2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test

We're a little bit late publishing the 2021 EVO summer tyre test, but as we like to  have the database on Tyre Reviews as complete as possible, here's a brief summary. For the full details, including all the glorious subjective commentary, head over to the EVO website here: https://www.evo.co.uk/tyre-reviews/18309/best-car-tyres-evo-performance-tyre-test .

For 2021 EVO magazine tested nine sets of UHP / UUHP tyres in the popular 225/40 R18 size. That size in particular offers some interesting issues as companies like Bridgestone and Goodyear offer their UUHP products in that size, but companies like Continental and Michelin do not.  

Test Publication:

225/40 R18 9 tyres 3 categories

Similar Tests

Images courtesy of EVO

Test Publication:

https://www.evo.co.uk/technology

Images courtesy of EVO

Test Size: 225/40 R18

Tyres Tested: 9 tyres

Test Categories:
3 categories (10 tests)

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The test was conducted using an Audi S3 which has a haldex type based four wheel drive system, which is fairly uncommon in tyre testing. EVO spend a lot of time rating the subjective handling, noise and comfort of  the tyres on the road and track, which means they put more score weighting on subjective data than any other publication. This makes the results really interesting for those of us who enjoy driving.

Notes from the Test

Some interesting notes from the test compared to Tyre Reviews experience with the tyres.

• EVO found the Continental PremiumContact 6 slow to steer, and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 dynamic on the road route. We've had both of these tyres in this size on the Tyre Reviews Octavia VRS and in many tests and have found the opposite. We can't explain this one.
• EVO found the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport to be excellent in the wet, one of the fastest overall. The tyre was mid pack in wet braking which is similar to Tyre Reviews tests, so maybe the AWD system and the excellent subjective nature helped this tyre perform.
• The GT Radial performed very well for the price point, finishing relatively close to the Pilot Sport 4!
• The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 performed well again, which we found in our 2021 UHP test, but this time it won overall! The Pirelli shone dynamically, which is important for driving enthusiasts.

Below is the key data from the test, we haven't databased the road route subjective scores, so be sure to read those on the EVO website!

Dry

Wet

Environment

Results

1^st

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

225/40 R18

The PZ4 is a tyre that offers (almost) everything, being top ranked subjectively in the dry and wet and offering excellent grip.

Dry

99.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	34.3 M	33.9 M	+0.4 M	98.83%
Dry Handling	6th	67.2 s	66.1 s	+1.1 s	98.36%
Subj. Dry Handling	1st	57 Points			100%

Wet

94.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	27 M			100%
Wet Handling	1st	66.3 s			100%
Subj. Wet Handling	2nd	57.5 Points	60 Points	-2.5 Points	95.83%
Wet Circle	1st	14.9 s			100%
Straight Aqua	7th	66.3 Km/H	73.2 Km/H	-6.9 Km/H	90.57%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	17.3 m/sec2	21.1 m/sec2	-3.8 m/sec2	81.99%

Value

84.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	9th	9.9 kg / t	8.4 kg / t	+1.5 kg / t	84.85%

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2^nd

Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport

225/40 R18

The Eagle F1 SuperSport was excellent in both wet and dry handling with good steering and high levels of grip. A bit noisy on some surfaces but an outstanding performance tyre.

Dry

98.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	34.8 M	33.9 M	+0.9 M	97.41%
Dry Handling	1st	66.1 s			100%
Subj. Dry Handling	2nd	56.5 Points	57 Points	-0.5 Points	99.12%

Wet

92.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	30.4 M	27 M	+3.4 M	88.82%
Wet Handling	2nd	66.6 s	66.3 s	+0.3 s	99.55%
Subj. Wet Handling	1st	60 Points			100%
Wet Circle	3rd	15.2 s	14.9 s	+0.3 s	98.03%
Straight Aqua	4th	69.1 Km/H	73.2 Km/H	-4.1 Km/H	94.4%
Curved Aquaplaning	6th	15.8 m/sec2	21.1 m/sec2	-5.3 m/sec2	74.88%

Value

86.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	8th	9.7 kg / t	8.4 kg / t	+1.3 kg / t	86.6%

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3^rd

Bridgestone Potenza Sport

225/40 R18

The Potenza Sport finished in the top 3 places in most grip tests and was solid in the wet and dry. The ride quality was firm and there was higher levels of noise in the cabin.

