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2021 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16

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

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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.
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Test Results Data

BEST Good Average Below Average
# Tyre Total Score Value
Wear KM %
1 ▲3 Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 100% 55300 100%
2 ▲6 Fulda EcoControl HP2 78.5% 43400 2 78.5%
3 ▲11 Petlas Imperium PT515 75.2% 41600 3 75.2%
4 ▲1 Kumho Ecsta HS51 73.4% 40600 73.4%
5 ▲4 BFGoodrich Advantage 68.9% 38100 68.9%
6 Apollo Alnac 4g 67.6% 37400 67.6%
7 ▼6 Continental Premium Contact 6 62% 34300 62%
8 ▼6 Semperit Speed Life 3 60.8% 33600 60.8%
9 ▼6 Bridgestone Turanza T005 58.8% 32500 58.8%
10 ▼3 Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 58.2% 32200 58.2%
11 ▲4 King-Meiler Sport 1 KM 58.2% 32200 58.2%
12 ▼2 Maxxis Premitra HP5 50.6% 28000 50.6%
13 Uniroyal RainSport 5 48.1% 26600 48.1%
14 ▼2 Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 47.5% 26250 47.5%
15 ▼4 Nokian WetProof 44.9% 24800 44.9%
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Wear 55300 KM
2
78.5%
Value 79%
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Wear 43400 KM 2
3
75.2%
Value 75%
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Wear 41600 KM 3
4
73.4%
Value 73%
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Wear 40600 KM
5
68.9%
Value 69%
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Wear 38100 KM
6
67.6%
Value 68%
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Wear 37400 KM
Value 62%
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Wear 34300 KM
8
60.8%
Value 61%
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Wear 33600 KM
Value 59%
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Wear 32500 KM
Value 58%
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Wear 32200 KM
11
58.2%
Value 58%
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Wear 32200 KM
12
50.6%
Value 51%
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Wear 28000 KM
Value 48%
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Wear 26600 KM
14
47.5%
Value 48%
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Wear 26250 KM
15
44.9%
Value 45%
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Wear 24800 KM
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

25 comments
  1. 930 Engineering archived

    Sadly ADAC have been dead asleep again and missed to assess the presumedly best performing tyre in this 205/55 R16. The Michelin PS4 seems to be superior or at the very least as good as Conti's PC6 (see https://www.tyrereviews.com... ) and the PS4 is available for several years in question of this size (even both LI91 and 94). I'm aware it's a classic 911 size (front) and that's surely also what they make them in 225/50 R16 too (rear).

    #8327
    1. TyreReviews 930 Engineering archived

      I recently did a test in this size and Michelin really wanted the primacy 4 in it, not the PS4. I will test it sometime though

      #8330
      1. 930 Engineering TyreReviews archived

        Agreed, quite probably indeed. However ADAC claim to decide the testing theirselfs. They also say they purchase the tyres on local stores. If they actually ask the manufacturer what product he likes to see on the review, the ADAC appear to be somewhat dishonest. Add that to the lack of test data. Entirely contrary to TR. I truely appreciate your job.

        #8340
        1. TyreReviews 930 Engineering archived

          ADAC do decide what they want, and buy. But I'm sure they also take suggestions and information from the manufacturers to help decide what to include, and in defense of them, the 16" PS4 would be out of place in a test full of premium touring tyres (Though I agree it would be VERY interesting!)

          The lack of ADAC data is frustrating, but I believe there's a good business case for them (they sell it back to the manufacturers)

          #8345
  2. boštjan hočevar archived

    Does anybody know for what weight index were 205/55 R16 tested?
    91V, 94V?
    I’m in position to buy all 4 new summer tyres. I need your expert opinion.
    On my VW Passat Variant 2.0TDI is written, weight front 1120kg, back a 1110kg.
    I can install 205/55 R16 91V or 205/55 R16 94V or 215/55 R16 97W.
    Does the body roll less with bigger weight index?
    What is the ride comfort?
    Is the smaller tyre quieter?
    Thanks and regards, Bostjan

    #7785
  3. Péter Cziklin archived

    Is there any info on the Hankook being the standard or the 4PR version? And what's the difference between them? All I could find out is the 4PR is generally more expensive and a tad lighter, but what's the point in making both versions of every single spec? Rim protection and EU label-wise they're the same too.

    #6548
    1. TyreReviews Péter Cziklin archived

      You're ahead of me on this one, I don't know anything about the 4PR version!

