Al Volante: Summer Tire test R17 2020

The recent test conducted by the Italian publication Al Volante involved tires of every price bracket, from popular brands to total «no-names». The victory was disputed by 10 brands, including the new Pirelli Cinturato P7 (P7C2) model, whose chief rivals were Continental PemiumContact 6, Bridgestone Turanza T005, Nokian Wetproof, Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 (yet another new model 2020), Hankook Ventus Prime3, Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun, Michelin Primacy 4, and Vredestein Ultrac Satin.

Continental PremiumContact 6 - Winner Recommended

89 65

Passenger · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
The shortest braking distance on wet and dry pavements. The best hydroplaning resistance. On wet pavement, the car feels very steady and provides excellent handling response (there are only slight issues with understeer under high loads). Crisp steering response and predictable behavior on dry pavement.
Dry Braking Straight Aquaplaning Wet Braking

Northern America · Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia · Oceania

Test Score:

96.6
Pirelli Cinturato P7 (P7C2) Recommended

78 41

Passenger · Summer · 2020 · Passenger - High Performance Summer

Verdict:
The best lateral hydroplaning resistance. Great handling response on wet pavement (only slight deterioration of performance observed under high loads). Good handling response and predictable behavior on wet pavement. Acceptable noise level and fuel efficiency.
Lateral Aquaplaning Dry Braking Noise Wet Braking

Test Score:

95.9
Bridgestone Turanza T005 Recommended

81 61

Passenger · Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Great traction and good lateral stability on wet pavement (however, under high loads, quick overheating and deterioration of performance occur). Good overall handling response on dry pavement (however, there are some issues with the traction balance between the front and the rear axles). Acceptable noise level.
Rolling Resistance Straight Aquaplaning Wet Handling

Americas · Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia · Middle East & North Africa · Oceania

Test Score:

95.1
Michelin Primacy 4

82 56

Passenger · Summer · 2017 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Well-balanced and stable performance on wet pavement. Short braking distance and crisp steering response on dry pavement. Low lateral hydroplaning resistance. High noise emission.
Rolling Resistance Dry Braking Wet Braking Lateral Aquaplaning Noise

Asia · Latin America and the Caribbean · Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia · Oceania

Test Score:

94.3
Nokian Wetproof

82 43

Passenger · Summer · 2019 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Acceptable performance on wet pavement (but there were certain issues with the traction on the front axle, particularly after a few laps). Short braking distance on dry pavement. Low noise emission. The fuel efficiency label was not confirmed by the test results. Delayed steering response on dry pavement.
Noise Dry Braking Wet Braking Rolling Resistance

Europe

Test Score:

93.6
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2

84 44

Passenger · Summer · 2020 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Low rolling resistance. Great performance on wet pavement in a «cold» state, but after a few laps (in the Italian heat) both traction and lateral stability are compromised. Delayed handling response during high-speed cornering on dry pavement. A little noisy.
Lateral Aquaplaning Rolling Resistance Wet Handling Dry Handling

Europe

Test Score:

93.5
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125

81 49

Passenger · Summer · 2015 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
The tire ensured great handling response and driving safety during maneuvering on wet pavement, even during extended high loads. Great traction balance between the front and rear axles, combined with a high level of driving safety on dry pavement. Relatively long braking distance on wet pavement.
Straight Aquaplaning Wet Handling Lateral Aquaplaning

Eastern Asia · Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia · Oceania

Test Score:

93.4
Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun

76 35

Passenger · Summer · 2017 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Good traction and handling response in the wet. High lateral hydroplaning resistance. Low noise emission. Delayed steering response during emergency maneuvers on dry pavement. High rolling resistance.
Lateral Aquaplaning Straight Aquaplaning Noise Rolling Resistance

Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

92.2
Vredestein Ultrac Satin

80 31

Passenger · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Good cornering stability on dry pavement. The longest braking distance both on wet and dry pavement. Insufficient traction on the rear axle on wet pavement.
Lateral Aquaplaning Dry Handling Dry Braking Wet Braking Wet Handling

Northern America · Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

88.1
Roadhog RGHP01

N/A 1

Passenger · Summer · Passenger - High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Acceptable noise level, smooth ride. Poor traction, especially lateral, and low level of driving safety on wet pavement. Delayed steering response on dry pavement.
Rolling Resistance Dry Braking Straight Aquaplaning Wet Braking Wet Handling

Europe

Test Score:

87.2