Definitely comfortable, safe tires that provide amazing grip on snow and ice. I'm very satisfied, I won't use another tire.
235/55 R18 Tires
Everything we know about the 235/55 R18 tire size: 11 independent tire tests conducted in this exact size, 159 owner reviews covering 2,878,574 miles of driving, and EU label data for the tires you can actually buy in it.
- 159owner reviews
- 2,878,574 milescovered on them
- 11tests in this size
- 780tires made in this size
The quick answer
| Season | Owners' pick | Owner rating | Latest test winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 SUV 8.5 | 84% from 4 reviews | Continental PremiumContact 7 9.5 2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test |
| All Season | Michelin CrossClimate SUV 9.3 Current version: Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV | 90% from 3 reviews | Nokian Seasonproof 2 9.1 Best SUV All Season Tires for 2025 |
| Winter | Pirelli Scorpion Winter 8.6 Current version: Pirelli Scorpion Winter 3 | 78% from 3 reviews | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV 9.3 2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test |
Owner picks are the highest weighted owner score in 235/55 R18; test winners come from the most recent independent test conducted in this size. The full evidence is below.
Independent tire tests in 235/55 R18
Tires behave differently as sizes change, so a test conducted in your exact size is the strongest evidence there is. Every test below was run in 235/55 R18 - 11 in total, newest first.
All Season tire tests
| Year | Test | Winner | Tires tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Best SUV All Season Tires for 2025 Tire Reviews test | Nokian Seasonproof 2 | 7 |
All Weather tire tests
| Year | Test | Winner | Tires tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Continental CrossContact LX25 vs Goodyear WeatherReady | Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW | 3 |
Winter tire tests
| Year | Test | Winner | Tires tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV | 10 |
| 2022 | 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tire Test | Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV | 8 |
| 2022 | 2022 Studded Winter Tire Test | Michelin X Ice North 4 SUV | 8 |
| 2021 | 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tire Test | Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | 10 |
| 2021 | 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test | Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV | 10 |
Summer tire tests
| Year | Test | Winner | Tires tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test | Continental PremiumContact 7 | 8 |
| 2022 | 2022 Auto Express SUV Tire Test | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | 7 |
| 2022 | 2022 AutoBild SUV 4x4 Summer Tire Test | Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV | 10 |
| 2021 | 2021 Tire Reviews SUV Tire Test Tire Reviews test | Michelin Primacy 4 | 9 |
The best rated 235/55 R18 tires
Rated only by drivers running this size. Each tire needs at least 3 reviews in 235/55 R18 to be ranked; the order weights a tire's score by how many reviews back it, so one glowing review cannot top a table.
Summer tires
The highest rated Summer tire in 235/55 R18 is the Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 SUV - 84% from 4 owner reviews in this size.
| # | Tire | Owner rating | Reviews | Distance reviewed | TR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 SUV
|
84% | 4 | 100,000 miles | 8.5 |
| 2 |
Continental ContiMaxContact MC6
|
82% | 3 | 11,800 miles | 8.4 |
| 3 |
Continental UltraContact UC6
Replaced by Continental UltraContact UC7
|
74% | 3 | 62,500 miles | 8 |
| 4 |
Pirelli Scorpion Verde
|
73% | 5 | 154,860 miles | 7.3 |
| 5 |
Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV
|
65% | 6 | 202,000 miles | 8.5 |
| 6 |
Giti Control P10
|
61% | 3 | 32,972 miles | 8.5 |
| 7 |
Continental EcoContact 6
Replaced by Continental EcoContact 7
|
53% | 3 | 30,000 miles | 7.5 |
Want test data as well as owner opinion? Best Summer Tires →
All Season tires
The highest rated All Season tire in 235/55 R18 is the Michelin CrossClimate SUV - 90% from 3 owner reviews in this size. The current tire in that line is now the Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV.
| # | Tire | Owner rating | Reviews | Distance reviewed | TR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Michelin CrossClimate SUV
Replaced by Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV
|
90% | 3 | 35,100 miles | 9.3 |
| 2 |
Michelin CrossClimate 2
Replaced by Michelin CrossClimate 3
|
90% | 3 | 16,500 miles | 9.5 |
| 3 |
BFGoodrich Urban Terrain TA
|
83% | 5 | 137,100 miles | 7.8 |
| 4 |
Kumho Road Venture APT KL51
Replaced by Kumho Road Venture HT
|
80% | 3 | 67,000 miles | 8.2 |
Want test data as well as owner opinion? Best All Season Tires → Test winner: Goodyear Vector All Season 4
Winter tires
The highest rated Winter tire in 235/55 R18 is the Pirelli Scorpion Winter - 78% from 3 owner reviews in this size. The current tire in that line is now the Pirelli Scorpion Winter 3.
| # | Tire | Owner rating | Reviews | Distance reviewed | TR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pirelli Scorpion Winter
Replaced by Pirelli Scorpion Winter 3
|
78% | 3 | 13,000 miles | 8.6 |
Want test data as well as owner opinion? Best Winter Tires → Test winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
TR Score is the tire's overall Tire Reviews rating out of 10, built from independent test results and every owner review of that tire - not just the reviews from this car. The owner rating column is this car only.
