20 tires reached the final of the new big Auto Bild test, including new models from Bridgestone and Continental.
For their next big tire test 2023, the Auto Bild experts chose the tire size 225/45 R18, suitable for many compact cars such as Renault Megane, Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla, and others. To qualify for the main part of the test, the participants first had to demonstrate effective dry and wet braking performance.
20 tires reached the final, and the Auto Bild experts noted that, although there was a correlation between the tire’s performance and its cost in the qualification round, there were a few exceptions, and, for example, the cheap Linglong tire was able to make it to the main part of the test, while the more expensive Vredestein and Firestone tires could not. It is also worth noting that two new products of the season, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 and Continental PremiumContact 7, met in the final round.
In the main test, the tires were evaluated according to standard parameters such as hydroplaning resistance, and in this discipline, the best one was the Uniroyal RainSport 5, which fully justified its name. The Giti tire also effectively drains water from the contact patch, while the Sava, Kleber, and Nexen models have certain problems with this.
In the wet handling test, the top places were predictably scored by the premium brands of Pirelli, Goodyear, and Continental, and as for the more affordable options, the Maxxis and Yokohama tires also received good ratings. On dry pavement, Pirelli and Goodyear were once again recognized as the best performers, while Giti and Uniroyal were too slow to respond to driver inputs.
The external noise level was also measured, and the quietest tire was found to be Kleber by Michelin, while in the tread life test (evaluating the expected mileage before the tire reaches the minimum legal tread depth), the Goodyear model came first with a score of 63,000 km. The worst-performing tires in this category were the budget Linglong tires, which can only last half as long.
Verdict
The winner of the big 2023 tire test eventually was the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 tire, which the Auto Bild experts praised for its excellent wet and dry performance, as well as its long tread life and best value for the money ratio. Since the Goodyear tire also demonstrated the best environmental performance on test, it was awarded the Eco-Meister status.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Continental Premium Contact 7, which came second and third respectively, also received «Exemplary» ratings; the GT Radial SportActive 2, Bridgestone Turanza 6, Kumho Ecsta PS71, and Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 completed the test with a «Good» rating; while the performance of the other 13 tires was rated as «Satisfactory».
The ratings are assigned on a scale from 6 to 1+. The rating in the «Environment» category is calculated based on rolling resistance, tread life, and the price-to-tread-life ratio.
1 place: Goodyear / Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
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Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
Positive: Dry performance. Wet performance. Tread life. Price/quality ratio.
A premium tire with an exemplary wet and dry performance and a long tread life, providing best-in-class price/quality ratio.
2 place: Michelin / Pilot Sport 5
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Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Positive: Handling performance in any conditions. Hydroplaning resistance. Braking performance in any conditions.
Negative: Price.
A sport tire that provides excellent handling response in any conditions, has a good hydroplaning resistance, and an excellent wet braking performance. However, it is worth noting that Michelin is one of the most expensive tire brands on the market.
3 place: Continental / PremiumContact 7
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Continental PremiumContact 7
Positive: Handling performance in any conditions. Tread life. Environment.
Negative: Price.
An excellent (and quite expensive) tire that combines strong grip with good treadwear and low rolling resistance.
4 place: GT Radial / SportActive 2
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GT Radial SportActive 2
Positive: Handling performance in any conditions. Hydroplaning resistance. Price/quality ratio.
Negative: Wet lateral grip.
This GT Radial tire performs well in any conditions (although there are some complaints about its wet cornering grip), and also has an attractive price/quality ratio.
5 place: Bridgestone / Turanza 6
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Bridgestone Turanza 6
Positive: Performance balance. Handling performance in any conditions. Environment.
A tire has a well-balanced performance and low rolling resistance, which comes at a relatively high price.
6 place: Kumho / Ecsta PS71
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Kumho Ecsta PS71
Positive: Performance balance. Braking performance in any conditions.
Negative: Noise.
An inexpensive tire with well-balanced performance that provides effective dry and wet braking performance. The downside is its increased noise level.
7 place: Dunlop / Sport Maxx RT2
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Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2
Positive: Wet handling performance. Hydroplaning resistance. Dry braking.
Negative: Dry handling performance.
On dry surfaces, this Dunlop tire responds somewhat slowly to driver input, but effectively stops the car. On wet surfaces, it provides a high overall level of safety.
