8 of the BEST SUV Tyres For 2021 - Tested and Rated

Important links - / tyre_reviews & www.tyrereviews.com/Article/2...
What are the best SUV tyres for 2021 for medium size SUV and crossover type vehicles?
To find out, I test eight of the most popular suv tyres in 235/55 R18, and a budget suv tyre, in the dry, wet, gravel, grass, comfort, noise and rolling resistance to find out which is the best SUV tyre for your own driving circumstances.
The tyres included in this video are:
Avon ZX7
BFGoodrich Advantage SUV
Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV
Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 SUV
Michelin Primacy 4
Nokian WetProof SUV
Uniroyal Rainsport 5
Vredestein Ultrac Satin
WestLake SU318 HT
More information about the tyres on test can be found at www.tyrereviews.com
I spoke with Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop and Pirelli when arranging this test and they all declined to be involved, mostly due to their current product in this segment being dated and new tyres due any day now. I also spoke with Kumho, Toyo and Yokohama but they declined with no reason.
This tyre test video will tell you what suv tyre has the best grip in the dry, wet, has the lowest fuel use (rolling resistance), best off road traction / grip on damp grass, gravel, what tyre is the most comfortable for your crossover / SUV.
Vehicles which this size applies to are vehicles such as BMW X3, BMW X5, Audi Q3, Volvo XC40 / XC60, Audi A8, Citroen C4 Aircross, VW Tiguan, Jeep Compass, Kia Sportage, Mercedes Benz EQA, GLA, S Class, Nissan Qashqai and many more.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:38 Tyres on Test
1:08 Dry Testing
1:54 Wet Testing
4:33 Comfort and Noise
6:01 Off Road Testing (Grass and Gravel)
7:58 Overall Results

[@tyrereviews]

😊Before you all ask, I did speak to Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop and Pirelli when arranging this test, however they all declined to be involved, mostly due to their current product line in this sector being old and a new one is round the corner. I also spoke to Kumho, Toyo and Yokohama, who declined but gave no reasons. Don't forget to head over to www.tyrereviews.com and leave a review for your own tyres :)

[@unintentionallyfire]

Great to know that Pirelli are launching new SUV tyres right when I replace my Scorpion Verdes (which I'm pretty happy with tbh)...

[@kinglimpang8067]

What is Bridgestone SUV tyre called? Thanks. 🙏

[@odjblue]

Despite the absence of some brands, I congratulate you on the tyre information you been giving us, for the past years. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@wusthof641]

Just replaced my garbage Hankook optimo 426s with the pirelli scorpion all season plus. Reviews I saw stated they were an excellent tire, right up there with the michelin as3+. The old verde was garbage but heard the newer verde 2 was decent for a touring tire. Wish the all season plus was in this test

[@henrysiew1996]

@@unintentionallyfire was thinking after the F1 incident in Baku makes u still confident with Pirelli 🤔

[@jamesinoregon1081]

Yet again, the most comprehensive, scientific and fun tire analysis reviews available anywhere in every type of media. If there were youtube awards for "Best of category" you would win for 2019, 2020 and 2021! Bravo!

[@tyrereviews]

Very kind of you, thank you :)

[@haileybenson9714]

So much information! What a huge test, good job!

[@GOINFINITI]

Fantastic review, with a very intelligent scoring system that is different for each segment like you explained - and awesome elaboration; not just pure figures. I must say you are the No.1 source of quality tyre reviews - no pun intended. :)

[@DanLMH]

You're churning these videos out recently, good work!

[@tyrereviews]

There's a bit of a backlog post covid restrictions easing :)

[@TommyRogic18]

Thank you, just bought four uniroyals off the strength of your recommendation versus the price. Wet performance is vital in the rural area where I live and drainage on roads is so poor. Thank you, love the channel, really interesting tests!

[@-DC-]

The Gold Standard of Tyre Reviewers 👊

[@jpch8814]

Love the Volkswagen Tiguan, for a crossover it handles really well and is very comfortable. I was very impressed with some brands of tires I usually disregard to perform this well. Thank you, awesome test.

[@MikeGratis]

Another great video that I enjoyed watching. I always keep in mind that you're on the other side of the Big Pond and have different tires & driving considerations there. As soon as I saw "SUV Tires" I was thinking of my Subi Outback. Two tires I've had in consideration for here in New England are the Continental CrossContact LX25 & Michelin CrossClimate SUV, which seem to offer a lot for the varying seasons & driving conditions here.

[@zedzedski7382]

As always, excellent and detailed review! Thumbs up!

[@KaiTimmerherm]

Thank you for another detailed and entertaining test! And as someone who has a more wafting style of driving, I'm happy to see my favourite, the Uniroyal, on the podium! 🏆🤓

[@andrewkb5211]

Perfect timing. Our SUV will need new tyres soon, same measurements.Thank you for another brilliant video. 🙂👍

[@vividthespis]

I'M EARLY! FINALLY! Thanks for all you do Jonathan.

[@tyrereviews]

:D Thanks

[@andrew5200]

Brilliant video as ever. Have used your advice before and am very happy with my tyres.

[@tyrereviews]

Great to hear!

[@andrewpaterson6505]

Great review, I have a 2013 Rav4 Ltd, needed some new tyres soon, being in New Zealand I have ordered Goodyear efficient grip suv but due to shipping problems I have been able to get the efficient grip suv performance for the same price, looking forward to these arriving in August, cheers Andrew 🙂

[@boy638]

Your tyre videos are never tiring.

[@tyrereviews]

:D

[@jamespink4202]

Excellent test, real detail, great subjective reporting!

[@ThenSaidHeUntoThem]

My Genesis GV70 came with the Michelin Primacy AS. Very quiet. This test just confirmed that I will be buying the same tires when it's time to change them. Thank you for your scientific approach to this comparison.

[@3dScience8]

very very good review Goodyear Efficientgrip 2 still rules the SUV - compact tyre segment.

[@ian7675]

Fantastic video, this has helped a lot. I've been looking for tyres for my VW T5 so as it's not going to be driven like a sports car, wet braking, wet handling and comfort are my priorities so the Uniroyal gets my vote. And there's not many tyres in the R20" bracket either but the Rainsport is available, thanks again.

[@owendunne9889]

Another great Job by tyre reviews and I am sure a lot of work behind the scenes that we never see. Keep up the good work.

[@tyrereviews]

Thanks! 👍

[@karlrod4699]

Many, many thanks for the review. I was waiting for it for a long time! Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop and Pirelli, they loose at the end, as we cannot compare them, so many of us wont take them into account.

[@nikkyt2524]

You’re amazing and very helpful, for real! Now in 2023, the Bridgestone turanza 6 is a great tire too🙏

[@yesiamfelix114]

Got the Hankook in 235/55R19 for my mom this march. Better tyre than her previous Kumho tyres. It fits her needs as the typical City-Driver that ocasionally tows something.

[@emanueldanciu4894]

Great video, keep it up ! Do a "never use winter tyres during the summer" video, since i failed to convince my friends and family to swap them during the last 2 summers... Anyway, I can't thank you enough for the knowledge you brought to the masses about something we take for granted !

[@Gave-rf1hr]

So what happened?

[@Fred_P]

You're spoiling us with the frequent uploads recently! I understand it's hard to do, but it would be very interesting to know how the Michelin performs on aquaplaning over the life of the tyre. Maybe it's catching up as the other tyres lose their tread depth more quickly.

[@tyrereviews]

I'm sure michelin would love to tell that story too

[@EmanueleDiPalo7]

Just bought the EfficientGrip 2 Suv after watching this, thanks!

[@Theoriginalramjammer]

We fitted a full set of Goodyear efficient grip tyres to a VAG suv 2 yrs ago and they were brilliant value, lasted almost 40k miles with rotation, and transformative to ride quality and braking. Highly recommended for all driving conditions

[@FirestormAA]

Awesome review!!!!!! Extremely detailed review!!!!!!

[@tyrereviews]

Thank you :)

[@drewyager4020]

Love it. You are the best

[@Terrier13]

Bought GoodYear EfficientGrip 2 for my Suzuki Vitara 2016 this year. Excellent tyre! Can’t compare with the stock Continental EcoContact 5 which were done after 30 000 km (4 seasons). Much quieter and even the fuel consupmtion has slightly improved.

