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2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
6 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Dry
  2. Wet
  3. Environment
  4. Results
  5. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
  6. Continental Premium Contact 6
  7. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  8. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
  9. Falken Azenis FK510
  10. Nokian PowerProof
  11. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
  12. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
  13. Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
  14. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

Test Publication:
225/40 R18 10 tyres 4 categories
Similar Tests
Test Publication:
Auto Zeitung
https://www.autozeitung.de/reifen-test
Test Size: 225/40 R18
Tyres Tested: 10 tyres
Test Categories:
4 categories (11 tests)
Similar Tests
The 2021 summer tyre test season is kicking off early, with the excellent team at Auto Zeitung publishing their 10 set 225/40 R18 summer tyre test during February!

As this test is out so early in the season, it means the testing would have been completed in late 2020, which means it's missing the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport, but it's still an excellent start to the year as AZ always dig into the subjectiveness of the tyres, covering dry handling, wet handling and comfort!

All testing was carried out using a Seat Leon FR, and the popular 225/40 R18 UHP tyre size should cover many mid-sized sporty cars, including the ever popular VW Golf, the front of a BMW 1 Series, the Audi TT and many other vehicles.

Dry

It might be a new year, but it's not a new result for dry braking testing, with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 once again taking the top spot by a significant margin, over the Continental PremiumContact 6. Maxxis also had an impressive showing with the ever impressive Maxxis Victra Sport 5.

Dry Braking

Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
  1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    34.30 M
  2. Continental Premium Contact 6
    34.70 M
  3. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    34.80 M
  4. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    35.10 M
  5. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    35.20 M
  6. Falken Azenis FK510
    35.40 M
  7. Nokian PowerProof
    35.40 M
  8. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    35.50 M
  9. Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    35.50 M
  10. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    36.20 M

Dry handling played to the Continentals sharp steering, giving the German tyre an impressive win during dry handling. Michelin, Maxxis, Goodyear and Hankook all followed closely in a tight group.

Dry Handling

Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Continental Premium Contact 6
    68.80 s
  2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    69.00 s
  3. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    69.00 s
  4. Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    69.10 s
  5. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    69.10 s
  6. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    69.20 s
  7. Nokian PowerProof
    69.20 s
  8. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    69.40 s
  9. Falken Azenis FK510
    69.60 s
  10. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    69.70 s

Subjective handling was also very close, with only Continental ahead of the tyres that impressed during dry handling.

Subj. Dry Handling

Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Continental Premium Contact 6
    10.00 Points
  2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    9.00 Points
  3. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    9.00 Points
  4. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    9.00 Points
  5. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    9.00 Points
  6. Nokian PowerProof
    8.00 Points
  7. Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    7.00 Points
  8. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    6.00 Points
  9. Falken Azenis FK510
    5.00 Points
  10. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    4.00 Points

Wet

Goodyear and Continental lead the way during wet braking testing, with the Goodyear Asymmetric 5 taking its first win. Falken again impressed with the FK510.

Wet Braking

Wet braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
  1. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    41.90 M
  2. Continental Premium Contact 6
    42.10 M
  3. Falken Azenis FK510
    42.80 M
  4. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    44.80 M
  5. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    45.10 M
  6. Nokian PowerProof
    46.60 M
  7. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    48.70 M
  8. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    49.70 M
  9. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    50.10 M
  10. Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    50.60 M

Wet handling brought another new winner, this time Pirelli with the Pirelli P Zero PZ4. Goodyear and Continental, which did so well during wet braking, dropped down the order during wet handling.

Wet Handling

Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    62.60 s
  2. Nokian PowerProof
    62.90 s
  3. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    63.10 s
  4. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    63.20 s
  5. Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    63.30 s
  6. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    63.30 s
  7. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    63.40 s
  8. Falken Azenis FK510
    63.50 s
  9. Continental Premium Contact 6
    63.70 s
  10. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    64.90 s

Pirelli also proved to have the best subjective wet handling, with the testers reporting a neutral balance and impressive feedback.

Subj. Wet Handling

Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    10.00 Points
  2. Nokian PowerProof
    9.00 Points
  3. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    8.00 Points
  4. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    8.00 Points
  5. Falken Azenis FK510
    7.00 Points
  6. Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    6.00 Points
  7. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    6.00 Points
  8. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    6.00 Points
  9. Continental Premium Contact 6
    5.00 Points
  10. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    3.00 Points

Dunlop, which struggled in the dry, had the best aquaplaning resistance by a large margin.

Straight Aqua

Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    73.30 Km/H
  2. Continental Premium Contact 6
    71.70 Km/H
  3. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    71.50 Km/H
  4. Falken Azenis FK510
    70.60 Km/H
  5. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    70.40 Km/H
  6. Nokian PowerProof
    69.90 Km/H
  7. Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    69.80 Km/H
  8. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    69.70 Km/H
  9. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    69.50 Km/H
  10. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    68.20 Km/H

Environment

Nexen was the standout of subjective comfort scoring with the N Fera Sport SU2.

