2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test

The 2023 Sport Auto summer tyre test has set out to discover what the best UHP summer tyre is by testing eleven summer tyres in the popular 225/40 R18 size using an Audi S3.

Once again the Continental SportContact 7 won the test with a strong performance in the dry and wet, with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 close behind in second place and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S in third place.

There seems to be a running theme in 2023 tyre testing, and that is the SportContact 7 and Asymmetric 6 are incredible tyres!

Test Publication:

225/40 R18 11 tyres 4 categories

Similar Tests

Test Publication:

https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/sport-auto-1/

Test Size: 225/40 R18

Tyres Tested: 11 tyres

Test Categories:
4 categories (10 tests)

Similar Tests

Wet

The new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 proved to have a small advantage over the Continental SportContact 7 during the wet braking test. The new Firestone Firehawk Sport also performed well, with the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 performing oddly poorly compared to its recent run of impressive test results.

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport took its usual spot at the top of wet handling, with the Continental and Pirelli close behind.

The new Falken FK520, Giti GitiSportS2 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S all joint won the straight aquaplaning test. Curved aquaplaning can be found in the overall results at the base of the page.

Dry

The Continental and Goodyear were back at the front for dry braking.

And the Continental also narrowly beat the Bridgestone Potenza Sport for the fastest lap around dry handling.

Environment

The Kumho Ecsta PS91 was the quietest tyre in the external noise drive by test.

The Firestone had an impressively low rolling resistance, with the Bridgestone having an impressive high one!

At usual, the Michelin tyre was the most expensive on test.

Results

1^st

Continental SportContact 7

225/40 R18 92Y

• EU Label: C/A/72
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 9.76 kgs
• Tread: 5.8 mm

Very balanced handling and short braking distances in the wet. Very high level of grip when braking and cornering in the dry, very stable, fast handling.

Cornering grip in the wet not quite at the top level, increased pass-by noise.

High grip level and best driving safety in wet and dry conditions for the Continental SC7.

Dry

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	33.7 M			100%
Dry Handling	1st	101.8 Km/H			100%

Wet

97.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	24.1 M	23.8 M	+0.3 M	98.76%
Wet Handling	2nd	87.5 Km/H	88.7 Km/H	-1.2 Km/H	98.65%
Wet Circle	2nd	8.58 m/s	8.81 m/s	-0.23 m/s	97.39%
Straight Aqua	4th	80.1 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-0.5 Km/H	99.38%
Curved Aquaplaning	8th	3.37 m/sec2	3.63 m/sec2	-0.26 m/sec2	92.84%

Comfort

95.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	11th	73.3 dB	69.7 dB	+3.6 dB	95.09%

Value

80.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	112	84	+28	75%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	8.2 kg / t	7.1 kg / t	+1.1 kg / t	86.59%

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2^nd

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

225/40 R18 92Y

• EU Label: C/A/70
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 9.75 kgs
• Tread: 6.4 mm

Shortest braking distances, best balance, very safe and wide limit in the wet. Strong braking, quick steering and high driving safety in the dry.

Cornering grip not at top level in wet conditions.

The EF1A6 is particularly strong on a dry track, top braking.

Dry

99.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	33.8 M	33.7 M	+0.1 M	99.7%
Dry Handling	4th	100.6 Km/H	101.8 Km/H	-1.2 Km/H	98.82%

Wet

97.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	23.8 M			100%
Wet Handling	4th	86.4 Km/H	88.7 Km/H	-2.3 Km/H	97.41%
Wet Circle	4th	8.52 m/s	8.81 m/s	-0.29 m/s	96.71%
Straight Aqua	11th	79.1 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-1.5 Km/H	98.14%
Curved Aquaplaning	6th	3.38 m/sec2	3.63 m/sec2	-0.25 m/sec2	93.11%

Comfort

98.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	70.9 dB	69.7 dB	+1.2 dB	98.31%

Value

83.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4th	103	84	+19	81.55%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	8.3 kg / t	7.1 kg / t	+1.2 kg / t	85.54%

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3^rd

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

225/40 R18 92Y

• EU Label: D/A/72
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 10.03 kgs
• Tread: 7.24 mm

Good wet braking, brilliant aquaplaning safety. Strong braking, great precision and very low sensitivity to load changes on a dry track.

