205/40 R18 Tyres
The following tyres have been reviewed in 205/40 R18.
| Tyre Reviewed | Dry Grip | Wet Grip | Feedback | Handling | Wear | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport (12) | 90% | 90% | 88% | 85% | 100% | 93% |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 5 (96) | 90% | 91% | 82% | 83% | 81% | 85% |
| Falken Azenis FK520 (37) | 89% | 87% | 82% | 85% | 77% | 83% |
| Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 (20) | 92% | 89% | 83% | 86% | 84% | 75% |
| Continental PremiumContact 7 (48) | 92% | 93% | 84% | 83% | 76% | 75% |
| Hankook Ventus Evo (9) | 94% | 94% | 81% | 89% | 63% | 85% |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (338) | 91% | 87% | 81% | 84% | 74% | 78% |
| Continental Premium Contact 6 (128) | 89% | 85% | 83% | 85% | 74% | 78% |
| Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun (111) | 86% | 82% | 81% | 80% | 76% | 79% |
| Bridgestone Potenza Sport (120) | 91% | 86% | 88% | 90% | 61% | 71% |
| Yokohama Advan Fleva V701 (67) | 84% | 79% | 81% | 81% | 77% | 76% |
| Federal Evoluzion ST 1 (29) | 85% | 70% | 73% | 81% | 77% | 85% |
| Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 (66) | 85% | 83% | 72% | 74% | 69% | 77% |
| Falken ZE912 (200) | 82% | 74% | 75% | 70% | 71% | 79% |
| Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (84) | 87% | 76% | 82% | 81% | 57% | 68% |
| Pirelli CINTURATO P7 (187) | 83% | 73% | 73% | 75% | 69% | 74% |
| Toyo Proxes 4 (45) | 80% | 63% | 72% | 66% | 77% | 74% |
| Nankang AS1 (19) | 78% | 61% | 68% | 63% | 71% | 69% |
| Pirelli P Zero Runflat (42) | 83% | 70% | 75% | 74% | 59% | 64% |
| Bridgestone Weather Control A005 (79) | 81% | 84% | 76% | 72% | 54% | 71% |
| Federal 595EVO (40) | 74% | 46% | 69% | 65% | 72% | 55% |
| Accelera PHI R (32) | 75% | 46% | 63% | 63% | 63% | 72% |
| Accelera Alpha (131) | 65% | 44% | 53% | 48% | 69% | 56% |
| Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Run Flat (146) | 71% | 54% | 55% | 48% | 55% | 32% |
| BCT S800 (87) | 50% | 29% | 38% | 37% | 60% | 32% |
| Fullrun HP199 (81) | 48% | 29% | 33% | 34% | 54% | 28% |
205/40 18 Tyre Review Highlights
Pirelli P Zero PZ4 rated 59% while driving a MINI Cooper S
Driving on a combination of roads for 15000 spirited miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 15000 spirited miles
They handle ok but are like Rocks, I can't do run flat tyres. Also they started bulging after 20,000 km =( not worth it!
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 rated 83% while driving a Renault Clio RS200
Driving on mostly country roads for 1000 spirited miles
Driving on mostly country roads for 1000 spirited miles
Couldn't stomach paying £190 for Michelin PS4 tyres in 205/40/18 when I pay £190 for PS4S in 235/40/19 for my Megane RS.
Anyway, the tyres feel very, very good. Grip is there wet or dry. It doesn't understeer, you can feel how the car is reacting. It's predictable. Great stopping distances.
It does seem a bit more noisy but the exhaust does mask that mostly.
Anyway, the tyres feel very, very good. Grip is there wet or dry. It doesn't understeer, you can feel how the car is reacting. It's predictable. Great stopping distances.
It does seem a bit more noisy but the exhaust does mask that mostly.
Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport rated 93% while driving a MINI Cooper S
Driving on mostly motorways for 600 spirited miles
Driving on mostly motorways for 600 spirited miles
We bought these four tyres in end of August 2025 and have driven 1200 km the following month on a F56 Cooper S from 2019.
We purchased the car a couple of months ago, but the previous tyres five year old 'Dunlop SportMaxx 205/40R18 86W extra load Runflat' were horrible (cabin noise, comfort over bumps and sliding very soon in both wet and dry).
The new tyres (with alignment) is much quieter in the cabin, and listening to conversation or music is far easier now. Going over road imperfections and bumps is comfortable, giving the fact that is still is a sport tyre with a thin sidewall. The specialised tyre/alignment shop also noticed that the side wall was stiffer than a normal all season when he was mounting it on the rim. What is noticeably delayed on the first drives was the stabilisation time on steering input. I got quickly used to this and it is not bothering me, but it is logical when moving from a runflat summer tyre to an all season tyre (not runflat). When driving spirited in a corner, I can feel when the tyre is about to hit the peak (starts understeering) by regulating throttle. This was not possible with the previous tyre, which felt on ice even in the dry.
