Auto Bild 2023: Summer Tire Test R18 2023

Auto Bild 2023: Summer Tire Test R18

For next big tire test 2023, the Auto Bild experts chose the tire size 225/45 R18, suitable for many compact cars such as Renault Megane, Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla, and others. To qualify for the main part of the test, the participants first had to demonstrate effective dry and wet braking performance.
20 tires reached the final, and the Auto Bild experts noted that, although there was a correlation between the tire’s performance and its cost in the qualification round, there were a few exceptions, and, for example, the cheap Linglong tire was able to make it to the main part of the test, while the more expensive Vredestein and Firestone tires could not. It is also worth noting that two new products of the season, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 and Continental PremiumContact 7, met in the final round.

  1. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 - Winner Recommended
    Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
    94 59
    · Summer · 2022 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Dry performance. Wet performance. Tread life. Price/quality ratio.
    A premium tire with an exemplary wet and dry performance and a long tread life, providing best-in-class price/quality ratio.

    Price/Quality   Treadwear   Wet Performance   Dry Performance  
    USA+ USA+ · Europe Europe · Middle East Middle East · South Africa South Africa
    Test Score:
    1.2
  2. Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Recommended
    Michelin Pilot Sport 5
    N/A 47
    · Summer · 2022 · Passenger - Extreme Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Handling performance in any conditions. Hydroplaning resistance. Braking performance in any conditions.
    Negative: Price.
    A sport tire that provides excellent handling response in any conditions, has a good hydroplaning resistance, and an excellent wet braking performance. However, it is worth noting that Michelin is one of the most expensive tire brands on the market.

    Handling Performance   Braking Performance   Hydroplaning   Price  
    Canada Canada · Mexico Mexico · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Japan Japan · China China · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    1.3
  3. Continental PremiumContact 7 Recommended
    Continental PremiumContact 7
    97 37
    · Summer · 2022 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Handling performance in any conditions. Tread life. Environment.
    Negative: Price.
    An excellent (and quite expensive) tire that combines strong grip with good treadwear and low rolling resistance.

    Handling Performance   Treadwear   Rolling Resistance   Price  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    1.4
  4. GT Radial SportActive 2
    GT Radial SportActive 2
    70 39
    · Summer · 2021 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Handling performance in any conditions. Hydroplaning resistance. Price/quality ratio.
    Negative: Wet lateral grip.
    This GT Radial tire performs well in any conditions (although there are some complaints about its wet cornering grip), and also has an attractive price/quality ratio.

    Handling Performance   Price/Quality   Hydroplaning   Lateral Stability  
    Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Japan Japan · South Africa South Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    2.3
  5. Bridgestone Turanza 6
    Bridgestone Turanza 6
    80 56
    · Summer · 2023 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Performance balance. Handling performance in any conditions. Environment.
    A tire has a well-balanced performance and low rolling resistance, which comes at a relatively high price.

    Handling Performance   Performance Balance   Rolling Resistance  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    2.4
  6. Kumho Ecsta PS71
    Kumho Ecsta PS71
    70 44
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Performance balance. Braking performance in any conditions.
    Negative: Noise.
    An inexpensive tire with well-balanced performance that provides effective dry and wet braking performance. The downside is its increased noise level.

    Braking Performance   Performance Balance   Noise  
    Canada Canada · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · North Africa North Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    2.4
  7. Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2
    Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2
    76 55
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Wet handling performance. Hydroplaning resistance. Dry braking.
    Negative: Dry handling performance.
    On dry surfaces, this Dunlop tire responds somewhat slowly to driver input, but effectively stops the car. On wet surfaces, it provides a high overall level of safety.

    Dry Braking   Hydroplaning   Wet Handling   Dry Handling  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · South Africa South Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    2.4
  8. Falken Azenis FK520
    Falken Azenis FK520
    N/A 30
    · Summer · 2022 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Dry handling. Braking performance in any conditions. Noise.
    Negative: Wet lateral grip.
    This Falken tire provides good handling response on dry surfaces and effective braking in any conditions, and it is also pretty quiet. However, it has problems with wet cornering stability.

    Braking Performance   Noise   Dry Handling   Lateral Stability  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    2.7
  9. Sava Intensa UHP 2
    Sava Intensa UHP 2
    74 40
    · Summer · 2017 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Dry braking performance Environment. Price.
    Negative: Handling response in any conditions. Hydroplaning resistance.
    An inexpensive tire with good dry braking performance and low rolling resistance, but prone to understeer in any conditions and having a reduced hydroplaning resistance.

    Price   Dry Braking   Rolling Resistance   Handling Performance   Hydroplaning  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    2.8
  10. Fulda SportControl 2
    Fulda SportControl 2
    74 34
    · Summer · 2017 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Wet handling performance. Price.
    Negative: Wet braking. Steering response.
    This Fulda tire ensures acceptable handling performance on wet pavement, but it has a relatively long braking distance, combined with a delayed steering response.

