2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test

Following on from the fifty tyre braking shootout, Auto Bild have more thoroughly tested the best twenty 245/45 R18 summer tyres using a RWD BMW 5 Series.

The top three tyres should come as no surprise, with Continental, Goodyear and Michelin proving to be the most rounded tyres across all the testing. 

The Continental Premium Contact 6 and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 tied for first place. As we found with our video comparison, both the Continental and Goodyear tyres offer sporty handling, good levels of grip in the dry and wet, and good comfort levels. Both tyres also topped the wear test, and when combined with their reasonable purchase price, offered some of the best value on test.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was a close third, and like the Continental and Goodyear provided to have an excellent rounded performance in all conditions. One thing worth noting, he Michelin had significantly worse wear than the Contiental and Goodyear, which when combined with the most expensive purchase price on test, meant the French tyre offered the worst value. An unusual situation for a Michelin tyre.

Other notable performances again come from Vredestein and its parent company Apollo in fourth and fifth place, while Nexen and Falken round out the list of "highly recommended" tyres in sixth and seventh. 

Dry

Michelin had its usual dry braking advantage, stopping nearly a meter shorter than any other tyre. 

Michelin's dry braking advantage could not be carried over to dry handling, with the Vredestien Ultrac Vorti proving to be best on test.

Wet

Bridgestone highlight their wet grip improvements to the S001, winning the wet braking testing.

Bridgestone continued the wet advantage through to the wet handling test.

Michelin took a second test win, proving best during the straight aquaplaning testing.

Wear

Continental has again shown to have the lowest wear on test, with Goodyear and Falken extremely close behind.

 Thanks to the excellent wear and reasonable purchase prices, the Falken, Goodyear and Continental prove to be the value of all twenty tyres.

Environment

The Fulda SportControl 2 had the lowest rolling resistance on test, with the Bridgestone having the highest by a margin.

The noise testing was relatively close, with the Nexen having the quietest pass-by noise levels.

The budget Zeetex tyre was the cheapest on test, but also the worst overall.

