The Dunlop Sport BluResponse is a premium summer tire best known for quiet, comfortable cruising and standout fuel efficiency thanks to very low rolling resistance. Drivers generally find it reassuring in the wet, with good aquaplaning resistance, and capable dry braking/handling for everyday fast-road use. However, broader test data shows its wet braking and wet handling performance has slipped versus newer rivals, and longevity can be a sticking point for some owners.
The quick answer
Owners say76%from 195 owner reviews60% would buy againRead the reviews
Strengths & weaknessesValue, DryComfortRelative to its rivals across every test we hold
Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tire - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated October 2026.
In 205/55 R16, the Dunlop Sport BluResponse is projected to cost €23.91 per 1,000 miles to buy and run - about €598 over 25,000 miles - based on the price, wear and rolling resistance measured in the 2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test.
Tire purchase + fittingExtra fuel vs the most efficient tirecost per 1,000 miles
Assumes a typical car doing 29 mpg (rolling resistance causing 20% of fuel use), fuel at €6.25 per gallon and €70 fitting per set of four. Purchase prices are from the time of the 2024 test; financing costs are excluded.
How good is the Dunlop Sport BluResponse in the wet?
Across the 10 wet-braking tests it has featured in, the Dunlop Sport BluResponse stops 7.1% longer than premium rivals, 3.1% longer than mid-range rivals and 4.5% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews wet score of 52/100, and owners rate it 8.3/10 in the wet from 195 reviews.
How good is the Dunlop Sport BluResponse in the dry?
Across the 10 dry-braking tests it has featured in, the Dunlop Sport BluResponse stops 1.3% longer than premium rivals, 1.1% shorter than mid-range rivals and 6.5% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews dry score of 63/100, and owners rate it 8.7/10 in the dry from 195 reviews.
How fuel efficient is the Dunlop Sport BluResponse?
Across the 7 tests measuring rolling resistance, the Dunlop Sport BluResponse's rolling resistance is 5.2% lower than premium rivals, 11.6% lower than mid-range rivals and 10.5% lower than budget rivals.
How many miles does the Dunlop Sport BluResponse last?
Based on test and owner data, the Dunlop Sport BluResponse is expected to last around 19,955 miles (32,114 km).
What do owners say about the Dunlop Sport BluResponse?
Across 195 owner ratings the Dunlop Sport BluResponse averages 76%. Owners rate Dry Grip highest at 8.7 out of 10 and Wear lowest at 6.2. 79 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 70% of owners score it 70% or better.
More questions about the Dunlop Sport BluResponse(10)
How much does the Dunlop Sport BluResponse cost to run?
In 205/55 R16, the Dunlop Sport BluResponse is projected to cost €23.91 per 1,000 miles to buy and run - about €598 over 25,000 miles - based on the price, wear and rolling resistance measured in the 2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test. The cheapest to run in that test is the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2, at €16.62.
What is the Dunlop Sport BluResponse's EU tire label rating?
Across its range, the Dunlop Sport BluResponse most commonly carries EU label ratings of B for fuel efficiency, A for wet grip and 71 dB for noise.
How comfortable and quiet are the Dunlop Sport BluResponse?
Owners rate the Dunlop Sport BluResponse 8.3 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 168 reviews.
How well do the Dunlop Sport BluResponse wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Dunlop Sport BluResponse 6.2 out of 10 for wear across 168 reviews. 79 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 8,250 miles.
Would owners buy the Dunlop Sport BluResponse again?
60% of owners say they would buy the Dunlop Sport BluResponse again, based on the 191 owner reviews that answered the question. 35% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What do owners say about the Dunlop Sport BluResponse's tread life?
Of the 164 owner reviews analyzed for the Dunlop Sport BluResponse, 87 mention tread life: 33 praise it (long-lasting) and 54 criticise it (wears quickly). One owner wrote: "lacks the long-term durability needed for low-mileage drivers". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Dunlop Sport BluResponse's dry grip?
Of the 164 owner reviews analyzed for the Dunlop Sport BluResponse, 77 mention dry grip: 73 praise it (strong dry grip) and 4 criticise it (limited dry grip). One owner wrote: "Excellent grip in wet and dry conditions". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Dunlop Sport BluResponse's wet grip?
Of the 164 owner reviews analyzed for the Dunlop Sport BluResponse, 76 mention wet grip: 65 praise it (confident wet grip) and 11 criticise it (weak wet grip). One owner wrote: "They offer an excellent grip even in the wet". Read those reviews
Questions and Answers for the Dunlop Sport BluResponse
Purchased a set of blue response tires 205/55R16 5years ago they have covered 10,000 miles. All tires have at least 5mm left on them and all look in good condition. Show morePurchased a set of blue response tires 205/55R16 5years ago they have covered 10,000 miles. All tires have at least 5mm left on them and all look in good condition. One tire however has a crack around the center between the tread. is this normal. Show less
October 15, 2019
Surface cracking can be normal, especially tires of that age, but worth getting checked by a professional. Tire manufacturers recommend no more than 5 years use, so it might be time to change them regardless!
