2020 AMS 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test

Tyre	Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	Michelin Pilot Sport 4	Continental Premium Contact 6	Pirelli P Zero PZ4	Maxxis Victra Sport 5	Bridgestone Turanza T005	Nokian PowerProof	Falken Azenis FK510	Nexen N Fera Sport SU2	Toyo Proxes Sport	Giti GitiSport S1
Position	1^st	2^nd	3^rd	4^th	5^th	6^th	7^th	8^th	9^th	10^th	11^th
Category scores (% of best)
Dry	97.9%	99.8%	98.7%	98%	97.7%	97.1%	96.3%	94.4%	96.2%	95.2%	96.7%
Wet	98.7%	99.8%	97.4%	96.1%	95.8%	94.5%	94.2%	93.5%	91.3%	94.5%	89.5%
Comfort	99.9%	94.4%	82.9%	94.5%	89.4%	87.9%	78.6%	83.8%	100%	78.7%	89.8%
Rolling Resistance	79.8%	84.5%	86.6%	79.8%	78%	100%	89.9%	83.5%	78.9%	75.5%	83.5%
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The 2020 Auto Motor und Sport summer tyre test tested eleven 225/45 R18 ultra high performance tyres using a BMW 3 Series.

While the group overall was extremely close, the winning Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 and second placed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 were almost inseparable overall, with the Goodyear narrowly taking the overall win.

The third and fourth placed Continental PremiumContact 6 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 also finished with nearly the same overall score. This should be reassuring for Pirelli, whose PZ4 P Zero has seemed to be rather inconsistent since launch.

It was another good result for fifth placed Maxxis, with the Victra Sport 5 having a great all round performance, and the updated Bridgestone Turanza T005 performing well, but struggling a little in the wet.

The seventh placed Nokian PowerProof scored well in the dry, but struggled a little in the wet, while the Falken FK510 had its worth test result in a while thanks to poor wet grip.

The final three tyres in test were all from the cheaper end of the market, with Nexen proving to have a good dry performance and the lowest price on test, while Toyo and Giti struggled a little more in the wet.

Dry

As usual, Michelin had a dry braking advantage, stopping the BMW 3 Series 0.4m shorter than the next nearest rival.

Dry Braking
Position / Tyre	Result
1Michelin Pilot Sport 4	100 %
2Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	99 %
3Pirelli P Zero PZ4	98 %
4Maxxis Victra Sport 5	98 %
5Nexen N Fera Sport SU2	98 %
5Nokian PowerProof	98 %
7Bridgestone Turanza T005	97 %
8Continental Premium Contact 6	97 %
9Falken Azenis FK510	94 %
10Giti GitiSport S1	93 %
10Toyo Proxes Sport	93 %

The difference between best and worst was 7%.

The Continental PremiumContact 6 is often one of the best tyres in dry handling, largely thanks to its excellent subjective feel. In this test, it wins both the dry handling test by a significant margin, and is subjectively one of the best tyres on test.

Dry Handling
Position / Tyre	Result
1Continental Premium Contact 6	100 %
2Michelin Pilot Sport 4	99 %
2Pirelli P Zero PZ4	99 %
4Giti GitiSport S1	99 %
5Maxxis Victra Sport 5	99 %
6Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	99 %
7Nokian PowerProof	99 %
8Bridgestone Turanza T005	99 %
9Nexen N Fera Sport SU2	98 %
10Falken Azenis FK510	98 %
10Toyo Proxes Sport	98 %

All the tyres in the Dry Handling test finished less than 3% apart.

Subj. Dry Handling
Position / Tyre	Result
1Michelin Pilot Sport 4	100 %
1Giti GitiSport S1	100 %
1Continental Premium Contact 6	100 %
4Toyo Proxes Sport	89 %
4Pirelli P Zero PZ4	89 %
4Bridgestone Turanza T005	89 %
4Maxxis Victra Sport 5	89 %
4Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	89 %
9Falken Azenis FK510	78 %
9Nexen N Fera Sport SU2	78 %
9Nokian PowerProof	78 %

The difference between best and worst was 22%.

