2024 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test

For their 2024 summer tyre test, the magazine "Auto Motor und Sport" tested eight summer tyres in the popular 235/55 R18 SUV size. 

The test includes new tyres like Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV, Bridgestone Turanza 6, and Continental PremiumContact 7, evaluating them on wet and dry braking, handling, aquaplaning resistance, comfort, and environmental impact. 

The report emphasises the importance of short braking distances and reliable performance under various conditions. Continental's PremiumContact 7 stood out for its excellent grip and safety, while others like Michelin and Bridgestone were noted for their fuel efficiency and environmental considerations.

Dry

As we've seen many times before, the Continental PremiumContact 7 had a good lead in dry braking. While the Goodyear was last in dry braking, it also has the highest starting tread depth which affects this test.

The Continental was also the fastest around the dry handling lap.

Wet

Shockingly the Continental was back at the front for wet braking.

The Continental also led wet handling and the wet circle.

Wet Circle

The Falken, Vredestein and Goodyear all did well in the deeper water of aquaplaning.

Comfort

The new Goodyear had the lowest noise, an impressive feat considering its high starting tread depth.

Value

The Michelin Primacy 4+ and Bridgestone Turanza 6 had the lowest rolling resistance on test.

Results

1^st

Continental PremiumContact 7

235/55 R18 100V

• EU Label: C/A/71
• Weight: 11.34 kgs
• Tread: 6.6 mm

Outstanding grip on wet surfaces, safe in aquaplaning. Also strong adhesion in dry curves, precise and reliable. Good rolling comfort.

Slightly louder rolling noise outside, increased rolling resistance/low fuel efficiency.

By far the highest grip and safest tyre in the test.

Dry

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	34.1 M			100%
Dry Handling	1st	93.8 Km/H			100%

Wet

97.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	27.9 M			100%
Wet Handling	1st	75.5 Km/H			100%
Wet Circle	1st	8.62 m/s			100%
Straight Aqua	7th	73.5 Km/H	77.9 Km/H	-4.4 Km/H	94.35%
Curved Aquaplaning	6th	8.25 m/sec2	8.8 m/sec2	-0.55 m/sec2	93.75%

Comfort

94.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	8th	73.2 dB	69.3 dB	+3.9 dB	94.67%

Value

85.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	7th	7.7 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+1.1 kg / t	85.71%

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2^nd

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV

235/55 R18 104W

• EU Label: C/A/72
• Weight: 12.64 kgs
• Tread: 7.6 mm

Very good, dynamic wet handling with high grip level and easy controllability. Direct steering response, very dynamic on dry roads, good comfort features.

Weaknesses in corner aquaplaning and in driving stability during fast lane changes.

Balanced and comfortable with only marginal weaknesses.

Dry

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	36.1 M	34.1 M	+2 M	94.46%
Dry Handling	2nd	93.7 Km/H	93.8 Km/H	-0.1 Km/H	99.89%

Wet

92.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	28.9 M	27.9 M	+1 M	96.54%
Wet Handling	3rd	74.2 Km/H	75.5 Km/H	-1.3 Km/H	98.28%
Wet Circle	3rd	8.53 m/s	8.62 m/s	-0.09 m/s	98.96%
Straight Aqua	6th	74 Km/H	77.9 Km/H	-3.9 Km/H	94.99%
Curved Aquaplaning	7th	6.61 m/sec2	8.8 m/sec2	-2.19 m/sec2	75.11%

Comfort

98.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	70.3 dB	69.3 dB	+1 dB	98.58%

Value

95.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	6.9 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+0.3 kg / t	95.65%

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3^rd

Vredestein Ultrac

235/55 R18 100V

• EU Label: B/A/70
• Weight: 10.98 kgs
• Tread: 6.5 mm

Very good grip and easy controllability in wet conditions, safe in aquaplaning. Benign handling characteristics on dry asphalt.

Sensitive to load changes and cause for a slightly unstable rear during fast lane changes. Limitations in rolling comfort due to slight bumpiness.

Especially in the rain: a tyre you can rely on.

Dry

97.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	35.7 M	34.1 M	+1.6 M	95.52%
Dry Handling	7th	92.6 Km/H	93.8 Km/H	-1.2 Km/H	98.72%

Wet

98.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	28.7 M	27.9 M	+0.8 M	97.21%
Wet Handling	2nd	75.1 Km/H	75.5 Km/H	-0.4 Km/H	99.47%
Wet Circle	4th	8.42 m/s	8.62 m/s	-0.2 m/s	97.68%
Straight Aqua	2nd	77.5 Km/H	77.9 Km/H	-0.4 Km/H	99.49%
Curved Aquaplaning	2nd	8.58 m/sec2	8.8 m/sec2	-0.22 m/sec2	97.5%

Comfort

98.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	2nd	70.1 dB	69.3 dB	+0.8 dB	98.86%

Value

93%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	5th	7.1 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+0.5 kg / t	92.96%

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4^th

Bridgestone Turanza 6

235/55 R18 100V

• EU Label: B/A/69
• Weight: 10.64 kgs
• Tread: 7.3 mm

Good aquaplaning prevention and decent wet braking properties. On dry roads, sporty-dynamic yet still easily controllable tyre.

Limitations in traction and cornering grip on wet surfaces. Somewhat jolty over transverse joints.

Dry-strong summer tyre with very low fuel/electricity consumption.

Dry

96.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	36.4 M	34.1 M	+2.3 M	93.68%
Dry Handling	4th	93.5 Km/H	93.8 Km/H	-0.3 Km/H	99.68%

Wet

95.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	29.9 M	27.9 M	+2 M	93.31%
Wet Handling	7th	73.3 Km/H	75.5 Km/H	-2.2 Km/H	97.09%
Wet Circle	8th	8.27 m/s	8.62 m/s	-0.35 m/s	95.94%
Straight Aqua	4th	75.2 Km/H	77.9 Km/H	-2.7 Km/H	96.53%
Curved Aquaplaning	4th	8.42 m/sec2	8.8 m/sec2	-0.38 m/sec2	95.68%

Comfort

98.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	70.5 dB	69.3 dB	+1.2 dB	98.3%

Value

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	1st	6.6 kg / t			100%

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5^th

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV

235/55 R18 100V

• EU Label: B/A/70
• Weight: 12.04 kgs
• Tread: 8.6 mm

High aquaplaning safety in curves. Dry good lane change safety, precise, easily controllable handling, very quiet rolling noise, good comfort.

Weak braking, moderate cornering grip and pronounced understeering on wet surfaces. Quite sluggish steering response.

The new Goodyear. Supposed to last longer, but lacking in grip.

Dry

96.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	36.6 M	34.1 M	+2.5 M	93.17%
Dry Handling	6th	93 Km/H	93.8 Km/H	-0.8 Km/H	99.15%

Wet

96.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	30.3 M	27.9 M	+2.4 M	92.08%
Wet Handling	6th	73.7 Km/H	75.5 Km/H	-1.8 Km/H	97.62%
Wet Circle	6th	8.36 m/s	8.62 m/s	-0.26 m/s	96.98%
Straight Aqua	5th	75.1 Km/H	77.9 Km/H	-2.8 Km/H	96.41%
Curved Aquaplaning	1st	8.8 m/sec2			100%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	69.3 dB			100%

Value

95.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	6.9 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+0.3 kg / t	95.65%

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6^th

Maxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV

235/55 R18 100Y

• EU Label: C/A/71
• Weight: 12.98 kgs
• Tread: 7.4 mm

With the exception of the comparatively long braking distances, good, balanced wet performance with safe aquaplaning behavior. Quite responsive steering, safe in evasive maneuvers, reliable in handling.

Long braking distances on both wet and dry roads, highest rolling resistance in the test.

The Maxxis stumbles over its long wet-braking distances.

Dry

97.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	36.1 M	34.1 M	+2 M	94.46%
Dry Handling	4th	93.5 Km/H	93.8 Km/H	-0.3 Km/H	99.68%

Wet

96.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	31.1 M	27.9 M	+3.2 M	89.71%
Wet Handling	3rd	74.2 Km/H	75.5 Km/H	-1.3 Km/H	98.28%
Wet Circle	2nd	8.54 m/s	8.62 m/s	-0.08 m/s	99.07%
Straight Aqua	3rd	77.2 Km/H	77.9 Km/H	-0.7 Km/H	99.1%
Curved Aquaplaning	3rd	8.51 m/sec2	8.8 m/sec2	-0.29 m/sec2	96.7%

Comfort

97.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	71.4 dB	69.3 dB	+2.1 dB	97.06%

Value

72.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	8th	9.1 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+2.5 kg / t	72.53%

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7^th

Falken Azenis FK520

235/55 R18 104Y

• EU Label: C/A/70
• Weight: 12.9 kgs
• Tread: 7.5 mm

Very good aquaplaning prevention, easily controllable but not very dynamic driving behavior on dry roads.

Limitations in braking and traction on wet surfaces. Also, unbalanced driving dynamics with oversteering and understeering in wet conditions.

In wet grip and driving stability, Falken could still improve a bit.

Dry

98.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	35.2 M	34.1 M	+1.1 M	96.88%
Dry Handling	2nd	93.7 Km/H	93.8 Km/H	-0.1 Km/H	99.89%

Wet

96.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	30.1 M	27.9 M	+2.2 M	92.69%
Wet Handling	5th	73.8 Km/H	75.5 Km/H	-1.7 Km/H	97.75%
Wet Circle	4th	8.42 m/s	8.62 m/s	-0.2 m/s	97.68%
Straight Aqua	1st	77.9 Km/H			100%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	8.32 m/sec2	8.8 m/sec2	-0.48 m/sec2	94.55%

Comfort

97.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	6th	70.9 dB	69.3 dB	+1.6 dB	97.74%

Value

88%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	6th	7.5 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+0.9 kg / t	88%

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8^th

Michelin Primacy 4+

235/55 R18 104V

• EU Label: B/A/70
• Weight: 11.68 kgs
• Tread: 6.3 mm

Short braking distances and spontaneous steering behavior on dry asphalt.

Long braking distances, weak cornering grip, and poor traction on wet surfaces. Deficiencies in aquaplaning protection. On dry asphalt, increased risk of oversteering during fast lane changes and in load change situations.

With low rolling resistance, great in the fuel-saving chapter. Unfortunately, at the expense of safety.

Dry

97.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	35.5 M	34.1 M	+1.4 M	96.06%
Dry Handling	7th	92.6 Km/H	93.8 Km/H	-1.2 Km/H	98.72%

Wet

88.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	31 M	27.9 M	+3.1 M	90%
Wet Handling	8th	73.1 Km/H	75.5 Km/H	-2.4 Km/H	96.82%
Wet Circle	7th	8.28 m/s	8.62 m/s	-0.34 m/s	96.06%
Straight Aqua	8th	68.6 Km/H	77.9 Km/H	-9.3 Km/H	88.06%
Curved Aquaplaning	8th	6.42 m/sec2	8.8 m/sec2	-2.38 m/sec2	72.95%

Comfort

98.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	70.5 dB	69.3 dB	+1.2 dB	98.3%

Value

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	1st	6.6 kg / t			100%

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