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Last updated 9/18/2024 - Originally published 9/18/2024
Written by SimpleTire
Established in 1915 in Akron, Ohio, General Tire produces tires suitable for a variety of vehicles, including pickup trucks, race cars, minivans, coupes, sedans, CUVs, SUVs, Jeeps, and even commercial vehicles. Dunlop Tires, established in 1890 in Dublin, Ireland, is well-known for making performance tires, designing its passenger and light truck tires with cutting-edge technology, racing experience, and superior handling and comfort in mind.
Among General’s tire families, we have the Grabber family for light trucks, the G-Max performance family for sports/performance cars, and the Altimax family for sedans, minivans, and SUVs. The General G-Max RS is an ultra-high-performance summer tire that offers drivers precise handling, enhanced traction, on wet and dry surfaces, and high-speed stability.
Dunlop, well-known for making performance tires, has designed its passenger and light truck tires with cutting-edge technology, racing experience, and superior handling and comfort in mind. The Dunlop SP Sport Maxx is an ultra-high-performance summer tire that is designed for use on luxury vehicles and offers drivers excellent acceleration and braking performance and strong stability.
Both the General G-Max RS and the Dunlop SP Sport tires offer reliable performance. However, does one tire perform better than the other? Let's use SimpleScore to compare the General G-Max RS and the Dunlop SP Sport to help you choose the ideal tire for your vehicle.
General G-Max RS tires
Designed for sports cars, performance sedans, and sporty coupes, the General G-Max RS is an ultra-high-performance summer tire that offers great performance. Circumferential grooves maximize water evacuation, reducing the chance of hydroplaning and improving handling, wet performance, and braking performance on wet roads. While its unique rubber compound promotes enhanced grip on both wet and dry terrains, ensuring great performance in dynamic driving circumstances, the General G-Max RS' advanced tread design incorporates temperature control technology for maximum performance even in extreme temperatures. Backed by a 45,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the General G-Max RS features a Replacement Tire Monitor and Visual Alignment Indicators, which alert the driver about the time for tire change.
On average, the General G-Max RS sports a great SimpleScore of 8.4 thanks to its superb traction (8.7), reliable handling (8.5), and solid longevity (8).
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires
The Dunlop SP Sport Maxx is an ultra-high-performance summer tire that is designed for race enthusiasts. The SP Sport Maxx combines outstanding braking, superior grip, and reliable handling and cornering to create a particularly powerful and capable sports performance tire that can handle a wide range of road conditions. The SP Sport Maxx tire's silica tread material enables it to comfortably handle wet and dry road conditions, while its low rolling resistance design reduces fuel consumption. The directional tread design of the SP Sport Maxx offers a quick and precise steering response as well as a high resistance to hydroplaning. On the other hand, the multi-radius technology increases the tread's contact with the road and improves handling. Whether driving in warm, dry conditions or pouring rain, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx will keep you in complete control.
On average, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx sports a reliable SimpleScore of 8.3 thanks to its great traction, superb handling, and good longevity.
General G-Max RS vs Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires on traction
UHP summer tires provide excellent traction on wet and dry surfaces. Their softer, stickier substance provides consistent traction and works well at high speeds. How do the General G-Max RS and the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx fare in this aspect? Let’s see.
The General G-Max RS features a specific tread compound that improves traction on wet and dry terrain, ensuring performance under dynamic driving conditions. Silica-rich compounds, sipes, and block edges improve traction while G-Max RS circumferential grooves remove water from the tread to reduce the risk of hydroplaning to boost wet traction.
On the other hand, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx features a directional tread design that removes water from the tread to reduce the risk of hydroplaning and increase wet traction.
How do the General G-Max RS and Dunlop SP Sport Maxx compare in terms of traction? It's a close call between the G-Max RS (8.7) and the SP Sport Maxx (8.9).
ADVANTAGE: Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
General G-Max RS vs Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires on handling
In addition to delivering better traction, UHP summer tires offer great handling. A UHP summer tire provides the best dry and wet street performance in handling, cornering ability, stopping distance, and precise steering reaction.
While the circumferential grooves of the General G-Max RS maximize water evacuation, reducing the risk of hydroplaning and improving handling and braking performance on wet roads, it provides precise steering reaction, great wet performance, and the shortest braking distance.
On the other hand, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx offers drivers superior handling in both dry and wet conditions. The SP Sport Maxx has an Integral Rubber Matrix in its tread, which delivers exceptional acceleration and braking performance, as well as strong stability thanks to its continuous center rib.
With a handling score of 8.9 for the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx and 8.5 for the General G-Max RS, it's a close comparison.
ADVANTAGE: Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
General G-Max RS vs Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires on longevity
The longevity of UHP Summer tires varies according to weather conditions, driving patterns, and adequate maintenance. Let’s check out the longevity scores of the G-Max RS and the SP Sport Maxx to make a better decision.
Backed by a 45,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the General G-Max RS features a StabiliTread that optimizes pattern stiffness and a wider footprint for extended tread life. Replacement tire monitor (RTM) and visual alignment indicators (VAI) enable vehicle alignment correction, preventing uneven tire wear and ensuring prompt tire replacement for longer life and enhanced performance. The longevity score of the General G-Max RS is 8.
The SP Sport Maxx does not have a mileage warranty, however, it does have a decent longevity score of 7.9, which is comparable to the G-Max RS.
ADVANTAGE: General G-Max RS
When to use each
UHP summer tires frequently use a high concentration of silica in their tread compositions. A summer tire's rubber composition is designed to withstand temperatures exceeding 40°F. The General G-Max RS and the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx have the stickiest compounds, providing the optimum grip and braking capability on both wet and dry roads. However, these tires cannot be used when temperatures are consistently below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Which one should you choose?
Which of these UHP summer tires best meets your requirements? Based on SimpleScore, the General G-Max RS outperforms the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx (8.4 vs 8.3). In terms of traction and handling, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx boasts a superior score than the General G-Max RS. However, the General G-Max RS outlives the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx.
As far as the prices are considered, the General G-Max RS will cost you at least $123 per tire, while the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx will cost you at least $142 per tire. This means a set of four General G-Max RS tires will cost you $492, while four Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires will cost you $568. Prices may vary depending on tire sizes.
You should select the General G-Max RS if you:
- Drive a compact car like the Volkswagen Golf, a 5-seater SUV like the BMW X3, or a two-seat sports car like the Chevrolet Corvette
- Prefer better longevity (8 vs 7.9)
- Are looking for a less expensive tire
On the other hand, you should go for the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx if you:
- Drive a luxury SUV like the Audi Q7, a sedan like the Jaguar XFR, or a high performance off-road SUV like the Mercedes-AMG G65
- Prefer better handling (8.9 vs 8.5) or better traction (8.9 vs 8.7)
- Are ready to pay extra for the brand name “Dunlop”
- Want a tire with a Max Flange shield that protects the rim
The General G-Max RS and Dunlop SP Sport Maxx are ultra-high-performance summer tires with unique and appealing features. However, your tire choice will be based on the vehicle type, how and where you drive, and what aspects of traction, handling, longevity, and cost are most important to you.
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.