Summer tire Summer Max Performance tires Updated September 2026
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 review
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.
Relative score
76/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
77/100
92 reviews
Road tests
80/100
28 published tests
Scores
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
77%
Would buy again
68%
Dry
Wet
Comfort
Treadwear
Handling
By road tests
79.6%By discipline (% of best in test)
From owners
What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 92 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Test results
28 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2026 Autobild Summer tire Test · 245/45 R19
13th of 20
Best: Subj. Comfort · 1st
Weakest: Dry Braking · 20th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 16th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 11th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 20th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 14th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 16th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 20 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 16th of 20 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 1st of 20 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 12th of 20 | |
| Noise | 13th of 20 | |
| Value | 17th of 20 | |
| Wear | 16th of 20 | |
| Abrasion | 13th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 17th of 20 |
2026 Summer Braking Super tire Test - How do 52 tires Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? · 245/45 R19
17th of 50
Best: Wet Braking · 17th
Weakest: Dry Braking · 19th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 17th of 50 | |
| Dry Braking | 19th of 50 |
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance tire Test · 225/40 R18
9th of 20
Best: Curved Aquaplaning · 1st
Weakest: Dry Braking · 19th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 18th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 16th of 20 | |
| Wet Circle | 13th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 19th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 13th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 17th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 20 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 1st of 20 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 1st of 20 | |
| Noise | 14th of 20 | |
| Value | 7th of 20 | |
| Wear | 7th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 12th of 20 |
2025 ADAC Summer tire Test · 225/40 R18
9th of 18
Best: Curved Aquaplaning · 1st
Weakest: Abrasion · 16th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 13th of 18 | |
| Dry Braking | 13th of 18 | |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd of 18 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 1st of 18 | |
| Noise | 14th of 18 | |
| Value | 13th of 18 | |
| Wear | 11th of 18 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 12th of 18 | |
| Abrasion | 16th of 18 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 11th of 18 |
2025 Summer tire Test Shootout · 225/40 R18
19th of 52
Best: Dry Braking · 19th
Weakest: Wet Braking · 20th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 20th of 52 | |
| Dry Braking | 19th of 52 |
2024 Sport Auto Summer tire Test · 215/40 R18
5th of 6
Best: Rolling Resistance · 2nd
Weakest: Wet Braking · 5th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 6 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 6 | |
| Wet Circle | 5th of 6 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 6 | |
| Dry Handling | 4th of 6 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 6 | |
| Straight Aqua | 2nd of 6 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 2nd of 6 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 6 |
2024 ADAC Summer tire Test · 215/55 R17
5th of 16
Best: Curved Aquaplaning · 2nd
Weakest: Noise · 15th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 12th of 16 | |
| Dry Braking | 4th of 16 | |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd of 16 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 2nd of 16 | |
| Noise | 15th of 16 | |
| Value | 15th of 16 | |
| Price | 12th of 16 | |
| Wear | 9th of 16 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 8th of 16 | |
| Abrasion | 11th of 16 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 9th of 16 |
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer tire Test · 225/45 R18
7th of 20
Best: Wear · 6th
Weakest: Noise · 16th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 12th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 9th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 13th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 15th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 15th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 14th of 20 | |
| Noise | 16th of 20 | |
| Value | 13th of 20 | |
| Price | 16th of 20 | |
| Wear | 6th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 13th of 20 |
2023 Summer tire Market Overview · 225/45 R18
13th of 48
Best: Wet Braking · 12th
Weakest: Dry Braking · 13th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 12th of 48 | |
| Dry Braking | 13th of 48 |
2023 ACE / Gute Fahrt UHP Summer tire Test · 235/35 R19
5th of 7
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2022 Auto Bild Summer tire Test · 215/55 R17
8th of 21
Best: Straight Aqua · 2nd
Weakest: Rolling Resistance · 19th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 21 | |
| Wet Handling | 6th of 21 | |
| Wet Circle | 5th of 21 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 21 | |
| Dry Handling | 18th of 21 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 19th of 21 | |
| Straight Aqua | 2nd of 21 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 9th of 21 | |
| Noise | 19th of 21 | |
| Value | 14th of 21 | |
| Wear | 6th of 21 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 17th of 21 |
2022 Summer tire Market Overview · 215/55 R17
7th of 44
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 44 | |
| Dry Braking | 7th of 44 |
2021 EVO Summer tire Test · 225/40 R18
4th of 9
Best: Straight Aqua · 1st
Weakest: Wet Braking · 8th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 8th of 9 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 9 | |
| Dry Braking | 7th of 9 | |
| Dry Handling | 3rd of 9 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th of 9 | |
| Straight Aqua | 1st of 9 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 3rd of 9 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 3rd of 9 |
