SUV and 4x4 Summer Max Performance Tyres

This review is intended to be a comparison of the same tyre on different cars, having experienced a full set of PS4 SUV with my previous Q5 from start to end. In this case, I progressively installed a front pair (due to a front puncture of the OE tyres), then a rear pair (due to wear of the OE tyres) on my Q4 e-tron which I have had for about 2 years. So this is for anyone cross-referencing the same tyre but who would like to find out the difference between a regular car and an EV.

Usually, SUVs come with regular tyres, some sporty but most of them are SUV-fitted tyres. My previous full set of PS4 SUV on the Q5 was preceded by the OE, then Latitude Sport. I found the improvement from one to the other very good, and never once was fuel consumption questioned because the figures were similar.

However, this time, I have progressively installed summer performance SUV tyres on my EV over the original EV-specific tyres (Turanza Eco). As Jon has highlighted before, the half-half setup of front performance and rear EV-specific tyres gave rise to a fun (but technically less safe) oversteering car which did not impact the energy consumption too much. I was getting about 6.4km/kWh for the first 10000km with full EV tyres, then about 5.9-6.1km/kWh for about 20000km on the mixed setup, which has gone down to 5.5-5.7km/kWh on the full PS4 SUV setup.

Apart from the figures, I feel that my Q4 e-tron is not rolling as efficiently as before as the tyres just feel a bit heavier. I'm jabbing at the accelerator fractionally longer, and not getting the same about of regeneration. Numerically, going from 6.4 down to 5.7 is not a great deal (just 10%), it does bother me as a numbers person. Over time, my decision to prioritise a higher performing tyre is going to cost me a bit more in the wallet. However, it also took a little bit of fun away from getting good consumption numbers to which I will have to get used to during the life of this tyre, which I expect to last at least 35000km. So far the fronts have eked out 20000km and the tread is still looking good, while the new rears have done less than 1000km.

At the speeds I'm allowed to drive, which is less than 100km/h, with frequent tropical rain, I don't think that my car really needs the full PS4 performance, and I'm thinking of switching to the PS5 Energy when the time is up for this set. I mean, it still feels great on the road, the grip is fantastic, and the braking is really stable and straight, but I'm not sure they are a good match for an EV.

Overall, these are great tyres. If consumption or rolling resistance is not your priority, they are still suitable for EVs. However, if you are an EV driver and want to save on costs and can give up a bit of grip for an EV-specific tyre which will perform almost similarly, you will be rewarded with exactly that.

General Performance & Longevity
Mileage & Age: Purchased in September 2021, production date 0521. Currently at 95,000 km.
Driving Style: Mostly gentle driving, with occasional hard acceleration when necessary.
Dry/Wet: Surprisingly good grip in the rain; not prone to hydroplaning.
Comfort: Noise and comfort levels are acceptable/average.

️ Winter Performance (Latitude 40°N)
Conditions: Average winter temp of -7°C.
Traction: As expected for non-winter tires, they struggle significantly on snow ("sliding for sure").
Braking: Noticeable increase in braking distance in cold weather. I actually had a minor rear-end collision due to extended braking distance, costing me $50 in damages.

️ Durability & Weaknesses
Sidewall: The sidewalls are quite soft. This is the tire's biggest weakness.
Damage: I have scrapped 2 tires due to curb rash. One had exposed cords, and the other had a direct puncture in the sidewall.
Aging: The tread is now showing fine cracks (or weather cracks), likely accelerated by the freezing winter temperatures.

Verdict
After 5 years, they are definitely due for replacement. While the longevity is impressive, the soft sidewalls and lack of cold-weather braking safety are significant downsides.
Maybe I should repace a all season tyre.

My Lexus RX 450H+ came with Dunlop SP Sport Max fitted from new and the fronts have lasted a little over 18,000 miles getting to the wear indicator, the rears having around 5mm tread left but one of the rears had a bubble on the inner sidewall hence, the decision to change all 4 with Michelin offering £100 cash back making them good value compared to Bridgestone and Dunlop. Not many other brands offering this Tyre size from stock.

The Dunlop's never felt sure footed in the wet, they weren't bad but neither were they good however, in colder wet conditions the front would lose grip quite easily and living in the UK, these are very often the conditions we find ourselves in.

The Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres immediately sound a little quieter which is a nice surprise but the main advantage being the front end has more authority, turn in is a little sharper and there is a smidge better feel through the steering wheel.

Wet grip is vastly improved over the Dunlop's, accelerating from rest in damp conditions results in front end traction that the Dunlop couldn't handle unless being easier with throttle input.

In all, while I can't yet provide any feedback on longevity, I am much happier with the Michelin's.

Replacing Pirelli Scorpions, the Michelins are a definite step up. In the dry the steering is far more precise, grip levels high and behavior at the limit clean and benign. Stopping distances are commendably short with excellent stability. If anything they are even more impressive in the wet with exceptionally strong lateral grip and progressive behavior at the limit. They are very resistant to
aquaplaning on flooded motorways. Road noise and rolling comfort are good but not exceptional. As I use extreme winter tyres
for half the year I have no idea how they would fare in snow or ice although they show commendably good behavior in low
temperatures unlike some summer tyres. So far they are wearing well. For on road use in above freezing conditions I strongly
recommend these tyres as being worth the high price and would happily buy again.

It’s a good sport tyres given by Lexus from the factory, as there aren’t much options in this tyre specs anyway. Grip wise, it should have enough grip to be confident in lots of corners, though there were times where I lost traction shortly when flooring the car real hard on sealed road. Any speeds more than 100km/h will bring noises into the cabin (given ugly back roads in Australia), but otherwise a comfortable ride most of the time. On windy roads, plenty of traction but the car was a boat, can’t do much spirited driving anyway. Looking to try Touring tyres next such as Advan dB or Geolandar X CV before coming back to PS4 again.

A tire that inspires great confidence on dry roads, with good durability. Excellent for SUVs. I've had Continentals before, but I prefer Michelin. I've been using them for 20 years on my X3, X5, and Q5.

Touareg almost 2.5 ton of weight. 70% city , 30% highway driving. Lasted almost 80,000 km. Still getting 4 mm of life but the tires started to peeling off, picture for reference. The car is good condition on the suspension and tires services

This is a great tyre, it makes my car (Mazda CX-5) a pleasure to drive, unlike the manufacturer fitted tyres it had. They excel on a twisty country road.
This tyres saved my life in an iminent crash situation, the tyres were new at that time, and the braking distance was unbelievable short from 67 km/h while keeping the car maneuverable.