2023 Best SUV Tires Tested

Sadly Tire Reviews isn't performing an SUV summer tire test this year, but luckily the German publication AutoBild once again have us covered if you want to know what the best tire is for your SUV!

This year AutoBild tested twelve SUV tires for the crossover SUV segment in the 225/65 R17 tire size.

As usual, all the tires were tested in the dry and wet, and had their rolling resistance and noise / comfort levels graded, but as this category of tire is also intended for some "light off-roading" they tested the twelve SUV tires in mud, sand, dirt and even on wet grass! This means this really is the best test this year you show you what the best tire is for your SUV!

There's a LOT of data from this test, so we won't preface anymore - This is how the best twelve SUV tires fared in the dry, wet, gravel, mud, dirt and sand!

Wet

Wet braking was led by the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV. The Michelin looks a little out of place in this test, the Pilot Sport 4 SUV is an ultra high performance summer tire, and all the other tires in the test are more touring / comfort bias tires. Perhaps the Michelin Primacy 4 would have been a better match for the test, but this does give us an excellent insight into the differences between the two categories of tires.

It should come as no surprise that the Aplus A919 in last place was the cheapest tire on test, but it might be a surprise that the Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport also struggled to stop the car.

The Michelin was also the fastest around the wet handling lap, beating the new Bridgestone Turanza 6.

The Michelin also had the best straight aquaplaning resistance, significantly ahead of all the tires bar the Uniroyal RainSport 5, which usually wins the deep water tests!

Dry

The Pirelli Cinturato P7 managed to beat the Michelin to be best in dry braking, with the Aplus once again trailing the field buy a significant margin.

The more comfort bias Pirelli couldn't hold off the more sporty Michelin during the dry handling test.

Off Road

The dirt handling course was led by Pirelli, with the new Hankook Ventus Prime 4 a close second! 

The next three data points are gravel, sand and mud traction tests, measured as a pulling force. It's important to note that offroad testing is some of the hardest testing in the world, none more so than mud, so worry less about the precise order and more about general trends.

These general trends are that the budget Aplus might not be able to grip on wet roads, but is great on wet grass and in mud but not sand. The General Grabber GT Plus was best in sand but poor on grass... it seems even general trends are difficult with offroad testing!

Environment

External noise is a much easier test, and the Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV proved to be the quietest tire of the group by a huge margin!

The new Bridgestone Turanza 6 continued Bridgestones excellent performance in the rolling resistance tests, leading the Hankook and Uniroyal.

The Aplus was the cheapest tire on test, but this time the Michelin wasn't the most expensive tire of the group, it was the joint most expensive with Goodyear!