Wet

The test winning Goodyear has a small advantage during wet braking, with Michelin a close second place.

Wet Braking
Position / Tyre	Result
1Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	100 %
2Michelin Pilot Sport 4	99 %
3Pirelli P Zero PZ4	98 %
4Continental Premium Contact 6	98 %
5Nokian PowerProof	97 %
6Maxxis Victra Sport 5	96 %
7Falken Azenis FK510	95 %
8Nexen N Fera Sport SU2	95 %
9Toyo Proxes Sport	94 %
10Bridgestone Turanza T005	94 %
11Giti GitiSport S1	91 %

The difference between best and worst was 9%.

The top two results from wet braking swap places during wet handling, with the Michelin narrowly beating Goodyear.

Wet Handling
Position / Tyre	Result
1Michelin Pilot Sport 4	100 %
2Maxxis Victra Sport 5	99 %
2Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	99 %
4Continental Premium Contact 6	99 %
5Pirelli P Zero PZ4	99 %
6Bridgestone Turanza T005	99 %
7Nokian PowerProof	99 %
8Falken Azenis FK510	97 %
9Toyo Proxes Sport	97 %
10Nexen N Fera Sport SU2	96 %
11Giti GitiSport S1	94 %

The difference between best and worst was 6%.

Subjectively the Michelin has an advantage during wet handling, with the Goodyear and Continental close behind.

Subj. Wet Handling
Position / Tyre	Result
1Michelin Pilot Sport 4	100 %
2Continental Premium Contact 6	90 %
2Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	90 %
4Toyo Proxes Sport	80 %
4Pirelli P Zero PZ4	80 %
4Bridgestone Turanza T005	80 %
4Maxxis Victra Sport 5	80 %
8Falken Azenis FK510	70 %
8Nokian PowerProof	70 %
10Giti GitiSport S1	60 %
10Nexen N Fera Sport SU2	60 %

The difference between best and worst was 40%.

Michelin manages to keep this advantage during the aquaplaning testing.

Straight Aqua
Position / Tyre	Result
1Michelin Pilot Sport 4	100 %
2Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	100 %
3Toyo Proxes Sport	99 %
4Continental Premium Contact 6	97 %
5Maxxis Victra Sport 5	97 %
6Falken Azenis FK510	95 %
7Bridgestone Turanza T005	95 %
8Pirelli P Zero PZ4	94 %
9Giti GitiSport S1	94 %
10Nexen N Fera Sport SU2	93 %
11Nokian PowerProof	93 %

The difference between best and worst was 7%.

Environment

The Goodyear scored the best result during the subjective comfort grading. This score assesses how the tyre feels and sounds inside the cabin.

Subj. Comfort
Position / Tyre	Result
1Nexen N Fera Sport SU2	100 %
1Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	100 %
3Michelin Pilot Sport 4	90 %
3Pirelli P Zero PZ4	90 %
5Giti GitiSport S1	80 %
5Bridgestone Turanza T005	80 %
5Maxxis Victra Sport 5	80 %
8Falken Azenis FK510	70 %
8Continental Premium Contact 6	70 %
10Toyo Proxes Sport	60 %
10Nokian PowerProof	60 %

The difference between best and worst was 40%.

The noise testing is the external drive by noise.

Noise
Position / Tyre	Result
1Nexen N Fera Sport SU2	100 %
2Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	100 %
3Giti GitiSport S1	100 %
4Pirelli P Zero PZ4	99 %
5Michelin Pilot Sport 4	99 %
5Maxxis Victra Sport 5	99 %
7Falken Azenis FK510	98 %
8Toyo Proxes Sport	97 %
9Nokian PowerProof	97 %
10Continental Premium Contact 6	96 %
11Bridgestone Turanza T005	96 %

The difference between best and worst was 4%.

The Bridgestone Turanza T005 had a significant advantage in rolling resistance, meaning it will use the least fuel at the pumps.

