Tyre Reviews: Summer Tire Test R17 2026

Tyre Reviews: Summer Tire Test R17

Jonathan Benson has published the first installment of his annual summer tire testing, putting 12 sets of tires through a comprehensive evaluation. All tires were purchased anonymously from the open market in size 225/45 R17 and tested on a Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The test covers wet and dry performance, comfort, noise, and rolling resistance across a dozen individual disciplines. The wet track results reveal a clear separation between the front-runners and the rest of the field, with three manufacturers establishing themselves at the top. A surprising value contender emerged in dry handling, posting the fastest lap time despite mid-pack braking performance.

The budget segment delivered mixed results, with one model showing significant improvement over previous tests while another finished isolated at the bottom, described as difficult to drive with minimal grip. A Michelin sub-brand surprised testers by adopting a sportier character than its typical safe, predictable personality.

  1. Pirelli Cinturato C3 - Winner Recommended
    Pirelli Cinturato C3
    N/A 37
    · Summer · 2025 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer
    Verdict:

    The Pirelli Cinturato C3 shares the top spot by delivering exceptional, driver-focused performance on dry and wet roads. It sets the standard with class-leading dry braking and near-flawless wet grip, offering a confidence-inspiring and predictable character that enthusiasts will appreciate. The trade-off for this dynamic excellence comes in the form of elevated cabin noise, compromised lateral aquaplaning resistance, and only average rolling efficiency.

    Wet Handling   Wet Circle   Subj. Dry Handling   Wet Braking   Dry Handling   Dry Braking   Rolling Resistance   Noise   Lateral Aquaplaning  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    96.8
  2. Continental PremiumContact 7 Recommended
    Continental PremiumContact 7
    95 53
    · Summer · 2022 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer
    Verdict:

    The Continental PremiumContact 7 shares top honors by establishing itself as the undisputed wet-performance leader in this test. It delivers the fastest lap times on a wet circuit and exceptional lateral aquaplaning resistance, all while maintaining strong dry braking. Its character prioritizes a safe, predictable balance over pure sporty feedback, with the main compromises being below-average rolling resistance and elevated noise levels.

    Wet Handling   Wet Circle   Lateral Aquaplaning   Wet Braking   Dry Braking   Straight Aquaplaning   Subj. Dry Handling   Noise   Rolling Resistance  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    96.7
  3. Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K137 Recommended
    Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K137
    N/A 24
    · Summer · 2025 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Hankook Ventus Evo secures a strong third-place finish by delivering benchmark wet safety and engaging driving dynamics. It sets the standard with the shortest wet braking distance and best-in-class straight aquaplaning resistance, complemented by a sporty feel that earned it top subjective scores in both wet and dry handling. Its primary drawbacks are a significant compromise in rolling resistance, which impacts fuel efficiency, and dry braking that trails the class leaders.

    Subj. Wet Handling   Wet Handling   Subj. Dry Handling   Wet Braking   Straight Aquaplaning   Dry Braking   Subj. Comfort   Rolling Resistance  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    95.9
  4. Bridgestone Turanza 6 Recommended
    Bridgestone Turanza 6
    80 62
    · Summer · 2023 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer
    Verdict:

    The Bridgestone Turanza 6 is the undisputed efficiency champion of this test, achieving the lowest rolling resistance by a significant margin. This focus on fuel savings comes at the cost of dynamic performance, with wet handling and braking lagging well behind the leaders. It delivers a safe, touring-oriented feel but lacks the bite and grip expected from a modern summer tire in demanding conditions.

    Dry Braking   Subj. Comfort   Rolling Resistance   Wet Handling   Dry Handling   Steering Response   Straight Aquaplaning  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Japan Japan · Middle East Middle East · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    94.6
  5. Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 Recommended
    Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
    90 32
    · Summer · 2025 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 secures a solid fourth-place finish by delivering a compelling blend of dry and wet grip, backed by sporty, predictable steering and high driver confidence. It consistently places near the front in braking and handling tests, offering engaging dynamics without sacrificing balance. The trade-offs are a notable vulnerability to aquaplaning and comfort levels that fall towards the back of the pack.

    Subj. Wet Handling   Wet Handling   Steering Response   Subj. Dry Handling   Wet Braking   Dry Handling   Dry Braking   Subj. Comfort   Straight Aquaplaning   Lateral Aquaplaning  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    94.6
  6. Michelin Primacy 5 Recommended
    Michelin Primacy 5
    N/A 41
    · Summer · 2025 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer
    Verdict:

    The Michelin Primacy 5 secures sixth place as a refined, road-oriented summer tire that prioritizes comfort, efficiency, and predictable safety over outright grip. It delivers excellent rolling resistance, a quiet and compliant ride, and strong straight-line aquaplaning resistance. The trade-off for this balanced, touring-focused character is mid-pack performance in braking and handling, where it trails the more dynamic leaders.

    Rolling Resistance   Subj. Comfort   Driving Safety   Straight Aquaplaning   Noise   Dry Braking   Wet Handling   Wet Braking   Wet Circle  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    94.3
  7. Kleber Dynaxer HP5
    Kleber Dynaxer HP5
    N/A 35
    · Summer · 2026 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer
    Verdict:

    The Kleber Dynaxer HP5 finishes seventh as a well-rounded and predictable summer tire that delivers consistent, no-surprise performance across all conditions. Its strength lies in its even nature and user-friendly behavior, offering smooth transitions and solid comfort without any single glaring weakness. However, it lacks the final step of ultimate grip needed to challenge the performance leaders in both wet and dry handling.

    Subj. Wet Handling   Rolling Resistance   Subj. Comfort   Driving Safety   Wet Braking   Dry Handling   Wet Handling   Straight Aquaplaning   Lateral Aquaplaning   Dry Braking  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    93.7
  8. Maxxis Premitra 6 HP6
    Maxxis Premitra 6 HP6
    N/A 25
    · Summer · 2025 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer
    Verdict:

    The Maxxis Premitra HP6 finishes eighth with a distinct split personality: it is the undisputed king of dry handling, posting the fastest lap time and earning top subjective scores for its sporty, track-friendly feel and sharp steering response. This dry prowess is backed by commendable rolling resistance. However, its wet performance tells a different story; while objective lap times are decent, the subjective confidence at the limit is among the lowest in the test, revealing a tire that feels far less reassuring in the wet than the stopwatch suggests. This, combined with weak dry braking and elevated noise, limits its overall appeal.

    Dry Handling   Subj. Dry Handling   Steering Response   Rolling Resistance   Dry Braking   Subj. Wet Handling   Straight Aquaplaning   Noise  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    92.9
  9. Debica Presto UHP 2
    Debica Presto UHP 2
    77 28
    · Summer · 2017 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Debica Presto UHP2 finishes ninth as a value-focused summer tire with a surprisingly strong emphasis on comfort and hydroplaning safety. It delivers the highest subjective comfort score and class-leading lateral aquaplaning resistance, paired with a sporty dry handling feel that belies its price point. The compromises come in wet grip, where braking distances are extended and confidence at the limit is undermined by inconsistent behavior between cold and warm operating temperatures.

    Dry Handling   Subj. Comfort   Subj. Dry Handling   Lateral Aquaplaning   Subj. Wet Handling   Rolling Resistance   Driving Safety   Wet Braking   Dry Braking  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    92.6
  10. Vredestein Ultrac+
    Vredestein Ultrac+
    N/A 25
    · Summer · 2025 · Passenger - High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Vredestein Ultrac Plus finishes tenth as a sensible, everyday summer tire focused on wet-weather stability and efficiency. It delivers strong aquaplaning resistance and respectable rolling resistance, with communicative wet handling that inspires confidence in rain. The trade-off is a significant drop in dry performance, where braking distances are extended, handling feel is dulled by understeer, and the tire quickly overheats when pushed hard.

    Wet Handling   Straight Aquaplaning   Rolling Resistance   Lateral Aquaplaning   Dry Braking   Subj. Dry Handling  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    92.3
  11. Goodride Solmax 1
    Goodride Solmax 1
    N/A 31
    · Summer · 2021 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer
    Verdict:

    The Goodride Solmax 1 finishes eleventh, revealing itself as a budget-focused tire with fundamental dynamic shortcomings. While it delivers a commendably quiet ride and mid-pack wet braking, these isolated positives are overshadowed by poor dry handling, weak fuel efficiency, and a lack of confidence at the limit. The tire's abrupt transitions and poor communication in both wet and dry conditions make its behavior unpredictable when pushed.

    Noise   Wet Braking   Subj. Wet Handling   Lateral Aquaplaning   Rolling Resistance   Subj. Comfort   Subj. Dry Handling   Driving Safety   Straight Aquaplaning   Dry Handling  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · China China
    Test Score:
    89.7
  12. Davanti Protoura Sport
    Davanti Protoura Sport
    N/A 32
    · Summer · 2022 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Davanti Protoura Sport finishes last, presenting a significant and unacceptable compromise in wet safety for the sake of a quiet ride. While it records the lowest measured noise in the test, this singular positive is dwarfed by critically poor performance where it matters most: it is the worst in wet braking, handling, and circle grip, with distances and lap times far adrift of the competition. Dry performance is equally weak, with extended braking and low driver confidence. This tire's abrupt breakaway and lack of communication make it a choice to avoid for anyone prioritizing safety.

    Noise   Wet Handling   Subj. Wet Handling   Wet Circle   Lateral Aquaplaning   Subj. Comfort   Subj. Dry Handling   Driving Safety   Wet Braking   Straight Aquaplaning   Dry Braking  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Middle East Middle East · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    84.7
Youtube Video
The BEST Summer Tires for 2026 - 12 Tires Tested and Rated!
March 21, 2026
Year
2026
Tire Test Original Link
Visit Website
Max Score, points
100
Tire Size
225/45R17
Season
Summer
Auto Type
Passenger
List Type
Professional Tire Test
Region
Europe
Date added
Mar 06, 2026
Date updated
Mar 21, 2026

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