Menu

2020 AMS 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
7 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Dry
  3. Wet
  4. Environment
  5. Results
  6. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
  7. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
  8. Continental Premium Contact 6
  9. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  10. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
  11. Bridgestone Turanza T005
  12. Nokian PowerProof
  13. Falken Azenis FK510
  14. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
  15. Toyo Proxes Sport
  16. Giti GitiSport S1

Test Publication:
225/45 R18 11 tyres 4 categories
Images courtesy of Auto Motor Und Sport
Test Publication:
Auto Motor Und Sport
Images courtesy of Auto Motor Und Sport
Test Size: 225/45 R18
Tyres Tested: 11 tyres
Test Categories:
4 categories (11 tests)
Similar Tests
The 2020 Auto Motor und Sport summer tyre test tested eleven 225/45 R18 ultra high performance tyres using a BMW 3 Series.

While the group overall was extremely close, the winning Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 and second placed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 were almost inseparable overall, with the Goodyear narrowly taking the overall win.

The third and fourth placed Continental PremiumContact 6 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 also finished with nearly the same overall score. This should be reassuring for Pirelli, whose PZ4 P Zero has seemed to be rather inconsistent since launch.

It was another good result for fifth placed Maxxis, with the Victra Sport 5 having a great all round performance, and the updated Bridgestone Turanza T005 performing well, but struggling a little in the wet.

The seventh placed Nokian PowerProof scored well in the dry, but struggled a little in the wet, while the Falken FK510 had its worth test result in a while thanks to poor wet grip.

The final three tyres in test were all from the cheaper end of the market, with Nexen proving to have a good dry performance and the lowest price on test, while Toyo and Giti struggled a little more in the wet.

Dry

 As usual, Michelin had a dry braking advantage, stopping the BMW 3 Series 0.4m shorter than the next nearest rival.

Dry Braking

Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)
  1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    34.00 M
  2. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    34.40 M
  3. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    34.60 M
  4. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    34.70 M
  5. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    34.80 M
  6. Nokian PowerProof
    34.80 M
  7. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    34.90 M
  8. Continental Premium Contact 6
    35.00 M
  9. Falken Azenis FK510
    36.20 M
  10. Giti GitiSport S1
    36.40 M
  11. Toyo Proxes Sport
    36.40 M

The Continental PremiumContact 6 is often one of the best tyres in dry handling, largely thanks to its excellent subjective feel. In this test, it wins both the dry handling test by a significant margin, and is subjectively one of the best tyres on test.

Dry Handling

Dry Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
  1. Continental Premium Contact 6
    126.90 Km/H
  2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    126.20 Km/H
  3. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    126.20 Km/H
  4. Giti GitiSport S1
    126.10 Km/H
  5. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    125.80 Km/H
  6. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    125.30 Km/H
  7. Nokian PowerProof
    125.20 Km/H
  8. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    125.00 Km/H
  9. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    124.90 Km/H
  10. Toyo Proxes Sport
    124.60 Km/H
  11. Falken Azenis FK510
    124.60 Km/H

Subj. Dry Handling

Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    9.00 Points
  2. Giti GitiSport S1
    9.00 Points
  3. Continental Premium Contact 6
    9.00 Points
  4. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    8.00 Points
  5. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    8.00 Points
  6. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    8.00 Points
  7. Toyo Proxes Sport
    8.00 Points
  8. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    8.00 Points
  9. Falken Azenis FK510
    7.00 Points
  10. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    7.00 Points
  11. Nokian PowerProof
    7.00 Points

Wet

The test winning Goodyear has a small advantage during wet braking, with Michelin a close second place.

Wet Braking

Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
  1. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    30.60 M
  2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    30.80 M
  3. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    31.20 M
  4. Continental Premium Contact 6
    31.30 M
  5. Nokian PowerProof
    31.50 M
  6. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    31.90 M
  7. Falken Azenis FK510
    32.10 M
  8. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    32.30 M
  9. Toyo Proxes Sport
    32.40 M
  10. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    32.60 M
  11. Giti GitiSport S1
    33.80 M

The top two results from wet braking swap places during wet handling, with the Michelin narrowly beating Goodyear.

Wet Handling

Wet Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
  1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    83.60 Km/H
  2. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    83.10 Km/H
  3. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    83.10 Km/H
  4. Continental Premium Contact 6
    83.00 Km/H
  5. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    82.90 Km/H
  6. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    82.80 Km/H
  7. Nokian PowerProof
    82.40 Km/H
  8. Falken Azenis FK510
    81.30 Km/H
  9. Toyo Proxes Sport
    80.90 Km/H
  10. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    79.90 Km/H
  11. Giti GitiSport S1
    78.90 Km/H

Subjectively the Michelin has an advantage during wet handling, with the Goodyear and Continental close behind.

