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2021 Motor Summer Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
6 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Dry
  3. Wet
  4. Environment
  5. Results
  6. Continental Premium Contact 6
  7. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
  8. Nokian PowerProof
  9. Bridgestone Turanza T005
  10. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
  11. Maxxis Premitra HP5
  12. Debica Presto UHP2
  13. Laufenn S Fit EQ+
  14. Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
  15. Imperial Ecosport 2

Test Publication:
Motor
225/55 R17 10 tyres 4 categories
Images courtesy of Motor
Test Publication:
Motor
Images courtesy of Motor
Test Size: 225/55 R17
Tyres Tested: 10 tyres
Test Categories:
4 categories (10 tests)
Similar Tests
Published a later than usual due to covid travel restrictions, the Polish magazine "Motor" have tested ten 225/55 R17 summer tyres in the usual array of wet and dry testing.

The 17 inch size tested can be found on a wide range of vehicles, such as the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, and Mercedes E-Class, smaller vehicles like the BMW 3-Series and Mini Countryman, crossovers like the Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail and Skoda Karoq, and even minivans / people carriers like the Chrysler Voyager, Fiat Scudo and Opel Vivaro. 

Motor Magazine used a BMW 5 Series for the testing.

Dry

As with most tests including the Continental PremiumContact 6, the German tyre did exceptionally well in the dry, having the shortest dry braking, fastest dry handling lap and the best subjective dry handling feeling. The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 kept the Continental honest in the braking and the timed lap, and the Nokian PowerProof, Bridgestone Turanza T005 and Laufenn S Fit EQ+ performed well.

Unfortunately while the Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue was rated as one of the best tyres in the dry subjectively, it had a lack of grip in braking and handling.

Dry Braking

Spread: 4.60 M (13.3%)|Avg: 35.95 M
Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Dry Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

Dry Handling

Spread: 1.50 s (2.7%)|Avg: 56.99 s
Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Continental Premium Contact 6
    56.10 s
  2. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    56.20 s
  3. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    56.80 s
  4. Laufenn S Fit EQ Plus
    56.90 s
  5. Nokian PowerProof
    57.00 s
  6. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    57.20 s
  7. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    57.20 s
  8. Imperial Ecosport 2
    57.30 s
  9. Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
    57.60 s
  10. Debica Presto UHP2
    57.60 s

Subj. Dry Handling

Spread: 0.75 Points (10.7%)|Avg: 6.55 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Continental Premium Contact 6
    7.00 Points
  2. Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
    6.70 Points
  3. Laufenn S Fit EQ Plus
    6.70 Points
  4. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    6.55 Points
  5. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    6.50 Points
  6. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    6.50 Points
  7. Nokian PowerProof
    6.50 Points
  8. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    6.40 Points
  9. Imperial Ecosport 2
    6.40 Points
  10. Debica Presto UHP2
    6.25 Points

Wet

The wet grip tests had a very similar order to dry, with the Continental tyre leading the Goodyear in both braking and handling tests, the Nokian and Bridgestone also performing well, and the Pirelli having a surprisingly disappointing result for a premium tyre.

Wet Braking

Spread: 9.40 M (19.5%)|Avg: 52.35 M
Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
Wet Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

Wet Handling

Spread: 7.60 s (8.7%)|Avg: 90.96 s
Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Continental Premium Contact 6
    87.20 s
  2. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    88.50 s
  3. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    89.70 s
  4. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    90.00 s
  5. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    90.40 s
  6. Debica Presto UHP2
    90.40 s
  7. Nokian PowerProof
    90.40 s
  8. Laufenn S Fit EQ Plus
    93.60 s
  9. Imperial Ecosport 2
    94.60 s
  10. Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
    94.80 s

The deep water straight aquaplaning test had a surprise win for the Imperial EcoSport 2 budget tyre, where as the Goodyear proved best in curved aquaplaning.

