In a data-extravaganza, Autobild have taken eleven SUV summer tyres in the popular 235/55 R19 size, and even though this size is an ultrahigh performance fitment, and is fitted to soft-roaders such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Honda CR-V and many others, tested them exhaustively in off-road tests along with the usual dry and wet testing!

Dry

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport was the best in dry braking, closely followed by the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6.

The Goodyear also topped the dry handling test with the fastest laptime, narrowly ahead of the Toyo Proxes Sport 2.

Wet

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV was the best in wet braking, with the Bridgestone and Goodyear close behind.

Bridgestone was back at the front for wet handling, with the Goodyear again performing well in second place.

Bridgestone and Goodyear also led the wet circle test.

Michelin was best overall in the straight and curved aquaplaning tests.

Off road

Before getting into these results it's worth noting two things. Firstly, none of these tyres have been developed with any sort of off-roading in mind, and secondly off-road testing is very difficult, which is why you might see results jumping about. 

For example, the Ceat was best in  gravel traction, average in gravel handling and the worse in mud traction, and the Michelin had the best traction on grass, an average performance on gravel and was one of the worst on sand. These are just two examples of many interesting variations in the offroad testing results.

The fastest tyre around the gravel handling lap was the Bridgestone Potenza Sport, a tyre more at home on the race track than lose travel.

The Bridgestone dropped to "below average" for gravel traction, which was led by the Ceat with the Maxxis in a close second place.

Maxxis was again good in sand, with the Kumho and Giti close behind.

Grass traction was led by Michelin and Pirelli.

Bridgestone was back at the front for mud traction.

Comfort

The Pirelli Scorpion was the quietest tyre on test, with the Goodyear and Maxxis following closely.

Value

The Pirelli Scorpion also had the lowest rolling resistance by a good margin.

