Tire Rack are on a mission this year to test more tyres than anyone has before, which is very exciting. Their summer performance tyre test has tested eleven of the most popular tyres in 275/35 R19 using their new BMW M2 test vehicle, and it's a wonderful test.
Test Publication:
275/35 R19
10 tyres
2 categories
Images courtesy of Tire Rack
Test Publication:
Images courtesy of Tire Rack
Test Size:
275/35 R19
Tyres Tested:
10 tyres
As always, please go to the Tire Rack site to see the full details of this excellent test, it's really worth a read / watch. One of my favourite parts of this test this year was the inclusion of the OE BMW M2 MIchelin Pilot Sport 4S*, which I haven't databased so you'll have to go to the Tire Rack website to see the data. OE tyres are often fine-tuned to meet a vehicle maker’s specific performance targets, which can mean differences in ride comfort, noise, steering response, or outright grip. In this case, the OE Pilot Sport 4S* for the BMW M2 proved noticeably firmer and less comfortable than the aftermarket PS4S, with more road noise and harsher impact response. However, it delivered sharper steering and slightly better dry lap times, along with marginally improved braking. Wet performance was more precise and confidence-inspiring than the aftermarket version, though both still showed the same tendency toward edginess at the limit. Against the broader field, the OE PS4S* offered strong dry pace but was outperformed in wet grip and all-round refinement by newer rivals like the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02, and Kumho Ecsta Sport S.
A quick note on the final order, Tire Rack do things a little differently to European tyre tests. Their final order of results is based purely on the subjective scoring, road and track. The objective measurements such as braking distances and laptimes do not feature in the score weighting for the overall results so if you want to play with the results, you can head over to the "Results Table" tab above and work out which tyre is best for you.
Results
A new category leader that excels in comfort, noise control, and composure while still delivering quick, balanced wet and dry performance. Its road refinement is unmatched in the group, and while it’s just shy of the absolute best in ultimate grip, its overall package is outstanding.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
4th |
32.1 M |
30.9 M |
+1.2 M |
96.26% |
| Dry Handling |
4th |
28.75 s |
28.19 s |
+0.56 s |
98.05% |
| Dry Circle |
3rd |
0.98 g |
1.01 g |
-0.03 g |
97.03% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
2nd |
8.13 Points |
8.19 Points |
-0.06 Points |
99.27% |
| Subj. Road Score |
1st |
7.83 Points |
|
|
100% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
3rd |
40.4 M |
39.6 M |
+0.8 M |
98.02% |
| Wet Handling |
3rd |
30.52 s |
30.08 s |
+0.44 s |
98.56% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
3rd |
8 Points |
8.81 Points |
-0.81 Points |
90.81% |
| Wet Circle |
2nd |
0.88 m/s |
0.89 m/s |
-0.01 m/s |
98.88% |
Exceptional wet grip, precise steering, and strong dry traction make the Asymmetric 6 one of the most complete tyres in the test. It feels natural and stable at all times, delivering top wet lap times and competitive dry performance, with only minor room for improvement in noise and front-end bite.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
1st |
30.9 M |
|
|
100% |
| Dry Handling |
2nd |
28.58 s |
28.19 s |
+0.39 s |
98.64% |
| Dry Circle |
3rd |
0.98 g |
1.01 g |
-0.03 g |
97.03% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
2nd |
8.13 Points |
8.19 Points |
-0.06 Points |
99.27% |
| Subj. Road Score |
4th |
7.17 Points |
7.83 Points |
-0.66 Points |
91.57% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
4th |
40.8 M |
39.6 M |
+1.2 M |
97.06% |
| Wet Handling |
1st |
30.08 s |
|
|
100% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
1st |
8.81 Points |
|
|
100% |
| Wet Circle |
1st |
0.89 m/s |
|
|
