Test Publication:
225/45 R18
11 tyres
4 categories
Images courtesy of Auto Motor Und Sport
Test Publication:
Images courtesy of Auto Motor Und Sport
Test Size:
225/45 R18
Tyres Tested:
11 tyres
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.
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Nokian PowerProof
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Toyo Proxes Sport
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.
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Nokian PowerProof
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Nokian PowerProof
Wet
The test winning Goodyear has a small advantage during wet braking, with Michelin a close second place.
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Nokian PowerProof
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Giti GitiSport S1
The top two results from wet braking swap places during wet handling, with the Michelin narrowly beating Goodyear.
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Nokian PowerProof
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Giti GitiSport S1
Subjectively the Michelin has an advantage during wet handling, with the Goodyear and Continental close behind.
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Nokian PowerProof
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
Michelin manages to keep this advantage during the aquaplaning testing.
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Nokian PowerProof
Environment
The Goodyear scored the best result during the subjective comfort grading. This score assesses how the tyre feels and sounds inside the cabin.
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Nokian PowerProof
The noise testing is the external drive by noise.
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Nokian PowerProof
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
The Bridgestone Turanza T005 had a significant advantage in rolling resistance, meaning it will use the least fuel at the pumps.
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Nokian PowerProof
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Toyo Proxes Sport
As always, the Michelin was the most expensive tyre per set, with Goodyear looking to offer the best price / performance ratio.
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Nokian PowerProof
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Results
Good balance and easy to control with high levels of grip in the wet. Good aquaplaning resistance. Short dry braking distances, low noise and good comfort.
Slightly reduced dry traction, slightly reduced dry handling.
Very good - Top-performances on all surfaces.
| 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% |
Very high grip and good handling in the wet, good aquaplaning resistance, confident and sharp handling in the dry, quiet.
Only slightly high rolling resistance.
Very good - Strong braking in the dry and wet.
| 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% |
Very balanced summer tyre with no significant deficits in dynamics or safety. Very direct steering and good handling suit the test BMW well.
Slightly weak aquaplaning resistance, slightly increased rolling resistance and external noise.
Very good - Sporty premium summer all-rounder.
| 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% |
Good grip on wet roads at lower speeds. Very neutral balance with excellent cornering and traction in the dry. Comfortable and quiet.
Average aquaplaning resistance, direct steering can result in oversteer, high rolling resistance.
Very good - Confident summer tyres with strengths on dry roads.
| 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% |
Well balanced in the dry and wet. Well priced.
Compared to the best on test, a little weak in wet braking and higher rolling resistance.
Good - Excellent new tyre with good level of performance.
| 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% |
Confident wet handling and safe, easily controllable dynamics in the dry. Highest fuel saving potential, quiet and relatively comfortable.
Average wet braking, highest external noise.
Good - Comfortable all-rounder with a very low rolling resistance.
| 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% |
Good dry handling, short dry braking, low rolling resistance.
Not very precise handling in the wet, average wet braking, weak aquaplaning resistance, high noise.
Good - A mid-range summer tyre with only slight weaknesses.
| 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% |
Decent braking performance in the dry, balance handling.
Weak cornering and traction in the wet, average aquaplaning resistance, poor traction and poor stability in fast corners, slightly noisy.
Good - Affordable product at a reduced level of performance, but without serious defects.
| 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% |
Good dry braking, comfortable with good internal damping, low external noise.
Poor handling with understeer and oversteer, long wet braking distances, slow steering in fast corners, high rolling resistance.
Ok - Very quiet and comfortable with weaknesses in the wet.
| 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% |
Balanced wet handling, good steering feel in the dry.
Reduced wet grip, high noise, high rolling resistance.
Ok - Despite the sporty feel, the Toyo lacks performance.
| 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% |
Sporty, direct tyres in the dry with good steering feel.
Long wet braking distances, understeer in wet handling.
Sufficient - Strong in the dry but too little wet performance.
| 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% |