Test Charts / Auto Zeitung
2026 Auto Zeitung 18 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
- 235/45 R18
- Tyres tested
- 10
- Disciplines
- 14
- Test vehicle
- Audi A5 TFSI
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
3Dry Braking
Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32.8 m | Best | 0 km/h | |
| 33 m | +0.20 m | 10 km/h | |
| 33.2 m | +0.40 m | 14 km/h | |
| 34.1 m | +1.30 m | 25 km/h | |
| 34.4 m | +1.60 m | 28 km/h | |
| 34.8 m | +2.00 m | 31 km/h | |
| 34.9 m | +2.10 m | 32 km/h | |
| 35.3 m | +2.50 m | 35 km/h | |
| 35.3 m | +2.50 m | 35 km/h | |
| 35.7 m | +2.90 m | 37 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 8.8% (2.9 m ≈ 0.6 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Westlake ZuperAce Z 007 would still be travelling at 37 km/h when the Continental PremiumContact 7 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Dry Handling
Dry handling time in seconds
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 61.4 s | Best | |
| 61.7 s | +0.30 s | |
| 61.7 s | +0.30 s | |
| 61.8 s | +0.40 s | |
| 61.8 s | +0.40 s | |
| 62.4 s | +1.00 s | |
| 62.5 s | +1.10 s | |
| 62.5 s | +1.10 s | |
| 62.7 s | +1.30 s | |
| 62.7 s | +1.30 s |
All the tyres in the Dry Handling test finished less than 3% apart.
Subj. Dry Handling
Subjective Dry Handling Score
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Points | Best | |
| 28 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 27 Points | -3.00 Points | |
| 25 Points | -5.00 Points | |
| 24 Points | -6.00 Points | |
| 22 Points | -8.00 Points | |
| 21 Points | -9.00 Points | |
| 18 Points | -12.00 Points | |
| 16 Points | -14.00 Points | |
| 16 Points | -14.00 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 46.7% (14 Points).
Wet
5Wet Braking
Wet braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53.2 m | Best | 0 km/h | |
| 56.2 m | +3.00 m | 30 km/h | |
| 56.4 m | +3.20 m | 31 km/h | |
| 56.4 m | +3.20 m | 31 km/h | |
| 59.6 m | +6.40 m | 43 km/h | |
| 60.9 m | +7.70 m | 46 km/h | |
| 61.9 m | +8.70 m | 49 km/h | |
| 63 m | +9.80 m | 51 km/h | |
| 64.2 m | +11.00 m | 54 km/h | |
| 65.3 m | +12.10 m | 56 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 22.7% (12.1 m ≈ 2.7 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Laufenn S Fit EQ+ would still be travelling at 56 km/h when the Continental PremiumContact 7 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Wet Handling
Wet handling time in seconds
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 69.8 s | Best | |
| 70.8 s | +1.00 s | |
| 70.9 s | +1.10 s | |
| 72.2 s | +2.40 s | |
| 72.3 s | +2.50 s | |
| 72.4 s | +2.60 s | |
| 74 s | +4.20 s | |
| 74.2 s | +4.40 s | |
| 74.5 s | +4.70 s | |
| 76.1 s | +6.30 s |
The difference between best and worst was 9% (6.3 s).
Subj. Wet Handling
Subjective Wet Handling Score
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 44 Points | Best | |
| 41 Points | -3.00 Points | |
| 39 Points | -5.00 Points | |
| 35 Points | -9.00 Points | |
| 31 Points | -13.00 Points | |
| 27 Points | -17.00 Points | |
| 23 Points | -21.00 Points | |
| 20 Points | -24.00 Points | |
| 16 Points | -28.00 Points | |
| 12 Points | -32.00 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 72.7% (32 Points).
Wet Circle
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 13.7 s | Best | |
| 13.9 s | +0.20 s | |
| 14.1 s | +0.40 s | |
| 14.1 s | +0.40 s | |
| 14.6 s | +0.90 s | |
| 14.8 s | +1.10 s | |
| 14.9 s | +1.20 s | |
| 15.1 s | +1.40 s | |
| 15.2 s | +1.50 s | |
| 15.3 s | +1.60 s |
The difference between best and worst was 11.7% (1.6 s).
