2017 Mid Range Tyre Test

The first test featuring the new Bridgestone DriveGuard runflat tyre has been published!

Testing ten 205/55 R16 touring tyres on a VW Golf, Polish Motor magazine included the new generation Bridgestone DriveGuard runflat tyre against the traditional non-runflat competition. 

In the past runflat tyres have been criticised for low comfort, high noise and poor wet grip. During the launch of the Bridgestone DriveGuard last year, Bridgestone promised the latest generation runflat tyre had made these issues a thing of the past, and this is the first independent test confirming the new tyres abilities.

While Bridgestone were the only premium manufacturer included in the test, the very well regarded second tier brands from Continental (Uniroyal) and Goodyear (Fulda and Debica) were included to ensure Bridgestone didn't have an easy time of it.

Wet Braking

Uniroyal confirm their reputation as the wet masters, acing the wet braking test, and beating second placed Bridgestone by over a metre. Debica had a strong showing in third, with Nankang struggling in last place, a full 8.5 metres behind the winning Uniroyal.

Wet Handling

Bridgestone prove to be the fastest across a lap, with Nokian and Debica close behind in second and third place. Again, Nankang were totally off the pace and the slowest tyre on test

Bridgestone won both the lateral and longitudinal aquaplaning tests.

Dry Braking

Hankook proved its near-premium credentials, winning the dry braking tests, with Nexen and Bridgestone close behind. This time Toyo struggled, finishing last, but just 1.4 metres behind the winning Hankook.

Dry Handling

Hankook also won the closely contested dry handling test, setting the fastest lap. Bridgestone were 1/10th second behind, with Fulda another 3/10ths slower than Bridgestone.

Noise / Comfort

The real challenge for runflat tyres are the comfort and noise tests.

While the Bridgestone came joint last in the comfort assessment scoring 5.5 points, it tied with two well respected tyres and was only 0.5 points away from five other patterns in joint third place with 6 points. Uniroyal had the clear comfort advantage scoring 7 points overall, and Fulda finished second with 6.1 points.

The magazine chose to noise test the tyres twice, once at 50 km/h and once at 80 km/h. At both speeds Nankang won the test with Toyo second, with Bridgestone scoring third place at the slower speed, but tenth place at the quicker speed.

Result

1^st

Bridgestone DriveGuard

205/55 R16

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	69.7
Wet	99.3
Subjective	15
Comfort	1.6
Rolling Resistance	4
Noise	7.9

Total: 197.5

2^nd

Uniroyal RainSport 3

205/55 R16

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	69.1
Wet	97.1
Subjective	13.3
Comfort	2
Rolling Resistance	5
Noise	7.8

Total: 194.3

3^rd

Debica Presto HP

205/55 R16

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	69.2
Wet	94.3
Subjective	13.9
Comfort	1.6
Rolling Resistance	4.6
Noise	7.8

Total: 191.4

4^th

Fulda EcoControl HP

205/55 R16

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	69.4
Wet	92.5
Subjective	14.9
Comfort	1.8
Rolling Resistance	4.7
Noise	7.8

Total: 191.1

5^th

Nokian Line

205/55 R16

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	68.8
Wet	93.4
Subjective	14.5
Comfort	1.7
Rolling Resistance	4.5
Noise	8

Total: 190.9

6^th

Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125

205/55 R16

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	70
Wet	89.7
Subjective	14.5
Comfort	1.7
Rolling Resistance	4.6
Noise	7.9

Total: 188.4

Joint 7^th

BFGoodrich gGrip

205/55 R16

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	69
Wet	88.9
Subjective	14.5
Comfort	1.6
Rolling Resistance	4.4
Noise	8

Total: 186.4

Joint 7^th

Nexen N Blue HD+

205/55 R16

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	69.5
Wet	89.1
Subjective	13.9
Comfort	1.7
Rolling Resistance	4.2
Noise	8

Total: 186.4

9^th

Toyo Proxes CF2

205/55 R16

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	68.2
Wet	89.1
Subjective	13.9
Comfort	1.7
Rolling Resistance	4.2
Noise	8

Total: 185.1

10^th

Nankang Eco 2+

205/55 R16

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	68.7
Wet	86
Subjective	12.8
Comfort	1.7
Rolling Resistance	3.9
Noise	8

Total: 181.1