The 2023 Sport Auto summer tyre test has set out to discover what the best UHP summer tyre is by testing eleven summer tyres in the popular 225/40 R18 size using an Audi S3.
Once again the Continental SportContact 7 won the test with a strong performance in the dry and wet, with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 close behind in second place and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S in third place.
There seems to be a running theme in 2023 tyre testing, and that is the SportContact 7 and Asymmetric 6 are incredible tyres!
Test Publication:
Sport Auto
225/40 R18
11 tyres
4 categories
Test Size:
225/40 R18
Tyres Tested:
11 tyres
Test Categories:
4 categories (10 tests)
Similar Tests
4 categories (10 tests)
Sport Auto is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, Tyre Reviews. This is independent editorial coverage of their published test.
Wet
The new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 proved to have a small advantage over the Continental SportContact 7 during the wet braking test. The new Firestone Firehawk Sport also performed well, with the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 performing oddly poorly compared to its recent run of impressive test results.
The Bridgestone Potenza Sport took its usual spot at the top of wet handling, with the Continental and Pirelli close behind.
The new Falken FK520, Giti GitiSportS2 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S all joint won the straight aquaplaning test. Curved aquaplaning can be found in the overall results at the base of the page.
Dry
The Continental and Goodyear were back at the front for dry braking.
And the Continental also narrowly beat the Bridgestone Potenza Sport for the fastest lap around dry handling.
Environment
The Kumho Ecsta PS91 was the quietest tyre in the external noise drive by test.
The Firestone had an impressively low rolling resistance, with the Bridgestone having an impressive high one!
At usual, the Michelin tyre was the most expensive on test.
Results
- EU Label: C/A/72
- Weight: 9.76 kgs
- Tread: 5.8 mm
Very balanced handling and short braking distances in the wet. Very high level of grip when braking and cornering in the dry, very stable, fast handling.
Cornering grip in the wet not quite at the top level, increased pass-by noise.
High grip level and best driving safety in wet and dry conditions for the Continental SC7.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 1st | 33.7 M | 100% |
| Dry Handling | 1st | 101.8 Km/H | 100% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd | 24.1 M | 98.76% |
| Wet Handling | 2nd | 87.5 Km/H | 98.65% |
| Wet Circle | 2nd | 8.58 m/s | 97.39% |
| Straight Aqua | 4th | 80.1 Km/H | 99.38% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 8th | 3.37 m/sec2 | 92.84% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 11th | 73.3 dB | 95.09% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 8th | 112 | 75% |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd | 8.2 kg / t | 86.59% |
- EU Label: C/A/70
- Weight: 9.75 kgs
- Tread: 6.4 mm
Shortest braking distances, best balance, very safe and wide limit in the wet. Strong braking, quick steering and high driving safety in the dry.
Cornering grip not at top level in wet conditions.
The EF1A6 is particularly strong on a dry track, top braking.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 2nd | 33.8 M | 99.7% |
| Dry Handling | 4th | 100.6 Km/H | 98.82% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st | 23.8 M | 100% |
| Wet Handling | 4th | 86.4 Km/H | 97.41% |
| Wet Circle | 4th | 8.52 m/s | 96.71% |
| Straight Aqua | 11th | 79.1 Km/H | 98.14% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 6th | 3.38 m/sec2 | 93.11% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 3rd | 70.9 dB | 98.31% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 4th | 103 | 81.55% |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd | 8.3 kg / t | 85.54% |
- EU Label: D/A/72
- Weight: 10.03 kgs
- Tread: 7.24 mm
Good wet braking, brilliant aquaplaning safety. Strong braking, great precision and very low sensitivity to load changes on a dry track.
Difficult balance in wet handling. Increased values in rolling resistance and tyre noise.
Top aquaplaning protection and strong in the dry for the Pilot Sport 4S, but slight deficits when wet.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 3rd | 33.9 M | 99.41% |
| Dry Handling | 4th | 100.6 Km/H | 98.82% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th | 24.5 M | 97.14% |
| Wet Handling | 8th | 84.6 Km/H | 95.38% |
| Wet Circle | 7th | 8.46 m/s | 96.03% |
| Straight Aqua | 1st | 80.6 Km/H | 100% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 1st | 3.63 m/sec2 | 100% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 10th | 72.1 dB | 96.67% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 11th | 181 | 46.41% |
| Rolling Resistance | 9th | 9.6 kg / t | 73.96% |
- EU Label: B/A/70
- Weight: 9.44 kgs
- Tread: 6.5 mm
Good wet braking, very reliable wet grip with very precise steering, stable. Very balanced, easily controllable driving characteristics dry, lowest rolling resistance.