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
225/65 R17 106V EU Label: C/A/72	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 35.2 M 34.6 M +0.6 M 98.3% Dry Handling 1st 103.3 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 1st 49.9 M 100% Wet Handling 1st 86.8 Km/H 100% Wet Circle 1st 14.41 s 100% Straight Aqua 1st 95.9 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 2.95 m/sec2 100% Gravel Traction 1st 8265 N 100% Dirt Handling 7th 66 Km/H 66.6 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.1% Sand Traction 10th 7744 N 8886 N -1142 N 87.15% Grass Traction 5th 2474 N 2924 N -450 N 84.61% Mud Traction 3rd 3022 N 3261 N -239 N 92.67% Noise 3rd 68.9 dB 67.3 dB +1.6 dB 97.68% Price 11th 610 300 +310 49.18% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.44 kg / t 7.42 kg / t +1.02 kg / t 87.91% Test winner with top driving characteristics on wet and dry roads, exemplary safety reserves in aquaplaning, precise steering behavior, good off-road capability, good comfort. None mentioned. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £135.99
2nd: Bridgestone Turanza 6
225/65 R17 102H EU Label: B/A/69	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 36.6 M 34.6 M +2 M 94.54% Dry Handling 3rd 102.4 Km/H 103.3 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.13% Wet Braking 6th 53 M 49.9 M +3.1 M 94.15% Wet Handling 2nd 86.4 Km/H 86.8 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.54% Wet Circle 3rd 14.58 s 14.41 s +0.17 s 98.83% Straight Aqua 6th 89 Km/H 95.9 Km/H -6.9 Km/H 92.81% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.76 m/sec2 2.95 m/sec2 -0.19 m/sec2 93.56% Gravel Traction 2nd 8254 N 8265 N -11 N 99.87% Dirt Handling 9th 65.7 Km/H 66.6 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.65% Sand Traction 4th 8346 N 8886 N -540 N 93.92% Grass Traction 12th 2289 N 2924 N -635 N 78.28% Mud Traction 4th 2930 N 3261 N -331 N 89.85% Noise 7th 69.4 dB 67.3 dB +2.1 dB 96.97% Price 9th 570 300 +270 52.63% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.42 kg / t 100% A new tire with well-balanced performance potential, top performance on wet and dry roads, good off-road qualities, safe aquaplaning properties, fuel-saving rolling resistance. None mentioned. Exemplary. Read Reviews
3rd: Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
225/65 R17 106H EU Label: C/A/69	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 36.2 M 34.6 M +1.6 M 95.58% Dry Handling 8th 100.4 Km/H 103.3 Km/H -2.9 Km/H 97.19% Wet Braking 5th 52.9 M 49.9 M +3 M 94.33% Wet Handling 8th 84.8 Km/H 86.8 Km/H -2 Km/H 97.7% Wet Circle 11th 15.01 s 14.41 s +0.6 s 96% Straight Aqua 3rd 91 Km/H 95.9 Km/H -4.9 Km/H 94.89% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 2.88 m/sec2 2.95 m/sec2 -0.07 m/sec2 97.63% Gravel Traction 4th 8140 N 8265 N -125 N 98.49% Dirt Handling 3rd 66.4 Km/H 66.6 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.7% Sand Traction 2nd 8422 N 8886 N -464 N 94.78% Grass Traction 7th 2444 N 2924 N -480 N 83.58% Mud Traction 7th 2870 N 3261 N -391 N 88.01% Noise 8th 69.6 dB 67.3 dB +2.3 dB 96.7% Price 5th 465 300 +165 64.52% Rolling Resistance 10th 8.59 kg / t 7.42 kg / t +1.17 kg / t 86.38% Good off-road qualities, dynamic off-road handling, good aquaplaning reserves, safe dry handling, short wet braking distances. Average wet cornering grip. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £121.66
4th: Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV
225/65 R17 106V EU Label: C/A/71	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 36.5 M 34.6 M +1.9 M 94.79% Dry Handling 6th 100.5 Km/H 103.3 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 97.29% Wet Braking 2nd 52.1 M 49.9 M +2.2 M 95.78% Wet Handling 6th 85.2 Km/H 86.8 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.16% Wet Circle 6th 14.74 s 14.41 s +0.33 s 97.76% Straight Aqua 5th 90.2 Km/H 95.9 Km/H -5.7 Km/H 94.06% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 2.83 m/sec2 2.95 m/sec2 -0.12 m/sec2 95.93% Gravel Traction 7th 7871 N 8265 N -394 N 95.23% Dirt Handling 6th 66.1 Km/H 66.6 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.25% Sand Traction 6th 8102 N 8886 N -784 N 91.18% Grass Traction 4th 2505 N 2924 N -419 N 85.67% Mud Traction 4th 2930 N 3261 N -331 N 89.85% Noise 1st 67.3 dB 100% Price 11th 610 300 +310 49.18% Rolling Resistance 9th 8.49 kg / t 7.42 kg / t +1.07 kg / t 87.4% Premium profile with well-balanced, safe driving characteristics, good aquaplaning resistance, short wet braking distances, good off-road capability, good comfort. Slightly higher price level. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £114.70
