2020 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test

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 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 35.8 M 35.1 M +0.7 M 98.04% Dry Handling 5th 74.3 s 73.8 s +0.5 s 99.33% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 26 Points 30 Points -4 Points 86.67% Wet Braking 3rd 58.3 M 57.3 M +1 M 98.28% Wet Handling 1st 88.8 s 100% Subj. Wet Handling 1st 45 Points 100% Straight Aqua 8th 90.7 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -11.7 Km/H 88.57% Subj. Comfort 4th 7 Points 8 Points -1 Points 87.5% Noise 3rd 71 dB 70 dB +1 dB 98.59% Price 19th 470 230 +240 48.94% Rolling Resistance 8th 7.93 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +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 £119.30
2nd: Bridgestone Turanza T005
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 35.9 M 35.1 M +0.8 M 97.77% Dry Handling 3rd 74.2 s 73.8 s +0.4 s 99.46% Subj. Dry Handling 3rd 27 Points 30 Points -3 Points 90% Wet Braking 1st 57.3 M 100% Wet Handling 4th 92.3 s 88.8 s +3.5 s 96.21% Subj. Wet Handling 4th 33 Points 45 Points -12 Points 73.33% Straight Aqua 13th 88.8 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -13.6 Km/H 86.72% Subj. Comfort 4th 7 Points 8 Points -1 Points 87.5% Noise 11th 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 18th 450 230 +220 51.11% Rolling Resistance 5th 7.45 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +1.12 kg / t 84.97% Good handling in the wet, short dry braking distances, good dry stability. None mentioned. Read Reviews    Buy from £106.80
2nd: Michelin Primacy 4
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 36.1 M 35.1 M +1 M 97.23% Dry Handling 12th 75 s 73.8 s +1.2 s 98.4% Subj. Dry Handling 12th 19 Points 30 Points -11 Points 63.33% Wet Braking 1st 57.3 M 100% Wet Handling 2nd 90.8 s 88.8 s +2 s 97.8% Subj. Wet Handling 2nd 42 Points 45 Points -3 Points 93.33% Straight Aqua 17th 88.2 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -14.2 Km/H 86.13% Subj. Comfort 13th 6 Points 8 Points -2 Points 75% Noise 11th 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 20th 540 230 +310 42.59% Rolling Resistance 4th 7.29 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +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 £121.99
4th: Maxxis Premitra HP5
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 36.4 M 35.1 M +1.3 M 96.43% Dry Handling 1st 73.8 s 100% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 30 Points 100% Wet Braking 9th 63 M 57.3 M +5.7 M 90.95% Wet Handling 3rd 91.1 s 88.8 s +2.3 s 97.48% Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 40 Points 45 Points -5 Points 88.89% Straight Aqua 13th 88.8 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -13.6 Km/H 86.72% Subj. Comfort 4th 7 Points 8 Points -1 Points 87.5% Noise 3rd 71 dB 70 dB +1 dB 98.59% Price 8th 340 230 +110 67.65% Rolling Resistance 16th 8.57 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +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
5th: Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 35.1 M 100% Dry Handling 5th 74.3 s 73.8 s +0.5 s 99.33% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 26 Points 30 Points -4 Points 86.67% Wet Braking 6th 60.3 M 57.3 M +3 M 95.02% Wet Handling 5th 92.7 s 88.8 s +3.9 s 95.79% Subj. Wet Handling 5th 30 Points 45 Points -15 Points 66.67% Straight Aqua 6th 91.1 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -11.3 Km/H 88.96% Subj. Comfort 4th 7 Points 8 Points -1 Points 87.5% Noise 3rd 71 dB 70 dB +1 dB 98.59% Price 12th 390 230 +160 58.97% Rolling Resistance 6th 7.82 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +1.49 kg / t 80.95% Good wet traction, short dry braking, good dry handling. Understeer in the wet. Read Reviews    Buy from £99.03
