Test Charts / Auto Bild
2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer 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
- 205/55 R16
- Tyres tested
- 20
- Disciplines
- 9
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.
Focus on your tyres
Select tyres to highlight them throughout the charts.
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
2Dry Braking
Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34.1 m | Best | 0 km/h | |
| 34.5 m | +0.40 m | 14 km/h | |
| 34.8 m | +0.70 m | 18 km/h | |
| 35 m | +0.90 m | 21 km/h | |
| 35.1 m | +1.00 m | 22 km/h | |
| 35.2 m | +1.10 m | 23 km/h | |
| 35.4 m | +1.30 m | 25 km/h | |
| 35.4 m | +1.30 m | 25 km/h | |
| 35.7 m | +1.60 m | 28 km/h | |
| 35.8 m | +1.70 m | 28 km/h | |
| 35.8 m | +1.70 m | 28 km/h | |
| 35.8 m | +1.70 m | 28 km/h | |
| 36 m | +1.90 m | 30 km/h | |
| 36.1 m | +2.00 m | 31 km/h | |
| 36.2 m | +2.10 m | 31 km/h | |
| 36.3 m | +2.20 m | 32 km/h | |
| 36.5 m | +2.40 m | 33 km/h | |
| 36.7 m | +2.60 m | 35 km/h | |
| 37.4 m | +3.30 m | 39 km/h | |
| 37.7 m | +3.60 m | 40 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 10.6% (3.6 m ≈ 0.8 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Semperit Speed Life 3 would still be travelling at 40 km/h when the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 96.5 km/h | Best | |
| 96.2 km/h | -0.30 km/h | |
| 96.1 km/h | -0.40 km/h | |
| 96 km/h | -0.50 km/h | |
| 96 km/h | -0.50 km/h | |
| 95.9 km/h | -0.60 km/h | |
| 95.9 km/h | -0.60 km/h | |
| 95.8 km/h | -0.70 km/h | |
| 95.8 km/h | -0.70 km/h | |
| 95.7 km/h | -0.80 km/h | |
| 95.6 km/h | -0.90 km/h | |
| 95.5 km/h | -1.00 km/h | |
| 95.4 km/h | -1.10 km/h | |
| 95.3 km/h | -1.20 km/h | |
| 95.1 km/h | -1.40 km/h | |
| 94.9 km/h | -1.60 km/h | |
| 94.8 km/h | -1.70 km/h | |
| 94.5 km/h | -2.00 km/h | |
| 94.4 km/h | -2.10 km/h | |
| 94.3 km/h | -2.20 km/h |
All the tyres in the Dry Handling test finished less than 3% apart.
Wet
3Wet Braking
Wet braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46.2 m | Best | 0 km/h | |
| 46.3 m | +0.10 m | 6 km/h | |
| 46.4 m | +0.20 m | 9 km/h | |
| 46.8 m | +0.60 m | 15 km/h | |
| 47.5 m | +1.30 m | 22 km/h | |
| 47.5 m | +1.30 m | 22 km/h | |
| 49.1 m | +2.90 m | 32 km/h | |
| 49.3 m | +3.10 m | 33 km/h | |
| 49.3 m | +3.10 m | 33 km/h | |
| 49.3 m | +3.10 m | 33 km/h | |
| 49.5 m | +3.30 m | 34 km/h | |
| 49.5 m | +3.30 m | 34 km/h | |
| 49.9 m | +3.70 m | 35 km/h | |
| 49.9 m | +3.70 m | 35 km/h | |
| 49.9 m | +3.70 m | 35 km/h | |
| 50.2 m | +4.00 m | 37 km/h | |
| 50.3 m | +4.10 m | 37 km/h | |
| 50.4 m | +4.20 m | 38 km/h | |
| 51.9 m | +5.70 m | 43 km/h | |
| 52.8 m | +6.60 m | 46 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 14.3% (6.6 m ≈ 1.5 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Fulda EcoControl HP2 would still be travelling at 46 km/h when the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 78.8 km/h | Best | |
| 78.8 km/h | Best | |
| 78.4 km/h | -0.40 km/h | |
| 78.2 km/h | -0.60 km/h | |
| 78.1 km/h | -0.70 km/h | |
| 78 km/h | -0.80 km/h | |
| 77.9 km/h | -0.90 km/h | |
| 77.7 km/h | -1.10 km/h | |
| 77.6 km/h | -1.20 km/h | |
| 77.6 km/h | -1.20 km/h | |
| 77.3 km/h | -1.50 km/h | |
| 77.2 km/h | -1.60 km/h | |
| 76.8 km/h | -2.00 km/h | |
| 76.7 km/h | -2.10 km/h | |
| 76.6 km/h | -2.20 km/h | |
| 76.5 km/h | -2.30 km/h | |
| 76.5 km/h | -2.30 km/h | |
| 76.2 km/h | -2.60 km/h | |
| 76 km/h | -2.80 km/h | |
| 75.4 km/h | -3.40 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 4.3% (3.4 Km/H).