Subj. Comfort

Subjective Comfort Score (Higher is better)
  1. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    9.00 Points
  2. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    8.00 Points
  3. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    8.00 Points
  4. Continental Premium Contact 6
    8.00 Points
  5. Nokian PowerProof
    7.00 Points
  6. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    7.00 Points
  7. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    7.00 Points
  8. Falken Azenis FK510
    7.00 Points
  9. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    7.00 Points
  10. Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    6.00 Points

The Nexen also proved to have the lowest external drive by noise.

Noise

External noise in dB (Lower is better)
  1. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    69.10 dB
  2. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    69.80 dB
  3. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    69.80 dB
  4. Falken Azenis FK510
    70.40 dB
  5. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    71.00 dB
  6. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    71.00 dB
  7. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    71.10 dB
  8. Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    71.20 dB
  9. Continental Premium Contact 6
    71.40 dB
  10. Nokian PowerProof
    71.90 dB

The Dunlop won its second test, having the lowest rolling resistance on test. Falken, Nexen and in particular, Pirelli had significantly higher rolling resistance than the group.

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    8.38 kg / t
  2. Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    8.50 kg / t
  3. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    8.60 kg / t
  4. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    8.64 kg / t
  5. Nokian PowerProof
    8.66 kg / t
  6. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    8.78 kg / t
  7. Continental Premium Contact 6
    8.88 kg / t
  8. Falken Azenis FK510
    9.23 kg / t
  9. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    9.27 kg / t
  10. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    9.99 kg / t

Below is the price for a full set of tyres in the local currency (Euros)

Price

Price in local currency (Lower is better)
  1. Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
    300.00
  2. Nokian PowerProof
    310.00
  3. Falken Azenis FK510
    340.00
  4. Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    350.00
  5. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    360.00
  6. Maxxis Victra Sport 5
    370.00
  7. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
    390.00
  8. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    400.00
  9. Continental Premium Contact 6
    410.00
  10. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    440.00

Results

1st

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

225/40 R18 92Y
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
  • EU Label: E/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 35.1 M 34.3 M +0.8 M 97.72%
Dry Handling 4th 69.1 s 68.8 s +0.3 s 99.57%
Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 41.9 M 100%
Wet Handling 7th 63.4 s 62.6 s +0.8 s 98.74%
Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Straight Aqua 3rd 71.5 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 97.54%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 2nd 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89%
Noise 5th 71 dB 69.1 dB +1.9 dB 97.32%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 7th 390 300 +90 76.92%
Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.6 kg / t 8.38 kg / t +0.22 kg / t 97.44%
Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £120.99 Results Table Test Charts
2nd

Continental Premium Contact 6

225/40 R18 92Y
Continental Premium Contact 6
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 34.7 M 34.3 M +0.4 M 98.85%
Dry Handling 1st 68.8 s 100%
Subj. Dry Handling 1st 10 Points 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 42.1 M 41.9 M +0.2 M 99.52%
Wet Handling 9th 63.7 s 62.6 s +1.1 s 98.27%
Subj. Wet Handling 9th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50%
Straight Aqua 2nd 71.7 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 97.82%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 2nd 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89%
Noise 9th 71.4 dB 69.1 dB +2.3 dB 96.78%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 9th 410 300 +110 73.17%
Rolling Resistance 7th 8.88 kg / t 8.38 kg / t +0.5 kg / t 94.37%
Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £109.99 Results Table Test Charts
3rd

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

225/40 R18 92Y
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  • EU Label: E/A/68
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 5th 35.2 M 34.3 M +0.9 M 97.44%
Dry Handling 6th 69.2 s 68.8 s +0.4 s 99.42%
Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 5th 45.1 M 41.9 M +3.2 M 92.9%
Wet Handling 1st 62.6 s 100%
Subj. Wet Handling 1st 10 Points 100%
Straight Aqua 10th 68.2 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -5.1 Km/H 93.04%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 5th 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78%
Noise 2nd 69.8 dB 69.1 dB +0.7 dB 99%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 5th 360 300 +60 83.33%
Rolling Resistance 10th 9.99 kg / t 8.38 kg / t +1.61 kg / t 83.88%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
4th

Michelin Pilot Sport 4

225/40 R18 92Y
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 34.3 M 100%
Dry Handling 2nd 69 s 68.8 s +0.2 s 99.71%
Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 44.8 M 41.9 M +2.9 M 93.53%
Wet Handling 3rd 63.1 s 62.6 s +0.5 s 99.21%
Subj. Wet Handling 6th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Straight Aqua 5th 70.4 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -2.9 Km/H 96.04%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 5th 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78%
Noise 7th 71.1 dB 69.1 dB +2 dB 97.19%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 10th 440 300 +140 68.18%
Rolling Resistance 4th 8.64 kg / t 8.38 kg / t +0.26 kg / t 96.99%
Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £124.99 Results Table Test Charts
5th

