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2019 NAF Summer Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
4 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Dry
  3. Wet
  4. Environment
  5. Results
  6. Continental Premium Contact 6
  7. Nokian Hakka Blue 2
  8. Dunlop Sport BluResponse
  9. Firestone RoadHawk
  10. Michelin Primacy 4
  11. Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
  12. Bridgestone Turanza T005
  13. Reference Winter

Test Publication:
205/55 R16 8 tyres 4 categories
Similar Tests
Test Publication:
Unknown
Test Size: 205/55 R16
Tyres Tested: 8 tyres
Test Categories:
4 categories (7 tests)
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The Norwegian AutoMobile Federation (NAF) has tested seven summer tyre patterns in 205/55 R16, and included a premium winter tyre for comparison.

The winter tyre performed surprisingly well during the wet braking testing, which was tested between 18 and 25c, beating the Dunlop and Bridgestone summer tyres. Wet handling showed a little more weakness, with the winter tyre finishing last, but it was still within a few percent of the summer tyres.

As with all siped tyres, the penalty came in the dry. Testing at 21-23c, the winter tyre was at a huge disadvantage, stopping the car nearly 30% further on than the best summer tyre on test, which is the difference between stopping safely, and having a huge accident! While the tyre was closer during dry handling, it was still significantly slower than all the summer tyres.

Let this test be a good reminder as to why we shouldn't run winter tyres, or winter-bias all season tyres across the dry summer months.

Full data below.

Dry

Dry Braking

Spread: 11.40 M (32.9%)|Avg: 36.95 M
Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)
Dry Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

Dry Handling

Spread: 2.61 s (2.4%)|Avg: 109.34 s
Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Continental Premium Contact 6
    108.52 s
  2. Firestone RoadHawk
    108.94 s
  3. Dunlop Sport BluResponse
    109.00 s
  4. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    109.01 s
  5. Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
    109.31 s
  6. Nokian Hakka Blue 2
    109.38 s
  7. Michelin Primacy 4
    109.40 s
  8. Reference Winter
    111.13 s

Wet

Wet Braking

Spread: 4.00 M (8.1%)|Avg: 51.39 M
Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
Wet Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

Wet Handling

Spread: 2.05 s (3%)|Avg: 70.46 s
Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Continental Premium Contact 6
    69.46 s
  2. Firestone RoadHawk
    69.82 s
  3. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    70.08 s
  4. Nokian Hakka Blue 2
    70.18 s
  5. Dunlop Sport BluResponse
    70.38 s
  6. Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
    71.09 s
  7. Michelin Primacy 4
    71.14 s
  8. Reference Winter
    71.51 s

Straight Aqua

Spread: 10.30 Km/H (11.4%)|Avg: 83.19 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Reference Winter
    90.10 Km/H
  2. Nokian Hakka Blue 2
    84.00 Km/H
  3. Michelin Primacy 4
    83.80 Km/H
  4. Dunlop Sport BluResponse
    82.80 Km/H
  5. Firestone RoadHawk
    81.90 Km/H
  6. Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
    81.80 Km/H
  7. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    81.30 Km/H
  8. Continental Premium Contact 6
    79.80 Km/H

Environment

Rolling Resistance

Spread: 0.28 kg / t (5.2%)|Avg: 5.51 kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    5.34 kg / t
  2. Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
    5.39 kg / t
  3. Continental Premium Contact 6
    5.48 kg / t
  4. Dunlop Sport BluResponse
    5.51 kg / t
  5. Michelin Primacy 4
    5.57 kg / t
  6. Firestone RoadHawk
    5.58 kg / t
  7. Reference Winter
    5.61 kg / t
  8. Nokian Hakka Blue 2
    5.62 kg / t
19,000 km
£1.45/L
--
Annual Difference
--
Lifetime Savings
--
Extra Fuel/Energy
--
Extra CO2

Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tyre age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

Noise

Spread: 1.20 dB (1.7%)|Avg: 72.65 dB
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
  1. Continental Premium Contact 6
    72.20 dB
  2. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    72.20 dB
  3. Dunlop Sport BluResponse
    72.40 dB
  4. Firestone RoadHawk
    72.40 dB
  5. Nokian Hakka Blue 2
    72.80 dB
  6. Reference Winter
    72.80 dB
  7. Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
    73.00 dB
  8. Michelin Primacy 4
    73.40 dB

Results

1st

Continental Premium Contact 6

205/55 R16
Continental Premium Contact 6
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 34.6 M 100%
Dry Handling 1st 108.52 s 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 50.5 M 49.1 M +1.4 M 97.23%
Wet Handling 1st 69.46 s 100%
Straight Aqua 8th 79.8 Km/H 90.1 Km/H -10.3 Km/H 88.57%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 1st 72.2 dB 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 3rd 5.48 kg / t 5.34 kg / t +0.14 kg / t 97.45%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
2nd

Nokian Hakka Blue 2

205/55 R16
Nokian Hakka Blue 2
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 36.1 M 34.6 M +1.5 M 95.84%
Dry Handling 6th 109.38 s 108.52 s +0.86 s 99.21%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 50.9 M 49.1 M +1.8 M 96.46%
Wet Handling 4th 70.18 s 69.46 s +0.72 s 98.97%
Straight Aqua 2nd 84 Km/H 90.1 Km/H -6.1 Km/H 93.23%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 5th 72.8 dB 72.2 dB +0.6 dB 99.18%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 8th 5.62 kg / t 5.34 kg / t +0.28 kg / t 95.02%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
3rd