[@benjaminyong1985]

Great review

[@ronaldconiglio9942]

Thank You for another informative and helpful review.

[@tyrereviews]

Thank you :)

[@yotuanyboi6201]

Knew this guy would have an SUV tyre video, looking to get a 2nd hand car and it's a 4x4 and uses SUV class tyres, wanted to know more about them as would like to fit all season tyres in them like my previous car. Good lad

[@educatedautomotiveowner6788]

Excellent review as always! Can you test the Nexen Roadian GTX some day?

[@smashedhulk8492]

Phenomenal work as usual.

[@tyrereviews]

Thank you :)

[@clansman81eg]

Been years taking your great website as the only reference when buying tyres! First time to notice that you have such a great youtube channel, good luck 😍👌

[@tyrereviews]

Glad you like them!

[@clansman81eg]

@@tyrereviews sure, you saved me fortune ten times before specially when it comes to underdogs budget tyres like Fulda vredesteien etc, they are available locally in my city & nobody buys them so they always come on the cheap 😍

[@chrispenn715]

Excellent information thank you!

[@tyrereviews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Party5350]

Great reviews as usual, congratultions! Please include a pothole resistance test.

[@jonathangarzon2798]

Pothole resistance? I don't think that's a tire issue bud that's more a suspension and speed thing, doesn't matter what tire you use you should avoid slamming across potholes

[@huntman9485]

Any reviews for SUV Tyres 2023? Great video thanks

[@Fredkruge]

Keep up the great data!

[@tyrereviews]

Thanks :D

[@smokinC5]

Great job again! I wonder if goodyear is getting tired of having michelin beat them on their own turf?

[@janalbertholwerda5954]

Great job! Thanks a lot! This size make sence on our Subaru XV. Wet grass and gravel is no big deal for the car it self, but i wil not get stuck in a Subaru, thanks to the tyres 😖

[@sumitgenzyme]

Fantastic review...I love my Goodyear

[@tyrereviews]

Glad you like them

[@ncooty]

As always, a TOP-quality review... even if we didn't get to see the limits of your considerable driving skills. Surprised not to see Michelin's CrossClimate SUV in the mix, but I know you can't test every tire (or tyre).

[@michaelyoung7911]

I’d love to see the Nankang tires in your reviews for a budget tire.

[@emersonmsd]

Fantastic. I was going to ask when a SUV tyre test was coming.

[@tyrereviews]

Now 😁

[@gabsparrow2045]

Great review, could you do one on the pilot sport suv? Was considering one to replace the pilot sport 4 on my HRV. Cheers

[@benbradbury3665]

Another epic video..

[@tyrereviews]

Thank you sir!

[@JD2ndcity]

Great video. Next up, sports SUV tested on a Stelvio!!

[@karlrod4699]

As usual, great summary! I would agree with you on the aquaplaning. The last thing I want to see is my family aquaplaning. I didn't see the stats about aquaplaning, so maybe Michelin has a fair point. How fast you can go in a rain, but still it is not the rain but the amount of water that you drive through, so I prefer to stay safe. Maybe they improve it. Many thanks for the video. I wish I could see, both Bridgestone and Dunlop and Yokohama, as I like the brands, but it looks for we have something to choose anyway. Bravo to Michelin, Goodyear and Hankook, and Nokian too :) Much appreciation to other brands. Probably some customer choose them too, as they know what they can expect, for a bit better price.

[@K03sport]

...right. It's not the rain, but the puddle(s) of water you can't see (especially at night) that accumulate on higher speed roads that catch you off guard. If you are driving in regular rain and your traction light keeps coming on, it is probably best to slow down. Of course aquaplaning resistance is best when the tire is new...20k miles later, and a few 1/32s down can be a whole other story....

[@mulhatton]

I'm running Contis on a Haval H6C. I prefer them over Goodyear, Dunlop and Cooper (which the car came with). Would have been interesting to see Continental on here. Thanks for another excellent vid. 🍻

[@puffnstuff12]

Thank you for this test. Do not change your testing parameters. For people such as myself who live in wet climates, Florida, aquaplaning is a real consideration and is a major factor when considering tires.

