Dunlop SportMaxx Race vs Nankang AR 1: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Dunlop SportMaxx Race and Nankang AR 1 appear in 2 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.
How the Dunlop SportMaxx Race performs. It takes the win in wet. It has limited comparative test data, so treat its results as indicative.
How the Nankang AR 1 performs. It takes the win in dry, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 80/100, based on 1 test.
What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.
Verdict
The Dunlop SportMaxx Race and Nankang AR 1 are closely matched. Pick based on the category that matters most to your driving — wet, dry, comfort, mileage, or price.
Which one should you buy?
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise noise / comfort
- You prioritise efficiency
Test profile
| Metric | Dunlop SportMaxx Race | Nankang AR 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | UUHP/Track | UUHP/Track |
| Type | Summer | Summer |
| Tests used | 1 | 1 |
| Best rank | #2 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 3.1 | 6.3 |
| Latest test | 2017 | 2022 |
| Tire Lab Score | — | 80.1 |
Tire Lab Score
Dunlop SportMaxx Race
Nankang AR 1
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Dunlop SportMaxx Race | Nankang AR 1 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 3.0 2 | Avg rank 10.0 | Dunlop SportMaxx Race |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 3.5 1 | Avg rank 2.0 2 | Nankang AR 1 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | No data | Avg rank 5.5 1 | Nankang AR 1 |
| 🔋Efficiency | No data | Avg rank 2.0 1 | Nankang AR 1 |
💧 Wet: Dunlop SportMaxx Race vs Nankang AR 1
The Dunlop SportMaxx Race wins this category with an average rank of 3.0, compared to 10.0 for the Nankang AR 1.
☀️ Dry: Dunlop SportMaxx Race vs Nankang AR 1
The Nankang AR 1 wins this category with an average rank of 2.0, compared to 3.5 for the Dunlop SportMaxx Race.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Dunlop SportMaxx Race vs Nankang AR 1
The Nankang AR 1 wins this category with an average rank of 5.5, compared to no data for the Dunlop SportMaxx Race.
🔋 Efficiency: Dunlop SportMaxx Race vs Nankang AR 1
The Nankang AR 1 wins this category with an average rank of 2.0, compared to no data for the Dunlop SportMaxx Race.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Dunlop SportMaxx Race or Nankang AR 1?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx Race ranks higher on average than the Nankang AR 1.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Nankang AR 1 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Dunlop SportMaxx Race across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Nankang AR 1 ranks better than the Dunlop SportMaxx Race.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Dunlop SportMaxx Race appears in 1 independent tests, Nankang AR 1 in 1.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →