2020 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test

This year Auto Express have tested ten 205/55 R16 summer tyres using a VW Golf. You can be forgiven if this setup sounds similar, as it's almost the same test as the Tyre Reviews 16" summer tyre test.

As eight of the ten tyres on test match tyres we used in our test, but the overall results differ in places, I thought it would be an interesting exercise to look into what's different, and why that might be.

Firstly, it's important to note that while both tests were supported by Goodyear, I tested the entire of the test in Goodyear French test facility, where Auto Express split the testing between France and MIRA in the UK. This means the wet and dry handling tests conducted at MIRA were done on different surfaces, but the rest of the tests should have been done on the same tracks.

It's also important to note that Auto Express use a different overall score weighting, and frustratingly don't provide the data, just percentage scores for each category making an overall comparison trickier.

Similarities

The good news is that a lot of the data matched. Pirelli strugged in both tests with its new P7C2, and both tests had the new Goodyear amongst the very best in everything but wet braking and aquaplaning. Nokian and Maxxis both scored well too, and Bridgestone was sixth in both.

Differences

There were however two striking differences. The first was the Continental PremiumContact 6 which won the Tyre Reviews test, but only placed 7th in Auto Express. Both tests rated it as excellent in dry handling, with fast times and sharp handling, and while it won the Tyre Reviews dry braking, it was only 5th in AE, but just 0.5m off the best in a very close pack.

Both tests also rated it excellent in wet braking too, but auto express didn't like the wet handling, finding it soft and slow, the opposite of dry handling. While this is strange, it could be down to the temperature and surface differences between MIRA and Mireval.

The other big difference was Falken. We both found it to have high rolling resistance, which probably penalised it more in the auto express test, but it was the best wet braking tyre in our test, and only managed 6th in Auto Express. On the same track, with the same car. We had the 94V, perhaps that's the difference.

Finally, Michelin finished a little higher in auto express. We both found it to be an excellent all round tyre, it was just a little bit closer to the front in Auto Express tests, which isn't unusual thanks to the groups being so close, and the Auto Express score weighting being a little different to ours.

Overall this exercise shows us just how close the best tyres on test are at the moment, and small variations in temperature, surfaces and even driving styles is sometimes enough to change the results in places. Add in the different score weighting, and it's no surprise our results didn't 100% match the Auto Express results, which is why it's always a good idea to not just trust one test, but to look at many different tests and user reviews to make your tyre purchase decision.

Results

You can find the summary below, and the full results on the Auto Express website here.

1^st

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2

205/55 R16

Well deserved win for Goodyear, the EGP2 excelled in refinement.

All discipline results (5)

Test	Result
Dry	199.3
Wet	372.1
Rolling Resistance	100
Noise	100
Overall	100

Total: 871.4

2^nd

Michelin Primacy 4

205/55 R16

Impressive all-round result from Michelin which performed well and felt good to drive.

All discipline results (5)

Test	Result
Dry	197
Wet	393
Rolling Resistance	89.9
Noise	98.7
Overall	99.9

Total: 878.5

3^rd

Nokian WetProof

205/55 R16

Nokian Wetproof was last year's SUV tyre test winner has another good showing in 2020

All discipline results (5)

Test	Result
Dry	197.1
Wet	390
Rolling Resistance	87
Noise	99
Overall	99.6

Total: 872.7

4^th

Maxxis Premitra HP5

205/55 R16

Promising test from Taiwanese producer Maxxis, with good performance in the wet

All discipline results (5)

Test	Result
Dry	199.3
Wet	373.7
Rolling Resistance	77.3
Noise	98.2
Overall	99.3

Total: 847.8

5^th

Bridgestone Turanza T005

205/55 R16

A winner at the pumps from the Bridgestone Turanza T005.

All discipline results (5)

Test	Result
Dry	198.4
Wet	366.9
Rolling Resistance	99.5
Noise	98.8
Overall	99.2

Total: 862.8

6^th

Laufenn S Fit EQ+

205/55 R16

The Laufenn S Fit EQ+ transfers little noise to the cabin and is the second cheapest on test .

All discipline results (5)

Test	Result
Dry	199
Wet	381
Rolling Resistance	82
Noise	99.6
Overall	99.1

Total: 860.7

7^th

Continental Premium Contact 6

205/55 R16

The Continental PremiumContact 6 was the best on test for dry handling but disappointed elsewhere.

All discipline results (5)

Test	Result
Dry	198.7
Wet	363.9
Rolling Resistance	80.7
Noise	97.6
Overall	98.7

Total: 839.6

8^th

Dunlop Sport BluResponse

205/55 R16

We found the Dunlop Sport BluResponse easy on the wallet and fairly refined.

All discipline results (5)

Test	Result
Dry	197.3
Wet	386.2
Rolling Resistance	90.5
Noise	99.4
Overall	98.5

Total: 871.9

9^th

Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun

205/55 R16

Although the Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun handled well in the dry, rolling resistance let it down.

All discipline results (5)

Test	Result
Dry	197.4
Wet	392.3
Rolling Resistance	73.1
Noise	99.3
Overall	98.4

Total: 860.5

10^th

Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2

205/55 R16

Formula One supplier props up the table with Pirelli Cinturato P7, not excelling in any area.

All discipline results (5)

Test	Result
Dry	197.4
Wet	381.3
Rolling Resistance	78.5
Noise	99.2
Overall	98.4

Total: 854.8