The 2020 Auto Bild AllRad SUV / 4x4 tyre test has looked at the popular 255/55 R18 tyre size. While the tyre patterns included in the test are aimed at "soft roaders", which spend 99% of their time on normal roads, Auto Bild still went to the effort of testing the handling and traction on gravel of all ten tyres, along with traction on grass, mud and even sand!

Off-road performance is often an opposing quality to on-road grip, with dedicated off-road tyres performing well in loose surfaces such as gravel and mud, but poorly on-road in the dry and wet.  It's worth noting, as we found out with our off-road tyre test, repeatable off-road testing is extremely difficult, especially in mud, so these figures should only be used as a broad guide.

Dry

Dry braking is often closely contested, but the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV proved to have a near meter advantage over the nearest rival. It's also been a long time since we've seen a budget tyre perform poorly in the dry, which is exactly what the Lexani LX-Thirty did, stopping the SUV 6.5 meters behind the Michelin!

The dry handling results were broadly the same, but this time Dunlop narrowly beat Michelin for the fastest lap time.

Wet

Michelin dominated the wet testing, winning all three tests.

Like dry braking, wet braking saw Michelin and Dunlop leading the way, with the budget Lexani tyre taking over 20 meters longer to stop the vehicle. 

This time during wet handling, Michelin held the advantage, beating the Dunlop by a significant margin.

Surprisingly Michelin also performed best in the aquaplaning test, which is often an opposing quality for dry grip.

Offroad

Off-road is where things get really interesting / confusing. Usually, a tyre that performs well off-road, doesn't perform on-road, but it seems Michelin have done their best to disprove that rule.

The Pilot Sport 4 SUV was the best in the wet and dry overall, and had the fastest lap time during gravel handling.

Travel traction was close amongst the top five tyres, with Barum taking its first win of the test.

Grass traction was also won by the French manufacturer.

Maxxis won mud testing, with Dunlop and Michelin having to settle for second and third overall.

To highlight how interesting off-road testing is, sand traction was won by Cooper, wich was essentially last in mud and grass traction!

Environment

The Continental owned Barum Bravuris 5HM showed to have a significant advantage during rolling resistance testing, with the otherwise excellent Dunlop joint last.

All ten tyres were in 3dB of each other.

And finally it will be no surprise that the Michelin was the most expensive set of tyres on test, and the budget the cheapest! No wear testing was performed this time, so we're unable to work out what value each tyre represents.