Deficits in curved aquaplaning.
Strong performance for the new Firestone FireHawk Sport, lowest rolling resistance.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 7th | 34.5 M | 97.68% |
| Dry Handling | 3rd | 100.7 Km/H | 98.92% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd | 24.3 M | 97.94% |
| Wet Handling | 5th | 86.2 Km/H | 97.18% |
| Wet Circle | 6th | 8.48 m/s | 96.25% |
| Straight Aqua | 7th | 79.4 Km/H | 98.51% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 9th | 3.19 m/sec2 | 87.88% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 6th | 71.3 dB | 97.76% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 8th | 112 | 75% |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st | 7.1 kg / t | 100% |
- EU Label: C/B/71
- Weight: 9.16 kgs
- Tread: 7.2 mm
Very easy to control and steer with a balanced, slightly understeering balance in the wet. Very quick steering, high lateral support and sensitive balance when cornering.
Weak wet braking, increased rolling resistance.
Strong when dry. Weaknesses in wet braking for the PZ4.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 4th | 34.1 M | 98.83% |
| Dry Handling | 7th | 100.5 Km/H | 98.72% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 11th | 26.6 M | 89.47% |
| Wet Handling | 3rd | 86.7 Km/H | 97.75% |
| Wet Circle | 3rd | 8.57 m/s | 97.28% |
| Straight Aqua | 5th | 79.9 Km/H | 99.13% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 5th | 3.4 m/sec2 | 93.66% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 4th | 71.1 dB | 98.03% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 7th | 111 | 75.68% |
| Rolling Resistance | 9th | 9.6 kg / t | 73.96% |
- EU Label: D/A/70
- Weight: 10.3 kgs
- Tread: 6.43 mm
Razor-sharp wet handling with high cornering. Safe, active handling on dry roads.
Longer braking distances at low temperatures and slightly rear-biased in the wet. Weak dry braking, highest rolling resistance in the test.
When the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is warm, it has very good grip in all directions.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 9th | 35.2 M | 95.74% |
| Dry Handling | 2nd | 101.1 Km/H | 99.31% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 10th | 25.4 M | 93.7% |
| Wet Handling | 1st | 88.7 Km/H | 100% |
| Wet Circle | 1st | 8.81 m/s | 100% |
| Straight Aqua | 9th | 79.3 Km/H | 98.39% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 6th | 3.38 m/sec2 | 93.11% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 9th | 71.6 dB | 97.35% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 10th | 114 | 73.68% |
| Rolling Resistance | 11th | 10.2 kg / t | 69.61% |
- EU Label: C/A/70
- Weight: 10.02 kgs
- Tread: 7.2 mm
Good wet braking, safe aquaplaning properties. Safe but less dynamic cornering, best ride comfort.
Dull steering, somewhat indifferent balance in the wet. Less spontaneous steering and slightly longer braking distances when dry.
The new FK520 is comfortable, but steers sluggishly on wet roads.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 9th | 35.2 M | 95.74% |
| Dry Handling | 4th | 100.6 Km/H | 98.82% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th | 24.5 M | 97.14% |
| Wet Handling | 11th | 83.1 Km/H | 93.69% |
| Wet Circle | 10th | 8.3 m/s | 94.21% |
| Straight Aqua | 1st | 80.6 Km/H | 100% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 4th | 3.47 m/sec2 | 95.59% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 6th | 71.3 dB | 97.76% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 3rd | 96 | 87.5% |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th | 8.6 kg / t | 82.56% |
- EU Label: D/A/70
- Weight: 9.86 kgs
- Tread: 7.2 mm
Decent water drainage, acceptable cornering grip and low load change reactions in the wet. Good deceleration values on dry roads, very quiet passing noise.
Longer braking distances and significant understeer in the wet. Sluggish steering, increased rolling resistance.
