ADAC: UHP Summer Tire Test R18 2020

The choice of your tires can significantly affect your driving safety. The good news is that during the two summer tire tests, which were performed by the ADAC experts in sizes 235/55 R17 and 225/40 R18, most of the participants delivered quite a convincing performance.

Totally, 28 models were tested: 12 designed for SUVs and minivans, and 16 designed for golf-class passenger cars, which are covered in this article.

In 2020, ADAC first tested 18-inch tires. Recently, large wheels have become increasingly popular, and the size picked by the expert team — 225/40 R18 — is among the ten top bestselling sizes for summer tires.

Continental PremiumContact 6 - Winner Recommended

88 68

· Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Excellent results on wet pavement, especially in terms of handling and braking performance. Relatively weak results on dry pavement, increased external noise.
Treadwear Wet Performance Noise / Comfort

North America · Europe · Russia+ · Japan · Middle East · Oceania

Test Score:

2.1
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Recommended

77 65

· Summer · 2015 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer

Verdict:
Exceptionally well-balanced performance, great results on wet pavement, good results in the dry, low fuel consumption.
Fuel Efficiency Wet Performance Dry Performance Treadwear

North America · Central & South America · Europe · Russia+ · East Asia · Southeast Asia · Middle East · Oceania

Test Score:

2.1
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Recommended

87 62

· Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer

Verdict:
Well-balanced performance, very good results on dry pavement, good results in the wet, low fuel consumption.
Fuel Efficiency Wet Performance Dry Performance Treadwear

Europe · Russia+ · Japan · China · Southeast Asia · Middle East · South Africa · Oceania

Test Score:

2.2
Maxxis Victra Sport 5 VS5 Recommended

74 47

· Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Well-balanced performance, great results both in the wet and in the dry. Increased cabin and road noise.
Treadwear Wet Performance Noise / Comfort

Canada · Central & South America · Europe · Russia+ · Japan · China · South Africa · Oceania

Test Score:

2.2
Nexen N Fera Sport

74 39

· Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Good results in the dry, low fuel consumption. Relatively weak results on wet pavement.
Fuel Efficiency Treadwear

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

2.6
Sava Intensa UHP 2

74 38

· Summer · 2017 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Very good results in the dry, very low fuel consumption. Relatively weak results on wet pavement.
Fuel Efficiency Treadwear Dry Performance

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

2.7
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti

80 39

· Summer · 2012 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer

Verdict:
Good results on dry pavement. Relatively weak results in the wet.
Treadwear

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · Southeast Asia

Test Score:

2.7
Falken Azenis FK510

80 63

· Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Good results on dry pavement. Relatively weak results in the wet.
Treadwear Dry Performance

North America · Central & South America · Europe · Russia+ · Japan · South Korea · Middle East · Africa · Oceania

Test Score:

2.9
Bridgestone Potenza S001

70 46

· Summer · 2010 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer

Verdict:
Very good results in the dry. Relatively weak results in the wet.
Dry Performance Noise / Comfort

North America · Central & South America · Europe · Russia+ · East Asia · Southeast Asia · Middle East · Oceania

Test Score:

3
Kumho Ecsta PS71

67 42

· Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Good results on dry pavement. Relatively low treadwear.
Treadwear

Canada · Central & South America · Europe · Russia+ · East Asia · Southeast Asia · Middle East · North Africa · Oceania

Test Score:

3
Nokian Powerproof

76 44

· Summer · 2019 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Acceptable results on dry and wet pavements, relatively low noise emission. Low treadwear.
Noise / Comfort Treadwear

Europe

Test Score:

3
Pirelli P Zero PZ4

81 63

· Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer

Verdict:
The best results on dry pavement, very good results on dry pavement, especially in terms of handling. Low treadwear, low fuel efficiency.
Wet Performance Dry Performance Treadwear

North America · Central & South America · Europe · Russia+ · East Asia · Southeast Asia · Middle East · Oceania

Test Score:

3
Toyo Proxes Sport

71 44

· Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer

Verdict:
Good results on dry pavement. Relatively weak results in the wet, low treadwear.
Treadwear

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · East Asia · Southeast Asia · Middle East · Oceania

Test Score:

3
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K127

81 54

· Summer · 2019 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Good results on dry pavement, low fuel consumption. Relatively weak results in the wet.
Fuel Efficiency Wet Performance

North America · Central & South America · Europe · Russia+ · East Asia · Southeast Asia · Middle East · Oceania

Test Score:

3.1
Cooper Zeon CS Sport

71 16

· Summer · 2013 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Good results on dry pavement. Relatively weak results in the wet.
Treadwear Wet Performance

Europe · Russia+ · South Africa

Test Score:

3.3
Rotalla S-Pace RU01

62 29

· Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Low fuel consumption. Weak results on wet pavement.
Fuel Efficiency Treadwear Noise / Comfort Wet Performance Dry Performance

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

3.6