Auto Express has returned to 205/55 R16 for its 2026 summer tyre test, three years after it last ran the size that remains the UK's biggest seller. Eight tyres were bought on the open market through an independent German wholesaler and tested at the Continental Contidrom near Hannover, using an Audi A3 across nine separate wet, dry, comfort and efficiency tests. Hankook, Vredestein, Kumho and Goodyear all turned down an invitation this year, citing new designs still to come.
The winner is the Falken Ziex ZE320, and it is the first time this pattern has taken an Auto Express title. It set the fastest lap on both the wet and the dry handling circuits and recorded the shortest dry braking distance, which covers the areas the magazine weights most heavily. The reigning champion, the Continental PremiumContact 7, finished second and kept hold of the single most important test in the programme, straight-line wet braking, where it stopped a clear margin shorter than anything else. Third went to the Firestone Roadhawk 2, a first-time entrant that won both aquaplaning tests and the cabin noise measurement.
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
- 80 → 0 km/h
There are some notable results further down the order. The Michelin Primacy 5 recorded by far the lowest rolling resistance in the test and was third in wet braking, yet finished last around the dry handling circuit and seventh in wet handling. The Pirelli Cinturato C3 was second in both wet braking and wet handling but last of all in wet cornering, an anomaly against an otherwise strong wet showing. The Maxxis Premitra HP6 is the biggest improver, going from last of eleven in the 2023 test of this size to fourth of eight here. And the budget Dynamo Street-H MH01 finished last in six of the nine tests, including every one that matters in the wet.
A note on the numbers below. Auto Express do not publish raw measurements, only each tyre's result as a percentage of the best in that test, so the figures in these charts are built from estimated 'bests'. The percentage difference between the tyres is exact in every case; what is estimated is the absolute number the scale starts from. This test is better anchored than most: Auto Express state the winning wet braking distance of 25.1 metres outright, and the individual tyre reports quote enough absolute gaps to fix dry braking and both lap times to within a few tenths. Wet cornering, both aquaplaning tests, cabin noise and rolling resistance are genuine estimates. Because our scoring works on percentages this does not affect the score weighting calculator on the results tab, but it seemed important to share.
The full test, including Auto Express's own driver commentary on every tyre, is on the Auto Express website.
Dry
Dry braking was measured from 62mph to a standstill. The Falken stopped shortest, with the Continental and Pirelli both within a metre of it, and the budget Dynamo more than five metres adrift.
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 | |
| 36.4 m | +0.40 m | 14 km/h | |
| 36.6 m | +0.60 m | 17 km/h | |
| 37.4 m | +1.40 m | 25 km/h | |
| 37.9 m | +1.90 m | 29 km/h | |
| 38.3 m | +2.30 m | 32 km/h | |
| 38.5 m | +2.50 m | 33 km/h | |
| 41.2 m | +5.20 m | 46 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 14.4% (5.2 m ≈ 1.2 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Dynamo STREET H MH01 would still be travelling at 46 km/h when the Falken ZIEX ZE320 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact; the scale they sit on is calculated from the absolute braking distances quoted in the Auto Express text.
The dry handling circuit is a one-mile course mixing slow traction corners with faster sweeps. The Falken led here too, with the Maxxis second, while the Michelin was last of all, six tenths of a second behind the pair tied for sixth.
Dry Handling
Dry handling time in seconds
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 53.5 s | Best | |
| 53.71 s | +0.21 s | |
| 53.99 s | +0.49 s | |
| 54.2 s | +0.70 s | |
| 54.2 s | +0.70 s | |
| 54.26 s | +0.76 s | |
| 54.26 s | +0.76 s | |
| 54.87 s | +1.37 s |
All the tyres in the Dry Handling test finished less than 3% apart.
Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact; the scale they sit on is calculated from the lap-time gaps quoted in the Auto Express text.
Wet
Straight-line wet braking from 50mph is the single most heavily weighted test in the programme, and the Continental won it clearly, stopping over a metre shorter than the second-placed Pirelli. The Falken's sixth place here is the one real blemish on its scorecard. The Dynamo needed around seven metres more than the Continental to stop.
