2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test

Auto Bild Allrad tested nine summer tyres in size 255/45 R 19, a popular fitment for AWD SUVs such as the VW Tiguan, Audi Q3, Seat Tarraco, Tesla Model Y, and Volvo XC40. Wet and dry tests were carried out at the Goodyear test facility in Mireval, southern France, while off-road handling was assessed on the rally course at Drive Control in nearby Monteils. In addition to the standard wet and dry tests, the tyres were evaluated in off-road handling on gravel and traction tests on grass, gravel, and sand - which is an interesting choice given the high performance and summer nature of these products!

The Hankook Ventus evo, a brand-new product, took the overall win with the strongest wet performance in the field and dominant off-road traction on grass and gravel. Bridgestone's Potenza Sport Evo and the Vredestein Ultrac Pro tied for second, with the Bridgestone standing out for its dynamic handling on both dry tarmac and gravel, and the Vredestein offering the lowest rolling resistance and noise levels at a fair price. At the other end of the table, the Giti GitiSport S2+ finished last with notably weak wet performance - its wet braking distance was nearly ten meters longer than the Hankook's - earning only a "satisfactory" rating.

The off-road results are worth examining separately, because the tests behave quite differently from each other. The gravel handling course produced almost no useful separation - the spread from first to last is just 1.4 km/h across all nine tyres.

The traction tests tell a more interesting story. The Hankook is a clear outlier on grass, pulling roughly 30% more force than the next-best tyre, and it leads on gravel traction by a smaller but still notable margin. However, it drops to seventh on sand - and this pattern repeats across the field. Sand traction rankings are largely inverted compared to grass and gravel: the Falken leads on sand but finishes last on gravel traction, while the Hankook dominates grass and gravel but is weak on sand. 

For most buyers in this SUV segment, the wet and dry results will be far more relevant - the off-road traction tests produce some genuine differences, but the gravel handling test adds little to the overall picture. I'm sure it was a lot of fun to test though.

Dry

The Falken posted the shortest dry braking distance, narrowly ahead of the Hankook and Goodyear. The Toyo and Giti had the longest stopping distances, though the overall spread across all nine tyres is relatively tight.

The Bridgestone was clearly the fastest tyre on the dry handling course, pulling ahead of the Toyo in second by a comfortable margin. The Falken was slowest, which the testers attributed to delayed steering response and weak side guidance - a notable contrast to its braking strength.

Wet

The Hankook set the benchmark in wet braking, and the Giti was a distant last - the gap between them is nearly ten meters, which is a large spread for a single tyre size. The Falken and Vredestein were close behind the Hankook.

The Hankook also led wet handling, just ahead of the Bridgestone. The Giti again finished last, and the testers noted it starts sliding early in wet conditions. These two tests together highlight how far the Giti falls behind the leaders on a wet road.

The Bridgestone posted the fastest wet circle time, with the Hankook close behind. The Giti was slowest, consistent with its weak results across all the wet tests.

The Michelin had the highest aquaplaning float speed by a clear margin, making it the strongest performer in straight-line aquaplaning. The Goodyear was last - an unusual result for a tyre that performed well in the other wet tests.

In curved aquaplaning, the Toyo recorded the highest lateral grip, just ahead of the Hankook and Michelin. The Falken was weakest here, which adds to its mixed wet performance - strong in braking but limited in aquaplaning resistance.

Off road

The gravel handling course produced very little separation - just 1.4 km/h between the fastest and slowest tyres. At this level the differences are essentially negligible, and the ranking shouldn't carry much weight in a buying decision.

Gravel traction showed more meaningful differences. The Hankook led by a notable margin, followed by the Michelin and Kumho. The Falken was weakest on this surface.

Sand traction rankings are largely inverted compared to gravel - the Falken led here by a clear margin despite finishing last in gravel traction, while the Hankook dropped to seventh. This suggests the two surfaces reward fundamentally different tyre characteristics.

