Given
88%
while driving a
Mazda 6 2.0 D
(205/55 R16 V) on
a combination of roads
for 600
spirited miles
Grip: Superb - no complaints, even near freezing. Drags a fair bit in standing water but grip never flinches. Feels totally planted in the dry and wet.
Steering: Excellent turn-in, steering feels heavy but communicative. Lets you know about camber and tramlines, but I prefer it that way. Very stable and planted even with quick steering changes - never gets snappy. Heavy steering can be annoying for tight parking.
Noise: Not bad. Not great. Moderate road noise but fairly neutral sounding and not too rumbly. Worse at low speed. No whining or buzzing, just road roar. Overall I have no issue with it, but there are better options around if you want quiet. Note: my car is not great for road noise in general.
Ride: Fairly firm, taut and very well damped. Not bouncy or crashy. Overall very pleased. Doesn't crash all over the place over potholes even when cold.
Wear: no idea.
Fuel: Only used when fairly cold outside. About average. Not a fuel economy tire, but not enough worse to bother me.
Overall: A good, solid, firm feeling sporty tire available in non-sporty sizes with no real drawbacks. Lots of confidence, good fun to drive on, far better than I expected, and would totally buy again. Feels like I've had a suspension upgrade. Oh, and they're very reasonably priced.
Just beware that it's a tire that lets you know what's going on at the front wheels. If you want to feel isolated from it, maybe there are better options.
Oh, and the tire in general looks pretty classy, in case that's your thing.