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2020 AutoBild Van All Season Commercial Tire Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
7 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Dry
  3. Wet
  4. Snow
  5. Environment
  6. Results
  7. Continental VanContact 4Season
  8. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo
  9. Kleber Transpro 4S
  10. Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
  11. Pirelli Carrier All Season
  12. Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season
  13. Hifly All Transit
  14. Falken EuroAll Season Van11
  15. Reference Summer
  16. Reference Winter

Test Publication:
235/65 R16 10 tires 5 categories
Similar Tests
Images courtesy of Auto Bild
Test Publication:
Auto Bild
https://www.autobild.de/ratgeber/reifen/
Images courtesy of Auto Bild
Test Size: 235/65 R16
Tires Tested: 10 tires
Test Categories:
5 categories (12 tests)
Similar Tests
As motorhome, van and commercial vehicle tire testing is new to the Tire Reviews website, we thought we'd start with the best of the best, and cover the 2020 Auto Bild 235/65 R16 C test, which used a VW Crafter van to test eight cargo rated all season tires, and included a summer and winter tire as reference!

As this is an all season tire test, Auto Bild not only tested the dry and wet performance of all eight tires, but also the snow ability of each pattern. Read on below for the full results of what is, another fascinating test by Auto Bild.

 

Dry

During the dry testing, the Pirelli proved to be the best all season tire on test, but was still behind the summer tire in both braking and handling. Of the all season tires, Falken struggled the most, however it still had an advantage over the dedicated winter pattern.

Dry Braking

Spread: 10.30 M (24.4%)|Avg: 48.19 M
Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)
Dry Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tire

Dry Handling

Spread: 2.00 Km/H (3.3%)|Avg: 59.01 Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
  1. Reference Summer
    59.90 Km/H
  2. Kleber Transpro 4S
    59.60 Km/H
  3. Pirelli Carrier All Season
    59.60 Km/H
  4. Continental VanContact 4Season
    59.30 Km/H
  5. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo
    59.30 Km/H
  6. Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season
    58.90 Km/H
  7. Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    58.80 Km/H
  8. Hifly All Transit
    58.70 Km/H
  9. Falken EuroAll Season Van11
    58.10 Km/H
  10. Reference Winter
    57.90 Km/H

Wet

The Pirelli also proved to have the best wet braking performance, again behind the summer tire. Kleber, Falken and Vredestein were all a significant amount behind the best, while the winter tire stopped the VW a huge 11 meters behind the best all season, and nearly thirteen meters behind the summer tire!

Wet Braking

Spread: 12.70 M (25.7%)|Avg: 55.74 M
Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
Wet Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tire

The wet handling test had the first outright win for an all season tire, with the Continental VanContact 4S beating the summer tire!

Wet Handling

Spread: 3.30 Km/H (4.8%)|Avg: 67.44 Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
  1. Continental VanContact 4Season
    68.60 Km/H
  2. Reference Summer
    68.60 Km/H
  3. Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season
    68.20 Km/H
  4. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo
    68.10 Km/H
  5. Pirelli Carrier All Season
    68.00 Km/H
  6. Kleber Transpro 4S
    67.20 Km/H
  7. Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    67.20 Km/H
  8. Falken EuroAll Season Van11
    66.70 Km/H
  9. Reference Winter
    66.50 Km/H
  10. Hifly All Transit
    65.30 Km/H

Straight aquaplaning testing again had just a single all season tire besting the summer tire, this time the Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2.

Straight Aqua

Spread: 4.60 Km/H (4.9%)|Avg: 91.86 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    94.50 Km/H
  2. Reference Summer
    93.70 Km/H
  3. Pirelli Carrier All Season
    93.20 Km/H
  4. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo
    92.80 Km/H
  5. Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season
    92.60 Km/H
  6. Kleber Transpro 4S
    91.00 Km/H
  7. Continental VanContact 4Season
    90.90 Km/H
  8. Reference Winter
    90.00 Km/H
  9. Falken EuroAll Season Van11
    90.00 Km/H
  10. Hifly All Transit
    89.90 Km/H

Snow

Due to the unsafe performance of the summer tire, Auto Bild chose not to run it during snow testing.

Snow braking was narrowly won by the winter tire, with the Goodyear and Kleber all season tires just 0.3 meters behind.