2021 Auto Express Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17
10th of 10
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2021 Motor Summer tire Test · 225/55 R17
5th of 10
Best: Straight Aqua · 2nd
Weakest: Rolling Resistance · 8th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 4th of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 7th of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 8th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 2nd of 10 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 2nd of 10 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 6th of 10 | |
| Noise | 8th of 10 | |
| Price | 7th of 10 |
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer tire Test · 235/35 R19
7th of 15
Best: Straight Aqua · 1st
Weakest: Price · 10th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 8th of 15 | |
| Wet Handling | 8th of 15 | |
| Dry Braking | 8th of 15 | |
| Dry Handling | 8th of 15 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th of 15 | |
| Straight Aqua | 1st of 15 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 1st of 15 | |
| Noise | 4th of 15 | |
| Price | 10th of 15 |
2021 ADAC Summer tire Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17
6th of 17
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 12th of 17 |
2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP tire Test · 225/40 R18
8th of 10
Best: Rolling Resistance · 1st
Weakest: Dry Braking · 10th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 10th of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 10th of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 1st of 10 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 10th of 10 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 2nd of 10 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 7th of 10 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 10 | |
| Price | 8th of 10 |
2020 EVO UHP Summer tire Test · 235/35 R19
6th of 7
Best: Straight Aqua · 1st
Weakest: Wet Braking · 7th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 7 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 7 | |
| Wet Circle | 4th of 7 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 7 | |
| Dry Handling | 7th of 7 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 7 | |
| Straight Aqua | 1st of 7 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 5th of 7 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 4th of 7 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 2nd of 7 | |
| Price | 7th of 7 |
2020 Auto Bild Summer tire Test · 245/45 R18
14th of 20
Best: Rolling Resistance · 3rd
Weakest: Wet Braking · 19th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 19th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 18th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 12th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 16th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 16th of 20 | |
| Noise | 8th of 20 | |
| Value | 12th of 20 | |
| Price | 16th of 20 | |
| Wear | 10th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 7th of 20 |
2020 tire Market Overview Braking Test · 245/45 R18
17th of 49
Best: Dry Braking · 11th
Weakest: Wet Braking · 23rd
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 23rd of 49 | |
| Dry Braking | 11th of 49 |
2019 EVO Summer tire Test · 225/40 R18
4th of 7
Best: Rolling Resistance · 1st
Weakest: Wet Braking · 7th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 7 | |
| Wet Handling | 4th of 7 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 7 | |
| Dry Handling | 3rd of 7 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st of 7 | |
| Straight Aqua | 2nd of 7 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 3rd of 7 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 6th of 7 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 4th of 7 |
2019 Auto Bild Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17
13th of 20
Best: Straight Aqua · 3rd
Weakest: Subj. Comfort · 20th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 12th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 18th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 11th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 6th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 10th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd of 20 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 20th of 20 | |
| Noise | 9th of 20 | |
| Value | 7th of 20 | |
| Price | 12th of 20 | |
| Wear | 5th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 10th of 20 |
2019 Gute Fahrt Summer 18 Inch tire Test · 225/40 R18
3rd of 10
Best: Straight Aqua · 1st
Weakest: Wet Braking · 8th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 8th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 1st of 10 | |
| Price | 4th of 10 |
2019 Summer 53 tire Braking Shootout · 225/45 R17
11th of 45
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 12th of 45 | |
| Dry Braking | 12th of 45 |
2018 EVO UUHP tire Test · 235/35 R19
3rd of 6
Best: Wet Handling · 1st
Weakest: Dry Handling · 4th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 6 | |
| Wet Handling | 1st of 6 | |
| Dry Braking | 3rd of 6 | |
| Dry Handling | 4th of 6 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st of 6 | |
| Straight Aqua | 1st of 6 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 4th of 6 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 2nd of 6 | |
| Price | 4th of 6 |
2018 Auto Express Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17
3rd of 10
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2018 Test World Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17
8th of 16
Best: Straight Aqua · 6th
Weakest: Subj. Dry Handling · 13th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 11th of 16 | |
| Wet Handling | 10th of 16 | |
| Dry Braking | 7th of 16 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 16 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 13th of 16 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 10th of 16 | |
| Noise | 11th of 16 |
Where to buy
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 specs & sizes
Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Tread depth | 10/32″ |
| UTQG | 300 A A |
| Sidewall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 50 psi |
| Size | Retailer |
|---|---|
| 225/45 R17 | Amazon |
| 235/45 R17 | Amazon |
| 235/35 R19 | Amazon |
| 255/40 R19 | Amazon |
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