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2019 Mid Range Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
5 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Dry
  3. Wet
  4. Environment
  5. Results
  6. Semperit SpeedLife 2
  7. Maxxis Premitra HP5
  8. Nokian Nordman SX2
  9. Debica Presto HP
  10. Kleber Dynaxer HP 3
  11. Cooper Zeon CS8
  12. Sumitomo BC100
  13. Dayton Touring 2

Test Publication:
Moottori
205/55 R16 8 tyres 4 categories
Similar Tests
Images courtesy of Moottori
Test Publication:
Moottori
Images courtesy of Moottori
Test Size: 205/55 R16
Tyres Tested: 8 tyres
Test Categories:
4 categories (8 tests)
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Finnish magazine Moottori have recently compared eight 205/55 R16 tyre patterns which sit in the midrange price category!

While midrange tyres are cheaper than their premium rivals, they're not the cheapest tyres available on market, so in theory should still provide a reasonable level of performance, just offering better value.

The full test data is below, and it's a shame Moottori didn't include a premium tyre as a reference to see exactly what performances change as the price gets cheaper.

It's also worth noting, Semperit is owned by Continental, Kleber by Michelin and Goodyear owns Debica.

Dry

During dry testing, the Semperit SpeedLife 2 offered the most grip during the dry braking testing, and the Nokian and Kleber proved to have the best subjective handling. Interestingly Moottori didn't offer the dry handling laptimes.

Dry Braking

Spread: 1.13 M (4.5%)|Avg: 25.33 M
Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)
Dry Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

Subj. Dry Handling

Spread: 2.00 Points (22.2%)|Avg: 8.31 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Kleber Dynaxer HP 3
    9.00 Points
  2. Nokian Nordman SX2
    9.00 Points
  3. Semperit SpeedLife 2
    8.80 Points
  4. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    8.40 Points
  5. Sumitomo BC100
    8.20 Points
  6. Dayton Touring 2
    8.10 Points
  7. Debica Presto HP
    8.00 Points
  8. Cooper Zeon CS8
    7.00 Points

Wet

Semperit continued its strong performance in the wet, offering the highest grip in wet braking and handling, which isn't a huge surprise given Semperit is own by wet weather kings, Continental. As in the dry testing, Maxxis was again extremely close to Semperit.

Wet Braking

Spread: 2.90 M (10.4%)|Avg: 29.34 M
Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
Wet Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

Wet Handling

Spread: 2.50 s (4.3%)|Avg: 58.78 s
Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    57.70 s
  2. Semperit SpeedLife 2
    57.70 s
  3. Nokian Nordman SX2
    58.00 s
  4. Debica Presto HP
    58.10 s
  5. Cooper Zeon CS8
    58.40 s
  6. Sumitomo BC100
    59.90 s
  7. Kleber Dynaxer HP 3
    60.20 s
  8. Dayton Touring 2
    60.20 s

Subj. Wet Handling

Spread: 1.00 Points (11.2%)|Avg: 8.40 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Debica Presto HP
    8.90 Points
  2. Kleber Dynaxer HP 3
    8.60 Points
  3. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    8.50 Points
  4. Semperit SpeedLife 2
    8.50 Points
  5. Nokian Nordman SX2
    8.50 Points
  6. Cooper Zeon CS8
    8.40 Points
  7. Dayton Touring 2
    7.90 Points
  8. Sumitomo BC100
    7.90 Points

Straight Aqua

Spread: 7.30 Km/H (8.4%)|Avg: 80.83 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Semperit SpeedLife 2
    86.50 Km/H
  2. Nokian Nordman SX2
    80.50 Km/H
  3. Debica Presto HP
    80.20 Km/H
  4. Dayton Touring 2
    80.10 Km/H
  5. Sumitomo BC100
    80.10 Km/H
  6. Kleber Dynaxer HP 3
    80.00 Km/H
  7. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    80.00 Km/H
  8. Cooper Zeon CS8
    79.20 Km/H

Environment

Maxxis proved to have an excellent blend of wet performance and low rolling resistance.

