In the new test by Finland’s Test World, the victory was disputed by 14 contestants, the main sensation having been made by cheap tires from Chinese brands.
List of models tested:
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Continental PremiumContact 6
- Cooper Zeon CS8
- CST Medallion MD-A1
- Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
- Hankook Ventus Prime3 K125
- Kumho Ecsta HS51
- Linglong Sport Master (SA220)
- Michelin Primacy 4
- Nokian Hakka Blue 2
- Sava Intensa HP2
- Sentury Qirin 990
- Toyo Proxes Comfort
- Westlake ZuperEco Z-107
This year, for obvious reasons, Test World was a little bit late in conducting its traditional big test of summer tires, yet the event finally did take place, and not without a couple of surprises.
The test involved 14 summer tire models from various price segments, and what made it different was the fact that the braking tests were performed in four temperature modes (the lowest temperature being +1°C) on two types of road surfaces. TW already shared about how tires react to temperature changes, the best tires in the final standings being Continental, Michelin, and, unexpectedly, Linglong, which were the quickest to bring the car to a standstill at relatively low temperatures. At the same time, the Nokian tires, which are positioned as «tires for the northern summer», did not show any outstanding results, which became yet another surprise (the tables show the mean value calculated after all the test runs).
However, Nokian redeemed itself in the wet handling test, where it received high subjective scores (the lap time was taken into account) due to its stable and reliable behavior. The experts were also impressed by the Goodyear, Kumho, and Michelin models, while issues were found with the Cooper tires, as well as CST from Taiwan’s Maxxis and Westlake from China’s ZC Rubber.
According to the TW experts, the best dry handling response is ensured by the Continental, Goodyear, Michelin, and, again, the Nokian tires — the tires of the Finnish brand were obviously lucky that the test was performed in relatively warm weather. Last place was scored by the Cooper tire, which lost to all of the competitors at once, because it can easily lose grip both on the front and rear axle.
The hydroplaning resistance was measured on a layer of water 10mm deep. The best tire in this respect was again the Nokian model, even though it must be mentioned that Sava, which came second, lost it by only 0.1 km/h. The worst tires here were Hankook and Goodyear, from which one could expect much better results.
In the cabin noise test, all the tires scored high points (8 or 9). Also, the rolling resistance was measured, the best tire in the final standings being the Michelin Primacy 4, which did not have any prominent issues whatsoever, combining optimum handling response in any conditions with good fuel efficiency. Falling only a little behind the leader, the Continental PremiumContact 6 came second — this tire was slightly prone to oversteer on wet pavement, but, considering its excellent grip, this was not much of a problem. On dry pavement, this tire could handle the most complicated of emergency maneuvers, and it lost to the Michelin model because of its high rolling resistance that automatically increases fuel consumption.
Bronze this time around was scored by the Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance 2, which has a very short braking distance and ensures reliable handling response without loss of grip in any conditions. On the whole, this tire could have scored even more points, had it not been for its weak hydroplaning resistance.
The fourth line of the tournament bracket was sensationally occupied by the Linglong Sport Master model, which demonstrated excellent braking performance on all types of surfaces in any weather conditions. Its handling response was also quite decent, even though the experts did note that the tires were a bit slow to react to the driver’s actions during an emergency maneuver. In addition, this tire has poor hydroplaning resistance. The same number of points as the Linglong tire was scored by the considerably more expensive Nokian Hakka Blue 2, whose braking performance declines as the temperature drops, meaning, this tire would not be the best choice for spring and autumn. On the other hand, the Nokian model demonstrated good handling response and lateral stability, which helped the tire tackle emergency maneuvers, as well as high hydroplaning resistance.
Then comes another economy-class tire from a Chinese manufacturer — the Sentury Qirin 990 (in the TW tables, it is named «Landsail» due to the «dual branding» concept utilized by the manufacturer). This model demonstrated good straight grip on wet and dry pavement alike, but it had issues with lateral stability, which slightly compromises handling response. Sentury also has a somewhat delayed steering response, combined with unstable grip during emergency maneuvers. One of its strong sides is low rolling resistance. Sixth place was scored by the Bridgestone Turanza T005, which — and this was yet another little sensation — lost to two cheap tires from Chinese brands at once. The Bridgestone tire had good lateral stability, nice handling capabilities, and crisp steering response, but it demonstrated a relatively long braking distance on wet pavement, which grew even longer as the temperature dropped.
The Bridgestone model was followed by Sava Intensa HP2, one of Goodyear subsidiaries, which demonstrated average performance and occupied an appropriate place in the final standings. According to the experts, the Sava model has a generally acceptable handling performance, but on wet pavement the steering response was somewhat delayed, and on dry pavement there is a danger of abrupt loss of grip on the rear axle. The Toyo Proxes Comfort model ensured better lateral stability in the wet, which resulted in a better lap time, but the grip tended to disappear abruptly and without warning. The tire was prone to the same effect, although to a smaller degree, on dry pavement, where it also had a long braking distance.
