Dunlop SP Sport Maxx RT 2
Developed to deliver a robust and precise driving performance - with strong grip and precise handling.
Price from
Find your size119.99to289.99
Dunlop tyres vs Toyo tyres – which brand should you buy?
It's a match-up between a British-born, Sumitomo-owned premium name and a Japanese brand built on making the mid-range genuinely competitive.
We're talking about Dunlop and Toyo. The former traces its roots back to the invention of the pneumatic tyre in 1888, while the latter has spent 80 years turning motorsport-derived engineering into tyres UK drivers can actually afford.
For UK drivers, deciding between the two isn't simply a question of paying more for better. Dunlop and Toyo are strong in different areas, so the real question is which of those strengths matter for the way you drive.
Here, we compare their history, innovation and the tyres they offer today to help you choose the right one.
Dunlop or Toyo: the quick verdict
Short on time? Here's which brand suits which priority, at a glance.
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| OE-grade engineering and a premium badge | Dunlop – OE fitment with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Audi, and a motorsport-derived heritage stretching back to 1888 |
| One tyre for all year | Dunlop – the All Season 2 carries the 3PMSF winter symbol; none of Toyo's best-sellers do |
| Track days and sporty driving | Either – the SP SportMaxx RT2 and Proxes Sport 2 are both genuine UHP contenders |
| A budget-friendly way into UHP performance on a smaller car | Toyo – the Proxes TR1 covers 15in to 18in rims at a lower price than Dunlop's performance range |
| Everyday running costs kept low | Either – Sport BluResponse and Proxes Comfort both score well for wet grip; check the label for your exact size |
Dunlop: premium performance
Dunlop's history goes back further than most: John Boyd Dunlop developed the first practical pneumatic tyre in Belfast in 1888, and the brand has been at the centre of tyre innovation ever since – spanning Formula 1, touring cars and MotoGP over the decades.
Ownership has changed hands several times since, and in May 2025 Sumitomo Rubber Industries completed its acquisition of the remaining global Dunlop trademark and distribution rights, unifying the brand under one manufacturer for the first time in decades. Dunlop now sits alongside Sumitomo and Falken as one of SRI's tyre brands, positioned as the premium, motorsport-led name in that portfolio.
That heritage translates directly into original equipment relationships with manufacturers including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Audi – the kind of scrutiny that only comes from years of engineering credibility.
Best Dunlop tyres
Dunlop's catalogue is broad, spanning everyday, performance, all-season, winter and 4x4 tyres. Key models include, but are not limited to:
SP SportMaxx RT2
Dunlop's performance flagship, and the direct rival to Toyo's Proxes Sport 2. WhatTyre named it their 'UHP Tyre of the Year' for 2021, and it finished 2nd of 10 tyres in an Auto Express 2018 test alongside rivals like the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 and Pirelli P Zero.
Dunlop's Noise Shield technology and wider outer tread blocks are built to deliver strong cornering grip and shorter braking distances at speed, and the tyre is chosen as OE fitment by BMW, Mercedes-Benz and MINI.
Sport BluResponse
Dunlop's efficiency-focused everyday tyre, and a past Auto Express Product Award winner for its category, praised for six top-three places across Auto Express's nine test criteria. An aerodynamic profile and low-heat compound cut rolling resistance, while closed shoulder grooves keep cabin noise down.
Dunlop Sport BluResponse
A summer tyre designed to provide you with a high performance and a comfortable ride.
Price from
Find your size88.79to201.07
All Season 2
A year-round tyre for drivers who'd rather not swap between summer and winter sets. 3PMSF-rated for snow, with a tread designed to balance dry, wet and cold-weather performance – the option Toyo can't currently match from its own best-sellers.
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Dunlop All Season 2
The Dunlop All Season 2 are car tyres that come in a variety of rim sizes ranging from 14 to 19 inch.
Price from
Find your size86.17to249.56
Are Dunlop tyres good?
Yes. Dunlop consistently performs well in independent tests and driver reviews, particularly on wet braking and motorway stability, and its OE relationships with premium manufacturers reflect real engineering standards rather than just brand positioning.
As with any long-running range, some older or budget-tier Dunlop lines will feel less cutting-edge than the brand's newest premium models, so check the specific tyre, not just the badge, before you buy.
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Toyo: remarkably reliable
For more than 80 years, Toyo Tyres have been building performance tyres, and today they rank among the world's leading manufacturers. Founded in 1945 in Itami, Japan, the company has gone from strength to strength, with considerable expansion across Europe and North America – all while remaining an independent manufacturer rather than a division of a larger group.
