Bloody awful, dangerous in the extreme due to understeer. Noticeable in the dry but potentially lethal in the wet. They were new, or appeared so, when I bought the car from a local Skoda dealership, but after a trip to our second home in France and experiencing extreme understeer at a roundabout in Blois I got rid of them as soon as I got home, telling the tyre fitters not to sell them as part-used.
225/55 R16 Tyres
Everything we know about the 225/55 R16 tyre size: 1 independent tyre tests conducted in this exact size, 302 owner reviews covering 3,758,169 miles of driving, and EU label data for the tyres you can actually buy in it.
- 302owner reviews
- 3,758,169 milescovered on them
- 1tests in this size
- 727tyres made in this size
The quick answer
| Season | Owners' pick | Owner rating | Latest test winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Uniroyal RainSport 5 8 | 100% from 5 reviews | - |
| All Season | Michelin CrossClimate+ 9.4 Current version: Michelin CrossClimate 3 | 94% from 3 reviews | - |
| Winter | - | - | Continental WinterContact TS830 8.7 2009 AMS Summer and Winter Tyre Test - Winter |
Owner picks are the highest weighted owner score in 225/55 R16; test winners come from the most recent independent test conducted in this size. The full evidence is below.
Independent tyre tests in 225/55 R16
Tyres behave differently as sizes change, so a test conducted in your exact size is the strongest evidence there is. Every test below was run in 225/55 R16 - 1 in total, newest first.
Winter tyre tests
| Year | Test | Winner | Tyres tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2009 AMS Summer and Winter Tyre Test - Winter | Continental WinterContact TS830 | 5 |
The best rated 225/55 R16 tyres
Rated only by drivers running this size. Each tyre needs at least 3 reviews in 225/55 R16 to be ranked; the order weights a tyre's score by how many reviews back it, so one glowing review cannot top a table.
Summer tyres
The highest rated Summer tyre in 225/55 R16 is the Uniroyal RainSport 5 - 100% from 5 owner reviews in this size.
| # | Tyre | Owner rating | Reviews | Distance reviewed | TR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Uniroyal RainSport 5
|
100% | 5 | 53,447 miles | 8 |
| 2 |
Nankang NS2
Replaced by Nankang Noble Sport NS20
|
98% | 3 | 12,000 miles | 5.5 |
| 3 |
Michelin Primacy 3
Replaced by Michelin Primacy 5
|
88% | 6 | 58,200 miles | 8.3 |
| 4 |
Barum Bravuris 2
Replaced by Barum Bravuris 3
|
90% | 3 | 15,000 miles | 8.5 |
| 5 |
Falken ZIEX ZE914 EcoRun
Replaced by Falken ZIEX ZE320
|
90% | 3 | 20,500 miles | 7.1 |
| 6 |
Continental Premium Contact 5
Replaced by Continental PremiumContact 7
|
87% | 4 | 66,000 miles | 7.8 |
| 7 |
Michelin Primacy HP
Replaced by Michelin Primacy 5
|
77% | 9 | 168,000 miles | 7.9 |
| 8 |
Pirelli P 7
|
81% | 3 | 78,000 miles | 7.2 |
| 9 |
Nokian Line
Replaced by Nokian Wetproof 2
|
78% | 4 | 35,500 miles | 7.7 |
| 10 |
Primewell PZ900
|
78% | 3 | 31,000 miles | 5.4 |
| 11 |
Kormoran Road Performance
|
76% | 3 | 16,500 miles | 6.8 |
| 12 |
Hankook Ventus Prime 4
|
75% | 3 | 19,920 miles | 8.8 |
| 13 |
Bridgestone Turanza ER300
Replaced by Bridgestone Turanza 6
|
73% | 3 | 31,500 miles | 7.9 |
| 14 |
Michelin Primacy 4
Replaced by Michelin Primacy 5
|
71% | 3 | 11,900 miles | 8.8 |
