Checking tyre sizes on my 2018 Karoq 1.0 manual I see they're 215 60 R16 with a load rating of 99. Almost all tyre sites show me 95 and the original full size spare in the boot is a 95. I've owned this since new and I don't suppose I'd have bought 99's as replacements in the past if the existing were 95 (unless of course that was the supply situation at the time). If anyone has the 1.0 could they let me know what load rating they have please.

The operating weight is 1340 kg, the max axle loads are 960 and 980 kg so the 95's with a rating of 690 kg look to be adequate.

I've kept with the original Bridgestone T001 that it came with and they're still available in the 95 but most sites offer the newer T005 now, cheaper and supposedly better.

Are the 99's XL (extra load) tyres? Not sure about this but I wonder if it's more marketing than anything - I read Michelin, for example, use the same carcass for pretty well all of their tyres.

XL tyres can only carry more weight at higher pressures. Both 95 standard & 99XL tyres are 690Kg at 2.5bar (36psi)

Edited 8 August, 20258 Aug by Rory

2 hours ago, Rory said:

Are the 99's XL (extra load) tyres? Not sure about this but I wonder if it's more marketing than anything - I read Michelin, for example, use the same carcass for pretty well all of their tyres.

XL tyres can only carry more weight at higher pressures. Both 95 standard & 99XL tyres are 690Kg at 2.5bar (36psi)

XL=extra load

I wouldn't put XL on that car as the 60 profile and weight doesn't need it

We have XL's (purely down to the required all season) on our Suzuki SUV, and have had on other 'lighter' vehicles.

What I would say, compared to the standard rating ones I've had on company cars, they seem far more puncture (blowout) resistant on now crumbling roads.

Perhaps it's pure coincidence, but I've lost a number of tyres as a mobile worker, who has to cover some pretty challenging eroded country roads in a company car, compared to driving the same/similar roads (usually over high terrain) in my private vehicles.

Same speed, same driving style.

XL (Reiforced sidewall tyres) have no down side as far as i am concerned.

At any tyres changes on any vehicle be them with low profile or not as OEM i go for XL,s.

Location location location and potholes, protuding iron works on roads, and often unseen in adverse weather, flooded roads, slush / snow.

Run with an appropriate pressure for comfort but not underinflated.

Checked our Karoq, ou 225/40 R19. Original Bridgestones are 93Y, Thet don't say Extra Load on them. Checking on the site of the tyre company I use, Bridgestones are 93 but none are marked Extra Load (there does appear to be a tyre marked T005 SKO KAROQ 93Y, but I have no idea what that means. However, all of the Michelins in 225/40 R19 are marked Extra Load, all Y rated.

Edited 9 August, 20259 Aug by Routemaster1461

On 09/08/2025 at 10:32, Routemaster1461 said:

(there does appear to be a tyre marked T005 SKO KAROQ 93Y, but I have no idea what that means.

It means they are offering the Bridgestone Turanza T005, a summer tyre fitted at the Skoda factory to many Karoqs. Most people here who have used it regard it as one of the worst tyres ever.

I have eventually got rid of all the Bridgestone my karoq arrived with. Two of them were over 5mm and one was 3mm. The 4th tyre was a brand new budget. The Bridgestones went to the skip they were that poor and the budget one is in the shed in case I need an emergency tyre replacement. I expect it will stay in the shed forever. I now run kormoran summer tyres on one set of wheels and vredestien winters on the other.

Nothing wrong with putting a higher rating on a car - I'd just avoid going lower.

The cars (MQB) are developed with Bridgestone, apparently, but that doesn't mean they're any good. My personal leaderboard, that I would choose from -

1) Michelin

2) Continental

3) Goodyear

4) Falken

5) Avon

6) Pirelli

7) Bridgestone

8) Everything else

I've had good experiences with Maxxis too, actually.

I tend not to keep anything spare anymore - I did for a good two/three years, and then realised that if I ripped the budget tyre off, there wasn't really a scenario in which a good 225/40R18 wouldn't be available.

I personally tend to go for Bridgestone, found them to always be in the leaderboard in track tyre test comparison, and having multiple brands fitted on company cars, found them to outperform all the other supposedly premium brands.

I abandoned Pirelli long ago, except for particular lines that excel.

Continental have always been touted as the leader, but I've had nothing but bad experiences on grip (especially wet) and shocking wear performance, across a number of their lines over the years.

On 11/08/2025 at 11:16, Frizzbee30 said:

I personally tend to go for Bridgestone, found them to always be in the leaderboard in track tyre test comparison, and having multiple brands fitted on company cars, found them to outperform all the other supposedly premium brands.

I abandoned Pirelli long ago, except for particular lines that excel.

Continental have always been touted as the leader, but I've had nothing but bad experiences on grip (especially wet) and shocking wear performance, across a number of their lines over the years.

I understand that the latest Bridgestone all season tyres get good reviews but the OEM version that cars are suppled with are generally regarded as a bit merde.

FWIW, the difference in ride quality between the Bridgestone OEMs and the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 on my wife's MY23 Karoq was striking.

Comparing Apples & pears or oranges & lemons really.

I agree, even though they are probably in the same segment (technically). Tyres are the best thing you can do to a car - it always pains me to see an M3 riding on £70 no name tyres.