2018 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16

In 2018, German test body ADAC have tested sixteen 205/55 R16 summer tyres, and fourteen tyres in the smaller 175/65 R14 size.

Data analyzed and reviewed byJonathan Benson

February 24, 2018 7 min read Updated January 8, 2025

In 2018, German test body ADAC have tested sixteen 205/55 R16 summer tyres, and fourteen tyres in the smaller 175/65 R14 size.

In this 205/55 R16 test, premium manufacturers take the top three places. Michelin lead the way, having the lowest wear on test and proving to be excellent in the dry, Bridgestone have a surprisingly strong performance in the wet to score second place overall, and Continental have a very balanced showing for the last of the podium spots.

The next group of tyres are all mid range brands, with Bridgestone owned Firestone taking fourth place with a very balanced performance, Hankook continuing the run of strong finishes for the Prime 3 in fifth place, and the Continental owned Semperit brand finishing in sixth largely thanks to a great wet performance.

Other note worthy results are Pirelli and Goodyear only managing to finish ninth and twelfth overall, with both premium manufacturers struggling in the wet, and the new Giti brand beating some very established brands on their first attempt.

More results below, or check out the ADAC website for the full details.

Results

The overall results are weighted 20% dry, 40% wet, 10% noise and comfort, 10% fuel consumption and 20% wear

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	8.6
Wet	7
Comfort	5.8
Rolling Resistance	8.2
Wear	10
Overall	7.8

Total: 47.4

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	8.2
Wet	8
Comfort	5.2
Rolling Resistance	7.8
Wear	7
Overall	7.4

Total: 43.6

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	7.6
Wet	7.6
Comfort	5.4
Rolling Resistance	8.6
Wear	7
Overall	7.4

Total: 43.6

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	8.6
Wet	7.6
Comfort	4.6
Rolling Resistance	8
Wear	7
Overall	7.4

Total: 43.2

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	8.8
Wet	7
Comfort	5.2
Rolling Resistance	7.8
Wear	7
Overall	7.2

Total: 43

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	7.2
Wet	7.8
Comfort	5.2
Rolling Resistance	7.6
Wear	7
Overall	7.2

Total: 42

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	7.8
Wet	6.8
Comfort	4.6
Rolling Resistance	8
Wear	7
Overall	6.8

Total: 41

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	6.8
Wet	7
Comfort	5.6
Rolling Resistance	7.6
Wear	7
Overall	6.8

Total: 40.8

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	8.6
Wet	6.8
Comfort	4.2
Rolling Resistance	8.4
Wear	9
Overall	6.8

Total: 43.8

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	6.8
Wet	6.2
Comfort	5.2
Rolling Resistance	7.6
Wear	9
Overall	6.2

Total: 41

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	6.6
Wet	6
Comfort	5.4
Rolling Resistance	7.6
Wear	6
Overall	6

Total: 37.6

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	8
Wet	6.4
Comfort	5.6
Rolling Resistance	8.4
Wear	6
Overall	6

Total: 40.4

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	7.6
Wet	6.6
Comfort	6
Rolling Resistance	7.2
Wear	6
Overall	6

Total: 39.4

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	5.6
Wet	5.6
Comfort	5.6
Rolling Resistance	7.4
Wear	7
Overall	5.6

Total: 36.8

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	5.8
Wet	5.6
Comfort	5.6
Rolling Resistance	8
Wear	6
Overall	4

Total: 35

All discipline results (6)

Test	Result
Dry	8.6
Wet	6.6
Comfort	5.8
Rolling Resistance	8.6
Wear	9
Overall	4

Total: 42.6

Discussion

13 comments

Andreas Oct 6, 2019 archived

Hello.You are testing Summer tyres and the results are weighted: 20% dry 40%wet???What's wrong with this picture?We are talking about Summer tyres here!!! Anyone understand what i'm saying?
The results must be equal between dry and wet.You must correct this wrong.Not all countries are north.What about Portugal-Spain-Greece-Italy-France etc...@@@

#5148
Iza Mitrova Jan 20, 2019 archived

Hi,
Which are the 'softest' of above?
Those which are good on wet?
Thanks

#4244
1. TyreReviews Iza Mitrova Jan 21, 2019 archived
  
  If you look the top right of the article your questions are answered :)
  
  #4246
  1. Iza Mitrova TyreReviews Feb 10, 2019 archived
    
    But there is no information about that. Only for wet/dry roads...
    My question was for tyre 'softness'.
    
    #4341
    1. TyreReviews Iza Mitrova Feb 10, 2019 archived
      
      Softness as in comfort, top right, softness as in wear, top right. Also each tyre is scored individually
      
      #4342
Gonçalo May 27, 2018 archived

Hi,
why Vredestein Sportrac 5 wich has good overall scores and a total of 42.6 appears in last? U know some reason for that?
Tnks

#3661
1. TyreReviews Gonçalo May 27, 2018 archived
  
  Because the tyre failed the ADAC high speed test so they moved it to the bottom.
  
  #3662
Paul Mar 15, 2018 archived

It is funny that only in UK Bridgestone tyres are getting so bad reviews. Possibly because in UK summer tires are used in winter :)

#3323
1. TyreReviews Paul Mar 16, 2018 archived
  
  Until recently certain Bridgestone patterns performed poorly in the wet, perhaps it's because we get more wet than some countries? :)
  The latest T001 Evo, T005 and the sister brand the Firestone Roadhawk are all now excellent in the wet.
  
  #3330
  1. Paul TyreReviews Mar 16, 2018 archived
    
    Looking at T005 reviews here I wouldn't call it excellent in wet :D
    
    #3334
2. Fahrer Paul Jun 10, 2018 archived
  
  You are absolutely right!
  These people do not understand the meaning of words: "SUMMER TIRES"
  Here's an example from someone. Tell me, is he normal? : - /
  https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
  
  #3690
David Feb 26, 2018 archived

Why they test old primacy 3 and not the new primacy 4??

#3266
1. TyreReviews David Feb 26, 2018 archived
  
  It will have been due to size availability at the time of test
  
  #3267

Tyre	Michelin Primacy 3	Bridgestone Turanza T001 Evo	Continental Premium Contact 5	Firestone RoadHawk	Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125	Semperit SpeedLife 2	ESA Tecar Spirit 5 HP	Kumho Ecsta HS51	Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue	Fulda EcoControl HP	Giti GitiPremium H1	Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance	Nexen N Blue HD Plus	Cooper Zeon CS8	Infinity Ecosis	Vredestein Sportrac 5
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