2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test

Dry BrakingMichelin Pilot Sport 4: 34.3 MDunlop SportMaxx RT 2: 36.2 M
Dry HandlingContinental Premium Contact 6: 68.8 sDunlop SportMaxx RT 2: 69.7 s
Subj. Dry HandlingContinental Premium Contact 6: 10 PointsDunlop SportMaxx RT 2: 4 Points
Wet BrakingGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5: 41.9 MHankook Ventus S1 evo 3: 50.6 M
Wet HandlingPirelli P Zero PZ4: 62.6 sNexen N Fera Sport SU2: 64.9 s
Subj. Wet HandlingPirelli P Zero PZ4: 10 PointsNexen N Fera Sport SU2: 3 Points
Straight AquaDunlop SportMaxx RT 2: 73.3 Km/HPirelli P Zero PZ4: 68.2 Km/H
Subj. ComfortNexen N Fera Sport SU2: 9 PointsHankook Ventus S1 evo 3: 6 Points
NoiseNexen N Fera Sport SU2: 69.1 dBNokian PowerProof: 71.9 dB
PriceNexen N Fera Sport SU2: 300 Michelin Pilot Sport 4: 440
Rolling ResistanceDunlop SportMaxx RT 2: 8.38 kg / tPirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.99 kg / t
The 2021 summer tyre test season is kicking off early, with the excellent team at Auto Zeitung publishing their 10 set 225/40 R18 summer tyre test during February!

As this test is out so early in the season, it means the testing would have been completed in late 2020, which means it's missing the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport, but it's still an excellent start to the year as AZ always dig into the subjectiveness of the tyres, covering dry handling, wet handling and comfort!

All testing was carried out using a Seat Leon FR, and the popular 225/40 R18 UHP tyre size should cover many mid-sized sporty cars, including the ever popular VW Golf, the front of a BMW 1 Series, the Audi TT and many other vehicles.

Dry

It might be a new year, but it's not a new result for dry braking testing, with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 once again taking the top spot by a significant margin, over the Continental PremiumContact 6. Maxxis also had an impressive showing with the ever impressive Maxxis Victra Sport 5.

Dry handling played to the Continentals sharp steering, giving the German tyre an impressive win during dry handling. Michelin, Maxxis, Goodyear and Hankook all followed closely in a tight group.

Subjective handling was also very close, with only Continental ahead of the tyres that impressed during dry handling.

Wet

Goodyear and Continental lead the way during wet braking testing, with the Goodyear Asymmetric 5 taking its first win. Falken again impressed with the FK510.

Wet handling brought another new winner, this time Pirelli with the Pirelli P Zero PZ4. Goodyear and Continental, which did so well during wet braking, dropped down the order during wet handling.

Pirelli also proved to have the best subjective wet handling, with the testers reporting a neutral balance and impressive feedback.

Dunlop, which struggled in the dry, had the best aquaplaning resistance by a large margin.

Environment

Nexen was the standout of subjective comfort scoring with the N Fera Sport SU2.

The Nexen also proved to have the lowest external drive by noise.

The Dunlop won its second test, having the lowest rolling resistance on test. Falken, Nexen and in particular, Pirelli had significantly higher rolling resistance than the group.

Below is the price for a full set of tyres in the local currency (Euros)

Results

1st: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: E/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th35.1 M34.3 M+0.8 M97.72%
Dry Handling4th69.1 s68.8 s+0.3 s99.57%
Subj. Dry Handling2nd9 Points10 Points-1 Points90%
Wet Braking1st41.9 M100%
Wet Handling7th63.4 s62.6 s+0.8 s98.74%
Subj. Wet Handling3rd8 Points10 Points-2 Points80%
Straight Aqua3rd71.5 Km/H73.3 Km/H-1.8 Km/H97.54%
Subj. Comfort2nd8 Points9 Points-1 Points88.89%
Noise5th71 dB69.1 dB+1.9 dB97.32%
Price7th390 300 +90 76.92%
Rolling Resistance3rd8.6 kg / t8.38 kg / t+0.22 kg / t97.44%
Top marks in the wet and dry, plus low rolling resistance means the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 wins this test.

