The German magazine Auto Bild has tested and compared 10 tyres in the 215/60 R17 size for compact SUVs and crossovers. The results show a very high level of performances except for one tyre, which is not recommended.
A wide range of tyres tested
For this comparison test, not as large-scale as its recent summer tyre test in the size 205/55 R16 size, where 53 tyres were put on the stand, Auto Bild selected 10 summer tyres from different brands for SUVs and crossovers. The selected products vary greatly, with test regulars but also an entry level tyre such as Imperial, a brand from the Belgian wholesaler Deldo, manufactured in China.
- BF Goodrich Advantage SUV
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Continental PremiumContact 6
- Falken Ziex ZE 310 Ecorun
- Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV
- Imperial EcoSport SUV
- Maxxis Premitra 5 HP5
- Michelin Primacy 4
- Nokian Wetproof SUV
- Toyo Proxes Comfort
The test was carried out using a Jeep Renegade but the selected size is also suitable for compact SUVs and crossovers such as the Opel Mokka, Audi Q3, BMW X3, Mercedes GLA, Nissan Qashqai, X-Trail and many more. This comparison test focuses on three test categories: dry roads, wet roads and off-road.
Cheap SUV summer tyre test: Auto Bild’s opinion
Auto Bild say that they have a negative perception of tyres made in China. But the German magazine also admits that entry level brands are starting to close the gap with the others. With an increasingly growing tyre offer, it is better to test to make sure that a product, which is much cheaper than the others, is safe.
The Imperial EcoSport SUV is by no means dangerous, as was the case with certain cheap tyres in the past. It even has a good resistance to aquaplaning at half the price of the premium tyres. However, it obtains the “not recommended” rating due to its weak performances in wet conditions particularly when cornering and braking.
As consumers, you do not always have the possibility to test tyres before buying them. Yet, in this specific case, the European tyre performance label can be a good guide. Indeed, the Imperial EcoSport SUV tyre has a C-rating for wet grip whereas the 9 other summer tyres tested all score an A-rating for this category.
The Toyo Proxes Comfort, BF Goodrich Advantage and Maxxis Premitra 5 HP5 deliver safe performances, again with a good resistance to aquaplaning and high ride comfort.
These SUV summer tyres obtain the “satisfactory” rating but cannot hope for more due to their slight tendency to understeer in the wet and a slow steering response. The Maxxis Premitra 5 HP5 stands out with its short braking distances in dry conditions and its very attractive price.
High performance and balanced SUV summer tyres
With its stable and safe handling in wet conditions and short braking distances, the Falken Ziex ZE 310 offers a good performance balance which allows it to obtain the “good” rating. It also has a good aquaplaning resistance, but only delivers average traction on earth and mud.
Despite a slightly slow steering response, the Nokian Wetproof SUV summer tyre obtains very good braking results whether in dry or wet conditions. It also delivers good performance on grass and gravel, at the expense of a slightly high rolling resistance.
The Continental PremiumContact 6 provides a balanced performance with very good handling on all surfaces. Precise steering, it is amongst the best SUV summer tyres on wet surfaces but struggles a bit off-road, especially on grass and gravel.
This is also the case for the Bridgestone Turanza T005 which is the best tyre in dry conditions with dynamic handling which can also be felt in wet conditions allowing it to obtain the “exemplary” rating. Although it has a relatively high price, it compensates with a low rolling resistance.
Also quite expensive, but economical, the Michelin Primacy 4 gets the “exemplary” too, thanks to a very good balance with no real weaknesses apart from on sand, perhaps. However, it is a top performer on dry and wet tracks with precise handling and short braking distances.
According to Auto Bild, the best 2021 summer SUV tyre is the Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV. Exemplary on all surfaces, it delivers sporty and dynamic handling in dry conditions and precise steering. Capable of short wet and dry braking distances, it also has a low rolling resistance.
| Auto Bild Top 5 best SUV summer tyres for 2021 | + | – |
| 1 – Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV | Balanced, sporty handling and safe | |
| 2 – Michelin Primacy 4 | Balanced, braking, handling | Price |
| 3 – Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Best on dry roads, fuel consumption | Grass and gravel, price |
| 4 – Continental PremiumContact 6 | Best on wet roads | Grass and gravel |
| 5 – Nokian Wetproof SUV | Braking, grass and gravel | Fuel consumption |