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in Km/H
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 82.8 km/h | Best | |
| 82.6 km/h | -0.20 km/h | |
| 82.2 km/h | -0.60 km/h | |
| 81.6 km/h | -1.20 km/h | |
| 80.8 km/h | -2.00 km/h | |
| 80.7 km/h | -2.10 km/h | |
| 80.5 km/h | -2.30 km/h | |
| 79.7 km/h | -3.10 km/h | |
| 79.5 km/h | -3.30 km/h | |
| 78.6 km/h | -4.20 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 5.1% (4.2 Km/H).
Comfort
2Subj. Comfort
Subjective Comfort Score
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -3.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -5.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -5.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -5.00 Points | |
| 4 Points | -6.00 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 60% (6 Points).
Noise
External noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 68 dB | Best | |
| 68 dB | Best | |
| 69 dB | +1.00 dB | |
| 69 dB | +1.00 dB | |
| 69 dB | +1.00 dB | |
| 69 dB | +1.00 dB | |
| 70 dB | +2.00 dB | |
| 70 dB | +2.00 dB | |
| 71 dB | +3.00 dB | |
| 72 dB | +4.00 dB |
The difference between best and worst was 5.9% (4 dB).
Value
4Wear
Predicted tread life in KM
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 50,000 KM | Best | |
| 49,500 KM | -500 KM | |
| 44,750 KM | -5,250 KM | |
| 44,250 KM | -5,750 KM | |
| 40,000 KM | -10,000 KM | |
| 39,250 KM | -10,750 KM | |
| 36,250 KM | -13,750 KM | |
| 29,000 KM | -21,000 KM | |
| 28,750 KM | -21,250 KM | |
| 25,250 KM | -24,750 KM |
The difference between best and worst was 49.5% (24,750 KM).
Value
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | cost per 1,000 km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11.68 Price/1000 | Best | €19.89 | |
| 12.69 Price/1000 | +1.01 Price/1000 | €18.11 | |
| 14.13 Price/1000 | +2.45 Price/1000 | €17.43 | |
| 14.14 Price/1000 | +2.46 Price/1000 | €20.60 | |
| 15.3 Price/1000 | +3.62 Price/1000 | €16.70 | |
| 15.65 Price/1000 | +3.97 Price/1000 | €22.36 | |
| 16.09 Price/1000 | +4.41 Price/1000 | €21.15 | |
| 16.31 Price/1000 | +4.63 Price/1000 | €18.87 | |
| 16.84 Price/1000 | +5.16 Price/1000 | €23.08 | |
| 17.76 Price/1000 | +6.08 Price/1000 | €22.50 |
The difference between best and worst was 52.1% (6.08 Price/1000). Over 40,000 km the cheapest tyre to own (Michelin Primacy 5) works out €255 cheaper than the most expensive (Continental PremiumContact 7).
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 2026 test; financing costs are excluded.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.8 kg/t | Best | £0 | |
| 7 kg/t | +0.20 kg/t | £13 | |
| 7.2 kg/t | +0.40 kg/t | £26 | |
| 7.4 kg/t | +0.60 kg/t | £39 | |
| 7.7 kg/t | +0.90 kg/t | £58 | |
| 7.7 kg/t | +0.90 kg/t | £58 | |
| 7.9 kg/t | +1.10 kg/t | £71 | |
| 8 kg/t | +1.20 kg/t | £78 | |
| 8.1 kg/t | +1.30 kg/t | £84 | |
| 8.2 kg/t | +1.40 kg/t | £91 |
The difference between best and worst was 20.6% (1.4 kg / t). Over 19,000 km a year at £1.45/L, the Tercelo Sport D1 uses about 63 L (£91) more fuel than the Michelin Primacy 5.
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.
Abrasion
Millimetre of tread lost per 1000km driven
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 0.08 mm/1000km | Best | |
| 0.08 mm/1000km | Best | |
| 0.08 mm/1000km | Best | |
| 0.08 mm/1000km | Best | |
| 0.09 mm/1000km | +0.01 mm/1000km | |
| 0.11 mm/1000km | +0.03 mm/1000km | |
| 0.11 mm/1000km | +0.03 mm/1000km | |
| 0.11 mm/1000km | +0.03 mm/1000km | |
| 0.15 mm/1000km | +0.07 mm/1000km | |
| 0.16 mm/1000km | +0.08 mm/1000km |
The difference between best and worst was 100% (0.08 mm/1000km).
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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