2019 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test

Name: 2019 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test
Creator: Tyre Reviews
Published: 2019-02-25

Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson

February 25, 2019 6 min read Updated January 8, 2025

Contents

Introduction
Dry
Wet
Environment
Results
Continental Premium Contact 6
Michelin Primacy 4
Maxxis Premitra HP5
Pirelli CINTURATO P7
Bridgestone Turanza T005
Yokohama BluEarth AE50
Michelin CrossClimate+
Apollo Aspire XP
Kumho Ecsta HS51
Nankang AS1

Test Publication:

Auto Zeitung

235/45 R18 10 tyres 4 categories

Read the original test at Auto Zeitung → Similar Tests

Test Publication:

Auto Zeitung

Read the original test at Auto Zeitung →

Test Size: 235/45 R18

Tyres Tested: 10 tyres

Test Categories:
4 categories (8 tests)

Similar Tests

Auto Zeitung is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, Tyre Reviews. This is independent editorial coverage of their published test.

For the 2019 summer season Auto Zeitung have tested nine 235/45 R18 summer tyres, and included the summer-bias all season Michelin CrossClimate.

The stand out performances go to the new Continental Premium Contact 6 and Michelin Primacy 4, both showing extremely well balanced test results, and also the new Maxxis Premitra HP5. The quality of Maxxis tyres has quietly improving quickly over the past 12 months, and it's great to see the Premitra HP5 prove it's excellent price / performance ratio.

It's also worth noting, which the Michelin CrossClimate only finished seventh place overall, this is the only tyre on test which has any sort of ability in the snow. The trade for snow performance is often dry grip, but the CrossClimate held its own in a full summer tyre test, which makes it unique amongst all season tyres.

Dry

The dry testing was led by the top three tyres overall, with the Continental, Michelin Primacy 4 and Maxxis trading places in the dry braking and dry handling testing. The Nankang AS1 was last in both tests.

Continental Premium Contact 6
36.00 M
Maxxis Premitra HP5
36.40 M
Michelin Primacy 4
36.60 M
Bridgestone Turanza T005
36.80 M
Apollo Aspire XP
37.40 M
Pirelli CINTURATO P7
37.50 M
Yokohama BluEarth AE50
37.80 M
Nankang AS1
39.20 M
Kumho Ecsta HS51
39.20 M
Michelin CrossClimate Plus
39.20 M

Continental Premium Contact 6
59.30 s
Michelin Primacy 4
59.70 s
Pirelli CINTURATO P7
60.20 s
Maxxis Premitra HP5
60.20 s
Apollo Aspire XP
60.30 s
Yokohama BluEarth AE50
60.40 s
Michelin CrossClimate Plus
60.40 s
Kumho Ecsta HS51
60.70 s
Bridgestone Turanza T005
60.70 s
Nankang AS1
60.90 s

Wet

The Michelin CrossClimate had a surprise advantage during wet braking, but couldn't match the performance during the wet handling lap. The Continental Premium Contact 6 was the best of the summer tyres, with the Maxxis, Yokohama and Bridgestone all having excellent results. The Nankang AS1 was again last.

Michelin CrossClimate Plus
54.60 M
Continental Premium Contact 6
57.70 M
Pirelli CINTURATO P7
58.80 M
Yokohama BluEarth AE50
59.00 M
Maxxis Premitra HP5
59.20 M
Michelin Primacy 4
60.60 M
Apollo Aspire XP
65.80 M
Bridgestone Turanza T005
66.60 M
Kumho Ecsta HS51
73.10 M
Nankang AS1
77.30 M

Continental Premium Contact 6
90.00 s
Maxxis Premitra HP5
91.20 s
Bridgestone Turanza T005
92.80 s
Yokohama BluEarth AE50
93.40 s
Apollo Aspire XP
94.00 s
Michelin Primacy 4
94.20 s
Michelin CrossClimate Plus
96.00 s
Pirelli CINTURATO P7
96.60 s
Kumho Ecsta HS51
98.00 s
Nankang AS1
99.90 s

The Kumho was the best tyre for straight aquaplaning resistance.

