In this article, we will review new summer tire models 2021, including products from well-known brands, such as Goodyear, Bridgestone, and Continental, as well as tires from Asian manufacturers, claiming their place under the sun..

In total, the list of new tire releases is presented by 60 models from 20 manufacturers, and in our article we will review some of them:

The pandemic year hit tire makers hard. Sales of European tire manufacturers dropped the most (by 15% on average), while the Asian companies seemed to withstand the blow, showing on average half of the European minus in their reports At the same time, the American tire companies had to face another problem: the crisis in sea container transportation affected global trade in the second half of 2020.

Such an environment clearly was not much of an incentive for launching new models, and some of the companies even publicly rescheduled their new releases for 2022, in an anticipation of a post-pandemic economic recovery.

On the whole, looking at the 60 new models of summer tires, we can see two major trends of 2021. First, the major tire makers focused more on the UHP models as the more profitable ones to sell.

Second, more and more tires appear designed for EV’s, which are becoming increasingly popular. So far, these models differ from the rest from a purely marketing standpoint: sometimes the manufacturer adds the EV letters at the end of the tire name indicating that it is «suitable for electric vehicles». Sometimes, however, such models do have clear accents on fuel efficiency and lower noise emission in their design.

The Chinese (and all manufacturers of mass-market tires, for that matter) are also not going to sit around — they are trying to show their new developments that look like «premium» tires.

However, let’s get back to new releases, and let’s start with the models that stand the biggest chances of winning the hearts and the wallets of motorists in this season.

MICHELIN

The new Michelin Pilot Sport EV summer tire is a vivid example of how motorsport technology can be used in the production of high-performance road tires. The Formula-E pilots have known all-weather racing tires with this name since 2014, and owners of electric vehicles and hybrid cars will be able to appreciate all the benefits of the new product in the coming summer. Thanks to the technologies proven on the Formula-E racetrack, the new EV tire will provide maximum traction and efficient transmission of power to the road surface, the best braking performance, confident cornering, increased expected mileage, and fuel efficiency.

Michelin Pilot Sport EV

The Michelin Pilot Sport EV is manufactured in 16 sizes with fitting diameters ranging from 19 to 22 inches. In a few fitments, this new summer model will be available in the Acoustic version with a 20% lower noise emission and the patented Michelin Selfseal technology.

Yet another new model from Michelin for the upcoming summer season 2021 is the premium class eco tire Michelin e. Primacy, designed specifically for city cars, midsize sedans and compact SUVs, and meant to be sold on the aftermarket Packed with Michelin trademark features, this new model, according to the French tire maker, ensures the most efficient performance in its category in terms of safety, rolling resistance, grip, and tread life. In the EU labeling system, the Michelin e. Primacy scored an A for fuel efficiency and a B for wet grip Less than 1 percent of the tires on the market today can boast this combination of characteristics.

Quick Take

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Michelin Pilot Sport EV

Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Type: / Summer

Comfort Dry Performance Handling Wet Performance

• Available Sizes in Line: 41
• Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
  • • Tesla Model Y [2020 .. 2023]
  • • Porsche Macan II [2024 .. 2025]
  • • Xiaomi SU7 [2024 .. 2025]
• Recommended Tire by Tests

• Year Released: 2021
• Regions for sale: North America, Europe, Russia+, Japan, China, Oceania

More Info

The new «green» tire Michelin e. Primacy will be available on the European market in 56 sizes ranging from 15 to 20 inches.

NOKIAN TYRES

This spring, the company is launching the new premium-class summer model Nokian Hakka Green 3, which has a perfect combination of low rolling resistance, excellent wet grip, fuel efficiency, and increased riding comfort The technological basis for this new-generation tire from the Nokian Hakka family is the Green Sense concept, which reduces the stopping distance and effectively combats hydroplaning, while the tire’s crisp steering response is ensured on both wet and dry pavement. Compared to its predecessor, the Hakka Green 2, the new model has a 35% stronger resistance to wear, which, depending on your driving habits, could spell increasing the expected mileage by 10,000km, or by one summer season.

Nokian Hakka Green 3

The wide size range of Nokian Hakka Green 3 (from 13 to 18 inches) will allow you to choose the best option for both family cars of small to medium size, and for new hybrid cars and EVs.

Quick Take

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Nokian Hakka Green 3

Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Type: / Summer

Comfort Handling Price/Quality Dry Performance Wet Performance Treadwear Snow/Ice Performance

• This tire replaced 🏁 Nokian / Hakka Green 2
• Available Sizes in Line: 27
• Recommended Tire by Tests

• Year Released: 2020
• Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+, Japan

More Info

Last fall, Nokian Tyres presented the next new model in the Nokian Nordman family of summer tires — the UHP tire Nokian Nordman SZ2, engineered specifically for uneven roads and high speeds, and ensuring convincingly accurate steering response, which will allow the motorist to be in full control of the car both on asphalt and on gravel. For SUVs and crossovers, the Finnish tire maker prepared the Nokian Nordman SZ2 SUV version, which will become an efficient and a safe choice for city and county roads. «In line with our product philosophy, the Nokian Nordman tires combine safety and durability into a balanced end result. The technical solutions and innovations perfected over millions of kilometers of testing guarantee a long service life» — says Product Development Manager Jarno Röytiö from Nokian Tyres.

