Dry Conditions – 80%
Wet Conditions – 70%
Snow – 60%
Comfort – 80%
Noise Reduction – 80%
Durability – 90%
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For most people, the vehicle is a means of transportation designed to get them from one point to another. This is the main reason why people aim for touring tires. They’ll last long while providing a comfortable ride with enough performance for daily driving. With that said, on the other hand, there are enthusiasts.
We’re the kind of drivers that want some dynamic characteristics of our vehicles, and we usually start with the tires. Going for a performance-oriented option means we’ll get better performance and handling.
I often recommend going for the premium options for the best possible performance. Mid-range manufacturers have come a long way and are getting close. Some of them can even outperform their expensive counterparts in certain situations.
In the mid-range segment, Laufenn is considered the “affordable” sub-brand of Hankook. The model in question is the S FIT AS, which is an all-season UHP tire. Is the performance of this tire comparable to its closest rivals, or is it just a cheap attempt at a performance tire?
Pros
- The handling is pretty responsive, and the tire provides a good amount of feedback
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance
- Dry performance is pretty good for everyday driving and having some fun
- 45,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- The traction on snow and ice is limited
- Performance on damp roads is behind some of its mid-range rivals
The Features of the Laufenn S FIT AS
Like many UHP tires on the market, Laufenn designed the S FIT AS to offer excellent performance while keeping the comfort levels decent.
The tire is made from an all-season rubber compound with an asymmetric tread pattern. Combining both should cover multiple aspects like performance in lower temperatures, short braking distances, and long tread life.
Wet performance is covered by two aspects. For harsh rain, the tire’s tread pattern features 4 wide circumferential grooves, which should help it offer excellent aquaplaning resistance. The kerfs and sipes are also part of the design, aimed at improving winter performance and helping with aquaplaning resistance.
In terms of handling, the tire features specially designed tie bars on the shoulder blocks. They aim to “connect” the blocks and minimize movement under hard cornering. It should help the tire with grip and offer more dynamic handling. The secondary advantage should be reduced chances of uneven wear.
On the refinement side of things, we have the optimized stiffness, which should help the tire minimize vibrations. In terms of noise, the tire features sections with rib blocks designed to keep the road noise as minimal as possible.
Laufenn S FIT AS in Dry Conditions
On dry roads, the S FIT AS is a tire that most people would find excellent. The performance is there, and even though it’s not the best, I cannot fault it too much.
Driving normally around town or on the highway with this tire is a positive experience. It offers plenty of grip and traction for this application, and with the short braking distances, there isn’t a lot to complain about. As a performance tire, you’d expect to push it, and the tire will comply. Driving on twisty roads is fun, but once you reach the limits, you should expect to be greeted with some understeer. It’s not a massive problem, and you’ll probably notice this if you take it on track.
As a mid-range model, I have to say I was impressed with the handling. It’s not the most dynamic tire in this category, but the levels of responsiveness and feedback work well with the overall performance.
Dry Rating
4.0 out of 5
Laufenn S FIT AS on Wet or Slippery Roads
The S FIT AS showed pretty good results in dry conditions, but unfortunately, it doesn’t do so well in wet conditions.
It delivers excellent grip and traction for daily driving on damp roads, which may be fine for some people. There’s enough performance to minimize slip and to have a planted and stable feel. With that said, once you start pushing it, you’ll notice it’s not a premium tire. Notable, the levels of grip aren’t the highest, even in the mid-range segment, meaning it’s behind the likes of G-MAX AS-07. It’s the same with the braking distances, which, despite being safe, aren’t the shortest in this class. Some drivers will be okay with this, but if you’re overly aggressive, you’ll find this tire lacking a bit.
A good side of the wet performance is the aquaplaning resistance. The tire will handle standing water, and even if you’re driving at higher speeds, it will remain stable.
Wet Rating
3.5 out of 5
Laufenn S FIT AS in Snow
All-season tires aren’t ideal for winter driving, and the S FIT AS is no different. Sure, there are some good options, but this one is average.
Laufenn tried with the tread pattern, and even though it succeeded, I feel like the tire could use more. The traction is decent enough to minimize slip on acceleration, while the grip is okay-ish. I’m referring to normal driving around town where you wouldn’t expect a lot from the tire. If you get a bit aggressive, the tire will slip and you’ll notice it’s safe nature to understeer when it starts to let go. The braking distances are also not class-leading. Like in wet conditions, they’re safe but behind other models from this segment.
Performance on ice isn’t something that all-season tires excel at, but there are models that are acceptable. This one barely passes that mark with limited traction and long braking distances.
Snow Rating
3.0 out of 5
Laufenn S FIT AS Off-Roading
Performance tires, or any kind of road-going tires for that matter, aren’t an ideal choice for off-roading. This is because the compound isn’t designed to be used on such abrasive surfaces and the pattern won’t be any good in mud or sand. Even a dirt road can be problematic for these kinds of tires, so only drive on it if you must.
Off Road Rating
0.0 out of 5
Laufenn S FIT AS for Sporty Driving
The S FIT AS is a UHP tire, which I believe is a good choice for sporty driving. Laufenn managed to combine the performance and handling nicely. It’s not the best in both, but as long as you’re not pushing for the best track times, I think that you’ll be happy with it.
Noise Rating
4.0 out of 5
Does the Laufenn S FIT AS Ride Comfortably?
Regarding refinement, I have to say the S FIT AS is a solid performer. I wouldn’t compare it with a touring tire, but for a UHP one, there aren’t too many complaints.
The tire deals with bumps quite well, absorbing or softening them nicely. You will notice a bump here and there accompanied by a bit of vibration, but it’s far from an uncomfortable tire.
It’s a similarly positive experience with the noise levels. The tire is generally quiet over multiple surfaces, so it won’t be a massive problem on longer journeys. You may hear certain tones in some conditions, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
Comfort Rating
4.0 out of 5
Laufenn S FIT AS Warranty
The S FIT AS comes with a 45,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is pretty good for a mid-range tire. It’s on the same level as the g-Force COMP-2 A/S Plus or the Pilot Sport All Season 4.
Laufenn S FIT AS Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
Price-wise, the S FIT AS is positioned in the more affordable segment of the mid-range tires. When you compare a common 17-inch model from Laufenn, you’ll see that it’s more affordable than the Motivo or the Ecsta PA51.
Value Rating
4.5 out of 5
Should I Buy the Laufenn S FIT AS?
The S FIT AS is a tire with some drawbacks, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a bad performer. It’s one of those UHP tires that strike a nice balance, making it an attractive option.
It offers good performance in dry conditions and combines that with excellent handling. Wet and snow performance are behind some of its rivals, but the tire still remains a solid performer as long as you’re not pushing it. With pretty good refinement levels and a treadwear warranty that’s on the same level as the premium models, this turns out to be a very solid option. The best part is that it’s an affordable model.
If you’re the type of person who does track days, the S FIT AS probably won’t be your best choice. With that said, people who want a good performing UHP tire that won’t cost as much as the premium models will find this a good option. The most important thing is that you shouldn’t expect it to perform like the premium rivals so you don’t end up disappointed.
What Vehicles Will the Laufenn S FIT AS Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Laufenn S FIT AS will fit:
- Audi A4
- BMW 3 Series
- Ford Focus ST
- Honda Civic Type R
- Lexus IS
- Mitsubishi Lancer
- Nissan 350Z
- Subaru BRZ, Impreza
- Toyota Supra
Tire Sizes of the Laufenn S FIT AS
16″
- 205/55ZR16 91W
17″
- 205/45ZR17 88W XL
- 205/50ZR17 93W XL
- 215/45ZR17 91W XL
- 215/50ZR17 95W XL
- 215/55ZR17 94W
- 225/45ZR17 91W
- 225/50ZR17 94W
- 225/55ZR17 97W
- 235/45ZR17 94W
- 235/50ZR17 96W
- 235/55ZR17 99W
- 245/40ZR17 91W
- 245/45ZR17 99W XL
- 245/50ZR17 99W
18″
- 215/45ZR18 93Y XL
- 225/40ZR18 92W XL
- 225/45ZR18 95W XL
- 225/50ZR18 95W
- 225/55ZR18 98W
- 225/60R18 100V
- 235/40ZR18 95W XL
- 235/45ZR18 98W XL
- 235/50ZR18 97W
- 235/55ZR18 100W
- 235/60R18 107V XL
- 235/65R18 106V
- 245/40ZR18 97W XL
- 245/45ZR18 100W XL
- 245/50R18 100W
- 245/55ZR18 103W
- 255/35R18 94W XL
- 255/40R18 95W
- 255/45R18 99W
- 265/35ZR18 97Y XL
19″
- 225/55R19 99V
- 235/40ZR19 96W XL
- 235/50R19 103V XL
- 235/55ZR19 105W XL
- 245/40ZR19 98Y XL
- 245/45ZR19 98Y
- 255/35ZR19 92Y
- 255/40ZR19 96Y
- 255/45ZR19 104W XL
- 255/50ZR19 107W XL
- 255/55R19 111V XL
- 275/40ZR19 105W XL
- 275/55R19 111V
20″
- 235/55ZR20 105W XL
- 245/35ZR20 95Y XL
- 245/45ZR20 103W XL
- 245/50R20 102V
- 255/35ZR20 97W XL
- 255/45ZR20 105W XL
- 255/50ZR20 109W XL
- 255/55ZR20 110W XL
- 265/50R20 107V
- 275/40ZR20 106Y XL
- 275/45ZR20 110W XL
