Comprehensive SUV Tire Test Review: Performance, Durability, and Safety Across 16-Inch Crossovers

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Only three years have passed since the last test of summer tires in the common size for compact crossovers, 215/65 R16. In that interval, many popular models evolved and new ones entered the market. This report reexamines how resilient these newer options are among today’s choices.

The list opens with Viatti Bosco H/TV-238, once available in February for a very low price. Today it sits around 5300 rubles per tire. Other models in the same class sit higher, with strong demand: Tigar Summer SUV from Serbia at about 6700 rubles, Cordiant Comfort 2 SUV from Russia at around 6800 rubles, and the Russian Nordman S2 SUV at roughly 7200 rubles.

There is a tier up in price, and demand remains high: Goodyear Efficient Grip 2 SUV from Slovenia at 7800 rubles, Yokohama Geolandar CV G058 from Thailand at 7800 rubles, and Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K 125 from Hungary at about 8200 rubles. A fresh season entrant, Nokian Hakka Blue 3 SUV made in Finland, appeared at roughly 8300 rubles when the material was prepared.

The lineup concludes with a repeat winner, Continental Premium Contact 6 from Germany. Its price was steep even then, at about 14 600 rubles per tire. A full set could reach around 60 tires, while Viatti needed slightly more than 20 thousand rubles for a replacement set.

As a note, the most expensive and most affordable tires Conti and Viatti were already known from last year’s publication on a 235/60 R18 test. It makes the comparison in a 16-inch form even more intriguing.

Before delving further, an important question deserves an answer.

SUV performance what does it mean for tires

Many tire models come in a standard version and in a dedicated off-road variant with an SUV index. The key question is what distinguishes them.

In years past the answer was clear: an SUV version typically features reinforced shoulders and sidewalls, a slightly stiffer tread, because four wheel drive cars weigh more and are not as fast as typical passenger cars.

Today the landscape has shifted. Crossover popularity has grown and many of these vehicles sit in the same weight class as cars, spending most of their time on paved roads. The distinction between highway and SUV tires has blurred to some extent.

Some manufacturers permit using passenger tires on crossovers provided the size and load rating fit. SUV tires remain the choice for heavier frames designed for true SUVs. In some cases, the label SUV on a tire sidewall simply indicates suitability for a crossover or SUV, not a strict category rule.

Some brands assign specific names to models with certain four wheel drive dimensions. In this report, Viatti Bosco and Yokohama Geolandar are cited as examples of tires not made for passenger cars. Overall, tires carrying the SUV index are now built differently, while for some brands the label is partly marketing. There is also a growing focus on tires for electric vehicles.

Main indicators

The basic load and speed rating for the tested size are 98H. Other options push the load capacity higher with ratings like 102 and some faster choices carry an index V, capable of reaching 240 km per hour. Abrasion resistance was only measured in a subset of tires, so comparisons on that parameter are incomplete.

All tires in the test were designed for asphalt. Several models show aggressive tread blocks, some carrying an M plus S marking on the sidewall. However, such markings lack universal standards, and their use is mainly a marketing choice made by manufacturers.

Under a fast oval bend on a road with a 58 degree gradient, the neutral speed limit for a car without lateral forces can reach up to 180 km per hour.

Where and how the tests were conducted

The testing took place in Germany at the Contidrom site in Lower Saxony, about 35 kilometers north of Hanover. The main program ran in late August to early September, with temperatures ranging from 13 to 22 degrees Celsius. Additional brake tests were performed in late autumn at around 4 degrees Celsius.

The test vehicle used was the Volkswagen Tiguan, and data accuracy was ensured by a high-precision satellite measurement system from Vbox Racelogic.

How they perform on the road

Braking is the core safety test. Braking distances were first measured in summer on wet roads from 80 to 5 km/h and on dry roads from 100 to 5 km/h. In late autumn, cold results were added to observe how toe alignment changes with seasonal shifts.

Continental dominated braking performance across most tests, outperforming rivals in three of the four events. Nokian excelled only in cold, wet conditions where it had an edge.

On a wet track, longitudinal aquaplaning resistance and braking performance were assessed on a special rail-like setup that simulates the car staying on a road path. The car’s tracking is recorded with a device that ensures consistent trajectories for fair comparison.

The longest stopping distance in the test belonged to a Tiguan fitted with Tigar tires. In summer, it could require more than ten meters more distance than the Continental option. In fall dry conditions the difference shrank to around 17 percent, yet that gap still mattered for safety and performance.

However, on cold, wet surfaces, expensive Hankook tires slipped noticeably, losing nearly 20 percent compared to the leader in those scenarios.

Wet performance also included a test where the vehicle circled a 60-meter diameter track to measure lateral grip. The Tiguan with Nokian tires posted the fastest laps, while Tigar lagged behind by almost ten percent.

Does the tire hold up in real driving

When a car moving at high speed travels through a water puddle, maintaining control is crucial. For four wheel drive vehicles, straight-line aquaplaning resistance is hard to isolate because the transfer of power between axles can disguise results. The most telling measure becomes the lateral acceleration during a precarious 60 to 90 km/h arc. Higher lateral acceleration means better grip and stability through turns.

The test setup included a flooded asphalt ring with a 200-meter circumference. The test starts at 50 km/h and increases by five kilometers per hour each lap until the tires break traction and the car slides off the arc.

Surprisingly, Hankook tires performed best on a five millimeter water depth, while Viatti showed the weakest performance when leaving the track. Wet braking favored Hankook over the others in some corners, though Viatti fared better on wet roads in certain cases.

Is it safe on the road

The evaluation of directional stability and behavior at speed highlighted standout performers. Continental and Nokian delivered consistent, predictable handling across dry and wet tracks. The Tiguan with Tigar tires showed delayed responses and less grip, making steering less precise and increasing the risk of skidding on unpredictable surfaces.

For readers seeking summarized results, a final table and additional data on the best and worst summer tires for crossovers are available in the accompanying resources marked with citations.

  • Consider carrying anti-slip devices and winter traction aids when planning longer trips. Snow chains may be worth a closer look for challenging winter drives.
  • Guidance on driving with these tires can be found on the related mobile channel.
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