Difficult balance in wet handling. Increased values in rolling resistance and tyre noise.

Top aquaplaning protection and strong in the dry for the Pilot Sport 4S, but slight deficits when wet.

Dry

99.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	33.9 M	33.7 M	+0.2 M	99.41%
Dry Handling	4th	100.6 Km/H	101.8 Km/H	-1.2 Km/H	98.82%

Wet

97.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	24.5 M	23.8 M	+0.7 M	97.14%
Wet Handling	8th	84.6 Km/H	88.7 Km/H	-4.1 Km/H	95.38%
Wet Circle	7th	8.46 m/s	8.81 m/s	-0.35 m/s	96.03%
Straight Aqua	1st	80.6 Km/H			100%
Curved Aquaplaning	1st	3.63 m/sec2			100%

Comfort

96.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	10th	72.1 dB	69.7 dB	+2.4 dB	96.67%

Value

60.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	11th	181	84	+97	46.41%
Rolling Resistance	9th	9.6 kg / t	7.1 kg / t	+2.5 kg / t	73.96%

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4^th

Firestone Firehawk Sport

225/40 R18 92Y

• EU Label: B/A/70
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 9.44 kgs
• Tread: 6.5 mm

Good wet braking, very reliable wet grip with very precise steering, stable. Very balanced, easily controllable driving characteristics dry, lowest rolling resistance.

Deficits in curved aquaplaning.

Strong performance for the new Firestone FireHawk Sport, lowest rolling resistance.

Dry

98.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	34.5 M	33.7 M	+0.8 M	97.68%
Dry Handling	3rd	100.7 Km/H	101.8 Km/H	-1.1 Km/H	98.92%

Wet

95.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	24.3 M	23.8 M	+0.5 M	97.94%
Wet Handling	5th	86.2 Km/H	88.7 Km/H	-2.5 Km/H	97.18%
Wet Circle	6th	8.48 m/s	8.81 m/s	-0.33 m/s	96.25%
Straight Aqua	7th	79.4 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-1.2 Km/H	98.51%
Curved Aquaplaning	9th	3.19 m/sec2	3.63 m/sec2	-0.44 m/sec2	87.88%

Comfort

97.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	6th	71.3 dB	69.7 dB	+1.6 dB	97.76%

Value

87.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	112	84	+28	75%
Rolling Resistance	1st	7.1 kg / t			100%

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5^th

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

225/40 R18 92Y

• EU Label: C/B/71
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 9.16 kgs
• Tread: 7.2 mm

Very easy to control and steer with a balanced, slightly understeering balance in the wet. Very quick steering, high lateral support and sensitive balance when cornering.

Weak wet braking, increased rolling resistance.

Strong when dry. Weaknesses in wet braking for the PZ4.

Dry

98.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	34.1 M	33.7 M	+0.4 M	98.83%
Dry Handling	7th	100.5 Km/H	101.8 Km/H	-1.3 Km/H	98.72%

Wet

95.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	11th	26.6 M	23.8 M	+2.8 M	89.47%
Wet Handling	3rd	86.7 Km/H	88.7 Km/H	-2 Km/H	97.75%
Wet Circle	3rd	8.57 m/s	8.81 m/s	-0.24 m/s	97.28%
Straight Aqua	5th	79.9 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-0.7 Km/H	99.13%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	3.4 m/sec2	3.63 m/sec2	-0.23 m/sec2	93.66%

Comfort

98%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	71.1 dB	69.7 dB	+1.4 dB	98.03%

Value

74.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	7th	111	84	+27	75.68%
Rolling Resistance	9th	9.6 kg / t	7.1 kg / t	+2.5 kg / t	73.96%

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6^th

Bridgestone Potenza Sport

225/40 R18 92Y

• EU Label: D/A/70
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 10.3 kgs
• Tread: 6.43 mm

Razor-sharp wet handling with high cornering. Safe, active handling on dry roads.