When comparing this to our BMW E87 with Michelin Pilot Sport 4/5 you do feel it is less stiff/sportive, but still sporty enough to be called cross climate sport. I have never driven spirited the other cross climates, so I can not compare that.
I can not judge the wear, snow and grip performance yet. My first trips were around 20 °C in west European climate.
So far I am happy with this tyre.
We purchased the car a couple of months ago, but the previous tyres five year old 'Dunlop SportMaxx 205/40R18 86W extra load Runflat' were horrible (cabin noise, comfort over bumps and sliding very soon in both wet and dry).
The new tyres (with alignment) is much quieter in the cabin, and listening to conversation or music is far easier now. Going over road imperfections and bumps is comfortable, giving the fact that is still is a sport tyre with a thin sidewall. The specialised tyre/alignment shop also noticed that the side wall was stiffer than a normal all season when he was mounting it on the rim. What is noticeably delayed on the first drives was the stabilisation time on steering input. I got quickly used to this and it is not bothering me, but it is logical when moving from a runflat summer tyre to an all season tyre (not runflat). When driving spirited in a corner, I can feel when the tyre is about to hit the peak (starts understeering) by regulating throttle. This was not possible with the previous tyre, which felt on ice even in the dry.
When comparing this to our BMW E87 with Michelin Pilot Sport 4/5 you do feel it is less stiff/sportive, but still sporty enough to be called cross climate sport. I have never driven spirited the other cross climates, so I can not compare that.
I can not judge the wear, snow and grip performance yet. My first trips were around 20 °C in west European climate.
So far I am happy with this tyre.
Hankook Ventus Evo rated 93% while driving a Ford Fiesta ST X
Driving on a combination of roads for 3000 spirited miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 3000 spirited miles
I have bought a Fiesta ST-X in 2023 and the car was OEM fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4. From the beginning on the Michelins have had problems with the mechanical grip. I know the car is not that heavy (1199 kg) and the 320 Nm will not help also but this has been compleelty solved by fitting the Hankooks Evo 4, unbelievable how much mechanical grip they have. Now I have sometimes mega oversteer :-) with the rear fitted Michelin's PS4(approx 33000 kms old). The Hankooks are also quiter. The road feedback is a little less but the Fiesta gives plenty of signals so it is a big pleasure to drive spirited also with the Hankooks. Fuel consumption seems to be bit better too, but hey I drive a GTI. Overall I am very pleased by the choice of the Hankooks.
Falken Azenis FK520 rated 81% while driving a Ford Fiesta ST200
Driving on a combination of roads for 12500 average miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 12500 average miles
The 205/40/18 Tyre size is notorious for being very rare and lower in demand. This means that the michelin/continental options are pushing nearly £200 a corner fitted and balanced. At £117 through ATS the FK520 was a great alternative at a much lower price. My fiesta ST came with Michelin Super Sports and I'd had a set of PS4s subsequent to that and have had a set of Nankangs AS rubbish rubbers as well. Having done a couple track days and lots of miles, I've been very impressed with the FK520s.
after 12,500 miles.
Dry Grip - Exceptional - Couple track days and hill climbs during the summer and in the warmth these tyres were great! Even managing to get a better time than another fiesta friend rocking the wider and higher profile 225/40/18 Michelin cups on a different set up with more un-sprung mass. (That was very likely just due to bravery/stupidity on the day though). The reason these have only gotten a 9/10 is because 10/10 in my humble opinion is reserved for slicks.
Wet Grip - Exceptional - The aquaplaning recovery is the FK520s key strength. Wet handling is not as well levelled as the PS4s. So, if you wanted to drift in the wet then go ahead. However, for the price point. You absolutely MUST purchase the FK520. Blows the nankang sportnex out the water. The next tyre I'm keen to try in this category is the Nexen NFera sport. But for wet weather driving and some considerably treacherous motorway monsoon type conditions the FK520 has felt incredibly safe and dependable.
Wear - As expected - 12,500 miles and the tyres have gone from 7.5mm to 4mm on the front 7.5mm to 6mm on the rear. So, on course for a set of fronts to last approx 20-25k miles if I replace at 3mm and maybe up to 30k miles if I ran them all the way down to 1.6mm. But incredibly impressed with wear overall. These are on a level with michelin PS4 and based on Falken's quality and manufacturing I would expect this.
Buy Again - Maybe - The reason I was so impressed and keen on these tyres is because they were £117 fitted at ATS last year. That's a bargain in the fiesta tyre size. However, now with them creeping up to £140-150. It make sense to spend a bit more per corner and get the continental or michelin options. If the tyre is less than 120. Absolutely will buy again.
after 12,500 miles.
