The 2021 summer tyre test season is kicking off early, with the excellent team at Auto Zeitung publishing their 10 set 225/40 R18 summer tyre test during February!
As this test is out so early in the season, it means the testing would have been completed in late 2020, which means it's missing the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport, but it's still an excellent start to the year as AZ always dig into the subjectiveness of the tyres, covering dry handling, wet handling and comfort!
All testing was carried out using a Seat Leon FR, and the popular 225/40 R18 UHP tyre size should cover many mid-sized sporty cars, including the ever popular VW Golf, the front of a BMW 1 Series, the Audi TT and many other vehicles.
Dry
It might be a new year, but it's not a new result for dry braking testing, with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 once again taking the top spot by a significant margin, over the Continental PremiumContact 6. Maxxis also had an impressive showing with the ever impressive Maxxis Victra Sport 5.
Dry Braking
Spread: 1.90 M (5.5%)|Avg: 35.21 M
Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Dry Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre
Dry handling played to the Continentals sharp steering, giving the German tyre an impressive win during dry handling. Michelin, Maxxis, Goodyear and Hankook all followed closely in a tight group.
Dry Handling
Spread: 0.90 s (1.3%)|Avg: 69.21 s
Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
Continental Premium Contact 6
68.80 s
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
69.00 s
Maxxis Victra Sport 5
69.00 s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
69.10 s
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
69.10 s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
69.20 s
Nokian PowerProof
69.20 s
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
69.40 s
Falken Azenis FK510
69.60 s
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
69.70 s
Subjective handling was also very close, with only Continental ahead of the tyres that impressed during dry handling.
Subj. Dry Handling
Spread: 6.00 Points (60%)|Avg: 7.60 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)
Continental Premium Contact 6
10.00 Points
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
9.00 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
9.00 Points
Maxxis Victra Sport 5
9.00 Points
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
9.00 Points
Nokian PowerProof
8.00 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
7.00 Points
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
6.00 Points
Falken Azenis FK510
5.00 Points
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
4.00 Points
Wet
Goodyear and Continental lead the way during wet braking testing, with the Goodyear Asymmetric 5 taking its first win. Falken again impressed with the FK510.
Wet Braking
Spread: 8.70 M (20.8%)|Avg: 46.24 M
Wet braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Wet Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre
Wet handling brought another new winner, this time Pirelli with the Pirelli P Zero PZ4. Goodyear and Continental, which did so well during wet braking, dropped down the order during wet handling.
Wet Handling
Spread: 2.30 s (3.7%)|Avg: 63.39 s
Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
62.60 s
Nokian PowerProof
62.90 s
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
63.10 s
Maxxis Victra Sport 5
63.20 s
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
63.30 s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
63.30 s
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
63.40 s
Falken Azenis FK510
63.50 s
Continental Premium Contact 6
63.70 s
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
64.90 s
Pirelli also proved to have the best subjective wet handling, with the testers reporting a neutral balance and impressive feedback.
Subj. Wet Handling
Spread: 7.00 Points (70%)|Avg: 6.80 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
10.00 Points
Nokian PowerProof
9.00 Points
Maxxis Victra Sport 5
8.00 Points
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
8.00 Points
Falken Azenis FK510
7.00 Points
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
6.00 Points
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
6.00 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
6.00 Points
Continental Premium Contact 6
5.00 Points
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
3.00 Points
Dunlop, which struggled in the dry, had the best aquaplaning resistance by a large margin.
Straight Aqua
Spread: 5.10 Km/H (7%)|Avg: 70.46 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
73.30 Km/H
Continental Premium Contact 6
71.70 Km/H
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
71.50 Km/H
Falken Azenis FK510
70.60 Km/H
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
70.40 Km/H
Nokian PowerProof
69.90 Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
69.80 Km/H
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
69.70 Km/H
Maxxis Victra Sport 5
69.50 Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
68.20 Km/H
Environment
Nexen was the standout of subjective comfort scoring with the N Fera Sport SU2.
