Dry handling
They've proved their worth in the wet, now to the dry...
The test
The only thing missing from the tarmac snaking through the Texas landscape is elevation change.
Otherwise, there is everything to really push the tyre, from tight hairpins to fast direction changes and sweeping bends that seem to go on forever. Our results are based on an average of timed runs.
As SUVs are not the sharpest-handling machines on the road, they need all the help they can get from a tyre – not only in recording a fast lap, but also giving the driver confidence.
Our joint winners here do this, albeit in different ways.
The Continental reacts quickly to the slightest steering input, turning in sharply and accurately. On the power it will push a little wide, but it is all very controllable.
The equally quick Michelin isn’t as sharp as the CrossContact, yet makes up for it with bags of grip and lots of feedback for the driver. We’d be happy to fit either.
There was a tie between the Kumho and Pirelli for third spot. The former turned in well, but pushed wide soon after.
In fifth, a fraction of a second further behind, was the Goodyear. This required a great deal of lock. Hankook struggled again – it didn’t have the precision and grip of the best tyres on test.
Dry handling
Continental 100.0
Michelin 100.0
Kumho 99.3
Pirelli 99.3
Goodyear 99.2
Hankook 98.5
