Test Publication:

205/55 R16 53 tyres 2 categories

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Images courtesy of Auto Bild

Test Publication:

https://www.autobild.de/ratgeber/reifen/

Images courtesy of Auto Bild

Test Size: 205/55 R16

Tyres Tested: 53 tyres

Test Categories:
2 categories (2 tests)

Similar Tests

Without fail, each year German publication Auto Bild provides the most comprehensive overview of the summer tyre market by testing a huge amount of tyres ability in the dry and wet, in order to work out which twenty tyres deserve to be tested in their full summer tyre test.

For 2021, Auto Bild have tested 53 tyres in the most popular tyre size in Europe, 205/55 R16.

All 53 sets of tyres have their wet and dry braking results below, with the shortest 20 combined braking distances progressing to the full test, which will be on the website shortly.

Of all 53 results, there are some interesting standouts. Firstly, Hankook managed to win BOTH dry and wet braking, which is unusual for a tyre to be best in both categories, while Pirelli and Kumho must have mid-life updated their tyres, as the Cinturato P7 C2 and Kumho Ecsta HS51 have progressed up the order. It will be interesting to see how these three tyres do in the wear testing of the full test.

Fourth to nineth place brings no surprises, but Firestone in tenth place is interesting, as the same tyre just performed really badly in the ADAC 17" test. Perhaps the 16" tyre has an update that hasn't made it to the 17" size yet. There's also new tyre in seventeenth place, the Toyo Proxes Comfort.

As usual, the gap in dry braking (from 62mph) is much smaller than the gap in wet braking (from 50mph.) Just 6 meters covered the best to worse tyres in the dry, but a HUGE 25 meters covering the best to worse in the wet. Even removing the extremely poor performance of the Maxtrek and Double Coin tyres in the wet, there's still 15 meters difference from just 50mph.

If this reminds us of nothing else, make sure you give some thought to wet braking when considering budget tyres...