235/55 R18 EU tire label data
EU label values are declared for each individual size, so the figures here are exact for 235/55 R18 rather than a range across a model. 559 tires carry label data in this size. The most common load index is 104 (up to 900 kg per tire). Speed ratings on offer: Y (300 km/h), W (270 km/h), V (240 km/h), H (210 km/h), T (190 km/h), S (180 km/h), R (170 km/h), Q (160 km/h). 294 tires in this size carry the 3PMSF severe snow marking.
A Best wet grip
106 tires in this size hold the top EU wet grip rating, class A. The highest scoring on Tire Reviews:
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 Summer 9.7
- Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 All Season 9.6
- Continental PremiumContact 7 Summer 9.5
- Falken ZIEX ZE320 Summer 9.4
- Pirelli Cinturato C3 Summer 9.4
- Vredestein Quatrac Pro 2 All Season 9.4
A Lowest rolling resistance
The most fuel efficient choice: 32 tires in this size reach rolling resistance class A. The highest scoring on Tire Reviews:
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 Summer 9.7
- Pirelli Cinturato C3 Summer 9.4
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Summer 9.2
- Falken Azenis FK520 Summer 9.1
- Continental UltraContact NXT Summer 9.1
- Pirelli Scorpion Summer 9
67dB Quietest tires
The quietest 235/55 R18 tires are labelled at 67 dB external noise:
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 Summer 9.7
- Falken ZIEX ZE320 Summer 9.4
- Pirelli Ice Friction Winter 9.2
- Falken Azenis FK520 Summer 9.1
- Pirelli Scorpion Summer 9
- Bridgestone Turanza T005 Summer 8.6
Label values come from the EU EPREL database and apply to the EU market versions of each tire. Wet grip and rolling resistance run from class A (best) to E; noise is the measured drive-by figure. A good label is a floor, not a verdict - the tests and owner ratings above tell you far more.
How long do 235/55 R18 tires last?
Across 47 end of life reviews in this size, a typical set of tires was worn out after 27,000 miles. Half of all worn-out sets lasted between 15,000 miles and 40,000 miles.
Distances are self-reported by drivers whose review marked the set as worn out; figures are medians, so a single unusual report cannot move them. Driving style and the car matter more than the size itself.
What does 235/55 R18 mean?
A 235/55 R18 tire is 235 mm wide, its sidewall is 55% of that width (129 mm) tall, and it fits a 18 inch wheel. That gives an overall diameter of roughly 716 mm.
| Section width | 235 mm |
|---|---|
| Sidewall height | 129 mm |
| Rim diameter | 18" (457 mm) |
| Overall diameter | ≈ 716 mm |
| Circumference | ≈ 2,248 mm |
| Revolutions per km | ≈ 445 |
| Revolutions per mile | ≈ 716 |
Also written as
235/55R18 235/55 ZR18 235-55-18 235 55 18
Figures are calculated from the nominal size. A loaded, rolling tire runs a few percent smaller, and true widths vary slightly between makes.
What cars use 235/55 R18 tires?
The cars most often running this size in our owner reviews. Each links to the best rated tires for that exact car.
Toyota RAV4
18 reviews in this size
Volkswagen Tiguan
14 reviews in this size
Kia Motors Sportage
10 reviews in this size
Lexus RX400
7 reviews in this size
Lexus RX300
5 reviews in this size
Lexus RX350
5 reviews in this size
Volvo XC70 D5
4 reviews in this size
Toyota Harrier
4 reviews in this size
Audi A6 Allroad 3.0 TDI
4 reviews in this size
Audi Q3
3 reviews in this size
Every tire reviewed in 235/55 R18
The complete record, including discontinued tires and tires with too few reviews to rank, ordered by the amount of evidence. A further 82 tires have a single review each; they count toward the totals but are not listed.
