We’ve fitted a full set of Davanti Alltoura 4-Seasons tyres to our long-term 2007 Citroen C1 and we’re running them for a year to see how all-season tyres cope with real-world British driving across throughout the year. Are they good in the winter and poor in the summer? Or vice versa?
This isn’t just a tyre test. It’s also a stress test for the sort of decision a lot of drivers face: do you stick with rock-bottom budget tyres on an older runabout – the sort of unbranded stuff your tyre fitter will offer you from the bottom end of the price list – or is it worth stepping up to a properly engineered mid-range all-season option for a little bit more money?
The Davanti Alltoura are typical mid-range all-season tyres – they’re priced competitively for the segment and promises good grip year-round, confident braking and solid durability. But do they deliver? This first report covers spring performance.
Why we’re testing the Davanti Alltoura
This long-term tyre test is designed to simulate a typical ownership experience. We’re running the mid-priced Davanti Alltouras on a city car that’s representative of many cheap sub-£2,000 used buys, and a typical first car for many people – in this case, a 2007 Citroen C1 used for commuting, errands and the odd long trip.
Our aim is to evaluate performance across all four seasons, reporting back on grip, comfort, economy and tread life. Over the next year, we’ll log real-world data, take subjective notes and measure tread depth every few thousand miles.
Spring was our first test, bringing with it highly variable weather, from intense sunshine to sudden downpours. It gave us a great chance to put the tyres through their paces.
What’s the deal with these Davanti Alltoura tyres?
The Davanti Alltoura 4-Seasons are typical budget offerings you might simply buy on price. That’s no bad thing, as they are a step above some frightful imports you might be offered right at the bottom of the market – and worth forking out a few more quid for without going down the line of buying from a premium brand.
The Alltoura features a directional tread design, which improves water clearance and helps resist aquaplaning. It’s worth noting, too, that the Alltoura meets the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake standard, meaning it qualifies as a true winter tyre in many parts of Europe. This is partly thanks to the intelligent siping design, with fine slits in the tread blocks that help clear water from beneath the contact patch and improve grip on snow and ice.
In independent Dekra testing in Germany, the Alltoura was evaluated over 12,500 miles on a Volkswagen Golf and demonstrated excellent durability and even wear. That’s a strong endorsement, and one that reflects our early impressions so far.
Fitting and first impressions
Swapping out the C1’s old, mixed bag of budget tyres (above) was a revealing process. They were cracked, unevenly worn and hard as Bakelite, typical for a car of this age that’s been maintained to a price rather than a standard. Once the Davanti Alltouras were on and balanced, the transformation was immediate.
The tyres were supplied and fitted by Preston Tyres, who were friendly, professional and should be praised for being very thorough. During fitting, their technician spotted a minor manufacturing defect on one of the tyres.
It wasn’t serious, but enough to warrant a replacement. Impressively, they sourced a fresh tyre from Davanti’s HQ near Liverpool and had it on site within the hour. The whole job still took less than a morning, which was a reassuring sign of good customer service and strong manufacturer support.
Gone was the vague, fidgety steering feel that made wet-roundabout driving a bit of a lottery. In its place was a newfound sense of confidence, particularly on damp and greasy roads. The difference was most noticeable on fast B-roads and country lanes, where the car previously felt nervous. Now it tracks much more faithfully, with cleaner turn-in and a more settled feel through corners.
Spring Verdict: Wet weather grip and minimal wear
After 1,000 miles of varied spring driving, from dry B-roads to drenched roundabouts and soaking dual carriageways, the Davanti Alltouras have impressed across the board. Steering response is much improved, wet braking performance has been transformed, and there’s a newfound confidence at higher speeds. Road noise and ride quality are also better than before, making motorway miles a more relaxed experience.
Most impressively, the tyres are still showing almost 8mm of tread depth, virtually unchanged from when they were fitted. That kind of wear rate bodes well for longevity, especially on a lightweight city car like the C1, where front-end scrub is usually a concern, especially when driven enthusiastically.
What’s next for the all-season tyre test?
This is just the beginning. As we move into summer, the all-season tyres will be tested on hotter road surfaces and longer journeys. We’ll be keeping an eye on how they handle high temperatures, whether they remain quiet and comfortable at speed, whether fuel economy is affected, and whether any wear or sidewall fatigue becomes apparent.
After all, they’re touted as great winter tyres, so does that mean they’ll be compromised in the summer? By the end of the year, we’ll know the answer, and will have a complete picture of how these tyres perform in the full range of UK weather. That should help you decide if these all-season tyres are the right tyre for your own budget car.
Stay tuned for the next update.
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