Test setup & methodology
The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.
Recorded test conditions
Recorded test conditions
- Dry Braking
- 100 → 0 km/h
- Wet Braking
- 100 → 0 km/h
First up, the main test. Sadly the test was missing Goodyear and Pirelli, and interestingly the testers found the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 not only to be the best, but also to have the sportiest handling, something we're don't see often.
Even more surprising was that the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+ finished joint first, beating every tyre in the wet handling test and ending up with enough points to match the Pilot Sport 4.
It was the test of ties, with the Falken FK510 and Toyo Proxes Sport A finishing joint third and the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 finishing joint fifth.
Square vs Staggered Setup
The most interesting part of the test was the square vs staggered setup. Unfortunately the Tyre Reviews database can't list both results, just the square, so we'll have to explain the differences below referencing the square data we have already.
The tyres tested in both square and staggered were the Michelin Pilot Sport 4, the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+, Falken FK510 and Nexen N'Fera Sport.
In the dry, the staggered setup with the wider rear tyre stopped 0.1 meters worse for the Falken and 0.2m behind for Michelin and Vredestein which is certainly counter intuitive, but the Nexen was 0.3 meters better with the wider rear tyre.
Dry handling made no more sense with the Michelin finishing 0.8 km/h faster with the wider rear tyre, 1.3 km/h faster for the Vredestein, 1.5 km/h faster for the Nexen, but 1.3 km/h slower for the Falken.
Wet braking had the Michelin stopping the BMW 0.5 meters shorter with the wider rear, 1.3 meters shorter for Nexen but exactly the same for Vredestein and 0.5 longer for the Falken!
Finally, every set of tyres was significantly slower in the wet with the wider rear tyre.
What can we conclude regarding square vs staggered tyres? The data shows that there's not a huge amount of difference with the extra 20 mm of rear tyre width, and whether you get better or worse performance varies between what test is being tested, and the tyre brand used!
There's more information in the full Auto Bild test, so we suggest you check that out if you're interested in further information.
Below is all the data from the 225/45 R18 square test.
Dry
Bridgestone, Hankook and Toyo had an impressive lead in dry braking.
Dry Braking
Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 m | Best | 0 km/h | |
| 36.1 m | +0.10 m | 7 km/h | |
| 36.1 m | +0.10 m | 7 km/h | |
| 36.7 m | +0.70 m | 18 km/h | |
| 37 m | +1.00 m | 21 km/h | |
| 37.1 m | +1.10 m | 22 km/h | |
| 37.4 m | +1.40 m | 25 km/h | |
| 37.5 m | +1.50 m | 26 km/h | |
| 37.7 m | +1.70 m | 28 km/h | |
| 37.7 m | +1.70 m | 28 km/h | |
| 37.8 m | +1.80 m | 28 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 5% (1.8 m ≈ 0.4 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Fulda SportControl 2 would still be travelling at 28 km/h when the Bridgestone Potenza Sport had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Michelin aced the dry handling test with the quickest lap time and the sportiest handling.
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 104.1 km/h | Best | |
| 104 km/h | -0.10 km/h | |
| 103.5 km/h | -0.60 km/h | |
| 103.2 km/h | -0.90 km/h | |
| 102.9 km/h | -1.20 km/h | |
| 102.7 km/h | -1.40 km/h | |
| 102.2 km/h | -1.90 km/h | |
| 102.1 km/h | -2.00 km/h | |
| 101 km/h | -3.10 km/h | |
| 99.2 km/h | -4.90 km/h | |
| 99 km/h | -5.10 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 4.9% (5.1 Km/H).
Wet
Bridgestone again led the way in wet braking.
Wet Braking
Wet braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45.7 m | Best | 0 km/h | |
| 47.6 m | +1.90 m | 26 km/h | |
| 47.9 m | +2.20 m | 28 km/h | |
| 48.8 m | +3.10 m | 33 km/h | |
| 49.5 m | +3.80 m | 36 km/h | |
| 49.5 m | +3.80 m | 36 km/h | |
| 50.6 m | +4.90 m | 40 km/h | |
| 52.4 m | +6.70 m | 46 km/h | |
| 52.5 m | +6.80 m | 47 km/h | |
| 57 m | +11.30 m | 58 km/h | |
| 65.6 m | +19.90 m | 72 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 43.5% (19.9 m ≈ 4.4 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Tomket Sport 3 Series 3 would still be travelling at 72 km/h when the Bridgestone Potenza Sport had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
But couldn't quite beat Vredestein for the top place in wet handling.
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 88.9 km/h | Best | |
| 88.8 km/h | -0.10 km/h | |
| 87.6 km/h | -1.30 km/h | |
| 87.5 km/h | -1.40 km/h | |
| 86.9 km/h | -2.00 km/h | |
| 86.4 km/h | -2.50 km/h | |
| 85.8 km/h | -3.10 km/h | |
| 85.1 km/h | -3.80 km/h | |
| 82.9 km/h | -6.00 km/h | |
| 78.2 km/h | -10.70 km/h | |
| 75.2 km/h | -13.70 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 15.4% (13.7 Km/H).