Nokian Nordman SZ2

The Nokian Nordman summer tires represent the B segment in Nokian Tyres’ comprehensive and versatile selection of summer products; in terms of value for money, it is an excellent alternative to the Nokian Hakka summer tire family that represents the absolute highest in premium performance. The new Nokian Nordman SZ2 will be available retail already this spring in 21 sizes ranging from 16 to 20 inches. The size range of the Nokian Nordman SZ2 SUV tire consists of 26 sizes with a fitting diameter from 16 to 19 inches, which makes it possible to install this model on virtually every popular SUV available in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Northern Europe. It also includes a few special sizes with an XL mark, which stands for «extra load».

Quick Take

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Nokian Nordman SZ2

Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Type: / Summer

• This model is no longer available or might have limited distribution.
• Available Sizes in Line: 21

• Year Released: 2020
• Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+

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GOODYEAR

Last year’s debutant, the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 tire, is entering the new summer season as the winner of Auto Express magazine’s tire comparison tests, in which it outperformed its closest competitors, scoring top marks for dry handling, rolling resistance and acoustic comfort. «Keeps up excellent wet performance. Ensures an optimum balance between dry grip and fuel efficiency» — in this nutshell the Auto Express experts described the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2.

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2

This year, the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 is available on the European market in 46 sizes with fitting diameters ranging from 15 to 20 inches.

Quick Take

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Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2

Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Type: / Summer

Price/Quality Dry Performance Wet Performance Comfort Handling Treadwear

• This tire replaced Goodyear / EfficientGrip Performance
• Available Sizes in Line: 80
• Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
  • • Toyota Yaris Cross XP210 [2020 .. 2023]
  • • BMW iX [2021 .. 2023]
  • • Renault Megane E-Tech [2022 .. 2023]
  • • Jeep Avenger [2023 .. 2024]
  • • Volkswagen Passat NMS II Facelift [2021 .. 2025]
  • • Citroën
• Recommended Tire by Tests

• Year Released: 2020
• Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Middle East, South Africa

More Info

BRIDGESTONE

One of the most awaited events at the world’s tire market is the launch of the new flagship summer tire model Bridgestone Potenza Sport. According to the Japanese tire maker, the tire combines Bridgestone’s pioneering spirit and expertise in high performance tires with extensive market research to keep drivers in control while unlocking the performance of their vehicle. Tested by TÜV SÜD, one of Europe’s most respected independent automotive testing institutes, Potenza Sport achieves the best performance in both dry braking (shortest braking distance on a dry surface) and cornering and straight line stability (maintaining vehicle stability when travelling both in a straight line and through a curve) versus competitors in the premium segment. And, with an EU label A-grade in wet grip across its full line-up and deemed best performer in wet cornering and handling in further tests performed by TÜV SÜD, Bridgestone Potenza Sport also offers outstanding wet performance. The tire’s excellent capabilities in both the dry and wet come with higher levels of mileage from its predecessor Potenza S001.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport

On the European continent and beyond, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport will be available in 96 sizes with fitting diameters ranging from 17 to 22 inches.

Quick Take

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Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Type: / Summer

Price/Quality Dry Performance Handling Wet Performance Treadwear Comfort Snow/Ice Performance

• This tire replaced Bridgestone / Potenza S001
• Available Sizes in Line: 87
• Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
  • • Lamborghini Huracan Facelift [2019 .. 2023]
  • • Ferrari Roma [2020 .. 2023]
  • • Maserati MC20 [2020 .. 2024]
  • • Maserati Grecale [2022 .. 2024]
  • • Fisker Ocean [2022 .. 2024]
  • • Audi e-tron GT [2021 .. 2024]
• Recommended Tire by Tests

• Year Released: 2021
• Regions for sale: North America, Europe, Russia+, China, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Oceania

More Info

BFGOODRICH

The American tire brand BFGoodrich will offer European consumers its new BFGoodrich Advantage SUV summer tire for crossovers and SUVs. The original asymmetric tread pattern of this tire improves grip and cornering stability, while the unique rubber compound increases wear resistance and braking performance on wet and dry surfaces alike, while simultaneously reducing rolling resistance. With such an impressive performance suite, the BFGoodrich Advantage SUV tire has an attractive price tag, offering the optimum price/quality ratio.

BFGoodrich Advantage SUV

BFGoodrich Advantage SUV comes in 23 sizes, ranging from 16 to 19 inches.

Quick Take

78 31

BFGoodrich Advantage SUV

Light Truck / SUV - Highway Rib Summer

Type: / Summer

• This tire replaced ⛔ BFGoodrich / g-Grip SUV
• Available Sizes in Line: 23

• Year Released: 2020
• Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+, Middle East

More Info