The PS91 is a quiet tyre but has weaknesses in wet and dry grip.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 5th | 34.4 M | 97.97% |
| Dry Handling | 10th | 100 Km/H | 98.23% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 9th | 25.2 M | 94.44% |
| Wet Handling | 7th | 84.8 Km/H | 95.6% |
| Wet Circle | 9th | 8.38 m/s | 95.12% |
| Straight Aqua | 7th | 79.4 Km/H | 98.51% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 3rd | 3.52 m/sec2 | 96.97% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 1st | 69.7 dB | 100% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 4th | 103 | 81.55% |
| Rolling Resistance | 8th | 9.5 kg / t | 74.74% |
- EU Label: C/A/72
- Weight: 8.97 kgs
- Tread: 7.32 mm
Good wet braking, easily controllable, tends to understeer in the wet and dry.
Low curve aquaplaning resistance, cornering grip decreases with longer loads.
The VS5 has safe braking and good grip level in wet and dry corners.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 5th | 34.4 M | 97.97% |
| Dry Handling | 9th | 100.1 Km/H | 98.33% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th | 24.4 M | 97.54% |
| Wet Handling | 6th | 85.8 Km/H | 96.73% |
| Wet Circle | 5th | 8.49 m/s | 96.37% |
| Straight Aqua | 6th | 79.8 Km/H | 99.01% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 9th | 3.19 m/sec2 | 87.88% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 6th | 71.3 dB | 97.76% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 2nd | 89 | 94.38% |
| Rolling Resistance | 7th | 9 kg / t | 78.89% |
- EU Label: D/A/70
- Weight: 8.79 kgs
- Tread: 7.93 mm
Objectively good wet properties, best aquaplaning safety.
When moving dynamically, there is a lack of steering precision and response in the wet. Comparatively long braking distances and unbalanced handling on dry roads.
The Giti SportS2 has superior aquaplaning protection but is sluggish when turning in the dry.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 11th | 35.4 M | 95.2% |
| Dry Handling | 8th | 100.4 Km/H | 98.62% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 8th | 24.8 M | 95.97% |
| Wet Handling | 9th | 84.4 Km/H | 95.15% |
| Wet Circle | 7th | 8.46 m/s | 96.03% |
| Straight Aqua | 1st | 80.6 Km/H | 100% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 1st | 3.63 m/sec2 | 100% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 4th | 71.1 dB | 98.03% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 6th | 110 | 76.36% |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th | 8.9 kg / t | 79.78% |
- EU Label: C/B/72
- Weight: 9.42 kgs
- Tread: 7.39 mm
Good wet braking, decent longitudinal aquaplaning. Quiet pass-by noise.
Very sluggish steering and high levels of understeer in the wet. Long braking distances and less dynamic handling on a dry track.
The N`Fera Sport SU2 brakes properly when wet, otherwise rather low level of grip.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 8th | 35.1 M | 96.01% |
| Dry Handling | 11th | 99 Km/H | 97.25% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th | 24.6 M | 96.75% |
| Wet Handling | 10th | 83.5 Km/H | 94.14% |
| Wet Circle | 11th | 8.28 m/s | 93.98% |
| Straight Aqua | 10th | 79.2 Km/H | 98.26% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 11th | 3.09 m/sec2 | 85.12% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 2nd | 70.2 dB | 99.29% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 1st | 84 | 100% |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th | 8.9 kg / t | 79.78% |
Hey guys, I wanna buy tyres for my crossover (255/45/R20) and have three options:
Nexen nfera Supreme (N5000 Platinum) : $175 each,
Nankang SP-9 Cross-Sport : $115,
Giti Sport S2 SUV :$125
which will provide more comfort on the road since the roads here are so bumpy
Will you recommend SportContact 7 over bmw PS4 S* ? Which one will last longer and have better feedback?
Difficult to say as there's a few versions of the PS4S*. Unless it's a G series car I would probably go for SC7.
It's my second set of SC7 right now, they are great though they become sharper after 50% of wear.. and the wear is really pretty fast** that's why I said maybe PS4S* will last longer and will be sharper right after the fitment no need to wait haha
**3000km/1900miles, no track, some canyon cruising only - results: ~80% wear front and 50% rear. TTS mk2.
Holy smoke that's fast wear. Maybe the PS4S are worth a shot! What size you running?
