Are you looking for good tyres for SUV? "Auto Bild Allrad" helps you to make this hard decision and publishes the tyre classification for this kind of tyres. Check what tyres get the best results.
Tyres in size 235/65 R17 V SUV were tested on Audi Q5 (source: audi).
After testing tyres for private cars it's finally time for evaluation of tyres designed for more demanding SUV cars. This type of cars is still one of the fastest growing segment of cars. More and more brands take up production of those sport-utility vehicles. Their popularity also affects organizations and editors of automotive magazines that deal with tyre testing. The results of one of the first tests of tyre equipment for SUVs are below.
What are the best characteristics of SUV tyres?
Tyres intended for SUV cars are in fact very specific products, that should do splendid not only in categories characteristic for standard tyres (good performance on both wet and dry surface, relatively low noise level, fuel and tread efficiency), but also in other parameters. SUV tyre is a construction, which should behave perfectly on both dry and wet surface, not only on a regular road but also on off-road terrain, after all SUV are supposed to resemble off-road cars. All the features that should be included in a regular tyre:
• Stability when turning and driving straight ahead
• short braking distance,
• precise conduct of a tyre,
• driving comfort
• good adhesion to the surface (roadholding),
• effective drainage,
• low noise level,
• durability,
• high mileage.
Additionally in SUV tyres these should be more prominent, and achievable also in semi off-road conditions. This kind of tyres must work as an integral part of a car, that's why they should prove themselves on both road and off-road.
This kind of tyres require tread adjusted to frequent changes of the road surface, that is why it's made of the best rubber compounds. Better compounds, and more aggressive tread shape guarantee success, and make sure that on either hardened road or not, SUV that's being driven by you will move smoothly, finely (also during rain), a tyre will be durable, and will maintain a proper level of driving comfort.
Continental CrossContact UHP got the best notes in the test.
Things to remember having 4x4 ?
Owners of 4x4 cars should keep a few things in mind:
• The same tyres should be mounted on all axes, from the same manufacturer and with the same diameter, otherwise they will be characterized by various parameters, thus they may have a negative impact on a drive train. An exception may be e.g. Audi A8, tyres of which are characterized by different diameter (broader equipment is mounted on the rear),
• in a car with this kind of drive it is good to regularly change the tyres crosswise, in order to exploit them equally.
• regular monitoring of tyre pressure (inappropriate level of the pressure will negatively affect drive train)
Test results
The test winners
It rarely occurs for testers to choose two perfect models of tyres. Even less often if they test only 9 models in total.
Continental CrossContact UHP - it is not the first so successful appearance in tyre testing. In summer tyre tests ADAC 2012 in size 215/65 R16 H SUV the tyre also got the 1st position. Similarly to 2010, when the tyre in size 255/55 R18 won in summer tyre test of "Auto Zeitung" magazine. In previous years the tyre won in the test by "Motor" magazine (in 2008) and in "Auto Bild Allrad" (in 2004). All of those tests justify that the position of this tyre is not random, as it's the excellent model, with perfect performance and properties on each of a surface type.
Pirelli Scorpion Verde - a little less notes in tests, but also very known among the drivers. The tyre won the second place in test like: ADAC in size 215/65 R16 H, "Auto Bild" 2012 in size 235/55 R17 and "Auto Bild Allrad" 2011 in size 215/65 R16. Its position in above mentioned tests and in this year's "Auto Bild Allrad" test is also justified.
If you choose one of excellent or recommended model you can be certain that they will meet your expectations. Tyres with "satisfactory" note will also be suitable. However, always before you select tyres (either excellent, or other) it is important to read users' opinions.