The Hankook Ventus Prime3 scored only tenth place, and this is not the result that we have grown accustomed to over the recent years in regard to this brand. At the same time, the Hankook tire demonstrated an adequate performance in most of the disciplines, but was failed by very weak hydroplaning resistance. The same number of points was scored by the Westlake ZuperEco Z-107, whose hydroplaning resistance, on the contrary, was particularly good, yet at the same time the tire was incapable of ensuring a decent wet handling response, and demonstrated long braking distances in all of the offered conditions. Its handling response in the dry is a little bit better, but there is a risk of grip loss on the rear axle during an emergency maneuver.
The Kumho Ecsta HS51 could not rise above the 12th line, due to the fact that it was temperature-sensitive, and demonstrated the worst dry performance of all the tested tires. On the plus side, the Kumho model has good handling response and good lateral stability, but this alone was not enough for it to make as much as the middle lines of the tournament bracket. The 13th place was scored by the Cooper Zeon CS8 tire, which easily loses grip on both wet and dry pavement, due to which it cannot adequately tackle emergency maneuvers, while the last line was occupied by the CST Medallion MD-A1, which, believe it or not, was the most expensive tire on test. This CST tire has poor lateral stability on wet pavement, which results in unsatisfactory handling performance, and the grip is lost at the slightest increase of the load. On dry pavement, the situation is a little bit better, and the tires stay in contact with the road surface even during emergency maneuvers, but TW still does not recommend buying them.
Test results
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
- Well-balanced performance
- Reliable behavior without any unpleasant surprises in any conditions
- Short braking distance in any conditions
- Low noise emission
- Low rolling resistance
- Excellent
2nd place: Continental / PremiumContact 6
Quick Take
Continental PremiumContact 6
- This tire has been replaced by Continental / PremiumContact 7
- This tire replaced Continental / ContiPremiumContact 5
- Available Sizes in Line: 267
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Toyota C-HR Facelift [2019 .. 2023]
- • Mercedes-Benz C-Class Br205 [2015 .. 2021]
- • BMW 3 Series VII (G20/G21) [2018 .. 2023]
- • BMW 5 Series VII (G30/G31) Facelift [2020 .. 2023]
- • Mazda CX-5 KF [2016 .. 2023]
- • Ford Kuga III (CX482) [2019 .. 2023]
- • Renault Koleos II (HC) [2016 .. 2020]
- • Subaru Forester SK [2018 .. 2023]
- • Renault Megane IV (9A) [2016 .. 2022]
- • Volvo XC40 I [2017 .. 2023]
- • Skoda Superb III B8 (3V) Facelift [2020 .. 2023]
- • Volvo V60 Cross Country II [2018 .. 2023]
- • Mercedes-Benz X-Class D23 [2017 .. 2020]
- • Audi A6 C8 [2018 .. 2023]
- • Volvo S60 III [2019 .. 2023]
- • Renault Alaskan D23 [2016 .. 2020]
- • Volvo V60 II [2018 .. 2023]
- • Jaguar I-Pace [2018 .. 2023]
- • Ford Fiesta VII [2017 .. 2023]
- • Ford Mustang Mach-E [2020 .. 2023]
- • Porsche Taycan I [2020 .. 2023]
- • Mercedes-Benz C-Class Br206 [2021 .. 2023]
- Year Released: 2016
- Regions for sale: North America, Europe, Russia+, Japan, Middle East, Oceania
- Good handling performance on wet pavement (although slightly prone to oversteer)
- Good handling performance on dry pavement, including during emergency maneuvers
- Very high rolling resistance
- Good
3rd place: Goodyear / EfficientGrip Performance 2
Quick Take
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
- 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
- Year Released: 2020
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Middle East, South Africa
- Short braking distance and good handling response on dry and wet pavement
- Low hydroplaning resistance
- Good
4th place: Linglong / Sport Master SA220
Quick Take
Linglong Sport Master SA220
- Year Released: 2021
- Regions for sale: Europe
- A great result for an economy-class tire
- Short braking distance on wet and dry pavement at any temperature
- Good handling performance (even though the steering response is slightly delayed during emergency maneuvers)
- Low hydroplaning resistance
- Satisfactory
5th place: Nokian / Hakka Blue 2
Quick Take
Nokian Hakka Blue 2
- This tire has been replaced by Nokian / Hakka Blue 3
- This tire replaced 🏁 Nokian / Hakka Blue
- Available Sizes in Line: 44
- Year Released: 2016
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+, Japan
- Great handling in the wet and in the dry
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Braking performance declines significantly as the temperature drops
- Satisfactory
6th place: Sentury / Qirin 990
Quick Take
Sentury Qirin 990
- Year Released: 2020
- Regions for sale: Europe
- Short braking distance on wet and dry pavement
- Low rolling resistance
- Relatively weak lateral stability and delayed steering response
- Satisfactory
7th place: Bridgestone / Turanza T005
Quick Take
Bridgestone Turanza T005
- This tire has been replaced by Bridgestone / Turanza 6
- This tire has run-flat model:
- Available Sizes in Line: 239
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Audi A7 4K8 [2018 .. 2023]
- • Volkswagen Tiguan
- • Volkswagen Caddy V [2020 .. 2023]
- • Skoda Superb
- • Volkswagen Transporter
- • Jeep Renegade
- • Renault Captur
- • Nissan Juke
- • Ford Kuga
- • Nissan Micra
- • Volkswagen T-Roc I (A11/AC7) [2017 .. 2023]
- • BMW 1 Series
- • BMW 3 Series
- • BMW 8 Series
- • MINI Clubman
- • Audi A6
- • Audi A3
- • Audi SQ2 GA [2019 .. 2020]
- • Audi A1
- • Audi A4
- • Audi A5
- • Mercedes-Benz S-Class
- • Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- • Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- • Mercedes-Benz B-Class
- • Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
- • MINI Countryman
- • BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer
- • Lexus LC Z100 [2017 .. 2023]
- • Lexus LS
- • Lexus ES
- • Mazda Mazda6
- • Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
- • Toyota Camry
- • Volkswagen Polo
- • Volkswagen Golf
- Year Released: 2018
- Regions for sale: North America, Central & South America, Europe, Russia+, China, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa, Oceania
- Good lateral stability and crisp steering response
- Low rolling resistance
- Poor result for such a big-time tire maker
- Long braking distance on wet pavement that grows even longer as the temperature drops
- Satisfactory
8th place: Sava / Intensa HP2
Quick Take
Sava Intensa HP2
- This tire replaced Sava / Intensa HP
- Available Sizes in Line: 22
- Year Released: 2020
- Regions for sale: Europe
- Well-balanced performance
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Prone to abrupt loss of grip on dry pavement
- Satisfactory
9th place: Toyo / Proxes Comfort
Quick Take
Toyo Proxes Comfort
- This tire replaced Toyo / Proxes CF2
- Available Sizes in Line: 64
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Toyota Alphard III Facelift [2018 .. 2024]
- Year Released: 2020
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
- Good lateral stability on wet pavement (although the grip can be lost too abruptly)
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Long braking distance on dry pavement
- Satisfactory
10th place: Hankook / Ventus Prime 3 K125
Quick Take
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
- This tire has been replaced by Hankook / Ventus Prime 4 K135
- This tire replaced Hankook / Ventus Prime 2 K115
- Available Sizes in Line: 137
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Ford Focus Active IV [2018 .. 2023]
- • Citroën C3 Aircross I [2017 .. 2021]
- • Audi A8 D4 Facelift [2013 .. 2018]
- • Audi A8 D5 [2018 .. 2021]
- • Hyundai Kona OS [2017 .. 2020]
- • Kia Soul II (PS) Facelift [2017 .. 2020]
- • Kia Soul III (SK3) [2019 .. 2023]
- • Hyundai Azera III (IG) [2018 .. 2023]
- • Kia Cadenza II (YG) [2017 .. 2020]
- • Audi A1 GB [2018 .. 2023]
- • MINI Cooper F55/F56 [2014 .. 2021]
- • MINI Cooper F55/F56 Facelift II [2021 .. 2023]
- Year Released: 2015
- Regions for sale: Mexico, Central & South America, Europe, Russia+, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa, Oceania
- Good handling response in the dry
- Low hydroplaning resistance
- Increased rolling resistance
- Average
11th place: Westlake / ZuperEco Z-107
Quick Take
Westlake ZuperEco Z-107
- This tire has been replaced by Westlake / ZuperEco W018
- Available Sizes in Line: 61
- Year Released: 2019
- Regions for sale: Europe
- Excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Long braking distance on wet and dry pavements
- Bad handling response in the wet
- Average
12th place: Kumho / Ecsta HS51
Quick Take
Kumho Ecsta HS51
- This tire has been replaced by Kumho / Ecsta HS52
- Available Sizes in Line: 71
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Kia
- • Renault Arkana I B0+ [2019 .. 2023]
- Year Released: 2015
- Regions for sale: Central & South America, Europe, Russia+, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, North Africa, Oceania
- Good lateral stability on wet pavement
- Long braking distance on dry pavement
- High rolling resistance
- Average
13th place: Cooper / Zeon CS8
Quick Take
Cooper Zeon CS8
- Available Sizes in Line: 69
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Volkswagen T-Roc I (A11/AC7) [2017 .. 2023]
- Year Released: 2015
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+, South Africa
- Acceptable braking performance on wet pavement
- Poor handling response in the wet and in the dry
- High rolling resistance
- Unsatisfactory
14th place: CST / Medallion MD-A1
Quick Take
CST Medallion MD-A1
- Available Sizes in Line: 45
- Year Released: 2018
- Regions for sale: Central & South America, Europe
- Acceptable braking performance on wet pavement
- Poor lateral stability and poor handling performance on wet pavement
- Unsatisfactory