Results

View Results as a single table and adjust the score weighting

1st: Continental Premium Contact 6
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 3rd +1.1 M 96.69% Dry Handling 2nd -0.2 Km/H 99.83% Wet Braking 5th +2.3 M 95.13% Wet Handling 6th -1.6 Km/H 97.86% Straight Aqua 15th -5.5 Km/H 94.45% Noise 19th +2.5 dB 96.6% Wear 1st 100% Value 3rd +0.91 Price/1000 92.9% Price 19th +275 52.17% Rolling Resistance 7th +0.5 kg / t 93.45% Balanced driving behavior at a high level. Dynamic handling with precise steering, short braking distances, best wear on test, low fuel use. None mentioned. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £123.59
1st: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 3rd +1.1 M 96.69% Dry Handling 5th -0.8 Km/H 99.32% Wet Braking 9th +3.2 M 93.35% Wet Handling 2nd -0.3 Km/H 99.6% Straight Aqua 14th -5.2 Km/H 94.75% Noise 15th +1.8 dB 97.53% Wear 2nd -5837 Km 87% Value 2nd +0.39 Price/1000 96.83% Price 12th +180 62.5% Rolling Resistance 5th +0.42 kg / t 94.44% Sporty handling tyres in the wet and dry, precise steering, short braking distances, very good mileage, affordable price. None mentioned. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £111.69
3rd: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 1st 100% Dry Handling 3rd -0.6 Km/H 99.49% Wet Braking 4th +1.6 M 96.56% Wet Handling 9th -2.7 Km/H 96.38% Straight Aqua 1st 100% Noise 14th +1.5 dB 97.93% Wear 5th -11674 Km 74% Value 20th +8.11 Price/1000 59.47% Price 20th +365 45.11% Rolling Resistance 12th +0.96 kg / t 88.13% Sporty steering behaviour, excellent driving dynamics, good aquaplaning resistance, short braking distances. Expensive. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £141.79
4th: Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 6th +1.3 M 96.11% Dry Handling 1st 100% Wet Braking 12th +4 M 91.82% Wet Handling 10th -3.1 Km/H 95.84% Straight Aqua 8th -3.6 Km/H 96.37% Noise 15th +1.8 dB 97.53% Wear 7th -12572 Km 72% Value 7th +2.17 Price/1000 84.58% Price 7th +155 65.93% Rolling Resistance 19th +2.03 kg / t 77.84% Good grip and excellent handling in the dry and wet, precise steering, good aquaplaning resistance, well priced. High rolling resistance. Exemplary. Read Reviews
5th: Apollo Aspire XP
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 13th +2.6 M 92.51% Dry Handling 9th -1.6 Km/H 98.63% Wet Braking 6th +2.4 M 94.93% Wet Handling 11th -4 Km/H 94.64% Straight Aqua 5th -2.5 Km/H 97.48% Noise 2nd +0.2 dB 99.72% Wear 5th -11674 Km 74% Value 5th +1.19 Price/1000 90.91% Price 3rd +135 68.97% Rolling Resistance 4th +0.3 kg / t 95.96% Good handling, short braking distances, low wear, good price / wear ratio. None mentioned. Exemplary. Read Reviews
6th: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 3rd +1.1 M 96.69% Dry Handling 9th -1.6 Km/H 98.63% Wet Braking 11th +3.4 M 92.96% Wet Handling 13th -4.6 Km/H 93.83% Straight Aqua 13th -4.1 Km/H 95.86% Noise 1st 100% Wear 9th -14817 Km 67% Value 8th +3.22 Price/1000 78.7% Price 7th +155 65.93% Rolling Resistance 17th +1.85 kg / t 79.4% Safe driving behavior in the dry and wet,short braking distances, low noise, good comfort. High rolling resistance. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £101.69
7th: Falken Azenis FK510
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 19th +3.9 M 89.17% Dry Handling 15th -2.2 Km/H 98.12% Wet Braking 8th +3.1 M 93.54% Wet Handling 16th -5.4 Km/H 92.76% Straight Aqua 8th -3.6 Km/H 96.37% Noise 8th +1.1 dB 98.47% Wear 2nd -5837 Km 87% Value 1st 100% Price 10th +165 64.52% Rolling Resistance 15th +1.32 kg / t 84.38% Safe handling, short wet braking distances, low noise, low wear, very good price / performance ratio. None mentioned. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £106.49
8th: Nokian PowerProof
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 2nd +0.8 M 97.57% Dry Handling 8th -1.1 Km/H 99.06% Wet Braking 3rd +0.5 M 98.9% Wet Handling 3rd -0.7 Km/H 99.06% Straight Aqua 17th -6.4 Km/H 93.54% Noise 17th +2.2 dB 96.99% Wear 13th -17511 Km 61% Value 14th +5.63 Price/1000 67.88% Price 12th +180 62.5% Rolling Resistance 9th +0.64 kg / t 91.76% Good handling and short braking in the wet and dry, precise steering. Average wear. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £117.99
9th: Firestone RoadHawk
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 11th +2.2 M 93.59% Dry Handling 9th -1.6 Km/H 98.63% Wet Braking 9th +3.2 M 93.35% Wet Handling 7th -2.3 Km/H 96.92% Straight Aqua 5th -2.5 Km/H 97.48% Noise 17th +2.2 dB 96.99% Wear 13th -17511 Km 61% Value 11th +4.71 Price/1000 71.64% Price 7th +155 65.93% Rolling Resistance 10th +0.7 kg / t 91.06% Well priced tyres with balanced behavior in the wet and dry. good aquaplaning resistance. Average wear. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £101.59
9th: Fulda SportControl 2
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 10th +2.1 M 93.86% Dry Handling 13th -2 Km/H 98.29% Wet Braking 14th +4.6 M 90.71% Wet Handling 12th -4.1 Km/H 94.5% Straight Aqua 19th -7.4 Km/H 92.53% Noise 5th +0.5 dB 99.3% Wear 13th -17511 Km 61% Value 18th +8 Price/1000 59.8% Price 17th +245 55.05% Rolling Resistance 1st 100% Stable driving in the wet, short dry braking distances, good comfort, low rolling resistance. Average wear, high price. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £125.99