Falken Azenis FK510

225/40 R18 92Y
Falken Azenis FK510
  • EU Label: E/A/69
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 35.4 M 34.3 M +1.1 M 96.89%
Dry Handling 9th 69.6 s 68.8 s +0.8 s 98.85%
Subj. Dry Handling 9th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 42.8 M 41.9 M +0.9 M 97.9%
Wet Handling 8th 63.5 s 62.6 s +0.9 s 98.58%
Subj. Wet Handling 5th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70%
Straight Aqua 4th 70.6 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.32%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 5th 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78%
Noise 4th 70.4 dB 69.1 dB +1.3 dB 98.15%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 3rd 340 300 +40 88.24%
Rolling Resistance 8th 9.23 kg / t 8.38 kg / t +0.85 kg / t 90.79%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
6th

Nokian PowerProof

225/40 R18 92Y
Nokian PowerProof
  • EU Label: C/A/69
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 35.4 M 34.3 M +1.1 M 96.89%
Dry Handling 6th 69.2 s 68.8 s +0.4 s 99.42%
Subj. Dry Handling 6th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 6th 46.6 M 41.9 M +4.7 M 89.91%
Wet Handling 2nd 62.9 s 62.6 s +0.3 s 99.52%
Subj. Wet Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Straight Aqua 6th 69.9 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 95.36%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 5th 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78%
Noise 10th 71.9 dB 69.1 dB +2.8 dB 96.11%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 2nd 310 300 +10 96.77%
Rolling Resistance 5th 8.66 kg / t 8.38 kg / t +0.28 kg / t 96.77%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
7th

Maxxis Victra Sport 5

225/40 R18 92Y
Maxxis Victra Sport 5
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 34.8 M 34.3 M +0.5 M 98.56%
Dry Handling 2nd 69 s 68.8 s +0.2 s 99.71%
Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 8th 49.7 M 41.9 M +7.8 M 84.31%
Wet Handling 4th 63.2 s 62.6 s +0.6 s 99.05%
Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Straight Aqua 9th 69.5 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 94.82%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 5th 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78%
Noise 5th 71 dB 69.1 dB +1.9 dB 97.32%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 6th 370 300 +70 81.08%
Rolling Resistance 6th 8.78 kg / t 8.38 kg / t +0.4 kg / t 95.44%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
8th

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

225/40 R18 92Y
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
  • EU Label: C/A/68
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 10th 36.2 M 34.3 M +1.9 M 94.75%
Dry Handling 10th 69.7 s 68.8 s +0.9 s 98.71%
Subj. Dry Handling 10th 4 Points 10 Points -6 Points 40%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 7th 48.7 M 41.9 M +6.8 M 86.04%
Wet Handling 5th 63.3 s 62.6 s +0.7 s 98.89%
Subj. Wet Handling 6th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Straight Aqua 1st 73.3 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 2nd 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89%
Noise 2nd 69.8 dB 69.1 dB +0.7 dB 99%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 8th 400 300 +100 75%
Rolling Resistance 1st 8.38 kg / t 100%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
9th

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

225/40 R18 92Y
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
  • EU Label: E/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 35.5 M 34.3 M +1.2 M 96.62%
Dry Handling 4th 69.1 s 68.8 s +0.3 s 99.57%
Subj. Dry Handling 7th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 10th 50.6 M 41.9 M +8.7 M 82.81%
Wet Handling 5th 63.3 s 62.6 s +0.7 s 98.89%
Subj. Wet Handling 6th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Straight Aqua 7th 69.8 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -3.5 Km/H 95.23%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 10th 6 Points 9 Points -3 Points 66.67%
Noise 8th 71.2 dB 69.1 dB +2.1 dB 97.05%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 4th 350 300 +50 85.71%
Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.5 kg / t 8.38 kg / t +0.12 kg / t 98.59%
Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £107.99 Results Table Test Charts
10th

Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

225/40 R18 92Y
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
  • EU Label: E/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 35.5 M 34.3 M +1.2 M 96.62%
Dry Handling 8th 69.4 s 68.8 s +0.6 s 99.14%
Subj. Dry Handling 8th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 9th 50.1 M 41.9 M +8.2 M 83.63%
Wet Handling 10th 64.9 s 62.6 s +2.3 s 96.46%
Subj. Wet Handling 10th 3 Points 10 Points -7 Points 30%
Straight Aqua 8th 69.7 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 95.09%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 1st 9 Points 100%
Noise 1st 69.1 dB 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 1st 300 100%
Rolling Resistance 9th 9.27 kg / t 8.38 kg / t +0.89 kg / t 90.4%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

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