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tyre	Result
1Bridgestone Turanza T005	100 %
2Nokian PowerProof	90 %
3Continental Premium Contact 6	87 %
4Michelin Pilot Sport 4	85 %
5Falken Azenis FK510	84 %
5Giti GitiSport S1	84 %
7Pirelli P Zero PZ4	80 %
7Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	80 %
9Nexen N Fera Sport SU2	79 %
10Maxxis Victra Sport 5	78 %
11Toyo Proxes Sport	76 %

The difference between best and worst was 24%.

As always, the Michelin was the most expensive tyre per set, with Goodyear looking to offer the best price / performance ratio.

Results

Very good - Top-performances on all surfaces.

Dry97.9%

Wet98.7%

Comfort99.9%

Rolling Resistance79.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	%
Dry Braking	2^nd / 11	98.84%
Dry Handling	6^th / 11	98.74%
Subj. Dry Handling	4^th / 11	88.89%
Wet Braking	1^st / 11	100%
Wet Handling	2^nd / 11	99.4%
Subj. Wet Handling	2^nd / 11	90%
Straight Aqua	2^nd / 11	99.55%
Subj. Comfort	1^st / 11	100%
Noise	2^nd / 11	99.71%
Rolling Resistance	7^th / 11	79.78%

Price: 117.00

Very good - Strong braking in the dry and wet.

Dry99.8%

Wet99.8%

Comfort94.4%

Rolling Resistance84.5%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	%
Dry Braking	1^st / 11	100%
Dry Handling	2^nd / 11	99.45%
Subj. Dry Handling	1^st / 11	100%
Wet Braking	2^nd / 11	99.35%
Wet Handling	1^st / 11	100%
Subj. Wet Handling	1^st / 11	100%
Straight Aqua	1^st / 11	100%
Subj. Comfort	3^rd / 11	90%
Noise	5^th / 11	98.86%
Rolling Resistance	4^th / 11	84.52%

Price: 176.00

Very good - Sporty premium summer all-rounder.

Dry98.7%

Wet97.4%

Comfort82.9%

Rolling Resistance86.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	%
Dry Braking	8^th / 11	97.14%
Dry Handling	1^st / 11	100%
Subj. Dry Handling	1^st / 11	100%
Wet Braking	4^th / 11	97.76%
Wet Handling	4^th / 11	99.28%
Subj. Wet Handling	2^nd / 11	90%
Straight Aqua	4^th / 11	96.96%
Subj. Comfort	8^th / 11	70%
Noise	10^th / 11	95.85%
Rolling Resistance	3^rd / 11	86.59%

Price: 153.00

Very good - Confident summer tyres with strengths on dry roads.

Dry98%

Wet96.1%

Comfort94.5%

Rolling Resistance79.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	%
Dry Braking	3^rd / 11	98.27%
Dry Handling	2^nd / 11	99.45%
Subj. Dry Handling	4^th / 11	88.89%
Wet Braking	3^rd / 11	98.08%
Wet Handling	5^th / 11	99.16%
Subj. Wet Handling	4^th / 11	80%
Straight Aqua	8^th / 11	94.25%
Subj. Comfort	3^rd / 11	90%
Noise	4^th / 11	99%
Rolling Resistance	7^th / 11	79.78%

Price: 140.00

Good - Excellent new tyre with good level of performance.

Dry97.7%

Wet95.8%

Comfort89.4%

Rolling Resistance78%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	%
Dry Braking	4^th / 11	97.98%
Dry Handling	5^th / 11	99.13%
Subj. Dry Handling	4^th / 11	88.89%
Wet Braking	6^th / 11	95.92%
Wet Handling	2^nd / 11	99.4%
Subj. Wet Handling	4^th / 11	80%
Straight Aqua	5^th / 11	96.84%
Subj. Comfort	5^th / 11	80%
Noise	5^th / 11	98.86%
Rolling Resistance	10^th / 11	78.02%

Price: 99.00

Good - Comfortable all-rounder with a very low rolling resistance.

