The independent German technical inspection association TÜV SÜD, renowned for its expertise in tire testing and certification, has released a report following a benchmark test of the new all-season tire, Nokian Tyres Seasonproof 1. In this evaluation, the latest offering from the Finnish manufacturer was compared to four similar tires from competing brands, all in the 205/55R16 94V XL size.
The comparative test conducted by TÜV SÜD featured five all-season tire models:
- Nokian / Seasonproof 1
- Dunlop / Sport All Season
- Falken / EuroAll Season AS210
- Hankook / Kinergy 4S 2 H750
- Nexen / N Blue 4Season 2
All tire samples for the tests were purchased by TÜV SÜD experts from the open market. The wet and dry surface tests were conducted at the Nokian Tyres Hakka Ring track in Spain, while snow testing took place at the Nokian Tyres White Hell proving ground in Finland, located beyond the Arctic Circle. Rolling resistance was measured in the TÜV SÜD Product Service Garching laboratory in Germany. The test vehicles used included the VW Golf VIII 1.5eTSI, VW Golf VIII GTI with 16-inch wheels, and the Skoda Superb 2.0TDI.
In this evaluation, all tires were compared against the benchmark Nokian Tyres Seasonproof 1, with its performance set at 100 percent. Tire characteristics were expressed as percentages, calculated based on measured and adjusted test data. A percentage above 100 indicates better performance, while below 100 suggests poorer performance. Most test disciplines involved multiple rounds of testing to account for and adjust for changes in environmental conditions, with the results refined through linear interpolation.
Snow
Snow Braking
- Nokian
- Dunlop
- Falken
- Hankook
- Nexen
Info! The test measures braking distance on packed snow with ABS engaged, as the vehicle slows from 40 to 5 km/h.
Snow Handling
- Nokian
- Dunlop
- Falken
- Hankook
- Nexen
Info! Results in this discipline combine the test driver's subjective evaluation with lap times on a 1,120-meter snow-covered track.
Snow Acceleration
- Nokian
- Dunlop
- Falken
- Hankook
- Nexen
Info! The test is performed on a packed snow surface with the traction control system (ETC) activated. The time it takes to accelerate from 10 to 40 km/h is recorded.
Wet
Straight Hydroplaning
- Nokian
- Dunlop
- Falken
- Hankook
- Nexen
Info! This test measures tire resistance to hydroplaning on a straight track with an 8mm water layer, recording the speed at which the dry wheel spins 15% faster than the wet one.
Lateral Hydroplaning
- Nokian
- Dunlop
- Falken
- Hankook
- Nexen
Info! This test measures tire resistance to aquaplaning on a 105-meter radius curve with 8mm water depth, recording the maximum lateral acceleration the vehicle can maintain.
Wet Handling
- Nokian
- Dunlop
- Falken
- Hankook
- Nexen
Info! The overall result in this discipline is derived from the test driver's subjective assessment combined with the lap time on a 1,560-meter track with a wet surface.
Wet Braking
- Nokian
- Dunlop
- Falken
- Hankook
- Nexen
Info! The test measures braking distance with ABS during emergency deceleration from 80 to 20 km/h, following the ECE R-117 regulation for wet grip performance.
Dry
Dry Braking
- Nokian
- Dunlop
- Falken
- Hankook
- Nexen
Info! This test measures the braking distance of a vehicle with ABS engaged during an emergency stop from 100 km/h to a complete halt.
Rolling Resistance
- Nokian
- Dunlop
- Falken
- Hankook
- Nexen
Info! This test, conducted under ECE R-117 standards, measures the energy loss as the tire rolls, affecting fuel efficiency and performance.
Overall Verdict
The TÜV SÜD tests provide a comprehensive look at the performance of various all-season tires, revealing nuanced strengths and weaknesses among the competitors. Nokian Tyres Seasonproof 1 served as the benchmark, demonstrating well-rounded performance, particularly in snow-related tests where it led in braking and handling. However, some competitors outperformed Nokian in specific areas.
Dunlop's Sport All Season stood out in wet braking and wet handling, surpassing the benchmark, making it an excellent choice for drivers prioritizing wet surface performance. Similarly, Hankook's Kinergy 4S2 showed a slight edge in straight-line aquaplaning resistance, maintaining stability in challenging wet conditions.
When it comes to rolling resistance, Dunlop again excelled, offering lower energy consumption, which could translate to better fuel efficiency over time. On the other hand, Falken’s Euro All Season AS210, while strong in certain aspects like dry braking, lagged in rolling resistance and lateral aquaplaning, suggesting some trade-offs in its overall design.
Nexen’s N'Blue 4Season 2, while not leading in any category, provided a balanced performance across most tests, though it struggled with lateral aquaplaning, highlighting an area where improvements could be made.
