Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 Tire Review and Rating

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Pros

  • Marvelous driving dynamics
  • Among the shortest braking distances in its class
  • Excellent aquaplaning resistance
  • Tons of lateral grip

Cons

  • Traction in wet isn’t as good as some of the premium models
  • Not as comfortable or as quiet as a touring tire

As cars have evolved over the years, so have the tires. In the early days, there weren’t too many tire brands nor tire types. Today, we have a plethora of options, leading us to a point where we struggle to decide.

With plenty of options, it means that you get tires with a wider price range. Based on the market, things are categorized into 3 segments: cheap, mid-range, and premium. The review for today will be for a tire that falls in the mid-range class.

Even though there isn’t a distinctive line between different categories, it’s easy to determine which class we’re talking about based on the brand. Take Sumitomo, for example. It’s a brand that’s positioned in the middle, meaning that you get affordable tires with dependable performance.

There are plenty of options in Sumitomo’s lineup, and the one I’ll be looking at today is the HTR A/S P02. It is an all-season high-performance premium tire, based on the manufacturer’s claims. It is the second version of the HTR A/S series

So, how good is it?

What are the features of the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02?

Considering that Sumitomo is in the lower end of the price spectrum, seeing an advanced rubber compound is a bit surprising. The HTR A/S P02 features an advanced compound enhanced with silica that should offer excellent performance in various conditions. It should be especially noticeable in winter conditions as the tire remain pliable.

Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 Tire Review

In terms of performance, Sumitomo’s recipe from the first version is carried over to the second one. The HTR A/S P02 is designed with notched shoulder blocks, which in combination with the outer ribs, should provide improved stability and handling.

Wet performance is also addressed, meaning that we should see good performance. The HTR A/S P02 has an asymmetric tread design which consists of 3 circumferential and plenty lateral grooves with higher angles. Based on this, the tire should have excellent aquaplaning resistance.

Traction is the area that is backed by the 3D sipes. They are designed with small teeth around the edges made so that the tire can bite into the road. As a result, the levels of grip and traction should be excellent. 

How does it behave on dry tarmac?

Dry performance with the HTR A/S P02 is surprisingly good, considering it doesn’t fall in the ultra-high-performance segment.

The driving characteristics almost feel as good as the premium options. You will get a very responsive and sharp tire that won’t lag when you turn the steering wheel. In addition to that, you will have plenty of feedback through the corners, something that you’d want from a performance-oriented tire. 

Grip and traction is another area where the HTR A/S P02 performs very well. Even though it won’t be as good as some of the Ventus S1 models from Hankook, it will be more than enough for most drivers. You can push it quite a lot and still get plenty of grip in the corners.

The excellent traction is translated into very short braking distances, among the shortest in its class. In some cases, it can even compete with a few premium competitors.

How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?

In this class, most tires seem to perform well in one area and not so good in another. The HTR A/S P02 doesn’t follow that trend and impresses even when the roads are wet.

To be honest, the performance isn’t as good as Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06, but it’s better than most of the competition.

It lacks a bit of traction when compared to the premium counterparts, something you’ll notice when you’re more aggressive. On the other hand, the grip in the corners is exceptional, meaning that you can have some fun even when the weather isn’t sunny.

Thanks to the grooves and sipes, the HTR A/S P02 demonstrates excellent aquaplaning resistance. As a result, you can expect excellent stability even at higher speeds.

How is it over snow?

The trend of impressing me continues as the HTR A/S P02 performs surprisingly well on snow-covered roads.

If you plan on driving this tire on snow, you should keep in mind that it’s an all-season model. It means that the traction and grip are limited but fine for everyday driving. You will start to notice problems in deeper snow, as the tire won’t be able to find enough traction.

Ice is another area that you should avoid. The HTR A/S P02 isn’t designed as a winter tire, so traction on ice is almost nonexistent.

In general, the HTR A/S P02 performs exceptionally well in winter conditions, almost as good as some premium tires.

Is it comfortable and refined?

As a performance tire, I cannot say that the HTR A/S P02 is very comfortable and quiet. There are some compromises, but I feel like Sumitomo managed to minimize the damage.

Comfort levels are decent enough, and you won’t be exposed to the harshest ride on the planet. The ride quality is stiff when you compare it with a touring tire. As for the class, I think that the HTR A/S P02 isn’t too bad.

In terms of noise, it’s the same story. The HTR A/S P02 won’t beat the Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack, but it won’t be deafening. Despite the noise, premium cars with better insulation won’t suffer as much as some cheaper hatchbacks.

Is it good for off-roading?

There had to be something that I won’t recommend the HTR A/S P02 for, and that’s off-roading.

