Tyre Reviews All-season tire test 235/55 R18 2025

Nokian has just introduced the Nokian SeasonProof 2, its first tire manufactured in a new, state-of-the-art factory in Europe. The goal is to move to the forefront of the all-season tire market, so of course we had to test it.

In the test, we compared the seven best all-season tires in the popular 235/55 R18 size. The test covered all conditions – dry, wet and snowy, and we also evaluated noise, comfort and rolling resistance, so that you can get a comprehensive overview and choose a tire exactly according to your driving needs.

Wet performance is one of the most important considerations when choosing an all-season tire. All-season tires are designed for areas with long, rainy winters and snow that quickly turns to slush - this is where the differences between models are most noticeable.

In the test , the cheapest tire fell significantly behind in the wet and experienced a lot of aquaplaning on the track. The test technician commented that it was “the worst I’ve ever seen,” despite the fact that at first glance it didn’t look any different from the other tires.

The other tires were very balanced – the difference between the best and the worst was only 2%. The Bridgestone and BFGoodrich showed a slight understeer, while the Maxxis, Hankook, Nokian and Goodyear provided smoother and more natural steering. Subtle differences were felt in the steering response – the Nokian felt calm, the Maxxis felt more “summery”.

The wet braking test clearly revealed the leader – the new Nokian stopped the car in the shortest distance, with the cheapest model lagging behind by up to 27%. The braking ranking was very similar to the handling ranking, with Nokian and Goodyear in the lead.

To put it in perspective: from highway speed, the Nokian would stop the vehicle in 81 meters, while the cheapest model would need more than 100 meters. Or to put it another way – when the vehicle stopped on the Nokian, the cheap model would still continue at 60 km/h. This difference shows how significant the impact of tire quality on safety on wet roads is.

On dry surfaces, the test showed that all six tires were within 1% of each other on a 75-second, 13-turn track. For drivers looking for an all-season tire for dry roads or the occasional track day, all but the cheapest model are fully usable.

More detailed tests showed that all tires provide good steering feel and stability during sudden changes of direction. On the Tiguan test vehicle, the BFGoodrich and Goodyear proved to be the most balanced in terms of steering, with the Maxxis feeling precise and “sharp” in direction, while the Nokian felt calm but still responded well when cornering was needed.

Overall, the differences are very small, so in size 235/55 R18, it is possible to be satisfied with any of these tires even on dry surfaces.

The performance of all-season tires in snow is key for some drivers, so traction, braking and handling were tested.

The slowest on the track was the cheap Westlake. It wasn't all bad, just a bit lacking in grip and showing more oversteer, which could cause unexpected skids during sharper maneuvers. Despite this, it is still incomparably better than a summer tire and provides sufficient performance for areas with mild winters, such as the UK.

Next came the Maxxis, Goodyear and Bridgestone. The Maxxis offered more grip than the lap time indicated, but behaved less predictably at the limit. The Goodyear exhibited significant understeer, which is safe but slightly slows down the time, while the Bridgestone was well balanced, albeit with less "bite".

Third and second place were taken by BFGoodrich and Hankook, both with excellent grip. The BFGoodrich had slightly weaker feedback, while the Hankook was very well balanced and comfortable to drive.

The fastest on the track was the new Nokian SeasonProof 2, which offered the best compromise between grip, stability and driver communication. The test was repeated several times, the results were always consistent - Nokian is clearly among the leaders in snow performance.

The Maxxis clearly dominated in both traction and braking, the results were verified by repeated tests, so this is real performance. The other tires held up very well, although the Nokian was slightly lower in traction, probably working better in light skidding.

The purebred Nordic winter model Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was also used for comparison to show the difference between a true winter tire and an all-season tire – the winter model was significantly better, which reminds drivers in difficult winter areas that an all-season tire is not always a substitute for a winter tire.

In terms of cabin noise, most of the tested tires were virtually indistinguishable from each other. The exception was a cheap tire that produced a high-pitched, piercing sound.

In the external noise test (measured in a straight line), the new Nokian came out on top, being the quietest, although it produced slightly more noise when cornering than some other models. Another model with a subtle noise difference was the Hankook, which produced a faint hum, but had very low external noise. Overall, however, all the tires are very good in terms of noise.

Ride comfort was also very evenly matched – Goodyear, Hankook and BFGoodrich received slightly higher ratings, but virtually every tire provides comfort, including the cheaper model.

A test of the seven best all-season tires showed that in most disciplines the differences between premium models are very small, but some differences can have a major impact on safety.

• Wet road : Nokian and Goodyear offered the best combination of braking and handling, while the cheap model lagged significantly behind – its braking distance from highway speed was tens of meters longer, which dramatically affects safety.
• Dry Road : All tires were very balanced, the differences in handling were only subtle – Nokian felt calm, Maxxis precise and sharp, BFGoodrich and Goodyear balanced. Each tire provided good ride comfort and precision.
• Snow : Nokian, Hankook and BFGoodrich all performed well. The cheap Westlake was slower and less predictable, but still better than the summer tires. However, for tough winter conditions, a true winter tire (e.g. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5) is recommended.
• Comfort and noise : All tires provide good comfort and low noise. Nokian was the quietest on a straight road, Goodyear, Hankook and BFGoodrich had slightly better comfort. The cheap model was the only one that stood out significantly with a high-pitched sound.

For drivers looking for a balanced all-season tire that can handle wet, snow and comfortable driving, the Nokian SeasonProof 2 is a clear leader, with Goodyear, Hankook and BFGoodrich also being very reliable alternatives. Cheap tires may be attractive in price, but their performance on wet roads can significantly compromise safety.