Wet Braking
Wet braking in meters (80 - 0 km/h)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25.1 m | Best | 0 km/h | |
| 26.3 m | +1.20 m | 28 km/h | |
| 26.9 m | +1.80 m | 34 km/h | |
| 27.1 m | +2.00 m | 35 km/h | |
| 27.2 m | +2.10 m | 36 km/h | |
| 27.3 m | +2.20 m | 37 km/h | |
| 27.8 m | +2.70 m | 41 km/h | |
| 32.2 m | +7.10 m | 61 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 28.3% (7.1 m ≈ 1.6 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Dynamo STREET H MH01 would still be travelling at 61 km/h when the Continental PremiumContact 7 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. This is the one test where they also state an absolute figure, so the scale is anchored on the 25.1 metres they quote for the winning Continental, and the gaps between the tyres are exact.
On the wet handling circuit the Falken was over half a second clear of the next tyre, with five mid-field tyres then covered by a single second. The Michelin was adrift of that group, and the Dynamo was some nine seconds off the pace.
Wet Handling
Wet handling time in seconds
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 88 s | Best | |
| 88.62 s | +0.62 s | |
| 88.71 s | +0.71 s | |
| 88.89 s | +0.89 s | |
| 89.34 s | +1.34 s | |
| 89.61 s | +1.61 s | |
| 90.72 s | +2.72 s | |
| 97.02 s | +9.02 s |
The difference between best and worst was 10.3% (9.02 s).
Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact; the scale they sit on is calculated from the lap-time gaps quoted in the Auto Express text.
Wet cornering was timed on a 50-metre wetted circle. The Maxxis was quickest with the Continental alongside it, while the Nokian and Pirelli were a long way back.
Wet Circle
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 11.5 s | Best | |
| 11.52 s | +0.02 s | |
| 11.66 s | +0.16 s | |
| 11.68 s | +0.18 s | |
| 11.93 s | +0.43 s | |
| 12.07 s | +0.57 s | |
| 13.61 s | +2.11 s | |
| 13.76 s | +2.26 s |
The difference between best and worst was 19.7% (2.26 s).
Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact, but the scale they sit on is our own estimate, so treat the absolute lap times as indicative only.
Straight-line aquaplaning measured the speed at which each tyre reached 15 per cent slip through 9mm of standing water. The Firestone and the Nokian were clear of the rest of the field.
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in Km/H
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 85 km/h | Best | |
| 83.1 km/h | -1.90 km/h | |
| 78.3 km/h | -6.70 km/h | |
| 77.9 km/h | -7.10 km/h | |
| 77.9 km/h | -7.10 km/h | |
| 76.9 km/h | -8.10 km/h | |
| 76 km/h | -9.00 km/h | |
| 73 km/h | -12.00 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 14.1% (12 Km/H).
Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact, but the scale they sit on is our own estimate, so treat the absolute speeds as indicative only.
Curved aquaplaning is the average residual lateral acceleration through a bend flooded with 5mm of water, driven between 40 and 60mph. The Firestone and Nokian led here as well, with the Maxxis and Dynamo well down the order.
Curved Aquaplaning
Remaining lateral acceleration
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8 m/sec2 | Best | |
| 3.75 m/sec2 | -0.05 m/sec2 | |
| 3.61 m/sec2 | -0.19 m/sec2 | |
| 3.44 m/sec2 | -0.36 m/sec2 | |
| 3.4 m/sec2 | -0.40 m/sec2 | |
| 3.31 m/sec2 | -0.49 m/sec2 | |
| 3.06 m/sec2 | -0.74 m/sec2 | |
| 2.9 m/sec2 | -0.90 m/sec2 |
The difference between best and worst was 23.7% (0.9 m/sec2).
Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact, but the scale they sit on is our own estimate, so treat the absolute figures as indicative only.
