A new publication in Germany has started tyre testing. It is Netzwelt , a German newspaper, and for their first summer tyre test, they have tested six tyres, one premium tyre (the Continental PremiumContact 7), five mid-range products and one budget product.
Unfortunately, the data shared is limited to wet and dry braking- they have translated all the other results into a point system, which we don't database here, so we recommend using the link below to check out a full test in German. You can read the subjective comments below for each tyre's overall position.
Test Size:
205/55 R16
Tyres Tested:
6 tyres
Test Categories:
2 categories (2 tests)
Similar Tests
2 categories (2 tests)
Once again, Ling Long is rattling the premium manufacturers, finishing a close second but way cheaper than the Continental. We have seen in other tests that this low purchase price and good grip is balanced out with poor wear, so as a value proposition across the tyre life, it doesn't always meet expectations but it's certainly showing that the Chinese manufacturers are catching up.
Dry
Dry Braking
Wet
Wet Braking
Results
- 3PMSF: no
- Price: 317.16
The Continental PremiumContact 7 is the test winner and the most expensive tyre in the group. Grip is high on both wet and dry surfaces, with direct steering response and good feedback. The balance is neutral and the tyre remains predictable at the limit. Braking performance leads the field on both surfaces. Aquaplaning resistance is average. Ride comfort is firm, with some harshness over larger expansion joints. Interior noise is low. Rolling resistance sits mid-pack, which is acceptable given the high grip levels.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 1st | 35.2 M | 100% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st | 47.1 M | 100% |
- 3PMSF: no
- Price: 186.08
The Linglong Comfort Master is the surprise of the test and the cheapest tyre in the field. Braking performance is strong, finishing second behind the Continental on both surfaces. On wet roads the tyre performs well, with good balance, direct turn-in and a neutral-to-understeer limit character. On dry roads it is weaker - steering response is slower, requiring larger inputs, and lateral grip is limited on the handling course. Rolling resistance is the worst in the test, around 13% higher than the best, equating to roughly 0.1-0.2 l/100km extra fuel consumption. Ride comfort and noise levels are good.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 2nd | 36.1 M | 97.51% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd | 48.1 M | 97.92% |
- 3PMSF: no
- Price: 250.08
The Firestone Roadhawk 2 offers good balance and consistent steering response on the dry handling course, producing acceptable lap times, though the steering is not as direct as the top performers. Dry braking is at a good level. On wet roads, lateral grip is limited in tight corners and the tyre tends to understeer early. Aquaplaning resistance is strong. The tyre remains safe and predictable at the limit on both surfaces. Ride comfort is quiet and without major issues. Pass-by noise and rolling resistance are mid-pack.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 3rd | 36.9 M | 95.39% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th | 51.1 M | 92.17% |
- 3PMSF: no
- Price: 249.24
The Uniroyal RainSport 5 lives up to its rain-specialist positioning. It has the deepest tread (8.7 mm) and the best aquaplaning results in the test by a clear margin. Wet grip is good and wet braking distances are short. On wet roads the handling is stable but the tyre understeers earlier in tight corners, and steering reactions are slightly slow. On dry roads it is the weakest of the established brands - lateral grip and steering precision are noticeably lacking, and the steering feels indirect. It is the lightest tyre in the test, produces the lowest pass-by noise, and has low rolling resistance.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 5th | 37.6 M | 93.62% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd | 48.5 M | 97.11% |
- 3PMSF: no
- Price: 249.92
The Maxxis Premitra HP 6 delivers solid but unremarkable performance across the board. On wet roads it understeers in tight corners and steering response to direction changes is slightly delayed. Wet and dry braking are average with room for improvement. On the dry handling course, straight-line stability and balance are good, but turn-in and steering precision need work. Aquaplaning resistance is below average. Ride comfort is firm, with some drone in corners. It is the heaviest tyre in the test at 8.9 kg but achieves the lowest rolling resistance.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 4th | 37 M | 95.14% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th | 49.9 M | 94.39% |
- 3PMSF: no
- Price: 272.60
The Tourador X Wonder TH1 is the budget entry and finishes last with a significant gap to the rest of the field. Grip is poor on both surfaces. Wet braking distance is nearly 9 metres longer than the Continental, and dry braking is also the weakest. Steering response is slow and vague, with little feedback. On wet roads the tyre shows critical load-change reactions and the handling is unpredictable. Aquaplaning resistance in curves is poor despite visually deep grooves. Ride comfort is rough, with harsh behaviour over edges and droning in corners. It is the lightest tyre in the test, but the low weight appears to come at a direct cost to safety performance.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 6th | 38.7 M | 90.96% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th | 55.8 M | 84.41% |