Subj. Comfort
Spread: 3.00 Points (33.3%)|Avg: 7.40 Points
Subjective Comfort Score (Higher is better)
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
9.00 Points
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
8.00 Points
Continental Premium Contact 6
8.00 Points
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
8.00 Points
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
7.00 Points
Falken Azenis FK510
7.00 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
7.00 Points
Maxxis Victra Sport 5
7.00 Points
Nokian PowerProof
7.00 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
6.00 Points
The Nexen also proved to have the lowest external drive by noise.
Noise
Spread: 2.80 dB (4.1%)|Avg: 70.67 dB
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
69.10 dB
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
69.80 dB
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
69.80 dB
Falken Azenis FK510
70.40 dB
Maxxis Victra Sport 5
71.00 dB
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
71.00 dB
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
71.10 dB
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
71.20 dB
Continental Premium Contact 6
71.40 dB
Nokian PowerProof
71.90 dB
The Dunlop won its second test, having the lowest rolling resistance on test. Falken, Nexen and in particular, Pirelli had significantly higher rolling resistance than the group.
Rolling Resistance
Spread: 1.61 kg / t (19.2%)|Avg: 8.89 kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
8.38 kg / t
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
8.50 kg / t
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
8.60 kg / t
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
8.64 kg / t
Nokian PowerProof
8.66 kg / t
Maxxis Victra Sport 5
8.78 kg / t
Continental Premium Contact 6
8.88 kg / t
Falken Azenis FK510
9.23 kg / t
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
9.27 kg / t
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
9.99 kg / t
19,000 km
£1.45/L
8.0 L/100km
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Annual Difference
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Lifetime Savings
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Extra Fuel/Energy
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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.
Below is the price for a full set of tyres in the local currency (Euros)
Did Auto Zeitung provide any insight into what makes some tires subjectively better than others? I was very surprised to see the Dunlop score so badly, when other reviewers have been more positive and EVO, in particularly, quite liked it subjectively in Fall 2021. One guess is perhaps Auto Zeitung (Austrian, no), may, like most/all the German magazines, not like the grip to shift from one side or axle to another as weight shifts (at least that's how I understand the "Lastwechselreaktion" criteria), But I do like the grip to shift, since I know how to drive and want to exploit that. And EVO apparently likes this too, praising how the Dunlop and another subjectively top rated tyre enable the car to rotate when lifting off. (And even for people who don't know how to use weight change to their advantage, I can't see much of a safety issue except for now quite old cars with no stability control systems,)
My question is in part practical. My astonishingly dull BMW needs something to replace it's dull PS4s (why do all the German magazines continue to praise these for steering?), and the Dunlops are on my shortlist of tyres (quite short, with 18" wheels) to make it feel at least a little a tiny bit like all the "ultimate driving machines" from BMW which I've owned before.
Thanks for your suggestion! However, based on your last two Summer UHP tests, I figured the SuperSports would not be a great choice for anyplace where it rains. No?
Also, the SuperSports in my size are only available as XL's, which I'm not sure are even included in the tyre recommendations for my car (need to check, as this is also an issue with the new P Zeros), and which would probably require higher tyre pressures, which is not really desirable with local road quality.
So if not SuperSports, would you have a second choice for this purpose?
They're not that bad in the wet, and they do have an endurance advantage on track. You can run XL tyres at your stock pressures. The SC7 will be great, but it's just unproven in wear. You should fit them then let me know how they are :D
Alas, the SC7 isn't available in my size. And while the Eagle F1 SuperSports (only XLs in my size) do OK in some wet tests, it's hard to ignore your last test where the rear apparently did it's own thing in the wet with no apparent rhyme or reason. (Though 275 is pretty wide, and the Supra is not too heavy in the back nor too averse to oversteer ... .)
I finally checked my car's recommended tire specs and pressures. BMW does recommend higher pressures with XL tires: Instead of 2.6 and 3.0 bar (front and rear), they recommend 3.0 and 3.5. Not ideal :-(
I can see only a few interesting non-XL options: Sport Maxx RT 2, Turanza T005, Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5, Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, and maybe Pilot Super Sport (I remember it's also not great in the wet. Perhaps I should look at some older reviews to remember just how not great it is.)