Comfort
Rather than use the drive-by figure printed on the EU label, Auto Express measure the noise heard inside the car across a mix of smooth and coarse surfaces at a set speed. The Firestone was quietest, the Continental next, and the Michelin and Nokian were tied at the back.
Noise
Internal noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 68 dB | Best | |
| 68.4 dB | +0.40 dB | |
| 68.9 dB | +0.90 dB | |
| 69.1 dB | +1.10 dB | |
| 69.3 dB | +1.30 dB | |
| 69.7 dB | +1.70 dB | |
| 69.8 dB | +1.80 dB | |
| 69.8 dB | +1.80 dB |
All the tyres in the Noise test finished less than 3% apart.
Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact, but the scale they sit on is our own estimate, so treat the absolute decibel readings as indicative only.
Value
Rolling resistance was measured to the industry standard rather than read off the label, and the results do not always agree with it. The Michelin was some way clear of the field, while the Continental and Pirelli, both premium tyres, were beaten by the cheaper Maxxis and Firestone.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 kg/t | Best | £0 | |
| 7.53 kg/t | +0.53 kg/t | £33 | |
| 7.87 kg/t | +0.87 kg/t | £55 | |
| 8.05 kg/t | +1.05 kg/t | £66 | |
| 8.06 kg/t | +1.06 kg/t | £67 | |
| 8.43 kg/t | +1.43 kg/t | £90 | |
| 8.61 kg/t | +1.61 kg/t | £101 | |
| 9.37 kg/t | +2.37 kg/t | £149 |
The difference between best and worst was 33.9% (2.37 kg / t). Over 19,000 km a year at £1.45/L, the Dynamo STREET H MH01 uses about 103 L (£149) more fuel than the Michelin Primacy 5.
Adjust the assumptions
Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.
Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact, but the scale they sit on is our own estimate, so treat the absolute figures, and the fuel costs calculated from them, as indicative only.
Results
Three percentage points separate first from seventh, so this is a close, high-quality field in which the order is decided by small margins and no single tyre wins everything. The eighth tyre is the exception and the warning: the Dynamo saves a modest amount at the till and gives up a great deal of wet braking performance to do it.
Falken ZIEX ZE320
205/55 R16 91VCategory 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 / 8 | 36 m | Best in this discipline |
| Dry HandlingLower is better | 1st / 8 | 53.5 s | Best in this discipline |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 6th / 8 | 27.3 m | +2.20 m |
| Wet HandlingLower is better | 1st / 8 | 88 s | Best in this discipline |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 3rd / 8 | 11.66 s | +0.16 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 3rd / 8 | 78.3 km/h | -6.70 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 3rd / 8 | 3.61 m/sec2 | -0.19 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 3rd / 8 | 68.9 dB | +0.90 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 4th / 8 | 8.05 kg/t | +1.05 kg/t |
- EU Label
- C/A/71
- Price
- 79.99
Continental PremiumContact 7
205/55 R16 91VCategory 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 / 8 | 36.4 m | +0.40 m |
| Dry HandlingLower is better | 3rd / 8 | 53.99 s | +0.49 s |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 1st / 8 | 25.1 m | Best in this discipline |
| Wet HandlingLower is better | 4th / 8 | 88.89 s | +0.89 s |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 2nd / 8 | 11.52 s | +0.02 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 6th / 8 | 76.9 km/h | -8.10 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 6th / 8 | 3.31 m/sec2 | -0.49 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 2nd / 8 | 68.4 dB | +0.40 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 6th / 8 | 8.43 kg/t | +1.43 kg/t |
- EU Label
- C/A/71
- Price
- 106.99
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
205/55 R16 91VCategory 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 / 8 | 38.5 m | +2.50 m |
| Dry HandlingLower is better | 4th / 8 | 54.2 s | +0.70 s |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 5th / 8 | 27.2 m | +2.10 m |
| Wet HandlingLower is better | 3rd / 8 | 88.71 s | +0.71 s |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 4th / 8 | 11.68 s | +0.18 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 1st / 8 | 85 km/h | Best in this discipline |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 1st / 8 | 3.8 m/sec2 | Best in this discipline |
| NoiseLower is better | 1st / 8 | 68 dB | Best in this discipline |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 3rd / 8 | 7.87 kg/t | +0.87 kg/t |
- EU Label
- C/A/67
- Price
- 87.97
Maxxis Premitra HP6
205/55 R16 94W XLCategory 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 / 8 | 38.3 m | +2.30 m |
| Dry HandlingLower is better | 2nd / 8 | 53.71 s | +0.21 s |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 4th / 8 | 27.1 m | +2.00 m |
| Wet HandlingLower is better | 5th / 8 | 89.34 s | +1.34 s |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 1st / 8 | 11.5 s | Best in this discipline |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 7th / 8 | 76 km/h | -9.00 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 7th / 8 | 3.06 m/sec2 | -0.74 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 6th / 8 | 69.7 dB | +1.70 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 2nd / 8 | 7.53 kg/t | +0.53 kg/t |
- EU Label
- C/A/70
- Price
- 63.50
Pirelli Cinturato C3
205/55 R16 94W XLCategory 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 | 3rd / 8 | 36.6 m | +0.60 m |
| Dry HandlingLower is better | 6th / 8 | 54.26 s | +0.76 s |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 8 | 26.3 m | +1.20 m |
| Wet HandlingLower is better | 2nd / 8 | 88.62 s | +0.62 s |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 8th / 8 | 13.76 s | +2.26 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 4th / 8 | 77.9 km/h | -7.10 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 4th / 8 | 3.44 m/sec2 | -0.36 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 5th / 8 | 69.3 dB | +1.30 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 7th / 8 | 8.61 kg/t | +1.61 kg/t |
- EU Label
- C/A/70
- Price
- 124.58
Michelin Primacy 5
205/55 R16 91WCategory 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 / 8 | 37.9 m | +1.90 m |
| Dry HandlingLower is better | 8th / 8 | 54.87 s | +1.37 s |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 8 | 26.9 m | +1.80 m |
| Wet HandlingLower is better | 7th / 8 | 90.72 s | +2.72 s |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 5th / 8 | 11.93 s | +0.43 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 4th / 8 | 77.9 km/h | -7.10 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 5th / 8 | 3.4 m/sec2 | -0.40 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 7th / 8 | 69.8 dB | +1.80 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 1st / 8 | 7 kg/t | Best in this discipline |
- EU Label
- B/A/70
- Price
- 107.99
Nokian Powerproof 2
205/55 R16 94V XLCategory 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 / 8 | 37.4 m | +1.40 m |
| Dry HandlingLower is better | 6th / 8 | 54.26 s | +0.76 s |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 7th / 8 | 27.8 m | +2.70 m |
| Wet HandlingLower is better | 6th / 8 | 89.61 s | +1.61 s |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 7th / 8 | 13.61 s | +2.11 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 2nd / 8 | 83.1 km/h | -1.90 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 2nd / 8 | 3.75 m/sec2 | -0.05 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 7th / 8 | 69.8 dB | +1.80 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 5th / 8 | 8.06 kg/t | +1.06 kg/t |
- EU Label
- B/A/70
- Price
- 68.74
Dynamo STREET H MH01
205/55 R16 91VCategory 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 / 8 | 41.2 m | +5.20 m |
| Dry HandlingLower is better | 4th / 8 | 54.2 s | +0.70 s |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 8th / 8 | 32.2 m | +7.10 m |
| Wet HandlingLower is better | 8th / 8 | 97.02 s | +9.02 s |
| Wet CircleLower is better | 6th / 8 | 12.07 s | +0.57 s |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 8th / 8 | 73 km/h | -12.00 km/h |
| Curved AquaplaningHigher is better | 8th / 8 | 2.9 m/sec2 | -0.90 m/sec2 |
| NoiseLower is better | 4th / 8 | 69.1 dB | +1.10 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 8th / 8 | 9.37 kg/t | +2.37 kg/t |
- EU Label
- D/C/71
- Price
- 53.77


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