Lasted for ages ... 28k miles literally traveling return trip of 110 miles a day over a year on all types of terrain and weather ( the back tires could easily go another year without replacing )
Royal Black Tires
Budget brand
3 current Royal Black tires, ranked using 6 independent tire tests and 7 owner reviews covering 45,550 miles of driving.
- 3current tires
- 6professional tests
- 7owner reviews
- 45,550 milescovered on them
The quick answer
| Pick | Tire | The evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Royal Black Explorer II 5.5 | TR Score 5.5 / 10 limited data so far |
| All Season | Royal Black Royal AS II 5.5 | TR Score 5.5 / 10 medium confidence score |
| Winter | Royal Black Royal Winter UHP 6.8 | TR Score 6.8 / 10 medium confidence score |
| Owners' favorite | Royal Black Explorer II 5.5 | 92% from 5 owner reviews |
| Latest test result | Royal Black Royal Winter UHP | #49 / 50 2026 Winter Tire Braking Test - 50 Sets |
Each season pick is the highest TR Score among the brand's current tires; the owners' favorite is the highest rated by the drivers who run them. The full rankings and the evidence behind every pick are below.
The Royal Black test record
Royal Black has entered 6 independent comparison tests indexed on Tire Reviews.
Most recent test appearances
| Year | Test | Best placed tire | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026 Winter Tire Braking Test - 50 Sets | Royal Winter UHP | #49 / 50 |
| 2026 | 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 | Royal Winter UHP | #15 / 16 |
| 2026 | The BEST All Season Tires For 2026/27 Tire Reviews test | Royal AS II | #10 / 10 |
| 2025 | 2025 Winter Tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! | Royal Winter UHP | #36 / 51 |
| 2025 | 2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout | Explorer II | #51 / 52 |
| 2024 | 2024 All Season Tire Market Overview | Royal AS II | #37 / 37 |
Positions are each test's overall ranking, with the brand represented by its best placed tire. Tests that rank tires within groups count towards the totals above but are not listed, because a position inside a group is not a position in the test. All tests featuring Royal Black →
The current Royal Black range, ranked
The highest scoring Royal Black you can buy today is the Royal Black Royal Winter UHP, with a TR Score of 6.8 out of 10. 3 of the 3 current tires have earned a score.
Summer Tires 1
| # | Tire | Category | TR Score | Owner rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Royal Black Explorer II
|
Ultra High Performance | 5.5 | 92% | 5 |
All Season Tires 1
| # | Tire | Category | TR Score | Owner rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Royal Black Royal AS II
|
Touring | 5.5 | 85% | 1 |
Winter Tires 1
| # | Tire | Category | TR Score | Owner rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Royal Black Royal Winter UHP
|
Touring | 6.8 | 78% | 1 |
Tables are ranked by TR Score, which rates each tire out of 10 using independent test results and owner reviews weighted by how much evidence backs them. Unscored tires link to their pages, where a review counts towards a score.
What drivers say about Royal Black tires
Across 7 owner reviews and 45,550 miles of driving, Royal Black tires average 89% overall. The scores below show where owners rate the brand strongest.
- Dry Grip 9.6/10
- Wet Grip 8.7/10
- Road Feedback 8.6/10
- Handling 8/10
- Wear 9.2/10
- Comfort 9/10
- Buy again 9.7/10
- Snow Grip 7.5/10
- Ice Grip 7/10
Question averages are weighted by review count across every tire of the brand. Snow and ice scores come only from the drivers of the brand's winter-capable tires.
The most recent reviews, in their own words
I’m coming from old Continental 830P winter tires and having new tires, even if they are budget tires, feels as a big improvement. On dry roads they are fantastic, the grip is very good. Recently I started driving them on snow covered roads, country roads and motorways. The only time I feel they are losing grip is when I floor it suddenly on wet or snow covered roads, but I’m used to this as the car is RWD. I drove them on snow covered motorway and I was able to change lanes without having the sensation that I’m losing grip. However, I do drive very cautiously. For me it’s better to change more often budget tires, than buying premium tires and keep them for longer. One the tire is getting old, no matter the brand it will loose grip. I would probably buy them again.
Feels very reliable tires. Good price and quality. Will buy again.
This review is based on the Royal Black Explorer II in 235/50/19 103Y XL (front and rear).
The tires were fitted within 2 weeks of each other (fronts first). Dry grip is absolutely fine but I don't throw my SUV around. When it's wet grip is fine but some extra care is taken just in case. Wet rating is 'C' but my SUV is somewhat lardy so best to be on the safe side. Can't really comment on handling or feedback given these tires aren't "pushed". So far wear is good but the boots are somewhat noisy at speed - all okay at 60 mph but at 70 mph there's an obvious drone (tire is rated at 72dB). But am I happy? Yes and would buy again.
The tires were fitted within 2 weeks of each other (fronts first). Dry grip is absolutely fine but I don't throw my SUV around. When it's wet grip is fine but some extra care is taken just in case. Wet rating is 'C' but my SUV is somewhat lardy so best to be on the safe side. Can't really comment on handling or feedback given these tires aren't "pushed". So far wear is good but the boots are somewhat noisy at speed - all okay at 60 mph but at 70 mph there's an obvious drone (tire is rated at 72dB). But am I happy? Yes and would buy again.
Bought these at a great price on Online for my CRV AWD 235 65 17 set of 4, first time trying All season Tires coming from a set of worn Dunlop SP sportmaxx 050 tires, I think these are very good tires for the price vs the performance they improved driving in snow a lot ,grip was far better than I could have expected minimum wheel spin got me up some tricky hills in fairly deep snow tires really stay soft and supple in below zero temps, MPG the same as my Summer tires. Would buy again only drawback is slightly noisier on dry roads but not unbearably so this could be because they are directional tires with a v shaped tread over all very happy with the purchase and tires exceeded my expectations, not sure why the established brands get away with the prices they charge. I wanted to buy Michelin cross climate tires but the price of nearly £200 per tire fitted was scandalous, this set of Tires cost me £300 fitted £360 vs £800 for CC2s
Every Royal Black tire on Tire Reviews
The complete record, including discontinued tires and tires with too little evidence to rank, ordered by the amount of evidence. The most researched this month: Royal Black Royal AS II, Royal Black Explorer II, Royal Black Royal Winter UHP.
| Tire | Season | TR Score | Owner rating | Reviews | Distance reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Black Explorer II | Summer | 5.5 | 92% | 5 | 39,750 miles |
| Royal Black Royal Winter UHP | Winter | 6.8 | 78% | 1 | 1,800 miles |
| Royal Black Royal AS II | All Season | 5.5 | 85% | 1 | 4,000 miles |
Find your next tire
All tire tests →The latest Tire Reviews tests
- Oct 2026The BEST All Weather Tires for 2026/27 →
- Oct 2026All Season vs All Terrain Tires Tested: Do You Actually Need an All Terrain? →
- Oct 2026The BEST Winter Tires for 2026/27 →
Summer Tires
All Season Tires
Winter Tires
SUV and All Terrain Tires
Track Tires
Run Royal Black tires?
Review your tires and help the next driver choose. It takes about five minutes, and every rating on this page came from a driver who took them.
Where this data comes from
Rankings combine independent test results with owner reviews submitted through this site, each naming the car, the tire, the size and the distance covered. Reviews are checked by hand before publication, and the page rebuilds automatically as new evidence arrives.
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, weighted by how much evidence backs them.
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.