Royal Black Explorer II review
The Royal Black Explorer II is generally regarded as a reliable, budget-friendly tire that delivers satisfactory performance for daily driving. Users report consistent dry and wet grip, though some suggest exercising caution in adverse conditions due to the tire's positioning in the economy segment.
Owners rate it 36.1 points higher 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
90%By road tests
53.9%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 3 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Royal Black Explorer II is generally regarded as a reliable, budget-friendly tire that delivers satisfactory performance for daily driving. Users report consistent dry and wet grip, though some suggest exercising caution in adverse conditions due to the tire's positioning in the economy segment.
Pros
- High value-for-money proposition
- Reliable performance for standard daily commuting
- Satisfactory tread wear longevity
- Consistent dry surface traction
Cons
- Limited feedback for spirited or performance-oriented driving
- Requires cautious driving in wet conditions
- Lack of specialized handling characteristics
Worth knowing
- Users operating heavier SUV models recommend extra caution in wet weather despite the tire's 'C' wet rating.
- The 235/50/19 103Y XL specification is noted to provide adequate grip for standard SUV usage without aggressive maneuvering.
1 published test appearance
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2025 Summer tire Test Shootout · 225/40 R18
51st of 52
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 51st of 52 | |
| Dry Braking | 50th of 52 |