      #6549
      1. Péter Cziklin TyreReviews archived

        In 205/55 R16 91V the EAN & MPN are 8808563411880 & 1021023 for the standard version, 8808563390086 & 1019317 for 4PR.

        #6550
        1. Pedro Neves Péter Cziklin archived

          Since EAN means European Article Number and MPN means Manufacturer Part Number, that can explain a lot why we've had such different test results with this particular tyre. Most certainly, they come from different factories that don't work with the same specifications. Hankook's quality control to blame!
          Premium manufacturer?! Maybe not there yet!

          #6551
          1. Péter Cziklin Pedro Neves archived

            I quoted the numbers for identification only to let those who are interested check what I'm talking about (and is relevant to this particular test).
            ADAC's findings here are basically the same as Jonathan's from last year, what stands out is Auto Bild's recent braking test which it aced. So either they got something tweaked, or a midlife update came quietly (delaying the Ventus Prime 4 (or maybe 5 if they don't like 4 for being Asian culture's 13 as Conti & Goodyear do)). Difference in test results can come from the circumstances (weather and track conditions, cars, etc) too.
            I have a gut feeling about the 4PR being related to sidewall design. Not that it makes too much sense, but that seems to be the easiest and cheapest to do, and as far as I know Hankook has some history with different sidewall designs (although the SBL mark should cover that). However I doubt it's worth the extra manufacturing and logistics resource.

            #6552
            1. TyreReviews Péter Cziklin archived

              I'm going to ask Hankook. I expected mid-life update has happened!

              #6553
  4. odjblue archived

    Yokohama tyres also not included in most recent tests... don't really understand why not...

    #6501
    1. TyreReviews odjblue archived

      I'm sure they will have been spoken to about all these tests but declined to be included.

      #6505
      1. odjblue TyreReviews archived

        But in this case, the tires were bought by ADAC... Can I assume It's a uninteresting brand in the german market ?

        #6506
        1. TyreReviews odjblue archived

          Yokohama declined to be in my tests this year too but no reason was given

          #6507
          1. odjblue TyreReviews archived

            Sad to hear that a brand like Yokohama don't attend these tests.

            #6510
            1. TyreReviews odjblue archived

              Agreed, I've calls with them planned in the near future to hopefully get them included more :)

              #6511
    2. Kolemjdouci odjblue archived

      You could read Yokohama user reviews here. Later on they could still appear in some independent tests though.

      #6509
      1. odjblue Kolemjdouci archived

        I've used Yokohama tires for quite a while, a few years ago... and still use in one of my cars, and very pleased, specially the with Advan V105. Also used the Bluearth AE-50, which proven to last long and good behavior in wet conditions.

        My surprise, is related to the absence of the brand, in recent tire tests... because I think they're always a strong contender.

        #6518
        1. TyreReviews odjblue archived

          The V105 has been tested quite a bit - https://www.tyrereviews.com...

          It never did really well, and for the price point (they're not cheap) I feel you're better off with your money in a Goodyear or similar.

          #6521
  5. Tom archived

    "It’s a shame there was no Michelin in this test" - couldn't agree more.
    I never really was a Michelin fan, but now in need to get new tires in
    this size, I'm seriously considering Primacy 4, yet still would love to
    see a comparison of more touring Primacy 4 with a bit more sporty Pilot
    Sport 4. Both in this size. And here we have test where EGP2 is present
    and yet no Primacy. Why, oh why did they do this to us? ;)

    #6492
      1. Tom Kolemjdouci archived

        Indeed. I read it before this one came out. It's just that this was just braking. Previous test with this tyre checked more in-depth was in a different size and then the issue is that the 'same' tyre in different sizes is not 'the same' and winner in one size can loose a lot in another one. Side walls change, thread pattern changes (or additional row of blocks is added / removed compared to different width) and so on. And hardly ever anyone compares different types from the same manufacturer, to show touring / HP etc. in one test with multiple brands from the same class - same car, same size, same conditions, just different brand's. Hell of a work, but that would really be something :)

        #6494
    1. TyreReviews Tom archived

      It's actually interesting as to why. ADAC buy all the tyres on the open market, and it turns out they accidentally bought an OE approved tyre (S1 I believe) and as the marking was so small, they didn't notice it until later in the testing.

      As the tyre was modified for the OE, starting with less tread depth for lower noise, they didn't think it was fair to include it in the overall grades.

      #6495
      1. Tom TyreReviews archived

        Lol! Thanks for sharing that. It's really hilarious that they realized late enough not to buy another, regular set and do the test with them.

        #6496