Show all questions(4)
what is the average mileage one can expect from a Dunlop sports bluresponse 205/55r16 . Thanks
June 28, 2019
Tire wear can be influenced by a huge number of factors, such as vehicle weight, driving style and surfaces driven on. I'd recommend looking through the wear ratings on the website to find an average for your own personal setup.
Should the tire pressures be different because my new tires look a bit flat. I can roll the car side to side
August 18, 2016
The tire pressures for the Dunlop Sport BluResponse should be as your manufacturer specified. Some people are finding a few extra PSI in modern low rolling resistance tires are helping stability. If you decide to over inflate, keep an eye on wear to make sure the tire is wearing evenly.
What is the difference between the Dunlop Bluresponse 195/55R16 87H and 87V , apart from the price !
July 10, 2016
The V rated construction of the Sport BluResponse is rated to a higher maximum speed (130 mph for H, 150 mph for V), but in reality unless you plan on travelling faster than 130 mph there would be likely be no noticeable differences between the two models.
Across 168 reviews, the Dunlop Sport BluResponse is most often described as a quiet, comfortable summer tire with strong dry braking/handling and very reassuring wet grip and aquaplaning resistance. Many drivers also report low rolling resistance with noticeable fuel-economy benefits. The most common downsides are faster-than-expected tread wear and a soft/weak sidewall feel that can reduce steering precision and, for some, lead to sidewall damage or puncture sensitivity.
What owners mention most counted across 164 reviews
Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.
Owner ratings averaged from 195 ratings
Owner score76%
Dry Grip87%
Wet Grip83%
Comfort83%
Road Feedback79%
Handling76%
Wear62%
Featured reviews
Most helpful 90%
“I live in Greece and I bought these for the second time in April 2023 because i was totally satisfied. Excellent dry braking in city, motorway and country roads and very good dry handling in tight mountainous hairpin...”
“I dont know where to start. Ok worst tire Iv purchased in 15 years. Got them fitted and tracked and on the first drive it bobbed around like new tires will (the rubber isnt fully cured until you heat cycle them for a...”
“I used the tires on city commute in spring trough late autumn as well as long drives between countries in vacations for more than 7 years. Very quiet, nice braking response in dry, in wet I had to be a little more...”
UPDATE: 4-Year / 8,000 miles Follow-Up
I am currently running my final pair of Dunlop Sport BluResponse tires on the rear axle, but I will be replacing them permanently before next season due to ongoing rubber degradation. While dry and wet grip remained acceptable over time, the severe tread block cracking developed far too early despite low mileage and optimal indoor winter storage. The compound simply hasn't held up chemically, proving that this model lacks the long-term durability needed for low-mileage drivers. I cannot recommend these tires and will be switching to a different premium brand for my next set.
Initial Impressions60% 12,000 miles
Disappointed with Longevity – Dunlop Sport BluResponse 215/55 R16 (2021)
I purchased a full set of Dunlop Sport BluResponse 215/55 R16 97W XL tires in 2021, Lithuania, expecting a solid performance from a premium brand. Over the last three years, I’ve driven under 20,000 km, and during the off-season, they were stored indoors in a cool, dry basement — no exposure to sunlight, moisture, or harsh conditions. Tire pressure was checked regularly, and there were no signs of underinflation or abuse. The tires were always mounted on rims and were never removed during seasonal changes, so no additional stress from mounting or dismounting was involved.
Dry grip: Performance was quite decent when new. The tires felt confident on dry roads, offering a stable, quiet ride at both city and highway speeds.
Wet grip: Initially good, with predictable braking.
Comfort: These tires were noticeably quieter and smoother than the mid-range tires.
Wear Rate: This is where my experience takes a downturn. Despite the low mileage and proper storage, the tires have developed visible cracks . This was discovered in early April, 2025 when switching from winter to summer tires. Given the light use and good storage conditions, I did not expect this level of degradation from a supposedly high-quality tire.
Safety Concern: The cracking is particularly concerning — not something you’d expect from a tire with such limited use. Even if the warranty has expired, this feels like a premature failure. It casts serious doubt on the long-term durability of this model.
Verdict:
I can’t recommend the Dunlop Sport BluResponse based on my experience. One pair has already significantly degraded, and the other is showing early signs of the same issue. While driving performance was acceptable in the short term, this kind of unexpected deterioration is unacceptable for a tire at this price point and from a brand with Dunlop’s reputation. I’ve lost trust in this model and will be switching to a different brand for my next set.