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2nd: Continental Premium Contact 6

Continental Premium Contact 6
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd34.7 M34.3 M+0.4 M98.85%
Dry Handling1st68.8 s100%
Subj. Dry Handling1st10 Points100%
Wet Braking2nd42.1 M41.9 M+0.2 M99.52%
Wet Handling9th63.7 s62.6 s+1.1 s98.27%
Subj. Wet Handling9th5 Points10 Points-5 Points50%
Straight Aqua2nd71.7 Km/H73.3 Km/H-1.6 Km/H97.82%
Subj. Comfort2nd8 Points9 Points-1 Points88.89%
Noise9th71.4 dB69.1 dB+2.3 dB96.78%
Price9th410 300 +110 73.17%
Rolling Resistance7th8.88 kg / t8.38 kg / t+0.5 kg / t94.37%
The PremiumContact 6 is strong in the dry, but not quite up to the best in the wet.

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3rd: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: E/A/68
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th35.2 M34.3 M+0.9 M97.44%
Dry Handling6th69.2 s68.8 s+0.4 s99.42%
Subj. Dry Handling2nd9 Points10 Points-1 Points90%
Wet Braking5th45.1 M41.9 M+3.2 M92.9%
Wet Handling1st62.6 s100%
Subj. Wet Handling1st10 Points100%
Straight Aqua10th68.2 Km/H73.3 Km/H-5.1 Km/H93.04%
Subj. Comfort5th7 Points9 Points-2 Points77.78%
Noise2nd69.8 dB69.1 dB+0.7 dB99%
Price5th360 300 +60 83.33%
Rolling Resistance10th9.99 kg / t8.38 kg / t+1.61 kg / t83.88%
The Pirelli PZero PZ4 has a strong balance wet handling performance, propelling it to third overall.

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4th: Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Michelin Pilot Sport 4
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st34.3 M100%
Dry Handling2nd69 s68.8 s+0.2 s99.71%
Subj. Dry Handling2nd9 Points10 Points-1 Points90%
Wet Braking4th44.8 M41.9 M+2.9 M93.53%
Wet Handling3rd63.1 s62.6 s+0.5 s99.21%
Subj. Wet Handling6th6 Points10 Points-4 Points60%
Straight Aqua5th70.4 Km/H73.3 Km/H-2.9 Km/H96.04%
Subj. Comfort5th7 Points9 Points-2 Points77.78%
Noise7th71.1 dB69.1 dB+2 dB97.19%
Price10th440 300 +140 68.18%
Rolling Resistance4th8.64 kg / t8.38 kg / t+0.26 kg / t96.99%
Read Reviews    Buy from £107.84

5th: Falken Azenis FK510

Falken Azenis FK510
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: E/A/69
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th35.4 M34.3 M+1.1 M96.89%
Dry Handling9th69.6 s68.8 s+0.8 s98.85%
Subj. Dry Handling9th5 Points10 Points-5 Points50%
Wet Braking3rd42.8 M41.9 M+0.9 M97.9%
Wet Handling8th63.5 s62.6 s+0.9 s98.58%
Subj. Wet Handling5th7 Points10 Points-3 Points70%
Straight Aqua4th70.6 Km/H73.3 Km/H-2.7 Km/H96.32%
Subj. Comfort5th7 Points9 Points-2 Points77.78%
Noise4th70.4 dB69.1 dB+1.3 dB98.15%
Price3rd340 300 +40 88.24%
Rolling Resistance8th9.23 kg / t8.38 kg / t+0.85 kg / t90.79%
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6th: Nokian PowerProof