(Whereas if these are all horrible, the best XLs that fit seem to be the new P Zero and maybe the not-yet-tested PS5.)
By the way, this car is not used on track. But on the road, at less than 10/10ths, it desperately needs more steering precision and feedback, agility, throttle adjustability, and ideally, a bit less understeer.
Just saw TyreReviews's excellent new group test video with the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, PS5, and others. And the Goodyear looks like a great tyre, so I ordered a set. Shame the Dunlops weren't included though. Various tests suggest they are both sporty and comfortable (such as the 2021 EVO test, though this test and the 2020 EVO test suggest they are not the sportiest), and most tests suggest they are better in aquaplaning situations than almost anything (whereas the Goodyear's are surely better at braking).
First! I'm very grateful that this site exist, thank you!
I'm looking for the next tyre for my facelift mk2 Focus ST (nose heavy 5pot torque-beast) I'M using S1EVO2's since 2015, like them really, good alrrounders. But now its time to buy better tyres. My top needs in order: 1. Dry grip for B road joydrive, 2. low noise and 3. low rolling resistance for Highway travels. I'm totally lost.... :D In some tests S1EVO2-s are in par with the top tyres, maybe its fine to stick with them, they are cheap and maybe its worth more to replace them yearly, bi-yearly rather then stick with premiums for years But what would you buy? PS4? CPC6? Assym5?
Thank you! Yes 18" size, 225/40. Uhum, just checked the supersport. It seems not much better handling, but noise as hell, and lower comfort level. https://www.tyrereviews.com... (Here in Hungary roads are horrible, comfort can be good...always :) )
So Assym5 seems the best choice for me. (Or maybe a good old ps4 :D )
Both would be great. Assym5 will have lower consumption (rolling resistance) and price, PS4 slightly more sportive sticking but higher rolling resistance/consumption and probably less km lasting. You can also try some Hankook, ideally from the new HU factory.
Really sorry not to see new POTENZA SPORT in any "car media" tests yet. After more than 15 years, when I last had Bridgestone on my cars (RE 050A) and driving on Pilot sports, PZeros, Sportcontacts...all of various generations thru the years I am really interested if Ill go back to Japanese brand :) Anyway German TuV did test them and some competitors in 245/40 18 size: http://bridgestone-daten.eu... But I do wonder how would they stack up against UUHP tires like PS4S and Sportcontact6 - I hope you include them in your test against Potenza Sport, becuase I will buy a set of the winning tires :)
I was hoping to see new Bridgestone Potenza Sport in 2021 UHP tyre test to see how it compare with others. Guess will need to wait for some other test that will include it :)
NS2R - you're right about this. Might struggle in the cold too. PC6 way better than PS4 from dry handling perspective. I'm testing the vorti next month so cana tell you more then.
I'd avoid the PZ4, every time I've driven any P Zero I felt disappointed in the handling.
The other tyre you missed, maybe due to sizing, is the Giti GTR3 - you might have better luck finding it in Germany than we do in the UK. It should do everything you want!
NS2R- cold is not a big problem, I have winter tyres anyway. More like heavy rain. So still sketchy. Pirelli- yeah I also hear sometimes that their quality is quite unstable. Giti GTR3- nope, also non-existent here.
I think I'd narrow it down to PC6 and Vorti. Maybe even a bit more towards Vorti. It seems like its winning if not more than, at least same so much dry handling tests like PC6. And I have a taste for stuffs that are underappreciated!!
If you swap, let me know how you find them. ANd if you can delay, covid allowing I should be testing PC6, PS4, PS4S, Asym 5, PZ4, Vorti etc in 18" next month
Actually I don't have to swap now but soon. I'm really just planning now. So I'm looking forward to your new tests! Btw it would be nice to include the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Please, don't forget about the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport! It´s good to see the PS4S in some 18" sizes. Maybe is due to the Toyota GR Yaris: https://www.youtube.com/wat... (at 00:10) Unfortunately, it's not the same story for the Conti SC6.