Rolling Resistance

Spread: 1.49 kg / t (18.9%)|Avg: 8.50 kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    7.87 kg / t
  2. Kleber Dynaxer HP 3
    7.93 kg / t
  3. Semperit SpeedLife 2
    8.29 kg / t
  4. Dayton Touring 2
    8.40 kg / t
  5. Nokian Nordman SX2
    8.51 kg / t
  6. Sumitomo BC100
    8.65 kg / t
  7. Debica Presto HP
    8.96 kg / t
  8. Cooper Zeon CS8
    9.36 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.

While Cooper had the lowest noise.

Noise

Spread: 0.90 dB (1.4%)|Avg: 66.80 dB
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
  1. Cooper Zeon CS8
    66.40 dB
  2. Kleber Dynaxer HP 3
    66.50 dB
  3. Semperit SpeedLife 2
    66.50 dB
  4. Debica Presto HP
    66.60 dB
  5. Dayton Touring 2
    66.90 dB
  6. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    67.10 dB
  7. Sumitomo BC100
    67.10 dB
  8. Nokian Nordman SX2
    67.30 dB

Results

1st

Semperit SpeedLife 2

205/55 R16
Semperit SpeedLife 2
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 24.85 M 100%
Subj. Dry Handling 3rd 8.8 Points 9 Points -0.2 Points 97.78%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 27.8 M 100%
Wet Handling 1st 57.7 s 100%
Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 8.5 Points 8.9 Points -0.4 Points 95.51%
Straight Aqua 1st 86.5 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 2nd 66.5 dB 66.4 dB +0.1 dB 99.85%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.29 kg / t 7.87 kg / t +0.42 kg / t 94.93%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
2nd

Maxxis Premitra HP5

205/55 R16
Maxxis Premitra HP5
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 24.86 M 24.85 M +0.01 M 99.96%
Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8.4 Points 9 Points -0.6 Points 93.33%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 27.9 M 27.8 M +0.1 M 99.64%
Wet Handling 1st 57.7 s 100%
Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 8.5 Points 8.9 Points -0.4 Points 95.51%
Straight Aqua 6th 80 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -6.5 Km/H 92.49%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 6th 67.1 dB 66.4 dB +0.7 dB 98.96%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 1st 7.87 kg / t 100%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
2nd

Nokian Nordman SX2

205/55 R16
Nokian Nordman SX2
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 5th 25.37 M 24.85 M +0.52 M 97.95%
Subj. Dry Handling 1st 9 Points 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 28.8 M 27.8 M +1 M 96.53%
Wet Handling 3rd 58 s 57.7 s +0.3 s 99.48%
Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 8.5 Points 8.9 Points -0.4 Points 95.51%
Straight Aqua 2nd 80.5 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -6 Km/H 93.06%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 8th 67.3 dB 66.4 dB +0.9 dB 98.66%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 5th 8.51 kg / t 7.87 kg / t +0.64 kg / t 92.48%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
4th

Debica Presto HP

205/55 R16
Debica Presto HP
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 24.97 M 24.85 M +0.12 M 99.52%
Subj. Dry Handling 7th 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 5th 29.7 M 27.8 M +1.9 M 93.6%
Wet Handling 4th 58.1 s 57.7 s +0.4 s 99.31%
Subj. Wet Handling 1st 8.9 Points 100%
Straight Aqua 3rd 80.2 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -6.3 Km/H 92.72%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 4th 66.6 dB 66.4 dB +0.2 dB 99.7%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 7th 8.96 kg / t 7.87 kg / t +1.09 kg / t 87.83%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
5th

Kleber Dynaxer HP 3

205/55 R16
Kleber Dynaxer HP 3
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 25.26 M 24.85 M +0.41 M 98.38%
Subj. Dry Handling 1st 9 Points 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 6th 30.1 M 27.8 M +2.3 M 92.36%
Wet Handling 7th 60.2 s 57.7 s +2.5 s 95.85%
Subj. Wet Handling 2nd 8.6 Points 8.9 Points -0.3 Points 96.63%
Straight Aqua 6th 80 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -6.5 Km/H 92.49%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 2nd 66.5 dB 66.4 dB +0.1 dB 99.85%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.93 kg / t 7.87 kg / t +0.06 kg / t 99.24%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
6th

