Auto Zeitung: Summer Tire Test R17 2020

During one of the largest tests ever conducted by the German publication Auto Zeitung, the experts compared the performance of 20 225/50 R17 tire sets by 13 criteria. The test involved both premium-class models priced at 500 Euros plus per set, and inexpensive tires from Chinese brands priced at 200–300 Euros for one set of tires.

Continental PremiumContact 6 - Winner Recommended

90 67

· Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Very short braking distance and well-balanced behavior on wet pavement. Great handling response and high level of safety in the dry.
Wet Handling Lateral Stability Wet Braking Dry Braking Elk Test

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · Japan · Oceania

Test Score:

267
Bridgestone Turanza T005 Recommended

82 66

· Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Great handling response on wet pavement. Short braking distance and good stability during emergency maneuvers on dry pavement.
Wet Handling Lateral Stability Wet Braking Dry Braking

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

Test Score:

247
Michelin Primacy 4 Recommended

84 62

· Summer · 2017 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Great handling response and braking performance on wet pavement. Short braking distance on dry pavement. Low rolling resistance. Slightly inaccurate steering response on dry pavement.
Wet Handling Lateral Stability Wet Braking Dry Braking

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

Test Score:

247
Maxxis Premitra 5 HP5 Recommended

76 40

· Summer · 2015 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Predictable behavior in the dry, including during abrupt maneuvers. Good handling response on wet pavement. Attractive price. Long braking distance on wet pavement.
Elk Test Wet Handling Dry Handling Lateral Hydroplaning

Europe · Russia+ · Oceania

Test Score:

242
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 Recommended

80 55

· Summer · 2015 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Excellent traction on wet pavement. Very short braking distance, high lateral stability and stable behavior on the grip threshold in the dry. Prone to understeer on wet pavement.
Dry Braking Wet Traction Lateral Stability

Europe · Russia+ · East Asia · Oceania

Test Score:

240
Vredestein Ultrac Satin

80 37

· Summer · 2016 · Passenger - High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Excellent hydroplaning resistance. Comfortable ride. Low noise emission. Long braking distance on wet pavement. Insufficient lateral stability and braking performance on dry pavement.
Noise Lateral Stability Comfort Lateral Hydroplaning Straight Hydroplaning Dry Braking

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

222
Dunlop Sport BluResponse

80 47

· Summer · 2012 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Low rolling resistance. Short braking distance and good handling response on dry pavement. Weak traction and long braking distance on wet pavement.
Rolling Resistance Comfort Lateral Hydroplaning

Europe · Russia+ · East Asia · South Africa

Test Score:

218
Falken Ziex ZE914 EcoRun

75 27

· Summer · 2013 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Quick evacuation of water from the contact area. Good handling response and stable behavior on wet pavement. Weak lateral stability and prominently prone to understeer on wet pavement.
Dry Braking Wet Braking Straight Hydroplaning

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

Test Score:

218
Giti GitiPremium H1

71 24

· Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Good traction and high level of safety on dry pavement. Long braking distance and generally weak grip in the wet.
Lateral Stability Elk Test Dry Handling Lateral Hydroplaning

Europe · Southeast Asia

Test Score:

212
Apollo Aspire XP

75 34

· Summer · 2018 · Passenger - High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Good traction on dry pavement. Low noise emission. Weak traction and insufficient handling response on wet pavement. Delayed steering response on dry pavement.
Dry Traction Noise

Europe

Test Score:

211
Yokohama BluEarth-A AE50

71 28

· Summer · 2014 · Passenger - High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Accurate steering response on wet pavement. Great results in slalom and good handling response on dry pavement. Long braking distance and prone to sudden loss of traction in the wet.
Steering Response (Wet) Dry Handling Elk Test Dry Braking

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

Test Score:

199
Firestone RoadHawk

69 44

· Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Good handling response on dry pavement. Prone to understeer on wet pavement. Average hydroplaning resistance.
Steering Response (Dry) Elk Test Straight Hydroplaning

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

196
Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue

76 38

· Summer · 2012 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer

Verdict:
Very low rolling resistance. Comfortable ride. Long braking distance and weak lateral stability on wet pavement.
Rolling Resistance Comfort Elk Test Lateral Hydroplaning

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · East Asia

Test Score:

194
Linglong GREEN-Max

67 28

· Summer · 2014 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Short braking distance on wet pavement. Poor traction and lateral stability on wet pavement. Prone to constantly jump from understeer to oversteer on dry pavement.
Wet Braking Elk Test

Europe · Russia+ · East Asia · Southeast Asia · Middle East

Test Score:

192
Westlake SA37

N/A 27

· Summer · 2013 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Acceptable handling response on dry pavement, yet prone to understeer on the grip threshold. Twitchy behavior and weak traction on wet pavement. High noise emission.
Steering Response (Dry) Elk Test

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

Test Score:

192
Rotalla S-Pace RU01

53 24

· Summer · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Acceptable handling response and good lateral stability on dry pavement. Long braking distance and generally weak traction on wet pavement.
Lateral Stability Straight Hydroplaning

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

184
Star Performer UHP 3

N/A 16

· Summer · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
High lateral stability and generally good handling response on dry pavement. Long braking distance and insufficient handling response on wet pavement (ABS and ESP systems kick in very early)
Elk Test Straight Hydroplaning Wet Braking

Europe

Test Score:

177
Goodride SA37

55 30

· Summer · 2013 · Passenger - High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Long braking distance, delayed steering response, and low level of safety on wet pavement. Prone to understeer on dry pavement.
Rolling Resistance

Mexico · Central & South America · Europe · Russia+ · East Asia · Oceania

Test Score:

174
Nankang NS-20

74 28

· Summer · 2009 · Passenger - High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Very long braking distance, weak traction, and delayed steering response on wet pavement. Very high rolling resistance. Prone to oversteer on dry pavement.
Lateral Stability Lateral Hydroplaning Straight Hydroplaning Rolling Resistance Wet Braking

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

Test Score:

159
Achilles ATR Sport 2

78 29

· Summer · 2012 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
Long braking distance and weak lateral stability on wet pavement. Unstable grip of the rear axle on dry pavement.
Dry Braking Wet Handling Lateral Hydroplaning Straight Hydroplaning

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

Test Score:

152