Evo 2022: Summer Tire Test R19 2023

In November 2022, the British magazine evo published the results of its next summer tire test, this time opting for the size of 235/35 R19, ever more popular in the UK, and comparing the tires’ performance on dry and wet pavement.
The frontrunner of the new test could be considered to be the Continental SportContact 7, which previously won the mini-test of three 265/35 R20 tires, its claim to victory being disputed by other leaders of the UHP segment, such as Pirelli P Zero (PZ4), Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport, and Bridgestone Potenza Sport, who never participated in the evo tests before. Yet another newcomer was the Falken Azenis FK520, while the Maxxis Victra Sport 5 had been tested by evo before and showed very good results, but back then its participation in the test was «unofficial». And, finally, yet another participant was the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, which also won the two previous evo tests, i.e. the competition in this test was more than serious.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport - Winner

83 68

· Summer · 2021 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
This Bridgestone model ensures excellent handling response on wet pavement, and has a very high rolling resistance; on dry pavement, and has good handling feedback and crisp steering response, for which, obviously, the technologists sacrificed some of the ride comfort.
Subj. Dry Handling Dry Braking Dry Handling Lateral Hydroplaning Straight Hydroplaning Wet Circle Wet Handling Subj. Wet Handling

North America · Europe · Russia+ · China · Southeast Asia · Middle East · Oceania

Test Score:

95.1
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport

84 68

· Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
This tire is characterized by excellent steering feedback and ensures very good handling response on dry pavement. You cannot call it the most comfortable tire around, but on dry pavement it produces quite an impression.
Subj. Dry Handling Dry Handling Lateral Hydroplaning Straight Hydroplaning Wet Circle Subj. Wet Handling Wet Braking Dry Braking Rolling Resistance

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

Test Score:

94.8
Pirelli P Zero PZ4

81 63

· Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer

Verdict:
This Pirelli tire is very good on wet pavement, and it also ensures a pretty comfortable ride. At the same time there were minor gripes about handling response and dry braking performance.
Wet Handling Road Test Subj. Wet Handling Dry Handling Dry Braking

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

Test Score:

94.5
Maxxis Victra Sport 5 VS5

74 49

· Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
A good inexpensive tire, whose performance is almost on a level with that of much more expensive models.
Wet Handling Subj. Wet Handling Wet Circle Dry Braking

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

Test Score:

94.2
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

86 74

· Summer · 2017 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer

Verdict:
This Michelin tire ensures a very smooth and comfortable ride and has a low rolling resistance. True, there are newer models available on the market, which do outperform it on wet and dry pavement alike, but the Pilot Sport 4 S is still an excellent choice.
Road Test Dry Braking Straight Hydroplaning Rolling Resistance Wet Braking

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

Test Score:

93.8
Continental SportContact 7

94 57

· Summer · 2022 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer

Verdict:
One of the strongest sides of this Continental model is a very short braking distance on both wet and dry pavement. In addition, the tire ensures an excellent dry handling response. At the same time, this Continental model is inferior to some of its rivals in terms of steering feedback and ride comfort.
Dry Handling Wet Braking Dry Braking Road Test Lateral Hydroplaning

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

Test Score:

93.7
Falken Azenis FK520

N/A 30

· Summer · 2022 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer

Verdict:
This Falken tire combines acceptable dry handling response and good ride comfort. In addition, it has a high resistance to lateral hydroplaning but it lacks steering feedback, it has a long wet braking distance.
Rolling Resistance Lateral Hydroplaning Subj. Dry Handling Straight Hydroplaning Wet Circle Wet Handling Subj. Wet Handling Wet Braking

Europe

Test Score:

91.1