| 15 |
Runway ENDURO 916 Plus
|
69% | 4 | 106,100 miles | 5.3 |
| 16 |
Avon ZV5
Replaced by Avon ZV7
|
69% | 6 | 62,300 miles | 8.2 |
| 17 |
Bridgestone Turanza T001
Replaced by Bridgestone Turanza 6
|
66% | 3 | 28,000 miles | 8.1 |
| 18 |
Continental Premium Contact 2
Replaced by Continental PremiumContact 7
|
67% | 7 | 90,500 miles | 7.5 |
| 19 |
Autogrip F107
|
61% | 4 | 21,729 miles | 3.9 |
| 20 |
Goodyear EfficientGrip
Replaced by Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
|
56% | 3 | 27,000 miles | 6.7 |
| 21 |
Pirelli P6000
|
55% | 7 | 78,075 miles | 5.1 |
| 22 |
Rovelo RPX 998
|
45% | 3 | 3,500 miles | 5.9 |
| 23 |
Accelera Alpha
|
49% | 4 | 73,000 miles | 5.1 |
| 24 |
Wanli S1088
|
31% | 3 | 27,000 miles | 4.2 |
Want test data as well as owner opinion? Best Summer Tyres →
All Season tyres
The highest rated All Season tyre in 225/55 R16 is the Michelin CrossClimate+ - 94% from 3 owner reviews in this size. The current tyre in that line is now the Michelin CrossClimate 3.
| # | Tyre | Owner rating | Reviews | Distance reviewed | TR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Michelin CrossClimate+
Replaced by Michelin CrossClimate 3
|
94% | 3 | 52,000 miles | 9.4 |
| 2 |
Michelin CrossClimate
Replaced by Michelin CrossClimate 3
|
82% | 3 | 48,000 miles | 9.3 |
Want test data as well as owner opinion? Best All Season Tyres → Test winner: Goodyear Vector All Season 4
TR Score is the tyre's overall Tyre Reviews rating out of 10, built from independent test results and every owner review of that tyre - not just the reviews from this car. The owner rating column is this car only.
225/55 R16 EU tyre label data
EU label values are declared for each individual size, so the figures here are exact for 225/55 R16 rather than a range across a model. 491 tyres carry label data in this size. The most common load index is 99 (up to 775 kg per tyre). Speed ratings on offer: Y (300 km/h), W (270 km/h), V (240 km/h), H (210 km/h), T (190 km/h), R (170 km/h), Q (160 km/h). 248 tyres in this size carry the 3PMSF severe snow marking.
A Best wet grip
74 tyres in this size hold the top EU wet grip rating, class A. The highest scoring on Tyre Reviews:
- Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 All Season 9.6
- Continental PremiumContact 7 Summer 9.5
- Falken ZIEX ZE320 Summer 9.4
- GT Radial ClimateActive All Season 9.1
- Bridgestone Weather Control A005 All Season 9.1
- Nokian Hakka Blue 3 Summer 9.1
A Lowest rolling resistance
The most fuel efficient choice: 2 tyres in this size reach rolling resistance class A. The highest scoring on Tyre Reviews:
- Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue Summer 8.3
- Continental EcoContact 6 Summer 7.5
67dB Quietest tyres
The quietest 225/55 R16 tyres are labelled at 67 dB external noise:
- Falken ZIEX ZE320 Summer 9.4
- Falken Euroall Season AS220 All Season 9.1
- Nokian Hakka Blue 3 Summer 9.1
- Nokian WetProof Summer 8.9
- Michelin Primacy 4 Summer 8.8
- Michelin Alpin 5 Winter 8.6
Label values come from the EU EPREL database and apply to the EU market versions of each tyre. Wet grip and rolling resistance run from class A (best) to E; noise is the measured drive-by figure. A good label is a floor, not a verdict - the tests and owner ratings above tell you far more.