Kumho Ecsta HS51
75.10 Km/H
Bridgestone Turanza T005
74.30 Km/H
Pirelli CINTURATO P7
74.20 Km/H
Apollo Aspire XP
74.10 Km/H
Continental Premium Contact 6
74.00 Km/H
Maxxis Premitra HP5
73.20 Km/H
Michelin Primacy 4
72.30 Km/H
Yokohama BluEarth AE50
70.80 Km/H
Michelin CrossClimate Plus
70.40 Km/H
Nankang AS1
68.20 Km/H

Environment

The Michelin Primacy 4 had an extremely low rolling resistance, while the Continental's only weakness was highlighted.

Michelin Primacy 4
7.20 kg / t
Bridgestone Turanza T005
7.46 kg / t
Yokohama BluEarth AE50
7.68 kg / t
Michelin CrossClimate Plus
7.78 kg / t
Apollo Aspire XP
8.16 kg / t
Pirelli CINTURATO P7
8.19 kg / t
Maxxis Premitra HP5
8.31 kg / t
Continental Premium Contact 6
8.34 kg / t
Kumho Ecsta HS51
8.49 kg / t
Nankang AS1
8.92 kg / t

Petrol/Diesel Electric

Annual Mileage

19,000 km

km (L)

miles (US gal)

Fuel Price

£1.45/L

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Set my vehicle consumption

Annual Difference

Lifetime Savings

Extra Fuel/Energy

Extra CO2

Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tyre age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

The Maxxis was the quietest tyre on test, with a 1dB margin over the next best.

Maxxis Premitra HP5
68.00 dB
Nankang AS1
69.00 dB
Pirelli CINTURATO P7
70.00 dB
Yokohama BluEarth AE50
70.00 dB
Kumho Ecsta HS51
70.00 dB
Apollo Aspire XP
70.00 dB
Continental Premium Contact 6
71.00 dB
Bridgestone Turanza T005
71.00 dB
Michelin Primacy 4
71.00 dB
Michelin CrossClimate Plus
72.00 dB

The cheapest set of tyres on test, the Nankang AS1, were almost a third of the price of the most expensive.

Nankang AS1
265.00
Kumho Ecsta HS51
325.00
Maxxis Premitra HP5
345.00
Apollo Aspire XP
400.00
Pirelli CINTURATO P7
465.00
Yokohama BluEarth AE50
470.00
Bridgestone Turanza T005
540.00
Continental Premium Contact 6
555.00
Michelin Primacy 4
590.00
Michelin CrossClimate Plus
645.00

Results

As always, you can see the full results on the Auto Zeitung website.

The best tyre in the wet by a margin, shortest dry braking and excellent dry handling, good level of comfort.

None mentioned.

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1^st	36 M			100%
Dry Handling	1^st	59.3 s			100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2^nd	57.7 M	54.6 M	+3.1 M	94.63%
Wet Handling	1^st	90 s			100%
Straight Aqua	5^th	74 Km/H	75.1 Km/H	-1.1 Km/H	98.54%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7^th	71 dB	68 dB	+3 dB	95.77%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8^th	555	265	+290	47.75%
Rolling Resistance	8^th	8.34 kg / t	7.2 kg / t	+1.14 kg / t	86.33%

Good results in the dry and wet, very low rolling resistance.

None mentioned.

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3^rd	36.6 M	36 M	+0.6 M	98.36%
Dry Handling	2^nd	59.7 s	59.3 s	+0.4 s	99.33%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6^th	60.6 M	54.6 M	+6 M	90.1%
Wet Handling	6^th	94.2 s	90 s	+4.2 s	95.54%
Straight Aqua	7^th	72.3 Km/H	75.1 Km/H	-2.8 Km/H	96.27%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7^th	71 dB	68 dB	+3 dB	95.77%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	9^th	590	265	+325	44.92%
Rolling Resistance	1^st	7.2 kg / t			100%

Up there with premium rivals at a lower price, good in the wet, short dry braking.

Average rolling resistance, average comfort, average dry handling.

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2^nd	36.4 M	36 M	+0.4 M	98.9%
Dry Handling	3^rd	60.2 s	59.3 s	+0.9 s	98.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5^th	59.2 M	54.6 M	+4.6 M	92.23%
Wet Handling	2^nd	91.2 s	90 s	+1.2 s	98.68%
Straight Aqua	6^th	73.2 Km/H	75.1 Km/H	-1.9 Km/H	97.47%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1^st	68 dB			100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	3^rd	345	265	+80	76.81%
Rolling Resistance	7^th	8.31 kg / t	7.2 kg / t	+1.11 kg / t	86.64%

Good results in the dry and wet, short wet braking.

