Achilles tires are really popular. Their pocket-friendly asking prices and excellent on-road manners ensure that anyone on a tight budget would at least consider these tires after being blown away by the eye-watering prices the likes of Michelin and Bridgestone demand for their goods.
That said, there’s a reason why the Michelin’s and Bridgestone’s of the world charge an arm and a leg for their tires. Premium tire brands are aware that their tires can keep the driver using it, their family members, and traffic participants safe. That is something not every budget tire can do.
This brings us to a few crucial questions. Are Achilles tires any good? Are they popular only because they are available at prices anyone on a budget can easily afford? Or does Achilles has something up its sleeve that other budget tire brands say, Hugger, Mastercraft, or Lexani, don’t?
In this Achilles tires review, we’re going to review the best Achilles tires currently on the market. These include Achilles ATR Sport 2, ATR-K Economist, Desert Hawk UHP, and more. All these tires have some remarkable features, but they also have potentially deal-breaking flaws.
Achilles Tires Review
Here are the best Achilles tires available on the market
#1. Achilles ATR Sport 2
The Achilles ATR Sport 2 isn’t your average high-performance tire. Your standard high-performance tire doesn’t cost this cheap. In most cases, you are required to spend quite a lot of money to get that exhilarating driving experience sporting drivers are looking for.
It isn’t only the ATR Sport 2’s price that puts the likes of Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 or Pirelli P Zero All Season to shame. This tire’s ultra-high performance that helps it offer decent traction in dry and wet conditions also position it as a viable alternative to these super pricey UHP tires.
Achilles has opted for a silica tread compound, solid center rib, and offset tread block design to enhance this tire’s steering response and stability. All three elements also offer high-speed handling capabilities, which is something you’d expect from a performance tire, low cost or otherwise.
Four circumferential grooves work together with the added silica content to improve this tire’s grip on slippery surfaces. The grooves also reduce the risk of hydroplaning. That said, its grip on wet surfaces is average when compared with tires whose names we mentioned above.
Which is something you should expect. The ATR Sport 2 is a low-cost alternative to the normally super-pricey extreme performance summer tires. Anyone who would opt for it would know that there are better options out there. It’s just that those options cost two or three times as much.
Pros
- Competitively priced
- Decent cornering grip
- Excellent treadlife for a budget tire
Cons
- Produces quiet a lot of noise
#2. Achilles ATR-K Economist
The Achilles ATR-K Economist is also a value-priced tire (the clue is in the name). It is built for drivers that are looking for comfort and performance on a budget. Its competitive price tag is proof that the maxim ‘you get what you pay for’ can sometimes be wrong.
The ATR-K Economist offers something you don’t usually get from tires in this class – excellent fuel economy. The credit for that goes to its all-season tread compound, whose low rolling resistance minimizes your trips to the gas station.
Achilles has provided the ATR-K with a symmetric tread pattern. One that features two center ribs to offer enhanced stability and steering response at higher speeds. Large shoulder blocks around the tread put the added stability to use by increasing this tire’s cornering grip.
Added sipes around the tread area shorten braking distances, an area where this tire does a marvelous job. Anyone not aware of its meager price tag won’t be able to guess the same correctly based on its optional braking performance.
Two wide circumferential grooves keep the risk of hydroplaning at bay. They also aid with wet traction by ensuring the tire’s contact with the surface beneath it stays intact. Twin silent ribs minimize unnecessary road noise on both dry and wet surfaces.
Pros
- Above-average treadlife
- High performance on a budget
- Noise is better than other tires in the same class
Cons
- Negligible traction on snow
#3. Achilles Desert Hawk UHP
The Desert Hawk UHP is another UHP tire from Achilles. Supreme design and state of the art technology help this tire offer excellent traction in all conditions and a comfortable and noise-free ride. Passengers will have no trouble dozing off when this tire is installed underneath their vehicle.
A silica enhanced tread compound and directional tread design help this tire offer brilliant cornering grip, traction and braking power on dry surfaces. An unbreakable center rib keeps it steady at higher speeds, while also delivering a quick steering response, a strong point for this tire.
Almost all Achilles tires we have reviewed thus far have opted for circumferential grooves to resist hydroplaning and shorten braking distances. THe Desert Hawk UHP takes a different route. This tire has opted for lateral grooves to increase its aquaplaning resistance and wet-weather grip.
The added silica content also aids in traction at wet surfaces. But keep in mind that this isn’t a Continental or Michelin UHP tire. While its dry traction can compete with other tires in the category, the traction in wintry conditions is way low compared to what you get from premium UHP tires.
Another area where this tire could have done better is ride comfort, which goes down more than a few notches as the tire wears down. This drawback is further compounded by the fact that the Desert Hawk UHP has a poor tread life. So don’t expect the initial comfortable ride to last forever.
Pros
- Dry traction, cornering grip and handling are excellent
- Available at a budget-friendly price
- Quick and responsive steering
Cons
- Poor tread life
- Not the best tire for winter conditions
#4. Achilles Winter 101
Most budget tire brands don’t produce many tires for winter conditions. The likes of Lexani, Waterfall and Mastercraft have all dedicated their energies to producing summer tires.
