2019 Auto Express SUV Tyre Test

For the 2019 Auto Express summer tyre test, the UK based magazine have tested eight SUV tyres in the popular 235/50 R18 size.

As always, we'll leave the Auto Express website to go into all the detail, and just make a brief summary below.

The Test of Surprises

The biggest surprise result from the test was... everything! Nokian and Falken took first and second place respectively with the new Nokian PowerProof, and the Falken FK510. Both tyres proved to have a balanced blend of performances, with no major weakness in any area.

Third place was joint awarded to the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 and the older cousin, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT2 SUV, while the usual test winning Continental Premium Contact 6 could only manage fifth place overall, struggling with wet grip.

The Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 SUV seemed to have issues with dry grip, relegating it to sixth, and the final premium brand, Michelin, struggled in the wet, tying last with Cooper.

Is this a turning point for the Falken and Nokian brands, or is this just an oddity of the SUV size and VW Tiguan test vehicle? As this is the last of the major summer tyre tests for 2019, 2020 will certainly be an interesting year for tyre testing!

Results

1^st

Nokian PowerProof

235/50 R18

• 3PMSF: no

A deserved win due to a balanced performance in the key wet and dry tests.

Total: 100

Overall 100

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2^nd

Falken FK510 SUV

235/50 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Impressive all round performance, with good steering feel. Slightly high fuel use.

Total: 99.8

Overall 99.8

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3^rd

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

235/50 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Like the Falken, good in the dry and wet but slightly higher fuel use than best on test.

Total: 99.5

Overall 99.5

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3^rd

Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV

235/50 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Not as sharp as the Continental or Goodyear, but still a great all round tyre.

Total: 99.5

Overall 99.5

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5^th

Continental Premium Contact 6

235/50 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Lowest fuel use, but average wet grip.

Total: 99.1

Overall 99.1

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6^th

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 SUV

235/50 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Low noise and good in the wet, the dry grip could do with improving.

Total: 99

Overall 99

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7^th

Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport

235/50 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Poor in the wet and highest fuel consumption on test.

Total: 98.3

Overall 98.3

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7^th

Michelin Primacy 4

235/50 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Low fuel use, but low wet grip.

Total: 98.3

Overall 98.3

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £220.99 Results Table Test Charts