Subj. Wet Handling

Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    10.00 Points
  2. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    9.00 Points
  3. Continental Premium Contact 6
    9.00 Points
  4. Toyo Proxes Sport
    8.00 Points
  5. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    8.00 Points
  6. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    8.00 Points
  7. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    8.00 Points
  8. Falken Azenis FK510
    7.00 Points
  9. Nokian PowerProof
    7.00 Points
  10. Giti GitiSport S1
    6.00 Points
  11. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    6.00 Points

Michelin manages to keep this advantage during the aquaplaning testing.

Straight Aqua

Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    88.70 Km/H
  2. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    88.30 Km/H
  3. Toyo Proxes Sport
    87.60 Km/H
  4. Continental Premium Contact 6
    86.00 Km/H
  5. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    85.90 Km/H
  6. Falken Azenis FK510
    84.60 Km/H
  7. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    83.90 Km/H
  8. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    83.60 Km/H
  9. Giti GitiSport S1
    83.40 Km/H
  10. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    82.40 Km/H
  11. Nokian PowerProof
    82.20 Km/H

Environment

The Goodyear scored the best result during the subjective comfort grading. This score assesses how the tyre feels and sounds inside the cabin.

Subj. Comfort

Subjective Comfort Score (Higher is better)
  1. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    10.00 Points
  2. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    10.00 Points
  3. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    9.00 Points
  4. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    9.00 Points
  5. Giti GitiSport S1
    8.00 Points
  6. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    8.00 Points
  7. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    8.00 Points
  8. Continental Premium Contact 6
    7.00 Points
  9. Falken Azenis FK510
    7.00 Points
  10. Toyo Proxes Sport
    6.00 Points
  11. Nokian PowerProof
    6.00 Points

The noise testing is the external drive by noise.

Noise

External noise in dB (Lower is better)
  1. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    69.30 dB
  2. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    69.50 dB
  3. Giti GitiSport S1
    69.60 dB
  4. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    70.00 dB
  5. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    70.10 dB
  6. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    70.10 dB
  7. Falken Azenis FK510
    71.00 dB
  8. Toyo Proxes Sport
    71.10 dB
  9. Nokian PowerProof
    71.30 dB
  10. Continental Premium Contact 6
    72.30 dB
  11. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    72.40 dB

The Bridgestone Turanza T005 had a significant advantage in rolling resistance, meaning it will use the least fuel at the pumps.

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    7.10 kg / t
  2. Nokian PowerProof
    7.90 kg / t
  3. Continental Premium Contact 6
    8.20 kg / t
  4. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    8.40 kg / t
  5. Falken Azenis FK510
    8.50 kg / t
  6. Giti GitiSport S1
    8.50 kg / t
  7. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    8.90 kg / t
  8. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    8.90 kg / t
  9. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    9.00 kg / t
  10. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    9.10 kg / t
  11. Toyo Proxes Sport
    9.40 kg / t

As always, the Michelin was the most expensive tyre per set, with Goodyear looking to offer the best price / performance ratio.

Price

Price in local currency (Lower is better)
  1. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    396.00
  2. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    396.00
  3. Giti GitiSport S1
    404.00
  4. Toyo Proxes Sport
    432.00
  5. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    468.00
  6. Falken Azenis FK510
    494.00
  7. Nokian PowerProof
    496.00
  8. Bridgestone Turanza T005
    536.00
  9. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    560.00
  10. Continental Premium Contact 6
    612.00
  11. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    704.00

Results

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 34.4 M 34 M +0.4 M 98.84%
Dry Handling 6th 125.3 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.74%
Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 30.6 M 100%
Wet Handling 2nd 83.1 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.4%
Subj. Wet Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Straight Aqua 2nd 88.3 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.55%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 1st 10 Points 100%
Noise 2nd 69.5 dB 69.3 dB +0.2 dB 99.71%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 5th 468 396 +72 84.62%
Rolling Resistance 7th 8.9 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.8 kg / t 79.78%
2nd

Michelin Pilot Sport 4

225/45 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 34 M 100%
Dry Handling 2nd 126.2 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.45%
Subj. Dry Handling 1st 9 Points 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 30.8 M 30.6 M +0.2 M 99.35%
Wet Handling 1st 83.6 Km/H 100%
Subj. Wet Handling 1st 10 Points 100%
Straight Aqua 1st 88.7 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 3rd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Noise 5th 70.1 dB 69.3 dB +0.8 dB 98.86%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 11th 704 396 +308 56.25%
Rolling Resistance 4th 8.4 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.3 kg / t 84.52%
Continental Premium Contact 6
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 35 M 34 M +1 M 97.14%
Dry Handling 1st 126.9 Km/H 100%
Subj. Dry Handling 1st 9 Points 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 31.3 M 30.6 M +0.7 M 97.76%
Wet Handling 4th 83 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.28%
Subj. Wet Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Straight Aqua 4th 86 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.96%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70%
Noise 10th 72.3 dB 69.3 dB +3 dB 95.85%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 10th 612 396 +216 64.71%
Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.2 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.1 kg / t 86.59%
4th

