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Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Giti GitiSportS2

Summer Passenger Car 5 shared tests
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
TR Score
8.4/10
Owners say
77% · 94
Head to head 4-1 wins in 5 shared tests 2023-2025 · 2 publications
Giti GitiSportS2
TR Score
8.0/10
Owners say
78% · 19

In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 finished ahead 4 times and the GitiSportS2 once. The SportMaxx RT 2 lasted 27.2% longer in the wear tests; the GitiSportS2 had 3% lower rolling resistance.

Data updated

Which should you buy?

Choose Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 for safety-first performance, wet confidence, and long-term value; pick Giti GitiSportS2 if you prioritize quiet motorway comfort and fuel efficiency in predominantly moderate, straight-line driving.

Where the SportMaxx RT 2 is stronger

  • Consistently shorter dry and wet braking distances across tests
  • Stronger wet handling and curved aquaplaning stability
  • Significantly better mileage and lower cost-per-1,000 km
Everything on the SportMaxx RT 2

Where the GitiSportS2 is stronger

  • Low rolling resistance and slightly lower fuel consumption
  • Very good straight-line aquaplaning resistance
  • Quieter external noise levels
Everything on the GitiSportS2

The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.

SportMaxx RT 2 vs GitiSportS2 at a glance

Category SportMaxx RT 2 Gap GitiSportS2
Shared tests won5 shared tests 4 1
Dry7 measurements 7 The SportMaxx RT 2 stopped 2.4% shorter in the dry (5 tests) 0
Wet15 measurements 9 The SportMaxx RT 2 stopped 2.6% shorter in the wet (5 tests) 6
Comfort4 measurements 1 The GitiSportS2 was 1.1 dB quieter (3 tests) 3
Value7 measurements 4 The SportMaxx RT 2 lasted 27.2% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) 3
Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold 8.4/10 The SportMaxx RT 2 by 0.4 8.0/10
Owner rating94 and 19 reviews 77% Too close to call 78%
Would buy againshare of owners 63% The GitiSportS2 by 9 points 72%
Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices +7.7% The SportMaxx RT 2 was dearer in 3 of 3 Cheaper
Sizes madeEU label registrations 61 36 sizes made in both 64

Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.

Head to head in 5 tests, 2023 to 2025

Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.

Test SportMaxx RT 2 Field GitiSportS2
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test Auto Bild · 2025 · 225/40 R18 P9 of 20 P17 of 20
2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test ADAC · 2025 · 225/40 R18 P9 of 18 P15 of 18
2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout Auto Bild · 2025 · 225/40 R18 P19 of 52 P17 of 52
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test Auto Bild · 2023 · 225/45 R18 P5 of 20 P17 of 20
2023 Summer Tyre Market Overview Auto Bild · 2023 · 225/45 R18 P13 of 50 P19 of 50

Performance profile

9 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.

Dry BrakingDry HandlingWet BrakingWet HandlingStraight AquaCurved AquaplaningNoiseWearRolling Resistance

Where each is furthest ahead

SportMaxx RT 2

GitiSportS2

Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.

In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 96%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 5 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.

Every measurement, side by side

Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.

Measurement SportMaxx RT 2 Gap GitiSportS2 Wins
35.46 2.4% 36.36 5-0
117.7 0.4% 117.2 2-0
36.26 2.6% 37.16 3-2
38.1 14.2% 44.4 1-0
73.05 1.4% 72.05 2-0
14.98 1.4% 15.19 1-0
88.73 2.2% 90.83 0-3
3.61 1.4% 3.56 2-1
scored 16.3% scored 1-0
73.33 1.1 dB 72.23 0-3
40,963 27.2% 32,227 3-0
8.93 3% 8.66 0-2
5.6 1.8% 5.5 0-1
91 6.9% 97.7 1-0

Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.

Scores beyond the shared tests

On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the SportMaxx RT 2 scores 8.4 and the GitiSportS2 8 out of 10.

Tyre Reviews Score by category
SportMaxx RT 2 Category GitiSportS2
76Dry 64
83Wet 64
33Comfort 73
37Value 16

Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.

