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2020 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test

Compare each discipline in the tested size. See the measured result, position and gap to the best tyre, then read the verdict for the trade-offs behind the finishing order.

Tested size
245/40 R18
Tyres tested
7
Disciplines
12

Read the measurements, not just the rank

Lower is better for braking distances and lap times; higher is better for subjective scores and aquaplaning speed. Bars start at zero. Read the gap alongside the position: adjacent tyres can be separated by very different margins.

Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tyres does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.

Dry

3

Dry Braking

Dry braking in meters (60 - 0 M)

Lower is better ↓
Dry Braking
Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
34.97 m Best 0 km/h
35.47 m +0.50 m 15 km/h
35.82 m +0.85 m 20 km/h
36.17 m +1.20 m 24 km/h
36.53 m +1.56 m 27 km/h
36.53 m +1.56 m 27 km/h
37.66 m +2.69 m 35 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 7.7% (2.69 m ≈ 0.6 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Kumho Ecsta PA51 would still be travelling at 35 km/h when the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Dry Handling

Dry handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Dry Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
49.54 s Best
49.65 s +0.11 s
49.97 s +0.43 s
50.45 s +0.91 s
50.52 s +0.98 s
50.67 s +1.13 s
50.9 s +1.36 s

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

Subj. Dry Handling

Subjective Dry Handling Score

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Dry Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
10 Points Best
9.5 Points -0.50 Points
9.5 Points -0.50 Points
8 Points -2.00 Points
8 Points -2.00 Points
8 Points -2.00 Points
7 Points -3.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 30% (3 Points).

Wet

3

Wet Braking

Wet braking in meters (45 - 0 M)

Lower is better ↓
Wet Braking
Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
18.84 m Best 0 km/h
18.84 m Best 0 km/h
19.03 m +0.19 m 13 km/h
19.03 m +0.19 m 13 km/h
19.22 m +0.38 m 18 km/h
20.46 m +1.62 m 37 km/h
21.87 m +3.03 m 48 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 16.1% (3.03 m ≈ 0.7 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Fuzion UHP Sport AS would still be travelling at 48 km/h when the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Wet Handling

Wet handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Wet Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
49.65 s Best
49.66 s +0.01 s
49.71 s +0.06 s
49.84 s +0.19 s
49.88 s +0.23 s
51.07 s +1.42 s
52.17 s +2.52 s

The difference between best and worst was 5.1% (2.52 s).

Subj. Wet Handling

Subjective Wet Handling Score

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Wet Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
10 Points Best
9.5 Points -0.50 Points
9 Points -1.00 Points
8.5 Points -1.50 Points
8 Points -2.00 Points
7.5 Points -2.50 Points
6 Points -4.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 40% (4 Points).

Snow

3

Snow Braking

Snow braking in meters (20 - 5 mph)

Lower is better ↓
Snow Braking
Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
13.66 m Best 0 km/h
14.74 m +1.08 m 35 km/h
15.93 m +2.27 m 49 km/h
16.14 m +2.48 m 51 km/h
16.24 m +2.58 m 52 km/h
16.46 m +2.80 m 54 km/h
16.58 m +2.92 m 55 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 21.4% (2.92 m ≈ 0.6 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Cooper Zeon RS3 G1 would still be travelling at 55 km/h when the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Snow Traction

Snow acceleration time (5 - 20 mph)

Lower is better ↓
Snow Traction
Position / TyreResultGap to best
4.86 s Best
5.53 s +0.67 s
5.7 s +0.84 s
5.82 s +0.96 s
5.89 s +1.03 s
5.93 s +1.07 s
6.1 s +1.24 s

The difference between best and worst was 25.5% (1.24 s).

Snow Handling

Snow handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Snow Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
99.66 s Best
106.74 s +7.08 s
106.91 s +7.25 s
108.23 s +8.57 s
108.98 s +9.32 s
110.08 s +10.42 s
110.53 s +10.87 s

The difference between best and worst was 10.9% (10.87 s).

Comfort

3

Subj. Comfort

Subjective Comfort Score

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Comfort
Position / TyreResultGap to best
10 Points Best
9.5 Points -0.50 Points
9.5 Points -0.50 Points
8 Points -2.00 Points
6.5 Points -3.50 Points
6.5 Points -3.50 Points
6.5 Points -3.50 Points

The difference between best and worst was 35% (3.5 Points).

Subj. Noise

Subjective in car noise levels

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Noise
Position / TyreResultGap to best
10 Points Best
9.5 Points -0.50 Points
8.5 Points -1.50 Points
8 Points -2.00 Points
8 Points -2.00 Points
7.5 Points -2.50 Points
6.5 Points -3.50 Points

The difference between best and worst was 35% (3.5 Points).

Tyre Weight

Tyre Weight Per Set

Lower is better ↓
Tyre Weight
Position / TyreResultGap to best
42.48 Kg Best
45 Kg +2.52 Kg
45.56 Kg +3.08 Kg
47.36 Kg +4.88 Kg
47.72 Kg +5.24 Kg
49.72 Kg +7.24 Kg
50.08 Kg +7.60 Kg

The difference between best and worst was 17.9% (7.6 Kg).

Test setup & methodology

The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.

Show full testing methodology

Recorded test conditions

Dry Braking
60 → 0 m
Wet Braking
45 → 0 m
Snow Braking
20 → 5 mph
Snow Traction
5 → 20 mph

Score Weighting

Weights express the scoring priorities, not how much each discipline actually changed the finishing order. The size of the performance gaps matters too. Category weights contribute to the overall score. Within each category, discipline weights divide that category’s share. Published finishing positions also need to be read alongside the editorial verdict.