6th: Vredestein Ultrac Satin
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 20th 38.3 M 35.1 M +3.2 M 91.64% Dry Handling 14th 75.2 s 73.8 s +1.4 s 98.14% Subj. Dry Handling 14th 17 Points 30 Points -13 Points 56.67% Wet Braking 8th 61.4 M 57.3 M +4.1 M 93.32% Wet Handling 7th 93.5 s 88.8 s +4.7 s 94.97% Subj. Wet Handling 7th 26 Points 45 Points -19 Points 57.78% Straight Aqua 1st 102.4 Km/H 100% Subj. Comfort 1st 8 Points 100% Noise 1st 70 dB 100% Price 11th 370 230 +140 62.16% Rolling Resistance 9th 8 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +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 £104.30
7th: Dunlop Sport BluResponse
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 36.7 M 35.1 M +1.6 M 95.64% Dry Handling 5th 74.3 s 73.8 s +0.5 s 99.33% Subj. Dry Handling 9th 23 Points 30 Points -7 Points 76.67% Wet Braking 17th 66.3 M 57.3 M +9 M 86.43% Wet Handling 8th 94.2 s 88.8 s +5.4 s 94.27% Subj. Wet Handling 8th 22 Points 45 Points -23 Points 48.89% Straight Aqua 9th 90.3 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -12.1 Km/H 88.18% Subj. Comfort 1st 8 Points 100% Noise 11th 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 15th 410 230 +180 56.1% Rolling Resistance 2nd 6.89 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +0.56 kg / t 91.87% Low fuel use, short dry braking. Poor wet grip. Read Reviews    Buy from £103.76
7th: Falken ZIEX ZE914 EcoRun
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 36.3 M 35.1 M +1.2 M 96.69% Dry Handling 18th 75.8 s 73.8 s +2 s 97.36% Subj. Dry Handling 18th 14 Points 30 Points -16 Points 46.67% Wet Braking 5th 59.5 M 57.3 M +2.2 M 96.3% Wet Handling 6th 93 s 88.8 s +4.2 s 95.48% Subj. Wet Handling 6th 28 Points 45 Points -17 Points 62.22% Straight Aqua 2nd 94.2 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -8.2 Km/H 91.99% Subj. Comfort 4th 7 Points 8 Points -1 Points 87.5% Noise 11th 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 13th 400 230 +170 57.5% Rolling Resistance 15th 8.52 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +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
9th: Giti GitiPremium H1
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 37.1 M 35.1 M +2 M 94.61% Dry Handling 2nd 74 s 73.8 s +0.2 s 99.73% Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 28 Points 30 Points -2 Points 93.33% Wet Braking 11th 64.4 M 57.3 M +7.1 M 88.98% Wet Handling 10th 95.4 s 88.8 s +6.6 s 93.08% Subj. Wet Handling 10th 19 Points 45 Points -26 Points 42.22% Straight Aqua 12th 89 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -13.4 Km/H 86.91% Subj. Comfort 4th 7 Points 8 Points -1 Points 87.5% Noise 3rd 71 dB 70 dB +1 dB 98.59% Price 10th 360 230 +130 63.89% Rolling Resistance 11th 8.09 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +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 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 11th 37.3 M 35.1 M +2.2 M 94.1% Dry Handling 14th 75.2 s 73.8 s +1.4 s 98.14% Subj. Dry Handling 14th 17 Points 30 Points -13 Points 56.67% Wet Braking 7th 60.5 M 57.3 M +3.2 M 94.71% Wet Handling 9th 94.3 s 88.8 s +5.5 s 94.17% Subj. Wet Handling 8th 22 Points 45 Points -23 Points 48.89% Straight Aqua 7th 90.9 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -11.5 Km/H 88.77% Subj. Comfort 4th 7 Points 8 Points -1 Points 87.5% Noise 1st 70 dB 100% Price 9th 350 230 +120 65.71% Rolling Resistance 12th 8.1 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +1.77 kg / t 78.15% Good dry traction, low noise. Slow steering response in the dry, poor wet grip. Read Reviews