GT Radial and Toyo led the way in the aquaplaning testing.
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in Km/H
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 99.4 km/h | Best | |
| 98.8 km/h | -0.60 km/h | |
| 98.2 km/h | -1.20 km/h | |
| 98 km/h | -1.40 km/h | |
| 97.9 km/h | -1.50 km/h | |
| 97 km/h | -2.40 km/h | |
| 96.4 km/h | -3.00 km/h | |
| 95.7 km/h | -3.70 km/h | |
| 95.6 km/h | -3.80 km/h | |
| 95 km/h | -4.40 km/h | |
| 94.6 km/h | -4.80 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 4.8% (4.8 Km/H).
Curved Aquaplaning
Remaining lateral acceleration
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 3.69 m/sec2 | Best | |
| 3.6 m/sec2 | -0.09 m/sec2 | |
| 3.6 m/sec2 | -0.09 m/sec2 | |
| 3.54 m/sec2 | -0.15 m/sec2 | |
| 3.34 m/sec2 | -0.35 m/sec2 | |
| 3.27 m/sec2 | -0.42 m/sec2 | |
| 3.18 m/sec2 | -0.51 m/sec2 | |
| 3.06 m/sec2 | -0.63 m/sec2 | |
| 2.91 m/sec2 | -0.78 m/sec2 | |
| 2.85 m/sec2 | -0.84 m/sec2 | |
| 2.82 m/sec2 | -0.87 m/sec2 |
The difference between best and worst was 23.6% (0.87 m/sec2).
Environment
The budget Tomket had the lowest external noise on test.
Noise
External noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 70.8 dB | Best | |
| 72.2 dB | +1.40 dB | |
| 72.3 dB | +1.50 dB | |
| 72.8 dB | +2.00 dB | |
| 72.8 dB | +2.00 dB | |
| 72.9 dB | +2.10 dB | |
| 73.2 dB | +2.40 dB | |
| 73.3 dB | +2.50 dB | |
| 73.5 dB | +2.70 dB | |
| 74.1 dB | +3.30 dB | |
| 74.1 dB | +3.30 dB |
The difference between best and worst was 4.7% (3.3 dB).
And the lowest rolling resistance.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.18 kg/t | Best | £0 | |
| 8.42 kg/t | +0.24 kg/t | £13 | |
| 8.62 kg/t | +0.44 kg/t | £24 | |
| 8.71 kg/t | +0.53 kg/t | £29 | |
| 8.76 kg/t | +0.58 kg/t | £31 | |
| 8.77 kg/t | +0.59 kg/t | £32 | |
| 9.01 kg/t | +0.83 kg/t | £45 | |
| 9.47 kg/t | +1.29 kg/t | £70 | |
| 9.7 kg/t | +1.52 kg/t | £82 | |
| 9.85 kg/t | +1.67 kg/t | £90 | |
| 10 kg/t | +1.82 kg/t | £98 |
The difference between best and worst was 22.2% (1.82 kg / t). Over 19,000 km a year at £1.45/L, the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+ uses about 68 L (£98) more fuel than the Tomket Sport 3 Series 3.
Adjust the assumptions
Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.
And the lowest price.
Results
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
225/45 R18Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 6th / 11 | 37.1 m | +1.10 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 11 | 104.1 km/h | Best in this discipline |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 11 | 47.6 m | +1.90 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 5th / 11 | 86.9 km/h | -2.00 km/h |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 7th / 11 | 12.01 s | +0.54 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 3rd / 11 | 98.2 km/h | -1.20 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 6th / 11 | 3.27 m/sec2 | -0.42 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 4th / 11 | 72.8 dB | +2.00 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 2nd / 11 | 8.42 kg/t | +0.24 kg/t |
- Price
- 660.00
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+
225/45 R18Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 8th / 11 | 37.5 m | +1.50 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 11 | 103.2 km/h | -0.90 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 5th / 11 | 49.5 m | +3.80 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 11 | 88.9 km/h | Best in this discipline |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 4th / 11 | 11.82 s | +0.35 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 5th / 11 | 97.9 km/h | -1.50 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 5th / 11 | 3.34 m/sec2 | -0.35 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 8th / 11 | 73.3 dB | +2.50 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 11th / 11 | 10 kg/t | +1.82 kg/t |
- Price
- 485.00
Falken Azenis FK510
225/45 R18Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 5th / 11 | 37 m | +1.00 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 5th / 11 | 102.9 km/h | -1.20 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 11 | 47.9 m | +2.20 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 11 | 86.4 km/h | -2.50 km/h |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 6th / 11 | 11.95 s | +0.48 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 4th / 11 | 98 km/h | -1.40 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 4th / 11 | 3.54 m/sec2 | -0.15 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 7th / 11 | 73.2 dB | +2.40 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 7th / 11 | 9.01 kg/t | +0.83 kg/t |
- Price
- 570.00
Toyo Proxes Sport A
225/45 R18Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 11 | 36.1 m | +0.10 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 11 | 104 km/h | -0.10 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 4th / 11 | 48.8 m | +3.10 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 11 | 87.5 km/h | -1.40 km/h |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 2nd / 11 | 11.73 s | +0.26 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 1st / 11 | 99.4 km/h | Best in this discipline |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 2nd / 11 | 3.6 m/sec2 | -0.09 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 9th / 11 | 73.5 dB | +2.70 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 8th / 11 | 9.47 kg/t | +1.29 kg/t |
- Price
- 495.00
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
225/45 R18Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 1st / 11 | 36 m | Best in this discipline |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 11 | 102.2 km/h | -1.90 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 1st / 11 | 45.7 m | Best in this discipline |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 11 | 88.8 km/h | -0.10 km/h |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 1st / 11 | 11.47 s | Best in this discipline |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 8th / 11 | 95.7 km/h | -3.70 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 8th / 11 | 3.06 m/sec2 | -0.63 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 10th / 11 | 74.1 dB | +3.30 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 9th / 11 | 9.7 kg/t | +1.52 kg/t |