Dry

95.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	33.9 M			100%
Dry Handling	4th	67 s	66.1 s	+0.9 s	98.66%
Subj. Dry Handling	4th	49.5 Points	57 Points	-7.5 Points	86.84%

Wet

95.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	28.3 M	27 M	+1.3 M	95.41%
Wet Handling	2nd	66.6 s	66.3 s	+0.3 s	99.55%
Subj. Wet Handling	3rd	57 Points	60 Points	-3 Points	95%
Wet Circle	2nd	15 s	14.9 s	+0.1 s	99.33%
Straight Aqua	3rd	69.7 Km/H	73.2 Km/H	-3.5 Km/H	95.22%
Curved Aquaplaning	3rd	18.7 m/sec2	21.1 m/sec2	-2.4 m/sec2	88.63%

Value

88.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	7th	9.5 kg / t	8.4 kg / t	+1.1 kg / t	88.42%

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4^th

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

225/40 R18

The RT2 had excellent aquaplaning resistance, was agile in the dry and was great on the road route with balanced steering and good comfort.

Dry

93%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	36.7 M	33.9 M	+2.8 M	92.37%
Dry Handling	2nd	66.8 s	66.1 s	+0.7 s	98.95%
Subj. Dry Handling	3rd	50 Points	57 Points	-7 Points	87.72%

Wet

95%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	32.3 M	27 M	+5.3 M	83.59%
Wet Handling	5th	67.8 s	66.3 s	+1.5 s	97.79%
Subj. Wet Handling	3rd	57 Points	60 Points	-3 Points	95%
Wet Circle	5th	15.4 s	14.9 s	+0.5 s	96.75%
Straight Aqua	1st	73.2 Km/H			100%
Curved Aquaplaning	2nd	20.5 m/sec2	21.1 m/sec2	-0.6 m/sec2	97.16%

Value

92.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	6th	9.1 kg / t	8.4 kg / t	+0.7 kg / t	92.31%

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5^th

Michelin Pilot Sport 4

225/40 R18

The PS4 had direct steering and a good balance, but the detail sometimes lacked. A solid performer but not inspiring.

Dry

94.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	34.5 M	33.9 M	+0.6 M	98.26%
Dry Handling	2nd	66.8 s	66.1 s	+0.7 s	98.95%
Subj. Dry Handling	4th	49.5 Points	57 Points	-7.5 Points	86.84%

Wet

92.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	29.2 M	27 M	+2.2 M	92.47%
Wet Handling	6th	68.1 s	66.3 s	+1.8 s	97.36%
Subj. Wet Handling	6th	54.5 Points	60 Points	-5.5 Points	90.83%
Wet Circle	4th	15.3 s	14.9 s	+0.4 s	97.39%
Straight Aqua	5th	67.2 Km/H	73.2 Km/H	-6 Km/H	91.8%
Curved Aquaplaning	4th	17.7 m/sec2	21.1 m/sec2	-3.4 m/sec2	83.89%

Value

98.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	8.5 kg / t	8.4 kg / t	+0.1 kg / t	98.82%

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6^th

GT Radial SportActive 2

225/40 R18

The SportActive 2 had very high aquaplaning resistance and performed well during wet handling. It was less dynamic in the dry but it scored well on the road route for the good combination of steering and ride quality. A good tyre.

