Davanti Terratoura A/T – Nearly Two Years On
Tyre reviews are easy when everything’s new. Fresh tread, sharp edges and that warm glow of optimism that comes with bolting shiny new rubber onto a 4x4. The real test, though, is what happens after a couple of winters, countless motorway miles, plenty of wet green lanes and the odd moment where mechanical sympathy takes a back seat.
So, after my initial 4-month review - here, how have these Davanti Terratoura A/T coped with life at Muddy Towers?
They’ve been fitted to Deux Smurf for nearly two years now, which feels like the right point to sit back and ask the question that actually matters: would I fit them again?
Before getting stuck in, a quick refresher. Deux Smurf is a 1996, third-generation Toyota Surf running the 3.0-litre turbo diesel and a part-time four-wheel-drive system. Most of its life is spent in rear-wheel drive, doing exactly what most UK 4x4s do - commuting, long motorway runs, B-roads, green lanes and the odd muddy detour that looked like a good idea at the time. The Terratouras are a 265/75 R16, fitted to Land Cruiser Colorado wheels and run at 30psi.
So, nearly two years on, the first thing worth mentioning is wear. Quite simply, it’s been very respectable. Tread wear has been even across all four corners, with no strange scalloping or uneven edges, and nothing that’s raised an eyebrow at MOT time. Judging by the number of other Terratoura owners reporting similar mileage online and in conversation, this seems fairly typical. Look after them, rotate them sensibly and they appear more than capable of covering serious distance without melting away.
On the road, the Terratouras remain one of the most impressive all-terrain tyres I’ve run. Even with plenty of miles under them they’re still quiet, well mannered and predictable, particularly in the wet. Long motorway slogs up and down the M6 and M1 in torrential rain haven’t produced any unwanted moments, and standing water on fast A-roads and dual carriageways is dealt with calmly and without fuss. That sense of security in poor conditions is something that crops up again and again when talking to other owners, and it’s easy to see why.
Fuel consumption, however, remains much the same as it ever was. I’d secretly hoped that moving away from aggressive mud terrains might bring some sort of improvement, but Deux Smurf stubbornly sticks around the 24mpg mark. In fairness, it’s shaped like a brick, weighs as much as a small bungalow and I don’t exactly hypermile it. Speaking to other Terratoura users, some see a marginal improvement over mud terrains, others don’t notice any change at all. It seems to depend as much on the vehicle and driver, as the tyre.
Off road, expectations have remained realistic, and the Terratouras have rewarded that approach. They’ve seen plenty of UK green lanes, wet fields, loose stone tracks and rocky sections, and they’ve consistently impressed with their grip on mixed and changing surfaces. Wet rock and loose stone are handled particularly well, and despite not being as forgiving as the mud terrains they replaced, the sidewalls have proven tough enough, with no cuts, chunks or worrying damage to report.
In deep, sticky mud they behave exactly like an all-terrain should. They clog up, but with a steady throttle they’ll self-clear well enough to keep you moving. They’re never going to replace a proper mud tyre in those conditions, but for the sort of off-road driving most of us actually do in the UK, they’re more capable than their sensible appearance might suggest. This is echoed by plenty of other owners, particularly those running older vehicles without lockers or traction aids.
Winter use has also been quietly impressive. The three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating isn’t just there for show. Cold, greasy roads, frosty mornings and light snow have all been handled with confidence, and they don’t suffer from that hard, vague feeling that some all-terrains develop once the temperature drops. They’re not a replacement for dedicated winter tyres, but they definitely make winter driving less of a chore.
In terms of build quality, the Terratouras have inspired confidence. Davanti had a few early niggles as a brand, but they seem to have moved well past that stage. Over nearly two years there have been no pressure issues, no bulges, no delamination and nothing that’s caused concern. They’ve just got on with the job, which is arguably the best compliment you can give a tyre.
Perhaps the biggest change has been what they’ve done to Deux Smurf as a whole. Compared to life on mud terrains, it’s now quieter, more settled and more comfortable on long journeys, without losing that willingness to leave the tarmac behind. It feels like a better all-round vehicle, and that’s down in no small part to the tyres.
So, nearly two years on, the Davanti Terratoura A/T hasn’t tried to impress by being extreme or flashy. Instead, it’s proved itself by being reliable, predictable and consistently capable in real UK conditions. They’ve worn well, behaved impeccably on the road, coped admirably off it and asked for very little in return.
Oh, and amusingly, the blue protective covering on the writing still hasn’t worn off!
Sometimes the strongest endorsement you can give a tyre is this: I’ve stopped thinking about them. And after nearly two years, that says everything.
price: check with your local dealer - https://davanti-tyres.com/dealers/