The summer tire market is flooded with options—60 to 80 brands and models per size, spanning every price point. But more choices don’t mean better decisions. With tires being your only contact to the road, safety can’t be left to chance. That’s where rigorous, independent testing becomes your roadmap.
For decades, AUTO BILD experts have stress-tested tires in real-world conditions. The results? A clear divide between rubber that grips and rubber that slips. AUTO BILD’s ongoing 2025 Summer Tire Test—featuring 52 models in size 225/40 R18—is no exception. Their process? Brutally simple: separate contenders from pretenders through raw performance.
Before reaching the final evaluation, every tire faced a knockout challenge: combined braking distances. Each model was tested from 100 km/h on dry pavement and 80 km/h on wet asphalt. Only the top 20 performers advanced.
| Brand / Model / LI / SR | Wet* | Dry** | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
27,6
|
32,6
|
60,2
|
|
|
27,7
|
33,5
|
61,2
|
|
|
27,4
|
34,0
|
61,4
|
|
|
27,4
|
34,2
|
61,6
|
|
|
27,4
|
34,2
|
61,6
|
|
|
28,3
|
34,1
|
62,4
|
|
|
29,5
|
33,0
|
62,5
|
|
|
28,3
|
34,6
|
62,9
|
|
|
28,7
|
34,3
|
63,0
|
|
|
29,2
|
33,9
|
63,1
|
|
|
30,4
|
34,0
|
64,4
|
|
|
29,7
|
34,9
|
64,6
|
|
|
30,4
|
34,8
|
65,2
|
|
|
31,8
|
33,8
|
65,6
|
|
|
31,1
|
34,6
|
65,7
|
|
|
30,9
|
35,0
|
65,9
|
|
|
30,9
|
35,4
|
66,3
|
|
|
31,2
|
35,0
|
66,2
|
|
|
31,5
|
35,2
|
66,7
|
|
|
32,3
|
34,6
|
67,0
|
|
|
31,7
|
36,0
|
67,7
|
|
|
30,3
|
37,4
|
67,7
|
|
|
31,9
|
36,2
|
68,1
|
|
|
33,1
|
35,4
|
68,5
|
|
|
31,2
|
37,4
|
68,6
|
|
|
31,9
|
36,9
|
68,8
|
|
|
33,1
|
36,4
|
69,5
|
|
|
34,0
|
35,8
|
69,8
|
|
Leao Nova-Force Acro (92 Y)
|
32,9
|
36,8
|
69,7
|
|
|
33,9
|
36,2
|
70,1
|
|
|
31,7
|
38,6
|
70,3
|
|
|
34,4
|
35,9
|
70,3
|
|
|
33,5
|
37,6
|
71,1
|
|
Star Performer Interstellar (92 W)
|
33,7
|
37,5
|
71,2
|
|
|
33,8
|
37,9
|
71,7
|
|
|
34,2
|
37,6
|
71,8
|
|
|
34,1
|
37,7
|
71,8
|
|
Ovation VI-588 Sport (92 Y)
|
35,2
|
37,1
|
72,3
|
|
Barum Bravuris 6 (92 Y)
|
34,8
|
37,6
|
72,4
|
|
|
36,2
|
36,6
|
72,8
|
|
Yartu ZuperEco Z-107 (92 W)
|
34,9
|
37,9
|
72,8
|
|
Iris Sefar (92 W)
|
35,1
|
37,9
|
73,0
|
|
Windforce Catchfors UHP PRO (92 W)
|
36,7
|
36,5
|
73,2
|
|
Lanvigator Catch Power Plus (92 W)
|
36,7
|
37,2
|
73,9
|
|
|
37,5
|
36,9
|
74,4
|
|
Z Max Zealion (92 W)
|
38,0
|
37,5
|
75,5
|
|
Rockblade ROCK 525 (92 W)
|
38,1
|
37,5
|
75,6
|
|
Arivo Ultra ARZ-5 (92 W)
|
37,6
|
38,1
|
75,7
|
|
|
38,4
|
37,6
|
76,0
|
|
Tourador X Speed TU1 (92 Y)
|
37,1
|
38,9
|
76,0
|
|
RoyalBlack Explorer II (92 Y)
|
38,6
|
38,4
|
77,0
|
|
|
43,6
|
38,3
|
81,9
|
The Bridgestone Potenza Sport (92 Y) dominated with a total braking distance of 60.2 meters (27.6 wet + 32.6 dry), edging out Michelin’s Pilot Sport 5 by a full meter. But the real story lies at the bottom. The Autogreen Smart Chaser (92 W) trailed by a staggering 21 meters, requiring 81.9 meters to stop. On wet roads alone, it needed 43.6 meters—a dangerous lag that could mean the difference between a close call and a collision.
Premium tires aren’t just about brand prestige. The data shows a direct link between engineering and emergency performance. Budget options might save euros upfront, but their longer stopping distances—especially in rain—could cost far more.
While the full test results are still under wraps, the qualifying round sends a clear signal: Not all rubber is created equal. Your tires are the unsung heroes of every drive—choose them like your life depends on it. Because sometimes, it does.
Stay tuned for the final rankings, where we’ll reveal which models aced real-world handling, noise, and durability tests. Spoiler: The leaderboard isn’t kind to cut-rate brands.
