12 best summer crossover tires
Choosing summer tires for crossovers isn't as easy as it sounds. These vehicles have a higher ground clearance than conventional passenger cars, which means they have a higher center of gravity, which negatively affects stability, especially when cornering and at high speeds. In addition, SUVs are usually heavier, and therefore require tires with a high load index. It should also be taken into account the fact that a crossover is usually bought in order to be able to move off the asphalt, for example, to spend a weekend or a vacation in nature. Therefore, increased requirements are imposed on rubber for such cars:
- Good grip on dry and wet surfaces.
- Stability at sharp maneuvers and high speeds;
- Strength;
- Good shock absorption when driving holes and other obstacles;
- Impact resistance;
- Passability.
In our review - only the highest quality tires specially designed for crossovers. When placing places in the rating, the following were taken into account:
- the popularity of tires among domestic buyers;
- the number of positive reviews from the owners;
- recommendations of experienced drivers;
- results of tests conducted by authoritative publications.
Best budget tires
Even compact SUVs are usually equipped with tires with a rim diameter of 16 inches, and the most popular standard sizes are r17, r18 and r19. Therefore, the budget for buying a set of summer tires starts at 20,000 rubles. This category contains the best options for inexpensive tires for crossovers, the cost of which does not exceed 6,000 rubles per piece. All of them provide an adequate level of security. At the same time, of course, you should not count on high cross-country ability or supercomfort. Drivers with an aggressive driving style are better off choosing tires from the middle or premium price category - the budget options are definitely designed for a quiet ride without sudden overloads.
4 GT Radial Savero SUV
The rubber compound and construction of the Radial Savero SUV was developed at GT's research center in Germany. This makes the rubber stand out from the competition with its traditional European attention to detail. The tread with wide and stiff shoulders, longitudinal grooves optimized for quick water drainage, well-thought-out sip pattern provide confident control of the car and reduce the risk of aquaplaning.
Owners of these tires praise their grip, handling and large size range - from 15 to 20 inches. Many buyers note the economy of rubber and little wear. Among the disadvantages is the noise on the highway and insufficiently stable traffic on a bad road.
3 Cordiant Comfort 2 SUV
The tires of the Russian company "Kordiant" confidently hold the first place in sales in the domestic market. This is facilitated by a reasonable pricing policy. Cordiant Comfort 2 SUV tires are a successful attempt by Russian developers to adapt the well-proven Comfort passenger car series for crossovers. With the help of computer simulation, the tire profile has been modified so that the contact patch has the optimal area and shape. The tread is two-layer: the outer layer is softer and more elastic, it provides comfort and good grip, while the hard inner layer guarantees handling and low rolling resistance.
Consumers are satisfied with the wear resistance and good balancing of the rubber. All buyers are pleased with the low price. The disadvantages include a small size range - so far only landing diameters of 15, 16 and 17 inches are available, so owners of compact crossovers will be able to take advantage of them.
2 Viatti Bosco A / T
Domestic rubber produced at the Nizhnekamsk Tire Plant combines strength and excellent cross-country ability. ViaPRO's special tread pattern technology reduces noise when driving.Curved sipes reduce wear and make it more even. The components of the rubber compound from which the tires are made are selected to increase the contact area with the road and guarantee handling on all types of surfaces.
Owners are pleasantly surprised by the resistance to aquaplaning and the durability of this rubber. Experienced drivers also note the confident cornering at all speeds and the impact resistance of the sidewall. The disadvantage is the significant stiffness of the tires, there are also problems with balancing.
1 Kormoran SUV Summer
These tires are specially designed for crossovers, which are used in urban mode and only occasionally leave on unpaved roads. The tread pattern is symmetrical with deep longitudinal grooves to reduce the risk of aquaplaning. Tires are manufactured at factories owned by the MICHELIN concern. The competent work of the company's engineers is immediately noticeable: this rubber has an excellent price-quality ratio and behaves steadily both on dry and wet roads. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Kormoran SUV Summer holds the record for the number of positive owner reviews.
Users note the softness and comfort of these tires, as well as the reasonably strong sidewall. Wear resistance is also quite at the level. A wet road does not create problems up to a speed of 80 km / h. Among the shortcomings - insufficient cross-country ability, rubber behaves satisfactorily on a dirt road, but is not intended for complete off-road conditions.
The best tires in the middle price segment
In this category are summer crossover tires that combine excellent performance with a reasonable price. All of them are comfortable, stable in turns, behave well not only on asphalt, but also on dirt roads, and have a high speed threshold of resistance to aquaplaning. It is only necessary to choose what qualities of rubber are most important for a specific driver: softer versions almost do not "notice" irregularities and holes, they keep the track better, but, at the same time, are subject to rapid wear. Solid tires are stable and dynamic, but often noisy.
4 Nokian Tires Hakka Blue SUV
This rubber is a modification of popular passenger car tires specially adapted for crossovers. Aramid fibers are used in the sidewalls, providing additional rigidity and strength. The central part has an asymmetrical pattern, which improves traction with the road surface and promotes rapid water drainage from the contact patch towards the longitudinal grooves. The rubber compound Black Coral Silica, from which the tires are made, is practically insensitive to temperature changes, so that handling and braking remain stable in all conditions.