Dry

Wet

Results

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1^st	34.1 M			100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1^st	29.6 M			100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2^nd	34.5 M	34.1 M	+0.4 M	98.84%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3^rd	29.7 M	29.6 M	+0.1 M	99.66%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3^rd	34.8 M	34.1 M	+0.7 M	97.99%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5^th	30.4 M	29.6 M	+0.8 M	97.37%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	18^th	36.5 M	34.1 M	+2.4 M	93.42%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1^st	29.6 M			100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	10^th	35.8 M	34.1 M	+1.7 M	95.25%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5^th	30.4 M	29.6 M	+0.8 M	97.37%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5^th	35.1 M	34.1 M	+1 M	97.15%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	11^th	31.7 M	29.6 M	+2.1 M	93.38%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7^th	35.4 M	34.1 M	+1.3 M	96.33%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8^th	31.6 M	29.6 M	+2 M	93.67%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	10^th	35.8 M	34.1 M	+1.7 M	95.25%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7^th	31.4 M	29.6 M	+1.8 M	94.27%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4^th	35 M	34.1 M	+0.9 M	97.43%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	17^th	32.2 M	29.6 M	+2.6 M	91.93%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	9^th	35.7 M	34.1 M	+1.6 M	95.52%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8^th	31.6 M	29.6 M	+2 M	93.67%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7^th	35.4 M	34.1 M	+1.3 M	96.33%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	17^th	32.2 M	29.6 M	+2.6 M	91.93%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	28^th	37.7 M	34.1 M	+3.6 M	90.45%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4^th	30 M	29.6 M	+0.4 M	98.67%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	14^th	36.1 M	34.1 M	+2 M	94.46%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	11^th	31.7 M	29.6 M	+2.1 M	93.38%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	15^th	36.2 M	34.1 M	+2.1 M	94.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8^th	31.6 M	29.6 M	+2 M	93.67%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	10^th	35.8 M	34.1 M	+1.7 M	95.25%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	16^th	32.1 M	29.6 M	+2.5 M	92.21%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	16^th	36.3 M	34.1 M	+2.2 M	93.94%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	13^th	31.9 M	29.6 M	+2.3 M	92.79%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6^th	35.2 M	34.1 M	+1.1 M	96.88%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	20^th	33.2 M	29.6 M	+3.6 M	89.16%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	20^th	36.7 M	34.1 M	+2.6 M	92.92%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	13^th	31.9 M	29.6 M	+2.3 M	92.79%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	24^th	37.4 M	34.1 M	+3.3 M	91.18%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	15^th	32 M	29.6 M	+2.4 M	92.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	13^th	36 M	34.1 M	+1.9 M	94.72%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	24^th	33.8 M	29.6 M	+4.2 M	87.57%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	21^st	36.8 M	34.1 M	+2.7 M	92.66%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	20^th	33.2 M	29.6 M	+3.6 M	89.16%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	17^th	36.4 M	34.1 M	+2.3 M	93.68%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	23^rd	33.7 M	29.6 M	+4.1 M	87.83%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	39^th	38.4 M	34.1 M	+4.3 M	88.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	19^th	32.5 M	29.6 M	+2.9 M	91.08%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	22^nd	37.1 M	34.1 M	+3 M	91.91%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	26^th	34.3 M	29.6 M	+4.7 M	86.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	31^st	37.9 M	34.1 M	+3.8 M	89.97%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	26^th	34.3 M	29.6 M	+4.7 M	86.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	32^nd	38 M	34.1 M	+3.9 M	89.74%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	29^th	34.5 M	29.6 M	+4.9 M	85.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	34^th	38.1 M	34.1 M	+4 M	89.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	28^th	34.4 M	29.6 M	+4.8 M	86.05%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	44^th	38.6 M	34.1 M	+4.5 M	88.34%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	25^th	33.9 M	29.6 M	+4.3 M	87.32%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	49^th	39 M	34.1 M	+4.9 M	87.44%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	22^nd	33.6 M	29.6 M	+4 M	88.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	41^st	38.5 M	34.1 M	+4.4 M	88.57%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	30^th	34.6 M	29.6 M	+5 M	85.55%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	34^th	38.1 M	34.1 M	+4 M	89.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	31^st	35.3 M	29.6 M	+5.7 M	83.85%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	23^rd	37.3 M	34.1 M	+3.2 M	91.42%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	33^rd	36.1 M	29.6 M	+6.5 M	81.99%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	24^th	37.4 M	34.1 M	+3.3 M	91.18%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	35^th	36.2 M	29.6 M	+6.6 M	81.77%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	24^th	37.4 M	34.1 M	+3.3 M	91.18%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	36^th	36.5 M	29.6 M	+6.9 M	81.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	38^th	38.3 M	34.1 M	+4.2 M	89.03%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	32^nd	35.9 M	29.6 M	+6.3 M	82.45%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	34^th	38.1 M	34.1 M	+4 M	89.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	33^rd	36.1 M	29.6 M	+6.5 M	81.99%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	32^nd	38 M	34.1 M	+3.9 M	89.74%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	36^th	36.5 M	29.6 M	+6.9 M	81.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	37^th	38.2 M	34.1 M	+4.1 M	89.27%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	39^th	37.1 M	29.6 M	+7.5 M	79.78%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	28^th	37.7 M	34.1 M	+3.6 M	90.45%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	41^st	37.9 M	29.6 M	+8.3 M	78.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	45^th	38.7 M	34.1 M	+4.6 M	88.11%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	40^th	37.4 M	29.6 M	+7.8 M	79.14%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	51^st	39.6 M	34.1 M	+5.5 M	86.11%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	38^th	36.7 M	29.6 M	+7.1 M	80.65%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	41^st	38.5 M	34.1 M	+4.4 M	88.57%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	41^st	37.9 M	29.6 M	+8.3 M	78.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	19^th	36.6 M	34.1 M	+2.5 M	93.17%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	50^th	40.3 M	29.6 M	+10.7 M	73.45%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	45^th	38.7 M	34.1 M	+4.6 M	88.11%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	43^rd	38.2 M	29.6 M	+8.6 M	77.49%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	24^th	37.4 M	34.1 M	+3.3 M	91.18%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	47^th	39.6 M	29.6 M	+10 M	74.75%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	30^th	37.8 M	34.1 M	+3.7 M	90.21%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	49^th	39.7 M	29.6 M	+10.1 M	74.56%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	41^st	38.5 M	34.1 M	+4.4 M	88.57%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	47^th	39.6 M	29.6 M	+10 M	74.75%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	47^th	38.8 M	34.1 M	+4.7 M	87.89%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	45^th	39.4 M	29.6 M	+9.8 M	75.13%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	49^th	39 M	34.1 M	+4.9 M	87.44%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	44^th	39.2 M	29.6 M	+9.6 M	75.51%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	52^nd	39.8 M	34.1 M	+5.7 M	85.68%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	46^th	39.5 M	29.6 M	+9.9 M	74.94%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	39^th	38.4 M	34.1 M	+4.3 M	88.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	51^st	41 M	29.6 M	+11.4 M	72.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	48^th	38.9 M	34.1 M	+4.8 M	87.66%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	52^nd	45.9 M	29.6 M	+16.3 M	64.49%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	53^rd	40.5 M	34.1 M	+6.4 M	84.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	53^rd	51 M	29.6 M	+21.4 M	58.04%

Discussion

20 comments

MIHAI B May 8, 2021 archived

Sorry, but I don't understand... How a tire with "B EU classification" on wet, can be better than a "A Eu classification" on wet in your wet braking test? The Eu classification does not indicate that the A tires will be better then B, C, D... Tires on wet?