Dry Grip - Exceptional - Couple track days and hill climbs during the summer and in the warmth these tyres were great! Even managing to get a better time than another fiesta friend rocking the wider and higher profile 225/40/18 Michelin cups on a different set up with more un-sprung mass. (That was very likely just due to bravery/stupidity on the day though). The reason these have only gotten a 9/10 is because 10/10 in my humble opinion is reserved for slicks.
Wet Grip - Exceptional - The aquaplaning recovery is the FK520s key strength. Wet handling is not as well levelled as the PS4s. So, if you wanted to drift in the wet then go ahead. However, for the price point. You absolutely MUST purchase the FK520. Blows the nankang sportnex out the water. The next tyre I'm keen to try in this category is the Nexen NFera sport. But for wet weather driving and some considerably treacherous motorway monsoon type conditions the FK520 has felt incredibly safe and dependable.
Wear - As expected - 12,500 miles and the tyres have gone from 7.5mm to 4mm on the front 7.5mm to 6mm on the rear. So, on course for a set of fronts to last approx 20-25k miles if I replace at 3mm and maybe up to 30k miles if I ran them all the way down to 1.6mm. But incredibly impressed with wear overall. These are on a level with michelin PS4 and based on Falken's quality and manufacturing I would expect this.
Buy Again - Maybe - The reason I was so impressed and keen on these tyres is because they were £117 fitted at ATS last year. That's a bargain in the fiesta tyre size. However, now with them creeping up to £140-150. It make sense to spend a bit more per corner and get the continental or michelin options. If the tyre is less than 120. Absolutely will buy again.
Bridgestone Potenza Sport rated 41% while driving a MINI JCW 2017
Driving on a combination of roads for 8000 spirited miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 8000 spirited miles
Back again to update these tyres last review I had covered 2k miles , just had them replaced after only lasting 8k yes just 8k (road use only)
These tyres are not worth the money at all , not just because of the fast wear rate, there useless in the cold, they skip, even in the dry from stand still, they don’t improve they just get worst, road noise increases with wear, the turn in is not great , (my car is a standard Jcw not modified) it’s the first and last time I fit Bridgestone tyres , the ps4 I had on when I purchased the car never skipped like the Bridgestones do , wet or dry roads ,
Been very undecided on what fit next, tho with only 2 reviews on the new Toyo proxes 2. Had the toyos fitted Only covered 500 mile and wow what a difference, there are great so far , very impressed, I will do a full review on toyos after covering 2k (under the Toyo proxes 2 )
These tyres are not worth the money at all , not just because of the fast wear rate, there useless in the cold, they skip, even in the dry from stand still, they don’t improve they just get worst, road noise increases with wear, the turn in is not great , (my car is a standard Jcw not modified) it’s the first and last time I fit Bridgestone tyres , the ps4 I had on when I purchased the car never skipped like the Bridgestones do , wet or dry roads ,
Been very undecided on what fit next, tho with only 2 reviews on the new Toyo proxes 2. Had the toyos fitted Only covered 500 mile and wow what a difference, there are great so far , very impressed, I will do a full review on toyos after covering 2k (under the Toyo proxes 2 )
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rated 66% while driving a Ford fiesta st
Driving on a combination of roads for 12000 spirited miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 12000 spirited miles
I've gone through 2 sets for ps4's on my mk8.5 fiesta ST so I've got a pretty good idea of how they feel. These are the OE tires that come with the car and are a good middle ground between performance/wear/comfort. The car is very often driven in a way that would land you in jail in most countries and has seen many mountain roads, highway and high speed cornering. If you want a good all round tire the ps4 will not let you down in any way(apart from them getting too hot quickly) but are in no way shape or form a tire that will extract the most out of your car(sport driving wise). If you have a sporty car which you use for cornering(such as mine) or enjoy pushing it in general just look elsewhere. The car is on Goodyear supersports now and is far superior in the sport characteristics but lacks in the wear department as expected. Lastly it is worth mentioning that both ps4 sets were pretty much done after 10k kilometers.
