2021 Camper Van / SUV Tyre Test

This test is slightly more relevant than usual tests to Camper Van / SUV overs, as the magazine tested the "regular" 235/55 R17 tyre option instead of the 215/65 R16 C commercial size with is often fitted to the VW Transporter the VW is based on.

This tyre size isn't just limited to camper vans though, it's also on many large saloons and midsize crossover SUVs such as the BMW 7 Series, BMW X3, Audi Q3, Ford S-Max, Honda CRV, VW Tiguan, VW, California, VW Caravelle and many others!

As usual the eight sets of summer tyres were put through the usual array of dry, wet, noise and rolling resistance tests to find out exactly what tyre is best in each key area.

Dry

During dry braking testing the Bridgestone Turanza T005 and Michelin Primacy 4 had a small advantage over the rest of the group.

Unusually the Falken FK510 SUV was the fastest over the dry handling lap, with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 taking second place.

Wet

Michelin and the Continental PremiumContact 6 tied for first place in the key wet braking test.

It was once again Falken with a clear advantage in the wet handling tests.

Both aquaplaning tests were led by Goodyear, and, as we've seen before in testing, the Michelin Primacy 4 struggled in the deeper water.

Environment

The Michelin was the quietest tyre on test, with the Bridgestone Turanza T005 unusually loud.

The Bridgestone and Michelin led the way in the rolling resistance test, having the lowest fuel use.

The spread of pricing was fairly high, with the most expensive Michelin almost twice as expensive as the cheapest Maxxis.

Results

1^st

Michelin Primacy 4

235/55 R17 103V

• EU Label: B/A/70
• Production: 0821
• 3PMSF: no
• Tread: 6.5 mm

Very short braking distances in the wet and dry, very quiet rolling noise and fuel-saving low rolling resistance.

Lower aquaplaning resistance.

Michelin impresses with its top performance, but makes you pay for it.

Dry

99.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	38.1 M	38 M	+0.1 M	99.74%
Dry Handling	4th	106.4 Km/H	108.1 Km/H	-1.7 Km/H	98.43%

Wet

91.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	31.2 M			100%
Wet Handling	6th	69.7 Km/H	71.6 Km/H	-1.9 Km/H	97.35%
Straight Aqua	8th	79.2 Km/H	85.8 Km/H	-6.6 Km/H	92.31%
Curved Aquaplaning	8th	3 m/sec2	4 m/sec2	-1 m/sec2	75%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	71.8 dB			100%

Value

76.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	174	96	+78	55.17%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	6.8 kg / t	6.7 kg / t	+0.1 kg / t	98.53%

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2^nd

Continental Premium Contact 6

235/55 R17 103W

• EU Label: C/A/72
• Production: 4920
• 3PMSF: no
• Tread: 7.9 mm

Comfortable, and thanks to the self-sealing insert, particularly quiet summer tyre with very short braking distances in wet conditions.

Slight swinging movement after a quick lane change.

Extra comfortable premium tyre with a safety bonus.

Dry

98.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	38.9 M	38 M	+0.9 M	97.69%
Dry Handling	3rd	106.7 Km/H	108.1 Km/H	-1.4 Km/H	98.7%

Wet

95.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	31.2 M			100%
Wet Handling	3rd	70.5 Km/H	71.6 Km/H	-1.1 Km/H	98.46%
Straight Aqua	7th	80.2 Km/H	85.8 Km/H	-5.6 Km/H	93.47%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	3.6 m/sec2	4 m/sec2	-0.4 m/sec2	90%

Comfort

99.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	2nd	71.9 dB	71.8 dB	+0.1 dB	99.86%

Value

76.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	7th	154	96	+58	62.34%
Rolling Resistance	4th	7.4 kg / t	6.7 kg / t	+0.7 kg / t	90.54%

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3^rd

Falken FK510 SUV

235/55 R17 103W

• EU Label: C/A/70
• Production: 0221
• 3PMSF: no
• Tread: 7.7 mm

Very high safety reserves when cornering on wet and dry roads, quiet noise to the outside as well as the interior.

Weaknesses when when changing lanes quickly, sluggish steering responses.

Low-priced newcomer with excellent wet grip.

Dry

99.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	38.7 M	38 M	+0.7 M	98.19%
Dry Handling	1st	108.1 Km/H			100%

Wet

95.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	32.6 M	31.2 M	+1.4 M	95.71%
Wet Handling	1st	71.6 Km/H			100%
Straight Aqua	4th	81.2 Km/H	85.8 Km/H	-4.6 Km/H	94.64%
Curved Aquaplaning	4th	3.65 m/sec2	4 m/sec2	-0.35 m/sec2	91.25%

Comfort

99.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	72.4 dB	71.8 dB	+0.6 dB	99.17%

Value

84.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4th	113	96	+17	84.96%
Rolling Resistance	7th	8 kg / t	6.7 kg / t	+1.3 kg / t	83.75%

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4^th

Bridgestone Turanza T005

235/55 R17 103Y

• EU Label: A/A/72
• Production: 1321
• 3PMSF: no
• Tread: 7.2 mm

Predominantly safe handling in the wet as well as on dry roads, shortest braking distances on dry asphalt, very low rolling resistance.