[@kategrant717]

Your video reviews are so helpful - thorough, intelligent, practical. Is it possible to test mpg and correlate this with your existing tyre tests? Many thanks

[@tyrereviews]

There's rolling resistance data in the video, obviously that won't mean the same rolling resistance changes for many vehicles!

[@yotuanyboi6201]

I got the Avon as7 all season tyres. Pretty good at the moment. Breaking distance is about 1metre-ish longer than the summer tyres I had. But in all pretty quiet, handles alright and dealing with the current hot summer the UK is having

[@Toshifer]

Did you have the same tire pressure on all tires on the Tiguan? What pressure? Love your stuff

[@cx.silver.bullet]

Recently bought Michelin Primacy 4. No big mileage or edge situations yet but very comfortable and promising :)

[@davidpicken6879]

Magnificent videos, given that the crash data is out there would it be possible for Tyre Reviews to have a chat with insurance companies to see how using good tyres might be used to reduce the cost of insurance?

[@tyrereviews]

Sadly no insurance company offers this, tyres just have to be legal. It would be a great shift if it happened but also very unlikely and open to scamming

[@TheSWIMBEAST1]

Hi Jonathan, I hope you see this post, 2 years after you did this test... Which summer tyre would you recommend (size 235/55/19) for a Kia Sorento PHEV? Most important to me are subjective comfort and noise levels, without giving up on wet and dry grip. Is the GoodYear Efficientgrip 2 SUV the one to go for? Any other suggestions? Which would you choose?

[@adrianw3985]

Do you plan to do All Terrain tire tests this year? I know you already work really hard, maybe that's asking too much. Love the reviews...

[@tyrereviews]

Sadly not this year, sorry, hopefully next!

[@QuickQuips]

Nice. The Primacy might be my next tire, especially if I get an electric where range is of the utmost concern.

[@kyles5258]

Love it!

[@tyrereviews]

Thank you!

[@happybeerlove]

Very comprehensive test Jonathan cheers 🍻 and in exactly the size my SUV wears. I've got a set of fk510 atm and they're coming up for replacement. Would you recommend giving the Goodyear/Michelin a go over sticking with falken?

[@tyrereviews]

I'd be fitting the Goodyears

[@happybeerlove]

@@tyrereviews cheers mate

[@Roddy451]

I don't own an "SUV" (a raised station wagon); However, I am a tire freak. Hence, why I watched. You always learn something and keep up with the manufacturers' performance trends. 👍💣💥

[@stefstef4895]

I think you have one of the most satisfying jobs in the world, sir

[@tyrereviews]

:D Thanks

[@Spirited282]

Thank you for this video, very informative. My new Rav 4 came with Primacy and they seem ok just much noisier then other brands i have had on past vehicles. Of course there is a variety of factors to this i would imagine

[@BiggMo]

8:10 Your data is amazing…. Someday maybe you’ll have your own APP that allows us to input our ‘weighted preferences’ to sort your data into personal recommendations - just a thought from one data nerd to another

[@tyrereviews]

I'd love that, it's been something I've started working on for the website but not got around to finishing!

[@axiom1652]

Thanks for another great test! Could you do a kind of brand comparison at some point (e.g. a winter tyre from all Continental brands)?

[@tyrereviews]

Sister brands are often included in european tests like Conti and Uniroyal!

[@axiom1652]

@@tyrereviews yes and i am always glad for that ;-) just very curious for a complete comparison as when you e.g look at the current line up the sister brands usually are having a very low price difference and I am always puzzled where the actual difference is. E.g. my last winter tyres for my Mondeo were Matador MP92 and with my driving behavior i could not see a huge difference to the conti I had before.

[@nordicwolf8808]

Watching in 2023. Thanks for an objective approach to review tires. I know it’s a ton of effort to make this video but Can you please add Cooper and Continental tires next time?

[@varunsambi2004]

That’s a very good test - really comprehensive. I think we are missing continental here. How do you rate continental LX2 - they are the ones available in my market.

