76
/ 100
Objective (60%)
80/100
25 professional tests
User signal (40%)
77/100
92 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Falken Eurowinter HS01 — Compared (September 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.
VS
80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
72/100
14 professional tests
User signal (40%)
87/100
35 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Falken Eurowinter HS01 — better treadwear, dry and noise. Pick the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 if comfort matters most to you.
Read full
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made via links on this page.
Category breakdown
7 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
Score (0–100)
Eurowinter HS01 leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | SportMaxx RT 2 | Eurowinter HS01 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 74 | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 88 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 98 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 95% | 99% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Eurowinter HS01 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | SportMaxx RT 2 | Eurowinter HS01 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 83 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 89 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 97 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 93% | 95% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) | 97% | 96% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 100% | 98% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | SportMaxx RT 2 | Eurowinter HS01 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 79 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | – | 83 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 96 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
SportMaxx RT 2 leads by 31
Why this score
| Source | SportMaxx RT 2 | Eurowinter HS01 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 69 | 12 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 80 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 98 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Eurowinter HS01 leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | SportMaxx RT 2 | Eurowinter HS01 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 71 | 76 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 92 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Eurowinter HS01 leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | SportMaxx RT 2 | Eurowinter HS01 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 88 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 94 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
SportMaxx RT 2 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | SportMaxx RT 2 | Eurowinter HS01 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 76 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 | Falken Eurowinter HS01 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 80 |
| Dry | 78 | 89 |
| Wet | 79 | 87 |
| Snow | – | 82 |
| Comfort | 73 | 42 |
| Noise | 71 | 82 |
| Treadwear | 75 | 90 |
| Handling | 77 | 76 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
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.
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score
76
/ 100
Tire A
80
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #13/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test | 99% #3/9 · 2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tyre Test | -3.4 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #4/6 · 2018 EVO UUHP Tyre Test | 99% #6/9 · 2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tyre Test | +0.3 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 76% #16/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test | 78% #9/9 · 2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tyre Test | -2 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #15/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 97% #4/9 · 2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tyre Test | +1.4 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 86% #12/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 70% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +16 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 74% #7/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 75% #8/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -0.3 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 66% #6/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test | 56% #15/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +9.9 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 20% #5/7 · 2023 ACE / Gute Fahrt UHP Summer Tyre Test | 20% #5/9 · 2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 100% #1/9 · 2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test | 100% #1/9 · 2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 100% #1/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test | 60% #10/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +40 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 83% #3/7 · 2019 EVO Summer Tyre Test | 80% #4/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +2.5 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 95% #3/9 · 2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test | 30% #9/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +65 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #10/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 0% #18/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 93% #6/10 · 2021 Motor Summer Tyre Test | 95% #11/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -2.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 97% #13/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 96% #7/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | +0.8 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #4/7 · 2019 EVO Summer Tyre Test | 98% #6/9 · 2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tyre Test | +2.1 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 is generally regarded as a comfortable, quiet, and high-performing tire that excels in daily driving and wet weather conditions. While many users praise its grip and value, a significant segment of the enthusiast community finds the sidewalls too soft for aggressive, high-speed cornering, leading to a 'spongy' or unstable feeling under heavy load.
Pros
- Excellent wet weather traction and aquaplaning resistance
- High levels of ride comfort and low road noise
- Strong value proposition compared to other premium UHP tires
- Effective rim protection features
- Good steering feedback for normal to spirited road driving
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can feel unstable or 'wobbly' during aggressive cornering
- Reports of premature tread cracking or uneven wear in some cases
- Performance can degrade significantly as the tire wears down
- Some users report vibration issues or difficulty balancing the tires
- Not ideal for track use or extremely heavy, high-torque vehicles
Observations
- Users with heavier or high-torque vehicles often report that the soft sidewalls struggle to maintain composure during quick maneuvers.
- Drivers of lighter, sporty hatchbacks generally report higher satisfaction with the tire's responsiveness and weight-saving benefits.
- Several users noted that increasing tire pressure slightly can mitigate the 'spongy' sidewall sensation, though this may come at the cost of some grip.
The Falken Eurowinter HS01 is widely regarded as a high-value winter tire that punches above its price point, offering impressive performance in wet, snowy, and icy conditions. While a small minority of users report mixed results regarding wet-weather braking confidence, the vast majority of owners praise its quiet ride, durability, and reliable traction in challenging winter climates.
Pros
- Exceptional wet-weather grip and aquaplaning resistance
- Strong traction and handling in deep snow and ice
- High value-to-price ratio compared to premium competitors
- Surprisingly quiet and comfortable ride for a winter tire
- Good tread longevity and durability
Cons
- Higher rolling resistance noted by some users
- Inconsistent braking confidence on wet or slick asphalt for a small subset of drivers
- Increased road noise at higher speeds or when over-inflated
- Dry road handling is described as adequate but not performance-oriented
Observations
- Users with AWD vehicles (e.g., WRX, Ford Kuga) report that the tire complements all-wheel-drive systems effectively for snow navigation.
- Drivers noted that the tire maintains comfort and low noise levels even on rough road surfaces, particularly when moving from 15-inch to 16-inch wheel sizes.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 | B · Falken Eurowinter HS01 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 4 | 21 |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 19″ | 17″ – 20″ |
| Tread depth | 10/32″ | 11/32″ |
| UTQG | 300 A A | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | 50 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
76
/ 100
Dunlop
80
/ 100
Falken
Winner: Falken Eurowinter HS01 — better treadwear, dry and noise. Pick the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 if comfort matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 scores 73 vs 42 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Falken Eurowinter HS01 scores 90 vs 75 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Falken Eurowinter HS01 scores 89 vs 78 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Falken Eurowinter HS01 scores 82 vs 71 on noise.
Tire A · Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
Tire B · Falken Eurowinter HS01
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 also compared with
Falken Eurowinter HS01 also compared with
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.