Dry97.1%

Wet94.5%

Comfort87.9%

Rolling Resistance100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	%
Dry Braking	7^th / 11	97.42%
Dry Handling	8^th / 11	98.5%
Subj. Dry Handling	4^th / 11	88.89%
Wet Braking	10^th / 11	93.87%
Wet Handling	6^th / 11	99.04%
Subj. Wet Handling	4^th / 11	80%
Straight Aqua	7^th / 11	94.59%
Subj. Comfort	5^th / 11	80%
Noise	11^th / 11	95.72%
Rolling Resistance	1^st / 11	100%

Price: 134.00

Good - A mid-range summer tyre with only slight weaknesses.

Dry96.3%

Wet94.2%

Comfort78.6%

Rolling Resistance89.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	%
Dry Braking	5^th / 11	97.7%
Dry Handling	7^th / 11	98.66%
Subj. Dry Handling	9^th / 11	77.78%
Wet Braking	5^th / 11	97.14%
Wet Handling	7^th / 11	98.56%
Subj. Wet Handling	8^th / 11	70%
Straight Aqua	11^th / 11	92.67%
Subj. Comfort	10^th / 11	60%
Noise	9^th / 11	97.19%
Rolling Resistance	2^nd / 11	89.87%

Price: 124.00

Good - Affordable product at a reduced level of performance, but without serious defects.

Dry94.4%

Wet93.5%

Comfort83.8%

Rolling Resistance83.5%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	%
Dry Braking	9^th / 11	93.92%
Dry Handling	10^th / 11	98.19%
Subj. Dry Handling	9^th / 11	77.78%
Wet Braking	7^th / 11	95.33%
Wet Handling	8^th / 11	97.25%
Subj. Wet Handling	8^th / 11	70%
Straight Aqua	6^th / 11	95.38%
Subj. Comfort	8^th / 11	70%
Noise	7^th / 11	97.61%
Rolling Resistance	5^th / 11	83.53%

Price: 123.50

Ok - Very quiet and comfortable with weaknesses in the wet.

Dry96.2%

Wet91.3%

Comfort100%

Rolling Resistance78.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	%
Dry Braking	5^th / 11	97.7%
Dry Handling	9^th / 11	98.42%
Subj. Dry Handling	9^th / 11	77.78%
Wet Braking	8^th / 11	94.74%
Wet Handling	10^th / 11	95.57%
Subj. Wet Handling	10^th / 11	60%
Straight Aqua	10^th / 11	92.9%
Subj. Comfort	1^st / 11	100%
Noise	1^st / 11	100%
Rolling Resistance	9^th / 11	78.89%

Price: 99.00

Ok - Despite the sporty feel, the Toyo lacks performance.

Dry95.2%

Wet94.5%

Comfort78.7%

Rolling Resistance75.5%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	%
Dry Braking	10^th / 11	93.41%
Dry Handling	10^th / 11	98.19%
Subj. Dry Handling	4^th / 11	88.89%
Wet Braking	9^th / 11	94.44%
Wet Handling	9^th / 11	96.77%
Subj. Wet Handling	4^th / 11	80%
Straight Aqua	3^rd / 11	98.76%
Subj. Comfort	10^th / 11	60%
Noise	8^th / 11	97.47%
Rolling Resistance	11^th / 11	75.53%

Price: 108.00

Sufficient - Strong in the dry but too little wet performance.

Dry96.7%

Wet89.5%

Comfort89.8%

Rolling Resistance83.5%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	%
Dry Braking	10^th / 11	93.41%
Dry Handling	4^th / 11	99.37%
Subj. Dry Handling	1^st / 11	100%
Wet Braking	11^th / 11	90.53%
Wet Handling	11^th / 11	94.38%
Subj. Wet Handling	10^th / 11	60%
Straight Aqua	9^th / 11	94.02%
Subj. Comfort	5^th / 11	80%
Noise	3^rd / 11	99.57%
Rolling Resistance	5^th / 11	83.53%

Price: 101.00

Discussion

14 comments

Saeed Piroozfard Dec 9, 2023 archived

Hey guys, I wanna buy tyres for my crossover (255/45/R20) and have three options:
Nexen nfera Supreme (N5000 Platinum) : $175 each,
Nankang SP-9 Cross-Sport : $115,
Giti Sport S2 SUV :$125
which will provide more comfort?