How long do 225/55 R16 tyres last?
Across 34 end of life reviews in this size, a typical set of tyres was worn out after 14,000 miles. Half of all worn-out sets lasted between 6,000 miles and 24,000 miles.
Distances are self-reported by drivers whose review marked the set as worn out; figures are medians, so a single unusual report cannot move them. Driving style and the car matter more than the size itself.
What does 225/55 R16 mean?
A 225/55 R16 tyre is 225 mm wide, its sidewall is 55% of that width (124 mm) tall, and it fits a 16 inch wheel. That gives an overall diameter of roughly 654 mm.
| Section width | 225 mm |
|---|---|
| Sidewall height | 124 mm |
| Rim diameter | 16" (406 mm) |
| Overall diameter | ≈ 654 mm |
| Circumference | ≈ 2,054 mm |
| Revolutions per km | ≈ 487 |
| Revolutions per mile | ≈ 783 |
Also written as
225/55R16 225/55 ZR16 225-55-16 225 55 16
Figures are calculated from the nominal size. A loaded, rolling tyre runs a few percent smaller, and true widths vary slightly between makes.
What cars use 225/55 R16 tyres?
The cars most often running this size in our owner reviews. Each links to the best rated tyres for that exact car.
Audi A4
13 reviews in this size
BMW E39 5 series
13 reviews in this size
Mercedes Benz E Class
12 reviews in this size
Vauxhall Omega
9 reviews in this size
Mercedes Benz E320 CDI
9 reviews in this size
Jaguar S type 3.0
9 reviews in this size
BMW 530D
6 reviews in this size
Mercedes Benz E220Cdi
6 reviews in this size
Citroën C5
4 reviews in this size
BMW 520d
4 reviews in this size
Every tyre reviewed in 225/55 R16
The complete record, including discontinued tyres and tyres with too few reviews to rank, ordered by the amount of evidence. A further 133 tyres have a single review each; they count toward the totals but are not listed.
| Tyre | Season | Owner rating | Reviews | Distance reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin Primacy HP Replaced by Michelin Primacy 5 | Summer | 77% | 9 | 168,000 miles |
| Continental Premium Contact 2 Replaced by Continental PremiumContact 7 | Summer | 67% | 7 | 90,500 miles |
| Pirelli P6000 | Summer | 55% | 7 | 78,075 miles |
| Michelin Primacy 3 Replaced by Michelin Primacy 5 | Summer | 88% | 6 | 58,200 miles |
| Avon ZV5 Replaced by Avon ZV7 | Summer | 69% | 6 | 62,300 miles |
| Uniroyal RainSport 5 | Summer | 100% | 5 | 53,447 miles |
| Continental Premium Contact 5 Replaced by Continental PremiumContact 7 | Summer | 87% | 4 | 66,000 miles |
| Nokian Line Replaced by Nokian Wetproof 2 | Summer | 78% | 4 | 35,500 miles |
| Runway ENDURO 916 Plus | Summer | 69% | 4 | 106,100 miles |
| Autogrip F107 | Summer | 61% | 4 | 21,729 miles |
| Accelera Alpha | Summer | 49% | 4 | 73,000 miles |
| Nankang NS2 Replaced by Nankang Noble Sport NS20 | Summer | 98% | 3 | 12,000 miles |
| Michelin CrossClimate+ Replaced by Michelin CrossClimate 3 | All Season | 94% | 3 | 52,000 miles |
| Barum Bravuris 2 Replaced by Barum Bravuris 3 | Summer | 90% | 3 | 15,000 miles |
| Falken ZIEX ZE914 EcoRun Replaced by Falken ZIEX ZE320 | Summer | 90% | 3 | 20,500 miles |
| Michelin CrossClimate Replaced by Michelin CrossClimate 3 | All Season | 82% | 3 | 48,000 miles |
| Pirelli P 7 | Summer | 81% | 3 | 78,000 miles |
| Primewell PZ900 | Summer | 78% | 3 | 31,000 miles |
| Kormoran Road Performance | Summer | 76% | 3 | 16,500 miles |
| Hankook Ventus Prime 4 | Summer | 75% | 3 | 19,920 miles |
