2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test

We're a little bit late publishing the 2021 EVO summer tyre test, but as we like to  have the database on Tyre Reviews as complete as possible, here's a brief summary. For the full details, including all the glorious subjective commentary, head over to the EVO website here: https://www.evo.co.uk/tyre-reviews/18309/best-car-tyres-evo-performance-tyre-test .

For 2021 EVO magazine tested nine sets of UHP / UUHP tyres in the popular 225/40 R18 size. That size in particular offers some interesting issues as companies like Bridgestone and Goodyear offer their UUHP products in that size, but companies like Continental and Michelin do not.  

Dry BrakingBridgestone Potenza Sport: 33.9 MTriangle SporteX TH201: 41.2 M
Dry HandlingGoodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport: 66.1 sTriangle SporteX TH201: 69 s
Subj. Dry HandlingPirelli P Zero PZ4: 57 PointsTriangle SporteX TH201: 46 Points
Wet BrakingPirelli P Zero PZ4: 27 MTriangle SporteX TH201: 42.9 M
Wet HandlingPirelli P Zero PZ4: 66.3 sTriangle SporteX TH201: 73.4 s
Subj. Wet HandlingGoodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport: 60 PointsTriangle SporteX TH201: 36 Points
Wet CirclePirelli P Zero PZ4: 14.9 sTriangle SporteX TH201: 17.7 s
Straight AquaGT-Radial SportActive 2: 73.2 Km/HHankook Ventus S1 evo 3: 65.2 Km/H
Curved AquaplaningGT-Radial SportActive 2: 21.1 m/sec2Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3: 12 m/sec2
Rolling ResistanceHankook Ventus S1 evo 3: 8.4 kg / tPirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.9 kg / t

The test was conducted using an Audi S3 which has a haldex type based four wheel drive system, which is fairly uncommon in tyre testing. EVO spend a lot of time rating the subjective handling, noise and comfort of  the tyres on the road and track, which means they put more score weighting on subjective data than any other publication. This makes the results really interesting for those of us who enjoy driving.

Notes from the Test

Some interesting notes from the test compared to Tyre Reviews experience with the tyres.

  • EVO found the Continental PremiumContact 6 slow to steer, and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 dynamic on the road route. We've had both of these tyres in this size on the Tyre Reviews Octavia VRS and in many tests and have found the opposite. We can't explain this one.
  • EVO found the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport to be excellent in the wet, one of the fastest overall. The tyre was mid pack in wet braking which is similar to Tyre Reviews tests, so maybe the AWD system and the excellent subjective nature helped this tyre perform.
  • The GT Radial performed very well for the price point, finishing relatively close to the Pilot Sport 4!
  • The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 performed well again, which we found in our 2021 UHP test, but this time it won overall! The Pirelli shone dynamically, which is important for driving enthusiasts.

Below is the key data from the test, we haven't databased the road route subjective scores, so be sure to read those on the EVO website!

Dry

Wet

Environment

Results

1st: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd34.3 M33.9 M+0.4 M98.83%
Dry Handling6th67.2 s66.1 s+1.1 s98.36%
Subj. Dry Handling1st57 Points100%
Wet Braking1st27 M100%
Wet Handling1st66.3 s100%
Subj. Wet Handling2nd57.5 Points60 Points-2.5 Points95.83%
Wet Circle1st14.9 s100%
Straight Aqua7th66.3 Km/H73.2 Km/H-6.9 Km/H90.57%
Curved Aquaplaning5th17.3 m/sec221.1 m/sec2-3.8 m/sec281.99%
Rolling Resistance9th9.9 kg / t8.4 kg / t+1.5 kg / t84.85%
The PZ4 is a tyre that offers (almost) everything, being top ranked subjectively in the dry and wet and offering excellent grip.

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2nd: Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport

Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th34.8 M33.9 M+0.9 M97.41%
Dry Handling1st66.1 s100%
Subj. Dry Handling2nd56.5 Points57 Points-0.5 Points99.12%
Wet Braking5th30.4 M27 M+3.4 M88.82%
Wet Handling2nd66.6 s66.3 s+0.3 s99.55%
Subj. Wet Handling1st60 Points100%
Wet Circle3rd15.2 s14.9 s+0.3 s98.03%
Straight Aqua4th69.1 Km/H73.2 Km/H-4.1 Km/H94.4%
Curved Aquaplaning6th15.8 m/sec221.1 m/sec2-5.3 m/sec274.88%
Rolling Resistance8th9.7 kg / t8.4 kg / t+1.3 kg / t86.6%
The Eagle F1 SuperSport was excellent in both wet and dry handling with good steering and high levels of grip. A bit noisy on some surfaces but an outstanding performance tyre.

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3rd: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st33.9 M100%
Dry Handling4th67 s66.1 s+0.9 s98.66%
Subj. Dry Handling4th49.5 Points57 Points-7.5 Points86.84%
Wet Braking2nd28.3 M27 M+1.3 M95.41%
Wet Handling2nd66.6 s66.3 s+0.3 s99.55%
Subj. Wet Handling3rd57 Points60 Points-3 Points95%
Wet Circle2nd15 s14.9 s+0.1 s99.33%
Straight Aqua3rd69.7 Km/H73.2 Km/H-3.5 Km/H95.22%
Curved Aquaplaning3rd18.7 m/sec221.1 m/sec2-2.4 m/sec288.63%
Rolling Resistance7th9.5 kg / t8.4 kg / t+1.1 kg / t88.42%
The Potenza Sport finished in the top 3 places in most grip tests and was solid in the wet and dry. The ride quality was firm and there was higher levels of noise in the cabin.