100% |
A benchmark performer with refined road comfort, responsive handling, and impressive wet and dry grip, this tyre delivers confidence and precision at any speed. It offers strong braking and quick lap times in all conditions, making it one of the most well-rounded and capable options in the Max Performance category.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
2nd |
31 M |
30.9 M |
+0.1 M |
99.68% |
| Dry Handling |
1st |
28.19 s |
|
|
100% |
| Dry Circle |
1st |
1.01 g |
|
|
100% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
1st |
8.19 Points |
|
|
100% |
| Subj. Road Score |
3rd |
7.42 Points |
7.83 Points |
-0.41 Points |
94.76% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
1st |
39.6 M |
|
|
100% |
| Wet Handling |
2nd |
30.26 s |
30.08 s |
+0.18 s |
99.41% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
2nd |
8.13 Points |
8.81 Points |
-0.68 Points |
92.28% |
| Wet Circle |
2nd |
0.88 m/s |
0.89 m/s |
-0.01 m/s |
98.88% |
Comfort-focused and refined on the road, with quiet operation and precise steering, but lacking the ultimate grip to keep up with top performers. Predictable and friendly to drive, yet outpaced in both wet and dry conditions by the best in the category.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
8th |
33 M |
30.9 M |
+2.1 M |
93.64% |
| Dry Handling |
8th |
29.34 s |
28.19 s |
+1.15 s |
96.08% |
| Dry Circle |
6th |
0.96 g |
1.01 g |
-0.05 g |
95.05% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
8th |
7 Points |
8.19 Points |
-1.19 Points |
85.47% |
| Subj. Road Score |
2nd |
7.58 Points |
7.83 Points |
-0.25 Points |
96.81% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
6th |
43 M |
39.6 M |
+3.4 M |
92.09% |
| Wet Handling |
7th |
31.84 s |
30.08 s |
+1.76 s |
94.47% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
6th |
7.44 Points |
8.81 Points |
-1.37 Points |
84.45% |
| Wet Circle |
6th |
0.83 m/s |
0.89 m/s |
-0.06 m/s |
93.26% |
Still a strong, accurate-handling tyre with solid dry pace and dependable grip, but no longer the clear class leader. It suffers from elevated noise levels and edginess at the limit, especially in the wet, where it trails the latest competition in both braking and lap times.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
3rd |
31.4 M |
30.9 M |
+0.5 M |
98.41% |
| Dry Handling |
3rd |
28.62 s |
28.19 s |
+0.43 s |
98.5% |
| Dry Circle |
2nd |
1 g |
1.01 g |
-0.01 g |
99.01% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
4th |
8 Points |
8.19 Points |
-0.19 Points |
97.68% |
| Subj. Road Score |
5th |
7.08 Points |
7.83 Points |
-0.75 Points |
90.42% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
8th |
43.9 M |
39.6 M |
+4.3 M |
90.21% |
| Wet Handling |
4th |
31.18 s |
30.08 s |
+1.1 s |
96.47% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
8th |
7.38 Points |
8.81 Points |
-1.43 Points |
83.77% |
| Wet Circle |
4th |
0.85 m/s |
0.89 m/s |
-0.04 m/s |
95.51% |
A standout UHP tyre that challenges higher categories, delivering quick, reactive handling, strong wet and dry grip, and class-leading lap times and braking. Road comfort and noise could be improved, but its performance ceiling sets a new benchmark for the segment.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
5th |
32.3 M |
30.9 M |
+1.4 M |
95.67% |
| Dry Handling |
5th |
28.82 s |
28.19 s |
+0.63 s |
97.81% |
| Dry Circle |
3rd |
0.98 g |
1.01 g |
-0.03 g |
97.03% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
5th |
7.88 Points |
8.19 Points |
-0.31 Points |
96.21% |
| Subj. Road Score |
6th |
6.83 Points |
7.83 Points |
-1 Points |
87.23% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
6th |
43 M |
39.6 M |
+3.4 M |
92.09% |
| Wet Handling |
5th |
31.39 s |
30.08 s |
+1.31 s |
95.83% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
4th |
7.88 Points |
8.81 Points |
-0.93 Points |
89.44% |
| Wet Circle |
6th |
0.83 m/s |
0.89 m/s |
-0.06 m/s |
93.26% |