I wonder if the Potenza Sport has a progressively stiffer sidewall as the rim diameter increases (or profile decreases) compared to the Potenza RE004 or the predecessor Potenza S007A (with the RE004 and S007A being seemingly fairly similar, and similar in construction to the RE003 too)?
205/55 R16
Potenza Sport 8.6kg (-1.1kg)
Potenza RE004 9.7kg
(Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 / Potenza RE003 9.5kg)
225/45 R17
Potenza Sport 9.7kg (-0.7kg)
Potenza S007A 10.4kg
(Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 / Potenza RE003 10.4kg)
225/40 R18
Firestone Firehawk Sport 9.44kg (-1kg)
Potenza Sport 10.3kg (-0.1kg)
(Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 / Potenza RE003 10.4kg)
235/35 R19
Potenza Sport 9.9kg (-0.9kg)
(Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 / Potenza RE003 10.8kg)
[Unfortunately Tirerack no longer list the weights for sizes of the S007A that are now sold out and no longer available, which is most sizes!]
It would be great to get some of these old school Japanese-style Bridgestone Potenzas (i.e., where the road tyres are built almost like a track tyre) into a Tyre Reviews tyre test, though it might not be necessary if the Potenza Sport still uses the stiff construction in the bigger rim diameters. :)
That would explain why the 18" Potenza Sport is excellent, but I'm not too happy with the 17" Potenza Sport -- their immense grip *would be* superb, if only not for the slightly soft sidewalls and slight floatiness/vagueness compared to RE003 and subsequently S007A which I used before (granted nowhere near as bad as something like a 17" Pilot Sport 4 ST) -- so I'll be changing them out for Potenza RE004.
Though judging by the lighter weight nature of the 19" version, maybe that's not the case, so I dunno.
It seems like this European-market Firehawk Sport is a more comfort or rolling resistance biased version of the Potenza Sport? So not really an equivalent to the RE003-based Indy 500 model for hot hatchbacks, small sportscars and the like (I'm assuming there will eventually be a Firehawk Indy 500 Mk2 based on the Potenza RE004).
I'm afraid I can't answer your questions at the moment, but the Bridgestone Potenza S02 was one of the all time great tyres and built like a brick!
I found some new old stock S007A to put back on the car and it feels so much better IMO, so much more keyed in to the road (even if the grip is less). I had the chance to compare the unmounted S007A to unmounted Sports in 17", and there was quite a big difference -- the S007A were pretty much rock-solid whereas the Sports were about the same as the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6s in your 17" tyre test (somewhat firmish but some definite squish too, lol, definitely much more flexible by about 30-40%). :)
The plot thickens -- I saw a Japanese tyre review with 0323-dated S007A tyres, so I went on the Bridgestone Japan website where the locally-made Potenza S007A is still listed a current model (and indeed the Potenza Sport that would be an import, is not listed). So it turns out it still being made in Japan after all, so maybe there will be a S008 or Sport 2 that combines the best of both tyres one day? :)
https://tire.bridgestone.co...
Sadly all modern tyres are taking strength out of the sidewall in order to hit rolling resistance targets. The rock hard tyres are from yesteryear :(
In the video it is stated by auto zeitung that between each wet braking test run they had to drive around the test facility for the next run during which the tires cooled down again. The Potenza Sport and P Zero seem to need some temperature because they were performing much better in the "roundabout track" for wet cornering grip.
This lines up with my and others experiences. In one test the Potenza Sport got shorter in wet braking every time we did it which is very unusual, I noted it in the video. Real world reviews have noted on cold wet days it's very difficult.
And again Goodyear produced the best quality/price tyre. EF1A6 all the way!
Really impressive tyre.
Is it possible that the thread for the Conti was just 5,8 mm?
I need new tyres for A4 on 19”. Considering you tested both of them, which one from Sportcontact 7 and Asymmetric 6 would you choose based on how they isolate the road roughness? It’s a rather important quality for me.
Thanks for your help!
I asked Conti and they said it should be 7.2mm.
I've not compared your two options back to back but I believe the Goodyear should be more comfortable.