The German magazine announced the results of its next tire test, and again you could hardly name the winner in advance.
List of models tested:
- BFGoodrich Advantage
- Continental PremiumContact 6
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
- Laufenn S FIT EQ+
- Maxxis Premitra HP5
- Michelin Primacy 4
- Nexen N’Fera Sport SU2
- Nokian Wetproof
One of the things that make the season of summer tests 2021 interesting is that the winners are oftentimes not the acclaimed market leaders but the brands that usually stay in the background. First it was Kumho that surpassed 52 competitors in an Auto Bild test, then a Maxxis model was announced as the best by Vi Bilägare magazine, and now first place in the test conducted by Europe’s top motoring association is scored by the inexpensive Nexen N’Fera Sport SU2.
The ACE test involved tires in size 225/45 R17, which are more and more often used in Europe as the original equipment for compact cars, such as Volkswagen Golf. Saying that Nexen won due to the absence of strong rivals is out of the question, because the test also included tires from premium brands, such as Continental PremiumContact 6, Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2, and Michelin Primacy 4.
On dry pavement, as is usually the case, the differences in the tires’ performance were minimal, the best braking characteristics being shown by Continental, which, when braking from 100 km/h, stopped the car after 34.5 meters. At the same time, the braking distance of the tires that came last — Goodyear and Maxxis — was 36 and 36.1 meters respectively, which still allowed them to score a high number of points. But then again, even though the difference can indeed seem to be insignificant, the remaining speed of the car driving on the Goodyear or the Maxxis tires will still be in fact over 20 km/h.
After the dry handling test, the experts noted that the tires did vary in their behavior — for example, the Maxxis model demonstrated very quick and precise handling response, while the Nokian model was slightly prone to oversteer. On a wet track, the differences in the tires’ performance were more significant, first place in the braking test scored by the Michelin tire, whose stopping distance when braking from 100 km/h was 48 meters. Even the Continental tire, which came second, needed two meters more, while the worst result was demonstrated by the Maxxis tires, which were only able to stop the VW Golf after 56.9 meters. Therefore, the remaining speed amounted to almost 40 km/h.
In the hydroplaning resistance test, the balance of powers changed, and the best tires were recognized to be Maxxis, while the Laufenn tires from Korea’s Hankook were losing grip already at 70.5 km/h. The Maxxis tire also showed the best results in the wet lateral stability test, and it was only the long braking distance that stopped it from becoming the absolute winner in these circumstances. The best handling response on wet pavement was demonstrated by the premium Continental and Michelin models, while the Laufenn and BFGoodrich tires were clearly prone to understeer and showed poor resistance to lateral skid.
The noise was measured outside the car, with Goodyear (which received high points for quietness from the Vi Bilägare experts as well) scoring first place, and the Continental model being the loudest. At 50 km/h, the difference between the two tires was 2dB(A), while at 80 km/h it reached 3.3dB(A). The rolling resistance test yet again confirmed that environmental performance and wet grip are essentially conflicting and mutually cancelling characteristics, and the Maxxis model, which had excellent hydroplaning resistance, showed only average results in this discipline, while the Michelin model, which quickly loses grip when it hits a puddle, scored first place.
What makes the ACE test different from many others is that it also takes into account the price of the tire, which helped the Nexen model to come out the winner in the final standings, because it was the second-least-expensive tire on test. At the same time, one must note that all the rivals of Nexen showed good results, and even the tire that came last (and this time around it unexpectedly was the relatively new Goodyear model, which had poor hydroplaning resistance) got a «Recommended» verdict.
1st place: Nexen / N Fera Sport
Quick Take
Nexen N Fera Sport
- Short braking distance and good handling response on dry and wet pavement
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Good price/quality ratio
- High rolling resistance
- Highly recommended
2nd place: Nokian / Wetproof
Quick Take
Nokian Wetproof
- Short braking distance and good handling response on dry and wet pavement
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Increased noise emission
- Highly recommended
3rd place: Falken / Azenis FK510
Quick Take
Falken Azenis FK510
- Short braking distance on wet pavement
- Increased noise emission
- Highly recommended
3th place: Maxxis / Premitra 5 HP5
Quick Take
Maxxis Premitra 5 HP5
- Great handling response in the wet
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Good price/quality ratio
- Long braking distance on wet pavement
- High noise emission
- Highly recommended
4th place: Michelin / Primacy 4
Quick Take
Michelin Primacy 4
- Short braking distance and good handling response on dry and wet pavement
- Low rolling resistance
- Poor resistance to lateral hydroplaning
- High price
- Highly recommended
5th place: Continental / PremiumContact 6
Quick Take
Continental PremiumContact 6
- Short braking distance and good handling response on dry and wet pavement
- High noise emission
- Low lateral hydroplaning resistance
- High price
- Recommended
5th place: Laufenn / S FIT EQ+
Quick Take
Laufenn S FIT EQ+
- Short braking distance on wet and dry pavement
- Low price
- Prone to understeer and poor lateral stability on wet pavement
- Increased noise emission
- Recommended
6th place: BFGoodrich / Advantage
Quick Take
BFGoodrich Advantage
- Short braking distance on wet pavement
- Low hydroplaning resistance
- Prone to understeer and poor lateral stability on wet pavement
- Increased noise emission
- Recommended
7th place: Goodyear / EfficientGrip Performance 2
Quick Take
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
- Great handling response in the wet
- Low noise emission
- Low rolling resistance
- Low hydroplaning resistance
- Recommended