Well-balanced and easy to drive, the FK510 combines pleasant road manners with strong wet and dry traction. While it could use a touch more urgency in the steering and grip in the dry, it remains a harmonious, confidence-inspiring tyre that delivers solid results without major compromises.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
7th |
32.9 M |
30.9 M |
+2 M |
93.92% |
| Dry Handling |
6th |
29.03 s |
28.19 s |
+0.84 s |
97.11% |
| Dry Circle |
8th |
0.95 g |
1.01 g |
-0.06 g |
94.06% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
7th |
7.19 Points |
8.19 Points |
-1 Points |
87.79% |
| Subj. Road Score |
6th |
6.83 Points |
7.83 Points |
-1 Points |
87.23% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
2nd |
40.3 M |
39.6 M |
+0.7 M |
98.26% |
| Wet Handling |
6th |
31.44 s |
30.08 s |
+1.36 s |
95.67% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
5th |
7.75 Points |
8.81 Points |
-1.06 Points |
87.97% |
| Wet Circle |
5th |
0.84 m/s |
0.89 m/s |
-0.05 m/s |
94.38% |
A lively, responsive tyre with good noise control and composed street manners, the Phenom T/A feels quick but struggles to deliver matching grip, especially as heat builds on track. It’s enjoyable to drive but lacks the standout performance needed to compete with the segment’s best, making it a solid yet unremarkable option in a competitive field.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
6th |
32.8 M |
30.9 M |
+1.9 M |
94.21% |
| Dry Handling |
7th |
29.08 s |
28.19 s |
+0.89 s |
96.94% |
| Dry Circle |
6th |
0.96 g |
1.01 g |
-0.05 g |
95.05% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
6th |
7.25 Points |
8.19 Points |
-0.94 Points |
88.52% |
| Subj. Road Score |
9th |
6.58 Points |
7.83 Points |
-1.25 Points |
84.04% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
9th |
44 M |
39.6 M |
+4.4 M |
90% |
| Wet Handling |
8th |
32.06 s |
30.08 s |
+1.98 s |
93.82% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
6th |
7.44 Points |
8.81 Points |
-1.37 Points |
84.45% |
| Wet Circle |
8th |
0.82 m/s |
0.89 m/s |
-0.07 m/s |
92.13% |
Responsive steering and balanced feel make the HTR Z5 pleasant to drive, but its limited traction and longer braking distances keep it from being truly competitive. It’s agile but lacks the grip window needed for faster, more confident driving.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
9th |
34.3 M |
30.9 M |
+3.4 M |
90.09% |
| Dry Handling |
9th |
29.55 s |
28.19 s |
+1.36 s |
95.4% |
| Dry Circle |
9th |
0.94 g |
1.01 g |
-0.07 g |
93.07% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
9th |
6.69 Points |
8.19 Points |
-1.5 Points |
81.68% |
| Subj. Road Score |
8th |
6.75 Points |
7.83 Points |
-1.08 Points |
86.21% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
5th |
41.9 M |
39.6 M |
+2.3 M |
94.51% |
| Wet Handling |
9th |
32.69 s |
30.08 s |
+2.61 s |
92.02% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
9th |
6.94 Points |
8.81 Points |
-1.87 Points |
78.77% |
| Wet Circle |
9th |
0.79 m/s |
0.89 m/s |
-0.1 m/s |
88.76% |
Comfortable enough over impacts and easy to control at the limit, but limited by low wet and dry grip that leaves it drifting rather than driving quickly. It’s predictable but slow, finishing last in lap times and braking distances in the group.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
10th |
34.8 M |
30.9 M |
+3.9 M |
88.79% |
| Dry Handling |
10th |
30.01 s |
28.19 s |
+1.82 s |
93.94% |
| Dry Circle |
10th |
0.92 g |
1.01 g |
-0.09 g |
91.09% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
10th |
6.44 Points |
8.19 Points |
-1.75 Points |
78.63% |
| Subj. Road Score |
10th |
6.33 Points |
7.83 Points |
-1.5 Points |
80.84% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
10th |
49.7 M |
39.6 M |
+10.1 M |
79.68% |
| Wet Handling |
10th |
33.86 s |
30.08 s |
+3.78 s |
88.84% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
10th |
6.69 Points |
8.81 Points |
-2.12 Points |
75.94% |
| Wet Circle |
10th |
0.77 m/s |
0.89 m/s |
-0.12 m/s |
86.52% |