Unpleasant levels of noise.

A top performer with noise issues.

Dry

99.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	38 M			100%
Dry Handling	5th	106.1 Km/H	108.1 Km/H	-2 Km/H	98.15%

Wet

96.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	32.1 M	31.2 M	+0.9 M	97.2%
Wet Handling	4th	70.3 Km/H	71.6 Km/H	-1.3 Km/H	98.18%
Straight Aqua	2nd	81.8 Km/H	85.8 Km/H	-4 Km/H	95.34%
Curved Aquaplaning	3rd	3.83 m/sec2	4 m/sec2	-0.17 m/sec2	95.75%

Comfort

95.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	8th	74.9 dB	71.8 dB	+3.1 dB	95.86%

Value

83.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	5th	143	96	+47	67.13%
Rolling Resistance	1st	6.7 kg / t			100%

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5^th

Nokian Wetproof SUV

235/55 R17 103W

• EU Label: C/A/71
• Production: 1021
• 3PMSF: no
• Tread: 8.0 mm

High grip in the wet.

Slower steering, average straight aquaplaning resistance.

Dry

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	39.4 M	38 M	+1.4 M	96.45%
Dry Handling	6th	105.9 Km/H	108.1 Km/H	-2.2 Km/H	97.96%

Wet

94%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	32.2 M	31.2 M	+1 M	96.89%
Wet Handling	6th	69.7 Km/H	71.6 Km/H	-1.9 Km/H	97.35%
Straight Aqua	5th	80.7 Km/H	85.8 Km/H	-5.1 Km/H	94.06%
Curved Aquaplaning	7th	3.5 m/sec2	4 m/sec2	-0.5 m/sec2	87.5%

Comfort

98.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	72.9 dB	71.8 dB	+1.1 dB	98.49%

Value

87.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	108	96	+12	88.89%
Rolling Resistance	5th	7.8 kg / t	6.7 kg / t	+1.1 kg / t	85.9%

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6^th

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

235/55 R17 103Y

• EU Label: C/A/71
• Production: 1021
• 3PMSF: no
• Tread: 7.7 mm

Very high aquaplaning resistance, good grip in the dry.

Long wet braking distances.

Dry

98%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	39.2 M	38 M	+1.2 M	96.94%
Dry Handling	2nd	107.1 Km/H	108.1 Km/H	-1 Km/H	99.07%

Wet

98%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	33.4 M	31.2 M	+2.2 M	93.41%
Wet Handling	2nd	70.6 Km/H	71.6 Km/H	-1 Km/H	98.6%
Straight Aqua	1st	85.8 Km/H			100%
Curved Aquaplaning	1st	4 m/sec2			100%

Comfort

98.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	5th	73 dB	71.8 dB	+1.2 dB	98.36%

Value

70.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	6th	151	96	+55	63.58%
Rolling Resistance	8th	8.6 kg / t	6.7 kg / t	+1.9 kg / t	77.91%

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7^th

Maxxis Premitra HP5

235/55 R17 B/AY

• EU Label: C/A/70
• Production: 0721
• 3PMSF: no
• Tread: 7.6 mm

Average balanced performance in all categories.

Slightly slow steering response and slowest dry handling.

Dry

97.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	38.8 M	38 M	+0.8 M	97.94%
Dry Handling	8th	105.6 Km/H	108.1 Km/H	-2.5 Km/H	97.69%

Wet

93.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	33.3 M	31.2 M	+2.1 M	93.69%
Wet Handling	5th	69.9 Km/H	71.6 Km/H	-1.7 Km/H	97.63%
Straight Aqua	6th	80.5 Km/H	85.8 Km/H	-5.3 Km/H	93.82%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	3.6 m/sec2	4 m/sec2	-0.4 m/sec2	90%

Comfort

97.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	73.4 dB	71.8 dB	+1.6 dB	97.82%

Value

92.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	1st	96			100%
Rolling Resistance	6th	7.9 kg / t	6.7 kg / t	+1.2 kg / t	84.81%

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8^th

Sava Intensa UHP 2

235/55 R17 103Y

• EU Label: B/B/71
• Production: 0421
• 3PMSF: no
• Tread: 7.0 mm

Good aquaplaning resistance, low rolling resistance.

Poor grip in the wet.

Dry

98%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	38.8 M	38 M	+0.8 M	97.94%
Dry Handling	6th	105.9 Km/H	108.1 Km/H	-2.2 Km/H	97.96%

Wet

95.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	35 M	31.2 M	+3.8 M	89.14%
Wet Handling	8th	69.5 Km/H	71.6 Km/H	-2.1 Km/H	97.07%
Straight Aqua	2nd	81.8 Km/H	85.8 Km/H	-4 Km/H	95.34%
Curved Aquaplaning	2nd	3.97 m/sec2	4 m/sec2	-0.03 m/sec2	99.25%

Comfort

98.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	6th	73.2 dB	71.8 dB	+1.4 dB	98.09%

Value

92.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	108	96	+12	88.89%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	7 kg / t	6.7 kg / t	+0.3 kg / t	95.71%

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