Matador MP 44 Elite 3 review
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The Matador MP 44 Elite 3 is widely regarded as a high-value tire that delivers impressive wet and dry grip, often exceeding expectations for its price point. While most users praise its performance and durability, a minority of drivers report issues with road noise and inconsistent tread life, suggesting performance may vary depending on vehicle application.
What owners say
No road-test results yet, so every score here comes from owner reviews found online.
How scores work
- Relative score
- 0–100. Blends road tests (60%) and owner reviews (40%) category by category, the same way on every TireWheelGuide page. With only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from it, so the score stays closer to average. It needs at least one road test or five owner reviews.
- Road tests
- 0–100 per score, from published tests, newer tests counting more. Each result is compared with every other tire in the same test, so a win against a strong field counts for more. The average tested tire gets 70, the best 100; with only one or two tests a tire stays nearer 70. The discipline rows show % of the best tire in that test.
- Owner reviews
- 0–100 from the owner reviews we found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates and scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70. With only a few reviews a tire stays near the average.
By owner reviews
73/100From 16 owner reviews analysed, scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70.
What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 16 owner reviews found online.
The Matador MP 44 Elite 3 is widely regarded as a high-value tire that delivers impressive wet and dry grip, often exceeding expectations for its price point. While most users praise its performance and durability, a minority of drivers report issues with road noise and inconsistent tread life, suggesting performance may vary depending on vehicle application.
Pros
- Exceptional value for money compared to premium brands
- Strong, reliable grip on both wet and dry road surfaces
- Good steering feedback and handling characteristics
- Solid durability for the majority of daily drivers
Cons
- Reports of increased road noise and cabin rumble
- Occasional complaints regarding premature tread wear
- Requires a brief warm-up period to reach optimal grip levels
- Can feel harsh or stiff on certain vehicle chassis
Worth knowing
- Drivers of older, performance-oriented vehicles like the Mazda MX5 and Rover 200 Turbo report high satisfaction with handling feedback.
- The use of XL (Extra Load) variants on larger vehicles like the Vauxhall Omega provided necessary structural support but resulted in a firmer, less compliant ride.
- Users transitioning from premium brands like Michelin or Bridgestone generally find the performance comparable for daily driving needs.
Reviews from our readers
Drivers who have these tires on their car, in their own words. We check every review before it goes live.
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4 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2018 AutoBild Summer tire Overview · 195/65 R15
23rd of 47
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
Source: Auto Bild
2016 Market Overview - Braking Test · 205/55 R16
22nd of 50
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
2014 Auto Review Summer tire Test - 205/55 R16 · 205/55 R16
11th of 16
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
Source: Autoreview
2013 54 tire Braking Test · 195/65 R15
38th of 54
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
Other tires to consider
Ranked by our Relative score, weighed against how many reviews and tests stand behind it.
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