#6807
1. TyreReviews MIHAI B May 8, 2021 archived
  
  Strange isn't it, happens more than you'd think. Different test conditions can easily change the order of the tyres
  
  #6808
Simeon M Apr 10, 2021 archived

Where is vredestein sportrac 5? one of the best tyres?

#6719
1. TyreReviews Simeon M Apr 11, 2021 archived
  
  It's a very old pattern now, Auto Bild try and test new tyres
  
  #6723
odjblue Mar 1, 2021 archived

Commented on other test also... no Yokohama tires here either... which impressed me... as I have the idea, that they usually have good tires.

#6502
Pedro Neves Feb 25, 2021 archived

Too bad Auto Bild didn't test the Michelin PS 4 (91W, 91Y or the 94Y). They had a lot of time and money to spend and settle for the Primacy 4 and a tremendous number of hopeless tyres instead.

#6483
1. TyreReviews Pedro Neves Feb 25, 2021 archived
  
  The primacy 4 is by far the bigger seller in this size and more comparable to the other tyres so it makes sense for them for them to include it
  
  #6484
  1. Pedro Neves TyreReviews Feb 25, 2021 archived
    
    You're right, Jonathan, but since they had a lot of tyres to choose from (53) it was a pity they didn't include what can probably be the best tyre in that very popular size and, at the same time, the one no one ever tested yet. I'd just love to know/confirm that a few years ago I fitted my car with the best! :)
    
    #6485
    1. TyreReviews Pedro Neves Feb 25, 2021 archived
      
      It might be against their rules to include two from the same brand. Best is relative, however I'm sure the PS4 is up there if you want a sport 16", along with the PC6
      
      #6486
    2. Kolemjdouci Pedro Neves Feb 25, 2021 archived
      
      Another reason is the testing tyres category. This was an annual Autobild Touring tyres test for a broad public and budget, not a test of Performance summer tyres like the PS4 is. More tests to come, no worries, till then see the customer reviews here but you are already convinced anyway :-).
      Don't forget to add your review for others here, inclusive the longevity...
      
      #6489
Andy Holmes Feb 24, 2021 archived

Very pleased with this result and be interested to see the big test, since I've just bought a set of HS51! Camskill were doing a silly deal which resulted in me getting 4 205/55r16 for £147 delivered...
I noticed the sale and other images (of same size) all showed C C 69db but the tyres I got show C B 69db which goes along with an update.
Funny how results vary between facilities though, your test had the Hankook struggling a bit where they've won here!

#6472
1. TyreReviews Andy Holmes Feb 24, 2021 archived
  
  I suspect the Hankook would have had a mid life update as there''s no way it could vary this much just with test conditions!
  The full AB test will be out in a few weeks.
  
  #6474
  1. Andy Holmes TyreReviews Feb 24, 2021 archived
    
    Hmmm did wonder that but thought if there's a replacement imminent that they wouldn't have bothered!
    Mind you, as I've said before, Hankook are jekyll & hyde, if you read user reviews and tests they either do really well or get badged as 'teflon'. I do wonder if there are 2 factories with a big difference in QC betwixt... ?
    
    #6475
    1. TyreReviews Andy Holmes Feb 24, 2021 archived
      
      I'm still on the side of midlife update. There are sometimes dependencies in factory outputs, but they should be very small :)
      
      #6476
      1. Andy Holmes TyreReviews Feb 24, 2021 archived
        
        Should be indeed! It just odd how Hankook get 'sticky' or 'teflon' rated wi nowt much inbetween...
        Its a shame (for me anyway) you didn't test the HS51 with the others, but obviously clear reasons why.
        
        #6477
        
        TyreReviews Andy Holmes Feb 24, 2021 archived
        
        Out of interest, what are the clear reasons?
        
        #6478
        
        Andy Holmes TyreReviews Feb 24, 2021 archived
        
        Well, you cant test everything, it isn't necessarily a stand-out tyre, Kumho are still percieved more toward the budget end of midrange which was represented by maxxis, and its quite an old design now relatively speaking. Those are my thoughts as to why it wasnt on your shortlist, though it simply might not have sprung to mind.
        They've always been a solid tyre, and particularly suited to certain cars or driving, but never anything remarkable (outside mx5 community) just 'good' (from what ive seen with reviews, posts, tests, etc as I over research every tyre that makes any shortlist for any vehicle ? )
        
        #6479
        
        TyreReviews Andy Holmes Feb 24, 2021 archived
        
        A pretty good assumption, I'm impressed :)
        I've tried to get Kumho for this years tests but they... weren't interested
        
        #6480
        
        Andy Holmes TyreReviews Feb 24, 2021 archived
        
        Shame!
        But in regards tyres, you (should) know me by now! ??
        
        #6481
        
        TyreReviews Andy Holmes Feb 24, 2021 archived
        
        ?
        
        #6482

Menu

2021 53 Summer Tyre Braking Test

Dry

Dry Braking

Dry Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

Wet

Wet Braking

Wet Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

Results

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