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4th: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th36.7 M33.9 M+2.8 M92.37%
Dry Handling2nd66.8 s66.1 s+0.7 s98.95%
Subj. Dry Handling3rd50 Points57 Points-7 Points87.72%
Wet Braking8th32.3 M27 M+5.3 M83.59%
Wet Handling5th67.8 s66.3 s+1.5 s97.79%
Subj. Wet Handling3rd57 Points60 Points-3 Points95%
Wet Circle5th15.4 s14.9 s+0.5 s96.75%
Straight Aqua1st73.2 Km/H100%
Curved Aquaplaning2nd20.5 m/sec221.1 m/sec2-0.6 m/sec297.16%
Rolling Resistance6th9.1 kg / t8.4 kg / t+0.7 kg / t92.31%
The RT2 had excellent aquaplaning resistance, was agile in the dry and was great on the road route with balanced steering and good comfort.

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5th: Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Michelin Pilot Sport 4
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd34.5 M33.9 M+0.6 M98.26%
Dry Handling2nd66.8 s66.1 s+0.7 s98.95%
Subj. Dry Handling4th49.5 Points57 Points-7.5 Points86.84%
Wet Braking3rd29.2 M27 M+2.2 M92.47%
Wet Handling6th68.1 s66.3 s+1.8 s97.36%
Subj. Wet Handling6th54.5 Points60 Points-5.5 Points90.83%
Wet Circle4th15.3 s14.9 s+0.4 s97.39%
Straight Aqua5th67.2 Km/H73.2 Km/H-6 Km/H91.8%
Curved Aquaplaning4th17.7 m/sec221.1 m/sec2-3.4 m/sec283.89%
Rolling Resistance2nd8.5 kg / t8.4 kg / t+0.1 kg / t98.82%
The PS4 had direct steering and a good balance, but the detail sometimes lacked. A solid performer but not inspiring.

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6th: GT Radial SportActive 2

GT-Radial SportActive 2
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th37.9 M33.9 M+4 M89.45%
Dry Handling7th67.9 s66.1 s+1.8 s97.35%
Subj. Dry Handling6th49 Points57 Points-8 Points85.96%
Wet Braking7th32.1 M27 M+5.1 M84.11%
Wet Handling4th67.4 s66.3 s+1.1 s98.37%
Subj. Wet Handling5th55 Points60 Points-5 Points91.67%
Wet Circle6th15.6 s14.9 s+0.7 s95.51%
Straight Aqua1st73.2 Km/H100%
Curved Aquaplaning1st21.1 m/sec2100%
Rolling Resistance4th8.7 kg / t8.4 kg / t+0.3 kg / t96.55%
The SportActive 2 had very high aquaplaning resistance and performed well during wet handling. It was less dynamic in the dry but it scored well on the road route for the good combination of steering and ride quality. A good tyre.

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7th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th35.8 M33.9 M+1.9 M94.69%
Dry Handling8th68 s66.1 s+1.9 s97.21%
Subj. Dry Handling7th48.5 Points57 Points-8.5 Points85.09%
Wet Braking4th30.3 M27 M+3.3 M89.11%
Wet Handling7th69.2 s66.3 s+2.9 s95.81%
Subj. Wet Handling7th53 Points60 Points-7 Points88.33%
Wet Circle8th15.9 s14.9 s+1 s93.71%
Straight Aqua9th65.2 Km/H73.2 Km/H-8 Km/H89.07%
Curved Aquaplaning9th12 m/sec221.1 m/sec2-9.1 m/sec256.87%
Rolling Resistance1st8.4 kg / t100%
The S1 Evo 3 (K127) was strong in wet and dry braking but struggled in the aquaplaning tests and never shone on track. It did offer a fair compromise on the road.

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8th: Continental Premium Contact 6

Continental Premium Contact 6
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th35.9 M33.9 M+2 M94.43%
Dry Handling5th67.1 s66.1 s+1 s98.51%
Subj. Dry Handling8th46.5 Points57 Points-10.5 Points81.58%
Wet Braking6th30.6 M27 M+3.6 M88.24%
Wet Handling8th72.3 s66.3 s+6 s91.7%
Subj. Wet Handling8th47.5 Points60 Points-12.5 Points79.17%
Wet Circle7th15.8 s14.9 s+0.9 s94.3%
Straight Aqua5th67.2 Km/H73.2 Km/H-6 Km/H91.8%
Curved Aquaplaning6th15.8 m/sec221.1 m/sec2-5.3 m/sec274.88%
Rolling Resistance3rd8.6 kg / t8.4 kg / t+0.2 kg / t97.67%
The PremiumContact 6 felt a lot like a comfort biased tyre, very refined and comfortable but at the expense of dynamic sharpness.

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9th: Triangle SporteX TH201

Triangle SporteX TH201
  • 225/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking9th41.2 M33.9 M+7.3 M82.28%
Dry Handling9th69 s66.1 s+2.9 s95.8%
Subj. Dry Handling9th46 Points57 Points-11 Points80.7%
Wet Braking9th42.9 M27 M+15.9 M62.94%
Wet Handling9th73.4 s66.3 s+7.1 s90.33%
Subj. Wet Handling9th36 Points60 Points-24 Points60%
Wet Circle9th17.7 s14.9 s+2.8 s84.18%
Straight Aqua8th66.1 Km/H73.2 Km/H-7.1 Km/H90.3%
Curved Aquaplaning6th15.8 m/sec221.1 m/sec2-5.3 m/sec274.88%
Rolling Resistance5th8.9 kg / t8.4 kg / t+0.5 kg / t94.38%
The Sportex TH201 might be well priced but if you fit this after a good tyre your car will feel worse. It also had long wet braking.

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