Longer braking distances at low temperatures and slightly rear-biased in the wet. Weak dry braking, highest rolling resistance in the test.

When the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is warm, it has very good grip in all directions.

Dry

97.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	9th	35.2 M	33.7 M	+1.5 M	95.74%
Dry Handling	2nd	101.1 Km/H	101.8 Km/H	-0.7 Km/H	99.31%

Wet

97%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	10th	25.4 M	23.8 M	+1.6 M	93.7%
Wet Handling	1st	88.7 Km/H			100%
Wet Circle	1st	8.81 m/s			100%
Straight Aqua	9th	79.3 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-1.3 Km/H	98.39%
Curved Aquaplaning	6th	3.38 m/sec2	3.63 m/sec2	-0.25 m/sec2	93.11%

Comfort

97.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	9th	71.6 dB	69.7 dB	+1.9 dB	97.35%

Value

71.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	10th	114	84	+30	73.68%
Rolling Resistance	11th	10.2 kg / t	7.1 kg / t	+3.1 kg / t	69.61%

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7^th

Falken Azenis FK520

225/40 R18 92Y

• EU Label: C/A/70
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 10.02 kgs
• Tread: 7.2 mm

Good wet braking, safe aquaplaning properties. Safe but less dynamic cornering, best ride comfort.

Dull steering, somewhat indifferent balance in the wet. Less spontaneous steering and slightly longer braking distances when dry.

The new FK520 is comfortable, but steers sluggishly on wet roads.

Dry

97.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	9th	35.2 M	33.7 M	+1.5 M	95.74%
Dry Handling	4th	100.6 Km/H	101.8 Km/H	-1.2 Km/H	98.82%

Wet

96.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	24.5 M	23.8 M	+0.7 M	97.14%
Wet Handling	11th	83.1 Km/H	88.7 Km/H	-5.6 Km/H	93.69%
Wet Circle	10th	8.3 m/s	8.81 m/s	-0.51 m/s	94.21%
Straight Aqua	1st	80.6 Km/H			100%
Curved Aquaplaning	4th	3.47 m/sec2	3.63 m/sec2	-0.16 m/sec2	95.59%

Comfort

97.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	6th	71.3 dB	69.7 dB	+1.6 dB	97.76%

Value

85%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	3rd	96	84	+12	87.5%
Rolling Resistance	4th	8.6 kg / t	7.1 kg / t	+1.5 kg / t	82.56%

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8^th

Kumho Ecsta PS91

225/40 R18 92Y

• EU Label: D/A/70
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 9.86 kgs
• Tread: 7.2 mm

Decent water drainage, acceptable cornering grip and low load change reactions in the wet. Good deceleration values on dry roads, very quiet passing noise.

Longer braking distances and significant understeer in the wet. Sluggish steering, increased rolling resistance.

The PS91 is a quiet tyre but has weaknesses in wet and dry grip.

Dry

98.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	34.4 M	33.7 M	+0.7 M	97.97%
Dry Handling	10th	100 Km/H	101.8 Km/H	-1.8 Km/H	98.23%

Wet

96.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	9th	25.2 M	23.8 M	+1.4 M	94.44%
Wet Handling	7th	84.8 Km/H	88.7 Km/H	-3.9 Km/H	95.6%
Wet Circle	9th	8.38 m/s	8.81 m/s	-0.43 m/s	95.12%
Straight Aqua	7th	79.4 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-1.2 Km/H	98.51%
Curved Aquaplaning	3rd	3.52 m/sec2	3.63 m/sec2	-0.11 m/sec2	96.97%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	69.7 dB			100%

Value

78.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4th	103	84	+19	81.55%
Rolling Resistance	8th	9.5 kg / t	7.1 kg / t	+2.4 kg / t	74.74%

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9^th

Maxxis Victra Sport 5

225/40 R18 92Y

• EU Label: C/A/72
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 8.97 kgs
• Tread: 7.32 mm

Good wet braking, easily controllable, tends to understeer in the wet and dry.

