2019 NAF Summer Tyre Test

The winter tyre performed surprisingly well during the wet braking testing, which was tested between 18 and 25c, beating the Dunlop and Bridgestone summer tyres. Wet handling showed a little more weakness, with the winter tyre finishing last, but it was still within a few percent of the summer tyres.

As with all siped tyres, the penalty came in the dry. Testing at 21-23c, the winter tyre was at a huge disadvantage, stopping the car nearly 30% further on than the best summer tyre on test, which is the difference between stopping safely, and having a huge accident! While the tyre was closer during dry handling, it was still significantly slower than all the summer tyres.

Let this test be a good reminder as to why we shouldn't run winter tyres, or winter-bias all season tyres across the dry summer months.

Full data below.

Dry

Wet

Environment

Results

1^st

Continental Premium Contact 6

205/55 R16

Excellent lateral stability on dry and wet surfaces, impressive braking performance, especially on dry surfaces, low noise.

The weakest resistance to aquaplaning.

Dry

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	34.6 M			100%
Dry Handling	1st	108.52 s			100%

Wet

95.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	50.5 M	49.1 M	+1.4 M	97.23%
Wet Handling	1st	69.46 s			100%
Straight Aqua	8th	79.8 Km/H	90.1 Km/H	-10.3 Km/H	88.57%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	72.2 dB			100%

Value

97.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	5.48 kg / t	5.34 kg / t	+0.14 kg / t	97.45%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

2^nd

Nokian Hakka Blue 2

205/55 R16

Short braking distance, high lateral stability and good handling on wet surfaces.

Relatively long braking distance and insufficient dry handling, highest fuel consumption.

Dry

97.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	36.1 M	34.6 M	+1.5 M	95.84%
Dry Handling	6th	109.38 s	108.52 s	+0.86 s	99.21%

Wet

96.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	50.9 M	49.1 M	+1.8 M	96.46%
Wet Handling	4th	70.18 s	69.46 s	+0.72 s	98.97%
Straight Aqua	2nd	84 Km/H	90.1 Km/H	-6.1 Km/H	93.23%

Comfort

99.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	5th	72.8 dB	72.2 dB	+0.6 dB	99.18%

Value

95%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	8th	5.62 kg / t	5.34 kg / t	+0.28 kg / t	95.02%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

3^rd

Dunlop Sport BluResponse

205/55 R16

Accurate and fast reactions to steering, low noise.

Relatively long braking distance on wet roads.

Dry

98.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	35.6 M	34.6 M	+1 M	97.19%
Dry Handling	3rd	109 s	108.52 s	+0.48 s	99.56%

Wet

94.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	52.5 M	49.1 M	+3.4 M	93.52%
Wet Handling	5th	70.38 s	69.46 s	+0.92 s	98.69%
Straight Aqua	4th	82.8 Km/H	90.1 Km/H	-7.3 Km/H	91.9%

Comfort

99.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	72.4 dB	72.2 dB	+0.2 dB	99.72%

Value

96.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	4th	5.51 kg / t	5.34 kg / t	+0.17 kg / t	96.91%

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £83.99 Results Table Test Charts

3^rd

Firestone RoadHawk

205/55 R16

High lateral stability, quick steering, neutral balance.

High noise levels.

Dry

98.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	35.6 M	34.6 M	+1 M	97.19%
Dry Handling	2nd	108.94 s	108.52 s	+0.42 s	99.61%

Wet

95.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	51.3 M	49.1 M	+2.2 M	95.71%
Wet Handling	2nd	69.82 s	69.46 s	+0.36 s	99.48%
Straight Aqua	5th	81.9 Km/H	90.1 Km/H	-8.2 Km/H	90.9%

Comfort

99.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	72.4 dB	72.2 dB	+0.2 dB	99.72%

Value

95.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	6th	5.58 kg / t	5.34 kg / t	+0.24 kg / t	95.7%

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £76.99 Results Table Test Charts

5^th

Michelin Primacy 4

205/55 R16

Excellent braking performance.

Weak lateral stability.

Dry

97.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	35.9 M	34.6 M	+1.3 M	96.38%
Dry Handling	7th	109.4 s	108.52 s	+0.88 s	99.2%

Wet

96.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	49.1 M			100%
Wet Handling	7th	71.14 s	69.46 s	+1.68 s	97.64%
Straight Aqua	3rd	83.8 Km/H	90.1 Km/H	-6.3 Km/H	93.01%

Comfort

98.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	8th	73.4 dB	72.2 dB	+1.2 dB	98.37%

Value

95.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	5th	5.57 kg / t	5.34 kg / t	+0.23 kg / t	95.87%

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £107.99 Results Table Test Charts

6^th

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance

205/55 R16

Low fuel consumption, high aquaplaning resistance.

Weak lateral stability, understeer and long braking in the dry, elevated noise.

Dry

97.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	36.3 M	34.6 M	+1.7 M	95.32%
Dry Handling	5th	109.31 s	108.52 s	+0.79 s	99.28%

Wet

94.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	51.7 M	49.1 M	+2.6 M	94.97%
Wet Handling	6th	71.09 s	69.46 s	+1.63 s	97.71%
Straight Aqua	6th	81.8 Km/H	90.1 Km/H	-8.3 Km/H	90.79%

Comfort

98.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	73 dB	72.2 dB	+0.8 dB	98.9%

Value

99.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	5.39 kg / t	5.34 kg / t	+0.05 kg / t	99.07%

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £97.99 Results Table Test Charts

7^th

Bridgestone Turanza T005

205/55 R16

Good handling and grip in the dry and wet, short dry braking distances.

Longest wet braking, low aquaplaning resistance, noise.

Dry

98.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	35.5 M	34.6 M	+0.9 M	97.46%
Dry Handling	4th	109.01 s	108.52 s	+0.49 s	99.55%

Wet

93.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	53.1 M	49.1 M	+4 M	92.47%
Wet Handling	3rd	70.08 s	69.46 s	+0.62 s	99.12%
Straight Aqua	7th	81.3 Km/H	90.1 Km/H	-8.8 Km/H	90.23%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	72.2 dB			100%

Value

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	1st	5.34 kg / t			100%

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £101.99 Results Table Test Charts

8^th

Reference Winter

205/55 R16

Very high aquaplaning resistance, short braking and good lateral grip in the wet.

Poor handling and very long braking distances in the dry.

Dry

86.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	46 M	34.6 M	+11.4 M	75.22%
Dry Handling	8th	111.13 s	108.52 s	+2.61 s	97.65%

Wet

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	52 M	49.1 M	+2.9 M	94.42%
Wet Handling	8th	71.51 s	69.46 s	+2.05 s	97.13%
Straight Aqua	1st	90.1 Km/H			100%

Comfort

99.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	5th	72.8 dB	72.2 dB	+0.6 dB	99.18%

Value

95.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	7th	5.61 kg / t	5.34 kg / t	+0.27 kg / t	95.19%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts