245/40R19

Auto Bild: 245/40 R19 Summer Tire Test (2022)

In the next AB test, two new models from Continental and Goodyear were confronted with each other.

List of models tested:

Germany’s Auto Bild magazine tested 10 models of summer tires in size 245/40 R19, including two hot newcomers of the season — Continental SportContact 7 and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 — which hitherto were not spotted together in independent tests.

It was also decided to cover all price categories, and, in addition to premium products, the test involved inexpensive Nexen and Falken tires, as well as a budget Star Performer model, which predictably came last, including due to the fact that its wet braking distance when braking from 100 km/h was 21 meters longer than that of the best tire in this discipline — Hankook Ventus S1 evo3. AB also ran additional tests evaluating wet braking performance of one unspecified tire model from the OEM segment created with an emphasis on fuel efficiency. The results turned out to be «disconcerting» because the braking distance demonstrated by the eco-tire was almost 15 meters longer than that of the leader’s, and this, as the experts calculated, considering the fact that the potential fuel economy can amount to mere 3%.

The first place in the final standings was scored by the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, which is winning in a second test running (soon to come up against the Michelin Pilot Sport 5) thanks to excellent handling response, short braking distance in any conditions, and generally well-balanced performance. The second place was shared by the Continental SportContact 7 and Hankook Ventus S1 evo3, which performed very well in all of the disciplines, but delivered less-than-perfect ride comfort; then came the Michelin Pilot Sport 4, which did not have any issues at all, but was offered at a prohibitively high price, and the Maxxis Victra Sport 5, which was quite democratically priced, and, hence, rated as «best value for the money». At the same time, the Maxxis model was a bit slow to respond to the driver’s actions on dry pavement.

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport, whose overall score was spoiled by a relatively long wet braking distance, came only sixth; this was also the case with the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+, which came seventh. Still lower lines in the tournament bracket were occupied by the Nexen N’Fera Sport and Falken Azenis FK510, prone to oversteer. The Falken tire also lost points because of a long wet braking distance and generally weak wet grip. And the last line in the final standings, as was already said, was scored by the cheap Star Performer UHP-3, which was incapable of ensuring an acceptable level of safety in rainy weather.

1st place: Goodyear / Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Quick Take
94 59

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Comfort Handling Price/Quality Dry Performance Wet Performance Treadwear Snow/Ice Performance
  • This tire replaced Goodyear / Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
  • Available Sizes in Line: 69
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Volkswagen Passat NMS II Facelift [2021 .. 2025]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2022
  • Regions for sale: USA+, Europe, Middle East, South Africa
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

  • Excellently balanced performance
  • Excellent hydroplaning resistance
  • Good handling response and a short stopping distance on wet and dry pavement alike
  • Low rolling resistance
  • High price
  • Exemplary

2nd place: Continental / SportContact 7

Quick Take
94 57

Continental SportContact 7

  • This tire replaced Continental / SportContact 6
  • Available Sizes in Line: 3
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Maserati Levante M161 [2016 .. 2023]
    • • Maserati Quattroporte VI (M156) Facelift [2016 .. 2023]
    • • Audi RS6 C8 [2019 .. 2024]
    • • BYD Seal [2022 .. 2024]
    • • BMW 5 Series VIII (G60/G61) [2023 .. 2025]
    • • BMW i5 G60/G61 [2023 .. 2025]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2022
  • Regions for sale: USA+, Mexico, Europe, Russia+, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East
Continental SportContact 7

  • Excellent handling performance on dry pavement
  • Excellent hydroplaning resistance
  • Excellent braking performance
  • Great handling response in the wet
  • Moderate ride comfort
  • Exemplary

2nd place: Hankook / Ventus S1 evo3 K127

Quick Take
81 56

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K127

Price/Quality Dry Performance Wet Performance Handling Comfort Treadwear
  • This tire has been replaced by Hankook / Ventus S1 evo3 EV K127E
  • This tire replaced Hankook / Ventus S1 evo2 K117
  • Available Sizes in Line: 213
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Audi RS6 C8 [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Audi RS7 C8 [2019 .. 2023]
    • • BMW 3 Series VII (G20/G21) [2018 .. 2023]
    • • BMW Z4 III (G29) [2018 .. 2023]
    • • Audi S3 8V [2013 .. 2016]
    • • Audi S3 8V Facelift [2016 .. 2020]
    • • Audi S3 8Y [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Tesla Model 3 [2017 .. 2023]
    • • BMW 2 Series F44 [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Porsche Boxster III (981) [2012 .. 2017]
    • • Porsche Cayman II (981) [2013 .. 2016]
    • • MINI Cooper F55/F56 [2014 .. 2021]
    • • MINI Cooper F55/F56 Facelift II [2021 .. 2023]
    • • BMW 2 Series Active Tourer F45 Facelift [2018 .. 2021]
    • • BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer F46 Facelift [2018 .. 2023]
    • • BMW 5 Series VII (G30/G31) [2016 .. 2020]
    • • Audi A1 citycarver GB [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (CD1) [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Mercedes-Benz S-Class W223 [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk8 (CD1) [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 (CD1) [2020 .. 2023]
    • • BMW i4 G26 [2021 .. 2023]
    • • BMW 4 Series G22/G23/G26 [2020 .. 2024]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2019
  • Regions for sale: North America, Central & South America, Europe, Russia+, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Oceania
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 K127

  • Great handling response on wet pavement
  • Good handling response in the dry
  • Short wet and dry braking distances
  • Moderate ride comfort
  • Exemplary

4th place: Michelin / Pilot Sport 4

Quick Take
81 67

Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Dry Performance Handling Wet Performance Price/Quality Comfort Treadwear
  • Available Sizes in Line: 150
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Alpine A110 [2017 .. 2023]
    • • Audi A4
    • • Audi A5
    • • Ford Fiesta
    • • Nissan Qashqai
    • • Opel Corsa
    • • Peugeot 308
    • • Porsche Panamera
    • • Renault Clio
    • • Volvo S90
    • • Toyota 86 ZN8/ZD8 [2021 .. 2023]
    • • Honda Civic
    • • Honda Civic XI [2021 .. 2023]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2015
  • Regions for sale: North America, Central & South America, Europe, Russia+, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa, Oceania
Michelin Pilot Sport 4

  • Well-balanced performance
  • Good handling response in the dry
  • Optimum hydroplaning resistance
  • Precise steering response
  • Low rolling resistance
  • High price
  • Exemplary

5th place: Maxxis / Victra Sport 5 VS5

Quick Take
74 49

Maxxis Victra Sport 5 VS5

Dry Performance Wet Performance Handling Comfort Treadwear
  • Year Released: 2018
  • Regions for sale: Canada, Central & South America, Europe, Russia+, Japan, China, South Africa, Oceania
Maxxis Victra Sport 5 VS5

  • Good results on dry and wet pavement
  • Excellent hydroplaning resistance
  • Very good price/quality ratio
  • Delayed steering response on dry pavement
  • Good

6th place: Bridgestone / Potenza Sport

Quick Take
83 68

Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Price/Quality Dry Performance Handling Wet Performance Treadwear Comfort
  • This tire replaced Bridgestone / Potenza S001
  • Available Sizes in Line: 87
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Lamborghini Huracan Facelift [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Ferrari Roma [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Maserati MC20 [2020 .. 2024]
    • • Maserati Grecale [2022 .. 2024]
    • • Fisker Ocean [2022 .. 2024]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2021
  • Regions for sale: North America, Europe, Russia+, China, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Oceania
Bridgestone Potenza Sport

  • Good hydroplaning resistance
  • Good handling performance and crisp steering response
  • Relatively long braking distance on wet pavement
  • Good

7th place: Vredestein / Ultrac Vorti+

Quick Take
N/A 32

Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+

  • Year Released: 2021
  • Regions for sale: Europe
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+

  • Well-balanced performance
  • Great handling response in the wet
  • Excellent hydroplaning resistance
  • Great riding comfort
  • Fair price
  • Relatively long braking distance on wet pavement
  • Good

8th place: Nexen / N Fera Sport

Quick Take
75 43
  • This tire replaced Nexen / N Fera SU1
  • Available Sizes in Line: 57
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Audi A3 8Y [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Porsche Panamera II (971) Facelift [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (CD1) [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Seat Leon KL [2020 .. 2023]
    • • BMW 2 Series Active Tourer U06 [2022 .. 2023]
    • • BMW X1 II (F48) Facelift [2019 .. 2023]
    • • BMW iX [2021 .. 2023]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2018
  • Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Nexen N Fera Sport

  • Excellent hydroplaning resistance
  • Short braking distance on dry pavement
  • Low noise emission
  • Prone to oversteer on dry pavement
  • Satisfactory

9th place: Falken / Azenis FK510

Quick Take
80 63
Price/Quality Wet Performance Dry Performance Comfort Treadwear Handling Snow/Ice Performance
  • This tire has been replaced by Falken / Azenis FK520
  • This tire has run-flat model:
  • Available Sizes in Line: 205
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Audi A1 GB [2018 .. 2023]
    • • Toyota Mirai II [2020 .. 2023]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2016
  • Regions for sale: North America, Central & South America, Europe, Russia+, Japan, South Korea, Middle East, Africa, Oceania
Falken Azenis FK510

  • Excellent hydroplaning resistance
  • Great riding comfort
  • Long braking distance and generally weak grip on wet pavement
  • Prone to oversteer
  • Satisfactory

10th place: Star Performer / UHP 3

Quick Take
N/A 28
  • Available Sizes in Line: 103
  • Year Released: 2018
  • Regions for sale: Europe
Star Performer UHP 3

  • Good hydroplaning resistance
  • Low price
  • Low rolling resistance
  • Lack of grip and a dangerously long wet braking distance
  • Delayed and fuzzy steering response
  • Not recommended

Price