Toyo's reputation is built in large part on motorsport. The company competes in the Nürburgring Endurance Series with race tyres from its flagship Proxes range, and its Open Country tyres have run the Dakar Rally and Pikes Peak. Toyo use these race programmes to test compounds that later feed into their road tyres.
Behind that sits Nano Balance Technology, Toyo's approach to designing rubber compounds at the nano scale to balance grip, wear and rolling resistance. It's the reason a mid-range tyre can hold its own against pricier rivals on the characteristics that matter most.
So while Toyo sit below Dunlop on price and OE prestige, they're not a brand that manufacturers or drivers overlook.
Best Toyo tyres
With over 70 tyre models available, Toyo provide a wide range of options for all kinds of drivers. Within their catalogue, key models include, but are not limited to:
Proxes Comfort
Toyo's best-selling tyre, and the one built around ride quality – Auto Express rated it 'Recommended' in 2023 and 'Commended' in 2024, and Auto Bild rated it 'Good' in its 2024 summer test.
A rib-based tread design keeps it stable and quiet, making it the pick if refinement matters more to you than outright pace – and Toyo's closest match to Dunlop's Sport BluResponse in the everyday segment.
Price from
Find your size76.99to164.99
Proxes Sport 2
The Proxes Sport 2 is Toyo's ultra-high-performance tyre and the direct rival to Dunlop's SP SportMaxx RT2.
A high elastic modulus compound keeps it stable under load, delivering strong wet and dry braking with the handling confidence to match. It won a Red Dot design award in 2023 and was rated 'Good' by Auto Bild in 2024.
Toyo Proxes Sport 2
The Toyo Proxes Sport 2 is an ultra-high performance tyre unveiled by Toyo in 2022.
Price from
Find your size81.87to219.84
Proxes TR1
The TR1 brings Toyo's sporty character to smaller cars, covering 15in to 18in only – so check your size before you set your heart on it.
Visual wear indicators let you track how much tread you've got left, which is genuinely useful on a tyre aimed at drivers who push on. Dunlop doesn't currently field a direct rival at this size and price point.
Toyo Proxes TR1
The Toyo Proxes TR1’s unique tread pattern delivers superb grip and optimal handling in wet and dry conditions.
Price from
Find your size89.99to163.99
Are Toyo tyres good?
With a commitment to doing things 'The TOYO WAY' – which includes advancing creativity and showing initiative – Toyo deliver on its promise.
Their tyres are regularly praised for being reliable, especially when it comes to their grip on wet roads. For drivers who want performance credibility without premium pricing, Toyo's motorsport pedigree and OE fitments make them a genuinely credible alternative, not a compromise.
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Dunlop vs Toyo: the head-to-head
Comparing tyre brands is only fair if you compare the same size. EU label grades are assigned per size, not per model, so a brand can look better or worse depending on which fitment you pick.
We've used two of the most common UK sizes: 225/40 R18 for the performance pairing, and 205/55 R16 for the everyday pairing.
Performance pairing – 225/40 R18
| Dunlop SP SportMaxx RT2 | Toyo Proxes Sport 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet grip | A | A |
| Fuel efficiency | C | D |
| Noise | 71 dB (B) | 71 dB (B) |
Everyday pairing – 205/55 R16
| Dunlop Sport BluResponse | Toyo Proxes Comfort | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet grip | A | A |
| Fuel efficiency | B | C |
| Noise | 68 dB (A) | 70 dB (B) |
Dunlop vs Toyo: which models match up?
Comparing brands is easier when you compare like with like. Here is how each brand's three featured tyres line up against each other.
| Dunlop | Toyo | Which to pick |
|---|---|---|
| SP SportMaxx RT2 | Proxes Sport 2 | The closest match on the page. Both are ultra-high-performance summer tyres, and both score A for wet grip in the size we compared. Toyo is one grade behind on fuel efficiency but cheaper to buy. |
| Sport BluResponse | Proxes Comfort | Both are aimed at everyday driving but built for slightly different things. The Sport BluResponse is rated B for fuel efficiency against the Proxes Comfort's C, while the Toyo is built around ride quality and ease of comfort. |
| All Season 2 | no direct match | Toyo's answer is the Celsius, which sits outside their three current best-sellers. If you want one tyre for all year, Dunlop has the more readily available option of the two. |
| no direct match | Proxes TR1 | Toyo's sporty option for smaller cars, covering 15in to 18in rims. Dunlop's nearest equivalent is the Sport BluResponse, which covers similar sizes but is built for efficiency, not outright fun. |
Which is better for your driving?