Snow Braking

Spread: 5.90 M (24.3%)|Avg: 26.38 M
Snow braking in meters (Lower is better)
Snow Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tire

Goodyear and Kleber also proved to be the best during snow traction, this time beating the winter tire!

Snow Traction

Spread: 620.00 N (13.9%)|Avg: 4168.33 N
Pulling Force in Newtons (Higher is better)
  1. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo
    4460.00 N
  2. Kleber Transpro 4S
    4410.00 N
  3. Reference Winter
    4350.00 N
  4. Continental VanContact 4Season
    4320.00 N
  5. Falken EuroAll Season Van11
    4130.00 N
  6. Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season
    4115.00 N
  7. Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    4030.00 N
  8. Pirelli Carrier All Season
    3860.00 N
  9. Hifly All Transit
    3840.00 N

The winter tire took back its advantage during snow handling testing, beating Continental and Vredestein.

Snow Handling

Spread: 1.40 Km/H (3.1%)|Avg: 44.67 Km/H
Snow handling average speed (Higher is better)
  1. Reference Winter
    45.30 Km/H
  2. Continental VanContact 4Season
    45.10 Km/H
  3. Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season
    45.00 Km/H
  4. Falken EuroAll Season Van11
    44.90 Km/H
  5. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo
    44.80 Km/H
  6. Hifly All Transit
    44.50 Km/H
  7. Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    44.30 Km/H
  8. Kleber Transpro 4S
    44.20 Km/H
  9. Pirelli Carrier All Season
    43.90 Km/H

Environment

The Pirelli Carrier AllSeason was the quietest all season tire on test, and the only tire quieter than the summer tire.

Noise

Spread: 4.20 dB (6%)|Avg: 72.32 dB
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
  1. Pirelli Carrier All Season
    70.50 dB
  2. Reference Summer
    71.00 dB
  3. Hifly All Transit
    71.00 dB
  4. Kleber Transpro 4S
    71.60 dB
  5. Falken EuroAll Season Van11
    72.30 dB
  6. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo
    72.40 dB
  7. Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    72.50 dB
  8. Continental VanContact 4Season
    72.50 dB
  9. Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season
    74.70 dB
  10. Reference Winter
    74.70 dB

There was a spread of 11.2kgs per set, or a difference of 2.8kg between the lightest and heaviest tire on test.

Tire Weight

Spread: 11.20 Kg (20%)|Avg: 62.20 Kg
Tire Weight Per Set (Lower is better)
  1. Hifly All Transit
    56.00 Kg
  2. Kleber Transpro 4S
    59.20 Kg
  3. Continental VanContact 4Season
    60.80 Kg
  4. Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    61.60 Kg
  5. Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season
    61.60 Kg
  6. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo
    65.20 Kg
  7. Pirelli Carrier All Season
    66.00 Kg
  8. Falken EuroAll Season Van11
    67.20 Kg

The lightest tire was also the cheapest tire.

Price

Spread: 245.00 (63.6%)|Avg: 531.88
Price in local currency (Lower is better)
  1. Hifly All Transit
    385.00
  2. Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    440.00
  3. Pirelli Carrier All Season
    510.00
  4. Falken EuroAll Season Van11
    510.00
  5. Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season
    585.00
  6. Kleber Transpro 4S
    595.00
  7. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo
    600.00
  8. Continental VanContact 4Season
    630.00

Continental had a significant fuel saving advantage over the rest of the group.

Rolling Resistance

Spread: 1.04 kg / t (16.4%)|Avg: 6.97 kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Continental VanContact 4Season
    6.36 kg / t
  2. Kleber Transpro 4S
    6.80 kg / t
  3. Reference Winter
    6.80 kg / t
  4. Pirelli Carrier All Season
    6.84 kg / t
  5. Hifly All Transit
    6.90 kg / t
  6. Reference Summer
    6.98 kg / t
  7. Falken EuroAll Season Van11
    7.21 kg / t
  8. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo
    7.22 kg / t
  9. Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    7.23 kg / t
  10. Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season
    7.40 kg / t
19,000 km
£1.45/L
--
Annual Difference
--
Lifetime Savings
--
Extra Fuel/Energy
--
Extra CO2

Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tire age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

Results

It's worth mentioning, for a climate like the majority of the UK which sees very little snow, the Pirelli Carrier All Season might actually be the best choice of all season tires as it offers excellent dry and wet performances while being more usable than a summer tire in the snow.