8 place: Falken / Azenis FK520
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Falken Azenis FK520
Positive: Dry handling. Braking performance in any conditions. Noise.
Negative: Wet lateral grip.
This Falken tire provides good handling response on dry surfaces and effective braking in any conditions, and it is also pretty quiet. However, it has problems with wet cornering stability.
9 place: Sava / Intensa UHP 2
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Sava Intensa UHP 2
Positive: Dry braking performance Environment. Price.
Negative: Handling response in any conditions. Hydroplaning resistance.
An inexpensive tire with good dry braking performance and low rolling resistance, but prone to understeer in any conditions and having a reduced hydroplaning resistance.
10 place: Fulda / SportControl 2
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Fulda SportControl 2
Positive: Wet handling performance. Price.
Negative: Wet braking. Steering response.
This Fulda tire ensures acceptable handling performance on wet pavement, but it has a relatively long braking distance, combined with a delayed steering response.
11 place: Pirelli / P Zero PZ4
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Pirelli P Zero PZ4
Positive: Handling performance in any conditions. Braking performance in any conditions.
Negative: Tread life. Price.
A sports tire that ensures excellent handling response and short dry and wet braking distances. At the same time, this Pirelli model has a limited expected mileage and comes at a high price.
12 place: Hankook / Ventus S1 evo3 K127
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Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K127
Positive: Handling performance in any conditions. Braking performance in any conditions.
Negative: Tread life.
The only weakness of this Hankook model is short tread life; otherwise this is a very viable option.
13 place: Maxxis / Victra Sport 5 VS5
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Maxxis Victra Sport 5 VS5
Positive: Hydroplaning resistance. Wet handling.
Negative: Tread life. Steering response.
Even though this Maxxis tire has a somewhat delayed steering response, it nevertheless can ensure acceptable handling performance on both wet and dry pavement, and, in addition, it has strong hydroplaning resistance. On the downside, its tread life is not the longest one around.
14 place: Toyo / Proxes Sport 2
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Toyo Proxes Sport 2
Positive: Handling performance in any conditions. Dry braking.
Negative: Tread life. Price.
This Toyo tire has no problems with handling performance but it is rather expensive, and has a short expected mileage.
15 place: Yokohama / ADVAN Sport V107
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Yokohama ADVAN Sport V107
Positive: Dry handling performance. Braking in any conditions.
Negative: Expected mileage. Price. Environment.
This Yokohama tire is quite effective on both dry and wet pavement, its weaknesses being its price and a very strong rolling resistance that will increase fuel consumption by the vehicle.
16 place: Linglong / Sport Master SA220
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Linglong Sport Master SA220
Positive: Braking in any conditions. Noise. Price.
Negative: Tread life. Dry handling performance. Ride comfort.
This Linglong tire has a short braking distance in any conditions, it is pretty quiet, and it comes at an attractive price but it has a very short tread life, and it is strongly prone to understeer on dry pavement.
17 place: Giti / GitiSport S2
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Giti GitiSport S2
Positive: Hydroplaning resistance. Noise.
Negative:Tread life. Steering response.
This Giti tire is pretty quiet, and it has high hydroplaning resistance, but it has a fuzzy steering response in any conditions. In addition, the tread life could have been longer.
18 place: Kleber / Dynaxer UHP
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Kleber Dynaxer UHP
Positive: Tread life. Noise.
Negative: Wet performance.
This Kleber model is a durable tire with a low noise emission and low rolling resistance. On the downside, it has a weak dry and wet grip, and its hydroplaning resistance could be higher.
19 place: Nexen / N Fera Sport
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Nexen N Fera Sport
Positive: Braking performance in any conditions. Noise.
Negative: Handling performance in any conditions. Tread life.
This Nexen tire is prone to understeer, and it has a short expected mileage. Its strong sides are effective braking performance and an attractive price.
20 place: Uniroyal / RainSport 5
Quick Take
Uniroyal RainSport 5
Positive: Hydroplaning resistance. Wet handling performance.
Negative: Dry braking performance. Dry handling performance.
The RainSport 5 has an exemplary hydroplaning resistance and ensures the highest level of driving safety on wet pavement. At the same time, its dry performance — both in terms of braking and handling — obviously have room for improvement.