Cooper Zeon CS8

205/55 R16
Cooper Zeon CS8
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 25.44 M 24.85 M +0.59 M 97.68%
Subj. Dry Handling 8th 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 29.6 M 27.8 M +1.8 M 93.92%
Wet Handling 5th 58.4 s 57.7 s +0.7 s 98.8%
Subj. Wet Handling 6th 8.4 Points 8.9 Points -0.5 Points 94.38%
Straight Aqua 8th 79.2 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -7.3 Km/H 91.56%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 1st 66.4 dB 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 8th 9.36 kg / t 7.87 kg / t +1.49 kg / t 84.08%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
7th

Sumitomo BC100

205/55 R16
Sumitomo BC100
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 7th 25.92 M 24.85 M +1.07 M 95.87%
Subj. Dry Handling 5th 8.2 Points 9 Points -0.8 Points 91.11%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 6th 30.1 M 27.8 M +2.3 M 92.36%
Wet Handling 6th 59.9 s 57.7 s +2.2 s 96.33%
Subj. Wet Handling 7th 7.9 Points 8.9 Points -1 Points 88.76%
Straight Aqua 4th 80.1 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -6.4 Km/H 92.6%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 6th 67.1 dB 66.4 dB +0.7 dB 98.96%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 6th 8.65 kg / t 7.87 kg / t +0.78 kg / t 90.98%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
8th

Dayton Touring 2

205/55 R16
Dayton Touring 2
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 25.98 M 24.85 M +1.13 M 95.65%
Subj. Dry Handling 6th 8.1 Points 9 Points -0.9 Points 90%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 8th 30.7 M 27.8 M +2.9 M 90.55%
Wet Handling 7th 60.2 s 57.7 s +2.5 s 95.85%
Subj. Wet Handling 7th 7.9 Points 8.9 Points -1 Points 88.76%
Straight Aqua 4th 80.1 Km/H 86.5 Km/H -6.4 Km/H 92.6%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 5th 66.9 dB 66.4 dB +0.5 dB 99.25%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 4th 8.4 kg / t 7.87 kg / t +0.53 kg / t 93.69%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

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Discussion

10 comments
  1. Dillocks archived

    Nobody ever tests tyres that are available on a 13" RIM.
    All I have to go on are the Euro ratings!

    #4812
    1. TyreReviews Dillocks archived

      Tyre testing is very expensive and sadly there's low demand for 13" tests :(

      #4813
  2. Pedro Neves archived

    The Continentals PC 6 cost some 13£ more per tyre than the Semperits. For a set of 4 it's just 52£ more and they should last longer according to some wear tests compared to 2018 ADAC test on the Semperit. They usually have low rolling resistance too, where the Semperits are average in this matter, so nowadays it's really pointless to buy mid-range tyres unless someone needs to sell the car asap.
    https://www.tyrereviews.co....
    https://www.tyrereviews.co....
    http://www.tyrereviews.co.u...
    http://www.tyrereviews.co.u...

    #4626
      1. Fruity TyreReviews archived

        The tyre market is so diverse in quality aspects that all information is good. 15 years ago I remember being shocked to see a Toyo (don't remember which one) lasting the same 60k on the rear of a gently driven Audi A4 as a Michelin Primacy HP!

        Conversely I've experienced shockingly bad tyres on 2nd hand cars I've bought which is a reason I'm pleasantly surprised to see Maxxis doing well. Now I'd like to see the test repeated with tyres worn to 2mm (incredibly hard to be fair and accurate though). I guess this is the area user reviews are useful though.

        #4987
  3. Simon H archived

    Falken make the Best midrange tyre at the moment the FK510. Unless they have now moved upmarket?

    #4612
    1. TyreReviews Simon H archived

      That seems to be the current wisdom, yes :)

      #4613
  4. Andy Holmes archived

    Wouldnt have classed Dayton as midrange!
    Where are Falken, uniroyal, and Kumho...

    #4610
    1. TyreReviews Andy Holmes archived

      I'm not sure how they came to their final list! Nokian isn't considered a mid range brand in Finland either, though nordman is their sub-range I believe.

      #4611
      1. OJA TyreReviews archived

        Nokian Nordman's are "cheap" tires that are made with old Nokian tread-patterns. They are considered mid-range tyres here in Finland, although I don't appreciate Nokian tyres at all - generally noisy, sloppy handling and miserable wear resistance (Incl. Nokian Hakka Black (Sold in other parts of Europe as Nokian Powerproof), Nokian Hakka Blue and Nokian Hakka Green (Sold in other parts of Europe as Nokian iLine and Nokian Line).

        #4629