Best Tires for Audi Q5: Since the birth of Audi Q5 in 2008, it boots an outstanding reputation of having one of the most elegant and elusive SUV design in the market. Couple with Audi’s sporting tradition, the Audi Q5 also boots various sport edition which compliments its ever comfortable drive with sporty power. In 2021, Audi Q5 has sold about 60,000 units in America which is a relatively reasonable volume in the premium luxury market. The current 2022 Audi Q5 boasts a 235/65R17 & 235/60R18 selection with a big share of volume concentrated at the 18″ size.
Table of Contents
Segmentation
There are 2 clear segments for Audi Q5 users. The first is the Grand Touring All Season tires where most of the tires comes with winter capability (3 peak mountain). The second segment consists of the Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season which prioritizes mileage and generally does not come equipped with a 3 peak mountain certification.
All season 3 peak mountain
All season tires have always been the go to tires for the American market and this segment has been well established across the years. There are 2 types of all season tires, one with 3 peak mountain & one with only M+S. We have covered these 2 types of tire head to head with Michelin’s Defender T+H (M+S) vs Cross Climate 2 (3 peak mountain) and the M+S all season tires usually are worst in winter performances but excel much better in mileage.
If you are in an area which snows quite heavily, 3 peak mountain all season tires would be definitely a good choice. Below are the best tires for Audi Q5 tires rank based on a compilation of test results.
1. Michelin Cross Climate 2
Michelin once again shows its innovation by revolutionizing the all season segment with its highly successful 3 peak mountain certified Cross Climate in 2015. At that time, all season markets were predominantly sold in America with poor winter performances. Cross Climate showed that it is possible to be marginally worse in summer performances while being extremely dominant in winter performances. After the initial success of Cross Climate, every tire manufacturer scramble to launch their own similar segment products but none are still as well balanced as the latest Cross Climate 2 !
- Cross Climate 2
- Launch: 2020
- Press test wins: 3/6
- Strength: Well balance summer & winter performances. Excellent wear.
Check out our head to head comparison of Cross Climate 2 against its competitors.
Cross Climate 2 vs
- Bridgestone Weather Control A005 EVO
- Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra
- Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack
- Bridgestone WeatherPeak
- Continental PureContact LS
- Continental AllSeasonContact
- Continental Cross Contact LX25
- Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3
- Goodyear Assurance ComfortDrive
- Michelin Cross Climate+
- Michelin Defender T+H
- Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
- Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2
- Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3
- Vredestein Quatrac Pro
2. Bridgestone Weatherpeak
Bridgestone’s answer towards Michelin’s Cross Climate 2 is a new product called WeatherPeak. This is Bridgestone’s first foray into America’s all season product with a 3 peak mountain certified tire. WeatherPeak was launched in 2022 and boosted a comprehensive line up covering most A to C segment cars in the replacement market. Based on the latest tire rack results, WeatherPeak excels on comfort but still lacks the top contenders in terms of wet & dry performances.
- WeatherPeak
- Launch: 2022
- Press test wins: 0/1
- Strength: Good comfort.
Check our head to head comparison of WeatherPeak against its competitors.
WeatherPeak vs
3. Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
Goodyear’s Assurance WeatherReady was launched in 2017 and covers a large range of passenger cars and crossovers. Based on the latest test results, it has strong showing in snow with good comfort but lacks the firepower in wet.
- Assurance WeatherReady
- Launch: 2017
- Press test wins: 0/2
- Strength: Snow & comfort.
Check our head to head comparison of Assurance WeatherReady against its competitors.
Assurance WeatherReady vs
4. General AltiMAX 365 AW
With many competitors yearning to become the best all season tire, General Tires recently announced their latest touring all season tireline called AltiMAX 365 AW. This tireline slightly differs to its previous all season line up as the AltiMAX 365 AW comes with a certified 3 peak mountain label which makes them effectively a legal snow tire. AltiMAX 365 AW was launched in 2021 while serving the grand touring all season segment consisting of 15″-20″ sizes.
Based on the test results, AltiMAX 365 AW fared well in terms of dry braking & handling but still lacked the wet traction needed against competitors.
- AltiMAX 365 AW
- Launch: 2021
- Press test wins: 0/1
- Strength: Strong dry performer
Check out our head to head comparison of AltiMAX 365 AW against its competitors.