None mentioned.

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6^th	37.5 M	36 M	+1.5 M	96%
Dry Handling	3^rd	60.2 s	59.3 s	+0.9 s	98.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3^rd	58.8 M	54.6 M	+4.2 M	92.86%
Wet Handling	8^th	96.6 s	90 s	+6.6 s	93.17%
Straight Aqua	3^rd	74.2 Km/H	75.1 Km/H	-0.9 Km/H	98.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3^rd	70 dB	68 dB	+2 dB	97.14%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	5^th	465	265	+200	56.99%
Rolling Resistance	6^th	8.19 kg / t	7.2 kg / t	+0.99 kg / t	87.91%

Short dry braking and good ride quality, low rolling resistance, very good aquaplaning resistance.

Long wet braking distances.

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4^th	36.8 M	36 M	+0.8 M	97.83%
Dry Handling	8^th	60.7 s	59.3 s	+1.4 s	97.69%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8^th	66.6 M	54.6 M	+12 M	81.98%
Wet Handling	3^rd	92.8 s	90 s	+2.8 s	96.98%
Straight Aqua	2^nd	74.3 Km/H	75.1 Km/H	-0.8 Km/H	98.93%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7^th	71 dB	68 dB	+3 dB	95.77%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	7^th	540	265	+275	49.07%
Rolling Resistance	2^nd	7.46 kg / t	7.2 kg / t	+0.26 kg / t	96.51%

A well balanced tyre, low rolling resistance.

Reduced aquaplaning resistance.

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7^th	37.8 M	36 M	+1.8 M	95.24%
Dry Handling	6^th	60.4 s	59.3 s	+1.1 s	98.18%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4^th	59 M	54.6 M	+4.4 M	92.54%
Wet Handling	4^th	93.4 s	90 s	+3.4 s	96.36%
Straight Aqua	8^th	70.8 Km/H	75.1 Km/H	-4.3 Km/H	94.27%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3^rd	70 dB	68 dB	+2 dB	97.14%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	6^th	470	265	+205	56.38%
Rolling Resistance	3^rd	7.68 kg / t	7.2 kg / t	+0.48 kg / t	93.75%

The shortest wet braking distances. The only tyre with snow capability.

Relatively weak wet lateral stability, increased noise levels, long dry braking.

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8^th	39.2 M	36 M	+3.2 M	91.84%
Dry Handling	6^th	60.4 s	59.3 s	+1.1 s	98.18%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1^st	54.6 M			100%
Wet Handling	7^th	96 s	90 s	+6 s	93.75%
Straight Aqua	9^th	70.4 Km/H	75.1 Km/H	-4.7 Km/H	93.74%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	10^th	72 dB	68 dB	+4 dB	94.44%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	10^th	645	265	+380	41.09%
Rolling Resistance	4^th	7.78 kg / t	7.2 kg / t	+0.58 kg / t	92.54%

Good aquaplaning resistance.

Long wet braking, soft sidewalls so poor lateral stability.

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5^th	37.4 M	36 M	+1.4 M	96.26%
Dry Handling	5^th	60.3 s	59.3 s	+1 s	98.34%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7^th	65.8 M	54.6 M	+11.2 M	82.98%
Wet Handling	5^th	94 s	90 s	+4 s	95.74%
Straight Aqua	4^th	74.1 Km/H	75.1 Km/H	-1 Km/H	98.67%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3^rd	70 dB	68 dB	+2 dB	97.14%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4^th	400	265	+135	66.25%
Rolling Resistance	5^th	8.16 kg / t	7.2 kg / t	+0.96 kg / t	88.24%

Good aquaplaning resistance.

Long braking distances in the dry and wet, high rolling resistance, low comfort.

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8^th	39.2 M	36 M	+3.2 M	91.84%
Dry Handling	8^th	60.7 s	59.3 s	+1.4 s	97.69%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	9^th	73.1 M	54.6 M	+18.5 M	74.69%
Wet Handling	9^th	98 s	90 s	+8 s	91.84%
Straight Aqua	1^st	75.1 Km/H			100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3^rd	70 dB	68 dB	+2 dB	97.14%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2^nd	325	265	+60	81.54%
Rolling Resistance	9^th	8.49 kg / t	7.2 kg / t	+1.29 kg / t	84.81%

None mentioned.

