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Summer tire Summer Touring tires Updated September 2026

Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1 review

The Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1 is a polarizing budget tire that receives significant criticism for its performance in wet conditions. While a minority of users appreciate its low price point and acceptable dry-weather handling, a large majority report dangerous levels of traction loss, hydroplaning, and structural issues, leading many to advise against their use.

Relative score
65/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
54/100
80 reviews
Road tests
69/100
2 published tests

Owners rate it 15.1 points lower than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.

Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
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

54%
Would buy again 38%
Dry
Overall dry
69%
Corner stability
49%
Dry traction
66%
Steering response
55%
Wet
Overall wet
39%
Wet traction
37%
Comfort
Overall comfort
60%
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
65%
Handling
Overall handling
51%

By road tests

69.1%
Dry
79.3%
Wet
59.4%
Noise
100%
From owners

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 80 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.

The Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1 is a polarizing budget tire that receives significant criticism for its performance in wet conditions. While a minority of users appreciate its low price point and acceptable dry-weather handling, a large majority report dangerous levels of traction loss, hydroplaning, and structural issues, leading many to advise against their use.

Pros

  • Highly competitive and affordable price point
  • Adequate grip and handling in dry, warm conditions
  • Slow tread wear and long-lasting durability for some users
  • Low road noise levels reported by a subset of drivers

Cons

  • Extremely poor and unpredictable wet-weather traction
  • High risk of hydroplaning and loss of control on damp surfaces
  • Reported structural failures including sidewall bulges, tread separation, and delamination
  • Difficulty in balancing leading to vibrations at highway speeds
  • Soft sidewalls causing instability and a 'jelly-like' feel during cornering

Worth knowing

  • Users with rear-wheel-drive vehicles (e.g., BMW 3-series, Holden Commodore) frequently report severe oversteer and tail-spinning in wet conditions.
  • Drivers of heavier vehicles or those with higher torque outputs noted that the tire's sidewall stiffness is insufficient, leading to unstable handling.
  • Some users noted that the 'Extra Load' (XL) variants required a longer break-in period but offered improved stability compared to standard load versions.
Test results

2 published test appearances

Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.

2021 53 Summer tire Braking Test · 205/55 R16

52nd of 53
Best: Dry Braking · 48th Weakest: Wet Braking · 52nd
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking52nd of 53
Dry Braking48th of 53

Are Budget tires Finally Good Enough? 8 Cheap tires VS 1 Premium tire · 205/55 R16

8th of 9
Best: Price · 6th Weakest: Rolling Resistance · 9th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Handling7th of 9
Dry Handling7th of 9
Rolling Resistance9th of 9
Straight Aqua8th of 9
Noise9th of 9
Price6th of 9
Where to buy

Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1 specs & sizes

Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.

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