TestWithin categoryShare of overall score
Dry · 28%
Dry Braking46%12.88%
Dry Handling45%12.6%
Subj. Dry Handling9%2.52%
Wet · 39%
Wet Braking45%17.55%
Wet Handling44%17.16%
Subj. Wet Handling11%4.29%
Snow · 28%
Snow Braking35%9.8%
Snow Traction30%8.4%
Snow Handling35%9.8%
Comfort · 5%
Subj. Comfort46%2.3%
Subj. Noise45%2.25%
Tyre Weight9%0.45%

Our standard methods

The conditions above are recorded for this test. The descriptions below explain our standard procedures; measurement windows and run counts can vary by test.

Dry Braking

For dry braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 110 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on clean, dry asphalt. I typically use an 100–5 km/h measurement window. My standard programme is five runs per tyre set where possible, although the sequence can extend to as many as fifteen runs if conditions and tyre category justify it. I analyse the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. Reference tyres are run repeatedly throughout the session to correct for changing conditions.

Dry Handling

For dry handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated handling circuit with ESC disabled where possible so I can assess the tyre's natural balance, transient response, and limit behaviour without electronic intervention masking the result. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tyre set, depending on the circuit, tyre type, and consistency of conditions. I exclude laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Control runs are carried out frequently throughout the session, and I often use multiple sets of control tyres so that wear on the references does not become a meaningful variable. For more track-focused products, I also do endurance testing, which is a set number of laps at race pace to determine tire wear patterns and heat resistance over longer driving.

Subj. Dry Handling

I also carry out a structured subjective handling assessment at the limit of adhesion on a dedicated dry handling circuit. I score steering precision, steering response, turn-in behaviour, mid-corner balance, corner-exit traction, breakaway characteristics, and overall confidence using a standardised 1–10 scale used consistently across my testing. The final assessment combines numeric scoring with written technical commentary. I complete familiarisation laps on the control tyre before evaluating each candidate.

Wet Braking

For wet braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 88 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on an asphalt surface with a controlled water film. I typically use an 80–5 km/h measurement window to isolate tyre performance from variability in the initial brake application. My standard programme is eight runs per tyre set where possible, although the sequence can extend to as many as fifteen runs if conditions and tyre category justify it. I analyse the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. To correct for changing conditions, I run reference tyres repeatedly throughout the session — in wet testing, typically every three candidate test sets.

Wet Handling

For wet handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated handling circuit. I generally use specialist wet circuits with kerb-watering systems designed to maintain a consistent surface condition. ESC is disabled where possible so I can assess the tyre's natural balance, transient response, and limit behaviour without electronic intervention masking the result. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tyre set, depending on the circuit, tyre type, and consistency of conditions. I exclude laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Control runs are carried out frequently throughout the session, and I often use multiple sets of control tyres so that wear on the references does not become a meaningful variable.

Subj. Wet Handling

I also carry out a structured subjective handling assessment at the limit of adhesion on a dedicated wet handling circuit. I score steering precision, steering response, turn-in behaviour, mid-corner balance, aquaplaning resistance, breakaway characteristics, and overall confidence using a standardised 1–10 scale used consistently across my testing. The final assessment combines numeric scoring with written technical commentary. I complete familiarisation laps on the control tyre before evaluating each candidate.

Snow Braking

For snow braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 50 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on a groomed, compacted snow surface, measuring 45-5 km/h. I generally use a wide VDA (vehicle dynamic area) and progressively move across the surface between runs so that no tyre ever brakes on the same piece of snow twice. My standard programme is twelve runs per tyre set, although the sequence can extend further if the data justify it. I analyse the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. The surface is regularly groomed throughout the session. To correct for changing snow surface conditions, I run reference tyres repeatedly — typically every two candidate test sets.

Snow Traction

For snow traction, I accelerate the vehicle from rest on a groomed snow surface with traction control active and measure speed and time using GPS telemetry. I typically use a 5–35 km/h measurement window to reduce the influence of launch transients and powertrain irregularities. I use a wide VDA (vehicle dynamic area) and progressively move across the surface between runs so that no tyre ever accelerates on the same piece of snow twice. The surface is regularly groomed throughout the session. I complete multiple runs per tyre set and average the valid results. Reference tyres are run typically every two candidate test sets to correct for changing snow surface conditions.

Snow Handling

For snow handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated snow handling circuit with ESC disabled where possible. The circuit is groomed and prepared after every run while tyres are being changed, so each set runs on a consistently prepared surface. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tyre set, excluding laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Because snow surfaces degrade more rapidly than asphalt, control runs are carried out more frequently — typically every two candidate test sets.

Subj. Comfort

To assess comfort, I drive on a wide range of road surfaces (often dedicated comfort tracks at test facilities) at speeds from 50 to 120 km/h, including smooth motorway, coarse surfaces, expansion joints, broken pavement, and sharp-edged obstacles. I evaluate primary ride quality, secondary ride quality, impact harshness, seat-transmitted vibration, and the tyre's ability to absorb sharp inputs. Ratings are assigned on a 1–10 scale relative to the reference tyre.

Subj. Noise

For subjective noise assessment, I drive at constant speeds across multiple surface types with the windows closed, ventilation off, and audio system off. I assess overall noise level, tonal quality, cavity boom, pattern noise, broadband roar, and sensitivity to both speed and road texture. Each tyre is rated on a 1–10 scale and supported by written observations on noise character and annoyance.

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