Since the tire isn’t designed to take a beating on a non-paved surface, I would recommend avoiding these scenarios. Sharper rocks can damage it, and you’ll need to replace it.

Maybe you could drive it on a dirt road or shallow mud, but don’t expect proper off-road performance. Even in those situations, you will notice that it’s not an off-road tire, so the performance will be pretty limited.

Is the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 ideal for sporty driving?

Yes, the HTR A/S P02 is a good tire for sporty driving, but it’s far from the best.

The precise handling and quick response mean that you can attack a twisty road and have some fun. Add the pretty good feedback you’ll get through the steering wheel, and you get the perfect recipe.

With that said, going on a track with the HTR A/S P02 means that you won’t be able to go after the best times. The tire won’t offer as much grip and traction as the ultra-high-performance tires, so the best you can do I have some fun. 

Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 Warranty

On the warranty side of things, Sumitomo has another surprise with the HTR A/S P02. The tire comes with a 65,000 or 45,000-mile treadwear warranty, depending on the speed rating. To put into perspective, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 has only a 50,000-mile warranty and costs more.

Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 Pricing: Is it worth the money?

Yes, the HTR A/S P02 is worth it, regardless if you plan on fitting it on a premium sedan or a compact hatchback. The tire will offer plenty of performance and won’t cost as much as the premium tires in this segment. Starting at a touch under $80, there aren’t too many options that can offer this level of performance.

To be fair, as much as I praise the tire, the premium models will offer more. If you’re after those few percent of performance, then the HTR A/S P02 may not live up to the task. For everything else, including normal driving, it will excel.

Should I buy the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02?

If you’re looking for an excellent all-season tire that you can have fun with, then the HTR A/S P02 is among the best options out there. When I say among the best, I mean within its category and price range.

Keep in mind that you will need to make some compromises, mainly in terms of comfort and noise. Like most of its competitors, the tire road is a bit louder, and the ride is harsher. Apart from that, the tire provides excellent levels of grip and traction throughout the year.

In addition to that, you can also expect excellent longevity when you consider the warranty. There are premium models that offer less warranty, which is a big plus for the HTR A/S P02.

You will get better performance from other models, but they will also cost more. Unless you are looking for a performance tire that you want to push to the absolute limit, the HTR A/S P02 is an excellent option. 

What Vehicles Will the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 Fit?

Here’s a sample list of cars that the Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 will fit:

  • Audi A3, A4, A5
  • BMW 1, 3, 5 series
  • Ford Focus, Mustang GT, Taurus, Fusion, Fiesta
  • Honda Civic, Insight, Accord
  • Hyundai Genesis, Sonata, Elantra
  • Mazda 3, 5
  • Nissan Altima, Maxima, Versa, Leaf, Cube, Sentra
  • Scion xB, FRS
  • Subaru Legacy, Impreza
  • Toyota Camry, Prius, RAV4, Avalon, Solara, Sienna, Corolla
  • Volkswagen Jetta, Passat, Touareg, Beetle, Golf
  • Volvo S60, V70 

Tire Sizes for Sumitomo HTR A/S P02

15″

  • 175/65R15
  • 185/65R15
  • 195/65R15
  • 215/65R15
  • 195/60R15
  • 205/60R15
  • 215/60R15

16″

  • 205/65R16
  • 215/65R16
  • 205/60R16
  • 215/60R16
  • 225/60R16
  • 235/60R16
  • 185/55R16
  • 195/55R16
  • 205/55R16
  • 215/55R16
  • 195/50R16
  • 205/50R16
  • 225/50R16

17″

  • 225/65R17
  • 215/55R17
  • 225/55R17
  • 235/55R17
  • 205/50R17
  • 215/50R17
  • 225/50R17
  • 235/50R17
  • 245/50R17
  • 205/45R17
  • 215/45R17
  • 225/45R17
  • 235/45R17
  • 245/45R17
  • 245/40R17

18″

  • 235/65R18
  • 225/60R18
  • 235/60R18
  • 245/60R18
  • 215/55R18
  • 225/55R18
  • 225/50R18
  • 235/50R18
  • 215/45R18
  • 225/45R18
  • 235/45R18
  • 245/45R18
  • 255/45R18
  • 225/40R18
  • 235/40R18
  • 245/40R18
  • 255/40R18
  • 255/35R18

19″

  • 235/55R19
  • 245/55R19
  • 245/45R19
  • 245/40R19
  • 275/40R19
  • 255/35R19

20″

  • 235/55R20
  • 245/50R20
  • 245/45R20
  • 255/45R20
  • 275/40R20
  • 255/35R20

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