On balance, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 had the best balance between the shallow and deep water testing.

Straight Aqua

Spread: 5.81 Km/H (5.9%)|Avg: 94.55 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Imperial Ecosport 2
    98.10 Km/H
  2. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    95.19 Km/H
  3. Nokian PowerProof
    94.94 Km/H
  4. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    94.80 Km/H
  5. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    94.80 Km/H
  6. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    94.40 Km/H
  7. Debica Presto UHP2
    94.11 Km/H
  8. Continental Premium Contact 6
    94.01 Km/H
  9. Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
    92.82 Km/H
  10. Laufenn S Fit EQ Plus
    92.29 Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Spread: 0.79 m/sec2 (23%)|Avg: 3.11 m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration (Higher is better)
  1. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    3.43 m/sec2
  2. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    3.39 m/sec2
  3. Nokian PowerProof
    3.27 m/sec2
  4. Imperial Ecosport 2
    3.27 m/sec2
  5. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    3.22 m/sec2
  6. Debica Presto UHP2
    3.17 m/sec2
  7. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    3.09 m/sec2
  8. Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
    2.82 m/sec2
  9. Laufenn S Fit EQ Plus
    2.78 m/sec2
  10. Continental Premium Contact 6
    2.64 m/sec2

Environment

As we've found in the Tyre Reviews tests, the Nokian Powerproof and Continental PremiumContact 6 sit at opposite ends of the external noise tests.

Noise

Spread: 2.30 dB (3.3%)|Avg: 71.27 dB
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
  1. Nokian PowerProof
    70.60 dB
  2. Debica Presto UHP2
    70.70 dB
  3. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    70.80 dB
  4. Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
    70.90 dB
  5. Imperial Ecosport 2
    70.90 dB
  6. Laufenn S Fit EQ Plus
    71.10 dB
  7. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    71.30 dB
  8. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    71.50 dB
  9. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    72.00 dB
  10. Continental Premium Contact 6
    72.90 dB

The rolling resistance test perhaps highlights why Pirelli struggled in the grip tests, as the P7 Blue has a significantly lower rolling resistance than even the Bridgestone Turanza T005, which usually has the lowest rolling resistance on test.

Rolling Resistance

Spread: 2.25 kg / t (34.1%)|Avg: 7.94 kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
    6.60 kg / t
  2. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    7.12 kg / t
  3. Debica Presto UHP2
    7.76 kg / t
  4. Laufenn S Fit EQ Plus
    7.76 kg / t
  5. Continental Premium Contact 6
    7.96 kg / t
  6. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    8.12 kg / t
  7. Nokian PowerProof
    8.18 kg / t
  8. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    8.20 kg / t
  9. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    8.85 kg / t
  10. Imperial Ecosport 2
    8.85 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.

Unsurprisingly the budget tyre is the cheapest tyre on test, with the Pirelli tyre offsetting it's low fuel use with a very high purchase price!

Price

Spread: 408.00 (174.4%)|Avg: 456.40
Price in local currency (Lower is better)
  1. Imperial Ecosport 2
    234.00
  2. Laufenn S Fit EQ Plus
    319.00
  3. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    376.00
  4. Debica Presto UHP2
    390.00
  5. Nokian PowerProof
    452.00
  6. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    508.00
  7. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    525.00
  8. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    546.00
  9. Continental Premium Contact 6
    572.00
  10. Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
    642.00