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in Km/H
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 86.1 km/h | Best | |
| 85.5 km/h | -0.60 km/h | |
| 84.3 km/h | -1.80 km/h | |
| 83.8 km/h | -2.30 km/h | |
| 83.2 km/h | -2.90 km/h | |
| 83.2 km/h | -2.90 km/h | |
| 83 km/h | -3.10 km/h | |
| 82.9 km/h | -3.20 km/h | |
| 82.3 km/h | -3.80 km/h | |
| 81.8 km/h | -4.30 km/h | |
| 81.6 km/h | -4.50 km/h | |
| 81.6 km/h | -4.50 km/h | |
| 81.3 km/h | -4.80 km/h | |
| 81.3 km/h | -4.80 km/h | |
| 81 km/h | -5.10 km/h | |
| 80.9 km/h | -5.20 km/h | |
| 80.1 km/h | -6.00 km/h | |
| 80.1 km/h | -6.00 km/h | |
| 79.7 km/h | -6.40 km/h | |
| 79.3 km/h | -6.80 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 7.9% (6.8 Km/H).
Comfort
1Noise
External noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 66.6 dB | Best | |
| 67.3 dB | +0.70 dB | |
| 67.3 dB | +0.70 dB | |
| 67.3 dB | +0.70 dB | |
| 67.4 dB | +0.80 dB | |
| 67.5 dB | +0.90 dB | |
| 68.3 dB | +1.70 dB | |
| 68.4 dB | +1.80 dB | |
| 68.4 dB | +1.80 dB | |
| 68.6 dB | +2.00 dB | |
| 68.6 dB | +2.00 dB | |
| 68.6 dB | +2.00 dB | |
| 68.6 dB | +2.00 dB | |
| 68.7 dB | +2.10 dB | |
| 68.7 dB | +2.10 dB | |
| 68.7 dB | +2.10 dB | |
| 68.7 dB | +2.10 dB | |
| 69.1 dB | +2.50 dB | |
| 69.2 dB | +2.60 dB | |
| 69.9 dB | +3.30 dB |
The difference between best and worst was 5% (3.3 dB).
Value
3Wear
Predicted tread life in KM
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 47,940 KM | Best | |
| 44,200 KM | -3,740 KM | |
| 42,160 KM | -5,780 KM | |
| 41,480 KM | -6,460 KM | |
| 37,400 KM | -10,540 KM | |
| 37,060 KM | -10,880 KM | |
| 37,060 KM | -10,880 KM | |
| 35,020 KM | -12,920 KM | |
| 33,320 KM | -14,620 KM | |
| 32,300 KM | -15,640 KM | |
| 31,960 KM | -15,980 KM | |
| 31,960 KM | -15,980 KM | |
| 30,600 KM | -17,340 KM | |
| 30,600 KM | -17,340 KM | |
| 30,260 KM | -17,680 KM | |
| 27,880 KM | -20,060 KM | |
| 27,880 KM | -20,060 KM | |
| 27,880 KM | -20,060 KM | |
| 27,540 KM | -20,400 KM | |
| 26,180 KM | -21,760 KM |
The difference between best and worst was 45.4% (21,760 KM).