Unstable at the limit during wet handling and long stopping distances during wet braking, highest rolling resistance.

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8^th	39.2 M	36 M	+3.2 M	91.84%
Dry Handling	10^th	60.9 s	59.3 s	+1.6 s	97.37%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	10^th	77.3 M	54.6 M	+22.7 M	70.63%
Wet Handling	10^th	99.9 s	90 s	+9.9 s	90.09%
Straight Aqua	10^th	68.2 Km/H	75.1 Km/H	-6.9 Km/H	90.81%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	2^nd	69 dB	68 dB	+1 dB	98.55%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	1^st	265			100%
Rolling Resistance	10^th	8.92 kg / t	7.2 kg / t	+1.72 kg / t	80.72%

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Discussion

25 comments

Lux Apr 8, 2019 archived

I would like a very quiet tyres and safety as well.
My doubt is michelin primacy 4 or nokian wetproof. Size 225/45/17 for a Bmw 1 series.
I understood that Nokian are better on wet and dry as well, and noise is approximately the same. But when they are much aged, will they maintain the same characteristics? thanks for helping!

#4638
1. TyreReviews Lux Apr 8, 2019 archived
  
  As a rule Michelin generally wear better than other brands, but the Nokian is a new tyre from a premium brand so there's no reason this should perform worse than any other brand.
  
  #4640
  1. Lux TyreReviews Apr 8, 2019 archived
    
    Thanks for your reply... In terms of noisy goodyear asymmetric 5 are better?
    
    #4642
    1. TyreReviews Lux Apr 8, 2019 archived
      
      Have a look at our video and the various test data on this site :)
      
      #4651
      1. Lux TyreReviews Apr 9, 2019 archived
        
        Already did ?. But I am confused. ...constructors declare a noise value but in test it is different. For instance goodyear f1 a3 68db and in your test f1 a5(70db) are quieter. Could you please advise me the quieter tyres(premium brands) at high speeds(motorway).
        I will appreciate very mutch! Thanks?
        
        #4653
        
        TyreReviews Lux Apr 9, 2019 archived
        
        You have all the data I have :) My noise test was internal noise, some tests are external.
        
        #4654
Justin Saunders Feb 27, 2019 archived

I would have liked to see Landsail tyres in the list. Appreciate there are many makes now
though.

#4424
1. TyreReviews Justin Saunders Feb 27, 2019 archived
  
  Sadly we don't see Landsail in many tests anymore.
  
  #4429
Lulu Bulu Feb 25, 2019 archived

I think that load and speed index should be known. They make a difference even in the same size and model. Correct me if I'm wrong.

#4403
1. TyreReviews Lulu Bulu Feb 26, 2019 archived
  
  They don't always made a difference, but you're right, it can. I'll work on getting it added to the database where available!
  
  #4407
J Feb 25, 2019 archived

I have those Maxxis Premitra HP5, at first I liked them, but not anymore..
At a certain point, where there's approx 5-5,5mm of thread left, they change a lot, like it's a whole different rubber compound. Suddenly they're terrible sub 5deg Celsius. Also their wet capabilities have become poor. When it's wet and sub 5C they're lethal. They've become extremely noisy over time.
Wear is high in the beginning, but now it's really slow.

#4396
1. J J Feb 25, 2019 archived
  
  Also, how can the Premitra HP5 be 'new' (as mentioned in the text) if I have them already since February 2017.. DOT = 4616..
  Or did they have an update?
  
  #4398
  1. Jtp J Feb 25, 2019 archived
    
    Specially made an account for this:
    https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
    This is how they look after ~40,000km, approx 4mm left
    
    #4401
    1. TyreReviews Jtp Feb 25, 2019 archived
      
      New with tyres is relative, though you're right, I thought they were launched in early 2018 but I was wrong.
      Obviously I can't comment on grip, but that's very good wear for 40,000 kms!
      
      #4402
2. TyreReviews J Feb 25, 2019 archived
  
  Interesting information, hopefully it's a one off or weather related but I'll keep an eye out for other reviews like this. ADAC did wear test a Maxxis tyre and found nothing usual, though it was a different pattern.
  