Everyday commuting and city driving
Either, depending on what you're optimising for. In 205/55 R16, the Sport BluResponse is rated B for fuel efficiency against the Proxes Comfort's C, but both score A for wet grip – so safety isn't the trade-off either way, and Toyo comes in slightly cheaper up front.
Motorway miles
Dunlop, marginally, because rolling resistance compounds over distance. The higher your annual mileage, the more that fuel-efficiency gap is worth, and the more likely the pricier tyre works out cheaper overall.
Winter and all-season
Dunlop, clearly. The All Season 2 carries the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol for severe winter conditions, while all three of Toyo's featured tyres here are summer tyres. Toyo's own all-season option, the Celsius, sits outside its current best-sellers.
SUVs, 4x4s and vans
Neither brand's three tyres here cover this – look at Toyo's Open Country range or Dunlop's Grandtrek range instead if you need a dedicated SUV or 4x4 fitment.
Track days and spirited driving
Both, and it comes down to budget. The SP SportMaxx RT2 has the stronger competition record – WhatTyre's UHP Tyre of the Year in 2021 and 2nd of 10 in Auto Express's 2018 test. The Proxes Sport 2 matches it on wet grip, carries its own Red Dot design award and costs less.
How do Dunlop and Toyo compare with other brands?
Dunlop sits in the premium tier alongside Michelin, Continental, Goodyear and Bridgestone – the group that supplies most original equipment on European performance cars and tends to lead independent tests. Against those rivals, Dunlop competes on motorsport pedigree and OE relationships rather than price.
Toyo sit in the mid-range with Falken, Hankook and Kumho. That group has closed the gap considerably over the past decade, and Toyo's motorsport programme gives it more performance credibility than most tyres at its price.
So, if your shortlist is premium, compare Dunlop against Michelin and Continental. If it's value, compare Toyo against Falken and Hankook. Comparing across the two tiers – as this article does – is really a question about your budget, not which brand is better.
Should I buy Dunlop or Toyo tyres?
Buy Dunlop if you want the reassurance of OE-grade engineering, a brand your car may have come fitted with from the factory, or a genuine all-season option. Its motorsport-derived technology and 3PMSF-rated All Season 2 give it the edge for premium and year-round use.
Buy Toyo if you want strong, well-rounded performance without paying premium-brand prices. Both brands score A for wet grip on the sizes we compared, so safety isn't the trade-off – Toyo is simply the more affordable way in, especially on smaller rim sizes.
Whichever you choose, our fully fitted prices include VAT, delivery, fitting, balancing and disposal, so the price you see is the price you pay. You can have them fitted at any of our nationwide network of fitting centres, or choose mobile fitting and have them fitted at home or at work.
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Frequently asked questions
Are Toyo tyres as good as Dunlop?
In some areas, yes. On the sizes we compared, both brands score A for wet grip. Dunlop is ahead on fuel efficiency in the everyday pairing and is the only one of the two with a 3PMSF-rated all-season option among its featured tyres. Toyo is cheaper. Neither is a bad tyre; they suit different priorities.
Why are Toyo tyres cheaper than Dunlop?
It comes down to manufacturing base, the mix of original equipment contracts each brand holds, and how much each spends on marketing and motorsport – not the quality of the rubber. Toyo compete in the mid-range by design rather than by cutting corners.
Do Dunlop tyres last longer than Toyo?
There is no reliable answer to this, because the EU tyre label does not measure tread life and no independent UK test covers both brands directly on the same models. Both are designed for longevity – Dunlop through motorsport-derived compounds, Toyo through Nano Balance Technology and, on the Proxes TR1, visual wear indicators. Treat any mileage claim from either manufacturer as a claim, not a guarantee.
Can I fit Dunlop and Toyo tyres on the same car?
You should not mix different tyres on the same axle, as differences in grip and handling can affect stability. Fitting one brand on the front axle and another on the rear is legal, but it is not ideal. Where possible, fit all four the same.
Which is better in the wet, Dunlop or Toyo?
On the EU label, they tie. In both the sizes we compared, Dunlop and Toyo scored A for wet grip – the highest available grade. Bear in mind that A is a band rather than a precise score, so two A-rated tyres can still stop at slightly different distances, and independent tests do separate them.
Is it worth paying extra for Dunlop over Toyo?
If you want the strongest OE-grade engineering, an all-season option, or the reassurance of a longer motorsport track record – particularly for a performance car or premium vehicle – Dunlop's extra cost is generally justified. For everyday commuting and family driving, Toyo often delivers a better balance of cost and performance.