5th: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
225/65 R17 102H EU Label: B/A/69	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 35.5 M 34.6 M +0.9 M 97.46% Dry Handling 6th 100.5 Km/H 103.3 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 97.29% Wet Braking 4th 52.6 M 49.9 M +2.7 M 94.87% Wet Handling 5th 85.4 Km/H 86.8 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.39% Wet Circle 5th 14.72 s 14.41 s +0.31 s 97.89% Straight Aqua 10th 86.2 Km/H 95.9 Km/H -9.7 Km/H 89.89% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.57 m/sec2 2.95 m/sec2 -0.38 m/sec2 87.12% Gravel Traction 8th 7796 N 8265 N -469 N 94.33% Dirt Handling 2nd 66.5 Km/H 66.6 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.85% Sand Traction 5th 8304 N 8886 N -582 N 93.45% Grass Traction 8th 2435 N 2924 N -489 N 83.28% Mud Traction 8th 2803 N 3261 N -458 N 85.96% Noise 11th 70.2 dB 67.3 dB +2.9 dB 95.87% Price 7th 485 300 +185 61.86% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.63 kg / t 7.42 kg / t +0.21 kg / t 97.25% Good off-road qualities, balanced wet and dry handling, sporty steering behavior, short wet braking distances, fuel-saving rolling resistance. Moderate aquaplaning resistance. Exemplary. Read Reviews
6th: Pirelli CINTURATO P7
225/65 R17 106V EU Label: C/A/70	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 34.6 M 100% Dry Handling 2nd 102.7 Km/H 103.3 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.42% Wet Braking 3rd 52.2 M 49.9 M +2.3 M 95.59% Wet Handling 3rd 85.7 Km/H 86.8 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.73% Wet Circle 2nd 14.46 s 14.41 s +0.05 s 99.65% Straight Aqua 4th 90.9 Km/H 95.9 Km/H -5 Km/H 94.79% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 2.91 m/sec2 2.95 m/sec2 -0.04 m/sec2 98.64% Gravel Traction 12th 7140 N 8265 N -1125 N 86.39% Dirt Handling 1st 66.6 Km/H 100% Sand Traction 9th 7998 N 8886 N -888 N 90.01% Grass Traction 10th 2397 N 2924 N -527 N 81.98% Mud Traction 12th 2337 N 3261 N -924 N 71.67% Noise 9th 70.1 dB 67.3 dB +2.8 dB 96.01% Price 10th 590 300 +290 50.85% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.35 kg / t 7.42 kg / t +0.93 kg / t 88.86% Sporty, dynamic handling with short braking distances on wet and dry roads, good aquaplaning reserves, agile off-road handling. Average mud and gravel traction. Good. Read Reviews
7th: Uniroyal RainExpert 5
225/65 R17 102H EU Label: C/A/71	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 11th 37.9 M 34.6 M +3.3 M 91.29% Dry Handling 11th 97.9 Km/H 103.3 Km/H -5.4 Km/H 94.77% Wet Braking 8th 53.8 M 49.9 M +3.9 M 92.75% Wet Handling 7th 85 Km/H 86.8 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 97.93% Wet Circle 9th 14.83 s 14.41 s +0.42 s 97.17% Straight Aqua 2nd 94.5 Km/H 95.9 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.54% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 2.93 m/sec2 2.95 m/sec2 -0.02 m/sec2 99.32% Gravel Traction 5th 8104 N 8265 N -161 N 98.05% Dirt Handling 4th 66.2 Km/H 66.6 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.4% Sand Traction 3rd 8398 N 8886 N -488 N 94.51% Grass Traction 2nd 2669 N 2924 N -255 N 91.28% Mud Traction 2nd 3204 N 3261 N -57 N 98.25% Noise 5th 69.3 dB 67.3 dB +2 dB 97.11% Price 6th 475 300 +175 63.16% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.67 kg / t 7.42 kg / t +0.25 kg / t 96.74% Top performance offroad, very good safety aquaplaning resistance, well-balanced wet qualities, low rolling resistance, fair price. Moderate grip in the dry. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £112.48
8th: Toyo Proxes Comfort
225/65 R17 106V EU Label: C/A/70	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 35.7 M 34.6 M +1.1 M 96.92% Dry Handling 5th 101.7 Km/H 103.3 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.45% Wet Braking 9th 54.7 M 49.9 M +4.8 M 91.22% Wet Handling 4th 85.5 Km/H 86.8 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.5% Wet Circle 4th 14.64 s 14.41 s +0.23 s 98.43% Straight Aqua 9th 87.1 Km/H 95.9 Km/H -8.8 Km/H 90.82% Curved Aquaplaning 9th 2.56 m/sec2 2.95 m/sec2 -0.39 m/sec2 86.78% Gravel Traction 10th 7523 N 8265 N -742 N 91.02% Dirt Handling 12th 65.1 Km/H 66.6 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 97.75% Sand Traction 11th 7407 N 8886 N -1479 N 83.36% Grass Traction 3rd 2589 N 2924 N -335 N 88.54% Mud Traction 11th 2522 N 3261 N -739 N 77.34% Noise 5th 69.3 dB 67.3 dB +2 dB 97.11% Price 4th 430 300 +130 69.77% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.16 kg / t 7.42 kg / t +0.74 kg / t 90.93% Balanced safe handling on wet and dry roads, short dry braking distances, low rolling resistance, low price. Average aquaplaning performance, average offroad performance. Good. Read Reviews
