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2018 New and Worn Summer Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
8 min read Updated

Adjust Result Weighting

The overall scores below are calculated using our weighting system. Since the original publication may use a different scoring methodology that wasn't shared, these results may differ from their published rankings. You can adjust the weightings below to explore how different priorities affect the results.
Dry 39%
Wet 56%
Comfort 6%
Dry 39% · Wet 56% · Comfort 6%
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Dry
Wet
Comfort

Test Results Data

BEST Good Average Below Average
# Tyre Total Score Dry Wet Comfort
Braking M Handling Km/H % Braking M Handling Km/H % Noise dB %
1 Michelin Primacy 4 100.5% 14.1 2 55.5 2 99.2% 13.5 49.8 100% 59.4 3 97.3%
2 Bridgestone Turanza T005 97.4% 14 56 100% 15.2 49.6 2 94.2% 61.2 94.4%
3 ▲1 Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue 95.9% 14.9 55.3 3 96.4% 14.8 48 3 93.8% 60.1 96.2%
4 ▼1 Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 95.3% 14.7 53.5 95.4% 14.5 46.6 93.3% 59.5 97.1%
5 ▲4 Michelin CrossClimate 94.2% 14.1 2 50.6 94.8% 15.5 47.8 91.5% 57.8 100%
6 ▼1 Hankook Kinergy Eco 2 93.7% 15.9 51 89.6% 14.1 2 46.6 94.7% 59.7 96.8%
7 ▼1 BFGoodrich gGrip 93.4% 15.2 49 89.8% 14.4 3 47 94.1% 61 94.8%
8 ▲5 Reference Winter 92.6% 15.2 51.4 92% 15.5 47 90.7% 59 2 98%
9 ▼2 Continental Premium Contact 5 92.1% 15.3 49.5 89.9% 15.2 46.8 91.4% 59.7 96.8%
10 ▼2 Firestone RoadHawk 91.5% 15.4 54.4 94% 16.3 46.3 87.9% 61.6 93.8%
11 ▼1 Infinity Ecosis 90.9% 15.2 44.4 85.7% 14.4 3 45.3 92.4% 60.5 95.5%
12 ▼1 Taurus 401 HighPerformance 89.6% 15.2 47.8 88.7% 15.7 44.8 88% 60.9 94.9%
13 ▼1 Semperit SpeedLife 2 86.2% 17.4 49.2 84.2% 17.2 45.8 85.2% 60.9 94.9%
14 Laufenn S fit EQ 83% 18 49.6 83.2% 20.3 47.1 80.5% 63 91.8%
15 ▲2 Reference Winter Worn 77.3% 30.1 47.3 65.5% 16.8 42 82.4% 61.5 94%
16 ▼1 Reference Summer Worn 76.8% 19.7 43.5 74.4% 20.4 42.2 75.5% 62.6 92.3%
17 ▼1 Dayton Touring 2 74.8% 21.2 45.8 73.9% 24.7 44.3 71.8% 60.5 95.5%
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Dry 99% Wet 100% Comfort 97%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 14.1 M 2
Dry Handling 55.5 Km/H 2
Wet
Wet Braking 13.5 M
Wet Handling 49.8 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 59.4 dB 3
Dry 100% Wet 94% Comfort 94%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 14 M
Dry Handling 56 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 15.2 M
Wet Handling 49.6 Km/H 2
Comfort
Noise 61.2 dB
Dry 96% Wet 94% Comfort 96%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 14.9 M
Dry Handling 55.3 Km/H 3
Wet
Wet Braking 14.8 M
Wet Handling 48 Km/H 3
Comfort
Noise 60.1 dB
Dry 95% Wet 93% Comfort 97%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 14.7 M
Dry Handling 53.5 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 14.5 M
Wet Handling 46.6 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 59.5 dB
5
94.2%
Dry 95% Wet 92% Comfort 100%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 14.1 M 2
Dry Handling 50.6 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 15.5 M
Wet Handling 47.8 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 57.8 dB
6
93.7%
Dry 90% Wet 95% Comfort 97%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 15.9 M
Dry Handling 51 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 14.1 M 2
Wet Handling 46.6 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 59.7 dB
7
93.4%
Dry 90% Wet 94% Comfort 95%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 15.2 M
Dry Handling 49 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 14.4 M 3
Wet Handling 47 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 61 dB
8
92.6%
Dry 92% Wet 91% Comfort 98%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 15.2 M
Dry Handling 51.4 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 15.5 M
Wet Handling 47 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 59 dB 2
Dry 90% Wet 91% Comfort 97%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 15.3 M
Dry Handling 49.5 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 15.2 M
Wet Handling 46.8 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 59.7 dB
10
91.5%
Dry 94% Wet 88% Comfort 94%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 15.4 M
Dry Handling 54.4 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 16.3 M
Wet Handling 46.3 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 61.6 dB
11
90.9%
Dry 86% Wet 92% Comfort 96%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 15.2 M
Dry Handling 44.4 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 14.4 M 3
Wet Handling 45.3 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 60.5 dB
Dry 89% Wet 88% Comfort 95%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 15.2 M
Dry Handling 47.8 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 15.7 M
Wet Handling 44.8 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 60.9 dB
13
86.2%
Dry 84% Wet 85% Comfort 95%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 17.4 M
Dry Handling 49.2 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 17.2 M
Wet Handling 45.8 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 60.9 dB
Dry 83% Wet 81% Comfort 92%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 18 M
Dry Handling 49.6 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 20.3 M
Wet Handling 47.1 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 63 dB
15
77.3%
Dry 66% Wet 82% Comfort 94%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 30.1 M
Dry Handling 47.3 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 16.8 M
Wet Handling 42 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 61.5 dB
16
76.8%
Dry 74% Wet 76% Comfort 92%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 19.7 M
Dry Handling 43.5 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 20.4 M
Wet Handling 42.2 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 62.6 dB
17
74.8%
Dry 74% Wet 72% Comfort 96%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 21.2 M
Dry Handling 45.8 Km/H
Wet
Wet Braking 24.7 M
Wet Handling 44.3 Km/H
Comfort
Noise 60.5 dB
Not every driver has the same priorities. Adjust the category weightings above to re-rank the tyres based on what matters most to your driving style.
Scores are colour-coded from red (weakest) through yellow to green (strongest) to help you quickly spot each tyre's strengths and weaknesses.
The original test ranking is shown in the # column. Arrows indicate how each tyre moves when your custom weighting is applied.