Low curve aquaplaning resistance, cornering grip decreases with longer loads.

The VS5 has safe braking and good grip level in wet and dry corners.

Dry

98.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	34.4 M	33.7 M	+0.7 M	97.97%
Dry Handling	9th	100.1 Km/H	101.8 Km/H	-1.7 Km/H	98.33%

Wet

95.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	24.4 M	23.8 M	+0.6 M	97.54%
Wet Handling	6th	85.8 Km/H	88.7 Km/H	-2.9 Km/H	96.73%
Wet Circle	5th	8.49 m/s	8.81 m/s	-0.32 m/s	96.37%
Straight Aqua	6th	79.8 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-0.8 Km/H	99.01%
Curved Aquaplaning	9th	3.19 m/sec2	3.63 m/sec2	-0.44 m/sec2	87.88%

Comfort

97.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	6th	71.3 dB	69.7 dB	+1.6 dB	97.76%

Value

86.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	89	84	+5	94.38%
Rolling Resistance	7th	9 kg / t	7.1 kg / t	+1.9 kg / t	78.89%

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10^th

Giti GitiSportS2

225/40 R18 92Y

• EU Label: D/A/70
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 8.79 kgs
• Tread: 7.93 mm

Objectively good wet properties, best aquaplaning safety.

When moving dynamically, there is a lack of steering precision and response in the wet. Comparatively long braking distances and unbalanced handling on dry roads.

The Giti SportS2 has superior aquaplaning protection but is sluggish when turning in the dry.

Dry

96.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	11th	35.4 M	33.7 M	+1.7 M	95.2%
Dry Handling	8th	100.4 Km/H	101.8 Km/H	-1.4 Km/H	98.62%

Wet

97.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	24.8 M	23.8 M	+1 M	95.97%
Wet Handling	9th	84.4 Km/H	88.7 Km/H	-4.3 Km/H	95.15%
Wet Circle	7th	8.46 m/s	8.81 m/s	-0.35 m/s	96.03%
Straight Aqua	1st	80.6 Km/H			100%
Curved Aquaplaning	1st	3.63 m/sec2			100%

Comfort

98%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	71.1 dB	69.7 dB	+1.4 dB	98.03%

Value

78.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	6th	110	84	+26	76.36%
Rolling Resistance	5th	8.9 kg / t	7.1 kg / t	+1.8 kg / t	79.78%

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11^th

Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

225/40 R18 92Y

• EU Label: C/B/72
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 9.42 kgs
• Tread: 7.39 mm

Good wet braking, decent longitudinal aquaplaning. Quiet pass-by noise.

Very sluggish steering and high levels of understeer in the wet. Long braking distances and less dynamic handling on a dry track.

The N`Fera Sport SU2 brakes properly when wet, otherwise rather low level of grip.

Dry

96.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	35.1 M	33.7 M	+1.4 M	96.01%
Dry Handling	11th	99 Km/H	101.8 Km/H	-2.8 Km/H	97.25%

Wet

93.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	24.6 M	23.8 M	+0.8 M	96.75%
Wet Handling	10th	83.5 Km/H	88.7 Km/H	-5.2 Km/H	94.14%
Wet Circle	11th	8.28 m/s	8.81 m/s	-0.53 m/s	93.98%
Straight Aqua	10th	79.2 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-1.4 Km/H	98.26%
Curved Aquaplaning	11th	3.09 m/sec2	3.63 m/sec2	-0.54 m/sec2	85.12%

Comfort

99.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	2nd	70.2 dB	69.7 dB	+0.5 dB	99.29%

Value

89.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	1st	84			100%
Rolling Resistance	5th	8.9 kg / t	7.1 kg / t	+1.8 kg / t	79.78%

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