Results

1st: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
235/55 R19 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 33.5 M 33.4 M +0.1 M 99.7% Dry Handling 1st 108.6 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 3rd 50.4 M 49.3 M +1.1 M 97.82% Wet Handling 2nd 82.8 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.92% Wet Circle 2nd 20.58 s 20.36 s +0.22 s 98.93% Straight Aqua 10th 86.5 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -6.8 Km/H 92.71% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.52 m/sec2 2.74 m/sec2 -0.22 m/sec2 91.97% Gravel Handling 2nd 87.4 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.53% Gravel Traction 6th 7734 N 8184 N -450 N 94.5% Sand Traction 8th 9051 N 11025 N -1974 N 82.1% Grass Traction 4th 2017 N 2438 N -421 N 82.73% Mud Traction 6th 2250 N 2477 N -227 N 90.84% Noise 2nd 69.2 dB 68.6 dB +0.6 dB 99.13% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.73 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +0.53 kg / t 93.14% Overall test winner with excellent driving characteristics on any surface, sporty dynamic handling qualities, precise steering response, short wet and dry braking distances, low rolling resistance. None mentioned. Read Reviews    Buy from £150.26
2nd: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
235/55 R19 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 34.2 M 33.4 M +0.8 M 97.66% Dry Handling 5th 107.3 Km/H 108.6 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.8% Wet Braking 1st 49.3 M 100% Wet Handling 4th 82.1 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.09% Wet Circle 3rd 20.81 s 20.36 s +0.45 s 97.84% Straight Aqua 1st 93.3 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 2.74 m/sec2 100% Gravel Handling 3rd 87.3 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.42% Gravel Traction 4th 7820 N 8184 N -364 N 95.55% Sand Traction 9th 8700 N 11025 N -2325 N 78.91% Grass Traction 1st 2438 N 100% Mud Traction 8th 2238 N 2477 N -239 N 90.35% Noise 7th 70.4 dB 68.6 dB +1.8 dB 97.44% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.25 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +1.05 kg / t 87.27% Convincing premium tyre with a balanced high performance level, very good safety reserves against aquaplaning, short wet and dry braking distances. Moderate sand traction. Read Reviews    Buy from £173.70
3rd: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
235/55 R19 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 33.4 M 100% Dry Handling 3rd 107.5 Km/H 108.6 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.99% Wet Braking 2nd 49.9 M 49.3 M +0.6 M 98.8% Wet Handling 1st 83.7 Km/H 100% Wet Circle 1st 20.36 s 100% Straight Aqua 7th 86.9 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -6.4 Km/H 93.14% Curved Aquaplaning 9th 2.51 m/sec2 2.74 m/sec2 -0.23 m/sec2 91.61% Gravel Handling 1st 88.7 Km/H 100% Gravel Traction 7th 7685 N 8184 N -499 N 93.9% Sand Traction 5th 9495 N 11025 N -1530 N 86.12% Grass Traction 3rd 2197 N 2438 N -241 N 90.11% Mud Traction 1st 2477 N 100% Noise 9th 71 dB 68.6 dB +2.4 dB 96.62% Rolling Resistance 11th 9.23 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +2.03 kg / t 78.01% Premium profile with good driving dynamics, convincing off-road characteristics, precise steering behavior, short wet and dry braking distances. Increased rolling resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £137.48
4th: Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV
235/55 R19 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 34.9 M 33.4 M +1.5 M 95.7% Dry Handling 4th 107.4 Km/H 108.6 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.9% Wet Braking 5th 50.9 M 49.3 M +1.6 M 96.86% Wet Handling 3rd 82.2 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 98.21% Wet Circle 6th 20.99 s 20.36 s +0.63 s 97% Straight Aqua 3rd 89 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -4.3 Km/H 95.39% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 2.72 m/sec2 2.74 m/sec2 -0.02 m/sec2 99.27% Gravel Handling 6th 87 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.08% Gravel Traction 5th 7757 N 8184 N -427 N 94.78% Sand Traction 2nd 10525 N 11025 N -500 N 95.46% Grass Traction 7th 1916 N 2438 N -522 N 78.59% Mud Traction 5th 2335 N 2477 N -142 N 94.27% Noise 11th 72.8 dB 68.6 dB +4.2 dB 94.23% Rolling Resistance 9th 8.55 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +1.35 kg / t 84.21% Safe driving behavior under all conditions, good off-road qualities, very good traction on sand, short braking distances, moderate price. Moderate comfort, slightly increased rolling noise. Read Reviews    Buy from £124.24
5th: Pirelli Scorpion
235/55 R19 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 34.3 M 33.4 M +0.9 M 97.38% Dry Handling 10th 106.3 Km/H 108.6 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 97.88% Wet Braking 6th 51.7 M 49.3 M +2.4 M 95.36% Wet Handling 5th 81.1 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 96.89% Wet Circle 5th 20.92 s 20.36 s +0.56 s 97.32% Straight Aqua 5th 88.7 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -4.6 Km/H 95.07% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 2.55 m/sec2 2.74 m/sec2 -0.19 m/sec2 93.07% Gravel Handling 5th 87.1 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.2% Gravel Traction 3rd 7909 N 8184 N -275 N 96.64% Sand Traction 10th 8660 N 11025 N -2365 N 78.55% Grass Traction 2nd 2216 N 2438 N -222 N 90.89% Mud Traction 3rd 2414 N 2477 N -63 N 97.46% Noise 1st 68.6 dB 100% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.2 kg / t 100% Very good traction on grass and mud, short dry braking distances, convincing rolling comfort, fuel-saving rolling resistance. Slightly spongy driving behavior on dry roads. Read Reviews    Buy from £173.05
6th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV
235/55 R19 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 35.6 M 33.4 M +2.2 M 93.82% Dry Handling 6th 106.6 Km/H 108.6 Km/H -2 Km/H 98.16% Wet Braking 4th 50.7 M 49.3 M +1.4 M 97.24% Wet Handling 6th 80.6 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.3% Wet Circle 7th 21.23 s 20.36 s +0.87 s 95.9% Straight Aqua 9th 86.7 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -6.6 Km/H 92.93% Curved Aquaplaning 10th 2.39 m/sec2 2.74 m/sec2 -0.35 m/sec2 87.23% Gravel Handling 3rd 87.3 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.42% Gravel Traction 8th 7563 N 8184 N -621 N 92.41% Sand Traction 11th 8608 N 11025 N -2417 N 78.08% Grass Traction 5th 1965 N 2438 N -473 N 80.6% Mud Traction 7th 2242 N 2477 N -235 N 90.51% Noise 8th 70.8 dB 68.6 dB +2.2 dB 96.89% Rolling Resistance 5th 7.83 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +0.63 kg / t 91.95% Balanced, safe driving qualities under all road conditions, short wet and dry braking distances, good value for money. Moderate traction in sand, slight understeer in wet conditions. Read Reviews