The Hankook was dominant on grass, pulling roughly 30% more force than the second-best tyre, the Bridgestone. The remaining seven tyres were clustered closely together, making the Hankook a significant outlier on this surface.

Comfort

The Vredestein was the quietest tyre at both test speeds, and the testers specifically called it out as the best in the field for noise. The Kumho was the loudest at 80 km/h. The spread is moderate - noticeable in back-to-back testing but unlikely to be dramatic in everyday driving.

Value

The Vredestein recorded the lowest rolling resistance, well ahead of the Goodyear in second. The Bridgestone was the least efficient, which combined with its high purchase price makes it the most expensive tyre to run overall despite its strong performance results.

Results

The Hankook Ventus evo takes the overall win on the strength of its wet and off-road performance, with the Bridgestone and Vredestein sharing second place - the Bridgestone for outright handling and the Vredestein for efficiency and balance. 

1^st

Hankook Ventus Evo

255/45 R19 104Y

• EU Label: C/A/71
• Price: 720.00

The Hankook Ventus evo is a brand-new tyre that takes the test win with the best wet performance in the field. It secured top positions in both wet handling and wet braking, and in the off-road traction tests it pulled away from the competition on grass and gravel by a significant margin. Dry handling and dry braking are both near the front of the group. The article identifies its main weakness as limited traction on sand. The testers highlight a good price-to-performance ratio.

Dry

98.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	32.8 M	32.5 M	+0.3 M	99.09%
Dry Handling	4th	104.4 Km/H	106.6 Km/H	-2.2 Km/H	97.94%

Wet

99.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	50.2 M			100%
Wet Handling	1st	89.1 Km/H			100%
Wet Circle	2nd	20.1 s	19.9 s	+0.2 s	99%
Straight Aqua	4th	88.7 Km/H	90.9 Km/H	-2.2 Km/H	97.58%
Curved Aquaplaning	2nd	2.54 m/sec2	2.56 m/sec2	-0.02 m/sec2	99.22%

Off road

94.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Gravel Handling	6th	63.3 Km/H	64.2 Km/H	-0.9 Km/H	98.6%
Gravel Traction	1st	11442 N			100%
Sand Traction	7th	8501 N	10718 N	-2217 N	79.32%
Grass Traction	1st	3729 N			100%

Comfort

94.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	70.6 dB	67 dB	+3.6 dB	94.9%

Value

84.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	7th	8.15 kg / t	6.92 kg / t	+1.23 kg / t	84.91%

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2^nd

Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo

255/45 R19 104Y

• EU Label: C/A/72
• Price: 930.00

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo shares second place and is described in the article as showing the most dynamic driving behavior of all candidates on the gravel course, where it posted the fastest time. It also recorded the fastest dry handling lap with direct steering response and agile behavior across all surfaces. In the wet, it sits just behind the Hankook in handling and delivers good lateral grip with safe side guidance. The testers note two drawbacks: it is the most expensive tyre in the test, and it recorded the highest rolling resistance.

Dry

99.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	33.1 M	32.5 M	+0.6 M	98.19%
Dry Handling	1st	106.6 Km/H			100%

Wet

97.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	52.3 M	50.2 M	+2.1 M	95.98%
Wet Handling	2nd	88.9 Km/H	89.1 Km/H	-0.2 Km/H	99.78%
Wet Circle	1st	19.9 s			100%
Straight Aqua	5th	87.2 Km/H	90.9 Km/H	-3.7 Km/H	95.93%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	2.4 m/sec2	2.56 m/sec2	-0.16 m/sec2	93.75%

Off road

87.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Gravel Handling	1st	64.2 Km/H			100%
Gravel Traction	7th	10199 N	11442 N	-1243 N	89.14%
Sand Traction	6th	8897 N	10718 N	-1821 N	83.01%
Grass Traction	2nd	2879 N	3729 N	-850 N	77.21%

Comfort

92.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	8th	72.4 dB	67 dB	+5.4 dB	92.54%

Value

80.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	9th	8.57 kg / t	6.92 kg / t	+1.65 kg / t	80.75%

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2^nd

Vredestein Ultrac Pro

255/45 R19 104Y

• EU Label: C/A/72
• Price: 720.00

The Vredestein Ultrac Pro also shares second place and is described by the testers as an all-rounder with balanced and safe handling characteristics. It recorded the lowest rolling resistance in the test and is identified in the article as the quietest tyre, with the lowest pass-by noise at both test speeds. Wet braking and handling results sit in the upper part of the field, and sand traction is third-best. The article notes its main shortcoming as limited traction on gravel. The testers consider the price fair.

