Positive - Excellent stability and steering response in the dry, good levels of grip in the wet with a neutral wet balance, best aquaplaning resistance on test, well priced.
Negative - Mid pack stopping distances, average comfort.
Negative - Relatively high fuel consumption, high wear.
Overall - The Maxxis Premitra 5 is a specialist on dry roads, with excellent grip and precise handling. It also performs well in the wet, with good handling and short braking distances. The negatives, it has high internal noise, high fuel consumption and poor wear.
Given 70%
while driving a
Suzuki Swift 1,2 2013
(195/55 R15 V) on
a combination of roads
for 1,500
average miles
Applied this Maxxis HP5 on my wife's Suzuki Swift for 6 weeks/2500KM. At the first week these HP5 surprised me very much, I can even drift the little Swift at 80Km/hr on corners without braking it and no tyre crying noise. However, after 1500 KM, I found loud ZZZ noise up the highway driving at over 80Km/hr. Other than bad noise comfort, I actually feel the grips on wet/dry are quite above average. Recommended only for racing enthusiastic people who do not mind the noise. Me I cannot stand it cause it really trigger my tinnitus.
195 - tyre reviewed on August 9, 2016
Given 89%
while driving a
Mercedes Benz C350 RWD
(255/35 R18) on
a combination of roads
for 8,000
spirited miles
Normally always run continental contact sport 5, but they wear out extremely fast. So decided to go for the hp5 after reading its excellent reviews and ratings for the wet. I always enjoy driving hard in the rain where its safe to do so. (yes i may be a nutter) but i enjoy good grip and traction while doing so. These tyres have mininal slide on full acceleration, can accelerate out of bends too without the car fishtailing but pushed hard enough there is good feedback from the tyre before it wants to fully let go into a drift per say. Very similar to the tyres i have ran before but abit more spongy when throwing the car around. But quality and grip for money, i have ran these tyres down to almost the bead but if driven sensibly i would assume near double the millage that i have done. I will be replacing these tyres with the same set they suit my driving stye and car very well and and cheap isnt the word compared to top tyre manufacturers tyres with almost the same drivability. If you are a spirited driver with a budget these are definitely the tyres to go for
Given 85%
while driving a
Mercedes Benz Vito
(225/55 R17 W) on
a combination of roads
for 5,000
average miles
Bought for a Vito to replace the old "van tyres". Night and dry difference, and now the Vito is quieter and much more comfortable. Massively cheaper than the other options, but no negatives compared against more expensive tyres that I've used. Too early to tell about the wear rates at the moment.
3 - tyre reviewed on December 5, 2020
Given 77%
while driving a
Honda Prelude
(205/50 R16 V) on
mostly country roads
for 11
spirited miles
I've had these tyres on my car for a year now and thought it would be a good time to give some feedback. Firstly, I'm surprised to see so many mixed reviews on the HP5. I bought them before going on a road trip across Europe and these tyres came highly recommended from my local tyre shop that I've always trusted.
I've found the HP5 to be an excellent tyre in all conditions, especially for the money. It's not the sportiest tyre in the world, so if you're looking to do track days or have a very aggressive driving style, then look elsewhere. But they do exactly what any good summer tyre is supposed to do. It's a safe tyre, that offers predictable handling characteristics in all types of weather, and excels in hot temperatures and even heavy downpours.
I've noticed many complaints about the wear on the HP5, but so long as you don't drive like a maniac they'll hold up just fine. I've done over 11,000 miles in the last 12 months across Europe, including autobahn driving with some very high speeds, and these tyres never felt at their limit. My local garage thinks there's plenty of driving still left in them so I'm happy with my purchase a year later. I've had company cars fitted with premium brands, such as Dunlop and Perelli in the past, and the Maxxis perform just as good for an excellent price. Will definitely buy again.
12 - tyre reviewed on May 31, 2020
Want the best tyre for real world driving? Watch this!
Given 24%
while driving a
Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5
(195/65 R17) on
mostly country roads
for 8,000
spirited miles
Without a doubt the worst tyres I’ve ever had. I usually run Avon’s but when they’ve been in short supply I’ve used unknown budget ones - I recently went from
Budget ones to these maxxis and they were notably much worse. Wet grip fairly problematic , handling poor but worst of all they did less than 10000 miles (9 months ) before running to cords.
Will never ever buy Maxxis again
17 - tyre reviewed on October 20, 2019
Given 76%
while driving a
Ford S Max
(245/45 R18 V) on
mostly country roads
for 8,000
spirited miles
Not at all bad tyres for the price. Paid £400 for 4 when I was in a pinch, been pleasantly surprised since. Can be pushed and are quite progressive. When they do let go it's nice and controllable. Traction is not so good, let go quite readily in 2nd and sometimes 3rd in the wet (remapped 170 bhp 450nm, 1.7 tonne people carrier - I'm sure on a smaller car they'd be better). Dry handling is good, wet is sure but not amazing. Wet braking however is pretty impressive. All in all a very good tyre the price. Seem to wearing quite well to boot!
7 - tyre reviewed on August 13, 2019
Given 27%
while driving a
Citroën DS5 2.0 Hdi
(235/45 R18 W) on
a combination of roads
for 12
average miles
Great for the first 6,000 miles or so, then it got cold... In anything less than 3 degrees ambient, they grip then slip - Most noticably on full lock. More so than I have ever noticed or seen with others, it's really weird. Almost completely worn at 12,500 miles on the front (front wheel drive), and the single one on the back is about half worn - Even on the back. Most disturbingly they have a lot of cracks in the tread, and the edges of the tread looks ragged and shredded in places. Fortunately it's now summer again so atleast they've gone away from being ditchfinders until I get a chance to replace them.
