Auto Motor und Sport: UHP Summer Tire Test R18 2020

Auto Motor und Sport: UHP Summer Tire Test R18

The best sports summer tires 2020 were identified by the experts of the German motoring publication Auto Motor und Sport. The right to claim the first prize in the comparative test was disputed by eleven sets of tires in size 225/45 R18 that were anonymously bought retail.

This size fits not only the BMW 3 series, which was used as a test car, but also Alfa Giulia, Audi A4, Fiat 500X, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, Mercedes, including the C-class, Nissan Leaf and Juke, Peugeot 3008, Seat Alhambra, Skoda Octavia, and Suzuki SX-4. 

It is also important to remember that the abovementioned car makes promise the ultimate driving pleasure, using only the best tires as original equipment, and the AMS test was meant to demonstrate, which of the UHP tires, in addition to the expectable driving dynamics, ensure the optimum level of safety, the best riding comfort, and the best possible performance.

  1. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 - Winner Recommended
    Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    87 64
    · Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Outstanding performance on all kinds of surfaces. The winner of the test.

    Pros: Predictable behavior and great handling response in the wet, high hydroplaning resistance, short braking distance on dry pavement, great riding comfort, low cabin noise. Cons: Slightly reduced maneuverability and dry handling response (in comparison to the best models in respective test disciplines), minor limitations in dry traction, increased rolling resistance.

    Steering Response   Dry Braking   Lateral Aquaplaning   Wet Braking   Noise   Straight Aquaplaning   Lateral Stability  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Japan Japan · China China · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · South Africa South Africa · Oceania Oceania
  2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Recommended
    Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    81 67
    · Summer · 2015 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The shortest stopping distance in the dry. High resistance to straight hydroplaning.Lateral Aquaplaning

    Pros: prominently strong grip both on wet and dry pavements, high hydroplaning resistance, the shortest dry stopping distance on test. Cons: No prominent limitations detected, for the sole exception of the increased rolling resistance.

    Wet Handling   Dry Braking   Lateral Aquaplaning   Wet Braking   Noise   Dry Handling  
    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 · Africa Africa · Oceania Oceania
  3. Continental PremiumContact 6
    Continental PremiumContact 6
    88 70
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer
    Verdict:

    Excellent handling and crisp steering response on dry pavement.

    Pros: An extremely well-balanced summer model with virtually no limitations in either safety level or driving dynamics. Its predictable behavior and crisp steering response totally match the requirements posed by the sports BMW, used as the test car. Cons: The hydroplaning resistance is not as high as that ensured by the tires scoring higher positions in the tournament bracket; increased rolling resistance and external noise.

    Steering Response   Dry Handling  
    North America North America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Japan Japan · Middle East Middle East · Oceania Oceania
  4. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    81 63
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Premium sports tires with strong sides on dry pavement.

    Pros: Smooth ride and low noise; very good stability and very strong grip during dry cornering. This model also ensures good traction on wet pavement, albeit at lower speeds. Cons: Low hydroplaning point, narrow oversteer area, relatively weak steering response, increased rolling resistance.

    Dry Handling   Lateral Stability  
    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 · Africa Africa · Oceania Oceania
  5. Maxxis Victra Sport 5 VS5
    Maxxis Victra Sport 5 VS5
    74 49
    · Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Relatively inexpensive tires that deliver a surprisingly good performance.

    Pros: Modest, yet still well-balanced performance both in the wet and in the dry. Cons: Slightly compromised braking performance as compared to the best tires on test; increased rolling resistance.

    Lateral Stability   Wet Handling   Dry Handling  
    Canada Canada · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Japan Japan · China China · South Africa South Africa · Oceania Oceania
  6. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    Bridgestone Turanza T005
    84 63
    · Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Premuim Touring Summer
    Verdict:

    Comfortable tires with a high fuel saving potential.

    Pros: Confidence-inspiring behavior on wet pavement, crisp handling response in the dry, the lowest rolling resistance on test, outstanding fuel efficiency, low cabin noise, smooth ride. Cons: Relatively weak braking performance on wet pavement, the highest external noise on test.

    Rolling Resistance   Straight Aquaplaning   Noise   Fuel Efficiency  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · China China · South Korea South Korea · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Africa Africa · Oceania Oceania
  7. Nokian Powerproof
    Nokian Powerproof
    76 46
    · Summer · 2019 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Medium segment tires with insufficient grip on wet pavement.

    Pros: Short braking distance on dry pavement, low rolling resistance.

    Cons: Lack of steering precision on wet pavement, weak straight and lateral hydroplaning resistance, high external noise, low riding comfort.

    Dry Braking   Rolling Resistance   Lateral Aquaplaning   Steering Response   Straight Aquaplaning  
    Europe Europe
  8. Falken Azenis FK510
    Falken Azenis FK510
    80 63
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Inexpensive tires with average performance, yet without any prominent drawbacks.

    Pros: Short braking distance on dry pavement, well-balanced performance. Cons: Weak traction and lateral stability on wet pavement, average hydroplaning resistance, weak stability during high-speed cornering.

    Dry Braking  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Japan Japan · South Korea South Korea · Middle East Middle East · Africa Africa · Oceania Oceania
  9. Nexen N Fera Sport
    Nexen N Fera Sport
    75 43
    · Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Very quiet and comfortable tires with limited wet performance.

    Pros: Very short braking distance on dry pavement, the most comfortable ride and the lowest cabin noise on test. Cons: Very weak traction in the wet, poor hydroplaning resistance, increased rolling resistance.

    Dry Braking   Noise   Lateral Aquaplaning   Steering Response   Wet Handling   Straight Aquaplaning  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  10. Toyo Proxes Sport
    Toyo Proxes Sport
    71 46
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Tires that, in spite of their sporty feel, fall short of their rivals.

    Pros: High hydroplaning resistance, both straight and lateral; crisp steering response and great handling capabilities on dry pavement. Cons: High level of external noise, high rolling resistance, delayed steering response in the dry, weak braking efficiency, weak handling and lateral stability on wet pavement.

    Lateral Aquaplaning   Steering Response   Dry Handling   Straight Aquaplaning   Dry Braking   Lateral Stability   Wet Braking  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Oceania Oceania
  11. Giti GitiSport S1
    Giti GitiSport S1
    72 25
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Tires, whose braking performance on wet pavement raises questions.

    Pros: Confident behavior and consistent handling on dry pavement, low external noise. Cons: Extremely poor traction on wet surface, which ultimately led to the lowest position in the tournament bracket of this test by Auto Motor und Sport

    Noise   Dry Handling   Dry Braking   Lateral Stability   Wet Handling   Wet Braking  
    Europe Europe · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Oceania Oceania
Year
2020
Tire Test Original Link
Visit Website
Max Score, points
10
Tire Size
225/45R18
Season
Summer
Auto Type
Passenger
List Type
Professional Tire Test
Region
Europe
Date added
Apr 15, 2020
Date updated
May 14, 2021

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