| Bridgestone Turanza ER300 Replaced by Bridgestone Turanza 6 | Summer | 73% | 3 | 31,500 miles |
| Michelin Primacy 4 Replaced by Michelin Primacy 5 | Summer | 71% | 3 | 11,900 miles |
| Bridgestone Turanza T001 Replaced by Bridgestone Turanza 6 | Summer | 66% | 3 | 28,000 miles |
| Goodyear EfficientGrip Replaced by Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 | Summer | 56% | 3 | 27,000 miles |
| Rovelo RPX 998 | Summer | 45% | 3 | 3,500 miles |
| Wanli S1088 | Summer | 31% | 3 | 27,000 miles |
| Uniroyal RainSport 3 Replaced by Uniroyal RainSport 5 | Summer | 99% | 2 | 14,599 miles |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 Replaced by Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | Summer | 97% | 2 | 1,100 miles |
| Maxxis Premitra HP5 | Summer | 97% | 2 | 27,000 miles |
| Continental WinterContact TS 830 P Replaced by Continental WinterContact 8 S | Winter | 95% | 2 | 18,000 miles |
| Bridgestone Turanza T005 Replaced by Bridgestone Turanza 6 | Summer | 94% | 2 | 90,000 miles |
| Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Replaced by Goodyear Vector All Season 4 | All Season | 89% | 2 | 25,000 miles |
| Falken ZE912 Replaced by Falken ZIEX ZE320 | Summer | 87% | 2 | 35,000 miles |
| Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 | Winter | 87% | 2 | 13,000 miles |
| Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 Replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | Summer | 85% | 2 | 16,000 miles |
| Toyo Proxes C1S | Summer | 79% | 2 | 10,000 miles |
| Dunlop Sport BluResponse | Summer | 78% | 2 | 21,000 miles |
| Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 Replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | Summer | 78% | 2 | 5,700 miles |
| Nexen N Blue HD Plus | Summer | 78% | 2 | 9,000 miles |
| Nexen N3000 | Summer | 77% | 2 | 30 miles |
| Michelin Energy Saver Replaced by Michelin Energy Saver 4 | Summer | 77% | 2 | 4,029 miles |
| Goodride All Season Elite Z 401 | All Season | 75% | 2 | 3,100 miles |
| Uniroyal RainSport 2 Replaced by Uniroyal RainSport 5 | Summer | 74% | 2 | 12,300 miles |
| Hankook Kinergy 4S2 | All Season | 73% | 2 | 9,000 miles |
| Dunlop SP Sport 9000 | Summer | 73% | 2 | 37,000 miles |
| Kleber Quadraxer | All Season | 71% | 2 | 2,500 miles |
| Avon Ice Touring ST | Winter | 70% | 2 | 46,000 miles |
| Toyo T1R Replaced by Toyo Proxes T1 Sport+ | Summer | 69% | 2 | 12,500 miles |
| Mohawk M112 | Summer | 64% | 2 | 4,002 miles |
| Wanli S1063 | Summer | 62% | 2 | 40,000 miles |
| Toyo Proxes CF2 Replaced by Toyo Proxes Comfort | Summer | 62% | 2 | 20,000 miles |
| Marangoni Verso | Summer | 62% | 2 | 26,000 miles |
| Kenda KAISER KR20 | Summer | 61% | 2 | 8,000 miles |
| Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue Replaced by Pirelli Cinturato C3 | Summer | 56% | 2 | 42,400 miles |
| Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun Replaced by Falken ZIEX ZE320 | Summer | 46% | 2 | 16,000 miles |
| Pirelli CINTURATO P7 Replaced by Pirelli Cinturato C3 | Summer | 44% | 2 | 60,000 miles |
| Federal SS595 SUPER STEEL | Summer | 40% | 2 | 16,000 miles |
| Sunny SN3800 | Summer | 25% | 2 | 12,000 miles |
Reviews only cover part of the market: 727 tyres are made in 225/55 R16. Browse every 225/55 R16 tyre →
What drivers say about their 225/55 R16 tyres
The most recent owner reviews fitted in this size, in their own words.