- Price
- 560.00
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
225/45 R18Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 11 | 36.1 m | +0.10 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 11 | 103.5 km/h | -0.60 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 5th / 11 | 49.5 m | +3.80 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 11 | 87.6 km/h | -1.30 km/h |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 3rd / 11 | 11.76 s | +0.29 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 9th / 11 | 95.6 km/h | -3.80 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 10th / 11 | 2.85 m/sec2 | -0.84 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 2nd / 11 | 72.2 dB | +1.40 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 5th / 11 | 8.76 kg/t | +0.58 kg/t |
- Price
- 520.00
Continental Premium Contact 6
225/45 R18Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 4th / 11 | 36.7 m | +0.70 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 11 | 102.7 km/h | -1.40 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 9th / 11 | 52.5 m | +6.80 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 11 | 85.8 km/h | -3.10 km/h |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 9th / 11 | 12.2 s | +0.73 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 10th / 11 | 95 km/h | -4.40 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 9th / 11 | 2.91 m/sec2 | -0.78 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 10th / 11 | 74.1 dB | +3.30 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 4th / 11 | 8.71 kg/t | +0.53 kg/t |
- Price
- 590.00
Fulda SportControl 2
225/45 R18Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 11th / 11 | 37.8 m | +1.80 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 8th / 11 | 102.1 km/h | -2.00 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 8th / 11 | 52.4 m | +6.70 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 8th / 11 | 85.1 km/h | -3.80 km/h |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 5th / 11 | 11.9 s | +0.43 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 6th / 11 | 97 km/h | -2.40 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 2nd / 11 | 3.6 m/sec2 | -0.09 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 4th / 11 | 72.8 dB | +2.00 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 6th / 11 | 8.77 kg/t | +0.59 kg/t |
- Price
- 495.00
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
225/45 R18Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 7th / 11 | 37.4 m | +1.40 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 9th / 11 | 101 km/h | -3.10 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 7th / 11 | 50.6 m | +4.90 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 9th / 11 | 82.9 km/h | -6.00 km/h |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 8th / 11 | 12.02 s | +0.55 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 7th / 11 | 96.4 km/h | -3.00 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 7th / 11 | 3.18 m/sec2 | -0.51 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 6th / 11 | 72.9 dB | +2.10 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 10th / 11 | 9.85 kg/t | +1.67 kg/t |
- Price
- 410.00
GT Radial SportActive 2
225/45 R18Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 9th / 11 | 37.7 m | +1.70 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 11 | 99.2 km/h | -4.90 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 10th / 11 | 57 m | +11.30 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 11 | 78.2 km/h | -10.70 km/h |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 10th / 11 | 12.34 s | +0.87 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 2nd / 11 | 98.8 km/h | -0.60 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 1st / 11 | 3.69 m/sec2 | Best in this discipline |
| NoiseLower is better | 3rd / 11 | 72.3 dB | +1.50 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 3rd / 11 | 8.62 kg/t | +0.44 kg/t |
- Price
- 490.00
Tomket Sport 3 Series 3
225/45 R18Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 9th / 11 | 37.7 m | +1.70 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 11th / 11 | 99 km/h | -5.10 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 11th / 11 | 65.6 m | +19.90 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 11th / 11 | 75.2 km/h | -13.70 km/h |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 11th / 11 | 12.78 s | +1.31 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 11th / 11 | 94.6 km/h | -4.80 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 11th / 11 | 2.82 m/sec2 | -0.87 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 1st / 11 | 70.8 dB | Best in this discipline |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 1st / 11 | 8.18 kg/t | Best in this discipline |
- Price
- 335.00

Sadly missing weight :( Most important factor for me.
Out of interest, why? We have weights listed on our UHP test.
The square vs staggered setup results leaves my thinking that tyre technology is still a literal black art and no one can produce consistent results. It's like getting a TV with resolution between 1820and1990 x 1000and1160. It must make your job 20% frustrating and 80% fascinating.
The differences between the sizes was definitely too small to be meaningful in this test, it would have more affected balance rather than grip.
Unfortunately, all the old models except Vredestsein and Bridgestone ... and yes, there is no GY!
This will have been tested back in September / October last year, hence last years models. It's difficult to do summer tests in the same year for publication around this time.