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
255/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 33.2 M 100% Dry Handling 2nd 112.1 Km/H 112.2 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.91% Wet Braking 1st 46.4 M 100% Wet Handling 1st 86.2 Km/H 100% Straight Aqua 1st 89.7 Km/H 100% Gravel Handling 1st 64.5 Km/H 100% Gravel Traction 2nd 2427 N 2440 N -13 N 99.47% Sand Traction 3rd 2449 N 2472 N -23 N 99.07% Grass Traction 1st 3492 N 100% Mud Traction 3rd 2780 N 2960 N -180 N 93.92% Noise 8th 72.1 dB 69.9 dB +2.2 dB 96.95% Tyre Weight 5th 58 Kg 52 Kg +6 Kg 89.66% Price 10th 605 345 +260 57.02% Rolling Resistance 4th 7.75 kg / t 6.68 kg / t +1.07 kg / t 86.19% Driving dynamics in a class of their own. The test winner is ahead in almost all categories. High purchase price. Read Reviews    Buy from £152.09
2nd: Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV
255/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 33.8 M 33.2 M +0.6 M 98.22% Dry Handling 3rd 111.4 Km/H 112.2 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.29% Wet Braking 2nd 48.1 M 46.4 M +1.7 M 96.47% Wet Handling 2nd 84.5 Km/H 86.2 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.03% Straight Aqua 7th 85.8 Km/H 89.7 Km/H -3.9 Km/H 95.65% Gravel Handling 2nd 64.2 Km/H 64.5 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.53% Gravel Traction 5th 2408 N 2440 N -32 N 98.69% Sand Traction 8th 2242 N 2472 N -230 N 90.7% Grass Traction 4th 3183 N 3492 N -309 N 91.15% Mud Traction 2nd 2840 N 2960 N -120 N 95.95% Noise 6th 71 dB 69.9 dB +1.1 dB 98.45% Tyre Weight 8th 58.4 Kg 52 Kg +6.4 Kg 89.04% Price 8th 530 345 +185 65.09% Rolling Resistance 10th 8.38 kg / t 6.68 kg / t +1.7 kg / t 79.71% Balanced performance in nearly all categories. High steering precision and short wet and dry braking. Average rolling resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £133.12
3rd: Vredestein Ultrac Satin
255/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 34.8 M 33.2 M +1.6 M 95.4% Dry Handling 7th 111 Km/H 112.2 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.93% Wet Braking 5th 50.8 M 46.4 M +4.4 M 91.34% Wet Handling 3rd 84.2 Km/H 86.2 Km/H -2 Km/H 97.68% Straight Aqua 5th 86.4 Km/H 89.7 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 96.32% Gravel Handling 2nd 64.2 Km/H 64.5 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.53% Gravel Traction 10th 2228 N 2440 N -212 N 91.31% Sand Traction 6th 2319 N 2472 N -153 N 93.81% Grass Traction 2nd 3268 N 3492 N -224 N 93.59% Mud Traction 4th 2720 N 2960 N -240 N 91.89% Noise 3rd 70.2 dB 69.9 dB +0.3 dB 99.57% Tyre Weight 3rd 56.8 Kg 52 Kg +4.8 Kg 91.55% Price 5th 465 345 +120 74.19% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.26 kg / t 6.68 kg / t +0.58 kg / t 92.01% Great price / performance ratio, good wet handling, low noise, low rolling resistance. Average traction on gravel. Read Reviews
4th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 SUV
255/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 34.1 M 33.2 M +0.9 M 97.36% Dry Handling 1st 112.2 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 3rd 49.4 M 46.4 M +3 M 93.93% Wet Handling 3rd 84.2 Km/H 86.2 Km/H -2 Km/H 97.68% Straight Aqua 7th 85.8 Km/H 89.7 Km/H -3.9 Km/H 95.65% Gravel Handling 7th 63.5 Km/H 64.5 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.45% Gravel Traction 3rd 2423 N 2440 N -17 N 99.3% Sand Traction 4th 2387 N 2472 N -85 N 96.56% Grass Traction 8th 2967 N 3492 N -525 N 84.97% Mud Traction 7th 2680 N 2960 N -280 N 90.54% Noise 1st 69.9 dB 100% Tyre Weight 5th 58 Kg 52 Kg +6 Kg 89.66% Price 8th 530 345 +185 65.09% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.28 kg / t 6.68 kg / t +1.6 kg / t 80.68% Top performance on dry roads, dynamic dry handling, precise steering behavior, short dry braking, good comfort. Average grass traction. Read Reviews    Buy from £124.99
5th: Pirelli Scorpion Verde
255/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 34.7 M 33.2 M +1.5 M 95.68% Dry Handling 3rd 111.4 Km/H 112.2 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.29% Wet Braking 4th 50.2 M 46.4 M +3.8 M 92.43% Wet Handling 9th 82.1 Km/H 86.2 Km/H -4.1 Km/H 95.24% Straight Aqua 9th 85.3 Km/H 89.7 Km/H -4.4 Km/H 95.09% Gravel Handling 7th 63.5 Km/H 64.5 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.45% Gravel Traction 6th 2379 N 2440 N -61 N 97.5% Sand Traction 7th 2264 N 2472 N -208 N 91.59% Grass Traction 5th 3071 N 3492 N -421 N 87.94% Mud Traction 9th 2650 N 2960 N -310 N 89.53% Noise 5th 70.4 dB 69.9 dB +0.5 dB 99.29% Tyre Weight 10th 59.2 Kg 52 Kg +7.2 Kg 87.84% Price 7th 500 345 +155 69% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.11 kg / t 6.68 kg / t +1.43 kg / t 82.37% A balanced premium summer tyre with stable and safe behaviour on wet and dry roads, good comfort. Average offroad performance. Read Reviews    Buy from £148.62
6th: Maxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV
255/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 35.2 M 33.2 M +2 M 94.32% Dry Handling 6th 111.1 Km/H 112.2 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 99.02% Wet Braking 6th 52.4 M 46.4 M +6 M 88.55% Wet Handling 7th 82.4 Km/H 86.2 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 95.59% Straight Aqua 2nd 88.1 Km/H 89.7 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.22% Gravel Handling 4th 64.1 Km/H 64.5 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.38% Gravel Traction 8th 2320 N 2440 N -120 N 95.08% Sand Traction 5th 2354 N 2472 N -118 N 95.23% Grass Traction 6th 2996 N 3492 N -496 N 85.8% Mud Traction 1st 2960 N 100% Noise 2nd 70.1 dB 69.9 dB +0.2 dB 99.71% Tyre Weight 8th 58.4 Kg 52 Kg +6.4 Kg 89.04% Price 3rd 410 345 +65 84.15% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.19 kg / t 6.68 kg / t +1.51 kg / t 81.56% High aquaplaning resistance, good off road handling, good in the dry. Average wet performance in all categories. Read Reviews
6th: Barum Bravuris 5HM
255/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 36.8 M 33.2 M +3.6 M 90.22% Dry Handling 9th 109.7 Km/H 112.2 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 97.77% Wet Braking 9th 55.9 M 46.4 M +9.5 M 83.01% Wet Handling 8th 82.2 Km/H 86.2 Km/H -4 Km/H 95.36% Straight Aqua 4th 87.1 Km/H 89.7 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 97.1% Gravel Handling 4th 64.1 Km/H 64.5 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.38% Gravel Traction 1st 2440 N 100% Sand Traction 2nd 2460 N 2472 N -12 N 99.51% Grass Traction 7th 2993 N 3492 N -499 N 85.71% Mud Traction 4th 2720 N 2960 N -240 N 91.89% Noise 9th 72.2 dB 69.9 dB +2.3 dB 96.81% Tyre Weight 1st 52 Kg 100% Price 2nd 380 345 +35 90.79% Rolling Resistance 1st 6.68 kg / t 100% High traction on gravel and sand, good comfort, low rolling resistance, well priced. Understeer during dry handling, long wet braking, average traction on grass. Read Reviews
8th: Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport
255/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 35.1 M 33.2 M +1.9 M 94.59% Dry Handling 3rd 111.4 Km/H 112.2 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.29% Wet Braking 8th 55.4 M 46.4 M +9 M 83.75% Wet Handling 5th 83.3 Km/H 86.2 Km/H -2.9 Km/H 96.64% Straight Aqua 10th 82.7 Km/H 89.7 Km/H -7 Km/H 92.2% Gravel Handling 6th 63.6 Km/H 64.5 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.6% Gravel Traction 4th 2410 N 2440 N -30 N 98.77% Sand Traction 1st 2472 N 100% Grass Traction 9th 2910 N 3492 N -582 N 83.33% Mud Traction 8th 2670 N 2960 N -290 N 90.2% Noise 3rd 70.2 dB 69.9 dB +0.3 dB 99.57% Tyre Weight 2nd 56 Kg 52 Kg +4 Kg 92.86% Price 4th 450 345 +105 76.67% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.13 kg / t 6.68 kg / t +1.45 kg / t 82.16% High traction on sand and gravel, stable dry handling, low rolling noise. Limited aquaplaning resistance, long wet braking distances. Read Reviews    Buy from £118.43
8th: Nokian PowerProof SUV
255/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 34.9 M 33.2 M +1.7 M 95.13% Dry Handling 8th 110.7 Km/H 112.2 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 98.66% Wet Braking 7th 54.2 M 46.4 M +7.8 M 85.61% Wet Handling 6th 82.6 Km/H 86.2 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 95.82% Straight Aqua 3rd 88 Km/H 89.7 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.1% Gravel Handling 9th 63.1 Km/H 64.5 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 97.83% Gravel Traction 9th 2305 N 2440 N -135 N 94.47% Sand Traction 10th 2225 N 2472 N -247 N 90.01% Grass Traction 2nd 3268 N 3492 N -224 N 93.59% Mud Traction 4th 2720 N 2960 N -240 N 91.89% Noise 7th 71.2 dB 69.9 dB +1.3 dB 98.17% Tyre Weight 3rd 56.8 Kg 52 Kg +4.8 Kg 91.55% Price 6th 480 345 +135 71.88% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.39 kg / t 6.68 kg / t +0.71 kg / t 90.39% Good safety reserves for aquaplaning, low noise, low rolling resistance. Long wet braking, average offroad performance. Read Reviews
10th: Lexani LX Thirty
255/55 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 39.8 M 33.2 M +6.6 M 83.42% Dry Handling 10th 108.4 Km/H 112.2 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 96.61% Wet Braking 10th 68.3 M 46.4 M +21.9 M 67.94% Wet Handling 10th 78.2 Km/H 86.2 Km/H -8 Km/H 90.72% Straight Aqua 6th 85.9 Km/H 89.7 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 95.76% Gravel Handling 9th 63.1 Km/H 64.5 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 97.83% Gravel Traction 7th 2364 N 2440 N -76 N 96.89% Sand Traction 9th 2232 N 2472 N -240 N 90.29% Grass Traction 10th 2829 N 3492 N -663 N 81.01% Mud Traction 10th 2470 N 2960 N -490 N 83.45% Noise 10th 72.7 dB 69.9 dB +2.8 dB 96.15% Tyre Weight 5th 58 Kg 52 Kg +6 Kg 89.66% Price 1st 345 100% Rolling Resistance 9th 8.37 kg / t 6.68 kg / t +1.69 kg / t 79.81% Cheap. Extremely long wet and dry braking distances, poor steering feel and feedback, dangerous levels of understeer. Read Reviews