The 2015 Auto Express tyre test covers eleven patterns in the popular 225/45 R17 size. Testing at Continentals test track in Texas, Auto Express used the benchmark VW Golf to carry out nine thorough tests covering dry and wet performance, along with rolling resistance and cabin noise.
As usual, we don't write too much for the Auto Express test, instead we encourage you to read the full tyre test on their own website. Full details on the test can be found here, or read on for our summary below.
The Results
Continental Sport Contact 5
225/45 R17
The Continental Sport Contact 5 dominated the test with four wins and three runner-up spots. The Continental shone on all surfaces, and was particularly strong and consistent under wet and dry braking.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 200 |
| Wet | 299.7 |
| Rolling Resistance | 73.1 |
| Noise | 98.5 |
| Overall | 100 |
Total: 771.3
Dunlop Sport BluResponse
225/45 R17
The 2014 champion came close to repeating the win in this bigger size. The Dunlop Sport BluResponse had the best rolling resistance on test, while retaining excellent wet performance.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 198.2 |
| Wet | 293.2 |
| Rolling Resistance | 100 |
| Noise | 98.9 |
| Overall | 98.8 |
Total: 789.1
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
225/45 R17
While the Michelin Primacy 3 is a few years old, it still managed a great performance, excelling particularly in the aquaplaning tests where it won both the straight and curved aquaplaning.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 191.6 |
| Wet | 289.6 |
| Rolling Resistance | 72.1 |
| Noise | 95.8 |
| Overall | 98 |
Total: 747.1
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
225/45 R17
Only winning the cabin noise test, the Hankook S1 Evo 2 had a strong performance in every category, always close to the front and rarely slipping past mid table.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 191.5 |
| Wet | 287.2 |
| Rolling Resistance | 77.9 |
| Noise | 100 |
| Overall | 97.7 |
Total: 754.3
Pirelli P Zero
225/45 R17
The Pirelli P Zero won the test back in 2008, which makes it the oldest pattern on test. Naturally there have been updates to the tyre during its life, and they show. In the top 3 for all the handling, cornering and braking tests, the P Zero shows its sports car pedigree. The tyre also managed to be the second quietest. Only let down by a poor rolling resistance and finishing last in the curved aquaplaning test, the P Zero is still a strong tyre, all these years on.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 195.1 |
| Wet | 297.2 |
| Rolling Resistance | 71.4 |
| Noise | 99.8 |
| Overall | 97.3 |
Total: 760.8
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
225/45 R17
We're used to the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 winning, so it was a surprise to see it down in sixth place. As rivals have progressed, it seems the Goodyear has stagnated, scoring poorly in dry and wet handling which used to be the key areas. Excellent rolling resistance shows where the trade might have been, or perhaps it was a size dependant anomaly, as the tyre still tests well in other magazines.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 190.1 |
| Wet | 287.9 |
| Rolling Resistance | 89.4 |
| Noise | 97.8 |
| Overall | 96.7 |
Total: 761.9
Yokohama Advan Sport V105
225/45 R17
The Yokohama V105 still has a lovely balance of wet and dry grip, and still feels great to drive on, but it still has a very high rolling resistance and average aquaplaning performance. A good sports tyre.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 193.3 |
| Wet | 290.2 |
| Rolling Resistance | 63.2 |
| Noise | 98.2 |
| Overall | 96.1 |
Total: 741
Falken FK453
225/45 R17
A test debut for Falken with the FK453, and sadly eighth place. The tyre struggled in wet and dry braking, was second to last in wet cornering, had a high rolling resistance and could only manage eighth in straight aquaplaning. Fourth in dry handling was its saving grace, only 1% slower than the Continental.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 197.8 |
| Wet | 273.6 |
| Rolling Resistance | 66.2 |
| Noise | 97.9 |
| Overall | 95 |
Total: 730.5
Bridgestone Turanza T001
225/45 R17
Again, the worlds biggest tyre maker ends a test with a disappointing result. The T001 had the worst wet grip on test, finishing last in wet handling, braking and cornering, and felt subjectively weak too. An update is due for this tyre soon, and it's well needed.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 189.2 |
| Wet | 266.5 |
| Rolling Resistance | 81 |
| Noise | 98 |
| Overall | 94.3 |
Total: 729
GT Radial Champiro HPY
225/45 R17
The Champiro HPY felt most at home on the dry handling, thanks to a sharp turn in and quick direction change. Sadly, that was the peak of the grip, with the dry struggling in dry and wet braking, and wet handling and aquaplaning tests. Fourth best rolling resistance, but still over 20% behind the Dunlop.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 191.1 |
| Wet | 277.4 |
| Rolling Resistance | 78.8 |
| Noise | 96.1 |
| Overall | 94.1 |
Total: 737.5
Toyo Proxes T1 Sport
225/45 R17
A disappointing test for Toyo, finishing in the bottom three in nearly every performance test.
All discipline results (5)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 187.9 |
| Wet | 268.4 |
| Rolling Resistance | 76.5 |
| Noise | 96.8 |
| Overall | 93.6 |
Total: 723.2
This is not a fair compare for Bridgestone...you are comparin T001 with other brands sport segment tyres, instead of S001. BS T001 is comfort segment tyre. You are manipulating the test and writing there "again disappointing".
Auto Express ask the tyre companies to nominate a tyre pattern in the chosen test size, which means Bridgestone asked Auto Express to test the T001 over the S001
My car recommend 225/45/17 91Y, can i put the pirelli Pzero 225/45/17 94Y ? Because thy don;t come with the recommended dimensions..
or is it make worse the handling?
Hi,
It's fine to move from a 91 to a 94 load rating. If anything it will make handling better, but you might sacrifice a tiny amount of ride comfort and noise as a result of the higher load rating.