9th: General Grabber GT+
225/65 R17 102H EU Label: C/A/71	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 37.2 M 34.6 M +2.6 M 93.01% Dry Handling 10th 98.4 Km/H 103.3 Km/H -4.9 Km/H 95.26% Wet Braking 10th 55 M 49.9 M +5.1 M 90.73% Wet Handling 10th 84.3 Km/H 86.8 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 97.12% Wet Circle 10th 14.9 s 14.41 s +0.49 s 96.71% Straight Aqua 7th 87.8 Km/H 95.9 Km/H -8.1 Km/H 91.55% Curved Aquaplaning 10th 2.48 m/sec2 2.95 m/sec2 -0.47 m/sec2 84.07% Gravel Traction 9th 7752 N 8265 N -513 N 93.79% Dirt Handling 8th 65.9 Km/H 66.6 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 98.95% Sand Traction 1st 8886 N 100% Grass Traction 9th 2415 N 2924 N -509 N 82.59% Mud Traction 4th 2930 N 3261 N -331 N 89.85% Noise 4th 69.1 dB 67.3 dB +1.8 dB 97.4% Price 8th 510 300 +210 58.82% Rolling Resistance 4th 7.78 kg / t 7.42 kg / t +0.36 kg / t 95.37% Strengths Well-balanced off-road qualities, strong off-road traction, low rolling resistance. Understeering handling on wet and dry roads, slightly longer dry braking distances. Fair. Read Reviews
10th: Nexen N Fera Sport SUV
225/65 R17 102H EU Label: D/A/71	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 35.3 M 34.6 M +0.7 M 98.02% Dry Handling 9th 99.9 Km/H 103.3 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 96.71% Wet Braking 7th 53.6 M 49.9 M +3.7 M 93.1% Wet Handling 9th 84.4 Km/H 86.8 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 97.24% Wet Circle 8th 14.79 s 14.41 s +0.38 s 97.43% Straight Aqua 7th 87.8 Km/H 95.9 Km/H -8.1 Km/H 91.55% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 2.64 m/sec2 2.95 m/sec2 -0.31 m/sec2 89.49% Gravel Traction 11th 7499 N 8265 N -766 N 90.73% Dirt Handling 11th 65.3 Km/H 66.6 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.05% Sand Traction 6th 8102 N 8886 N -784 N 91.18% Grass Traction 6th 2454 N 2924 N -470 N 83.93% Mud Traction 9th 2747 N 3261 N -514 N 84.24% Noise 2nd 68.3 dB 67.3 dB +1 dB 98.54% Price 2nd 350 300 +50 85.71% Rolling Resistance 10th 8.59 kg / t 7.42 kg / t +1.17 kg / t 86.38% Short wet and dry braking distances, good traction on sand and grass, low price level. Delayed steering response with significantly understeering handling on wet and dry roads. Fair. Read Reviews
11th: Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport
225/65 R17 102H EU Label: C/A/70	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 37.1 M 34.6 M +2.5 M 93.26% Dry Handling 4th 102 Km/H 103.3 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.74% Wet Braking 11th 61.1 M 49.9 M +11.2 M 81.67% Wet Handling 11th 84 Km/H 86.8 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 96.77% Wet Circle 7th 14.77 s 14.41 s +0.36 s 97.56% Straight Aqua 12th 83.8 Km/H 95.9 Km/H -12.1 Km/H 87.38% Curved Aquaplaning 11th 2.41 m/sec2 2.95 m/sec2 -0.54 m/sec2 81.69% Gravel Traction 3rd 8239 N 8265 N -26 N 99.69% Dirt Handling 10th 65.6 Km/H 66.6 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.5% Sand Traction 12th 7230 N 8886 N -1656 N 81.36% Grass Traction 11th 2332 N 2924 N -592 N 79.75% Mud Traction 10th 2573 N 3261 N -688 N 78.9% Noise 12th 70.4 dB 67.3 dB +3.1 dB 95.6% Price 3rd 420 300 +120 71.43% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.34 kg / t 7.42 kg / t +0.92 kg / t 88.97% Dynamic dry handling, good traction on gravel, lower rolling resistance. Moderate grip on wet roads, significantly longer wet braking distances, limited protection against aquaplaning. Conditionally recommended. Read Reviews    Buy from £120.49
12th: Aplus A919
225/65 R17 102H EU Label: E/C/71	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 12th 40.3 M 34.6 M +5.7 M 85.86% Dry Handling 12th 97.4 Km/H 103.3 Km/H -5.9 Km/H 94.29% Wet Braking 12th 63.6 M 49.9 M +13.7 M 78.46% Wet Handling 12th 82.5 Km/H 86.8 Km/H -4.3 Km/H 95.05% Wet Circle 12th 15.23 s 14.41 s +0.82 s 94.62% Straight Aqua 11th 83.9 Km/H 95.9 Km/H -12 Km/H 87.49% Curved Aquaplaning 12th 2.35 m/sec2 2.95 m/sec2 -0.6 m/sec2 79.66% Gravel Traction 6th 8068 N 8265 N -197 N 97.62% Dirt Handling 4th 66.2 Km/H 66.6 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.4% Sand Traction 8th 8012 N 8886 N -874 N 90.16% Grass Traction 1st 2924 N 100% Mud Traction 1st 3261 N 100% Noise 9th 70.1 dB 67.3 dB +2.8 dB 96.01% Price 1st 300 100% Rolling Resistance 12th 9.56 kg / t 7.42 kg / t +2.14 kg / t 77.62% Good off-road qualities, low price. Severely limited safety reserves in the wet and aquaplaning, dangerously long wet and dry braking distances, significantly increased rolling resistance. Not recommended. Read Reviews