7th: Toyo Proxes Sport 2
235/55 R19 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 34.4 M 33.4 M +1 M 97.09% Dry Handling 2nd 108 Km/H 108.6 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.45% Wet Braking 9th 54.2 M 49.3 M +4.9 M 90.96% Wet Handling 6th 80.6 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.3% Wet Circle 4th 20.91 s 20.36 s +0.55 s 97.37% Straight Aqua 6th 87.3 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -6 Km/H 93.57% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 2.7 m/sec2 2.74 m/sec2 -0.04 m/sec2 98.54% Gravel Handling 8th 86.4 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 97.41% Gravel Traction 10th 7379 N 8184 N -805 N 90.16% Sand Traction 4th 9586 N 11025 N -1439 N 86.95% Grass Traction 10th 1711 N 2438 N -727 N 70.18% Mud Traction 4th 2348 N 2477 N -129 N 94.79% Noise 3rd 69.9 dB 68.6 dB +1.3 dB 98.14% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.44 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +1.24 kg / t 85.31% Good off-road qualities, short braking distances, and dynamic driving behavior on dry roads, affordable price. Moderate wet grip, delayed steering response, slightly increased rolling resistance. Read Reviews
8th: Giti GitiSport S2 SUV
235/55 R19 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 35.3 M 33.4 M +1.9 M 94.62% Dry Handling 8th 106.4 Km/H 108.6 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 97.97% Wet Braking 7th 53.7 M 49.3 M +4.4 M 91.81% Wet Handling 6th 80.6 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.3% Wet Circle 9th 21.38 s 20.36 s +1.02 s 95.23% Straight Aqua 4th 88.8 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -4.5 Km/H 95.18% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.65 m/sec2 2.74 m/sec2 -0.09 m/sec2 96.72% Gravel Handling 11th 85.6 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.51% Gravel Traction 9th 7527 N 8184 N -657 N 91.97% Sand Traction 3rd 10437 N 11025 N -588 N 94.67% Grass Traction 11th 1485 N 2438 N -953 N 60.91% Mud Traction 9th 2191 N 2477 N -286 N 88.45% Noise 10th 71.9 dB 68.6 dB +3.3 dB 95.41% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.15 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +0.95 kg / t 88.34% Good sand traction, stable safety margins against aquaplaning, short dry braking distances. Understeering handling on dusty and dry roads, spongy steering response, moderate comfort. Read Reviews
9th: Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+
235/55 R19 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 35.4 M 33.4 M +2 M 94.35% Dry Handling 8th 106.4 Km/H 108.6 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 97.97% Wet Braking 8th 53.8 M 49.3 M +4.5 M 91.64% Wet Handling 9th 79.6 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -4.1 Km/H 95.1% Wet Circle 8th 21.37 s 20.36 s +1.01 s 95.27% Straight Aqua 2nd 89.8 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -3.5 Km/H 96.25% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 2.66 m/sec2 2.74 m/sec2 -0.08 m/sec2 97.08% Gravel Handling 10th 85.7 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -3 Km/H 96.62% Gravel Traction 11th 7153 N 8184 N -1031 N 87.4% Sand Traction 6th 9292 N 11025 N -1733 N 84.28% Grass Traction 8th 1831 N 2438 N -607 N 75.1% Mud Traction 2nd 2438 N 2477 N -39 N 98.43% Noise 6th 70.3 dB 68.6 dB +1.7 dB 97.58% Rolling Resistance 10th 8.85 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +1.65 kg / t 81.36% Good traction on muddy terrain, safe aquaplaning characteristics, good comfort. Significantly understeering driving behavior, limited off-road qualities, increased rolling resistance. Read Reviews
10th: Maxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV
235/55 R19 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 36.2 M 33.4 M +2.8 M 92.27% Dry Handling 6th 106.6 Km/H 108.6 Km/H -2 Km/H 98.16% Wet Braking 11th 59.3 M 49.3 M +10 M 83.14% Wet Handling 11th 78.1 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -5.6 Km/H 93.31% Wet Circle 10th 21.59 s 20.36 s +1.23 s 94.3% Straight Aqua 7th 86.9 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -6.4 Km/H 93.14% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 2.67 m/sec2 2.74 m/sec2 -0.07 m/sec2 97.45% Gravel Handling 9th 86.1 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 97.07% Gravel Traction 2nd 8045 N 8184 N -139 N 98.3% Sand Traction 1st 11025 N 100% Grass Traction 6th 1926 N 2438 N -512 N 79% Mud Traction 11th 2099 N 2477 N -378 N 84.74% Noise 4th 70 dB 68.6 dB +1.4 dB 98% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.63 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +0.43 kg / t 94.36% Good traction on gravel and sand, low rolling resistance, very affordable price level. Satisfactory traction in mud, understeering driving behavior, and extended braking distances in wet conditions. Read Reviews
11th: Ceat Sport Drive SUV
235/55 R19 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 11th 36.3 M 33.4 M +2.9 M 92.01% Dry Handling 10th 106.3 Km/H 108.6 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 97.88% Wet Braking 10th 56.5 M 49.3 M +7.2 M 87.26% Wet Handling 10th 78.4 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -5.3 Km/H 93.67% Wet Circle 11th 21.75 s 20.36 s +1.39 s 93.61% Straight Aqua 11th 84.2 Km/H 93.3 Km/H -9.1 Km/H 90.25% Curved Aquaplaning 11th 2.3 m/sec2 2.74 m/sec2 -0.44 m/sec2 83.94% Gravel Handling 7th 86.6 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.63% Gravel Traction 1st 8184 N 100% Sand Traction 7th 9203 N 11025 N -1822 N 83.47% Grass Traction 9th 1751 N 2438 N -687 N 71.82% Mud Traction 10th 2189 N 2477 N -288 N 88.37% Noise 4th 70 dB 68.6 dB +1.4 dB 98% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.73 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +0.53 kg / t 93.14% Good off-road qualities, low rolling resistance, affordable price. Only satisfactory aquaplaning characteristics, moderate grip on wet roads, understeering driving behavior on both wet and dry roads. Read Reviews