Value
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | cost per 1,000 km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.74 Price/1000 | Best | €8.06 | |
| 5.75 Price/1000 | +0.01 Price/1000 | €13.61 | |
| 5.81 Price/1000 | +0.07 Price/1000 | €16.13 | |
| 7.02 Price/1000 | +1.28 Price/1000 | €13.73 | |
| 7.02 Price/1000 | +1.28 Price/1000 | €17.70 | |
| 7.14 Price/1000 | +1.40 Price/1000 | €16.52 | |
| 7.24 Price/1000 | +1.50 Price/1000 | €11.69 | |
| 7.47 Price/1000 | +1.73 Price/1000 | €16.35 | |
| 7.6 Price/1000 | +1.86 Price/1000 | €17.94 | |
| 8.05 Price/1000 | +2.31 Price/1000 | €18.62 | |
| 8.1 Price/1000 | +2.36 Price/1000 | €15.10 | |
| 8.17 Price/1000 | +2.43 Price/1000 | €14.86 | |
| 8.29 Price/1000 | +2.55 Price/1000 | €18.47 | |
| 8.97 Price/1000 | +3.23 Price/1000 | €19.91 | |
| 9.07 Price/1000 | +3.33 Price/1000 | €11.26 | |
| 9.15 Price/1000 | +3.41 Price/1000 | €17.31 | |
| 9.15 Price/1000 | +3.41 Price/1000 | €19.87 | |
| 9.26 Price/1000 | +3.52 Price/1000 | €16.96 | |
| 9.68 Price/1000 | +3.94 Price/1000 | €13.21 | |
| 9.93 Price/1000 | +4.19 Price/1000 | €16.60 |
The difference between best and worst was 73% (4.19 Price/1000). Over 40,000 km the cheapest tyre to own (Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2) works out €474 cheaper than the most expensive (Maxxis Premitra HP5).
How this is calculated
Assumes a typical car using 8 l/100km (with rolling resistance causing 20% of fuel use), fuel at €1.65 per litre and €70 fitting per set of four. Purchase prices are from the time of the 2021 test; financing costs are excluded.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.01 kg/t | Best | £0 | |
| 7.24 kg/t | +0.23 kg/t | £14 | |
| 7.28 kg/t | +0.27 kg/t | £17 | |
| 7.77 kg/t | +0.76 kg/t | £48 | |
| 8.07 kg/t | +1.06 kg/t | £67 | |
| 8.18 kg/t | +1.17 kg/t | £74 | |
| 8.29 kg/t | +1.28 kg/t | £80 | |
| 8.31 kg/t | +1.30 kg/t | £82 | |
| 8.38 kg/t | +1.37 kg/t | £86 | |
| 8.51 kg/t | +1.50 kg/t | £94 | |
| 8.6 kg/t | +1.59 kg/t | £100 | |
| 8.63 kg/t | +1.62 kg/t | £102 | |
| 8.92 kg/t | +1.91 kg/t | £120 | |
| 8.97 kg/t | +1.96 kg/t | £123 | |
| 9.13 kg/t | +2.12 kg/t | £133 | |
| 9.14 kg/t | +2.13 kg/t | £134 | |
| 9.24 kg/t | +2.23 kg/t | £140 | |
| 9.25 kg/t | +2.24 kg/t | £141 | |
| 9.25 kg/t | +2.24 kg/t | £141 | |
| 9.31 kg/t | +2.30 kg/t | £145 |
The difference between best and worst was 32.8% (2.3 kg / t). Over 19,000 km a year at £1.45/L, the Kumho Ecsta HS51 uses about 100 L (£145) more fuel than the Bridgestone Turanza T005.
Adjust the assumptions
Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions. These calculators use the full test field, independently of your tyre selection above.
Test setup & methodology
The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.
Recorded test conditions
Recorded test conditions
- Dry Braking
- 100 → 0 km/h
- Wet Braking
- 100 → 0 km/h
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