[@tyrereviews]

I've not tested them but I trust anything conti to be good! I have their AT tire on a vehicle.

[@Jeo-What]

Thanks for the excellent review. I am surprised that CrossClimate SUV was not included.

[@JWL-UK]

Same here!

[@tyrereviews]

Same here!

[@JWL-UK]

@@tyrereviews so, why wasn't it included? 🤔

[@ms-jl6dl]

@@JWL-UK They just introduced CC 2,which is better. This was the test of SUMMER TIRES. CrossClimate is,as it's name suggests ALL SEASON TIRE. Those (all season)tires should work well even in snow and low temperatures,summer tires should work very well in very hot,dry and wet weather-better than the "all seasons". They (summer tires) were designed for those who use separate tires for summer and winter driving,which is something like 70% of europeans do.The rest live in the Mediterranean and just hope it never snows. You both must be new to this subject and obviously have never read serious car magazines in your life,let allone the tire tests in them.But one learns as life goes. Good luck.

[@JWL-UK]

@@ms-jl6dl I gathered 😊 it's on the top of my list for next year.

[@JWL-UK]

Missed seeing Crossclimate in the line up. I'd argue that it's the best tyre for SUVs for the weather we have in the UK.

[@jakuchuito5107]

Yeah, I’d really have liked to have seen the Primacy 4 compared to the Crossclimate 2s

[@matthewstencel8298]

For some reason, Michelin does not care about aqua planing. I have had 2 sets of Michelin defender t+h (195/55r15) for over 40,000 miles, and both have cause major aqua planing scares in heavy rain and slush. Both new and slightly worn. I am hoping the new cross climate does better. Thanks for the tests!!!

[@dufonrafal]

I’m hoping for a performance SUV tires test next :)

[@tyrereviews]

Me too :)

[@saucemaster2]

Would love for you to add Kenda, Cooper, and Falken to the tire roster.

[@kojo4480]

Had Michelin Primacy 4 myself, they sell the tyre as being great in wet braking, but there was a lot of aquaplaning at highway speeds with heavy rain.. apart from that, great tire in the dry, quiet with decent grip and long life

[@tyrereviews]

Sounds like your data matches my data :)

[@thebrowns5337]

Lovevmy Primacy 4 tyres. Great grip yet quiet. Then again I try to drive smoothly, predictably and for a stress free time... maybe that's why I never get an iseue with aquaplaning.

[@Gave-rf1hr]

I believe the strong point of Primacy 4 is wet braking more than avoiding aquaplaning , have you noticed this is the case ? Being very good at wet braking ?

[@goodlord5]

we need your test with the north american tires, cause many of yours can't be found here in Canada

[@komkom1341]

Thank you for the great tyre review video! may i ask u if there is any big difference in results if we pick a tyre 235/55/ r17 dimension.

[@tyrereviews]

No there should not be

[@paul756uk2]

Had 4 Continental sport contact 6's fitted to my Merc M class only yesterday but they're 265/45 20"s. Had sport contact 2's before and were happy with them.

[@tyrereviews]

Very good tyres :)

[@paul756uk2]

@@tyrereviews 👍 thanks.

[@bikeomatic8005]

Which tyres for 2020 X5 would you recommend ? I am looking at Pirelli P Zeros or Continental PremiumContact 6 ? Staggered setup.22 inch wheels. m50D 400BHP model.

[@yondonn]

thanks! Hi, which one for Tiguan front wheel drive 235/55R18? Assymetric 5 or EfficientGrip2?

[@fredbettesworth5397]

How do you feel about goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 on an suv (discovery sport). I loved them on my audi A5

[@JohannesDahl42]

I don't have an SUV and my car already has summer tyres, but I'm dropping everything and watching this video.

[@josephtucciarone6878]

How would the Michelin Crossclimate 2 score compared to the Michelin Primacy 4 in all the tests including snow. Which to pick?

[@kelvinbridglal4879]

Need you to add some more Korean tyres like Nankang and nexen

[@hellsing56666]

Michelin crossclimate suv is really convenient for me, no need to change in winter, and i can do a bit of 4x4 with it.