I used the tires on city commute in spring trough late autumn as well as long drives between countries in vacations for more than 7 years. Very quiet, nice braking response in dry, in wet I had to be a little more cautious with braking and aquaplaning. I got a new set this year.
Check out how the BEST all seasons tires perform against premium summer and winter tires!
After first season with these tires I was impressed with the improvement they are over Fuld EcoControl HP I've used before on the same car.
They are not as noisy, they seem ok comfort wise, dry and wet grip and breaking seems fine. I do believe the premium price is worth paying for Dunlops over some cheaper midrange or lower range tires. After first 5000 miles no noticeable wear.
These tires give out the quality and premium feeling all in all.
Which tires do you drive?
Researching the Dunlop Sport BluResponse? Rate the tires you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.
Only had these tires for a couple of weeks but what I immediately noticed was the noise. I changed my winter tires with these expecting a more quite ride. What I got was a noticeable perceived increase in noise levels. They sound like they are easily 3db (double the noise) above my winter tires in loudness. I haven't tested it with a db-meter since it could be a difference in tone as well. Otherwise they handle well and I feel confident with them on the roads.
I live in Greece and I bought these for the second time in April 2023 because i was totally satisfied. Excellent dry braking in city, motorway and country roads and very good dry handling in tight mountainous hairpin turns. Excellent aquaplanning. Good wet braking but not so much feedback when cornering in wet. Great comfort, low noise and they feel very smooth which i absolutely loved. The first set was made in Poland, the new ones in Germany. Wear came sooner than i expected but still later than the Continental Contact. I hope that Falken that now owns Dunlop will make a replacement of this model enhancing its strong points even more.
Mind that my car is now 16 y/o, but overall I didn’t love these tires. They have plenty of grip in the dry, but are quite average in the wet. They feel loose around the dead zone, and at turn-in they seem to flex a lot, requiring a lot of steering angle at first. After a while they start to grip better, but it’s still tricky to keep a consistent line, with little feedback from the road.
They’re fitted to 6.5'' wide wheels, which makes them bulge slightly, probably adding to this weird feeling.
I have been buying and using these tires on the same car for about 12 years. I was attracted by the price and the A-B performance levels for grip and fuel economy.
The last set of 4 tires I have purchased have done 15439 miles and the front two (drive wheels) require replacement which is quite a bit earlier than I expected.
I noticed that the last set of tires had a spec change, now a B+B rating and the noise level had risen from 68db to 71db. The price had also risen by £30.
The tires were noticeably louder, reduced mpg by 5%, were 60% more expensive than the last set and have worn faster.
I am now looking for an alternative tire.
Very quiet and comfortable tires with reassuring roadholding on wet and dry roads. However, straight line stability at highway speeds is so-so, to put it mildly. Winter is coming and I just changed the Dunlops for wintertires (Continental WinterContact). This really transformed the car when driving at 100 km/h and above. It now tracks straight ahead. On the Dunlops, I was constantly correcting the steering to keep it on track and in a straight line. I somehow got used to it, but the Contis demonstrate how unstable the Dunlops really are at highway speeds. Next Summer, I'll experiment with a higher tire pressure than recommended in the car manual. If this won't help, I'll replace these tires with something better.
Mainly bought these tires because good fuel economy was promised by test. While I cannot attest to that (yet), because these are the first tires fitted during the ownership of this car and cannot really compare them to anything, I am quite satisfied with these tires, as fuel consumption is as expected with Corolla TS Hybrid. Good grip in wet and dry, drove in quite some atrocious conditions in the past 10.000 km made on these tires and no problems with aquaplaning and grip. What I did notice is that the rubber compound is quite soft. When driving on highways it is not that noticable, but when braking hard or turning in tight(er) turns, they get this distinct winter tire sound, which was surprising during first few days with these tires - thought they are under inflated so I put a bit more air into them, but the sound was/is still there. Also drove on some warmer days and noticed that when the tires get toasty warm, the surface of the tire tread gets really sticky - probably the stickiest of all the tires I have owned. Will see how things progress with wear.
86%
Member
Skoda
195/65 R15
11,500 miles
Mostly Country Roads
Average
They offer an excellent grip even in the wet and amazing braking performance, especially in the dry. They have very strong anti-aquaplaning characteristics, as I did not notice aquaplaning even at about 90km/h. The wear is also pretty good, but the harder compound gives you slightly less feedback in my opinion. I did notice that my car shifted from being oversteer-prone to understeer-prone on these tires, can't say if that's better or worse. And they are, in my opinion, quite prone to damage. I never had to have tires repaired as much as I have with these tires, but maybe that was just bad luck. Nonetheless, these are amazing tires and I would buy them again if they still made them.
