2020 Tyre Reviews Ultimate Summer Tyre Test

Do you want to know what tyre is best for every day, real world driving? In this test we take eleven of the very best 205/55 R16 tyres on the market, plus a well regarded budget tyre, to see exactly what tyre performs best in the dry, wet, comfort, noise and rolling resistance tests!

It's the Tyre Reviews long overdue, 16" tyre test! The 16" tyres is the most popular size in the world, and is fitted to a large percentage of "daily" cars, so this test will hopefully be relevant to a large number of drivers!

In this test we have twelve of the most popular tyres on the market, including the multiple test winning Continental PremiumContact 6 and Michelin Primacy 4, going up against the new Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2, Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2, Uniroyal RainSport 5 and BFGoodrich Advantage, with the usual tyres from Falken, Nokian, Bridgestone, Maxxis, Hankook and Goodride.

All twelve tyres will be tested in dry and wet handling, dry and wet braking, aquaplaning, internal cabin noise and fuel use, and have subjective grades given to their dry and wet handling, and most importantly for this type of tyre, their comfort levels.

The overall score will be weighted as 35% dry (35% lap time, 10% subjective, 55% braking), 50% wet (35% lap time, 5% subjective, 55% braking, 5% aquaplaning), 7.5% NVH (50% internal noise, 50% comfort) and 7.5% value (80% rolling resistance, 20% price), however if you prefer qualities such as subjective dry handling over wet braking, all the data will be below to allow you to make your own purchase decision.

As always, any questions, please ask below! 

Dry

You might not think the dry performance of a 16" tyre is important, but dry braking and handling show you exactly how much grip each tyre will have in an emergency situation, where you lean on the tyre more than normal.

For dry braking, the Continental had the advantage over a very close group, with the Pirelli, Falken, and Nokian joint second! Uniroyal, Hankook and Goodride all had longer than ideal dry stopping distances.

The new Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 was the fastest tyre round dry handling, with the joint second placed Continental and Maxxis both having the best subjective handling feel.

Wet

Wet braking had three tyres significantly ahead of the rest, with Falken, Continental And Uniroyal all having over 2 meters to the next best tyre on test. Again, Hankook and Goodride struggled with grip levels.

With a couple of deeper parts of water on track, the wet handling test favoured the tyres with higher levels of aquaplaning resistance, meaning the Continental couldn't match its excellent wet braking result.

Only the budget Goodride had worse aquaplaning resistance than the two premium Continental and Goodyear tyres, with the Uniroyal RainSport 5 once again proving its unique tread pattern was the best way to clear water.

Comfort

Comfort is an important quality for a 16" tyre, and the BFGoodrich and Michelin pair had a significant advantage over the bumps and road imperfections.

We tested internal noise levels rather than external, averaging the noise from two different road surfaces at two different speeds, giving you a true picture of how loud a tyre is to the driver. Again, the BFGoodrich had a clear advantage.

Value

The Bridgestone Turanza T005 once again aced the rolling resistance test, finishing top, but the new Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 was a close second.

At the time of test, the budget Goodride was the cheapest tyre to buy, and the Michelin the most expensive.

Sadly, we couldn't test wear, however there are plenty of other tests on Tyre Reviews, along with user reviews, showing the wear rates of most of these tyres.

Overall Results

1st: Continental Premium Contact 6
205/55 R16 91V Production: 0120	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 34.2 M 100% Dry Handling 2nd 101.25 s 101.17 s +0.08 s 99.92% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Wet Braking 2nd 36.1 M 35.7 M +0.4 M 98.89% Wet Handling 9th 71.64 s 69.86 s +1.78 s 97.52% Subj. Wet Handling 10th 7.5 Points 10 Points -2.5 Points 75% Straight Aqua 10th 78.48 Km/H 91.62 Km/H -13.14 Km/H 85.66% Subj. Comfort 8th 8.8 Points 10 Points -1.2 Points 88% Noise 9th 62.1 dB 61.2 dB +0.9 dB 98.55% Tyre Weight 4th 8.56 Kg 7.98 Kg +0.58 Kg 93.22% Price 11th 252 156 +96 61.9% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.37 kg / t 7.19 kg / t +1.18 kg / t 85.9% Excellent dry grip with sporty handling and the shortest dry braking distances. Very short wet braking distances. Low aquaplaning resistance, average comfort, relatively high noise levels, high price. Once again the braking advantage of the Premium Contact 6 secures it a test win, however it was very close at the top. If you prefer driving dynamics over comfort, this is the tyre to pick. Read Reviews    Buy from £79.99
2nd: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
205/55 R16 91V Production: 5019	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 35.1 M 34.2 M +0.9 M 97.44% Dry Handling 1st 101.17 s 100% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Wet Braking 4th 38.1 M 35.7 M +2.4 M 93.7% Wet Handling 3rd 70.04 s 69.86 s +0.18 s 99.74% Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 9.2 Points 10 Points -0.8 Points 92% Straight Aqua 10th 78.48 Km/H 91.62 Km/H -13.14 Km/H 85.66% Subj. Comfort 3rd 9.4 Points 10 Points -0.6 Points 94% Noise 2nd 61.4 dB 61.2 dB +0.2 dB 99.67% Tyre Weight 2nd 8.1 Kg 7.98 Kg +0.12 Kg 98.52% Price 8th 224 156 +68 69.64% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.28 kg / t 7.19 kg / t +0.09 kg / t 98.76% The new EfficientGrip Performance 2 is a very well rounded tyre with excellent grip in the dry and wet, low levels of noise, high levels of comfort, very low rolling resistance and well priced. Low aquaplaning resistance and slightly long braking distances in the dry and wet cost it victory. An extremely well rounded tyre with no major weaknesses, other than aquaplaning. Good levels of comfort and low fuel use make this an excellent tyre for real world driving. Read Reviews    Buy from £66.99
3rd: Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
205/55 R16 94V Production: 0820	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 34.5 M 34.2 M +0.3 M 99.13% Dry Handling 4th 101.47 s 101.17 s +0.3 s 99.7% Subj. Dry Handling 8th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 1st 35.7 M 100% Wet Handling 5th 70.09 s 69.86 s +0.23 s 99.67% Subj. Wet Handling 5th 8.6 Points 10 Points -1.4 Points 86% Straight Aqua 4th 82.61 Km/H 91.62 Km/H -9.01 Km/H 90.17% Subj. Comfort 11th 8.2 Points 10 Points -1.8 Points 82% Noise 5th 61.6 dB 61.2 dB +0.4 dB 99.35% Tyre Weight 12th 9.16 Kg 7.98 Kg +1.18 Kg 87.12% Price 4th 192 156 +36 81.25% Rolling Resistance 12th 9.82 kg / t 7.19 kg / t +2.63 kg / t 73.22% Excellent, balanced results in the dry, with the shortest wet braking distances on test and good aquaplaning resistance. Low noise levels and well priced. Low subjective comfort and the highest rolling resistance on test. A very strong performance for the Falken ZIEX ZE310, with good grip in the dry and wet. Read Reviews    Buy from £64.76
4th: Uniroyal RainSport 5
205/55 R16 91V Production: 4819	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 35.7 M 34.2 M +1.5 M 95.8% Dry Handling 10th 102.77 s 101.17 s +1.6 s 98.44% Subj. Dry Handling 11th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Wet Braking 2nd 36.1 M 35.7 M +0.4 M 98.89% Wet Handling 6th 70.39 s 69.86 s +0.53 s 99.25% Subj. Wet Handling 10th 7.5 Points 10 Points -2.5 Points 75% Straight Aqua 1st 91.62 Km/H 100% Subj. Comfort 5th 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Noise 5th 61.6 dB 61.2 dB +0.4 dB 99.35% Tyre Weight 3rd 8.52 Kg 7.98 Kg +0.54 Kg 93.66% Price 3rd 191 156 +35 81.68% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.85 kg / t 7.19 kg / t +1.66 kg / t 81.24% Highest resistance to aquaplaning, very short wet braking, good comfort, well priced. Low grip in dry handling, extended dry braking, poor subjective handling, average rolling resistance. The new RainSport 5 remains a tyre that prioritises wet performance above all else, and is a great choice if you live in a climate with a lot of rainfall. Read Reviews    Buy from £60.50
5th: Nokian WetProof
205/55 R16 91V Production: 4919	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 34.5 M 34.2 M +0.3 M 99.13% Dry Handling 7th 102.24 s 101.17 s +1.07 s 98.95% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Wet Braking 6th 39 M 35.7 M +3.3 M 91.54% Wet Handling 2nd 69.95 s 69.86 s +0.09 s 99.87% Subj. Wet Handling 4th 8.8 Points 10 Points -1.2 Points 88% Straight Aqua 7th 81.26 Km/H 91.62 Km/H -10.36 Km/H 88.69% Subj. Comfort 3rd 9.4 Points 10 Points -0.6 Points 94% Noise 11th 62.2 dB 61.2 dB +1 dB 98.39% Tyre Weight 1st 7.98 Kg 100% Price 5th 201 156 +45 77.61% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.44 kg / t 7.19 kg / t +1.25 kg / t 85.19% Good dry braking, excellent handling in the wet, high levels of comfort, well priced. Average wet braking, high noise levels, average rolling resistance. The Nokian Wetproof is a well priced, balanced tyre. Read Reviews
6th: Bridgestone Turanza T005
205/55 R16 91V Production: 0820	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 34.8 M 34.2 M +0.6 M 98.28% Dry Handling 5th 101.67 s 101.17 s +0.5 s 99.51% Subj. Dry Handling 6th 8.6 Points 10 Points -1.4 Points 86% Wet Braking 10th 41 M 35.7 M +5.3 M 87.07% Wet Handling 4th 70.05 s 69.86 s +0.19 s 99.73% Subj. Wet Handling 5th 8.6 Points 10 Points -1.4 Points 86% Straight Aqua 8th 81.18 Km/H 91.62 Km/H -10.44 Km/H 88.61% Subj. Comfort 5th 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Noise 3rd 61.5 dB 61.2 dB +0.3 dB 99.51% Tyre Weight 5th 8.74 Kg 7.98 Kg +0.76 Kg 91.3% Price 7th 218 156 +62 71.56% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.19 kg / t 100% Good grip in the dry, both handling and braking, good wet handling, low noise, lowest rolling resistance on test. Long wet braking, average aquaplaning resistance. The T005 is a well rounded tyre with excellent low fuel use. Read Reviews    Buy from £63.99
7th: Michelin Primacy 4
205/55 R16 91H Production: 0620	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 34.9 M 34.2 M +0.7 M 97.99% Dry Handling 9th 102.57 s 101.17 s +1.4 s 98.64% Subj. Dry Handling 6th 8.6 Points 10 Points -1.4 Points 86% Wet Braking 7th 39.8 M 35.7 M +4.1 M 89.7% Wet Handling 8th 70.97 s 69.86 s +1.11 s 98.44% Subj. Wet Handling 5th 8.6 Points 10 Points -1.4 Points 86% Straight Aqua 3rd 82.86 Km/H 91.62 Km/H -8.76 Km/H 90.44% Subj. Comfort 2nd 9.8 Points 10 Points -0.2 Points 98% Noise 5th 61.6 dB 61.2 dB +0.4 dB 99.35% Tyre Weight 9th 8.94 Kg 7.98 Kg +0.96 Kg 89.26% Price 12th 267 156 +111 58.43% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.08 kg / t 7.19 kg / t +0.89 kg / t 88.99% High levels of comfort and low noise, very low rolling resistance, high aquaplaning resistance. Most expensive tyre on test, relatively slow dry and wet handling laps. The Primacy 4 is a great all round tyre, and while it doesn't excel in any category, it has relatively few flaws. Read Reviews    Buy from £77.99
8th: Maxxis Premitra HP5
205/55 R16 91V Production: 1119	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 35 M 34.2 M +0.8 M 97.71% Dry Handling 2nd 101.25 s 101.17 s +0.08 s 99.92% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Wet Braking 9th 40.3 M 35.7 M +4.6 M 88.59% Wet Handling 1st 69.86 s 100% Subj. Wet Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Straight Aqua 2nd 85.22 Km/H 91.62 Km/H -6.4 Km/H 93.01% Subj. Comfort 8th 8.8 Points 10 Points -1.2 Points 88% Noise 12th 62.3 dB 61.2 dB +1.1 dB 98.23% Tyre Weight 7th 8.8 Kg 7.98 Kg +0.82 Kg 90.68% Price 6th 205 156 +49 76.1% Rolling Resistance 11th 9.77 kg / t 7.19 kg / t +2.58 kg / t 73.59% Excellent dry and wet handling with a sporty feel and high levels of grip. Good aquaplaning resistance and well priced. Long dry and wet braking, high noise levels, high rolling resistance, average comfort levels. A very well priced sporty feeling tyre, perfect for those who enjoy driving enjoyment with a smaller wheel. Read Reviews
9th: BFGoodrich Advantage
205/55 R16 91H Production: 4719	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 35.1 M 34.2 M +0.9 M 97.44% Dry Handling 11th 103.07 s 101.17 s +1.9 s 98.16% Subj. Dry Handling 11th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Wet Braking 5th 38.9 M 35.7 M +3.2 M 91.77% Wet Handling 10th 71.93 s 69.86 s +2.07 s 97.12% Subj. Wet Handling 5th 8.6 Points 10 Points -1.4 Points 86% Straight Aqua 9th 80.93 Km/H 91.62 Km/H -10.69 Km/H 88.33% Subj. Comfort 1st 10 Points 100% Noise 1st 61.2 dB 100% Tyre Weight 5th 8.74 Kg 7.98 Kg +0.76 Kg 91.3% Price 9th 236 156 +80 66.1% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.34 kg / t 7.19 kg / t +1.15 kg / t 86.21% The quietest and most comfortable tyre on test, low rolling resistance. Low grip in the dry and wet with understeer behaviour, average aquaplaning resistance. The new BF Goodrich Advantage is aimed at those who prioritise comfort over handling. Conditionally Recommended Read Reviews
10th: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
205/55 R16 94V Production: 5019	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 34.5 M 34.2 M +0.3 M 99.13% Dry Handling 8th 102.32 s 101.17 s +1.15 s 98.88% Subj. Dry Handling 3rd 9.4 Points 10 Points -0.6 Points 94% Wet Braking 8th 39.9 M 35.7 M +4.2 M 89.47% Wet Handling 7th 70.88 s 69.86 s +1.02 s 98.56% Subj. Wet Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Straight Aqua 6th 82.02 Km/H 91.62 Km/H -9.6 Km/H 89.52% Subj. Comfort 11th 8.2 Points 10 Points -1.8 Points 82% Noise 3rd 61.5 dB 61.2 dB +0.3 dB 99.51% Tyre Weight 11th 9.04 Kg 7.98 Kg +1.06 Kg 88.27% Price 10th 238 156 +82 65.55% Rolling Resistance 10th 9.76 kg / t 7.19 kg / t +2.57 kg / t 73.67% Excellent dry braking, low noise levels, good subjective handling in the dry and wet. Average dry and wet handling and long wet braking, average comfort and high rolling resistance. The new P7 C2 is a great update to the P7, with an excellent dry grip and sporty handling. If the wet performance was a little better it would have been near the very top of the test. Conditionally Recommended Read Reviews    Buy from £70.20
11th: Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
205/55 R16 91V Production: 0920	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 11th 36.3 M 34.2 M +2.1 M 94.21% Dry Handling 6th 102.05 s 101.17 s +0.88 s 99.14% Subj. Dry Handling 9th 7.5 Points 10 Points -2.5 Points 75% Wet Braking 11th 42.1 M 35.7 M +6.4 M 84.8% Wet Handling 11th 72.28 s 69.86 s +2.42 s 96.65% Subj. Wet Handling 5th 8.6 Points 10 Points -1.4 Points 86% Straight Aqua 5th 82.53 Km/H 91.62 Km/H -9.09 Km/H 90.08% Subj. Comfort 5th 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Noise 9th 62.1 dB 61.2 dB +0.9 dB 98.55% Tyre Weight 9th 8.94 Kg 7.98 Kg +0.96 Kg 89.26% Price 2nd 187 156 +31 83.42% Rolling Resistance 9th 8.98 kg / t 7.19 kg / t +1.79 kg / t 80.07% Good grip in dry handling, good levels of comfort, well priced. Long dry braking, poor wet grip, high rolling resistance. If price is important to you, this might be a good option, but the Prime 3 is soon to be replaced by a much improved version, so we recommend waiting for that. Not Recommended Read Reviews    Buy from £65.80
12th: Goodride RP28
205/55 R16 91V Production: 5119	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 12th 37.5 M 34.2 M +3.3 M 91.2% Dry Handling 12th 104.01 s 101.17 s +2.84 s 97.27% Subj. Dry Handling 9th 7.5 Points 10 Points -2.5 Points 75% Wet Braking 12th 45.8 M 35.7 M +10.1 M 77.95% Wet Handling 12th 76.76 s 69.86 s +6.9 s 91.01% Subj. Wet Handling 12th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50% Straight Aqua 12th 72.08 Km/H 91.62 Km/H -19.54 Km/H 78.67% Subj. Comfort 8th 8.8 Points 10 Points -1.2 Points 88% Noise 8th 61.9 dB 61.2 dB +0.7 dB 98.87% Tyre Weight 8th 8.82 Kg 7.98 Kg +0.84 Kg 90.48% Price 1st 156 100% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.81 kg / t 7.19 kg / t +1.62 kg / t 81.61% Low price, reasonable levels of comfort. Longest dry and wet braking, slowest dry and wet handling, average rolling resistance. Not the worst budget tyre ever tested, however it was still a long way behind the 11th placed tyre, and not that much cheaper. Not Recommended Read Reviews