2020 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test

Test Summary
Dry Braking	▲Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125: 35.1 M ▼Vredestein Ultrac Satin: 38.3 M
Dry Handling	▲Maxxis Premitra HP5: 73.8 s ▼Nankang Noble Sport NS20: 76.1 s
Subj. Dry Handling	▲Maxxis Premitra HP5: 30 Points ▼Nankang Noble Sport NS20: 08 Points
Wet Braking	▲Michelin Primacy 4: 57.3 M ▼Nankang Noble Sport NS20: 69.4 M
Wet Handling	▲Continental Premium Contact 6: 088.8 s ▼Achilles ATR Sport 2: 102.3 s
Subj. Wet Handling	▲Continental Premium Contact 6: 45 Points ▼Achilles ATR Sport 2: 04 Points
Straight Aqua	▲Vredestein Ultrac Satin: 102.4 Km/H ▼Firestone RoadHawk: 087.2 Km/H
Subj. Comfort	▲Dunlop Sport BluResponse: 8 Points ▼Star-Performer UHP 3: 6 Points
Noise	▲Apollo Aspire XP: 70 dB ▼Firestone RoadHawk: 72 dB
Price	▲Goodride SA37: 230 ▼Michelin Primacy 4: 540
Rolling Resistance	▲Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue: 6.33 kg / t ▼Nankang Noble Sport NS20: 9.08 kg / t

The 2020 Auto Zeitung summer tyre test has been published, and as usual they've tested a really interesting mix of twenty tyres in the popular 225/50 R17 size.

As 225/50 R17 tyres generally bias towards comfort rather than outright sporty performance, AZ tested with the new brand BMW 3 Series, and performed the usual array of  thirteen dry, wet, comfort and economy tests.

Proving that you get what you pay for, the top three tyres in the test were also the most expensive! Continental took the top spot, with excellent wet handling, short braking distances and good levels of comfort, while Michelin and Bridgestone tied for second place, with the Michelin performing better in the wet, and the Bridgestone having a very good dry performance.

A number of tyres performed very poorly in the wet, with the testers actually voicing safety concerns about one of the patterns tested! Read on for the full details below.

Dry

While Hankook could only manage fifth place overall, the Ventus Prime 3 had an unusually large advantage in dry braking. The top three tyres overall placed second to fourth, with Falken, Maxxis and Linglong close behind.

The Maxxis HP5 was narrowly fastest during the dry handling testing, and combined the fastest lap time with the best subjective handling score. The similarly priced Giti should be proud of their new tyres performance in the dry, also out performing the more expensive premium rivals.

Wet

Bridgestone and Michelin drew during wet braking, stopping the car a full meter shorter than the third placed Continental. This time Linglong was the stand out performer from the cheaper tyres on test.

Continental improved on its braking result, finishing fastest by a good margin during wet handling testing. The top three tyres from the wet handling lap were also the highest rated subjectively.

Vredestein had a significant advantage during the aquaplaning testing.

Environment

Pirelli won its first test by having the lowest rolling resistance on test.

All twenty tyres were split by 3dB in the external noise test.

Pirelli, Vredestein and Dunlop proved to be the most comfortable tyres.

While the Goodride, Achilles and Star Performer tyres were the cheapest on test, when you look at the overall results below you'll understand why choosing a tyre based on price might not be the safest idea.