Discussion

14 comments
  1. Frontschleuder archived

    I can´t believe these results ...

    Even my old P Zero with less tread will beat every winter and all season type in dry and most also in wet handling.

    It´s true than not-so-new winter and all season are better in dry than new ones, but they have still no change in dry against a summer tyre.

    Or is the test made at extreme low temperature?

    #3795
    1. TyreReviews Frontschleuder archived

      I'm unsure of testing temperatures, but I'm certain it wouldn't be been at or even near freezing.

      #3798
  2. SS archived

    What about the speed the tests were done?

    #3744
    1. TyreReviews SS archived

      The write up indicated both were done from 60 kph which obviously isn't correct so we've left it out.

      #3745
  3. SS archived

    Dayton looks awful.

    #3742
    1. TyreReviews SS archived

      No arguements there

      #3743
  4. Pantelis archived

    Maybe this test can be an answer to michelin's campaign, that worn tyres are better than new ones.

    #3740
    1. TyreReviews Pantelis archived

      Michelins campaign is highlighting that not all tyres are created equal. They've independently proven their tyres hold performance better than other brands as they wear, so this article backs up their campaign if anything.

      That said, no one should refit a tyre that's 7 years old and has been kept in poor conditions, so I'm not entirely sure the point of this test.

      #3741
      1. Andy Holmes TyreReviews archived

        It is very odd...
        I only used my own old tyres as they had been stored well enough, passed inspection, and were closely monitored after refitting.
        Pulling some out from under a tarp in the garden and banging them straight into braking tests, so to speak, is a bit random!
        If testing worn tyres, you want a set that are currently in use and have been since new... They've compromised the test so may as well have not bothered (with the worn summers).

        #3746
  5. Andy Holmes archived

    I wonder if they run-in the worn tyres first??...
    I have found even a few months in storage has a profound effect that can take a couple of hundred miles to rectify. My old winter set of wintersport 3d and A001 were horrific once refitted after 6 months, the car would be a big handful in all conditions until the tread was scrubbed back in then all was well again, similar but nowhere near as bad with summer tyres stored a while.
    On my old car theres a michelin energy e3a which is nigh-on 13 years old now (was unused spare until 7 years ago)(I dont advocate using tyres this old btw!) I kept it in occasional use after it was first used to try and keep it 'fresh' so to speak, despite its age it still performs well, solid as a rock on front in the wet (and better than new firestones) but ONLY once scrubbed back in...
    (Yes, I know the dangers of old tyres, but it has no age cracks even hairline, anywhere, has never been punctured, has been used intermittently since 6yo (still coated in release agent at the time) and always thoroughly inspected. But since it has no ageing signs, no compromise of structure such as a puncture, and, unusually for what tyre it is, sticks like sh1t to a blanket, holds pressure astonishingly well (barely ever needs 1psi) etc, I continued to use it with close monitoring. (Though its had some serious punishment in use))

    #3737
    1. TyreReviews Andy Holmes archived

      I would hope they'd have scrubbed the tyres in before starting the braking tests (which are always done first!)

      Tyres can seep oils out when left in storage, which is why when refitting they can be a little slippy, especially in the wet!

      #3738
      1. Andy Holmes TyreReviews archived

        Exactly, plus the outer exposed layer hardens, double trouble!

        #3739
    2. WilliW Andy Holmes archived

      You've got to be mad to use a 13 year old tyre on the basis of a visual inspection. Michelin recommend 10 years as the max lifespan. What car have you got? I'll steer well clear.

      #3750
      1. Andy Holmes WilliW archived

        :-)
        If you read properly, i havent just glanced over it, and note that I dont advocate using tyres this old.
        Im quite clued-up when it comes to tyres, why old tyres fail, why they are generally less than ideal after time etc.... This tyre is an exceptional example, most tyres of similar vintage would not be fit for use.

        #3751