Dry

97%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	33.4 M	32.5 M	+0.9 M	97.31%
Dry Handling	8th	103.1 Km/H	106.6 Km/H	-3.5 Km/H	96.72%

Wet

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	51.9 M	50.2 M	+1.7 M	96.72%
Wet Handling	4th	87 Km/H	89.1 Km/H	-2.1 Km/H	97.64%
Wet Circle	7th	20.8 s	19.9 s	+0.9 s	95.67%
Straight Aqua	3rd	89.3 Km/H	90.9 Km/H	-1.6 Km/H	98.24%
Curved Aquaplaning	4th	2.5 m/sec2	2.56 m/sec2	-0.06 m/sec2	97.66%

Off road

87.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Gravel Handling	4th	63.6 Km/H	64.2 Km/H	-0.6 Km/H	99.07%
Gravel Traction	8th	10003 N	11442 N	-1439 N	87.42%
Sand Traction	3rd	10147 N	10718 N	-571 N	94.67%
Grass Traction	8th	2548 N	3729 N	-1181 N	68.33%

Comfort

97%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	2nd	69.1 dB	67 dB	+2.1 dB	96.96%

Value

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	1st	6.92 kg / t			100%

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4^th

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

255/45 R19 104Y

• EU Label: B/A/70
• Price: 880.00

The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 finishes fourth and is described in the article as a gravel specialist with high safety margins across all test surfaces. It posted one of the shortest dry braking distances and low rolling resistance. In the wet handling test, the testers noted good dynamics and safe side guidance. On sand it delivered the second-highest traction. The article identifies its weakness as somewhat lower performance in straight-line aquaplaning, where it recorded the lowest float speed of all nine tyres.

Dry

98.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	32.9 M	32.5 M	+0.4 M	98.78%
Dry Handling	6th	103.9 Km/H	106.6 Km/H	-2.7 Km/H	97.47%

Wet

95.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	53.4 M	50.2 M	+3.2 M	94.01%
Wet Handling	3rd	87.8 Km/H	89.1 Km/H	-1.3 Km/H	98.54%
Wet Circle	3rd	20.4 s	19.9 s	+0.5 s	97.55%
Straight Aqua	9th	84.8 Km/H	90.9 Km/H	-6.1 Km/H	93.29%
Curved Aquaplaning	7th	2.36 m/sec2	2.56 m/sec2	-0.2 m/sec2	92.19%

Off road

91.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Gravel Handling	2nd	63.9 Km/H	64.2 Km/H	-0.3 Km/H	99.53%
Gravel Traction	4th	10610 N	11442 N	-832 N	92.73%
Sand Traction	2nd	10317 N	10718 N	-401 N	96.26%
Grass Traction	3rd	2864 N	3729 N	-865 N	76.8%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	67 dB			100%

Value

95.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	7.24 kg / t	6.92 kg / t	+0.32 kg / t	95.58%

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5^th

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV

255/45 R19 100V

• EU Label: D/A/72
• Price: 870.00

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV finishes fifth and is described as a wet-weather specialist with the largest aquaplaning reserves in the test, posting the highest straight-line float speed by a clear margin. Gravel traction is strong, second only to the Hankook, and the testers note a comfortable ride quality. Unlike all other candidates which carry a 104 Y rating, the Michelin is rated 100 V - meaning a lower load capacity and a maximum speed rating of 240 km/h. Dry and wet handling results are mid-pack.