Results

1st: Continental Premium Contact 6
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 2nd +0.7 M 98.04% Dry Handling 5th +0.5 s 99.33% Subj. Dry Handling 4th -4 Points Wet Braking 3rd +1 M 98.28% Wet Handling 1st 100% Subj. Wet Handling 1st Straight Aqua 8th -11.7 Km/H 88.57% Subj. Comfort 4th -1 Points Noise 3rd +1 dB 98.59% Price 19th +240 48.94% Rolling Resistance 8th +1.6 kg / t 79.82% Very short braking distance and balanced wet handling, good handling and high grip in the dry. None mentioned. Read Reviews    Buy from £101.00
2nd: Bridgestone Turanza T005
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 3rd +0.8 M 97.77% Dry Handling 3rd +0.4 s 99.46% Subj. Dry Handling 3rd -3 Points Wet Braking 1st 100% Wet Handling 4th +3.5 s 96.21% Subj. Wet Handling 4th -12 Points Straight Aqua 13th -13.6 Km/H 86.72% Subj. Comfort 4th -1 Points Noise 11th +2 dB 97.22% Price 18th +220 51.11% Rolling Resistance 5th +1.12 kg / t 84.97% Good handling in the wet, short dry braking distances, good dry stability. None mentioned. Read Reviews    Buy from £91.00
2nd: Michelin Primacy 4
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 4th +1 M 97.23% Dry Handling 12th +1.2 s 98.4% Subj. Dry Handling 12th -11 Points Wet Braking 1st 100% Wet Handling 2nd +2 s 97.8% Subj. Wet Handling 2nd -3 Points Straight Aqua 17th -14.2 Km/H 86.13% Subj. Comfort 13th -2 Points Noise 11th +2 dB 97.22% Price 20th +310 42.59% Rolling Resistance 4th +0.96 kg / t 86.83% Excellent handling, traction and wet braking performance, short braking distance on dry surfaces, low rolling resistance. Average steering feel in the dry. Read Reviews    Buy from £111.00
4th: Maxxis Premitra HP5
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 6th +1.3 M 96.43% Dry Handling 1st 100% Subj. Dry Handling 1st Wet Braking 9th +5.7 M 90.95% Wet Handling 3rd +2.3 s 97.48% Subj. Wet Handling 3rd -5 Points Straight Aqua 13th -13.6 Km/H 86.72% Subj. Comfort 4th -1 Points Noise 3rd +1 dB 98.59% Price 8th +110 67.65% Rolling Resistance 16th +2.24 kg / t 73.86% Predictable handling on dry surfaces, including during sharp maneuvers, good wet handling, well priced. Long wet braking. Read Reviews    Buy from £74.00
5th: Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 1st 100% Dry Handling 5th +0.5 s 99.33% Subj. Dry Handling 4th -4 Points Wet Braking 6th +3 M 95.02% Wet Handling 5th +3.9 s 95.79% Subj. Wet Handling 5th -15 Points Straight Aqua 6th -11.3 Km/H 88.96% Subj. Comfort 4th -1 Points Noise 3rd +1 dB 98.59% Price 12th +160 58.97% Rolling Resistance 6th +1.49 kg / t 80.95% Good wet traction, short dry braking, good dry handling. Understeer in the wet. Read Reviews    Buy from £83.52
6th: Vredestein Ultrac Satin
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 20th +3.2 M 91.64% Dry Handling 14th +1.4 s 98.14% Subj. Dry Handling 14th -13 Points Wet Braking 8th +4.1 M 93.32% Wet Handling 7th +4.7 s 94.97% Subj. Wet Handling 7th -19 Points Straight Aqua 1st 100% Subj. Comfort 1st Noise 1st 100% Price 11th +140 62.16% Rolling Resistance 9th +1.67 kg / t 79.13% Very high aquaplaning resistance, good comfort, low noise. Long wet braking, poor dry stability and long dry braking distances. Read Reviews    Buy from £86.24
7th: Dunlop Sport BluResponse
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 9th +1.6 M 95.64% Dry Handling 5th +0.5 s 99.33% Subj. Dry Handling 9th -7 Points Wet Braking 17th +9 M 86.43% Wet Handling 8th +5.4 s 94.27% Subj. Wet Handling 8th -23 Points Straight Aqua 9th -12.1 Km/H 88.18% Subj. Comfort 1st Noise 11th +2 dB 97.22% Price 15th +180 56.1% Rolling Resistance 2nd +0.56 kg / t 91.87% Low fuel use, short dry braking. Poor wet grip. Read Reviews    Buy from £85.01