Results

Continental Premium Contact 6
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 34.5 M 100%
Dry Handling 1st 56.1 s 100%
Subj. Dry Handling 1st 7 Points 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 48.1 M 100%
Wet Handling 1st 87.2 s 100%
Straight Aqua 8th 94.01 Km/H 98.1 Km/H -4.09 Km/H 95.83%
Curved Aquaplaning 10th 2.64 m/sec2 3.43 m/sec2 -0.79 m/sec2 76.97%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 10th 72.9 dB 70.6 dB +2.3 dB 96.84%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 9th 572 234 +338 40.91%
Rolling Resistance 5th 7.96 kg / t 6.6 kg / t +1.36 kg / t 82.91%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 34.9 M 34.5 M +0.4 M 98.85%
Dry Handling 2nd 56.2 s 56.1 s +0.1 s 99.82%
Subj. Dry Handling 8th 6.4 Points 7 Points -0.6 Points 91.43%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 49.3 M 48.1 M +1.2 M 97.57%
Wet Handling 2nd 88.5 s 87.2 s +1.3 s 98.53%
Straight Aqua 4th 94.8 Km/H 98.1 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 96.64%
Curved Aquaplaning 1st 3.43 m/sec2 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 7th 71.3 dB 70.6 dB +0.7 dB 99.02%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 6th 508 234 +274 46.06%
Rolling Resistance 9th 8.85 kg / t 6.6 kg / t +2.25 kg / t 74.58%
3rd

Nokian PowerProof

225/55 R17
Nokian PowerProof
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 35.3 M 34.5 M +0.8 M 97.73%
Dry Handling 5th 57 s 56.1 s +0.9 s 98.42%
Subj. Dry Handling 5th 6.5 Points 7 Points -0.5 Points 92.86%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 50.3 M 48.1 M +2.2 M 95.63%
Wet Handling 5th 90.4 s 87.2 s +3.2 s 96.46%
Straight Aqua 3rd 94.94 Km/H 98.1 Km/H -3.16 Km/H 96.78%
Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 3.27 m/sec2 3.43 m/sec2 -0.16 m/sec2 95.34%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 1st 70.6 dB 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 5th 452 234 +218 51.77%
Rolling Resistance 7th 8.18 kg / t 6.6 kg / t +1.58 kg / t 80.68%
4th

Bridgestone Turanza T005

225/55 R17
Bridgestone Turanza T005
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 35.5 M 34.5 M +1 M 97.18%
Dry Handling 3rd 56.8 s 56.1 s +0.7 s 98.77%
Subj. Dry Handling 4th 6.55 Points 7 Points -0.45 Points 93.57%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 51.2 M 48.1 M +3.1 M 93.95%
Wet Handling 4th 90 s 87.2 s +2.8 s 96.89%
Straight Aqua 4th 94.8 Km/H 98.1 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 96.64%
Curved Aquaplaning 5th 3.22 m/sec2 3.43 m/sec2 -0.21 m/sec2 93.88%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 9th 72 dB 70.6 dB +1.4 dB 98.06%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 8th 546 234 +312 42.86%
Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.12 kg / t 6.6 kg / t +0.52 kg / t 92.7%
5th

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

225/55 R17
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 35.5 M 34.5 M +1 M 97.18%
Dry Handling 6th 57.2 s 56.1 s +1.1 s 98.08%
Subj. Dry Handling 5th 6.5 Points 7 Points -0.5 Points 92.86%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 6th 51.9 M 48.1 M +3.8 M 92.68%
Wet Handling 3rd 89.7 s 87.2 s +2.5 s 97.21%
Straight Aqua 2nd 95.19 Km/H 98.1 Km/H -2.91 Km/H 97.03%
Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 3.39 m/sec2 3.43 m/sec2 -0.04 m/sec2 98.83%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 8th 71.5 dB 70.6 dB +0.9 dB 98.74%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 7th 525 234 +291 44.57%
Rolling Resistance 8th 8.2 kg / t 6.6 kg / t +1.6 kg / t 80.49%
6th

