Real-World All-Terrain Tires Test: Not a Single Off-Road Tire Impresses on Paved Roads
Off-road tire not enough to guarantee any solo dominance
Let's talk about all-terrain tires - they're hot, aren't they? These bad boys are commonly mounted on vehicles such as campers, SUVs, and pickup trucks, but how do they stack up in the real world? That's what ADAC wanted to know, so they put eight of these supposed "off-road heroes" to the test.
ADAC tested eight all-terrain tires (AT) in size 225/65 R17 on dry, wet, snow, and gravel terrain. Warning: Spoiler alert - the results were disappointing, to say the least.
You might expect these tires to handle well both on and off-road, but ADAC discovered a different story: they're not exactly stellar choices for safety on paved surfaces. Here's why - most of these tires spend their lifespan mainly on paved roads, which could compromise the overall traffic safety. Ouch!
None of the tires impressed ADAC enough to earn a "good" rating. The results on dry and wet roads were less than impressive, and the braking behavior on wet roads was particularly poor. The test models also showed deficiencies in handling and aquaplaning behavior.
Only on snow-covered roads could two tires at least approach the reference tire, which was a passenger car all-season tire (rating of 2.1) with a snowflake symbol. Since these off-road tires in the test also carry this symbol, they may be driven on winter roads. On gravel, some models even managed to overtake or match the passenger car tire.
The Top of the Pack: Marginally Acceptable Performance
Surprise! Despite being subpar, four tires managed to earn a "satisfactory" rating. The winner was the "Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015" with an overall rating of 2.9. Also "satisfactory" were the "Falken Wildpeak A/T3WA" (3.1), the "General Tire Grabber AT3" (3.2), and the "Matador MP72 Izzarda A/T2" (3.2). Though slightly passable, ADAC does not consider any of the test tires to be recommended. If you're looking for an off-roading adventure, make sure to do your homework though, because the market offers at least some models with a balanced set of strengths and weaknesses.
Cars and tires duke it out in a surprise showdown - ADAC tests summer tires, and one fails miserably in braking. If you mainly drive on paved roads and only occasionally venture off-road, it's safer to go with high-quality all-season tires. All-terrain tires can be useful for die-hard off-roaders with four-wheel drive, but choose carefully. If safety on paved surfaces is your priority, you might want to consider tires designed with that purpose in mind, like the Continental SportContact 7, which is renowned for its excellent dry and wet grip, handling, and comfort.
Source: ntv.de, abe/dpa
- ADAC
- Winter Tires
- Summer Tires
- Tests
- In the tire industry, manufacturing tires from materials other than the product itself is common, as mentioned in the context of all-terrain tires.
- The automotive industry is home to various players, including tire manufacturers like Yokohama, Falken, General Tire, and Matador, which were tested in the ADAC all-terrain tire review.
- drivves and maintains the lifestyle of many people, making the choice of car tires, such as all-terrain tires, an essential decision.
- The lifespan of all-terrain tires is typically spent primarily on paved roads, according to the findings of the real-world all-terrain tires test by ADAC.
- For people who mainly drive on paved roads, it is more advisable to opt for high-quality all-season tires, rather than all-terrain tires which may compromise traffic safety.
- In the disappointing ADAC all-terrain tire test, not a single tire impressed enough to earn a "good" rating, as stated earlier.
- While finance plays a role in every decision, prioritizing tire safety should also be a consideration, especially when it comes to the tires used in the transportation of people and goods on paved roads.