| Tire | Season | Owner rating | Reviews | Distance reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV | Summer | 65% | 6 | 202,000 miles |
| BFGoodrich Urban Terrain TA | All Season | 83% | 5 | 137,100 miles |
| Pirelli Scorpion Verde | Summer | 73% | 5 | 154,860 miles |
| Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 SUV | Summer | 84% | 4 | 100,000 miles |
| Michelin CrossClimate SUV Replaced by Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV | All Season | 90% | 3 | 35,100 miles |
| Michelin CrossClimate 2 Replaced by Michelin CrossClimate 3 | All Season | 90% | 3 | 16,500 miles |
| Continental ContiMaxContact MC6 | Summer | 82% | 3 | 11,800 miles |
| Kumho Road Venture APT KL51 Replaced by Kumho Road Venture HT | All Season | 80% | 3 | 67,000 miles |
| Pirelli Scorpion Winter Replaced by Pirelli Scorpion Winter 3 | Winter | 78% | 3 | 13,000 miles |
| Hankook OPTIMO K415 Discontinued | Summer | 78% | 3 | 89,032 miles |
| Continental UltraContact UC6 Replaced by Continental UltraContact UC7 | Summer | 74% | 3 | 62,500 miles |
| Giti Control P10 | Summer | 61% | 3 | 32,972 miles |
| Continental EcoContact 6 Replaced by Continental EcoContact 7 | Summer | 53% | 3 | 30,000 miles |
| Maxxis HP M3 | Summer | 91% | 2 | 60,000 miles |
| Michelin Latitude Cross | All Season | 89% | 2 | 29,000 miles |
| Michelin Primacy 4 Replaced by Michelin Primacy 5 | Summer | 89% | 2 | 107,000 miles |
| Goodyear EfficientGrip Replaced by Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 | Summer | 84% | 2 | 118,000 miles |
| Michelin Latitude Sport 3 Replaced by Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV | Summer | 84% | 2 | 47,000 miles |
| Evergreen DynaControl ES880 | Summer | 83% | 2 | 28,300 miles |
| Hankook Optimo H426 | All Season | 80% | 2 | 20,570 miles |
| Avon ZX7 | Summer | 79% | 2 | 10,500 miles |
| Bridgestone Weather Control A005 EVO Replaced by Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 | All Season | 75% | 2 | 18,000 miles |
| Toyo Proxes CF2 SUV | Summer | 70% | 2 | 28,050 miles |
| Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Summer | 68% | 2 | 11,000 miles |
| Davanti DX640 | Summer | 54% | 2 | 13,000 miles |
| Accelera Iota | Summer | 39% | 2 | 12,000 miles |
| Toyo Open Country HT Replaced by Toyo Open Country HT II | All Season | 37% | 2 | 50,000 miles |
| Nokian WeatherProof Replaced by Nokian Seasonproof 2 | All Season | 17% | 2 | 10,000 miles |
Reviews only cover part of the market: 780 tires are made in 235/55 R18. Browse every 235/55 R18 tire →
What drivers say about their 235/55 R18 tires
The most recent owner reviews fitted in this size, in their own words.
Very good tires,grip is very good in both dry &wett surfaces with low noise compared to others,but they are summer tires,for this part the best is all season and/or M&S tires.
Good Tires in almost all conditions. Feels better in try and wet than previous version r2 or r3. Good on wear. Could be better on ice and snow braking. Continental vikingcontact 7 feels better on ice and snow braking.
Excellent tires in all conditions. Never lost grip while driving/ towing 2.0 tonne boat/trailer.
Sorry to see they're no longer available on Irish market.
I have had no issues. They have performed very well.
I am not an aggressive driver and the tires have exceeded my expectations.
Hankook 415s lasted well for 45-47000 miles still had 3-4mm of tread left but the casings failed and would balance on a machine but had large soft spots on the tread so the steering shook. Bought Hankook Dynapro ra33 as replacements now passed 40kmiled on them and still good.
I cut one hankook kinergy 4s2 and had to buy what was offered. I took two Pirellis and put them in the front and put two old Hankooks in the back. I immediately noticed better handling in the dry and significantly quieter tires. Directly in the snow, they proved the same to me. What I noticed is that Pirelli has an initial new tread depth of 6.5mm while Hankook comes with 8mm.
I had them for one season, received with the car quite old dot 2017. for 4 months of winter they were ok. There was no snow, so I can't give an impression. the tires were then already 6 years old and had a lot of cracks on the side, but the tire was over 6mm.
Drive on 235/55 R18 tires?
Review your tires and help the next driver choose. It takes about five minutes, and every review on this page came from a driver who took them.
Where this data comes from
Owner ratings are submitted through the review form on this site, naming the tire, the size and the distance covered, and are checked by hand before publication. Test results come from independent published tire tests indexed by size, and label values from the EU EPREL database.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 using independent test results and the full body of owner reviews, so you can check a car-specific ranking against the wider evidence.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.