Dry

96.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	34.1 M	32.5 M	+1.6 M	95.31%
Dry Handling	5th	104 Km/H	106.6 Km/H	-2.6 Km/H	97.56%

Wet

97.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	53 M	50.2 M	+2.8 M	94.72%
Wet Handling	5th	86.8 Km/H	89.1 Km/H	-2.3 Km/H	97.42%
Wet Circle	3rd	20.4 s	19.9 s	+0.5 s	97.55%
Straight Aqua	1st	90.9 Km/H			100%
Curved Aquaplaning	3rd	2.53 m/sec2	2.56 m/sec2	-0.03 m/sec2	98.83%

Off road

89.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Gravel Handling	5th	63.4 Km/H	64.2 Km/H	-0.8 Km/H	98.75%
Gravel Traction	2nd	10861 N	11442 N	-581 N	94.92%
Sand Traction	5th	9937 N	10718 N	-781 N	92.71%
Grass Traction	4th	2658 N	3729 N	-1071 N	71.28%

Comfort

93.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	6th	71.7 dB	67 dB	+4.7 dB	93.44%

Value

85.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	6th	8.07 kg / t	6.92 kg / t	+1.15 kg / t	85.75%

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6^th

Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72

255/45 R19 104Y

• EU Label: C/A/73
• Price: 610.00

The Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 finishes in a shared sixth place and is noted for a strong showing in the off-road tests combined with dynamic dry handling, posting the third-fastest time on the dry course. It is the cheapest tyre in the test. Gravel traction and gravel handling speed are both in the top three. The testers identify wet performance as its weakness, with results in wet handling and wet braking sitting in the lower half of the rankings.

Dry

96.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	34.4 M	32.5 M	+1.9 M	94.48%
Dry Handling	3rd	104.6 Km/H	106.6 Km/H	-2 Km/H	98.12%

Wet

94.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	54.4 M	50.2 M	+4.2 M	92.28%
Wet Handling	6th	86.5 Km/H	89.1 Km/H	-2.6 Km/H	97.08%
Wet Circle	7th	20.8 s	19.9 s	+0.9 s	95.67%
Straight Aqua	6th	87.1 Km/H	90.9 Km/H	-3.8 Km/H	95.82%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	2.4 m/sec2	2.56 m/sec2	-0.16 m/sec2	93.75%

Off road

89.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Gravel Handling	3rd	63.8 Km/H	64.2 Km/H	-0.4 Km/H	99.38%
Gravel Traction	3rd	10810 N	11442 N	-632 N	94.48%
Sand Traction	4th	10019 N	10718 N	-699 N	93.48%
Grass Traction	6th	2584 N	3729 N	-1145 N	69.29%

Comfort

91.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	9th	72.9 dB	67 dB	+5.9 dB	91.91%

Value

90.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	4th	7.62 kg / t	6.92 kg / t	+0.7 kg / t	90.81%

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6^th

Toyo Proxes Sport 2

255/45 R19 104Y

• EU Label: C/A/71
• Price: 680.00

The Toyo Proxes Sport 2 shares sixth place and is credited with good aquaplaning reserves - it posted the second-highest straight-line float speed and the highest lateral aquaplaning grip. On dry tarmac it recorded the second-fastest handling time, and the testers note good comfort levels. The article points to weaknesses in gravel handling, where the Toyo posted the slowest time, and in sand traction. Wet braking is also near the bottom of the field.

Dry

96.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	9th	34.6 M	32.5 M	+2.1 M	93.93%
Dry Handling	2nd	104.9 Km/H	106.6 Km/H	-1.7 Km/H	98.41%

Wet

96.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	55.4 M	50.2 M	+5.2 M	90.61%
Wet Handling	6th	86.5 Km/H	89.1 Km/H	-2.6 Km/H	97.08%
Wet Circle	5th	20.7 s	19.9 s	+0.8 s	96.14%
Straight Aqua	2nd	89.9 Km/H	90.9 Km/H	-1 Km/H	98.9%
Curved Aquaplaning	1st	2.56 m/sec2			100%