Always given regular air if they needed it, and not used any nasty chemicals whilst cleaning the wheels. Just not really the mid-range tyre they are advertised as unfortunately.
Paid £78 a corner on offer. Could be worse for a years' use I guess.
12 - tyre reviewed on April 26, 2019
Opel
(205/55 R16 V) on
mostly country roads
for 8,700
average miles
in the highway the tyre is perfect but, when you reach a bit damaged surface of the road you feel like you hit a stone. its very stiffnes in high speed.They have very nice hadling in the mid speed (usually they go with 40km, in 60km the car slip 100% and with this tyre i can reach 50km without problem and i can go more) and aggressive cornering. in 14.000 kilometers its about 50% wear at back tyres but i got camper on it.
11 - tyre reviewed on March 22, 2019
Given 43%
while driving a
SEAT Leon 2.0 TFSI
(225/45 R17 W) on
a combination of roads
for 2,000
average miles
Good grip in the dry, but not great grip in the wet. They are not ditchfinders like some budget tyres in the fact that they won't throw you off the road a the sight of a wet roundabout, but they still spin up easily or make the car understeer when moderately provoked. My other car is fitted with Goodyear Eagle f1 Assymetric 3's which are leagues better.
6 - tyre reviewed on December 1, 2018
Given 60%
while driving a
Ford Mondeo TDCI
(205/55 R16 R) on
a combination of roads
for 2,500
average miles
Mondeo front tyres bought 30/05/2018 will last approx.3000 miles . Very dissapointing
18 - tyre reviewed on October 30, 2018
Given 73%
while driving a
Mazda 3 Skyactiv 2012
(205/60 R16 V) on
a combination of roads
for 20,000
spirited miles
Maxxis HP5 is good in the wet. I suppose it can be used for 40000~45000km.
It's a high cost/performance tire.
2 - tyre reviewed on October 9, 2018
Given 71%
while driving a
Vauxhall Vectra
(225/45 R17) on
a combination of roads
for 9,500
average miles
Bought these at a £60 a corner, which at this size (215/55R16) is a bargain price.
Pros & neutral: The tyres grip very nicely, whether in dry or wet. Handling, while not as good as straight braking, is good and sure. Noise is on par with than any other tyre I remember (and I used mostly premium tyres so far), comfort is fine. Road feedback is fine, as well as progressiveness (for most of their life), and they were quite resistant to aquaplanning. One thing worth mentioning is they bring about a little steering numbness on straight when driving at speed - but that can be an advantage on a motorway, depending how you look at it. I have to say they are better and cheaper than the Avon ZV7s I had before.
Cons: The wear and how they behave at the end of their life.
I've been driving my car, a Vectra diesel, for the last 9 years and from that I know that, with its big lump and torque, it EATS tyres on the front axle like there is no tomorrow. However, after 9500 miles one of the tyres is at the wear mark, which, even taking into account the above, is poor.
The other issue is that upon reaching 2mm thread depth these tyres started losing grip on handling (but not braking) at the slightest sign of dampness. With ease, without warning and any progression, which makes them downright dangerous.
So, to sum it up: good tyres, unexpectedly enjoyable to drive, but wear fast and once 80% worn, they suddenly become terrible, so best if changed early. Whether I would buy again or not depends on whether I could find them at the price I got them last year.
4 - tyre reviewed on June 7, 2018
Given 78%
while driving a
Saab Automobile 2.0T (210bhp)
(215/55 R16 W) on
a combination of roads
for 20
average miles
David Burford of Saabtech recommended these tyres to me. My Saab 95 had recently passed its MOT, but I got it in my head to change the Michelin Primacy on the rear and Dunlop Sport Bluresponse on the front. I read the reviews on the Maxxis HP5 manufactured by the 9th biggest tyre company in the world, China's Cheng Shin Tyre Company. With reference to whether the wear of the tyre justifies the cost, my review is this: new budget tyres are much better than worn premium tyres. I won't comment on the highly subjective personal ratings, but point out this tyre is A rated for wet grip, C rated for fuel economy, and certified 70db for noise. Saabtech fit the tyre, balanced and disposal of the old tyre for 55 pounds a corner. Well worth it, I'd say.
13 - tyre reviewed on May 27, 2018
Given 63%
while driving a
Volvo C30 1.8
(205/50 R17 V) on
mostly motorways
for 6,000
easy going miles
After dubbing a lot between these tyres or Vredestein Ultrac Satin, I chose the Maxxis. Reviews I read were pretty fine, good grip in wet and dry, a little bit higher wear, but a little bit ain't that bad at a price of €62 each, compared to €85 for Vredestein.
Today, after about 10,000kms I thought it was a good idea to check the wear. They've been on the rear axle all the time, so wear shouldn't be too bad. After all, I had Vredestein Sportrac5 before for 46,000km and they're still going strong at the front axle with another 30,000kms done (76,000 in total!). These have to be replaced now, so a good moment to check whether Maxxis is doing well.
Immediately upon checking the wear it seemed my tyre pressure must have been too low. 1.5mm wear at the sides, 0.5 in the middle. But I checked, 2.5bar, as I always had before, and what Volvo advices. I set them to 3bars, but I don't think it will be comfortable..
So.. 1.5mm in 10,000km.. = 6mm in just 40,000km, and they have to be replaced... Just 40,000km on the rear axle.. that's bad. If my former Vredestein would've been on the rear all the time, they might have hit 100,000km.. and the price of Maxxis is certainly not more than half of Vredestein..
Grip in wet and dry is fine. They're pretty noisy, also a bad thing.
I won't buy these tyres again, they wear out far too fast.