11th: Yokohama BluEarth AE50
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 18th 38.1 M 35.1 M +3 M 92.13% Dry Handling 5th 74.3 s 73.8 s +0.5 s 99.33% Subj. Dry Handling 8th 24 Points 30 Points -6 Points 80% Wet Braking 12th 64.9 M 57.3 M +7.6 M 88.29% Wet Handling 14th 97.1 s 88.8 s +8.3 s 91.45% Subj. Wet Handling 13th 13 Points 45 Points -32 Points 28.89% Straight Aqua 16th 88.3 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -14.1 Km/H 86.23% Subj. Comfort 4th 7 Points 8 Points -1 Points 87.5% Noise 3rd 71 dB 70 dB +1 dB 98.59% Price 16th 420 230 +190 54.76% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.27 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +0.94 kg / t 87.07% Precise steering in the wet, good slalom performance and good dry handling. Long wet braking distances. Read Reviews
12th: Firestone RoadHawk
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 36.5 M 35.1 M +1.4 M 96.16% Dry Handling 5th 74.3 s 73.8 s +0.5 s 99.33% Subj. Dry Handling 6th 25 Points 30 Points -5 Points 83.33% Wet Braking 10th 64 M 57.3 M +6.7 M 89.53% Wet Handling 16th 97.7 s 88.8 s +8.9 s 90.89% Subj. Wet Handling 15th 12 Points 45 Points -33 Points 26.67% Straight Aqua 20th 87.2 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -15.2 Km/H 85.16% Subj. Comfort 4th 7 Points 8 Points -1 Points 87.5% Noise 11th 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 13th 400 230 +170 57.5% Rolling Resistance 10th 8.08 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +1.75 kg / t 78.34% Good dry handling. Understeer in the wet, average aquaplaning resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £106.67
13th: Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 15th 37.8 M 35.1 M +2.7 M 92.86% Dry Handling 14th 75.2 s 73.8 s +1.4 s 98.14% Subj. Dry Handling 14th 17 Points 30 Points -13 Points 56.67% Wet Braking 16th 65.5 M 57.3 M +8.2 M 87.48% Wet Handling 13th 96.9 s 88.8 s +8.1 s 91.64% Subj. Wet Handling 13th 13 Points 45 Points -32 Points 28.89% Straight Aqua 17th 88.2 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -14.2 Km/H 86.13% Subj. Comfort 1st 8 Points 100% Noise 3rd 71 dB 70 dB +1 dB 98.59% Price 17th 440 230 +210 52.27% Rolling Resistance 1st 6.33 kg / t 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 £126.08
14th: Linglong Green Max
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 36.4 M 35.1 M +1.3 M 96.43% Dry Handling 19th 75.9 s 73.8 s +2.1 s 97.23% Subj. Dry Handling 19th 9 Points 30 Points -21 Points 30% Wet Braking 4th 58.9 M 57.3 M +1.6 M 97.28% Wet Handling 11th 95.9 s 88.8 s +7.1 s 92.6% Subj. Wet Handling 11th 17 Points 45 Points -28 Points 37.78% Straight Aqua 15th 88.7 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -13.7 Km/H 86.62% Subj. Comfort 13th 6 Points 8 Points -2 Points 75% Noise 3rd 71 dB 70 dB +1 dB 98.59% Price 5th 250 230 +20 92% Rolling Resistance 7th 7.84 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +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 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 15th 37.8 M 35.1 M +2.7 M 92.86% Dry Handling 11th 74.8 s 73.8 s +1 s 98.66% Subj. Dry Handling 11th 21 Points 30 Points -9 Points 70% Wet Braking 15th 65.4 M 57.3 M +8.1 M 87.61% Wet Handling 11th 95.9 s 88.8 s +7.1 s 92.6% Subj. Wet Handling 12th 16 Points 45 Points -29 Points 35.56% Straight Aqua 11th 89.1 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -13.3 Km/H 87.01% Subj. Comfort 13th 6 Points 8 Points -2 Points 75% Noise 11th 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 2nd 240 230 +10 95.83% Rolling Resistance 17th 8.61 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +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 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 13th 37.6 M 35.1 M +2.5 M 93.35% Dry Handling 10th 74.6 s 73.8 s +0.8 s 98.93% Subj. Dry Handling 10th 22 Points 30 Points -8 Points 73.33% Wet Braking 13th 65 M 57.3 M +7.7 M 88.15% Wet Handling 18th 97.9 s 88.8 s +9.1 s 90.7% Subj. Wet Handling 17th 11 Points 45 Points -34 Points 24.44% Straight Aqua 4th 93.1 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -9.3 Km/H 90.92% Subj. Comfort 13th 6 Points 8 Points -2 Points 75% Noise 11th 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 6th 280 230 +50 82.14% Rolling Resistance 18th 8.65 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +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 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 15th 37.8 M 35.1 M +2.7 M 92.86% Dry Handling 3rd 74.2 s 73.8 s +0.4 s 99.46% Subj. Dry Handling 6th 25 Points 30 Points -5 Points 83.33% Wet Braking 19th 68.8 M 57.3 M +11.5 M 83.28% Wet Handling 19th 98.4 s 88.8 s +9.6 s 90.24% Subj. Wet Handling 19th 9 Points 45 Points -36 Points 20% Straight Aqua 3rd 93.8 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -8.6 Km/H 91.6% Subj. Comfort 13th 6 Points 8 Points -2 Points 75% Noise 11th 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 2nd 240 230 +10 95.83% Rolling Resistance 13th 8.34 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +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 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 14th 37.7 M 35.1 M +2.6 M 93.1% Dry Handling 13th 75.1 s 73.8 s +1.3 s 98.27% Subj. Dry Handling 13th 18 Points 30 Points -12 Points 60% Wet Braking 13th 65 M 57.3 M +7.7 M 88.15% Wet Handling 17th 97.8 s 88.8 s +9 s 90.8% Subj. Wet Handling 17th 11 Points 45 Points -34 Points 24.44% Straight Aqua 10th 89.7 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -12.7 Km/H 87.6% Subj. Comfort 13th 6 Points 8 Points -2 Points 75% Noise 11th 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 1st 230 100% Rolling Resistance 19th 8.97 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +2.64 kg / t 70.57% None mentioned. Long wet braking, slow steering, low wet safety. Understeer in the dry. Read Reviews
19th: Nankang Noble Sport NS20
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 12th 37.4 M 35.1 M +2.3 M 93.85% Dry Handling 20th 76.1 s 73.8 s +2.3 s 96.98% Subj. Dry Handling 20th 8 Points 30 Points -22 Points 26.67% Wet Braking 20th 69.4 M 57.3 M +12.1 M 82.56% Wet Handling 15th 97.6 s 88.8 s +8.8 s 90.98% Subj. Wet Handling 15th 12 Points 45 Points -33 Points 26.67% Straight Aqua 5th 91.5 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -10.9 Km/H 89.36% Subj. Comfort 13th 6 Points 8 Points -2 Points 75% Noise 11th 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 6th 280 230 +50 82.14% Rolling Resistance 20th 9.08 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +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 £86.73
20th: Achilles ATR Sport 2
225/50 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 18th 38.1 M 35.1 M +3 M 92.13% Dry Handling 17th 75.5 s 73.8 s +1.7 s 97.75% Subj. Dry Handling 17th 15 Points 30 Points -15 Points 50% Wet Braking 18th 68.1 M 57.3 M +10.8 M 84.14% Wet Handling 20th 102.3 s 88.8 s +13.5 s 86.8% Subj. Wet Handling 20th 4 Points 45 Points -41 Points 8.89% Straight Aqua 19th 88 Km/H 102.4 Km/H -14.4 Km/H 85.94% Subj. Comfort 13th 6 Points 8 Points -2 Points 75% Noise 3rd 71 dB 70 dB +1 dB 98.59% Price 2nd 240 230 +10 95.83% Rolling Resistance 14th 8.37 kg / t 6.33 kg / t +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