#9263
Lulu Bulu Mar 26, 2020 archived

Obviously the Michelin PS4 was the best tyre in test!

#5668
Briscs Mar 19, 2020 archived

Objectively, excluding price, there is surely only one winner being the Michelin PS4?
Even the price might be mitigated if wear and performance throughout a tyres life was taken into account?

#5647
1. TyreReviews Briscs Mar 19, 2020 archived
  
  I agree that it's very close between the two, if nothing else they should have been marked as tied for first, but that's not how Auto Motor Und Sport presented the data.
  We didn't cover curved aquaplaning, where the goodyear had a 2 point advantage which probably tipped the balance in its favour. AMS rated the Goodyear 9.1 and Michelin 9.0 overall.
  
  #5648
  1. Raymond Carlo TyreReviews May 2, 2020 archived
    
    What would you recommend for a staggered fit for a Lexus IS250 - 225/40/18 and 255/40/18?
    
    #5743
2. Scour Briscs Mar 19, 2020 archived
  
  If the prices are correct the Michelin costs 50% more than the Goodyear. And it´s only 225/45R18.
  In other tests the Goodyear also have better wear.
  I don´t have a problem with pay more for the best things but in this case I doubt the PS4 is worth this extreme higher price.
  
  #5649
  1. Briscs Scour Mar 20, 2020 archived
    
    Having just quickly looked at the current price differential I would most probably go for the Goodyear myself.
    Hadn't realised it was about 30% - that's quite some difference for premium brands
    
    #5650
    1. Scour Briscs Mar 20, 2020 archived
      
      The Goodyear is cheap for a premium, it´s cheaper than the 2nd class from Goodyear, Fulda. Dunno why.
      But Michelin is mostly the most expensive.
      
      #5651
  2. Lulu Bulu Scour Mar 26, 2020 archived
    
    Here in Greece, Michelin is the most expensive but there are always coupons either for gas or discount worth 40€. So they end up with same price or lower compared to Continental and Goodyear.
    
    #5667
    1. Scour Lulu Bulu Mar 26, 2020 archived
      
      I´m also take a look at someshops and the Michelin-prices are much diffrent to the prices in the magazine. But with big tyres the rebates don´t make is cheaper than some other brands (which sometimes make similar offers)
      
      #5669
  3. Vladimir Iliev Scour Apr 6, 2020 archived
    
    Michelin driver for one season here - totally disappointed from the performance of the tyre, comming from Continental SportContact 5. I sold the tyres after the season ended and now I'm looking to buy either Pirelli or Goodyear (looking at all the tests). SportContact5 only disadvantage was the high wear - lasted two seasons on my BMW 5er.
    Also the price difference between Michelin and Goodyear here in Bulgaria is 15euro. SportContact5 on other hand is much expensive - 50eur more than Michelin for some reason.
    
    #5691
    1. dufonrafal . Vladimir Iliev Apr 12, 2020 archived
      
      What was so disappointing? Personally I really don’t like the SC5, it’s harsh and noisy and while the grip is very good, it’s not the best. Then some driver love that very firm “German” road feal.
      I hate it :D
      
      #5696
      1. TyreReviews dufonrafal . Apr 14, 2020 archived
        
        Funny you say that, my experience of the SC5 was it was quite soft with bad handling! It can vary by size and fitment, it's a bit of a minefield!
        
        #5697
        
        dufonrafal . TyreReviews Apr 14, 2020 archived
        
        Well, my experience on two different vehicles/size is pretty consistent with how the PC6 is rated for comfort in this test. And how Continental tyres are usually rated for comfort in multiple test.
        EDIT: just looked at the SC5 page on the site, “poor comfort” is noted as a negative in multiple test for it.
        
        #5698

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