Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Nokian Powerproof 1
- TR Score
- 8.4/10
- Owners say
- 77% · 94
- TR Score
- 8.4/10
- Owners say
- 86% · 4
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 finished ahead 2 times and the Powerproof 1 once. The SportMaxx RT 2 held 15.4% more grip in curved aquaplaning; the Powerproof 1 stopped 2.3% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 is the safer buy: it finished ahead in both full tests and wins every aquaplaning measurement. Choose the Nokian Powerproof 1 if wet braking distance and running cost matter more to you than standing-water security, but note how little owner experience is behind it so far.
Where the SportMaxx RT 2 is stronger
- Finished ahead in both full tests, 9th of 21 against 17th and 9th of 18 against 14th
- Better aquaplaning resistance in all four measurements, by 21.5 percent at Auto Bild
- Longer life at Auto Bild, 39,590km against 31,820km, and rated more comfortable
Where the Powerproof 1 is stronger
- Shorter wet braking in both tests that measured it
- Far less abrasion at ADAC, 67.7 against 91mg/km/t, and 19.5 percent cheaper per 1000km there
- Quieter in both noise measurements and lower rolling resistance
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 Powerproof 1 at a glance
| Category | SportMaxx RT 2 | Gap | Powerproof 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won3 shared tests | 2 | 1 | |
| Dry4 measurements | 2 | Level between the two. | 2 |
| Wet10 measurements | 6 | The SportMaxx RT 2 held 15.4% more grip in curved aquaplaning (2 tests) | 3 |
| Comfort3 measurements | 1 | The Powerproof 1 was 0.7 dB quieter (2 tests) | 2 |
| Value5 measurements | 1 | 4 | |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.4/10 | Level | 8.4/10 |
| Owner rating94 and 4 reviews | 77% | The Powerproof 1 by 9 points | 86% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | +21.8% | The SportMaxx RT 2 was dearer in 2 of 2 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 61 | 32 sizes made in both | 54 |
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 3 tests in 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 | Powerproof 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | P9 of 20 | P17 of 20 | |
| 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | P9 of 18 | P14 of 18 | |
| 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout | P19 of 52 | P13 of 52 |
Performance profile
6 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
SportMaxx RT 2
Powerproof 1
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 97%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 8 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
SportMaxx RT 2
Powerproof 1
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
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.
Where owners rate each higher
SportMaxx RT 2
Not ahead in any category
Powerproof 1
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 reviews and the Powerproof 1 86% from 4. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
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 | Powerproof 1 | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35.9 | 0.3% | 35.8 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 118.2 | 0.9% | 117.1 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 37.37 | 2.3% | 36.47 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 38.1 | 2.3% | 39 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 71.7 | 0.1% | 71.8 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 14.98 | 0.1% | 14.99 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 81.15 | 1.7% | 79.8 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 3.48 | 15.4% | 3.02 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 16.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 73.2 | 0.7 dB | 72.55 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 40,645 | 11.3% | 37,160 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 9.41 | 5.1% | 8.93 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 5.6 | 1.8% | 5.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 91 | 25.6% | 67.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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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 Powerproof 1 8.4 out of 10.
| SportMaxx RT 2 | Category | Powerproof 1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Dry | 74 | ||
| 83 | Wet | 78 | ||
| 33 | Comfort | 52 | ||
| 37 | Value | 43 | ||
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
| SportMaxx RT 2 | Category | Powerproof 1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.8 | Wet Grip | 9.3 | ||
| 7.7 | Road Feedback | 8.5 | ||
| 7.6 | Handling | 8.5 | ||
| 7.5 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 7.9 | Comfort | 8.8 | ||
Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 reviews and the Powerproof 1 86% from 4. 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.
All 94 SportMaxx RT 2 reviewsI'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.
Nokian Powerproof 1
- 86%from 4 reviews
- 47,641 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 Powerproof 1 reviewsBought them because of the price, 70 euro/tyre size 225/50/17. Mine are made in china, idk if this is a disadvantage or is a lower quality than the ones that are made in other country.
Personally, pretty good tyres overall, good grip in both dry and wet conditions and good stability. Tyres are a little noisy, but it's not that bad. Not that confortable as expected, but very decent for their price.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 61 sizes of the SportMaxx RT 2 and 54 of the Powerproof 1, 32 of them made in both.
| Category | SportMaxx RT 2 | Powerproof 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 61 sizes, 17 to 21 inch | 54 sizes, 17 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 32 sizes 205/45 R17205/50 R17215/40 R17215/45 R17225/45 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17235/45 R17235/55 R17225/40 R18225/45 R18235/40 R18and 20 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A85%B15% | A100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C79%D19%B3% | C80%B20% |
| EU label noise | 69-73 dB B93%A7% | 69-73 dB B74%A26% |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2023 |
| Replaced | Dunlop SportMaxx RT (2014) | Nokian PowerProof (2018) |
| 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 2 of the 2 tests that listed prices, by 21.8% 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.
Three shared tests, all from 2025, and they split two to one in favour of the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2. It finished 9th of 21 at Auto Bild against the Nokian Powerproof 1's 17th and 9th of 18 at ADAC against 14th, while the Nokian took Auto Bild's braking-only shootout, 13th of 52 against 19th.
That braking result is not a fluke. The Nokian stopped shorter in the wet in both tests that measured it, 47.5m against 49.1m at Auto Bild and 30.4m against 31.5m in the shootout, and shorter in the dry in two of three.
The Dunlop's territory is standing water and comfort. It resisted aquaplaning better in both straight runs and both curved runs, by 21.5 percent at Auto Bild, 3.45 against 2.84 m/sec2, and Auto Bild's panel rated it more comfortable, 5 points against 4.3.
Conclusion
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 is the better tyre overall on the evidence available. It finished ahead in both full tests, 9th of 21 against 17th at Auto Bild and 9th of 18 against 14th at ADAC, and it swept aquaplaning, winning both straight runs and both curved runs, most clearly at Auto Bild with 3.45 against 2.84 m/sec2. It also lasted longer at Auto Bild, 39,590km against 31,820km, was judged more comfortable, 5 points against 4.3, and stopped shorter on wet concrete at ADAC, 38.1m against 39m.
The Nokian Powerproof 1 is the better brake in normal conditions and the cheaper tyre to run at ADAC. It stopped shorter in the wet in both measurements, by 3.5 percent in Auto Bild's shootout, and in the dry in two of three. It abraded far less at ADAC, 67.7 against 91mg/km/t, which made it 19.5 percent cheaper per 1000km there, 2.35 against 2.92, and it rolled with less resistance and was quieter in both noise measurements.
Two things to weigh. The wear picture is not settled: the Dunlop lasted 24.4 percent longer at Auto Bild while ADAC measured them level, 42,500km against 41,700km. And the Nokian has only 2 owner reviews on the site against 86 for the Dunlop, so there is far less real-world experience behind it. On placings and aquaplaning the Dunlop is the safer choice; the Nokian earns its keep if wet braking distance and running cost lead your list.
SportMaxx RT 2 vs Powerproof 1: your questions
Is the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 or the Nokian Powerproof 1 the better tyre?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 finished ahead 2 times and the Powerproof 1 once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the SportMaxx RT 2 scores 8.4 and the Powerproof 1 8.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the SportMaxx RT 2 or the Powerproof 1?
The SportMaxx RT 2 led 6 of the 10 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 15.4% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
Across the shared tests the dry measurements are split 2-2 between the SportMaxx RT 2 and the Powerproof 1.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Powerproof 1 was 0.7 dB quieter (2 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.9/10 for the SportMaxx RT 2 and 8.8/10 for the Powerproof 1.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 reviews and the Powerproof 1 86% from 4.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the SportMaxx RT 2 was the dearer tyre in 2 of them, by 21.8% 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 Powerproof 1 in 54 (17 to 20 inch). 32 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 Powerproof 1 A and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The Powerproof 1 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2023, the SportMaxx RT 2 in 2021. The SportMaxx RT 2 replaced the Dunlop SportMaxx RT. The Powerproof 1 replaced the Nokian PowerProof.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
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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