A sleek set of low-profile tires can transform a compact car from mundane to head-turning. But as the ADAC’s latest summer tire test reveals, flashy tread patterns and aggressive sidewalls mean little if the rubber can’t grip the road. In a showdown of 18 performance-focused tires—all in the popular 225/40 R18 size—the German automotive club exposed shocking gaps between marketing claims and real-world safety.
Some models soared, others flopped catastrophically, and a few hid dangerous flaws behind glossy branding. Here’s what drivers need to know before upgrading their wheels.
The Allure of the Sporty Tire
The 225/40 R18 size dominates the compact car scene, fitted to everything from the Volkswagen Golf to the BMW 1 Series. These tires promise a seductive blend of style and speed, with manufacturers touting "sport-tuned handling" and eye-watering speed ratings (up to 186 mph for Y-rated models). But beneath the marketing gloss lies a critical question: Can they actually perform when pushed to their limits?
The ADAC’s rigorous testing—covering dry precision, wet braking, heat resistance, and longevity—answers with brutal clarity. Spoiler: Not all sporty tires are created equal.
The Champions: Tires That Deliver on Their Promise
At the pinnacle sits the Continental SportContact 7, a masterclass in balanced engineering. On dry asphalt, it grips like a racing slick, responding to steering inputs with surgical precision. Push it into a high-speed corner, and the tire communicates every shift in grip through the wheel—a rare trait in this category. Wet roads? No problem. During simulated monsoon conditions, the Conti halted from 50 mph in just 28 meters, outpacing rivals by car-length margins.
Quick Take
Continental SportContact 7
- This tire replaced Continental / SportContact 6
- Available Sizes in Line: 101
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Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Maserati Levante M161 [2016 .. 2023]
- • Maserati Quattroporte VI (M156) Facelift [2016 .. 2023]
- • Audi RS6 C8 [2019 .. 2024]
- • BYD Seal [2022 .. 2024]
- • BMW 5 Series VIII (G60/G61) [2023 .. 2025]
- • BMW i5 G60/G61 [2023 .. 2025]
- Year Released: 2022
- Regions for sale: USA+, Mexico, Europe, Russia+, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East
Close behind, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 proved nearly as formidable. The Bridgestone matched the Conti’s dry prowess, carving through slaloms with unflappable poise, while the Michelin dazzled with eco-conscious engineering. Its low rolling resistance and extended tread life (projected at 45,000 miles) make it a guilt-free choice for drivers craving performance and sustainability.
Quick Take
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
- Available Sizes in Line: 43
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Subaru Levorg VN [2020 .. 2024]
- Year Released: 2022
- Regions for sale: Canada, Mexico, Central & South America, Europe, Russia+, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Oceania
But the real dark horse? The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6. While slightly noisier than its peers, it dominated wet handling tests, channeling water away from the tread so effectively that drivers could attack soaked curves with summer-tire confidence.
Quick Take
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
- This tire replaced Goodyear / Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Available Sizes in Line: 69
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Volkswagen Passat NMS II Facelift [2021 .. 2025]
- Year Released: 2022
- Regions for sale: USA+, Europe, Russia+, Middle East, South Africa
The Middle Ground: Competent, But Compromised
Not every tire can be a hero. Four models—the Ceat SportDrive, Kumho Ecsta PS71, Nokian Powerproof 1, and Giti GitiSport S2—landed in the "satisfactory" zone. They’re safe for casual driving but reveal cracks under pressure.
Take the Nokian Powerproof 1. On damp roads, it feels planted and secure. But as temperatures rise, its grip erodes alarmingly. During back-to-back hot laps, testers noted worsening understeer—a flaw that could catch weekend drivers off-guard during spirited mountain drives. Similarly, the Ceat SportDrive shines in the dry but turns skittish in rain, its tread struggling to shed water during sudden downpours.
Quick Take
Nokian Powerproof 1
- This tire replaced 🏁 Nokian / Powerproof
- Available Sizes in Line: 54
- Year Released: 2024
- Regions for sale: Europe
These tires aren’t bad—they’re just inconsistent. For commuters who prioritize price over perfection, they’re viable. But enthusiasts craving predictability should look higher.
The Failures: When "Budget" Becomes Dangerous
Then there are the three tires that no driver should ever mount: the Doublecoin DC-100, Norauto Prevensys 4, and Syron Premium Performance.
The Doublecoin’s flaws read like a horror novel. Its rock-hard rubber—marketed as "durable"—translates to abysmal grip. On dry roads, the steering feels numb, requiring constant corrections to hold a line. Push harder, and the rear end breaks loose without warning, a nightmare for inexperienced drivers. Wet performance? Catastrophic. From 50 mph, it needed 17 extra meters to stop compared to the Continental—enough space to T-bone a crossing pedestrian.
Quick Take
Doublecoin DC-100
- Available Sizes in Line: 21
- Year Released: 2022
- Regions for sale: Europe
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The Norauto and Syron models fared slightly better… but only just. Both exhibited vague steering and erratic breakaway behavior, demanding superhuman reflexes to control at the limit. As ADAC testers bluntly noted: "These tires belong on a show car, not the road."
The Data Dive: How Every Tire Performed at a Glance
You’ve met the champions and the failures—now let’s visualize how all 18 tires stacked up across critical safety and performance metrics. Think of this as your cheat sheet for comparing dry precision, wet braking, noise, longevity, and value. No marketing fluff—just cold, hard numbers.
The Longevity Illusion
Here’s where the Doublecoin’s story twists. Despite its lethal shortcomings, it boasts a staggering projected lifespan of 74,400 miles—nearly double the Michelin’s. But this "durability" comes at a dire cost: hard rubber that sacrifices grip for longevity. It’s a Faustian bargain no driver should accept.
Wet Braking
- Continental
- Bridgestone
- Michelin
- Goodyear
- Kumho
- Falken
- Firestone
- Norauto
- Toyo
- Vredestein
- Nexen
- Yokohama
- Nokian
- Dunlop
- Syron
- Ceat
- Giti
- Doublecoin
Info! Wet braking from 80 to 0 km/h, m.
The lesson? Don’t let treadwear warranties blind you. A tire that lasts forever but can’t brake reliably is a false economy.
Who Should Buy What?
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Track Enthusiasts: Continental SportContact 7 or Bridgestone Potenza Sport. Their dry-weather precision rivals dedicated track tires.
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Daily Drivers: Michelin Pilot Sport 5. Eco-friendly without sacrificing safety.
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Rain Warriors: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6. Unmatched wet grip for monsoon climates.
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Budget Shoppers: Falken Azenis FK520. Competent all-rounder at a mid-tier price.
The Takeaway
Sporty tires walk a tightrope between style and safety. The ADAC’s test proves that premium brands like Continental and Michelin justify their price tags with life-saving tech—while budget options gamble with your safety.
So next time you’re tempted by a glossy tread pattern, ask yourself: Is that extra flair worth skidding into a guardrail? Because when rain pours or temps soar, grip—not gloss—keeps you alive.