Achilles isn’t any different. The Winter 101 is the only tire designed and produced by the company for harsher climates. Which looks to be a poor decision once you experience this tire’s performance – the Winter 101 has what it takes to keep you safe on snow and ice.
Multiple interlocking sipes give this tire the edges needed for traction. The sipes clutch not only the road but also each other for added grip. Their number and design are enough for this tire to safely carry you from point A to point B in wintry conditions.
Steering response is a luxury that sporty drivers demand in summer conditions. For anyone looking to drive on snow, it’s a necessity. The absence of precise steering handling can give way to accidents, something which this tire avoids with its center rib design.
The accumulation of snow and ice in any tire’s tread is followed up by the build-up of water. It’s therefore crucial for any winter tire to resist water retention and encourage water channeling. That is precisely what the Winter 101 does with its four straight grooves pattern design.
Braking on sheet ice is satisfactory as long as you’re gentle on the brakes. These tires will pull away your vehicle from standstill without causing the wheel to spin.
Pros
- Satisfactory braking on sheet ice
- Have the grip needed for snow and icy conditions
- Excellent treadlife
Cons
- Wears down pretty quickly in summer conditions
#5. Achilles Multivan
The Achilles Multivan is a value-priced tire for commercial vehicles. It is designed to handle summer conditions on highway terrain and other similar settings.
Summer weather traction is excellent with this tire. A large and broad tread design has the sipes needed to bring your vehicle to a standstill when brakes are applied at high speeds. The special siping detail also improves this tire’s traction on dry tarmac.
Controllability in summer conditions isn’t bad, either. A specialized four groove tread design gives faster and more accurate steering responsiveness, letting the tire be more receptive to the driver’s instructions, offering added controllability at higher speeds
Shoulder blocks around the tread area have additional bites. The bites make it possible for the tire to maintain adequate road contact during cornering, promoting a safe driving experience.
A broader tread area optimizes this tire’s road contact, evenly distributing the forces of braking, cornering and acceleration. This keeps irregular treadwear at bay, helping the Minivan excel in an area (treadlife) where most of its counterparts struggle.
Pros
- Excellent treadlife
- Brilliant grip and traction on dry surfaces
- Great steering response
Cons
- Winter performance could have been better
Achilles Tires Buying Guide
In this section of our Achilles tires review, we’re going to highlight the positive aspects as well as drawbacks of Achilles tires. We’ll start by highlighting what sets these tires apart from their competitors. Next, we’ll turn our attention to potential deal-breaking factors.
Why Buy Achilles Tires?
Here’s why Achilles tires deserve your attention:
1) Trusted By Carmakers
Did you know that Achilles tires have received Original Equipment Status from carmakers? Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Daihatsu are some of the globally renowned car manufacturers who provide Achilles fitments on vehicles manufactured on their assembly lines.
The trust carmakers have showered on Achilles serves as proof that this tire manufacturer is producing quality products that consumers can afford to take a bet on.
2) Competitive Pricing
Achilles tires cost many times less than their premium counterparts. Sure, the quality of materials used in the tire, as well as road performance, might not be as great. Still, there are many people who would be prepared to make these compromises in return for paying less.
3) Excellent Dry Performance
Apart from the Winter 101, every Achilles tire works best in dry conditions. The traction levels are a tad higher, the grip is a little bit better, and the stopping distances are a few feet shorter than they are in wintry conditions. For dry conditions, these tires are pretty good.
Why NOT Buy Achilles Tires?
Here are the negative aspects of Achilles Tires:
1) Short Treadlife
You might already know this, but most people don’t know that cheap tires are cheap because they don’t last very long. Put simply, in terms of their treadlife, you get exactly what you’re paying for.
2) Average Wet Traction
Most budget brands on the market struggle with wet traction. Achilles isn’t an exception. Its tires’ traction is much better in summer than in wintertime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are questions most people have about Achilles tires:
Is Achilles a good tire?
Achilles makes reliable tires for summer conditions. The traction levels are a tad higher, the grip is a little bit better, and the stopping distances are a few feet shorter than they are in wintry conditions. If you’re looking for a dedicated summer tire, Achilles tires deserve your attention.
Who are Achilles tires made by?
Achilles tires are made by the Indonesian manufacturer PT Multistrada Arah Sarana (MASA). MASA was formed in 1991 and has factories scattered all across the country. In the past, MASA worked with Pirelli and Continental.
Why are Achilles tires so cheap?
Part of the reason is that they’re manufactured in a place (Indonesia) where the cost of production isn’t as high as in Europe or North America. However, the other reason has to do about their treadlife. Achilles tires cost less than premium tires because they last two or three times less.
Are Achilles tires quiet?
The Achilles ATR-K Economist is an extremely quiet tire. Twin silent ribs help the tire minimize unnecessary road noise on both dry and wet surfaces. However, as the tire starts to wear, its initial noise-free and comfortable ride might fade away.
Are Achilles tires made in China?
Achilles tires are made in Indonesia.
Conclusion
Achilles tires are an excellent option for anyone looking for performance tires on a budget. Keep in mind, though, that they might not last as long as their premium counterparts.