1st

Continental VanContact 4Season

235/65 R16
Continental VanContact 4Season
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 5th 48.4 M 42.2 M +6.2 M 87.19%
Dry Handling 4th 59.3 Km/H 59.9 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 54.8 M 49.5 M +5.3 M 90.33%
Wet Handling 1st 68.6 Km/H 100%
Straight Aqua 7th 90.9 Km/H 94.5 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 96.19%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 4th 25.3 M 24.3 M +1 M 96.05%
Snow Traction 4th 4320 N 4460 N -140 N 96.86%
Snow Handling 2nd 45.1 Km/H 45.3 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.56%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 7th 72.5 dB 70.5 dB +2 dB 97.24%
Tire Weight 3rd 60.8 Kg 56 Kg +4.8 Kg 92.11%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 8th 630 385 +245 61.11%
Rolling Resistance 1st 6.36 kg / t 100%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
2nd

Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo

235/65 R16
Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 49.7 M 42.2 M +7.5 M 84.91%
Dry Handling 4th 59.3 Km/H 59.9 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 54.3 M 49.5 M +4.8 M 91.16%
Wet Handling 4th 68.1 Km/H 68.6 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.27%
Straight Aqua 4th 92.8 Km/H 94.5 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.2%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 2nd 24.6 M 24.3 M +0.3 M 98.78%
Snow Traction 1st 4460 N 100%
Snow Handling 5th 44.8 Km/H 45.3 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 98.9%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 6th 72.4 dB 70.5 dB +1.9 dB 97.38%
Tire Weight 6th 65.2 Kg 56 Kg +9.2 Kg 85.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 7th 600 385 +215 64.17%
Rolling Resistance 8th 7.22 kg / t 6.36 kg / t +0.86 kg / t 88.09%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
3rd

Kleber Transpro 4S

235/65 R16
Kleber Transpro 4S
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 7th 49.9 M 42.2 M +7.7 M 84.57%
Dry Handling 2nd 59.6 Km/H 59.9 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.5%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 7th 57.8 M 49.5 M +8.3 M 85.64%
Wet Handling 6th 67.2 Km/H 68.6 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 97.96%
Straight Aqua 6th 91 Km/H 94.5 Km/H -3.5 Km/H 96.3%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 2nd 24.6 M 24.3 M +0.3 M 98.78%
Snow Traction 2nd 4410 N 4460 N -50 N 98.88%
Snow Handling 8th 44.2 Km/H 45.3 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 97.57%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 4th 71.6 dB 70.5 dB +1.1 dB 98.46%
Tire Weight 2nd 59.2 Kg 56 Kg +3.2 Kg 94.59%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 6th 595 385 +210 64.71%
Rolling Resistance 2nd 6.8 kg / t 6.36 kg / t +0.44 kg / t 93.53%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
4th

Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2

235/65 R16
Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 48.3 M 42.2 M +6.1 M 87.37%
Dry Handling 7th 58.8 Km/H 59.9 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.16%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 5th 55.4 M 49.5 M +5.9 M 89.35%
Wet Handling 6th 67.2 Km/H 68.6 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 97.96%
Straight Aqua 1st 94.5 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 6th 26.3 M 24.3 M +2 M 92.4%
Snow Traction 7th 4030 N 4460 N -430 N 90.36%
Snow Handling 7th 44.3 Km/H 45.3 Km/H -1 Km/H 97.79%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 7th 72.5 dB 70.5 dB +2 dB 97.24%
Tire Weight 4th 61.6 Kg 56 Kg +5.6 Kg 90.91%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 2nd 440 385 +55 87.5%
Rolling Resistance 9th 7.23 kg / t 6.36 kg / t +0.87 kg / t 87.97%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
5th

Pirelli Carrier All Season

235/65 R16
Pirelli Carrier All Season
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 44.8 M 42.2 M +2.6 M 94.2%
Dry Handling 2nd 59.6 Km/H 59.9 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.5%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 51.8 M 49.5 M +2.3 M 95.56%
Wet Handling 5th 68 Km/H 68.6 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.13%
Straight Aqua 3rd 93.2 Km/H 94.5 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.62%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 8th 29.9 M 24.3 M +5.6 M 81.27%
Snow Traction 8th 3860 N 4460 N -600 N 86.55%
Snow Handling 9th 43.9 Km/H 45.3 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 96.91%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 1st 70.5 dB 100%
Tire Weight 7th 66 Kg 56 Kg +10 Kg 84.85%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 3rd 510 385 +125 75.49%
Rolling Resistance 4th 6.84 kg / t 6.36 kg / t +0.48 kg / t 92.98%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
6th

Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season

235/65 R16
Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 50.1 M 42.2 M +7.9 M 84.23%
Dry Handling 6th 58.9 Km/H 59.9 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.33%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 9th 58 M 49.5 M +8.5 M 85.34%
Wet Handling 3rd 68.2 Km/H 68.6 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.42%
Straight Aqua 5th 92.6 Km/H 94.5 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 97.99%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 5th 25.7 M 24.3 M +1.4 M 94.55%
Snow Traction 6th 4115 N 4460 N -345 N 92.26%
Snow Handling 3rd 45 Km/H 45.3 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.34%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 9th 74.7 dB 70.5 dB +4.2 dB 94.38%
Tire Weight 4th 61.6 Kg 56 Kg +5.6 Kg 90.91%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 5th 585 385 +200 65.81%
Rolling Resistance 10th 7.4 kg / t 6.36 kg / t +1.04 kg / t 85.95%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
7th

Hifly All Transit

235/65 R16
Hifly All Transit
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 45.3 M 42.2 M +3.1 M 93.16%
Dry Handling 8th 58.7 Km/H 59.9 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 6th 55.8 M 49.5 M +6.3 M 88.71%
Wet Handling 10th 65.3 Km/H 68.6 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 95.19%
Straight Aqua 10th 89.9 Km/H 94.5 Km/H -4.6 Km/H 95.13%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 9th 30.2 M 24.3 M +5.9 M 80.46%
Snow Traction 9th 3840 N 4460 N -620 N 86.1%
Snow Handling 6th 44.5 Km/H 45.3 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 98.23%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 2nd 71 dB 70.5 dB +0.5 dB 99.3%
Tire Weight 1st 56 Kg 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 1st 385 100%
Rolling Resistance 5th 6.9 kg / t 6.36 kg / t +0.54 kg / t 92.17%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
8th

Falken EuroAll Season Van11

235/65 R16
Falken EuroAll Season Van11
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 9th 50.7 M 42.2 M +8.5 M 83.23%
Dry Handling 9th 58.1 Km/H 59.9 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 96.99%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 7th 57.8 M 49.5 M +8.3 M 85.64%
Wet Handling 8th 66.7 Km/H 68.6 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 97.23%
Straight Aqua 8th 90 Km/H 94.5 Km/H -4.5 Km/H 95.24%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 7th 26.5 M 24.3 M +2.2 M 91.7%
Snow Traction 5th 4130 N 4460 N -330 N 92.6%
Snow Handling 4th 44.9 Km/H 45.3 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.12%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 5th 72.3 dB 70.5 dB +1.8 dB 97.51%
Tire Weight 8th 67.2 Kg 56 Kg +11.2 Kg 83.33%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 3rd 510 385 +125 75.49%
Rolling Resistance 7th 7.21 kg / t 6.36 kg / t +0.85 kg / t 88.21%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
9th

Reference Summer

235/65 R16
Reference Summer
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 42.2 M 100%
Dry Handling 1st 59.9 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 49.5 M 100%
Wet Handling 1st 68.6 Km/H 100%
Straight Aqua 2nd 93.7 Km/H 94.5 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.15%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 2nd 71 dB 70.5 dB +0.5 dB 99.3%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 6th 6.98 kg / t 6.36 kg / t +0.62 kg / t 91.12%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
9th

Reference Winter

235/65 R16
Reference Winter
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 10th 52.5 M 42.2 M +10.3 M 80.38%
Dry Handling 10th 57.9 Km/H 59.9 Km/H -2 Km/H 96.66%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 10th 62.2 M 49.5 M +12.7 M 79.58%
Wet Handling 9th 66.5 Km/H 68.6 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 96.94%
Straight Aqua 8th 90 Km/H 94.5 Km/H -4.5 Km/H 95.24%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 1st 24.3 M 100%
Snow Traction 3rd 4350 N 4460 N -110 N 97.53%
Snow Handling 1st 45.3 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 9th 74.7 dB 70.5 dB +4.2 dB 94.38%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 2nd 6.8 kg / t 6.36 kg / t +0.44 kg / t 93.53%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

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