Skip advert
Advertisement

GT Radial SportActive SUV: new tyre has performance SUVs in mind

GT Radial expands its range of high-performance tyres with a new offering aimed at the sporty SUV market

GT Radial encroached into the world of ultra-high performance tyres last year with its first tyre designed for sports cars and hot hatches, the SportActive. Now, with the performance SUV market becoming increasingly popular, it’d be silly not make a tyre that suited such cars. So, GT Radial has done just that and released the SportActive SUV.

Advertisement - Article continues below

> 2017’s best SUVs

As with the smaller, lower profile SportActive the SUV version of the tyre has been designed at GT Radial’s European research and development facility in Germany. The SUV tyre uses the same wide groves to dissipate standing water as the more conventional sized SportActive, however the taller, more rounded sidewalls mean it doesn’t quite have the same sporty look. But, just like the SportActive, the SUV tyre will be approximately 80 per cent of the cost of its equivalent sized rivals.

The SportActive SUV has been designed with the likes of the Audi Q3, Range Rover Evoque and BMW X3 in mind. As such it will be available for both 18- and 19-inch wheels and from 225 to 255 section width with 50 to 60 profile sidewalls.

GT Radial bucks the trend set by other Chinese-based tyre manufactures as it seeks to compete in a market where buyers are much more savvy about tyres, selecting their rubber based on its abilities rather than just price and longevity.

> Read our review of the Audi RS Q3

Last year we had opportunity to test the first SportActive back-to-back with tyres from more established premium brands. When fitted to a VW Golf GTI, Audi TT and Mini JCW it more than held its own compared to its equivalents from Toyo and Kumho. It might not have outshone its competitors but certainly wasn’t left wanting either. The test demonstrated that GT Radial had developed a tyre that lived up to its intentions in terms of performance.  

It’s all well and good GT Radial making a competitive tyre in terms of price and performance, but to really appeal to enthusiasts it needs to build a suitable reputation. It has made a good start and is involved with evo’s own track evenings where it brings along cars equipped with its SportActive tyres for attendees to take out on track.

> Find out more about evo’s track evenings here

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The 625bhp Range Rover Sport SV is now £35k cheaper than it was before
Range Rover Sport SV
News

The 625bhp Range Rover Sport SV is now £35k cheaper than it was before

While it was previously available only in special edition form, the V8-powered Range Rover Sport SV is finally on the market in ‘standard’ trim, bring…
1 Jul 2025
Best performance SUVs 2025 – family-friendly supercars on stilts
Best SUVs 2025
Best cars

Best performance SUVs 2025 – family-friendly supercars on stilts

The best hot SUVs offer entertaining dynamic characters all of their own – even if we'd rather drive an equivalent fast estate...
23 Jun 2025
New Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy isn’t quite a half-price Octa
Defender Trophy Edition front
News

New Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy isn’t quite a half-price Octa

This rough and ready Defender calls back to this utilitarian icon’s rich off-road history
19 Jun 2025
Bentley Bentayga Speed 2025 review – should the Aston Martin DBX need to worry?
Bentley Bentayga Speed – front
Reviews

Bentley Bentayga Speed 2025 review – should the Aston Martin DBX need to worry?

The Bentley Bentayga Speed no longer uses a W12 engine, in its place a retuned twin-turbo V8 and some clever dynamic hardware and software. Is it a ma…
16 Jun 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport deal
News

VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport in Mk8.5 guise makes for a tempting prospect at the right price
3 Jul 2025
New 2026 Ferrari Amalfi revealed – physical buttons return in the 631bhp Roma replacement
Ferrari Amalfi front
News

New 2026 Ferrari Amalfi revealed – physical buttons return in the 631bhp Roma replacement

The Ferrari Amalfi picks up where the Roma left off, as a more capable, debugged super GT that’s finally brought back buttons
1 Jul 2025
Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI
Cheap sports cars
Best cars

Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI

With the sun shining and fuel prices palatable, now is the time to indulge your used sports car desires
1 Jul 2025