Skip advert
Advertisement

Dunlop SP Sport FastResponse

Safe and secure when the heavens open, but fuel efficiency needs to be looked at.

Dunlop SP Sport FastResponse

Safe and secure when the heavens open, but fuel efficiency needs to be looked at.

If the new Michelin Energy Saver+ has put too much emphasis on efficiency, you could argue that Dunlop has not focused on it enough. The tyre labels give the SP Sport FastResponse a C rating for rolling resistance, and it finished seventh in our test – way behind Michelin and Continental.

Advertisement - Article continues below

But as is so often the case, poor fuel efficiency is a trade-off for strong wet performance, and the Dunlop was among the top four on a soaked track. As with its Goodyear stablemate, it excelled in the deep water aquaplaning tests, and it put together a good lap on the wet handling circuit. Although it was a touch off the ultimate pace, it felt very secure with good balance and traction. It also finished fourth in our wet braking assessment.

Impressively, Dunlop has managed to achieve this wet performance without sacrificing too much in the dry – the tyre proved good enough for second place in braking. It was fifth in the very close dry handling table, but felt sharp, with good direction changes.

However, it was last by some distance in the cabin noise test, and was pipped to a podium spot by the Nexen, which was a bit better in the wet.

 RatingPosition
Dry braking98.7%2nd
Dry handling98.9%5th
Wet cornering98.3%4th
Wet braking96.3%=6th
Wet handling99.0%4th
Straight aqua99.5%2nd
Curved aqua86.3%3rd
Cabin noise97.5%8th
Rolling resistance75.3%7th
Overall99.3%=4th
Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £13,199
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £16,700
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,233 off RRP*Used from £12,420
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,831 off RRP*Used from £15,519
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025