What owners say

What owners rate
SportMaxx RT 2 Category GitiSportS2
8.3Dry Grip 8.3
7.8Wet Grip 7.4
7.7Road Feedback 7.5
7.6Handling 7.7
7.5Wear 8.4
7.9Comfort 8

Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 reviews and the GitiSportS2 78% from 19. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

  • 77%from 94 reviews
  • 63%would buy again
  • 788,854 milesdriven by reviewers

Across reviews, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 is most often described as a quiet, comfortable UHP tyre with strong all-round grip-especially in the wet-and good aquaplaning resistance, giving many drivers high confidence in everyday and motorway use. Wear is frequently reported as good to very good versus several competing premium tyres, and many consider it strong value for money. A notable minority, however, report overly soft or inconsistent sidewalls leading to vague/“wobbly” steering and reduced precision when cornering hard, and some users say grip (particularly in wet conditions) can fall off as the tyre wears.

  • Strong wet grip and reassuring stability in heavy rain
  • Good resistance to aquaplaning
  • Good dry grip/traction for normal to spirited road driving
  • Low road noise and generally comfortable ride
  • Soft sidewalls causing vague steering, squirm, or reduced precision under hard cornering/load changes
  • Some reports of poor wet grip or reduced confidence (often as the tyre wears)
  • Noise can increase as the tyre wears or on rough road surfaces

Summarised by AI from 81 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.

I've had several sets of these on my car now as they have proven to be reliable and confidence inspiring in the wet. They've survived pot holes, debris, and the odd curb. I've never found myself wishing for more grip in the dry. The response is perhaps slightly muted compared to more expensive tyres, but personally don't have an issue as my driving is 90% motorway/major A roads.

In the wet the car feels stable in the rain at motorway speeds up until about 3mm tread depth, at which point the front started to feel nervous. Braking has been fine in the wet but pulling away briskly in anything other than a straight line will set off the traction control. Hard to say if this would be reduced with a more expensive tyre.

Front tyres have lasted about 11k miles before reaching the wear line after. Rears are over 20k and still have a while to go.
76% Mercedes Benz A45 235/35 R19 12,000 miles July 2, 2024
All 94 SportMaxx RT 2 reviews

Giti GitiSportS2

  • 78%from 19 reviews
  • 72%would buy again
  • 169,101 milesdriven by reviewers

Most drivers rate the Giti GitiSportS2 highly for its quiet ride, comfort, strong dry and confident wet grip, and excellent value, often comparing it favorably to premium brands. A minority report issues at higher speeds or over time, including increased noise and instability, but these are outweighed by the many high-scoring reviews. Overall, the GitiSportS2 delivers premium-like performance at a budget price.

  • low noise
  • comfort/ride quality
  • dry grip and handling
  • wet grip/aquaplaning resistance
  • high-speed stability issues
  • noise increase with wear

Summarised by AI from 18 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.

I put these S2 on a Volvo xc60 to replace the original pzero
Have only driven about 7.000km on them. Primarily at hugh speed highway
The tyres are very comfortable, extremely quiet (even withiut the foam inside like the Pirelli)and very precise on dry roads. Consumption seems better than on the original pirelli.
On wet roads it feels well balanced and secure. Only issue on cornering on wet and slippery roads the Tyres lacks some grips and the vehicle understeers. But probably others would too.
Price they are OK, but thinking of trying the new Kumho next time. They seem great value for money
80% Volvo XC60 255/40 R21 600 miles August 19, 2025
All 19 GitiSportS2 reviews

Sizes, EU label and lineage

From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 61 sizes of the SportMaxx RT 2 and 64 of the GitiSportS2, 36 of them made in both.