7th: Falken ZIEX ZE914 EcoRun
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 5th +1.2 M 96.69% Dry Handling 18th +2 s 97.36% Subj. Dry Handling 18th -16 Points Wet Braking 5th +2.2 M 96.3% Wet Handling 6th +4.2 s 95.48% Subj. Wet Handling 6th -17 Points Straight Aqua 2nd -8.2 Km/H 91.99% Subj. Comfort 4th -1 Points Noise 11th +2 dB 97.22% Price 13th +170 57.5% Rolling Resistance 15th +2.19 kg / t 74.3% Good aquaplaning resistance, good wet handling, short dry braking. Weak lateral stability and understeer in the dry. Read Reviews    Buy from £121.02
9th: Giti GitiPremium H1
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 10th +2 M 94.61% Dry Handling 2nd +0.2 s 99.73% Subj. Dry Handling 2nd -2 Points Wet Braking 11th +7.1 M 88.98% Wet Handling 10th +6.6 s 93.08% Subj. Wet Handling 10th -26 Points Straight Aqua 12th -13.4 Km/H 86.91% Subj. Comfort 4th -1 Points Noise 3rd +1 dB 98.59% Price 10th +130 63.89% Rolling Resistance 11th +1.76 kg / t 78.24% Good dry grip. Long wet braking distances and average wet handling. Read Reviews
10th: Apollo Aspire XP
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 11th +2.2 M 94.1% Dry Handling 14th +1.4 s 98.14% Subj. Dry Handling 14th -13 Points Wet Braking 7th +3.2 M 94.71% Wet Handling 9th +5.5 s 94.17% Subj. Wet Handling 8th -23 Points Straight Aqua 7th -11.5 Km/H 88.77% Subj. Comfort 4th -1 Points Noise 1st 100% Price 9th +120 65.71% Rolling Resistance 12th +1.77 kg / t 78.15% Good dry traction, low noise. Slow steering response in the dry, poor wet grip. Read Reviews    Buy from £75.55
11th: Yokohama BluEarth AE50
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 18th +3 M 92.13% Dry Handling 5th +0.5 s 99.33% Subj. Dry Handling 8th -6 Points Wet Braking 12th +7.6 M 88.29% Wet Handling 14th +8.3 s 91.45% Subj. Wet Handling 13th -32 Points Straight Aqua 16th -14.1 Km/H 86.23% Subj. Comfort 4th -1 Points Noise 3rd +1 dB 98.59% Price 16th +190 54.76% Rolling Resistance 3rd +0.94 kg / t 87.07% Precise steering in the wet, good slalom performance and good dry handling. Long wet braking distances. Read Reviews    Buy from £89.30
12th: Firestone RoadHawk
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 8th +1.4 M 96.16% Dry Handling 5th +0.5 s 99.33% Subj. Dry Handling 6th -5 Points Wet Braking 10th +6.7 M 89.53% Wet Handling 16th +8.9 s 90.89% Subj. Wet Handling 15th -33 Points Straight Aqua 20th -15.2 Km/H 85.16% Subj. Comfort 4th -1 Points Noise 11th +2 dB 97.22% Price 13th +170 57.5% Rolling Resistance 10th +1.75 kg / t 78.34% Good dry handling. Understeer in the wet, average aquaplaning resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £82.00
13th: Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 15th +2.7 M 92.86% Dry Handling 14th +1.4 s 98.14% Subj. Dry Handling 14th -13 Points Wet Braking 16th +8.2 M 87.48% Wet Handling 13th +8.1 s 91.64% Subj. Wet Handling 13th -32 Points Straight Aqua 17th -14.2 Km/H 86.13% Subj. Comfort 1st Noise 3rd +1 dB 98.59% Price 17th +210 52.27% Rolling Resistance 1st 100% Very low rolling resistance, good ride comfort. Long wet braking distances, poor lateral stability in the wet, low aquaplaning resistance, slow steering. Read Reviews    Buy from £108.00
14th: Linglong Green Max