Nokian PowerProof
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/69
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th35.4 M34.3 M+1.1 M96.89%
Dry Handling6th69.2 s68.8 s+0.4 s99.42%
Subj. Dry Handling6th8 Points10 Points-2 Points80%
Wet Braking6th46.6 M41.9 M+4.7 M89.91%
Wet Handling2nd62.9 s62.6 s+0.3 s99.52%
Subj. Wet Handling2nd9 Points10 Points-1 Points90%
Straight Aqua6th69.9 Km/H73.3 Km/H-3.4 Km/H95.36%
Subj. Comfort5th7 Points9 Points-2 Points77.78%
Noise10th71.9 dB69.1 dB+2.8 dB96.11%
Price2nd310 300 +10 96.77%
Rolling Resistance5th8.66 kg / t8.38 kg / t+0.28 kg / t96.77%
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7th: Maxxis Victra Sport 5

Maxxis Victra Sport 5
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd34.8 M34.3 M+0.5 M98.56%
Dry Handling2nd69 s68.8 s+0.2 s99.71%
Subj. Dry Handling2nd9 Points10 Points-1 Points90%
Wet Braking8th49.7 M41.9 M+7.8 M84.31%
Wet Handling4th63.2 s62.6 s+0.6 s99.05%
Subj. Wet Handling3rd8 Points10 Points-2 Points80%
Straight Aqua9th69.5 Km/H73.3 Km/H-3.8 Km/H94.82%
Subj. Comfort5th7 Points9 Points-2 Points77.78%
Noise5th71 dB69.1 dB+1.9 dB97.32%
Price6th370 300 +70 81.08%
Rolling Resistance6th8.78 kg / t8.38 kg / t+0.4 kg / t95.44%
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8th: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/68
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th36.2 M34.3 M+1.9 M94.75%
Dry Handling10th69.7 s68.8 s+0.9 s98.71%
Subj. Dry Handling10th4 Points10 Points-6 Points40%
Wet Braking7th48.7 M41.9 M+6.8 M86.04%
Wet Handling5th63.3 s62.6 s+0.7 s98.89%
Subj. Wet Handling6th6 Points10 Points-4 Points60%
Straight Aqua1st73.3 Km/H100%
Subj. Comfort2nd8 Points9 Points-1 Points88.89%
Noise2nd69.8 dB69.1 dB+0.7 dB99%
Price8th400 300 +100 75%
Rolling Resistance1st8.38 kg / t100%
Read Reviews    Buy from £88.32

9th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: E/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th35.5 M34.3 M+1.2 M96.62%
Dry Handling4th69.1 s68.8 s+0.3 s99.57%
Subj. Dry Handling7th7 Points10 Points-3 Points70%
Wet Braking10th50.6 M41.9 M+8.7 M82.81%
Wet Handling5th63.3 s62.6 s+0.7 s98.89%
Subj. Wet Handling6th6 Points10 Points-4 Points60%
Straight Aqua7th69.8 Km/H73.3 Km/H-3.5 Km/H95.23%
Subj. Comfort10th6 Points9 Points-3 Points66.67%
Noise8th71.2 dB69.1 dB+2.1 dB97.05%
Price4th350 300 +50 85.71%
Rolling Resistance2nd8.5 kg / t8.38 kg / t+0.12 kg / t98.59%
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10th: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: E/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th35.5 M34.3 M+1.2 M96.62%
Dry Handling8th69.4 s68.8 s+0.6 s99.14%
Subj. Dry Handling8th6 Points10 Points-4 Points60%
Wet Braking9th50.1 M41.9 M+8.2 M83.63%
Wet Handling10th64.9 s62.6 s+2.3 s96.46%
Subj. Wet Handling10th3 Points10 Points-7 Points30%
Straight Aqua8th69.7 Km/H73.3 Km/H-3.6 Km/H95.09%
Subj. Comfort1st9 Points100%
Noise1st69.1 dB100%
Price1st300 100%
Rolling Resistance9th9.27 kg / t8.38 kg / t+0.89 kg / t90.4%
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