    Price   Wet Handling   Wet Braking   Steering Response  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    2.9
  11. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    81 63
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Handling performance in any conditions. Braking performance in any conditions.
    Negative: Tread life. Price.
    A sports tire that ensures excellent handling response and short dry and wet braking distances. At the same time, this Pirelli model has a limited expected mileage and comes at a high price.

    Braking Performance   Handling Performance   Price   Treadwear  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    3
  12. Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K127
    Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K127
    81 56
    · Summer · 2019 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Handling performance in any conditions. Braking performance in any conditions.
    Negative: Tread life.
    The only weakness of this Hankook model is short tread life; otherwise this is a very viable option.

    Braking Performance   Handling Performance   Treadwear  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    3.1
  13. Maxxis Victra Sport 5 VS5
    Maxxis Victra Sport 5 VS5
    74 49
    · Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Hydroplaning resistance. Wet handling.
    Negative: Tread life. Steering response.
    Even though this Maxxis tire has a somewhat delayed steering response, it nevertheless can ensure acceptable handling performance on both wet and dry pavement, and, in addition, it has strong hydroplaning resistance. On the downside, its tread life is not the longest one around.

    Hydroplaning   Wet Handling   Steering Response   Treadwear  
    Canada Canada · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Japan Japan · China China · South Africa South Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    3.2
  14. Toyo Proxes Sport 2
    Toyo Proxes Sport 2
    N/A 21
    · Summer · 2022 · Passenger - High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Handling performance in any conditions. Dry braking.
    Negative: Tread life. Price.
    This Toyo tire has no problems with handling performance but it is rather expensive, and has a short expected mileage.

    Handling Performance   Dry Braking   Price   Treadwear  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    3.3
  15. Yokohama ADVAN Sport V107
    Yokohama ADVAN Sport V107
    N/A 25
    · Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Dry handling performance. Braking in any conditions.
    Negative: Expected mileage. Price. Environment.
    This Yokohama tire is quite effective on both dry and wet pavement, its weaknesses being its price and a very strong rolling resistance that will increase fuel consumption by the vehicle.

    Braking Performance   Dry Handling   Price   Rolling Resistance   Treadwear  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Japan Japan · China China · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    3.4
  16. Linglong Sport Master SA220
    Linglong Sport Master SA220
    69 24
    · Summer · 2021 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Braking in any conditions. Noise. Price.
    Negative: Tread life. Dry handling performance. Ride comfort.
    This Linglong tire has a short braking distance in any conditions, it is pretty quiet, and it comes at an attractive price but it has a very short tread life, and it is strongly prone to understeer on dry pavement.

    Braking Performance   Noise   Price   Comfort   Dry Handling   Treadwear  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    3.5
  17. Giti GitiSport S2
    Giti GitiSport S2
    66 35
    · Summer · 2021 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Hydroplaning resistance. Noise.
    Negative: Tread life. Steering response.
    This Giti tire is pretty quiet, and it has high hydroplaning resistance, but it has a fuzzy steering response in any conditions. In addition, the tread life could have been longer.

    Noise   Hydroplaning   Steering Response   Treadwear  
    Europe Europe · China China · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    3.6
  18. Kleber Dynaxer UHP
    Kleber Dynaxer UHP
    61 34
    · Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Tread life. Noise.
    Negative: Wet performance.
    This Kleber model is a durable tire with a low noise emission and low rolling resistance. On the downside, it has a weak dry and wet grip, and its hydroplaning resistance could be higher.

    Noise   Treadwear   Wet Performance  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    3.6
  19. Nexen N Fera Sport
    Nexen N Fera Sport
    75 41
    · Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Braking performance in any conditions. Noise.
    Negative: Handling performance in any conditions. Tread life.
    This Nexen tire is prone to understeer, and it has a short expected mileage. Its strong sides are effective braking performance and an attractive price.

    Braking Performance   Noise   Handling Performance   Treadwear  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    3.6
  20. Uniroyal RainSport 5
    Uniroyal RainSport 5
    74 40
    · Summer · 2019 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Positive: Hydroplaning resistance. Wet handling performance.
    Negative: Dry braking performance. Dry handling performance.
    The RainSport 5 has an exemplary hydroplaning resistance and ensures the highest level of driving safety on wet pavement. At the same time, its dry performance — both in terms of braking and handling — obviously have room for improvement.

    Hydroplaning   Wet Handling   Dry Braking   Dry Handling  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    3.6
Year
2023
Tire Test Original Link
Visit Website
Tire Size
225/45R18
Season
Summer
Auto Type
Passenger
List Type
Professional Tire Test
Region
Europe
Date added
Apr 18, 2023
Date updated
Sep 25, 2023

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