Maxxis Premitra HP5

225/55 R17
Maxxis Premitra HP5
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 36.1 M 34.5 M +1.6 M 95.57%
Dry Handling 6th 57.2 s 56.1 s +1.1 s 98.08%
Subj. Dry Handling 5th 6.5 Points 7 Points -0.5 Points 92.86%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 5th 51.3 M 48.1 M +3.2 M 93.76%
Wet Handling 5th 90.4 s 87.2 s +3.2 s 96.46%
Straight Aqua 6th 94.4 Km/H 98.1 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 96.23%
Curved Aquaplaning 7th 3.09 m/sec2 3.43 m/sec2 -0.34 m/sec2 90.09%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 3rd 70.8 dB 70.6 dB +0.2 dB 99.72%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 3rd 376 234 +142 62.23%
Rolling Resistance 6th 8.12 kg / t 6.6 kg / t +1.52 kg / t 81.28%
7th

Debica Presto UHP2

225/55 R17
Debica Presto UHP2
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 35.6 M 34.5 M +1.1 M 96.91%
Dry Handling 9th 57.6 s 56.1 s +1.5 s 97.4%
Subj. Dry Handling 10th 6.25 Points 7 Points -0.75 Points 89.29%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 8th 53.8 M 48.1 M +5.7 M 89.41%
Wet Handling 5th 90.4 s 87.2 s +3.2 s 96.46%
Straight Aqua 7th 94.11 Km/H 98.1 Km/H -3.99 Km/H 95.93%
Curved Aquaplaning 6th 3.17 m/sec2 3.43 m/sec2 -0.26 m/sec2 92.42%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 2nd 70.7 dB 70.6 dB +0.1 dB 99.86%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 4th 390 234 +156 60%
Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.76 kg / t 6.6 kg / t +1.16 kg / t 85.05%
8th

Laufenn S Fit EQ+

225/55 R17
Laufenn S Fit EQ Plus
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 7th 35.9 M 34.5 M +1.4 M 96.1%
Dry Handling 4th 56.9 s 56.1 s +0.8 s 98.59%
Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 6.7 Points 7 Points -0.3 Points 95.71%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 7th 53.7 M 48.1 M +5.6 M 89.57%
Wet Handling 8th 93.6 s 87.2 s +6.4 s 93.16%
Straight Aqua 10th 92.29 Km/H 98.1 Km/H -5.81 Km/H 94.08%
Curved Aquaplaning 9th 2.78 m/sec2 3.43 m/sec2 -0.65 m/sec2 81.05%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 6th 71.1 dB 70.6 dB +0.5 dB 99.3%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 2nd 319 234 +85 73.35%
Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.76 kg / t 6.6 kg / t +1.16 kg / t 85.05%
9th

Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue

225/55 R17
Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 9th 37.1 M 34.5 M +2.6 M 92.99%
Dry Handling 9th 57.6 s 56.1 s +1.5 s 97.4%
Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 6.7 Points 7 Points -0.3 Points 95.71%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 9th 56.4 M 48.1 M +8.3 M 85.28%
Wet Handling 10th 94.8 s 87.2 s +7.6 s 91.98%
Straight Aqua 9th 92.82 Km/H 98.1 Km/H -5.28 Km/H 94.62%
Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.82 m/sec2 3.43 m/sec2 -0.61 m/sec2 82.22%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 4th 70.9 dB 70.6 dB +0.3 dB 99.58%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 10th 642 234 +408 36.45%
Rolling Resistance 1st 6.6 kg / t 100%
10th

Imperial Ecosport 2

225/55 R17
Imperial Ecosport 2
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 10th 39.1 M 34.5 M +4.6 M 88.24%
Dry Handling 8th 57.3 s 56.1 s +1.2 s 97.91%
Subj. Dry Handling 8th 6.4 Points 7 Points -0.6 Points 91.43%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 10th 57.5 M 48.1 M +9.4 M 83.65%
Wet Handling 9th 94.6 s 87.2 s +7.4 s 92.18%
Straight Aqua 1st 98.1 Km/H 100%
Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 3.27 m/sec2 3.43 m/sec2 -0.16 m/sec2 95.34%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 4th 70.9 dB 70.6 dB +0.3 dB 99.58%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 1st 234 100%
Rolling Resistance 9th 8.85 kg / t 6.6 kg / t +2.25 kg / t 74.58%

Discussion

13 comments
  1. S500 archived

    Which of these 5 tyres in 235/55R17 do you recon would be the most comfortable and quiet on an S-Class?

