TCS summer tyre test: Few tyres convince in the van dimension
22.3.2019
Translation: machine translated
For the first time, the TCS tested 16 215/65 R16C 109T summer tyres. None of the tyres received top marks, and over half even failed completely.
The 215/65 R16C 109T tyre dimension is suitable for vans such as the VW Multivan or Opel Vivaro. As these vehicles are usually used to transport heavy loads, the tyres are designed for low wear. Unfortunately, this need usually clashes with a decent driving performance, which is noticeable when tested.
The test criteria:
- dry road surface (driving stability, handling, emergency braking)
- wet road surface (braking behaviour, aquaplaning)
- Comfort/noise (noise emission inside and outside)
- Fuel consumption (rolling resistance)
- Wear (distance travelled until tread depth of 1.6 mm is reached)
- Fast running (stability at the maximum permissible speed)
Place 1: Apollo Altrust (recommended)
The best tyre tested impresses on dry and wet roads. The Apollo is also in the green zone in terms of fuel consumption. However, in terms of wear, which is so important for this dimension, it is only in the lower midfield. In terms of mileage, i.e. service life, it is not convincing and ends up in last place.
Place 2: Goodyear Efficient Grip Cargo (recommended)
The runner-up receives the top score for wear. You are safe on dry roads, but it shows weaknesses on wet roads. On the other hand, you have to go to the petrol station less often than with the Apollo, as the Goodyear is ahead in terms of fuel consumption.
Place 3: Pirelli Carrier (recommended)
The Pirelli impresses in terms of wear and fuel consumption, but lags behind the top two in terms of driving performance on dry and wet roads. Nevertheless, as with the first two tyres, TCS gives it a "recommended" rating.
Place 4: Nokian cLine (recommended)
Good in wear, good in fuel consumption. Like the Pirelli, it shows slight weaknesses in dry and rainy conditions. Nevertheless, according to TCS, you can buy this tyre with a clear conscience.
Place 5: Continental ContiVan Contact 200 (recommended)
The last tyre in the group recommended by TCS. It scores top marks on wet roads and also scores highly in terms of wear and fuel consumption. On dry roads, it is comparable to the Pirelli.
Place 6: Maxxis Vansmart MCV3+ (conditionally recommended)
As long as you never ride in the rain, this tyre isn't bad at all. It gets top marks for wear and performs well on dry roads. But you spend more on fuel: The Maxxis has the highest fuel consumption.
Place 7: Kumho Portran KC53 (conditionally recommended)
The Kumho is quiet. Quieter than all the other tyres tested. But whether that's enough to make up for its major weaknesses on wet roads is up to you.
Not recommended
Up to this point, the TCS was still able to recommend the tyre models with some reservations. This is now over. All of the following models have failed. Surprisingly, most of the criteria are met, albeit narrowly in some cases. However, this has hardly any influence on the result, as the worst category is decisive for TCS. And all tyres fail on wet roads.
Six out of nine failed models can also be found here:
The small car category convinces
By the way, TCS also tested summer tyres for small cars with the tyre dimension 185/65 R15 88H. There is reason to be pleased. All models tested are recommended by TCS, with the Bridgestone Turanza T005 and the Vredestein Sporttrac 5 even receiving an overall rating of "highly recommended".
The two test winners
The other recommended models in the shop
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