Did Auto Zeitung provide any insight into what makes some tires subjectively better than others? I was very surprised to see the Dunlop score so badly, when other reviewers have been more positive and EVO, in particularly, quite liked it subjectively in Fall 2021. One guess is perhaps Auto Zeitung (Austrian, no), may, like most/all the German magazines, not like the grip to shift from one side or axle to another as weight shifts (at least that's how I understand the "Lastwechselreaktion" criteria), But I do like the grip to shift, since I know how to drive and want to exploit that. And EVO apparently likes this too, praising how the Dunlop and another subjectively top rated tyre enable the car to rotate when lifting off. (And even for people who don't know how to use weight change to their advantage, I can't see much of a safety issue except for now quite old cars with no stability control systems,)
My question is in part practical. My astonishingly dull BMW needs something to replace it's dull PS4s (why do all the German magazines continue to praise these for steering?), and the Dunlops are on my shortlist of tyres (quite short, with 18" wheels) to make it feel at least a little a tiny bit like all the "ultimate driving machines" from BMW which I've owned before.
I've not got anymore understanding than you, but I agree it seems likely they they rate a more safe balance.
If you want to liven up your BMW, Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSports are the way to go, should be a similar price to the Dunlop too.
Thanks for your suggestion! However, based on your last two Summer UHP tests, I figured the SuperSports would not be a great choice for anyplace where it rains. No?
Also, the SuperSports in my size are only available as XL's, which I'm not sure are even included in the tyre recommendations for my car (need to check, as this is also an issue with the new P Zeros), and which would probably require higher tyre pressures, which is not really desirable with local road quality.
So if not SuperSports, would you have a second choice for this purpose?
They're not that bad in the wet, and they do have an endurance advantage on track. You can run XL tyres at your stock pressures. The SC7 will be great, but it's just unproven in wear. You should fit them then let me know how they are :D
Alas, the SC7 isn't available in my size. And while the Eagle F1 SuperSports (only XLs in my size) do OK in some wet tests, it's hard to ignore your last test where the rear apparently did it's own thing in the wet with no apparent rhyme or reason. (Though 275 is pretty wide, and the Supra is not too heavy in the back nor too averse to oversteer ... .)
I finally checked my car's recommended tire specs and pressures. BMW does recommend higher pressures with XL tires: Instead of 2.6 and 3.0 bar (front and rear), they recommend 3.0 and 3.5. Not ideal :-(
I can see only a few interesting non-XL options: Sport Maxx RT 2, Turanza T005, Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5, Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, and maybe Pilot Super Sport (I remember it's also not great in the wet. Perhaps I should look at some older reviews to remember just how not great it is.)
(Whereas if these are all horrible, the best XLs that fit seem to be the new P Zero and maybe the not-yet-tested PS5.)
By the way, this car is not used on track. But on the road, at less than 10/10ths, it desperately needs more steering precision and feedback, agility, throttle adjustability, and ideally, a bit less understeer.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Just saw TyreReviews's excellent new group test video with the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, PS5, and others. And the Goodyear looks like a great tyre, so I ordered a set. Shame the Dunlops weren't included though. Various tests suggest they are both sporty and comfortable (such as the 2021 EVO test, though this test and the 2020 EVO test suggest they are not the sportiest), and most tests suggest they are better in aquaplaning situations than almost anything (whereas the Goodyear's are surely better at braking).
One thing to remember with the RT2 is that it is essentially the same tyre as the Asymmetric 3. THings have moved on since!
i wonder what hankook messed up with s1evo3.
not first test this tire is on back of the pack
It seemed to lose out heavily in wet braking, which is interesting as all the tyres are rated A.
Yes, something has changed with these Hankook tyres...compare with top results in Autobild 2019 test with 53 tyres... https://m.hankooktire.com/a...