Dunlop Sport BluResponse

205/55 R16
Dunlop Sport BluResponse
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 35.6 M 34.6 M +1 M 97.19%
Dry Handling 3rd 109 s 108.52 s +0.48 s 99.56%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 7th 52.5 M 49.1 M +3.4 M 93.52%
Wet Handling 5th 70.38 s 69.46 s +0.92 s 98.69%
Straight Aqua 4th 82.8 Km/H 90.1 Km/H -7.3 Km/H 91.9%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 3rd 72.4 dB 72.2 dB +0.2 dB 99.72%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 4th 5.51 kg / t 5.34 kg / t +0.17 kg / t 96.91%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
3rd

Firestone RoadHawk

205/55 R16
Firestone RoadHawk
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 35.6 M 34.6 M +1 M 97.19%
Dry Handling 2nd 108.94 s 108.52 s +0.42 s 99.61%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 51.3 M 49.1 M +2.2 M 95.71%
Wet Handling 2nd 69.82 s 69.46 s +0.36 s 99.48%
Straight Aqua 5th 81.9 Km/H 90.1 Km/H -8.2 Km/H 90.9%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 3rd 72.4 dB 72.2 dB +0.2 dB 99.72%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 6th 5.58 kg / t 5.34 kg / t +0.24 kg / t 95.7%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
5th

Michelin Primacy 4

205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 5th 35.9 M 34.6 M +1.3 M 96.38%
Dry Handling 7th 109.4 s 108.52 s +0.88 s 99.2%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 49.1 M 100%
Wet Handling 7th 71.14 s 69.46 s +1.68 s 97.64%
Straight Aqua 3rd 83.8 Km/H 90.1 Km/H -6.3 Km/H 93.01%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 8th 73.4 dB 72.2 dB +1.2 dB 98.37%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 5th 5.57 kg / t 5.34 kg / t +0.23 kg / t 95.87%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
6th

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance

205/55 R16
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 7th 36.3 M 34.6 M +1.7 M 95.32%
Dry Handling 5th 109.31 s 108.52 s +0.79 s 99.28%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 5th 51.7 M 49.1 M +2.6 M 94.97%
Wet Handling 6th 71.09 s 69.46 s +1.63 s 97.71%
Straight Aqua 6th 81.8 Km/H 90.1 Km/H -8.3 Km/H 90.79%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 7th 73 dB 72.2 dB +0.8 dB 98.9%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 2nd 5.39 kg / t 5.34 kg / t +0.05 kg / t 99.07%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
7th

Bridgestone Turanza T005

205/55 R16
Bridgestone Turanza T005
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 35.5 M 34.6 M +0.9 M 97.46%
Dry Handling 4th 109.01 s 108.52 s +0.49 s 99.55%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 8th 53.1 M 49.1 M +4 M 92.47%
Wet Handling 3rd 70.08 s 69.46 s +0.62 s 99.12%
Straight Aqua 7th 81.3 Km/H 90.1 Km/H -8.8 Km/H 90.23%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 1st 72.2 dB 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 1st 5.34 kg / t 100%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
8th

Reference Winter

205/55 R16
Reference Winter
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 46 M 34.6 M +11.4 M 75.22%
Dry Handling 8th 111.13 s 108.52 s +2.61 s 97.65%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 6th 52 M 49.1 M +2.9 M 94.42%
Wet Handling 8th 71.51 s 69.46 s +2.05 s 97.13%
Straight Aqua 1st 90.1 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 5th 72.8 dB 72.2 dB +0.6 dB 99.18%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 7th 5.61 kg / t 5.34 kg / t +0.27 kg / t 95.19%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

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Discussion

9 comments
  1. Enzo_Don94 archived

    I need help choosing between these tires: Nokian wetproof- Turanza t005 - Dunlop sport bluresponse. Thanks

    #5039
    1. TyreReviews Enzo_Don94 archived

      I'd be looking at Nokian VS Bridgestone and trying to find a test they've both been in!

      #5040
      1. Enzo_Don94 TyreReviews archived

        Hi, thanks for the advice. After looking at the tests, I think I choose bridgstone. Unfortunately Nokian wetproof has a very bad result to the rolling resistance.

        #5041
  2. Joel Joslin archived

    Is there a mistake? The Bridgestones got equal 1st place for noise with the quietest reading, but had 'noise' as a negative?

    #4883
    1. TyreReviews Joel Joslin archived

      without revisiting the original test, it could be a mistake, or it could be the difference between external and internal noise. Check out other tests to see how they do.

      #4885
  3. Geoff0711 archived

    This is a bit depression - for me there is no outright winner they all have apparent serious weaknesses. But the Roadhawk looks like a good all rounder.

    #4798
    1. Geoff0711 Geoff0711 archived

      OK So I am Flummoxed. My Size is actually 195/55/16 V91 I have worn Conti PC5 and want something different maybe a little better on wear and much the same Wet and Dry performance (Bit quieter would also help!) - Just a very few Summer tyres will give a little grip in the snow - that would be a bonus (Falken ZE 915; Maxxis HP5) I have a medium short list but going around in circles!! :- Dunlop Blue Response; Hankook VP3; Vredestein Sportrac 5; Maxxis HP5; Poss Bridgestone T005 - but stopping in the wet concerns me. Any suggestions - (Seat Ibiza 2017)

      #5001
      1. TyreReviews Geoff0711 archived

        Well, none of those will give particularly great snow grip!

        I'd probably aim at the T005 as it's been testing relatively well in the smaller sizes.

        #5006
        1. Geoff0711 TyreReviews archived

          Thanks. No I agree about summer tyre snow grip - non are like a winter or an all season - but a few are a lot better than others and some are especially useless in the snow. In this country most of us cannot afford to buy a complete spare set of Winter tyres on the off chance of a day or two of snow... I will look again at the T005 I was just concerned also of soft tyre walls when I saw some and also they are more noisy. Any tyre will be a compromise though.

          #5015