2021 Camper Van / SUV Tyre Test

Dry BrakingBridgestone Turanza T005: 38 MNokian Wetproof SUV: 39.4 M
Dry HandlingFalken FK510 SUV: 108.1 Km/HMaxxis Premitra HP5: 105.6 Km/H
Wet BrakingContinental Premium Contact 6: 31.2 MSava Intensa UHP 2: 35 M
Wet HandlingFalken FK510 SUV: 71.6 Km/HSava Intensa UHP 2: 69.5 Km/H
Straight AquaGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5: 85.8 Km/HMichelin Primacy 4: 79.2 Km/H
Curved AquaplaningGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5: 4 m/sec2Michelin Primacy 4: 3 m/sec2
NoiseMichelin Primacy 4: 71.8 dBBridgestone Turanza T005: 74.9 dB
PriceMaxxis Premitra HP5: 96 Michelin Primacy 4: 174
Rolling ResistanceBridgestone Turanza T005: 6.7 kg / tGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5: 8.6 kg / t
The German publication ProMobil have tested eight summer tyres in the popular 235/55 R17 size using a VW T 6.1 Camper!

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

1st: Michelin Primacy 4

Michelin Primacy 4
  • 235/55 R17 103V
  • EU Label: B/A/70
  • Production: 0821
  • Tread: 6.5mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd38.1 M38 M+0.1 M99.74%
Dry Handling4th106.4 Km/H108.1 Km/H-1.7 Km/H98.43%
Wet Braking1st31.2 M100%
Wet Handling6th69.7 Km/H71.6 Km/H-1.9 Km/H97.35%
Straight Aqua8th79.2 Km/H85.8 Km/H-6.6 Km/H92.31%
Curved Aquaplaning8th3 m/sec24 m/sec2-1 m/sec275%
Noise1st71.8 dB100%
Price8th174 96 +78 55.17%
Rolling Resistance2nd6.8 kg / t6.7 kg / t+0.1 kg / t98.53%
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.

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2nd: Continental Premium Contact 6

Continental Premium Contact 6
  • 235/55 R17 103W
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • Production: 4920
  • Tread: 7.9mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th38.9 M38 M+0.9 M97.69%
Dry Handling3rd106.7 Km/H108.1 Km/H-1.4 Km/H98.7%
Wet Braking1st31.2 M100%
Wet Handling3rd70.5 Km/H71.6 Km/H-1.1 Km/H98.46%
Straight Aqua7th80.2 Km/H85.8 Km/H-5.6 Km/H93.47%
Curved Aquaplaning5th3.6 m/sec24 m/sec2-0.4 m/sec290%
Noise2nd71.9 dB71.8 dB+0.1 dB99.86%
Price7th154 96 +58 62.34%
Rolling Resistance4th7.4 kg / t6.7 kg / t+0.7 kg / t90.54%
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.

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3rd: Falken FK510 SUV

Falken FK510 SUV
  • 235/55 R17 103W
  • EU Label: C/A/70
  • Production: 0221
  • Tread: 7.7mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd38.7 M38 M+0.7 M98.19%
Dry Handling1st108.1 Km/H100%
Wet Braking5th32.6 M31.2 M+1.4 M95.71%
Wet Handling1st71.6 Km/H100%
Straight Aqua4th81.2 Km/H85.8 Km/H-4.6 Km/H94.64%
Curved Aquaplaning4th3.65 m/sec24 m/sec2-0.35 m/sec291.25%
Noise3rd72.4 dB71.8 dB+0.6 dB99.17%
Price4th113 96 +17 84.96%
Rolling Resistance7th8 kg / t6.7 kg / t+1.3 kg / t83.75%
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.

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4th: Bridgestone Turanza T005

Bridgestone Turanza T005
  • 235/55 R17 103Y
  • EU Label: A/A/72
  • Production: 1321
  • Tread: 7.2mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st38 M100%
Dry Handling5th106.1 Km/H108.1 Km/H-2 Km/H98.15%
Wet Braking3rd32.1 M31.2 M+0.9 M97.2%
Wet Handling4th70.3 Km/H71.6 Km/H-1.3 Km/H98.18%
Straight Aqua2nd81.8 Km/H85.8 Km/H-4 Km/H95.34%
Curved Aquaplaning3rd3.83 m/sec24 m/sec2-0.17 m/sec295.75%
Noise8th74.9 dB71.8 dB+3.1 dB95.86%
Price5th143 96 +47 67.13%
Rolling Resistance1st6.7 kg / t100%
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.