Experienced drivers claim that this rubber holds any road well, copes well with holes and other uneven terrain. Buyers note the tire's durability and good aquaplaning resistance. Risks are caused by rather rapid wear.
3 Yokohama Geolandar SUV G055
Blue Earth Technology, which has been matched to the rubber compounds for these tires, reduces their weight and reduces rolling resistance. The result is a significant reduction in fuel consumption. The tread pattern is designed to provide excellent road holding. The wide center rib with S-grooves guarantees stability and good driving dynamics at the same time. The extended shoulder areas allow for easy maneuvering and confident cornering.
According to customer reviews, these tires are soft, keep the track perfectly, and hardly get clogged with small stones. Owners also praise cross-country ability - in mud, clay and sand, rubber behaves even better than expected. The disadvantage is noise at high speeds on the highway.
2 Nexen ROADIAN HTX RH5
This off-season rubber is a real all-rounder: it behaves well on dry, wet and even snowy roads, allows you to confidently take turns and is resistant to aquaplaning.The branded zigzag sipes are a special development of the company's engineers, which makes it possible to successfully operate tires both in summer and winter seasons. The profile of the side zones, formed by many open cross members, provides easy maneuvering and effective braking.
The owners claim that the ROADIAN HTX RH5 is good not only on the highway, but also on the dirt road. The reviews especially mention the soft and comfortable overcoming of pits and other defects in the road surface. A wide range of sizes - from 15 to 20 inches - allows you to choose tires for any crossover.
1 Toyo Proxes CF2 SUV
The asymmetric tread of this rubber guarantees special wear resistance and excellent handling. Softness, comfort and efficient braking are the main characteristics of the Toyo Proxes CF2 SUV. To provide these benefits, Japanese engineers have developed a proprietary rubber compound, Nano Balance, which contains a large amount of silica. Tires made with it have reduced rolling resistance and, at the same time, improved braking properties. At the same time, the price of rubber is one of the lowest in the class.
Buyers note excellent handling on dry and wet roads, softness and low noise. Low fuel consumption and low noise level complete the Toyo Proxes CF2 SUV's list of advantages. The downside - somewhat blurry steering response - is the flip side of tire comfort.
The best premium tires
Leading market engineers compete to improve tire performance. Every year, new technologies appear: energy-efficient rubber compounds, three-dimensional tread relief, special reinforcing materials that increase the strength of the tire carcass while reducing weight. Nevertheless, each of the models presented in the premium segment is really the best in one thing, while the rest of the characteristics are usually quite on par. Therefore, it is worth choosing tires, focusing on the habits and characteristics of a particular driver: for some, dynamic characteristics are most important, while someone needs to be able to drive on the first snow.
4 Bridgestone Dueler H / P Sport
It is a tough, durable, dry and wet road tire that is ideal for tight corners and good asphalt. The Sport prefix means that the developers have paid special attention to the optimal positioning of the center of gravity of the tire. This is done in order to achieve unrivaled handling and cornering stability. In terms of resistance to longitudinal aquaplaning, rubber is one of the three world leaders.
Experienced drivers prefer this particular rubber when it is necessary to overcome serpentines, especially when driving in a downpour. According to customer reviews, the tires have excellent durability and durability, and also cope well on gravel roads. Cons - a rather high price and poor cross-country ability when driving on clay and mud.
3 MICHELIN CrossClimate SUV
The characteristic directional tread pattern provides excellent water drainage from the contact patch of these tires and makes it possible to operate them on the snow. Reinforced with double mesh, the frame evenly distributes forces in the contact area with the road. Three-dimensional sipes improve grip on slippery surfaces, while the two-layer tread effectively dissipates heat, increasing tire life and energy efficiency.
Customers praise the rubber's softness, comfort, and versatility, especially the ability to keep the tires on when the first snow falls. Among the advantages that satisfied owners mention are excellent handling on wet roads and low noise. Driving on dirt roads and even on mud is also quite at the level.
2 Continental ContiSportContact 5
The main characteristic of this rubber is super efficient braking. We need to thank the technologists-developers of the unique Black Chilli rubber compound for this: when exposed to the longitudinal acceleration tread made of this material, it instantly heats up, which greatly enhances its grip properties. The relief of the shoulder portions of the tire has a multitude of transverse notches, which increase the braking efficiency. Special jumpers connect the side parts to each other, increasing the contact patch.
Buyers praise the directional stability and resistance to aquaplaning of this rubber. Specialists recommend the ContiSportContact 5 tires for dynamic driving enthusiasts and drivers with aggressive driving style - excellent grip ensures safety at high speeds and quick maneuvers.
1 GOODYEAR EfficientGrip SUV
EfficientGrip SUV tires set the standard for good rubber for crossovers and SUVs: they regularly take prize-winning places in the results of tests of various reputable publications. The rubber is almost equally good at handling, aquaplaning resistance and rut stability. In addition, the special FuelSaving technology saves fuel by reducing weight and rolling resistance. A silicon-containing polymer that is part of the rubber compound reduces tire wear. The sturdy sidewall is specially designed to prevent damage to the discs when in contact with curbs.
Owners are pleased with the softness and flotation of the tires, as well as the reduced fuel consumption and excellent wet grip. Many drivers are pleasantly surprised by the low noise level and quite acceptable overcoming of pits and roads with poor coverage.