On the Trail of All-Terrain Tires: ADAC's Verdict Ain't Impressive
A variety of off-road tires are available, yet none will solely persuade in overcoming all terrains effectively.
Share on Facebook Reddit WhatsApp Mail Print Copy Link In a benchmarking test, ADAC scrutinized eight all-terrain tires and compared them to a standard passenger car all-season tire bearing a snowflake symbol. The verdict isn't exactly rosy: None of these off-road tires earns a "good" rating from ADAC.
Drawn to their chunky appearance, all-terrain tires seem to be trending these days. They're often found mounted on camper vans, SUVs, and pick-ups. But how do these supposed rough-and-ready tires hold up? ADAC wanted answers and put eight all-terrain tires (AT) of 225/65 R17 to the test across dry, wet, snow, and gravel surfaces.
The conclusion? When it comes to driving safety, these tires are, according to ADAC, a "not-so-good choice" on paved roads. Here's the twist: The ADAC estimates that "these tires end up spending the bulk of their lifetimes on asphalt." Your safety could be compromised for the sake of tough looks.
- Not a single tire snags a "good" rating from ADAC.
- Performance on dry and wet roads leaves much to be desired.
- Ineffective braking behavior on wet roads is the biggest setback for models in the test.
On snowy tracks, only two tires can get close to the unrated passenger car all-season tire - which also sports a snowflake symbol. Since the off-road tires under test also boast that symbol, they can be driven on winter road conditions. On gravel, some models even outperform or match the passenger car tire.
The Top-Rated Tires receive a "Satisfactory"
ADAC doesn't deem any of the test tires "recommended." The club awards a "satisfactory" rating to four tires, three tires earn at least an "adequate" rating, and one model falls short as "defective."
The champ is the "Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015" with an overall rating of 2.9. "Satisfactory" ratings also go to the "Falken Wildpeak A/T3WA" (3.1), the "General Tire Grabber AT3" (3.2), and the "Matador MP72 Izzarda A/T2" (3.2).
Summer Tire Shake-Up: ADAC Tests Reveal One Failure in Braking So, what's a car owner to do? According to ADAC, those who venture off-road only occasionally are better off with high-quality all-season tires. All-terrain tires are useful for off-road enthusiasts with four-wheel drive, but they should be chosen wisely, ADAC advises: "There are at least models with well-balanced strengths and weaknesses amid the four tires with a satisfactory overall rating."
Source: ntv.de, abe/dpa
- ADAC
- Winter Tires
- Summer Tires
- Tests
On an All-Terrain Tires Quest, ADAC's Marks Aren't Impressive: Features and Recommendations for All-Season Tires for Occasional Off-Road Use
- Traction and Stability: Opt for tires with solid grip on both paved roads and moderate off-road terrains.
- Durability: Touch tires with a sturdy sidewall and tread compound that can withstand minor off-road adventures.
- Water and Snow Performance: Ensure the tire excels in wet and snowy conditions for safer driving.
- ADAC Recommendations The ADAC doesn't explicitly recommend all-season tires with off-road capabilities. They favor tires that focus on safety and efficiency. For off-road use, it's essential to consider tires with enhanced traction and durability, even if they aren't highlighted by ADAC.
- Recommended All-Season Tire Models
- Vredestein Quatrac - A versatile tire performing well across dry, wet, and winter conditions but may fall short in extreme winter conditions.
- Hankook Kinergy 4S 2 H750 - Offers balanced performance in wet and dry conditions and handles light snow adequately, making it suitable for urban and highway driving with occasional light off-road use.
- Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 - Not specifically designed for off-road but renowned for its excellent snow performance. Suitable as a compromise for occasional light off-road use in snowier conditions.
If you have frequent off-road adventures or venture into harsher conditions, specialized all-terrain tires or consultation with tire experts for personalized advice could be your best bet.
- The off-road tires under test, while performing well on snow and gravel, show ineffective braking behavior on wet roads, offering minimal safety benefits for paved road driving.
- The manufacturing of all-terrain tires involves materials from various industry sectors, including finance for investment in research and development, technology for designing complex tread patterns, and transportation for delivering materials to the automotive industry.
- Despite the trend of mounting all-terrain tires on camper vans, SUVs, and pick-ups, a high-quality all-season tire with a snowflake symbol might provide better safety and efficiency for car owners who venture off-road occasionally.
