It’s no secret that Australians are in love with SUVs, with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) confirming that in 2023 SUV sales far outstripped any other segment, accounting for a whopping 55.8% of overall new sales.
This paints a rosy picture about the popularity of the vehicles themselves, so what better time to take a look at SUV tyres, because after all, there’s little more important than where the rubber hits the road!
While OEM tyres are fitted by manufacturers to new vehicles before they roll out the factory door, when it comes time to replace these originals it’s vital to know what you’re looking for. The global Maxxis R&D team has done (and continues to do) a massive amount of work in designing, developing and testing its SUV tyres to ensure that they meet the needs of discerning SUV drivers, their vehicles and lifestyles.
So, what should a driver look out for and consider when choosing a new set of SUV tyres? Let’s take a little look…
Safety meets performance
Choosing tyres sometimes comes down to brand preference and budget – however making sure they are safe and have been tested for conditions in which they will be driven, should always be a top priority. Maxxis does extensive testing of their tyres in real-life driving conditions, ensuring that they meet stringent international safety standards. Not all brands of tyres are created equal, so it’s worth doing your homework before you buy and make sure you’re not compromising on safety.
Adventure-ready and functional for a wide range of lifestyles
The SUV is a vehicle that’s versatile for many activities, having the size, boot space, additional height and range of other features that will take you to places near and far! Loved by families for school, soccer and netball runs, they’re also a great vehicle for tradies and other business use. Plus, you don’t have to look far to see how popular they are for road-trips, camping and towing a caravan or heading to the beach with heaps of room for everyone including the pets!
The Maxxis range of SUV tyres are all expertly designed for SUV lifestyles and adventures, and can be fitted to a wide variety of vehicles. From the sporty, high performing, comfortable and ultra-safe VS5 to the HP5’s latest grip technology and the HT780’s specially perfected all season-tread, Maxxis SUV tyres deliver the features and benefits you’d expect of a high calibre SUV tyre that’s tested and perfected to go the distance in Australian conditions.
Size right
If your vehicle was new when you bought it and you are replacing the tyres for the first time, the size of the tyres already on your vehicle will be a good guide. If you are unsure of the right or best tyre size for your SUV, it’s always advisable to check your owner’s manual or tyre placard usually situated on the panel on the inside of the driver’s door, for the recommended size.
Let’s talk tread
Tread is a very important part of any tyre, with SUV tyres being no exception – so take a look at the tread and the role it plays in the tyre’s performance before you buy.
The Maxxis RAZR HT780’s specially formulated rubber compound and all-season tread pattern ensures excellent handling in a range of road and weather conditions and can be the perfect tyre for an SUV driver who is sometimes up for a bit of easy off-roading. When it comes to wet weather grip and reduced braking, the VS5’s tread and chamfer tread blocks really deliver — making it another exceptional Maxxis SUV tyre choice for an extensive range of vehicles.
Comfort and low noise
You’ll want to enjoy every minute of your SUV drive, so whether you’re planning on doing a lot of around town or highway and country driving, it pays to do a bit of research to ensure that the SUV tyres you choose are going to deliver a quiet drive. The HP5, with its curved shoulder groove design that reduces vibration noise in the tread area, is a prime example of an SUV tyre that you can count on for low road noise while offering plenty of comfort along for the ride!
Great quality doesn’t have to cost the earth
There’s no denying that new tyres are usually something you would rather not have to buy, especially with the current cost of living pressures, but safety is, of course, very important. The great news is that Maxxis has worked hard to produce a high calibre SUV tyre range that includes performance and safety as well as good value which makes it an all-rounder winner.
Our expert dealers can help
When it comes to SUV tyres, our expert Maxxis dealers, conveniently located throughout Australia know their stuff! They’re on hand to assist you with any queries you may have regarding selecting the right tyres for your SUV as well as being available to assist with a wide range of tyre services.