Dry

90.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	37.9 M	33.9 M	+4 M	89.45%
Dry Handling	7th	67.9 s	66.1 s	+1.8 s	97.35%
Subj. Dry Handling	6th	49 Points	57 Points	-8 Points	85.96%

Wet

94.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	32.1 M	27 M	+5.1 M	84.11%
Wet Handling	4th	67.4 s	66.3 s	+1.1 s	98.37%
Subj. Wet Handling	5th	55 Points	60 Points	-5 Points	91.67%
Wet Circle	6th	15.6 s	14.9 s	+0.7 s	95.51%
Straight Aqua	1st	73.2 Km/H			100%
Curved Aquaplaning	1st	21.1 m/sec2			100%

Value

96.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	4th	8.7 kg / t	8.4 kg / t	+0.3 kg / t	96.55%

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7^th

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

225/40 R18

The S1 Evo 3 (K127) was strong in wet and dry braking but struggled in the aquaplaning tests and never shone on track. It did offer a fair compromise on the road.

Dry

92.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	35.8 M	33.9 M	+1.9 M	94.69%
Dry Handling	8th	68 s	66.1 s	+1.9 s	97.21%
Subj. Dry Handling	7th	48.5 Points	57 Points	-8.5 Points	85.09%

Wet

85.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	30.3 M	27 M	+3.3 M	89.11%
Wet Handling	7th	69.2 s	66.3 s	+2.9 s	95.81%
Subj. Wet Handling	7th	53 Points	60 Points	-7 Points	88.33%
Wet Circle	8th	15.9 s	14.9 s	+1 s	93.71%
Straight Aqua	9th	65.2 Km/H	73.2 Km/H	-8 Km/H	89.07%
Curved Aquaplaning	9th	12 m/sec2	21.1 m/sec2	-9.1 m/sec2	56.87%

Value

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	1st	8.4 kg / t			100%

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8^th

Continental Premium Contact 6

225/40 R18

The PremiumContact 6 felt a lot like a comfort biased tyre, very refined and comfortable but at the expense of dynamic sharpness.

Dry

91.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	35.9 M	33.9 M	+2 M	94.43%
Dry Handling	5th	67.1 s	66.1 s	+1 s	98.51%
Subj. Dry Handling	8th	46.5 Points	57 Points	-10.5 Points	81.58%

Wet

86.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	30.6 M	27 M	+3.6 M	88.24%
Wet Handling	8th	72.3 s	66.3 s	+6 s	91.7%
Subj. Wet Handling	8th	47.5 Points	60 Points	-12.5 Points	79.17%
Wet Circle	7th	15.8 s	14.9 s	+0.9 s	94.3%
Straight Aqua	5th	67.2 Km/H	73.2 Km/H	-6 Km/H	91.8%
Curved Aquaplaning	6th	15.8 m/sec2	21.1 m/sec2	-5.3 m/sec2	74.88%

Value

97.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	8.6 kg / t	8.4 kg / t	+0.2 kg / t	97.67%

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9^th

Triangle SporteX TH201

225/40 R18

The Sportex TH201 might be well priced but if you fit this after a good tyre your car will feel worse. It also had long wet braking.

Dry

86.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	9th	41.2 M	33.9 M	+7.3 M	82.28%
Dry Handling	9th	69 s	66.1 s	+2.9 s	95.8%
Subj. Dry Handling	9th	46 Points	57 Points	-11 Points	80.7%

Wet

77.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	9th	42.9 M	27 M	+15.9 M	62.94%
Wet Handling	9th	73.4 s	66.3 s	+7.1 s	90.33%
Subj. Wet Handling	9th	36 Points	60 Points	-24 Points	60%
Wet Circle	9th	17.7 s	14.9 s	+2.8 s	84.18%
Straight Aqua	8th	66.1 Km/H	73.2 Km/H	-7.1 Km/H	90.3%
Curved Aquaplaning	6th	15.8 m/sec2	21.1 m/sec2	-5.3 m/sec2	74.88%

Value

94.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	5th	8.9 kg / t	8.4 kg / t	+0.5 kg / t	94.38%

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