Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 80%
Wet Conditions – 70%
Snow – 60%
Comfort – 80%
Noise Reduction – 80%
Durability – 80%
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
Amazon TireRack DiscountTire SimpleTireDon't know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
I often talk about car enthusiasts and our desire for spirited and dynamic driving. As ideal as that may sound, it’s not what most people are after. With many drivers on the road looking for models to get them from point A to point B, the ideal choice is touring tires.
In this segment, there are several sub-types with slightly different characteristics. Grand touring models are quite popular because they bridge the gap between traditional touring tires and performance ones. They sit between both, aiming to offer a great balance.
This segment has many options, and today’s model is from Sumitomo. The tire in question is the HTR Enhance LX2, which has been on the market for several years. Considering it’s not the latest and greatest, how well does it stack against its mid-range rivals?
Pros
- The handling is light and decently responsive
- Enough performance for daily driving scenarios
- Stable in harsh rain
- Among the more affordable mid-range models
Cons
- Wet and snow performance are a bit behind its closest rivals
- The refinement levels are average
The Features of the Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2
Considering its class and category, the HTR Enhance LX2 is a tire that offers all the necessary features that should allow it to deliver the needed performance to be considered a grand touring all-season model.
On the compound side of things, the tire features silica-enriched rubber with super microparticulate carbon, which is aimed at offering multiple advantages. The most notable is that it should help it remain pliable in colder temperatures.
The rubber is molded into an asymmetric pattern, aimed at additionally improving the all-season performance. In addition to that, the pattern helps with wear and should improve the handling throughout the tire’s lifespan.
Wet and snow performance is backed by another feature of the tread design. The tire features sipes to improve traction on damp or snow-covered roads. For deeper snow patches, the 3D zig-zag design should help the tire bite in and offer plenty of performance.
Another feature for improved wet performance is the groove design. The circumferential grooves work with lateral notches, allowing the tire to evacuate water efficiently. It should result in excellent aquaplaning resistance.
Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 in Dry Conditions
First and foremost, the HTR Enhance LX2 is a grand touring tire, and as such, it delivers pretty good results in dry conditions.
The tire offers high levels of grip and traction, allowing you to drive it daily without experiencing any issues. There’s no slip on acceleration, and the tire remains neutral in the corners. The braking distances are solid for a mid-range model, putting it on par with many rivals.
When it comes to aggressive driving, the tire can handle it a bit, but not as good as the premium models in this category. You can push it a bit, and it will remain a solid performer. It’s far from a track-focused tire, and it’s not one that will wow you in the corners.
This is backed by the handling. It does its job well as a touring tire, offering a light steering that isn’t overly slow. There’s not a lot of feedback, so don’t expect the most communicative tire.
Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 on Wet or Slippery Roads
In wet conditions, the HTR Enhance LX2 delivers solid performance, but it’s not a tire that will excel.
It deals with damp roads well, providing solid performance that won’t disappoint under normal driving conditions. You won’t experience too much slip unless you get a bit carried away. It offers short braking distances, so it’s a safe tire. With that said, they aren’t the shortest, even in the mid-range segment. One thing I like about it is the steering. It remains light, like in dry conditions, and shows you the tire’s limitations so you won’t push it too much. There isn’t a lot of feedback, but the one you’ll get will let you know that you’re pushing it too much.
The aquaplaning resistance is pretty good, meaning that the tread design is doing its job properly. It can evacuate water from beneath it well, allowing the tire to remain stable in these conditions.
Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 in Snow
The winter performance of any all-season tire isn’t impressive, and the same goes for the HTR Enhance LX2.
Driving on snow isn’t the most terrifying experience, thanks to the tire’s traction levels. It deals well in lighter conditions, meaning that it’s a solid performer in shallower snow. Driving on a packed one isn’t as impressive, but the tire still remains usable. The braking distances are decently short, putting it ahead of the Majesty 9 Solus TA91.
Surprisingly, the performance on ice isn’t as terrible as I thought it would be. It’s not a replacement for a dedicated winter tire, but it does an acceptable job as an all-season one.
Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 Off-Roading
The HTR Enhance LX2 comes in a few sizes for crossovers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good tire for off-roading. It does well on paved roads, which is where you should spend most of your time with it. You may drive on dirt roads when needed but don’t expect more.
Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 for Sporty Driving
Some grand touring tires can be sporty, which isn’t the case with the HTR Enhance LX2. The tire’s performance in dry conditions is pretty good but not enough for me to categorize it as excellent in these situations. It doesn’t offer the same performance levels as UHP tire, and the handling is far from dynamic.
Does the Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 Ride Comfortably?
Refinement is something that HTR Enhance LX2 does well enough, but it’s behind many mid-range rivals.
The comfort levels are decent, and the tire does a solid job of smoothing out road imperfections or larger bumps. As good as it sounds, driving on bad roads with repetitive bumps may unsettle it and make it seem less comfortable.
Regarding the noise levels, it’s not the quietest tire, even in its own segment. You’ll notice the hum, which isn’t too pronounced when driving around town. At highway speeds, it does increase in intensity, and depending on the surface, you may notice certain additional tones.
Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 Warranty
Unlike some of its rivals, the treadwear warranty of the HTR Enhance LX2 comes in several tiers. It starts with 90,000 miles for T-rated models, 70,000 for H- and V-rated ones, and W-rated tires get 50,000 miles. It’s better than some of its rivals for the tires with a lower speed rating, and it’s similar when you compare the tires with higher speed ratings.
Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
As a mid-range model, the HTR Enhance LX2 is positioned in the more affordable part of the segment, making it an attractive option. For example, a common 17-inch size is priced below the Celsius II or the Quatrac Pro+. With that said, both are 3PMSF rated, but the Toyo tire has a lower speed rating than the Sumitomo and the Vredestein.
Should I Buy the Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2?
There are excellent tires, and there are those that do their job well and won’t strain your budget. The second type is how I’d categorize the HTR Enhance LX2.
It’s not a tire that will excel in any performance metric but will offer enough performance for most drivers. Even though wet and winter performance is a bit behind its closest rivals, it still remains a safe performer.
The refinement is decent, but not without some drawbacks in certain conditions. With that said, you are looking at an affordable tire, so you should expect some compromises.
I would put the HTR Enhance LX2 in the good category. It’s almost half of what a premium tire costs, so you shouldn’t expect an industry-leading tire. The most important part is that it’s safe if you’re not asking too much of it.
What Vehicles Will the Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2 will fit:
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Ford Fiesta
- Honda CR-V
- Hyundai Sonata
- Lexus ES
- Mazda CX-7
- Mini Cooper
- Nissan Versa
- Subaru Outback
- Toyota Avalon
- Volkswagen Jetta
Tire Sizes of the Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX2
15″
- 175/65R15 84H
- 185/55R15 82V
- 185/60R15 88H XL
- 185/65R15 88H
- 195/60R15 88H
- 195/65R15 91H
- 205/65R15 94H
- 215/70R15 98T
16″
- 185/55R16 83H
- 195/50R16 84H
- 195/55R16 87V
- 205/55R16 91H
- 205/60R16 92V
- 205/65R16 95H
- 215/55R16 97V XL
- 215/60R16 95T
- 215/60R16 95V
- 215/65R16 98T
- 215/70R16 100H
- 225/60R16 98H
- 225/65R16 100H
- 225/70R16 103H
- 235/65R16 103T
17″
- 205/50R17 93V XL
- 215/50R17 95V XL
- 215/55R17 94V
- 215/60R17 96T
- 215/65R17 99T
- 225/50R17 98V XL
- 225/55R17 97V
- 225/60R17 99V
- 225/65R17 102T
- 225/65R17 102H
- 235/55R17 103V XL
- 235/60R17 102H
- 235/65R17 104H
- 235/65R17 104T
18″
- 225/50R18 99V XL
- 225/55R18 98V
- 225/60R18 100H
- 235/45R18 98V XL
- 235/50R18 101V XL
- 235/55R18 100V