The German magazine tested 17-inch summer tires, installing them on the Volkswagen Transporter 6.1 minivan.
List of models tested:
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Continental PremiumContact 6
- Falken Azenis FK510 SUV
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Maxxis Premitra HP5
- Michelin Primacy 4
- Nokian Wetproof SUV
- Sava Intensa UHP 2
The Promobil magazine is targeted at the owners of motorhomes, and this is why it usually tests commercial tires or specialized tires with a CP (Camping Pneu) sign, but this time around the test involved tires originally designed for passenger cars and crossovers in size 235/55 R17, which can also be fitted on campervans, such as Volkswagen California. Such vehicles require tires with a load index no less than 103 (875 kilos per tire), which limited the selection of models, and ultimately the experts selected tires from eight brands ranging from the premium Continental PremiumContact 6 and Michelin Primacy 4 to the inexpensive Sava Intensa UHP 2 and Maxxis Premitra HP5.
The key discipline was wet braking, and it was won by Continental and Michelin, which, contrary to everybody’s expectations, did not dominate in all the other tests on the wet track. For example, the highest lateral stability on a circular track was demonstrated by the Nokian Wetproof SUV, the best average speed in the handling test was show by the Maxxis model, and the first places in the straight and lateral hydroplaning resistance tests were scored by the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5. In addition, in the latter test a very high result was also demonstrated by the Sava model, also produced by Goodyear.
On the dry track, there was no obvious leader, Bridgestone and Michelin being the fastest to bring the VW Transporter 1.6 to a standstill; the handling test was won by the Falken Azenis FK10 SUV. Another parameter that was measured was rolling resistance, and the best fuel savers turned out to be the Bridgestone and Michelin tires.
Verdict
The first place in the final standings of the test 2022 was scored by the Michelin Primacy 4 that quickly stops the car in any conditions, ensures a quiet ride, and has good fuel saving capabilities. Silver was won by the Continental PremiumContact 6, which fell a little bit short of the Michelin model in terms of dry braking, but demonstrated crisp steering response, and delivered a smooth and comfortable ride. Just as many points were scored by the inexpensive Falken Azenis FK510 SUV, which demonstrated excellent lateral grip on dry pavement, and was ranked as the best tire in terms of price/quality ratio.
The Bridgestone Turanza T005 also could have been one of the leaders, had it not been for the unpleasant whistling noise that appears during low-speed cornering, while the Nokian model could not climb higher than the fifth place because of the relatively long wet braking distance. The Goodyear tire, despite its best hydroplaning resistance on test, lost a few points due to a less-than-ideal dry and wet braking performance, as well as high rolling resistance, while the Maxxis model came only eighth, but the experts noted that it nonetheless ensured an acceptable level of safety. As for the Sava tire, it performed well in dry tests, and it also has a high level of ride comfort and relatively low rolling resistance, but due to the long wet braking distance it dropped to the bottom line of the tournament bracket. At the same time, the Promobil experts noted that Sava must by no means be considered a «bad» tire, and rated it as «Conditionally recommended».
1st place: Michelin / Primacy 4
Quick Take
Michelin Primacy 4
- This tire has been replaced by Michelin / e.Primacy , Michelin / Primacy 4+ , Michelin / Primacy 4 ST
- Available Sizes in Line: 143
- Year Released: 2017
- Regions for sale: Mexico, Central & South America, Europe, Russia+, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Oceania
- Very short braking distance on wet and dry pavement
- Extremely low noise emission
- Low rolling resistance
- Reduced hydroplaning resistance, particularly lateral
- Highly recommended
2nd place: Continental / PremiumContact 6
Quick Take
Continental PremiumContact 6
- Good riding comfort
- Low noise emission
- Short braking distance on wet pavement
- The car rocks a little when switching lanes
- Recommended
2nd place: Falken / Azenis FK510 SUV
Quick Take
Falken Azenis FK510 SUV
- The best price/quality ratio
- Very high lateral stability on dry and wet pavement
- Low noise emission
- Insufficient stability during lane switching
- Fuzzy steering response
- Recommended
4th place: Bridgestone / Turanza T005
Quick Take
Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Good handling response in the wet and in the dry
- Short braking distance on dry pavement
- Very low rolling resistance
- Unpleasant hissing noise, especially during low-speed cornering
- Recommended
5th place: Nokian / Wetproof SUV
Quick Take
Nokian Wetproof SUV
- Well-balanced performance on wet and dry pavement
- Excellent lateral stability in the wet
- Relatively weak straight hydroplaning resistance
- Somewhat delayed steering response
- Recommended
6th place: Goodyear / Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
Quick Take
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Good handling response in the wet and in the dry
- Short braking distance on dry pavement
- The best hydroplaning resistance
- Relatively long braking distance on wet pavement
- High rolling resistance
- Conditionally recommended
7th place: Maxxis / Premitra 5 HP5
Quick Take
Maxxis Premitra 5 HP5
- No issues found capable of critically compromising the safety level
- Somewhat delayed steering response
- Increased noise
- Increased rolling resistance
- Conditionally recommended
8th place: Sava / Intensa UHP 2
Quick Take
Sava Intensa UHP 2
- Good results on dry pavement
- Low rolling resistance
- Long braking distance and less-than-perfect handling response on wet pavement
- Conditionally recommended