It could be a feature of the size, or even not that Hankook have dropped back but the competitors updated.
Hi!
First! I'm very grateful that this site exist, thank you!
I'm looking for the next tyre for my facelift mk2 Focus ST (nose heavy 5pot torque-beast)
I'M using S1EVO2's since 2015, like them really, good alrrounders. But now its time to buy better tyres.
My top needs in order: 1. Dry grip for B road joydrive, 2. low noise and 3. low rolling resistance for Highway travels.
I'm totally lost.... :D In some tests S1EVO2-s are in par with the top tyres, maybe its fine to stick with them, they are cheap and maybe its worth more to replace them yearly, bi-yearly rather then stick with premiums for years
But what would you buy? PS4? CPC6? Assym5?
Assuming 18" size, I'd head for the F1 SuperSports or Asymmetric 5s if not in your size :)
Thank you!
Yes 18" size, 225/40.
Uhum, just checked the supersport. It seems not much better handling, but noise as hell, and lower comfort level. https://www.tyrereviews.com...
(Here in Hungary roads are horrible, comfort can be good...always :) )
So Assym5 seems the best choice for me. (Or maybe a good old ps4 :D )
Both would be great. Assym5 will have lower consumption (rolling resistance) and price, PS4 slightly more sportive sticking but higher rolling resistance/consumption and probably less km lasting.
You can also try some Hankook, ideally from the new HU factory.
ACtaully using an S1EVO2, which is in pair in some tests with the best. I think EVO3 is not as good.
Really sorry not to see new POTENZA SPORT in any "car media" tests yet. After more than 15 years, when I last had Bridgestone on my cars (RE 050A) and driving on Pilot sports, PZeros, Sportcontacts...all of various generations thru the years I am really interested if Ill go back to Japanese brand :) Anyway German TuV did test them and some competitors in 245/40 18 size: http://bridgestone-daten.eu...
But I do wonder how would they stack up against UUHP tires like PS4S and Sportcontact6 - I hope you include them in your test against Potenza Sport, becuase I will buy a set of the winning tires :)
They are in my 18" test this year :) Should be testing next month, travel allowing!
Awesome man - can't wait to see that ?
Do we know if the PZ4 was the SC or LS version?
I don't believe it was specified, but we always assume SC for testing.
I was hoping to see new Bridgestone Potenza Sport in 2021 UHP tyre test to see how it compare with others.
Guess will need to wait for some other test that will include it :)
I'll have it in this years test :)
Lots of questions!
NS2R - you're right about this. Might struggle in the cold too.
PC6 way better than PS4 from dry handling perspective.
I'm testing the vorti next month so cana tell you more then.
I'd avoid the PZ4, every time I've driven any P Zero I felt disappointed in the handling.
The other tyre you missed, maybe due to sizing, is the Giti GTR3 - you might have better luck finding it in Germany than we do in the UK. It should do everything you want!
Thanks for the speedy reply. Appreciate it a lot!
NS2R- cold is not a big problem, I have winter tyres anyway. More like heavy rain. So still sketchy.
Pirelli- yeah I also hear sometimes that their quality is quite unstable.
Giti GTR3- nope, also non-existent here.
I think I'd narrow it down to PC6 and Vorti. Maybe even a bit more towards Vorti. It seems like its winning if not more than, at least same so much dry handling tests like PC6. And I have a taste for stuffs that are underappreciated!!
If you swap, let me know how you find them. ANd if you can delay, covid allowing I should be testing PC6, PS4, PS4S, Asym 5, PZ4, Vorti etc in 18" next month
Actually I don't have to swap now but soon. I'm really just planning now. So I'm looking forward to your new tests! Btw it would be nice to include the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
I have the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and F1 SuperSport in the test too :)
Please, don't forget about the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport!
It´s good to see the PS4S in some 18" sizes. Maybe is due to the Toyota GR Yaris:
https://www.youtube.com/wat... (at 00:10)
Unfortunately, it's not the same story for the Conti SC6.
You are correct, we have it because of the Yaris.