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

225/45 R18
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 34.6 M 34 M +0.6 M 98.27%
Dry Handling 2nd 126.2 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.45%
Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 31.2 M 30.6 M +0.6 M 98.08%
Wet Handling 5th 82.9 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.16%
Subj. Wet Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Straight Aqua 8th 83.6 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -5.1 Km/H 94.25%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 3rd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Noise 4th 70 dB 69.3 dB +0.7 dB 99%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 9th 560 396 +164 70.71%
Rolling Resistance 7th 8.9 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.8 kg / t 79.78%
5th

Maxxis Victra Sport 5

225/45 R18
Maxxis Victra Sport 5
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 34.7 M 34 M +0.7 M 97.98%
Dry Handling 5th 125.8 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 99.13%
Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 6th 31.9 M 30.6 M +1.3 M 95.92%
Wet Handling 2nd 83.1 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.4%
Subj. Wet Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Straight Aqua 5th 85.9 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 96.84%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 5th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Noise 5th 70.1 dB 69.3 dB +0.8 dB 98.86%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 1st 396 100%
Rolling Resistance 10th 9.1 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +2 kg / t 78.02%
6th

Bridgestone Turanza T005

225/45 R18
Bridgestone Turanza T005
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 7th 34.9 M 34 M +0.9 M 97.42%
Dry Handling 8th 125 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 98.5%
Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 10th 32.6 M 30.6 M +2 M 93.87%
Wet Handling 6th 82.8 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.04%
Subj. Wet Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Straight Aqua 7th 83.9 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -4.8 Km/H 94.59%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 5th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Noise 11th 72.4 dB 69.3 dB +3.1 dB 95.72%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 8th 536 396 +140 73.88%
Rolling Resistance 1st 7.1 kg / t 100%
7th

Nokian PowerProof

225/45 R18
Nokian PowerProof
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 5th 34.8 M 34 M +0.8 M 97.7%
Dry Handling 7th 125.2 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.66%
Subj. Dry Handling 9th 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 5th 31.5 M 30.6 M +0.9 M 97.14%
Wet Handling 7th 82.4 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.56%
Subj. Wet Handling 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70%
Straight Aqua 11th 82.2 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -6.5 Km/H 92.67%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 10th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Noise 9th 71.3 dB 69.3 dB +2 dB 97.19%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 7th 496 396 +100 79.84%
Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.9 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +0.8 kg / t 89.87%
8th

Falken Azenis FK510

225/45 R18
Falken Azenis FK510
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 9th 36.2 M 34 M +2.2 M 93.92%
Dry Handling 10th 124.6 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 98.19%
Subj. Dry Handling 9th 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 7th 32.1 M 30.6 M +1.5 M 95.33%
Wet Handling 8th 81.3 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 97.25%
Subj. Wet Handling 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70%
Straight Aqua 6th 84.6 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -4.1 Km/H 95.38%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70%
Noise 7th 71 dB 69.3 dB +1.7 dB 97.61%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 6th 494 396 +98 80.16%
Rolling Resistance 5th 8.5 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.4 kg / t 83.53%
9th

Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

225/45 R18
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 5th 34.8 M 34 M +0.8 M 97.7%
Dry Handling 9th 124.9 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -2 Km/H 98.42%
Subj. Dry Handling 9th 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 8th 32.3 M 30.6 M +1.7 M 94.74%
Wet Handling 10th 79.9 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 95.57%
Subj. Wet Handling 10th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Straight Aqua 10th 82.4 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -6.3 Km/H 92.9%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 1st 10 Points 100%
Noise 1st 69.3 dB 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 1st 396 100%
Rolling Resistance 9th 9 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.9 kg / t 78.89%
10th

Toyo Proxes Sport

225/45 R18
Toyo Proxes Sport
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 10th 36.4 M 34 M +2.4 M 93.41%
Dry Handling 10th 124.6 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 98.19%
Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 9th 32.4 M 30.6 M +1.8 M 94.44%
Wet Handling 9th 80.9 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.77%
Subj. Wet Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Straight Aqua 3rd 87.6 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.76%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 10th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Noise 8th 71.1 dB 69.3 dB +1.8 dB 97.47%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 4th 432 396 +36 91.67%
Rolling Resistance 11th 9.4 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +2.3 kg / t 75.53%
11th

Giti GitiSport S1

225/45 R18
Giti GitiSport S1
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 10th 36.4 M 34 M +2.4 M 93.41%
Dry Handling 4th 126.1 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.37%
Subj. Dry Handling 1st 9 Points 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 11th 33.8 M 30.6 M +3.2 M 90.53%
Wet Handling 11th 78.9 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -4.7 Km/H 94.38%
Subj. Wet Handling 10th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Straight Aqua 9th 83.4 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -5.3 Km/H 94.02%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 5th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Noise 3rd 69.6 dB 69.3 dB +0.3 dB 99.57%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 3rd 404 396 +8 98.02%
Rolling Resistance 5th 8.5 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.4 kg / t 83.53%

comments powered by Disqus