4 / SUV Tire Test

7 Ultra High Performance Summer tires tested in 255/55 R19 |   Published March 24th, 2016 by Jonathan Benson

Test Summary
ArrayContinental ContiSportContact 5 SUV
ArrayContinental ContiSportContact 5 SUV
Nokian zLine SUV
Falken FK453CC
Pirelli Scorpion Verde
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 SUV
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 SUV
ArrayContinental ContiSportContact 5 SUV
Michelin Latitude Sport 3
ArrayNokian zLine SUV
ArrayContinental ContiSportContact 5 SUV
Michelin Latitude Sport 3
ArrayFalken FK453CC
Michelin Latitude Sport 3
Pirelli Scorpion Verde
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 SUV
The 2016 Auto Bild SUV and 4x4 tire test looks at seven of the latest tires for the quickly growing "softroad" vehicle segment. These latest softroaders have sporty driving characteristics, and spend most of their time on road, yet should still retain some performance on grass or gravel.

As with passengar cars, the tires being fitted to these vehicles are becoming increasingly large and low profile, which is why Auto Bild have chosen to test the massive 255/55 R19!

The results between the premium and midrange tires on test were extremely close, with the premium Contientnal narrowly beating mid-range Nokian and Falken to the top spot.

Results

1st: Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV

Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV
  • 255/55 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 39
  2. Dry: 7
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Offroad: 7
  5. Comfort: 7
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 6
A well balanced tire with short braking in the dry and wey, and surprisingly good traction on grass
High noise level, expensive and relatively low lateral stability on wet surfaces
Exemplary
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2nd: Nokian zLine SUV

Nokian zLine SUV
  • 255/55 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 37
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Offroad: 6
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 7
  7. Noise: 6
A well balanced tire with good results in nearly all the wet tests. Low rolling resistance, well priced
Relatively weak resistance to aquaplaning, high noise level
Exemplary
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3rd: Falken FK453CC

Falken FK453CC
  • 255/55 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 34
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Offroad: 6
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 3
  7. Noise: 7
Very short wet and dry braking, lowest noise, low price
High rolling resistance, average dry performance
Good
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4th: Michelin Latitude Sport 3

Michelin Latitude Sport 3
  • 255/55 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 38
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 5
  4. Offroad: 7
  5. Comfort: 7
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 7
Very high resistance to aquaplaning, good traction on grass and sand, good comfort, low noise
Long wet braking distances, expensive
Good
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5th: Pirelli Scorpion Verde

Pirelli Scorpion Verde
  • 255/55 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 37
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Offroad: 6
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 7
High resistance to longitudinal aquaplaning, good lateral stability, low noise
Weak resistance to lateral aquaplaning, average comfort
Good
Read Reviews    Buy from £259.38

6th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 SUV

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 SUV
  • 255/55 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 33
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Offroad: 5
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 4
High lateral grip in the wet, short braking distances on dry roads, low rolling resistance
Long braking distances in the wet, expensive, high noise levels, low traction on grass
Good
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7th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 SUV

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 SUV
  • 255/55 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 36
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Offroad: 5
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 7
Short braking in the wet and dry, high lateral wet stability, low noise, well priced
Poor seering response in the dry, average offroad performance
Good
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