[@kellykettle4529]

Great video! Any tyre tips for Elgrand driver's? I have a 240bhp, RWD 2.4 tonne nighmare, very keen to keep it shiny side up, winter and snow especially concerning.

[@tyrereviews]

Buy good tyres? :)

[@jorgefernandes9572]

Using 245/45 R19 Hankook for one month and happy with it

[@ms-jl6dl]

Using 7g Lavazza for three months and happy with it

[@chrischadwick5395]

Is it OK to fit XL/reinforced tyres to an SUv such as a Mitsubishi Outlander?

[@irmantasgriksas2085]

Nice video, watching it it felt like Michelin is doing just average enough. I am surprised it was rated no.1 after all.

[@marcvalme7732]

I don't have an SUV, but I watched a video anyway to support the channel! P.S. would you ever consider starting a health and fitness channel? With your breath of knowledge and eye for detail it would be epic.

[@tyrereviews]

Thanks dude :) It's probably best I stick to tyres, I'm definitely not finding as much time for the gym as I used to :(

[@adamwafiy9747]

wishing continental UltraContact UC6 is included into the test

[@pigeonpoo1823]

So a road biased SUV tire deals with the added weight of an SUV over a car (Google says) So, will there be EV tires soon as eg Merc eqc is 2.5t and GLC is 1.8-2.1t? And what's your opinion eg another designation, so car, EV car, SUV, EV SUV, lorry? Top review as ever!

[@MrRubasso]

Recently i bought a used Rav4 That came with brand new Su318 Tyres. After watch your outstanding review, i ordered 4 Michelin Primacy SUV. I hope they perform as good as Primacy 4. 🇧🇷

[@Gave-rf1hr]

Are you happy with the Primacy SUV?

[@MrRubasso]

@@Gave-rf1hr quite happy. I noticed much better handling, particularly in turns, and more comfort.

[@Gave-rf1hr]

@@MrRubasso nice , im waiting for my new Primacy SUV + to be installed next week . Meanwhile I also got Primacy 4 for my car and they have been doing really good

[@scottwilliams5178]

A great and useful test as always. But my Range Rover Evoque currently has Pirrelli Scorpuon Verde on. In your expert opinion where in the rankings might these come?

[@tyrereviews]

I expect they'd be towards the front :)

[@ms-jl6dl]

Aren't they classified as "all season" tires?

[@Daniel23729]

Great videos! I'm in Canada and most of the tires you test are not available on the North American market, including all the top brands. Even the ones with similar names have different tread patterns, I checked. It's so annoying when I try to find any of the tires in your tests in my market 😀 You seem to have connections in the US, have you considered doing some tests with tires available here?

[@tyrereviews]

I'm building the US stuff as quickly as possible :)

[@Daniel23729]

Yay, can't wait. Do you have any rough estimate on timing for your 1st US tires test?

[@tyrereviews]

@@Daniel23729 There's some offroad, UHP AS and UUHP stuff on the channel already (check out the raptor video, the two UHP AS tests and the recent treadwear track test) and there should be some more track and UUHP stuff in the future.

[@alanf5351]

I’m sure I’m am too late for you but I have been doing online research the past few days and am in southern Ontario, Canada. It appears the Bridgestone Alenza AS ULTRA would be an excellent tire in dry handling/braking and wet handling/braking. And they should be manufactured in Japan, I hope. My past Russian made Nokian received dry rot after 1-2 seasons and 7,000 kilometres. Never again. My previous Nokian winters made in Finland were great. And Nokian has never responded to my warranty claim with photos sent twice since April 2022

[@heman691]

How does a Hankook S1 evo2 do against the evo3 as the evo 2 is still made in 2021 that would be interesting to know.

[@Mewzyc]

why Michelin Primacy 4 on suv instead of the Pilot Sport 4 A/S? I want

[@TeoFeL14]

It would be very interesting if we could see some more brands as an example nexen.

[@tyrereviews]

if you've not already there's a lot of data on www.tyrereviews.com

[@hikviz9410]

Good video, totally agree, Michelin are hella scary aqua-planing, Goodyear was the right choice. Can you do the same test with SUV Runflats?

[@tyrereviews]

I need to do runflats properly sometime