Off road

83.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Gravel Handling	9th	62.8 Km/H	64.2 Km/H	-1.4 Km/H	97.82%
Gravel Traction	6th	10387 N	11442 N	-1055 N	90.78%
Sand Traction	8th	8487 N	10718 N	-2231 N	79.18%
Grass Traction	9th	2514 N	3729 N	-1215 N	67.42%

Comfort

94.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	71 dB	67 dB	+4 dB	94.37%

Value

83.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	8th	8.25 kg / t	6.92 kg / t	+1.33 kg / t	83.88%

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8^th

Falken Azenis FK520

255/45 R19 104Y

• EU Label: C/A/70
• Price: 670.00

The Falken Azenis FK520 finishes eighth and is referred to in the article as the braking specialist of the test. It posted the shortest dry braking distance of all candidates and was also strong in wet braking. Sand traction was the best in the field, and rolling resistance is low. However, the testers describe delayed steering response and weak side guidance in dry handling, which dropped it to last place on the dry handling course. Gravel traction is also the weakest in the test.

Dry

98%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	32.5 M			100%
Dry Handling	9th	102.4 Km/H	106.6 Km/H	-4.2 Km/H	96.06%

Wet

94%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	51.3 M	50.2 M	+1.1 M	97.86%
Wet Handling	8th	86.4 Km/H	89.1 Km/H	-2.7 Km/H	96.97%
Wet Circle	5th	20.7 s	19.9 s	+0.8 s	96.14%
Straight Aqua	7th	85.4 Km/H	90.9 Km/H	-5.5 Km/H	93.95%
Curved Aquaplaning	9th	2.18 m/sec2	2.56 m/sec2	-0.38 m/sec2	85.16%

Off road

89.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Gravel Handling	7th	63.2 Km/H	64.2 Km/H	-1 Km/H	98.44%
Gravel Traction	9th	9935 N	11442 N	-1507 N	86.83%
Sand Traction	1st	10718 N			100%
Grass Traction	4th	2658 N	3729 N	-1071 N	71.28%

Comfort

94%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	5th	71.3 dB	67 dB	+4.3 dB	93.97%

Value

94.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	7.35 kg / t	6.92 kg / t	+0.43 kg / t	94.15%

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9^th

Giti GitiSport S2 plus

255/45 R19 104Y

• EU Label: B/A/72
• Price: 720.00

The Giti GitiSport S2+ finishes last in ninth place. The article describes it as a dry-road-focused tyre with decent traction on grass and gravel. However, the testers note that it starts sliding early in wet conditions, and its aquaplaning reserves are limited. This is reflected in its wet braking distance, which is nearly ten meters longer than the test winner, and the slowest wet handling speed. Sand traction is the lowest in the field.

Dry

95.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	34.5 M	32.5 M	+2 M	94.2%
Dry Handling	7th	103.6 Km/H	106.6 Km/H	-3 Km/H	97.19%

Wet

91.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	9th	60.1 M	50.2 M	+9.9 M	83.53%
Wet Handling	9th	83.8 Km/H	89.1 Km/H	-5.3 Km/H	94.05%
Wet Circle	9th	21.2 s	19.9 s	+1.3 s	93.87%
Straight Aqua	8th	85.3 Km/H	90.9 Km/H	-5.6 Km/H	93.84%
Curved Aquaplaning	8th	2.34 m/sec2	2.56 m/sec2	-0.22 m/sec2	91.41%

Off road

84.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Gravel Handling	8th	63 Km/H	64.2 Km/H	-1.2 Km/H	98.13%
Gravel Traction	5th	10606 N	11442 N	-836 N	92.69%
Sand Traction	9th	8296 N	10718 N	-2422 N	77.4%
Grass Traction	6th	2584 N	3729 N	-1145 N	69.29%

Comfort

93.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	6th	71.7 dB	67 dB	+4.7 dB	93.44%

Value

90.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	5th	7.68 kg / t	6.92 kg / t	+0.76 kg / t	90.1%

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