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 6th +1.3 M 96.43% Dry Handling 19th +2.1 s 97.23% Subj. Dry Handling 19th -21 Points Wet Braking 4th +1.6 M 97.28% Wet Handling 11th +7.1 s 92.6% Subj. Wet Handling 11th -28 Points Straight Aqua 15th -13.7 Km/H 86.62% Subj. Comfort 13th -2 Points Noise 3rd +1 dB 98.59% Price 5th +20 92% Rolling Resistance 7th +1.51 kg / t 80.74% Short wet braking. Weak traction and lateral stability in the wet, poor balance in the dry. Read Reviews
15th: Westlake Sport SA37
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 15th +2.7 M 92.86% Dry Handling 11th +1 s 98.66% Subj. Dry Handling 11th -9 Points Wet Braking 15th +8.1 M 87.61% Wet Handling 11th +7.1 s 92.6% Subj. Wet Handling 12th -29 Points Straight Aqua 11th -13.3 Km/H 87.01% Subj. Comfort 13th -2 Points Noise 11th +2 dB 97.22% Price 2nd +10 95.83% Rolling Resistance 17th +2.28 kg / t 73.52% Acceptable dry handling. Nervous handling in the wet, high noise level. Read Reviews
16th: Rotalla RU01 S Pace
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 13th +2.5 M 93.35% Dry Handling 10th +0.8 s 98.93% Subj. Dry Handling 10th -8 Points Wet Braking 13th +7.7 M 88.15% Wet Handling 18th +9.1 s 90.7% Subj. Wet Handling 17th -34 Points Straight Aqua 4th -9.3 Km/H 90.92% Subj. Comfort 13th -2 Points Noise 11th +2 dB 97.22% Price 6th +50 82.14% Rolling Resistance 18th +2.32 kg / t 73.18% Acceptable dry handling. Long wet braking and generally poor wet grip. Read Reviews
17th: Star Performer UHP 3
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 15th +2.7 M 92.86% Dry Handling 3rd +0.4 s 99.46% Subj. Dry Handling 6th -5 Points Wet Braking 19th +11.5 M 83.28% Wet Handling 19th +9.6 s 90.24% Subj. Wet Handling 19th -36 Points Straight Aqua 3rd -8.6 Km/H 91.6% Subj. Comfort 13th -2 Points Noise 11th +2 dB 97.22% Price 2nd +10 95.83% Rolling Resistance 13th +2.01 kg / t 75.9% Good dry handling. Long wet braking and generally poor wet grip. Read Reviews
18th: Goodride SA37
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 14th +2.6 M 93.1% Dry Handling 13th +1.3 s 98.27% Subj. Dry Handling 13th -12 Points Wet Braking 13th +7.7 M 88.15% Wet Handling 17th +9 s 90.8% Subj. Wet Handling 17th -34 Points Straight Aqua 10th -12.7 Km/H 87.6% Subj. Comfort 13th -2 Points Noise 11th +2 dB 97.22% Price 1st 100% Rolling Resistance 19th +2.64 kg / t 70.57% None mentioned. Long wet braking, slow steering, low wet safety. Understeer in the dry. Read Reviews    Buy from £49.89
19th: Nankang Noble Sport NS20
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 12th +2.3 M 93.85% Dry Handling 20th +2.3 s 96.98% Subj. Dry Handling 20th -22 Points Wet Braking 20th +12.1 M 82.56% Wet Handling 15th +8.8 s 90.98% Subj. Wet Handling 15th -33 Points Straight Aqua 5th -10.9 Km/H 89.36% Subj. Comfort 13th -2 Points Noise 11th +2 dB 97.22% Price 6th +50 82.14% Rolling Resistance 20th +2.75 kg / t 69.71% None mentioned. Very long braking, poor traction, and slow steering in the wet. Very high rolling resistance. Oversteer in the dry. Read Reviews    Buy from £51.70
20th: Achilles ATR Sport 2
225/50 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 18th +3 M 92.13% Dry Handling 17th +1.7 s 97.75% Subj. Dry Handling 17th -15 Points Wet Braking 18th +10.8 M 84.14% Wet Handling 20th +13.5 s 86.8% Subj. Wet Handling 20th -41 Points Straight Aqua 19th -14.4 Km/H 85.94% Subj. Comfort 13th -2 Points Noise 3rd +1 dB 98.59% Price 2nd +10 95.83% Rolling Resistance 14th +2.04 kg / t 75.63% None mentioned. Long braking distances and poor lateral stability in the wet (safety issue), long dry braking, unstable rear during dry handling. Read Reviews