Bridgestone Potenza Sport rated 77% while driving a MINI Cooper S Works
Driving on a combination of roads for 2000 spirited miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 2000 spirited miles
Bridgestone potenza sport , when I purchased my car mini cooper Jcw it had Michelin ps4 front and rear , was very happy with the way they performed, through the summer , as winter was coming and as the frt tyres got go 4mm I found the car was aquaplaning even as 50 mph , time for new front tyres , I have never been a Bridgestone fan ; looking at the reviews I thought I give them I try , as the mini is not a big heavy car, was not worried about wear , the differences between the ps4 and Bridgestone on my car is that the Bridgestone are better feedback, less noise, more comfort, less aquaplaning (new tyre) great feel on the road, good grip wet and dry
But ! I only have had these tyres on in the winter so far , I think from other reviews , I what am finding there temperature sensitive more than most other tyres , I can not pull off quickly without spinning the wheels ( expected in the wet ) but in the dry spins up easy from standing compared to the ps4 . “Hope this improves in the summer” , these tyres don’t like the cold as other reviews point out ,
You lose confidence in the tyre when it’s cold : Would not buy again because they spin up so easy even in the dry , and lose
Confidence in the tyres when it’s cold weather , will see what there like in the summer and do a review
But ! I only have had these tyres on in the winter so far , I think from other reviews , I what am finding there temperature sensitive more than most other tyres , I can not pull off quickly without spinning the wheels ( expected in the wet ) but in the dry spins up easy from standing compared to the ps4 . “Hope this improves in the summer” , these tyres don’t like the cold as other reviews point out ,
You lose confidence in the tyre when it’s cold : Would not buy again because they spin up so easy even in the dry , and lose
Confidence in the tyres when it’s cold weather , will see what there like in the summer and do a review
Pirelli P Zero Runflat rated 56% while driving a Porsche Cayman
Driving on mostly country roads for 1 spirited miles
Driving on mostly country roads for 1 spirited miles
Tyre wall is weak
I have had bad experience with P Zero tyres that fitted to Porsche Cayman718, BMW 630i GT, Mini Cooper S JCW, Mercedes C 350e.
While my replace with a French tyre have worked wonderfully
Distributor in Thailand was so bad
Have not returned my inquiries at all.
I have had bad experience with P Zero tyres that fitted to Porsche Cayman718, BMW 630i GT, Mini Cooper S JCW, Mercedes C 350e.
While my replace with a French tyre have worked wonderfully
Distributor in Thailand was so bad
Have not returned my inquiries at all.
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 rated 73% while driving a Ford fiesta st
Driving on a combination of roads for 12000 spirited miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 12000 spirited miles
Dry and wet grip was good and predictable. Comfort was a lot better then the previous tyre from factory (pilot super sport). The previous pilot super sport felt more direct in compressing with the pilot sport 5. I drove 18.000 km with the pilot sport 5. At 10.000 km I changed the front to the back. Now 4 tires are gone… so for me the wear is not that great. But it depends how you drive your car of course.
I am gonna try te continental premium contact 7 next.
I am gonna try te continental premium contact 7 next.
Accelera PHI R rated 34% while driving a Unknown DS3 Performance
Driving on a combination of roads for 4000 average miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 4000 average miles
These were fitted by the dealer on a new car and they are probably the worst tyres I've ever used. They're about average for grip in the dry and probably acceptable for the price, but in the wet they are absolutely terrifying.
On a motorway in the rain, they feel as if you could aquaplane at any moment and changing lanes is a genuinely scary experience even at low speeds. Under braking when wet, they just don't want to stop and the car feels floaty and squirrely, especially down hill. Pulling away from junctions and roundabouts when the roads are damp is fun as well.
If it wasn't for the fact I couldn't bring myself to throw away four new tyres, they'd have been binned off right away. However, I thought I'd wear them down over the summer then swap them out for some PS5s when the weather turned. Luckily I've done over 4000 miles with them and the fronts don't seem to be wearing great so I won't feel too guilty about getting rid of them soon!
On a motorway in the rain, they feel as if you could aquaplane at any moment and changing lanes is a genuinely scary experience even at low speeds. Under braking when wet, they just don't want to stop and the car feels floaty and squirrely, especially down hill. Pulling away from junctions and roundabouts when the roads are damp is fun as well.
If it wasn't for the fact I couldn't bring myself to throw away four new tyres, they'd have been binned off right away. However, I thought I'd wear them down over the summer then swap them out for some PS5s when the weather turned. Luckily I've done over 4000 miles with them and the fronts don't seem to be wearing great so I won't feel too guilty about getting rid of them soon!
Nankang AS1 rated 81% while driving a Ford Fiesta ST200
Driving on mostly country roads for 6 spirited miles
Driving on mostly country roads for 6 spirited miles
At £87 a corner instead of £185 ish for PS5s it was well worth a shot. Can’t really complain for the price as well. The only thing I will say is the confidence is just not as pronounced as top tier tyres. If you’re driving in strong spirits, specially in a FWD car, you will find the limit much more easily.
But in this economy. Saving near £400 and adapting your driving style is just a no brainer. When I can afford to get PS5s again I will. But it’s just too tight and these work fine.
Pros though. Great on economy and long runs. Wear quite well and road noise is excellent.
But in this economy. Saving near £400 and adapting your driving style is just a no brainer. When I can afford to get PS5s again I will. But it’s just too tight and these work fine.
Pros though. Great on economy and long runs. Wear quite well and road noise is excellent.