Read Reviews    Buy from £119.40

5th: Nokian Wetproof SUV

Nokian Wetproof SUV
  • 235/55 R17 103W
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • Production: 1021
  • Tread: 8.0mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th39.4 M38 M+1.4 M96.45%
Dry Handling6th105.9 Km/H108.1 Km/H-2.2 Km/H97.96%
Wet Braking4th32.2 M31.2 M+1 M96.89%
Wet Handling6th69.7 Km/H71.6 Km/H-1.9 Km/H97.35%
Straight Aqua5th80.7 Km/H85.8 Km/H-5.1 Km/H94.06%
Curved Aquaplaning7th3.5 m/sec24 m/sec2-0.5 m/sec287.5%
Noise4th72.9 dB71.8 dB+1.1 dB98.49%
Price2nd108 96 +12 88.89%
Rolling Resistance5th7.8 kg / t6.7 kg / t+1.1 kg / t85.9%
High grip in the wet.
Slower steering, average straight aquaplaning resistance.

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6th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
  • 235/55 R17 103Y
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • Production: 1021
  • Tread: 7.7mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th39.2 M38 M+1.2 M96.94%
Dry Handling2nd107.1 Km/H108.1 Km/H-1 Km/H99.07%
Wet Braking7th33.4 M31.2 M+2.2 M93.41%
Wet Handling2nd70.6 Km/H71.6 Km/H-1 Km/H98.6%
Straight Aqua1st85.8 Km/H100%
Curved Aquaplaning1st4 m/sec2100%
Noise5th73 dB71.8 dB+1.2 dB98.36%
Price6th151 96 +55 63.58%
Rolling Resistance8th8.6 kg / t6.7 kg / t+1.9 kg / t77.91%
Very high aquaplaning resistance, good grip in the dry.
Long wet braking distances.

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7th: Maxxis Premitra HP5

Maxxis Premitra HP5
  • 235/55 R17 B/AY
  • EU Label: C/A/70
  • Production: 0721
  • Tread: 7.6mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th38.8 M38 M+0.8 M97.94%
Dry Handling8th105.6 Km/H108.1 Km/H-2.5 Km/H97.69%
Wet Braking6th33.3 M31.2 M+2.1 M93.69%
Wet Handling5th69.9 Km/H71.6 Km/H-1.7 Km/H97.63%
Straight Aqua6th80.5 Km/H85.8 Km/H-5.3 Km/H93.82%
Curved Aquaplaning5th3.6 m/sec24 m/sec2-0.4 m/sec290%
Noise7th73.4 dB71.8 dB+1.6 dB97.82%
Price1st96 100%
Rolling Resistance6th7.9 kg / t6.7 kg / t+1.2 kg / t84.81%
Average balanced performance in all categories.
Slightly slow steering response and slowest dry handling.

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8th: Sava Intensa UHP 2

Sava Intensa UHP 2
  • 235/55 R17 103Y
  • EU Label: B/B/71
  • Production: 0421
  • Tread: 7.0mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th38.8 M38 M+0.8 M97.94%
Dry Handling6th105.9 Km/H108.1 Km/H-2.2 Km/H97.96%
Wet Braking8th35 M31.2 M+3.8 M89.14%
Wet Handling8th69.5 Km/H71.6 Km/H-2.1 Km/H97.07%
Straight Aqua2nd81.8 Km/H85.8 Km/H-4 Km/H95.34%
Curved Aquaplaning2nd3.97 m/sec24 m/sec2-0.03 m/sec299.25%
Noise6th73.2 dB71.8 dB+1.4 dB98.09%
Price2nd108 96 +12 88.89%
Rolling Resistance3rd7 kg / t6.7 kg / t+0.3 kg / t95.71%
Good aquaplaning resistance, low rolling resistance.
Poor grip in the wet.

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