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Dunlop SP Sport 01 vs Dunlop SP Sport 2050 — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
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5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport 01 | SP Sport 2050 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 75 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport 01 | SP Sport 2050 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 67 | 50 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport 01 | SP Sport 2050 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 73 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport 01 | SP Sport 2050 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 69 | 58 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport 01 | SP Sport 2050 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 69 | 63 |
| DriverReviews owners | 84 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop SP Sport 01 | Dunlop SP Sport 2050 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 70 | 73 |
| Dry | 79 | 85 |
| Wet | 68 | 74 |
| Comfort | 66 | 79 |
| Treadwear | 69 | 69 |
| Handling | 69 | 63 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop SP Sport 01 receives highly polarized feedback, with users divided between those who value its predictable handling and longevity and those frustrated by significant road noise and inconsistent wet-weather performance. While many owners appreciate the tire's stiff sidewall for steering precision and cornering stability, a substantial number of reviewers report that noise levels increase dramatically as the tread wears down. Overall, it is viewed as a capable, long-lasting summer tire for daily driving, though it often falls short of expectations for high-performance vehicles.
Pros
- Excellent tread longevity and durability for many users
- Predictable, progressive handling and steering feedback
- Strong dry-weather grip and cornering stability
- Stiff sidewall construction provides a precise, 'on-rails' feel
Cons
- Significant and increasing road noise as the tire wears
- Inconsistent or poor wet-weather traction and hydroplaning resistance
- Harsh ride quality due to stiff sidewalls
- Performance drop-off once tread depth reaches 3-4mm
Observations
- Users with heavy SUVs (e.g., Audi Q5, Skoda Yeti) often report high satisfaction with longevity and stability, though noise remains a common complaint.
- Owners of high-horsepower performance sedans (e.g., C63 AMG) frequently report that the tire struggles to manage torque, leading to excessive wheel spin and poor traction.
- BMW owners specifically noted that 'Star Rated' versions of this tire are essential for preventing drivetrain shuddering issues on certain X3 models.
The Dunlop SP Sport 2050 is generally regarded as a high-performance tire that excels in ride comfort, cabin quietness, and dry-road handling. While many users appreciate its refined road manners, the consensus is heavily polarized by concerns regarding rapid tread wear and inconsistent wet-weather traction, particularly on high-horsepower vehicles.
Pros
- Excellent ride comfort and low cabin noise levels
- Strong dry-weather grip and responsive handling
- Superior longevity compared to some premium factory-fitted alternatives
- Stable sidewall construction providing predictable steering feedback
Cons
- Rapid tread wear, especially on performance-oriented vehicles
- Inconsistent or poor traction in wet and cold conditions
- High cost-to-mileage ratio for aggressive drivers
- Lack of sufficient grip for high-horsepower, high-torque applications
Observations
- High-performance luxury sedans (e.g., C63s AMG) struggle with traction, suggesting the tire is ill-suited for high-torque outputs.
- Owners of larger vehicles like the Audi SQ5 report excellent handling characteristics but note that the tire's tread life is significantly compromised by the vehicle's weight and performance demands.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop SP Sport 01 | B · Dunlop SP Sport 2050 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Which one should you actually buy?
Dunlop
Dunlop
Winner: Dunlop SP Sport 2050 — better comfort, dry and wet. Pick the Dunlop SP Sport 01 if handling matters most to you.
Dunlop SP Sport 2050 scores 79 vs 66 on comfort.
Dunlop SP Sport 01 scores 69 vs 63 on handling.
Dunlop SP Sport 2050 scores 85 vs 79 on dry.
Dunlop SP Sport 2050 scores 74 vs 68 on wet.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.