Above average, there is some tyres better and there is some tyres worst.
The noise is evidence when you use it after some times.
Comparison between Michelene, Conti, Goodyear, Dunlop and Viking.
Overall quite impressive, solid performance with a good level of security.
This was my second set Toyos and the reason I went with them was the fact that I was really pleased with them the first time. That being said, these CF2s left me quite disappointed.
For context, I don’t put that many kms on my tires so I would expect their lifespan to generally be good. With these though, after almost 4 years and less than 15000 kms, they needed replacement. Wear was absolutely horrendous, as was their resistance to time.
For a fully garaged car, that sees no direct sunlight nor gets driven in extremely hot or cold climates I noticed that the tires became extremely stiff after 2.5 to 3 years. Initial handling on both wet and dry was quite nice as well as feedback and overall handling (for a comfort tire that is) but this was compounded as mentioned by their utter lack of longevity.
For their price range I would not recommend them.
The car is a toyota Auris. We have a CF2 tyre on rear wheel and have noticed it has cracking on the side wall of the tyre where the wall meets the tread. There is lots of tread left on the tyre 5mm. Tyre is about a year old. All other tyres on car (which are not CF2s) are ok.
After a few years I'm happy to report that Ive since moved on to already different cars and also tyres.
Nevertheless, I sold these tyres to a friend of mine and he kept driving them for quite some time.
He drives quite a lot, both highways and cities. Most noticeable was how little they were worn, the cracks in the sidewall did not develop further.
Would I buy them again? Probably not as for myself I replaced them with Kumho Ecowing ES31 and they were a far better fit in every category.
Overall - good for the money at the time.
Nevertheless, I sold these tyres to a friend of mine and he kept driving them for quite some time.
He drives quite a lot, both highways and cities. Most noticeable was how little they were worn, the cracks in the sidewall did not develop further.
Would I buy them again? Probably not as for myself I replaced them with Kumho Ecowing ES31 and they were a far better fit in every category.
Overall - good for the money at the time.
I've been driving on these tires for over 1.5 years now. I have to say that their performance in cold, snowy, and wet conditions is very good and safe. Unfortunately, the tire is really not recommended for summer conditions. The dry braking distance above 20 degrees Celsius is terrible, as are the handling and traction. What surprised me is that the tire felt like a good, fully-fledged winter tire. I got through snow and ice very well with my E39 525i. Tire wear is very good. So, the conclusion: Good winter performance, moderate summer performance.
Really good tyres. After 20K miles and 8 years, they’re still running almost like brand new.
These tyres and the ABS+EBD on my Focus MK2 have really saved me many times. I can’t believe a tyre designed in 2006 has aged so well.
I’m looking for this model for my new Focus MK3. I will definitely buy them again.
These tyres and the ABS+EBD on my Focus MK2 have really saved me many times. I can’t believe a tyre designed in 2006 has aged so well.
I’m looking for this model for my new Focus MK3. I will definitely buy them again.
Drive on 225/55 R16 tyres?
Review your tyres and help the next driver choose. It takes about five minutes, and every review on this page came from a driver who took them.
Where this data comes from
Owner ratings are submitted through the review form on this site, naming the tyre, the size and the distance covered, and are checked by hand before publication. Test results come from independent published tyre tests indexed by size, and label values from the EU EPREL database.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 using independent test results and the full body of owner reviews, so you can check a car-specific ranking against the wider evidence.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.