11th: Bridgestone Potenza S001
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 7th +1.4 M 95.82% Dry Handling 12th -1.7 Km/H 98.55% Wet Braking 1st 100% Wet Handling 1st 100% Straight Aqua 7th -3.3 Km/H 96.67% Noise 20th +2.6 dB 96.47% Wear 11th -17062 Km 62% Value 19th +8.04 Price/1000 59.68% Price 18th +255 54.05% Rolling Resistance 20th +2.69 kg / t 72.61% A wet specialist with a good balance and safe handling properties, good aquaplaning reserves, short braking distances. Average wear, high rolling resistance. Satisfactory. Read Reviews
12th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 13th +2.6 M 92.51% Dry Handling 5th -0.8 Km/H 99.32% Wet Braking 6th +2.4 M 94.93% Wet Handling 8th -2.5 Km/H 96.65% Straight Aqua 10th -3.7 Km/H 96.27% Noise 11th +1.2 dB 98.34% Wear 16th -18858 Km 58% Value 13th +5 Price/1000 70.41% Price 4th +140 68.18% Rolling Resistance 13th +1.02 kg / t 87.48% Convincing performance on wet and dry roads, short braking distances, good aquaplaning resistance, good price. Average wear. Satisfactory. Read Reviews    Buy from £119.69
13th: Laufenn S Fit EQ+
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 8th +1.9 M 94.41% Dry Handling 7th -0.9 Km/H 99.23% Wet Braking 18th +6.1 M 88.04% Wet Handling 17th -5.7 Km/H 92.36% Straight Aqua 12th -3.9 Km/H 96.06% Noise 3rd +0.3 dB 99.58% Wear 11th -17062 Km 62% Value 10th +4.09 Price/1000 74.42% Price 6th +145 67.42% Rolling Resistance 8th +0.52 kg / t 93.2% Sporty handling qualities, good dry grip, low rolling resistance. Understeer in the wet, average wear. Satisfactory. Read Reviews
14th: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 11th +2.2 M 93.59% Dry Handling 16th -2.4 Km/H 97.95% Wet Braking 19th +6.7 M 87.02% Wet Handling 18th -5.8 Km/H 92.23% Straight Aqua 16th -5.9 Km/H 94.05% Noise 8th +1.1 dB 98.47% Wear 10th -15266 Km 66% Value 12th +4.97 Price/1000 70.54% Price 16th +200 60% Rolling Resistance 3rd +0.27 kg / t 96.35% Good lateral grip, short dry braking, low rolling resistance. Understeer handling and long wet braking. Satisfactory. Read Reviews    Buy from £120.19
15th: Kleber Dynaxer UHP
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 9th +2 M 94.13% Dry Handling 18th -2.8 Km/H 97.61% Wet Braking 16th +5.6 M 88.91% Wet Handling 19th -5.9 Km/H 92.09% Straight Aqua 18th -6.6 Km/H 93.34% Noise 11th +1.2 dB 98.34% Wear 8th -13021 Km 71% Value 9th +3.31 Price/1000 78.24% Price 14th +184 61.98% Rolling Resistance 11th +0.81 kg / t 89.8% Short dry braking, low wear, low rolling resistance, low price. Average wet performance. Satisfactory. Read Reviews    Buy from £115.28
16th: Uniroyal RainSport 3
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 18th +3.6 M 89.92% Dry Handling 19th -3.3 Km/H 97.18% Wet Braking 17th +5.7 M 88.74% Wet Handling 20th -6.9 Km/H 90.75% Straight Aqua 11th -3.8 Km/H 96.17% Noise 7th +0.8 dB 98.89% Wear 4th -8980 Km 80% Value 6th +1.88 Price/1000 86.36% Price 15th +195 60.61% Rolling Resistance 6th +0.43 kg / t 94.31% Low wear, low rolling resistance. Understeer handling, slow steering in the wet. Satisfactory. Read Reviews    Buy from £129.29
17th: Kumho Ecsta PS71
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 16th +2.8 M 91.98% Dry Handling 17th -2.7 Km/H 97.69% Wet Braking 2nd +0.4 M 99.12% Wet Handling 5th -1.4 Km/H 98.12% Straight Aqua 2nd -0.6 Km/H 99.39% Noise 13th +1.4 dB 98.07% Wear 20th -22450 Km 50% Value 16th +7.25 Price/1000 62.14% Price 2nd +130 69.77% Rolling Resistance 18th +1.92 kg / t 78.78% Good aquaplaning resistance, short wet braking. Understeer in the dry, average wear, high fuel use. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews    Buy from £95.99
18th: Maxxis Victra Sport 5
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 15th +2.7 M 92.24% Dry Handling 4th -0.7 Km/H 99.4% Wet Braking 20th +7.3 M 86.02% Wet Handling 4th -1.3 Km/H 98.26% Straight Aqua 3rd -1.9 Km/H 98.08% Noise 8th +1.1 dB 98.47% Wear 18th -21552 Km 52% Value 15th +6.95 Price/1000 63.13% Price 4th +140 68.18% Rolling Resistance 16th +1.73 kg / t 80.47% Sport handling, good aquaplaning safety, short braking distances. Long wet braking, high wear. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews    Buy from £102.59
19th: Toyo Proxes Sport
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 17th +3.3 M 90.68% Dry Handling 14th -2.1 Km/H 98.21% Wet Braking 13th +4.3 M 91.26% Wet Handling 14th -5 Km/H 93.3% Straight Aqua 4th -2.4 Km/H 97.58% Noise 3rd +0.3 dB 99.58% Wear 17th -21103 Km 53% Value 17th +7.85 Price/1000 60.25% Price 11th +170 63.83% Rolling Resistance 14th +1.17 kg / t 85.9% High aquaplaning resistance, short wet and dry braking distances. Understeer in the wet, poor wear. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews    Buy from £96.59
20th: Zeetex HP2000 vfm
245/45 R18	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 19th +3.9 M 89.17% Dry Handling 20th -4.5 Km/H 96.15% Wet Braking 15th +4.8 M 90.34% Wet Handling 15th -5.1 Km/H 93.16% Straight Aqua 20th -8.4 Km/H 91.52% Noise 6th +0.7 dB 99.02% Wear 18th -21552 Km 52% Value 4th +0.95 Price/1000 92.61% Price 1st 100% Rolling Resistance 2nd +0.21 kg / t 97.14% Short wet and dry braking distances, low price, low rolling resistance. Understeer in the dry and wet, low aquaplaning resistance, high wear. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews