The lineup of the new Tyre Reviews test was so strong that only three tires of the tested 13 ended up with a «not recommended» verdict.
In its first test of 2023, the Tyre Reviews portal compared the characteristics of 13 tire models belonging to the «comfort» category, i.e., designed for everyday life and, unlike sports tires, developed not for maximum handling performance at high speeds, but for combining high grip and other factors, such as comfort, durability, and fuel efficiency. There were no special EV tires in the test, but some were labeled as suitable for use on vehicles with both internal combustion engines and electric powertrains.
Wet
Handling performance in rainy weather is critically important, and usually, premium-class tires confidently lead in this discipline, as was the case this time as well. The results of the cheapest tire on test — the Double Coin DC99 — were characterized as «catastrophic» in terms of both grip and handling precision. The Nankang tire also failed to perform well, and although its grip was clearly higher than that of the DoubleCoin, the Econex NA1 tire had the strongest tendency towards oversteer among all the tested tires.
The other tires were more effective — for example, the GT Radial model pleased the testers with its predictable behavior, while the Vredestein tire demonstrated high grip, although the steering response was a bit fuzzy. In turn, Hankook and Bridgestone almost matched each other’s lap times but differed significantly in other performance areas — Hankook behaves predictably but is prone to understeer in the middle of the turn, while Bridgestone has high grip but not the best steering feedback.
Wet Handling
- Vredestein
- Hankook
- Goodyear
- Falken
- Continental
- Bridgestone
- Michelin
- Pirelli
- Kleber
- Tomket
Info! Wet handling time, sec.
Regarding the Goodyear tire, the TR experts noted that the sidewalls of the tire felt very supple when entering the turn, but the grip was fine, which allowed it to achieve the best lap time. The test also included the newcomer from Continental — the Premium Contact 7 — which also showed excellent results.
Wet Braking
- Vredestein
- Hankook
- Goodyear
- Bridgestone
- Michelin
- Falken
- Continental
- Pirelli
- Kleber
- Tomket
Info! Braking in the range of 80–5 km/h, m.
According to Jonathan Benson, the creator of Tyre Reviews, the previous generation PremiumContact model was one of the best tires on dry pavement, but it always had certain weaknesses on wet pavement, and it seems that the developers took this into account when creating the PC7. In the wet braking test, it was the Continental tire that took first place, noticeably outperforming its competitors, the best of which were Michelin and Pirelli. At the bottom of the rankings were Nankang and DoubleCoin again, the latter having an outrageously long braking distance.
Straight Hydroplaning
- Hankook
- Goodyear
- Kleber
- Michelin
- Continental
- Bridgestone
- Pirelli
- Falken
- Vredestein
- Tomket
Info! Float speed, km/h.
In the straight hydroplaning resistance test, the Continental tire was no longer among the leaders, staying in the middle of the tournament bracket, the best tires in this performance area being Vredestein and Falken. The cheap DoubleCoin loses grip already at 64.5 km/h, while the Vredestein model with stands speeds up to 81 km/h.
Dry
On dry pavement, the results of the tires in terms of lap time were almost identical, but the tires’ behavior again differed noticeably. According to Benson, all of the participants coped well with sharp lane changes, but this did not apply to Nankang, which was strongly prone to oversteer, and to the DoubleCoin, which was a «disaster».
Dry Handling
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Bridgestone
- Hankook
- Michelin
- Falken
- Vredestein
- Tomket
- Pirelli
- Kleber
Info! Dry handling time, sec.
Taking into account the results of the handling and braking performance tests, the best in terms of dry grip, with a slight lead over the competitors, was the Continental tire, followed by Bridgestone, Kumho, Pirelli, and Hankook. In addition, the new Continental tire received the highest subjective rating, as it had a quicker steering response and allowed for a true driving pleasure compared to its rivals.
Dry Braking
- Michelin
- Hankook
- Bridgestone
- Pirelli
- Vredestein
- Falken
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Kleber
- Tomket
Info! Braking in the range of 100–5 km/h, m.
Environment
The Bridgestone tire model took first place in the rolling resistance test, its result being over 10% better than its nearest competitor. Additionally, since the Turanza T005 performed well in other disciplines, it was able to demonstrate a really well balanced performance. Based on the test results, the Goodyear and Toyo tire models are also good fuel savers.
Rolling Resistance
- Bridgestone
- Pirelli
- Michelin
- Continental
- Tomket
- Goodyear
- Kleber
- Hankook
- Falken
- Vredestein
Info! Rolling resistance, kg/t.
Noise/comfort
In the final part of the test, the DoubleCoin model had its fifteen minutes of fame because it turned out to be the quietest tire on test, although, again, it was not the most comfortable tire to drive. The best ride comfort was provided by Michelin and Pirelli.
Noise
- Falken
- Vredestein
- Tomket
- Kleber
- Hankook
- Goodyear
- Pirelli
- Michelin
- Continental
- Bridgestone
Info! External noise, dB.
Price
- Falken
- Tomket
- Vredestein
- Kleber
- Pirelli
- Bridgestone
- Hankook
- Continental
- Goodyear
- Michelin
Info! Price in local currency.
Verdict
In the 2023 test, the new Continental model took the top spot, which means that the new PremiumContact 7 is likely to be a worthy successor to the PremiumContact 6 model, which has won many independent tests. According to Benson, the new tire sets a new benchmark in its segment, just like the SportContact 7 did last year, and the most pleasing thing is that the new Continentals are extremely efficient on wet roads.
The Pirelli Cinturato P7 (P7C2), Bridgestone Turanza T005, Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2, and Michelin Primacy 4+ also received a «Highly Recommended» rating, and five other tires earned a «Recommended» rating. The Nankang and DoubleCoin ended up at the bottom of the tournament bracket, the TR experts noting that the Nankang model could only be recommended as a cheap option for track days, while the DoubleCoin had very weak grip in all conditions and dangerously long braking distance on wet surfaces. That means when you were stopped on the Continental, you were still doing 45 km/h on the DoubleCoin. «Go run into a tree at 45 km/h and tell me that’s worth saving a bit of money on your tires» — Benson said.
1 place: Continental / PremiumContact 7
Quick Take
Continental PremiumContact 7
Positive: Wet handling performance. Dry handling performance. Wet braking. Dry braking.
Negative: Environment. Hydroplaning resistance. Noise.
Continental again released a tire that raised the bar in its class. The PremiumContact 7 is very effective on both dry and wet pavement, even though it does have its weaknesses such as reduced hydroplaning resistance and increased noise.
2 place: Pirelli / Cinturato P7 (P7C2)
Quick Take
Pirelli Cinturato P7 (P7C2)
Positive: Performance balance. Dry performance. Wet performance. Comfort. Environment.
Negative: Hydroplaning resistance.
The Pirelli Cinturato P7 has been seriously upgraded, and now it does not have any prominent issues at all, not counting its relatively weak lateral hydroplaning resistance. We can only congratulate the Italian tire maker.
3 place: Bridgestone / Turanza T005
Quick Take
Bridgestone Turanza T005
Positive: Hydroplaning resistance. Dry braking. Environment.
Negative: Wet braking. Dry handling performance. Noise.
This Bridgestone tire does not have the best braking performance on wet pavement and the best handling performance on dry surfaces, but it has impressively low rolling resistance. It is particularly recommended for owners of hybrids and EVs.
4 place: Goodyear / EfficientGrip Performance 2
Quick Take
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
Positive: Balance performance. Wet handling performance. Dry handling performance. Noise. Comfort. Environment.
Negative: Hydroplaning resistance. Dry braking.
Goodyear knows how to make tires with well-balanced performance, and the EfficientGrip Performance 2 combines excellent grip in any conditions with low levels of noise and rolling resistance.
5 place: Michelin / Primacy 4+
Quick Take
Michelin Primacy 4+
Positive: Wet handling performance. Wet braking. Hydroplaning resistance. Ride comfort. Environment.
Negative: Dry handling performance. Dry braking.
On dry pavement, this Michelin tire may not be as good as some of its competitors, but it has excellent wet grip and effective braking on wet pavement, and in addition, it ensures a high level of comfort and fuel efficiency.
6 place: Falken / Ziex ZE310 Ecorun
Quick Take
Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun
Positive: Wet braking. Hydroplaning resistance. Dry handling performance. Ride comfort.
Negative: Dry braking. Environment.
This Falken tire effectively combats hydroplaning and quickly stops the car on wet roads. Plus, it provides a high level of ride comfort.
7 place: Hankook / Ventus Prime 4 K135
Quick Take
Hankook Ventus Prime 4 K135
Positive: Wet braking. Dry handling performance. Dry braking. Environment.
Negative: Hydroplaning resistance. Noise.
This Hankook tire is quite noisy, and it has some difficulties with hydroplaning resistance, but otherwise, it is a very decent option.
8 place: Kumho / Ecsta HS52
Quick Take
Kumho Ecsta HS52
Positive: Dry handling response. Dry braking. Hydroplaning resistance. Noise.
Negative: Wet performance.
This Kumho tire performs excellently on dry pavement, but tires are first of all expected to provide a well-balanced performance, and the Ecsta HS52 does not have the best grip on wet surfaces and has increased rolling resistance.
9 place: Toyo / Proxes Comfort
Quick Take
Toyo Proxes Comfort
Positive: Noise. Environment. Dry braking.
Negative: Wet braking. Wet handling performance. Dry handling performance.
This Toyo tire works well on dry pavement, and it helps save fuel, but it unexpectedly demonstrated a long wet braking distance.
10 place: Vredestein / Ultrac
Quick Take
Vredestein Ultrac
Positive: Wet handling performance. Hydroplaning resistance. Dry braking.
Negative: Environment. Noise.
This Vredestein tire was clearly developed with an emphasis on improving its wet performance, and in such conditions, it really provides very good handling response, but on dry pavement, the performance is not as impressive. Additionally, the Vredestein tire has increased rolling resistance.
11 place: GT Radial / Champiro FE2
Quick Take
GT Radial Champiro FE2
Positive: Wet handling performance. Dry handling performance. Environment.
Negative: Wet braking. Hydroplaning resistance.
This inexpensive GT Radial tire is capable of providing good handling in any condition, it also has low rolling resistance and good ride comfort, but at the same time has a relatively long wet braking distance.
12 place: Nankang / NA-1
Quick Take
Nankang NA-1
Positive: Dry performance.
Negative: Wet performance. Wet braking. Dry braking. Wet handling performance. Dry handling performance. Hydroplaning resistance. Environment.
This Nankang tire has a long braking distance on both wet and dry pavement, poor hydroplaning resistance, produces a lot of noise, and has high rolling resistance. It might be suitable only for those who need cheap tires for track days.
13 place: DoubleCoin DC-99.
Positive: Noise.
Negative: Wet braking. Hydroplaning resistance. Dry performance. Environment.
DoubleCoin is a very quiet tire, but that wraps it up for its list of strong points, and everything else about it is quite sad, especially in terms of wet braking.