    Premium Contact 6
    Premium Contact 6 MO-V (Mercedes spec tyre but for the V-Class which is a Van)

    Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    Sport Maxx RT2 with NST (sound deadening foam)

    Primacy 4

    #6926
    1. TyreReviews S500 archived

      Interesting question, The Dunlop would probably be the quietest thanks to the foam but I would guess the Primacy 4 would give the best overall levels of NVH

      #6927
  2. Jan archived

    Hi Jonathan, do you have any idea, if Dunlop plan something new in 17"? Something like SP Sport Maxx 2 or SportMaxx RT 3. And they have also no all season tyre. In Dunlop is something frozen probably :-D

    #6885
    1. TyreReviews Jan archived

      Dunlop do have a new all season tyre! https://www.tyrereviews.com... they're just not pushing it.

      If you don't already know, Goodyear own Dunlop, but at the moment they are going through a phase of pushing Goodyear which is why a lot of the Dunlop tyres are the same as previous generation Goodyear tyres (RT2 = Asym 3)

      #6886
      1. Jan TyreReviews archived

        Thank you, I didn't notice new all season from Dunlop. Looks like siped summer, such a Vredestein way. I prefer directional pattern in winter.
        I know about ownership, but I like Dunlop more. So they should release something new due to the name Dunlop.
        I'm little bit confused with RT2. In some test is too much "eco" and in another is sporty. A had RT on Auris, and they were good tyres. Not best, but definitely not what some tests are saying.

        #6890
  3. Morten B' Andresen archived

    Which summer tires would you recommend for a 2015 VW Polo 1.4TSI BlueGT? Tire size is 215/40/R17.

    The new Continental EcoContact 6 looks good on paper, but can't find any test of it?

    #6878
  4. Philby archived

    So the Pirellis oh boy have they plummeted. I am wondering are there any new tyres planned to be unveiled later this year?

    #6871
    1. TyreReviews Philby archived

      As far as I'm aware there's nothing big and new this year other than the CrossClimate 2.

      Strange result for the Pirelli but I'm sure their next range of tyres will be much improved, as the updated P Zero PZ4 is

      #6873
      1. Philby TyreReviews archived

        I was wondering because I do 50.000km / year so I change annually. In 205/55/16 the last 5 years I have sampled efficient grip performance 1, primacy 3, T005, rainstorm 5 and premium contact 6. So I am running out of options for October. As of now I am thinking of e-primacy but haven't been tested yet. Also pirelli is a letdown and the venture prime 3 is pretty old as is the Dunlop blu response.

        #6875
        1. TyreReviews Philby archived

          EGP2 is worth a go if you've only used V1?

          #6881
          1. Philby TyreReviews archived

            From the 5 tyres I would only refit PC6 and T005. I am intrigued by the AE51 Yokohama the EFP2 well it is good no doubt but it seems the least sporty premium choice.

            #6882
            1. Kolemjdouci Philby archived

              If you do 50.000 km/year than you will not find longer lasting tyre than GY EGP2 and it really also is very fuel efficient. Second best lasting should be Michelin Primacy 4, according to tests. All in 205/55/16.
              My experience with GY EGP1 195/65 R15 is that they de facto pay themselves/pay off via fuel saved and long lasting endurance.
              P.S. E.g. UK petrol prices are now at an eight-year high.

              #7034
      2. Asier TyreReviews archived

        I read somewhere about the upcoming Conti SportContact 7. How real is that. If they are able to blend the good sportiness of the SC6 with the wear properties of the latest Contis, it should be a killer, don’t you think?

        #6876