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Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 review

The popular Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 is showing its age in this year's test

The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 has truly gone from hero to zero in just three years, because it was the joint runner up in our 2018 test. The five-year old RT 2 would normally be close to the end of its life, but with parent company Goodyear focusing heavily on its own products, it may be around for a while yet. 

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Last time it was one of the wet-weather stars and was particularly effective in the aquaplaning tests. That performance is still there, with two podium finishes, but it was last in the handling and braking, and could only go one better in cornering.

The braking result is a concern, because it was still travelling at 26mph when the remarkable Hankook had stopped, and 13mph when the next best had come to a standstill. It lacked balance too, with a pointy turn-in that easily triggered a rear-axle slide. Once into the turn, the front was short of grip, forcing a long wait to get on the throttle. 

It was better on the dry track, where that sharp steering was an asset, but braking was again a low point, at two metres off the winning Michelin. 

Dunlop’s good economy remains, but the competition has moved on when it comes to combining that with wet grip.

We say...

Worrying wet braking result means a replacement for the Sport Maxx RT 2 can’t come soon enough for Dunlop.

Blackcircles says...

"This tyre has been popular, and more than 2,100 reviews have resulted in an overall score of 4.6/5. It’s a slightly older model and that may explain its lower position in this test."

Figures

Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2  
Overall:96.60% 
Price:£78.854th
Wet handling:93.90%10th
Wet braking:79.50%10th
Wet cornering:96.50%9th
Straight aquaplaning:97.00%3rd
Curved aquaplaning:98.40%2nd
Dry handling:99.90%2nd
Dry braking:94.30%9th
Rolling resistance:70.90%4th
Cabin noise:99.90%7th
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Products editor

Kim has worked for Auto Express for more than three decades and all but a year of that time in the Products section. His current role as products editor involves managing the section’s content and team of testers plus doing some of the tests himself. 

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