  #4399
3. giannis karadimos J Mar 5, 2019 archived
  
  For 5 years and 45000km I had the Pirelli Pzero Nero(205/45/16) and I was very satisfied with this tire. Now I'm thinking of putting the premitra hp5,but i am not sure if this should be a good choice. It can compare this tire with my old pirelli? Is Maxxis premitra a worth buying in your opinion?
  
  #4451
Jirka Chomat Feb 25, 2019 archived

Hi, I can't find it on the Autozeitung website as mentioned, can you give me a hint?

#4395
1. TyreReviews Jirka Chomat Feb 25, 2019 archived
  
  It might not be published yet, sorry! I'll update the article with a link when it is.
  
  #4397
Andy Holmes Feb 25, 2019 archived

Nice clear layout for this one!
The surprise was the Kumho which usually tests pretty well and has strong reviews to back this up. Like the other Andy just said though, like the CC, this is more a 'general' tyre stretched out to a more 'sporty' size against some more 'sportier' tyres.
That said, the second surprise is the Maxxis, also a 'general' tyre, testing a bit better than normal. They arent poor tyres, but its a strong result nevertheless. The big downside of these astronomic wear, but that is the downfall of a lot of decent tyres today!

#4394
1. TyreReviews Andy Holmes Feb 25, 2019 archived
  
  I've just added even more data points to the overall results, should make things even clearer (though the formatting does need updating!)
  
  #4400
Engineer_Andy Feb 25, 2019 archived

A couple of points, one that TR needs to include on the review details, the other, more a commentary over Auto Zeitung's methodology:
1. The size/rating of the tyres tested is not mentioned in the details or title of the review (the size for the ADAC review is). Given the CC+ is more suited to 'standard' (non-performance/low profile) tyre sized to get the best performance (from reading previous reviews [and why I chose them for my car]), what size of tyre tested could easily sway the result as regards how the CC+ fairs.
2. The test (at least as the results are shown here) don't show any marks for wear/value for money, which other tests often do. As many group tests have already shown, the CC+ is excellent on that score and more than offset the higher purchase price, especially when the winter performance is factored in. Similarly no marks were given for 'comfort', another rating that the CC+ often does very well on.
It's a shame (you're not at fault Jon, but the magazines testing them) that there isn't a more unified testing regime as what criteria are used - I have no problems with performance tyres (obviously not the CC+ or other all-season tyres) being weighted more to the handling/braking side of things, but I think all reviews and group tests should include comparative scores across a wide range of aspects of the tyre, as some can look overly good or poor because a rating is included, excluded or weighted too heavily.

#4392
1. TyreReviews Engineer_Andy Feb 25, 2019 archived
  
  Hi Andy!
  The size was in the database, I just forgot to mention it in the article. First of the year, I'm rusty :) It's added now!
  As I'm sure you know, wear is very difficult to test, as to do it properly you actually have to go out and drive. For 10 sets of tyres, which need at least 10,000 miles on, that's a lot of driving. I'm always thankful when ADAC and Auto Bild do include wear testing.
  I'm in the process of adding the score weighting details to the database too so hopefully that will become more clear in the future. It's currently difficult to decide whether to use the raw data where available, or to use the scoring numbers magazines also feel the need to apply.
  
  #4393
  1. Engineer_Andy TyreReviews Feb 25, 2019 archived
    
    No problem Jon. I had an inkling that the tyre size in the group test was a lower profile one, as from the reviews generally the CC+ seems to do less well in wider, lower profile sizes than those over 50. I'm keen on a group test with it against other all-season and summer tyres for the two most popular sizes: 205/55 R16 and 195/65 R15.
    
    #4404
    1. TyreReviews Engineer_Andy Feb 26, 2019 archived
      
      I'm sure it's featured in those in the past? The data must be on the website (I'm on mobile so can't search right now)
      
      #4416
2. 4cvg Engineer_Andy Mar 1, 2019 archived
  
  In my judgement, it's a good thing that various magazines use different test protocols & weight different parameters of performance differently & differently for different classes of tyre.
  An astute user of tests should be ignoring overall scores anyway & mining the data for information on parameters of interest. A variety of test protocol "takes" on those prioritised areas adds breadth.
  What should ideally be as apparent as possible is information about the test protocol which led to a given score & TR tries to supply this to some extent in the introductory "blurb" & in table annotations.
  
  #4432

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2019 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test

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Dry Handling

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