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The Best Touring Tyres for 2025 Tested

Jonathan Benson
Tested and written by Jonathan Benson
8 min read

Adjust Result Weighting

The overall scores below are calculated using our weighting system based on the test methodology. You can adjust the weightings below to explore how different priorities affect the results.

Dry 35%
Wet 50%
Comfort 5%
Value 10%
Dry 35% · Wet 50% · Comfort 5% · Value 10%
Fine-tune sub-categories
Dry
Wet
Comfort
Value

Test Results Data

BEST Good Average Below Average
# Tyre Total Score Dry Wet Comfort Value
Braking M Handling s Subj. Dry Handling Points % Braking M Handling s Subj. Wet Handling Points Straight Aqua Km/H Curved Aquaplaning m/sec2 % Subj. Comfort Points Noise dB % Rolling Resistance kg / t %
1 Pirelli Cinturato C3 98.3% 34.13 85.61 2 10 100% 24.96 2 106.63 3 9.5 95.7 3 2.6 98.2% 9 71.9 94.3% 7.7 3 94.9%
2 ▼1 Continental PremiumContact 7 98.1% 34.65 85.73 3 9.5 3 98.7% 24.61 107.14 9.25 98.1 2.57 3 98.6% 9.5 2 73.2 95.9% 7.72 94.7%
3 Falken ZIEX ZE320 97.8% 34.21 2 85.54 9.5 3 99.4% 25.47 3 105.18 10 95.5 2.27 97.7% 9 71.2 3 94.8% 7.77 94.1%
4 ▼1 Vredestein Ultrac 97.3% 34.43 3 86.57 9 98.1% 25.79 106.28 2 10 95.2 2.55 97.4% 9.5 2 70.9 97.5% 7.78 94%
5 Michelin Primacy 4 Plus 95.7% 35.22 86.43 10 98.1% 27.16 109.92 8.75 97.7 2 2.58 2 93.4% 10 71.1 2 99.9% 7.57 2 96.6%
6 Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN 95.4% 35.27 86.22 8.5 96.7% 27.57 108.05 10 92.1 2.47 93.9% 8.5 72.6 91.3% 7.31 100%
7 Goodtrip GR 66 86.4% 37.09 87.4 6 91.5% 34 116.72 8 88.2 2.35 82% 7 72.8 83.7% 7.94 92.1%
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Dry 100% Wet 98% Comfort 94% Value 95%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 34.13 M
Dry Handling 85.61 s 2
Subj. Dry Handling 10 Points
Wet
Wet Braking 24.96 M 2
Wet Handling 106.63 s 3
Subj. Wet Handling 9.5 Points
Straight Aqua 95.7 Km/H 3
Curved Aquaplaning 2.6 m/sec2
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 9 Points
Noise 71.9 dB
Value
Rolling Resistance 7.7 kg / t 3
Dry 99% Wet 99% Comfort 96% Value 95%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 34.65 M
Dry Handling 85.73 s 3
Subj. Dry Handling 9.5 Points 3
Wet
Wet Braking 24.61 M
Wet Handling 107.14 s
Subj. Wet Handling 9.25 Points
Straight Aqua 98.1 Km/H
Curved Aquaplaning 2.57 m/sec2 3
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 9.5 Points 2
Noise 73.2 dB
Value
Rolling Resistance 7.72 kg / t
Dry 99% Wet 98% Comfort 95% Value 94%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 34.21 M 2
Dry Handling 85.54 s
Subj. Dry Handling 9.5 Points 3
Wet
Wet Braking 25.47 M 3
Wet Handling 105.18 s
Subj. Wet Handling 10 Points
Straight Aqua 95.5 Km/H
Curved Aquaplaning 2.27 m/sec2
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 9 Points
Noise 71.2 dB 3
Value
Rolling Resistance 7.77 kg / t
4
97.3%
Dry 98% Wet 97% Comfort 98% Value 94%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 34.43 M 3
Dry Handling 86.57 s
Subj. Dry Handling 9 Points
Wet
Wet Braking 25.79 M
Wet Handling 106.28 s 2
Subj. Wet Handling 10 Points
Straight Aqua 95.2 Km/H
Curved Aquaplaning 2.55 m/sec2
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 9.5 Points 2
Noise 70.9 dB
Value
Rolling Resistance 7.78 kg / t
Dry 98% Wet 93% Comfort 100% Value 97%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 35.22 M
Dry Handling 86.43 s
Subj. Dry Handling 10 Points
Wet
Wet Braking 27.16 M
Wet Handling 109.92 s
Subj. Wet Handling 8.75 Points
Straight Aqua 97.7 Km/H 2
Curved Aquaplaning 2.58 m/sec2 2
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 10 Points
Noise 71.1 dB 2
Value
Rolling Resistance 7.57 kg / t 2
Dry 97% Wet 94% Comfort 91% Value 100%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 35.27 M
Dry Handling 86.22 s
Subj. Dry Handling 8.5 Points
Wet
Wet Braking 27.57 M
Wet Handling 108.05 s
Subj. Wet Handling 10 Points
Straight Aqua 92.1 Km/H
Curved Aquaplaning 2.47 m/sec2
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 8.5 Points
Noise 72.6 dB
Value
Rolling Resistance 7.31 kg / t
7
86.4%
Dry 92% Wet 82% Comfort 84% Value 92%
View detailed scores
Dry
Dry Braking 37.09 M
Dry Handling 87.4 s
Subj. Dry Handling 6 Points
Wet
Wet Braking 34 M
Wet Handling 116.72 s
Subj. Wet Handling 8 Points
Straight Aqua 88.2 Km/H
Curved Aquaplaning 2.35 m/sec2
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 7 Points
Noise 72.8 dB
Value
Rolling Resistance 7.94 kg / t
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

19 comments
  1. sebna archived

    Hey Jon,

    For someone who drives mostly on empty b-roads and lives for cornering but does not care for speed as such but being close to the limit (with margin for unexpected etc.). Would C3 225/45/17 XL be a good pairing to Civic 1.6diesel 10th gen (OEM is 215/50/17)? I am also considering PS5 215/50/17 and F1 Asy6 225/45/17 from UHP segment but I am afraid that extra grip will make the chassis hit the limit first, which makes for boring ride. Also I am looking for great communication and liveliness from tire which I do not think PS5 gives, nor Asy6 even if better at it (I owned gen 2 of Goodyear F1).

    Best tire I used was Pzero Nero back in the day on my MX-5. With very stiff wall, limited and snappy grip but with progressive sand paper like feeling to slide recovery :). Real joy to drive. Driver's tire. I believe that is what Pirelli still do, driver's tires? Can C3 be considered as such? And the main question is it better in this particular function than PS5 / Asy6?

    Sadly I cannot get PZ5 in the size I need as it probably would be my tire of choice.

    Thank you

    #10418
  2. Dr Towers archived

    I am finding it hard to locate the C3 in Golf format, ie 205/55 R16 91V....reinforced or 94 are there.

    Is it made in this format? Thank you.

    #10390
    1. TyreReviews Dr Towers archived

      If you can find it in 94v you're fine to fit it, often the 91 and 94 versions of the tyres are the same as it's cheaper to product one instead of two lines for very similar products.

      #10392
  3. Mauro archived

    Dear Tyre Reviews Team,

    I’d like to propose that you consider adding RIM PROTECTION as a highlighted feature in your tire reviews. While it doesn’t necessarily need to be tested exhaustively, it’s a feature that I, along with many other customers, truly value. Not all tire manufacturers provide rim protection, but it makes a significant difference to those of us who care about preserving our rims from damage caused by curbs.

    Personally, I would not consider purchasing a tire that doesn’t offer rim protection, and I believe many others share this sentiment. Including it in your reviews could help guide us in making more informed decisions.

    Thank you for considering this suggestion, and I look forward to seeing this feature in future reviews!

    Best regards,
    Mauro van Leijden

    #10306
  4. Sotiris Koutsomitros archived

    Hey Jon, What would be the more comfortable tyre on a Honda Civic 1.8 140ps . The cinturato C3 with a load index 94 or the Pilot sport 5 with a load index of 91? The reccommended load index is 91

    #10290
      1. Sotiris Koutsomitros Dr Towers archived

        Yes exactly. I actually got the c3 in 94. It is soft and forgiving on potholes, but not as sporty as I would like it.

        #10420
    1. sebna Sotiris Koutsomitros archived

      It should be C3 due to much softer construction in general. Good indication how soft the carcass of the tire will be is rolling resistance - the lower the softer.

      That is why tires like outgoing Potenza Sport are dying breed. ECO bureaucracy is changing the landscape, and of course not for better for car enthusiasts.

      #10419
  5. Neil archived

    Read this review a few times and you're right, I've just had 4 new Ultrac+ (225/60/18) put on my Outback, impressively quiet, very comfortable and a decent wedge less than 'premium" options. If they handle as well in the wet as the test suggests, I'll be even happier.

    #10139
  6. HeavyStuff archived

    Hey Jon we got pirelli pz5, hankook s1evo4 and kumho ps72 out, any updates for this years UHP test? Also would be amazing to finally see Falken fk520 in a UHP test from you.

    #10017
    1. TyreReviews HeavyStuff archived

      My test should be out next week with the PZ5 and FK520 in.

      #10025
  7. Ron H archived

    Super! Would these tests translate to a 16 inch fwd car?! Interesting to see C3 coming through well. As yet it isn't made in a 91V rating for a 16 inch wheel, so considering getting it in 94 load setting, or the PremContact 7 in 91. Also be good to compare the Primacy 5.

    #10012
    1. TyreReviews Ron H archived

      Generally there is good crossover between drivetrains.

      #10028
  8. 4cvg archived

    Interesting that, despite being poorest in curved aquaplaning, the ZE 320 had 'no issue with the deeper water on the track'. Care to comment on the bit of tension here?
    Perhaps the aquaplaning test water depth is deeper again (why not list it?).

    #10006
    1. TyreReviews 4cvg archived

      The best answer I can give is sometimes tyres testing does not make sense. Generally wet handling is 1mm and straight / curved aqua between 7 and 10mm.

      The deeper water parts on the track were puddles in places so deeper again, which might indicate the falken had a narrower profile. I didn't measure it this time.

      #10008
      1. 4cvg TyreReviews archived

        I suspect that the best explanatory hypothesis is that even the puddley bits of the wet track were not 7-10 mm.
        If they were, then my next hypothesis would be that, as it's a puddle & not an extended bit of deep water (as in an aquaplaning test), the tyre would be in & out of it very quickly & the capacity of the tread voids to briefly store water rather than move it out might be explanatorily significant.
        There's always sense to be made even if one can't make it!

        #10009
  9. Jim archived

    Nice test! Always looking forward to your tests.

    Too bad you didn’t get a hold of the new Ultrac+.

    I’m currently deciding between ultrac+ and ze320 so nice to see the falken is a good tire and it seems comfortable.

    #10003