Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 review
The Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 receives mixed feedback, with users noting acceptable performance in dry and summer conditions but expressing significant disappointment regarding snow traction and manufacturing quality. While some find the tire comfortable when pressures are managed correctly, reports of balancing issues and poor wet-weather grip on specific surfaces limit its overall appeal for commercial van operators.
Owners rate it 20 points lower than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.
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%By road tests
74%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 3 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 receives mixed feedback, with users noting acceptable performance in dry and summer conditions but expressing significant disappointment regarding snow traction and manufacturing quality. While some find the tire comfortable when pressures are managed correctly, reports of balancing issues and poor wet-weather grip on specific surfaces limit its overall appeal for commercial van operators.
Pros
- Satisfactory grip levels on dry, clean road surfaces
- Comfortable ride quality when tire pressures are strictly maintained
- Reasonable tread longevity depending on driving style and braking habits
Cons
- Significant manufacturing inconsistencies leading to difficult balancing and high vibration
- Poor traction and handling performance in snow and ice conditions
- Inconsistent grip levels on wet, non-adhesive asphalt surfaces
Worth knowing
- Users operating commercial vans like the Transit Mk2 and Vivaro report mixed results regarding stability and handling.
- The tire's performance in winter conditions falls short of expectations for a product marketed as an all-season solution.
2 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2020 Commercial Van All Season tire Test · 225/70 R15
5th of 7
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 7 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 7 | |
| Dry Braking | 4th of 7 | |
| Dry Handling | 6th of 7 | |
| Snow Handling | 4th of 7 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th of 7 | |
| Straight Aqua | 1st of 7 | |
| Noise | 5th of 7 |
2020 AutoBild Van All Season Commercial tire Test · 235/65 R16
4th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 8 | |
| Wet Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 3rd of 8 | |
| Dry Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Snow Braking | 5th of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 6th of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 7th of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 1st of 8 | |
| Noise | 6th of 8 | |
| Price | 2nd of 8 | |
| Tyre Weight | 4th of 8 |