Sumitomo HTR Enhance L/X Tire Review & Rating

The Sumitomo HTR Enhance L/X is billed as an affordable, stylish looking, performance touring all-season tire that focuses on giving you the traction and handling you need throughout the year. Built for a wide range of sedan and coupe drivers, this Sumitomo tire is said to have a longer lasting tread life, while being suitable for use in all four seasons.

Constructed from a robust all-season tread compound and sporting a unique asymmetric five-rib tread pattern, helps this model deliver more even treadwear. Siping around the tread block further reduces uneven tread wear, while also being designed to boost traction on wet road surfaces and in snow.

The additional width on the HTR Enhance L/X’s outside shoulder block, jointless nylon cap ply, internal steel belts and a reinforced bead results in a smoother ride, more stable cornering and better handling when traveling at higher speeds.

Sumitomo L/X tires are branded with the M+S symbol and include numerous lateral and circumferential grooves that give sedan and coupe owners added traction on wet surfaces or roads that have a light coat of snow. However, this is not a strong point for this tire. (More on that in our overall thoughts on this tire.)

Sumitomo offers tire sizes in a number of 15-19 inch sizes, with H, T, V and W-speed ratings available. H and V speed rated sizes have a 70K mile limited treadwear warranty, T speed rated sizes have a 90K mile limited treadwear warranty and W speed rated sizes have a 50K mile limited treadwear warranty.

Pros

• Dry traction is very good
• Responsive steering and stable cornering grip
• Lower cost

Cons

• Poor traction on wet or snow covered pavement
• Tread wears faster than expected in many cases

Overall Thoughts

The Sumitomo HTR Enhance L/X tire is one of those tires that can perform quite well in several areas while doing poorly in others. On the plus side, this model offers very responsive steering and feel, corners well and provides good traction in dry road conditions.

On the other hand, traction on wet pavement needs a huge boost. We’ve heard far too many drivers speak of spinning out from a stop on wet pavement and hydroplaning as well. Grip on snow and ice is predictably poor, even for all-season tire standards.

Overall, if you live in areas that see little snow and ice or you do not drive in more difficult weather conditions, this tire may fit your needs. However, we feel there are far too many better options that offer higher performance such as the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus, Michelin Premier A/S and Yokohama YK740 GTX among others.

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What Vehicles Will The Sumitomo HTR Enhance LX Fit?

(This is not a complete list of ALL vehicles this tire will fit)

• Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue, Verano, Century
• Chevy Cobalt, Sonic, Cavalier, Impala, Cruze, Malibu, Monte Carlo, Aveo
• Chrysler PT Cruiser, LeBaron, Sebring, Cirrus, Town & Country, 300, 200
• Dodge Avenger, Dart, Neon, Grand Caravan, Stratus
• Ford Focus, Taurus, Thunderbird
• Honda Civic, Accord, Prelude
• Hyundai Elantra, Accent, Verna, Matrix, Avante, Sonata
• Kia Soul, Forte, Optima
• Mazda 323, Mazda3, Mazda5, 626, MPV, Mazda6
• Mercury Grand Marquis, Cougar, Tracer, Mystique
• Mitsubishi Galant, Eclipse, Lancer, Mirage
• Nissan Sentra, Leaf, Altima, Maxima, 200SX
• Pontiac Bonneville, Grand Prix, Sunfire, Vibe, Grand Am
• Saturn L200, Ion
• Scion xB
• Subaru Legacy, Outback
• Toyota Corolla, Matrix, Camry
• Volkswagen Beetle, Jetta, Golf, Passat

Tire Sizes

15″

185/65R15 88T BSW
195/65R15 91T BSW
195/65R15 91H BSW
205/65R15 94T BSW
205/65R15 94H BSW
185/60R15 84T BSW
195/60R15 88T BSW
195/60R15 88H BSW

16″

215/65R16 98T BSW
235/65R16 103T BSW
205/60R16 92T BSW
205/60R16 92H BSW
205/60R16 92V BSW
215/60R16 95T BSW
215/60R16 95H BSW
215/60R16 95V BSW
225/60R16 98T BSW
225/60R16 98V BSW
235/60R16 100V BSW
205/55R16 91T BSW
205/55R16 91H BSW
215/55R16 93H BSW
225/55R16 95V BSW

17″

215/65R17 99T BSW
225/65R17 102H BSW
215/60R17 96T BSW
225/60R17 99T BSW
235/60R17 102T BSW
215/55R17 94V BSW
225/55R17 97T BSW
225/55R17 97V BSW
235/55R17 99H BSW
205/50R17 89W BSW
215/50R17 91V BSW
225/50R17 94V BSW
235/50R17 96V BSW
215/45R17 87W BSW
225/45R17 91W BSW
235/45R17 94W BSW
245/45R17 95W BSW
245/40R17 91W BSW

18″

235/55R18 100V BSW
235/50R18/XL 101V BSW
245/50R18 100W BSW
225/45R18 91W BSW
245/45R18 96W BSW
255/45R18 99W BSW
225/40R18/XL 92W BSW
245/40R18 93W BSW

19″

245/45R19 98W BSW
245/40R19 94W BSW
255/40R19/XL 100W BSW
275/40R19 101W BSW

Price Range

Sumitomo HTR Enhance L/X prices range from approximately $74 and up. You may also find occasional rebates, discount prices, coupons and special offers on this tire.

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Warranty

Sumitomo provides a 6-year or 90,000 mile tread warranty on T-speed rated tires, a 6-year / 70,000 mile warranty on H & V-speed rated models, or a 6-year / 50,000 mile warranty on W-speed rated tires.

Tire uniformity is guaranteed for the first 1/32 inch of wear. Materials and workmanship are warranted for 6-years and include free replacement during this time period or until the tire reaches its final 2/32 inch of tread depth.

The HTR Enhance LX also includes a one-year road hazard warranty, and there is also a 2-year roadside plan provided. Finally, Sumitomo gives this tire its 45-day test drive guarantee.

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