Lion Sport 4x4
The Lion Sport range has different tires that are designed for high performance on asphalt or concrete road surfaces. The manufacturer explicitly points out that these tires are not designed for continuous and efficient off-road use. But the Lion Sport range has truly versatile tires that ride equally well on the road and off-road. We are talking about Lion Sport 4x4 tires and we will tell about them in this short review.
Truly versatile tires
The Lion Sport range is a budget tire that is produced by the Leao brand. The Leao brand, in turn, is a subsidiary of the Chinese company Shandong Linglong Tire Co., Ltd. Tires are inexpensive - it will be cheaper to buy only unknown Chinese tires or used rubber from hands. But despite the budget price, the Lion Sport 4x4 tires are a truly versatile solution that most practical buyers will surely enjoy.
Judge for yourself, these tires ride well on normal roads, but they can also be used off-road. It is clear that this is not a specialized rubber for charged SUVs, but thanks to these tires, the car will confidently drive over rough terrain - on soil, gravel, and even on sand. On any surface, these tires will provide optimal grip, which means they will guarantee excellent driving characteristics.
However, the versatility of the tires does not end there, as the Lion Sport 4x4 can be used in different climatic and different weather conditions. These tires provide acceptable handling in warm and cold seasons on dry and wet surfaces. Before launching into production, the tires were tested in different climatic regions, where the Lion Sport 4x4 drove thousands of kilometers on dry and wet asphalt, and even on snow.
However, let's not mislead you about the versatility, since you need to understand that these are all-season tires, and therefore you should not expect from them the same driving characteristics in winter that real winter tires will demonstrate.
All-season performance
As stated earlier, the Lion Sport 4x4 is an all-season tire. But according to the manufacturer's tests and customer reviews, these tires demonstrate the best handling and the most dynamic running characteristics in the off-season at temperatures from 20 to 32F. As the temperature rises, the tread wear increases due to the softening of the rubber. When the temperature drops below 23F, the rubber from which the tread is molded hardens, thereby deteriorating the grip.
Let's summarize the above. Lion Sport 4x4 is an all-season tire that is recommended for purchase and subsequent operation in regions with a temperate climate. If there are no hot summers or harsh winters where you intend to use the tires, the Lion Sport 4x4 is exactly what you need.
Driving performance
Lion Sport 4x4 tires do not have a pronounced deep tread. The tread height is from 10 to 13 mm, and therefore the off-road characteristics are mediocre - that is, the car will go off-road well, but using these tires you should not count on participating in off-road competitions.
Off-road qualities of the tire are provided by the increased area of the contact patch on the road. Because the tire is wide, it exerts less pressure on an arbitrary unit of ground area. Therefore, the Lion Sport 4x4 runs on sand and mud. But due to the low tread, combined with the large contact patch, the tire is prone to slipping when driving in mud. But on rocky ground and gravel roads, these tires are excellent.
Now the most surprising thing. As mentioned earlier, the tire is conditionally all-season, but it is better not to use it in cold winters. But in winter these tires ride off-road, if not excellent, then very well. Moreover, the handling is good both when the snow partially covers the ground, and when the snow covers the ground completely.
Now for driving on asphalt and concrete. Everything is predictably good here. The 4 longitudinal grooves provide excellent directional stability when driving in a straight line and when cornering. The intricate lateral groove pattern is specially designed to provide optimal traction and to effectively channel water away from the contact patch.
Reasons to buy
What qualities of a Lion Sport 4x4 might motivate you to buy these tires? There are many such qualities, we will list the main ones.
- Acceptable cost. As previously mentioned, these tires are presented in the budget price segment. Indeed, check the prices of this product from any dealer, and you will be at least pleasantly surprised. These tires can be called practical, as they demonstrate an optimal combination of price and quality.
- Durability. It is believed that all-season rubber is short-lived, as it deteriorates due to the cold in winter and wears out quickly in summer. This is partly true, but if the tires are used in the temperature range recommended by the manufacturer, then they will travel a lot. For example, the Leao brand guarantees up to 50,000 miles on its "Sport" tires.
- Durability. These tires are durable as they are reinforced in the center rib and sidewalls. This is an important advantage if the car is used not only within the city but also off-road. The tires are equipped with a particularly densely woven synthetic carcass, complemented by longitudinal metal belts. This allows the tire to maintain its shape when hitting various obstacles such as curbs, speed bumps.
- High tightness. Tires are tubeless, and therefore the issue of their tightness is important. To ensure tightness, the inner volume of the tires is covered with a thin layer of latex, which prevents air leakage in case of small breakdowns.
- Excellent design. The tires are universal and can be used on both passenger cars and city crossovers. That is why the design of the tires is chosen to look equally attractive on different types of cars. The wide sports tire will look equally good on modern and classic cars.
- High quality. Despite being reasonably priced, these tires perform just as well as those from better known and more popular brands. This is partly because modern technologies and no less advanced equipment are used in the production of Lion Sport 4x4, the same as in European factories. And in part, the many advantages of these tires are because quality control is implemented at each production stage. As a result, the probability of buying these tires with a manufacturing defect is extremely small and, most likely, you will be satisfied with your purchase.
- Really good driving characteristics. Despite being a little-known brand outside of China, these tires provide good handling on both dry and wet surfaces. Due to good grip, these tires are distinguished by short braking distances and good acceleration dynamics.
Verdict
Lion Sport 4x4 is a tire for practical people. These all-season tires are sure to suit those looking to spend less without compromising on the quality of their purchase. If you are a practical buyer and an unknown brand does not bother Lion Sport 4x4 - this is what you need.