Manufacturing tyres involves an engineering trade-off between abilities in different disciplines and to an appropriate price range. The test revealed that there were no real "bad" tyres, but those ranked towards the bottom were far enough behind the leaders to not recommend unless price was the main consideration.
The EU tyre label provides just a small insight into a tyre's capabilities, and even then not in enough detail. For instance, the test winning Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 was criticised as having a high rolling resistance and the joint second placed Nokian Hakka Blue praised for a low rolling resistance, yet both tyres are graded "C" on the EU label for fuel economy - actual testing revealed there was a difference of 2.6% in terms of fuel consumption. In comparison the most economical tyres were the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance and Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue, yet while they are graded one category higher with a "B" rating, their margin over the C-graded Hakka Blue was just 0.6%.
Perhaps most interestingly was the Chinese budget manufacturer beating Michelin to 8th. The new Landsaid LS588 UHP was praised for its strong braking performance in both the wet and dry, and while it still had questionable handling, it was strong enough overall to beat the well regarded Michelin Primacy 3, which was marked down due to average wet and dry braking distances.
A summary of the results follow below. Note that the placings are per Test World's weightings, which differ slightly in some cases from the unweighted "total" score.
The Results
- 3PMSF: no
Equally good grip and handling in all conditions.
High rolling resistance
The Continental Premium Contact 5 provides good grip in all
conditions. In the wet handling is very stable with no surprises. High
resistance to aquaplaning and short braking distance. In the dry they
behave confidently, quickly reacting to input and maintaining traction
in emergency manoeuvres. Very quiet, but have too high a rolling
resistance.
Total: 93.5
Dry
20
Wet
38
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
8
Noise
9
Overall
9.5
- 3PMSF: no
Good handling on wet surfaces. Low noise level and rolling
resistance.
Relatively long braking distances
The Nokian Hakka Blue has excellent feel on wet surfaces
where they have a high grip and stable control even in an emergency.
In the dry the tyres also adequately react to the actions of the
driver during abrupt manoeuvres. Low noise, smooth running and low
rolling resistance.
Total: 93.3
Dry
18
Wet
38
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
9
Overall
9.3
- 3PMSF: no
High grip on dry surfaces. Good handling in all conditions.
None listed
Grip on a wet surface with the Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue is
slightly lower than that of the best tyres, but in an emergency they
help with precise reaction to steering and predictability. Showed
excellent results in the dry. Easily and reliably cope with any
manoeuvres. Very low rolling resistance. In terms of noise and comfort
they lack a bit to the other tyres, but not enough to consider it a
significant disadvantage.
Total: 92.3
Dry
20
Wet
36
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
9
Overall
9.3
- 3PMSF: no
Low rolling resistance. High grip on wet surface
None listed
The Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance handled wet tests
without difficulty, but in the dry their response was somewhat
slower, especially in the case of an emergency manoeuvre. However, the
tyres were quite predictable. Rolling resistance was the lowest in the
test and they are also very quiet tyres.
Total: 92.1
Dry
17
Wet
37
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
10
Overall
9.1
- 3PMSF: no
Short braking distance on wet surfaces. Stable handling.
High rolling resistance
The Kumho Solus HS51 demonstrated good grip on wet surfaces
and good aquaplaning resistance. Behaved very confidently, despite a
slight drawback in the aquaplaning tests. In the dry reacted to the
actions of the driver more slowly, but without any sudden loss of
traction during hard manoeuvres. Noise level and comfort are
acceptable, but rolling resistance is too high.
Total: 87.9
Dry
17
Wet
37
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
9
Overall
8.9
- 3PMSF: no
Short braking distance on wet surfaces. Stable handling
High rolling resistance
The Hankook Ventus Prime2 brakes effectively and maintains
good grip when cornering on wet surfaces. Predictable behaviour during
emergency manoeuvres in the dry. With noise and comfort there are no
problems, but they have a high rolling resistance.
Total: 85.8
Dry
17
Wet
35
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
9
Overall
8.8
- 3PMSF: no
Low rolling resistance. Good resistance to aquaplaning
Relatively weak grip on wet surfaces
The Dunlop Sport BluResponse has good braking performance on
wet surfaces, but relatively weak lateral grip. The tyre resists
aquaplaning, but in an emergency situation are a little nervous. In
the dry they demonstrated rapid response to the steering and were well
controlled during emergency manoeuvres. Very quiet and low rolling
resistance.
Total: 86.6
Dry
18
Wet
33
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
9
Noise
10
Overall
8.6
- 3PMSF: no
Short braking distance in the wet and dry
Handling not good enough in the dry. Very weak aquaplaning
resistance.
The Landsail LS588 UHP were surprisingly unbalanced. Braking
in the wet was excellent, but handling very unstable. In addition, the
tyre copes worse than the others with emergency manoeuvres and is
quite susceptible to aquaplaning. On dry pavement they again quickly
stopped the car, but had very slow response to steering. Lateral grip
and stability are too weak for the optimal performance of a sharp
manoeuvre at high speed. Because of their softness they demonstrated a
high level of comfort, effectively absorbing road irregularities.
Total: 81.3
Dry
16
Wet
32
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
8
Noise
8
Overall
8.3
- 3PMSF: no
Stable handling
Relatively low grip on wet surfaces
The Michelin Primacy 3 allow easy enough control of the car
on a wet surface and control is not lost in the case of an emergency.
On dry roads they behave confidently, but in braking they are
only average. Noise and comfort were average. Overall nothing special,
but without any major weaknesses.
Total: 83.2
Dry
17
Wet
33
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
8
Noise
9
Overall
8.2
- 3PMSF: no
Good handling on wet surfaces
Poor resistance to aquaplaning. Handling not good enough in the dry
The Vredestein Sportrac 5 has good enough braking in the
wet, but aquaplanes too easily. Manageability good in principle, but
difficult to maintain traction in the rear during sudden manoeuvres.
In the dry they generally behave confidently and predictably, but
again, the rear wheels can too easily go into a skid in an emergency.
Average comfort and while the noise level is high it's not enough to
be a distraction.
Total: 83.2
Dry
16
Wet
33
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
8
Noise
9
Overall
8.2
- 3PMSF: no
Good handling on wet surfaces
Poor resistance to aquaplaning. Handling not good enough in the dry
The Barum Bravuris 3 HM has short braking distance on wet
roads, and generally cope well with emergency situations, despite
the relatively low grip. However, the tyres are too easy to aquaplane.
On dry surfaces they react slowly to steering and are vague, but at
least they not prone to sudden loss of adhesion. Braking performance
is only average. Comfort is low, and noise level is relatively high.
Total: 78.9
Dry
14
Wet
32
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
9
Noise
8
Overall
7.9
- 3PMSF: no
Good resistance to aquaplaning
Low grip on wet surfaces. Long braking distance on dry surfaces.
In the wet the Firestone TZ300 alpha is too slow
stopping the car but in general behave confidently and logically -
until they reach the limit of adhesion, when they immediately lose
grip. Good resistance to aquaplaning. In the dry they are too slow to
react to the steering, and braking distance proved to be the longest
in the test. Fairly quiet, but fuel economy is only average.
Total: 77.9
Dry
12
Wet
32
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
8
Noise
9
Overall
7.9
- 3PMSF: no
Acceptable braking performance
High rolling resistance. Unstable behaviour in an emergency situation
The Goodride SA37 is very unstable and are difficult to drive
on a wet surface. In an emergency, the rear tyres lose grip too
easily. In the dry the tyres are too slow in response to steering and
the rear wheels again can easily go into a skid. Noise level is low,
but the tyres are relatively rigid. Also a high rolling resistance.
Total: 72.3
Dry
14
Wet
28
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
9
Overall
7.3
- 3PMSF: no
Good resistance to aquaplaning
Weak grip and poor handling on wet surfaces. Low level of comfort
The Nankang Econex NA-1 have long braking distances and a
very weak lateral grip on wet surfaces. Sharp manoeuvres are unlikely
to succeed because the tyres can dramatically lose contact with the
road. However, they have good resistance to aquaplaning. In the dry
the situation is somewhat better, but they don't cope well enough with
emergency situations. Not very effective at absorbing road
irregularities, and noise is clearly audible in the cabin. Only
average fuel economy.
Total: 73.3
Dry
15
Wet
28
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
8
Noise
8
Overall
7.3
- 3PMSF: no
Low noise level and a good ride quality
Low grip and poor handling on wet surfaces. Poor resistance
to aquaplaning
The Apollo Alnac 4G lacks effective braking on wet surfaces
and has relatively weak lateral grip. In addition, the tyres easily
start to slide, and during an emergency manoeuvre the rear wheels may
suddenly go into a skid. Poor resistance to aquaplaning. In the dry
the tyres behave predictably, but lack overall grip. Noise and comfort
are good but fuel economy average.
Total: 76.2
Dry
15
Wet
27
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
9
Noise
9
Overall
7.2