Category SportMaxx RT 2 GitiSportS2
Season Summer Summer
Sizes made 61 sizes, 17 to 21 inch 64 sizes, 16 to 22 inch
Made in both 36 sizes 205/40 R17205/45 R17215/40 R17215/45 R17225/45 R17235/45 R17245/45 R17225/40 R18225/45 R18235/40 R18235/45 R18245/40 R18and 24 more
EU label wet grip A85%B15% A96%B4%
EU label rolling resistance C79%D19%B3% C46%D38%B17%
EU label noise 69-73 dB B93%A7% 69-72 dB B51%A49%
On the market since 2021 2020
Replaced Dunlop SportMaxx RT (2014) Giti GitiSport S1 (2017)
Awards Winner: Ultra High Performance Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2021) -
Price in the shared tests The SportMaxx RT 2 was the dearer tyre in 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 7.7% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable.

Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.

Reading the results

Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.

This head-to-head pits the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 against the Giti GitiSportS2 in popular 18-inch summer fitments, drawing on five shared professional tests from 2023-2025. On paper, the Dunlop targets max-performance driving while the Giti aims at the value end of the UHP class. Across tests, the Dunlop generally finishes higher (e.g., 9/21 vs. 17/21 in Auto Bild 2025; 9/18 vs. 15/18 in ADAC 2025), signaling a more rounded performance package.

The pattern is consistent: Dunlop typically stops shorter on dry and wet roads, steers more precisely in the wet, and delivers markedly better mileage and value over time. The Giti counters with low rolling resistance, slightly lower fuel use, strong straight-line aquaplaning, and quieter pass-by noise-useful traits for relaxed motorway driving and efficiency-minded buyers.

Conclusion

If you prioritize safety margins and driver confidence, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 is the clearer choice. It dominates dry braking in every shared test and usually brakes and handles better in the wet, while also resisting curved aquaplaning well. Crucially, it offers substantially longer tread life (often 24-30% more) and better lifecycle value despite not being the cheapest at checkout.

The Giti GitiSportS2 suits drivers who value comfort, quietness, and efficiency on steady highway runs. It often leads straight aquaplaning, posts slightly lower fuel consumption and rolling resistance, and keeps noise down. However, its weaker wet grip and shorter mileage limit its all-round appeal. In sum: Dunlop for balanced performance and long-term value; Giti for quieter, thrifty cruising in moderate conditions.

SportMaxx RT 2 vs GitiSportS2: your questions

Is the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 or the Giti GitiSportS2 the better tyre?

In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 finished ahead 4 times and the GitiSportS2 once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the SportMaxx RT 2 scores 8.4 and the GitiSportS2 8 out of 10.

Which is better in the wet, the SportMaxx RT 2 or the GitiSportS2?

The SportMaxx RT 2 led 9 of the 15 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.6% shorter in the wet across 5 tests.

Which is better in the dry?

The SportMaxx RT 2 led 7 of the 7 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.4% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.

Which lasts longer and costs less to run?

The SportMaxx RT 2 lasted 27.2% longer in the wear tests (3 tests); the GitiSportS2 had 3% lower rolling resistance (2 tests). Owners rate wear 7.5/10 for the SportMaxx RT 2 and 8.4/10 for the GitiSportS2.

Which is quieter and more comfortable?

The GitiSportS2 was 1.1 dB quieter (3 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.9/10 for the SportMaxx RT 2 and 8/10 for the GitiSportS2.

What do owners say?

Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 reviews and the GitiSportS2 78% from 19. 63% of SportMaxx RT 2 owners would buy it again, against 72% for the GitiSportS2.

Which is more expensive?

In the 3 tests that listed prices, the SportMaxx RT 2 was the dearer tyre in 3 of them, by 7.7% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.

Are they available in the same sizes?

The SportMaxx RT 2 is made in 61 sizes (17 to 21 inch) and the GitiSportS2 in 64 (16 to 22 inch). 36 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the SportMaxx RT 2 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the GitiSportS2 A and C.

Which is the newer tyre?

The SportMaxx RT 2 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2021, the GitiSportS2 in 2020. The SportMaxx RT 2 replaced the Dunlop SportMaxx RT. The GitiSportS2 replaced the Giti GitiSport S1.

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Where this data comes from

Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.

About the TR Score

The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.

Who does the testing

Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.

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