AltiMAX 365 AW vs
5. Firestone WeatherGrip
Firestone WeatherGrip was launched in 2019 and covers mostly passenger cars, minivans, SUVs and crossovers sizes from 15″-19″. Based on the test results, WeatherGrip was moderately ok in dry braking & handling but did not perform well in wet.
- WeatherGrip
- Launch: 2019
- Press test wins: 0/1
- Strength: Acceptable dry performance
Check out our head to head comparison of WeatherGrip against its competitors.
WeatherGrip vs
All season tires
Before the invention of the snowflake capable tires, all season tires mostly carried the M+S logo which means mountain & snow. The M+S logo does not require you to pass any test hence it is up to the manufacturer to determine its usage. This segment provides some light snow usage capability but its main focus is on mileage. This is also one of the main reasons that the products generally do not perform well in wet.
1. Michelin Defender2
This time around we were happy to pick up the latest successor of the highly popular Defender T+H called Michelin Defender2 ! The defender series has been a household name in the M+S all season touring market by providing one of the highest UTQG wear rating compared to its competitors. This tireline was just launched in 2022 and covers a large range of passenger cars and crossovers.
Based on the test results, Defender showed great mileage while having a slight deficit in wet conditions. With a little drawback in traditional performances, Defender2 is definitely a mileage monster !
- Defender2
- Launch: 2022
- Press test wins: 0/1
- Strength: Excellent wear.
Check out our head to head comparison of Defender2 against its competitors.
Defender2 vs
2. Continental TrueContact Tour
TrueContact Tour was Continental’s answer to the highly popular Michelin Defender T+H with the main focus on wear. It was launched in 2018 and falls into the M+S and high UTQG wear rating category. Based on the test results, TrueContact Tour excels on wet performance criteria but ultimately lack against the mileage firing power to compete with Defender2. Overall solid tire in wet but lack behind Michelin in terms of mileage.
- TrueContact Tour
- Launch: 2018
- Press test wins: 0/2
- Strength: Excellent wet.
Check out our head to head comparison of TrueContact Tour against its competitors.
TrueContact Tour vs
3. Goodyear Assurance MaxLife
Goodyear Assurance MaxLife was launched in 2018 and falls into the M+S and high UTQG wear rating category. By serving the touring & SUV segment from 16-20″, Assurance MaxLife is one of the most popular tires in this category. Based on the test results, it has a good wet performance however it also trails badly in terms of mileage when compared to Michelin’s Defender 2.
- Assurance MaxLife
- Launch: 2018
- Press test wins: 0/1
- Strength: Strong wet.
Check out our head to head comparison of Assurance MaxLife against its competitors.
Assurance MaxLife vs
4. Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3
Pirellis Scorpion AS Plus 3 is relatively new as it was launched in 2021 and it covers a large range of passenger cars and crossovers. Based on the test results, Scorpion AS Plus 3 is quite refined and very good to drive on dry roads while having decent light snow traction. However its wet performances are not on par with the top competitors.
- Scorpion AS Plus 3
- Launch: 2021
- Press test wins: 0/1
- Strength: Strong dry & comfort.
Check out our head to head comparison of Scorpion AS Plus 3 against its competitors.
Scorpion AS Plus 3 vs
5. Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra
In hopes to snatch a share of the high mileage focus all season market, Bridgestone launched Alenza AS Ultra in 2021 offering 44 sizes ranging from 16″-22″. Based on the test results, it has a strong wet handling performance but lacks in winter performances.
- Alenza AS Ultra
- Launch: 2021
- Press test wins: 0/1
- Strength: Strong wet handling.
Check out our head to head comparison of Alenza AS Ultra against its competitors.
Alenza AS Ultra vs
6. General AltiMAX RT45
General’s AltiMAX RT45 was launched this year in 2022 and covers mostly passenger cars, minivans, SUVs and crossovers sizes. AltiMAX RT45 was designed and sold specifically in the North American market. This is the general commitment from General’s research & development approach of bringing the best products for the local market. Based on the test results, AltiMAX RT45 had good wet braking but had a higher noise level compared to other tires.
- AltiMAX RT45
- Launch: 2022
- Press test wins: 0/1
- Strength: Strong wet.
Check out our head to head comparison of AltiMAX RT45 against its competitors.
AltiMAX RT45 vs
Summary
When it comes to buying your next set of tires, do remind yourself what you need and try to match your requirements to tire. If you can not make it your mind and want the best you can get, Michelin’s Cross Climate 2 will definitely be a safe choice. Alternatively you could check our detailed test report to see which tires would fit your requirements. Enjoy !