Auto motor und sport tested eight summer tyres in size 195/55 R 16, a common fitment for small cars such as the VW Polo, Hyundai i20, Fiat 500, and Renault Clio, including several electric models like the Hyundai Inster and Fiat 500e. Testing covered wet performance (braking, handling, aquaplaning), dry performance (braking, handling, steering response, comfort), and environmental factors (rolling resistance, noise). The test used both a conventional Hyundai i20 and a battery-electric Hyundai Inster, with a separate EV-focused rating that weighted efficiency more heavily.
The Dunlop Blue Response TG - a newly developed tyre from Sumitomo/Falken following their acquisition of the Dunlop brand - took a clear overall win with the only "outstanding" rating, finishing first in most wet and dry tests. At the other end, the Giti Synergy H2 finished last despite carrying an A/A/A EU label (the best possible in all three categories), with the testers concluding that the label ratings were far more optimistic than the actual measured performance. The Continental EcoContact 6 highlighted the core trade-off in this test: it delivered the lowest rolling resistance and longest EV range by a wide margin, but paid for it with the worst wet braking distance - sliding 6.4 metres further than the Dunlop on wet surfaces.
The Dunlop stopped shortest at 34.9 metres from 100 km/h, with the Falken close behind at 35.5 metres. The spread is relatively tight - only 2.6 metres separates best from worst - but the Cooper trailed the field at 37.5 metres, a result the testers described as borderline.
Dry Braking
Spread: 2.60 M (7.4%)|Avg: 36.33 M
Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Dunlop Blue Response TG
34.90 M
Falken e.Ziex
35.50 M
Continental EcoContact 6
36.30 M
Vredestein Ultrac plus
36.30 M
Giti GitiSynergyH2
36.40 M
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
36.60 M
Michelin Primacy 5
37.10 M
Kia Motors Sportage 2021
37.50 M
Residual Speed Calculator
Dry Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre
Handling lap times on the 1900-metre dry track were closely bunched, with just 1.0 km/h covering the entire field. The Dunlop was fastest, followed by the Giti and Continental in a dead heat. Vredestein was slowest on the clock, though the testers noted that lap times only tell part of the story - subjective scores for steering precision and limit behaviour varied more widely, with the Dunlop, Continental, and Michelin rated highest for driving feel.
Dry Handling
Spread: 1.00 Km/H (0.9%)|Avg: 106.86 Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
Dunlop Blue Response TG
107.40 Km/H
Continental EcoContact 6
107.20 Km/H
Giti GitiSynergyH2
107.20 Km/H
Falken e.Ziex
107.10 Km/H
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
106.60 Km/H
Michelin Primacy 5
106.50 Km/H
Kia Motors Sportage 2021
106.50 Km/H
Vredestein Ultrac plus
106.40 Km/H
Wet
Wet braking showed the largest performance gaps in the entire test. The Vredestein stopped first at 35.5 metres from 80 km/h, with the Dunlop just one metre behind. At the other end, the Giti needed 43.8 metres - over 8 metres further, which the testers called unacceptably long. The Continental, despite being the efficiency leader, also struggled here at 42.9 metres, paying for its low rolling resistance with an 18% longer braking distance than the Dunlop.
Wet Braking
Spread: 8.30 M (23.4%)|Avg: 39.86 M
Wet braking in meters (80 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Vredestein Ultrac plus
35.50 M
Dunlop Blue Response TG
36.50 M
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
38.50 M
Michelin Primacy 5
38.80 M
Falken e.Ziex
41.40 M
Kia Motors Sportage 2021
41.50 M
Continental EcoContact 6
42.90 M
Giti GitiSynergyH2
43.80 M
Residual Speed Calculator
Wet Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre
The Dunlop led wet handling on the 1823-metre circuit at 55.8 km/h, with Firestone and Vredestein close behind. The Continental was slowest at 52.4 km/h - consistent with its weak wet braking - and the Giti also struggled near the bottom. The efficiency-focused tyres clearly lost ground when grip mattered most.
Wet Handling
Spread: 3.40 Km/H (6.1%)|Avg: 54.28 Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
Dunlop Blue Response TG
55.80 Km/H
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
55.10 Km/H
Vredestein Ultrac plus
55.00 Km/H
Michelin Primacy 5
54.70 Km/H
Falken e.Ziex
54.10 Km/H
Kia Motors Sportage 2021
54.10 Km/H
Giti GitiSynergyH2
53.00 Km/H
Continental EcoContact 6
52.40 Km/H
Lateral grip on the wet 100-metre circle followed a similar pattern, with the Dunlop recording the highest cornering force and the Continental the lowest. The gap between them - 0.33 m/s² - is significant for a standardised circle test and reinforces the trade-off between rolling resistance and wet grip seen throughout this test.
Wet Circle
Spread: 0.33 m/s (4.2%)|Avg: 7.70 m/s
Lateral wet grip in m/s squared (Higher is better)
Dunlop Blue Response TG
7.92 m/s
Vredestein Ultrac plus
7.74 m/s
Falken e.Ziex
7.73 m/s
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
7.70 m/s
Kia Motors Sportage 2021
7.68 m/s
Giti GitiSynergyH2
7.63 m/s
Michelin Primacy 5
7.61 m/s
Continental EcoContact 6
7.59 m/s
The Dunlop and Michelin were nearly identical for straight-line aquaplaning resistance, floating up at 92.2 and 92.1 km/h respectively. The Continental was weakest at 81.8 km/h - over 10 km/h behind the leaders. The testers observed that low-rolling-resistance tyres tended to aquaplane earlier, which aligns with the broader trend in this test.
Straight Aqua
Spread: 10.40 Km/H (11.3%)|Avg: 88.78 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
Dunlop Blue Response TG
92.20 Km/H
Michelin Primacy 5
92.10 Km/H
Vredestein Ultrac plus
91.40 Km/H
Kia Motors Sportage 2021
90.70 Km/H
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
89.60 Km/H
Falken e.Ziex
88.40 Km/H
Giti GitiSynergyH2
84.00 Km/H
Continental EcoContact 6
81.80 Km/H
Curved aquaplaning reversed some of the usual order: the Firestone posted the best lateral grip before float at 4.78 m/s², while the Continental was again last at 3.20 m/s². The Dunlop, dominant in most other wet tests, was mid-pack here at 4.28 m/s².
Curved Aquaplaning
Spread: 1.58 m/sec2 (33.1%)|Avg: 4.06 m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration (Higher is better)
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
4.78 m/sec2
Michelin Primacy 5
4.41 m/sec2
Kia Motors Sportage 2021
4.39 m/sec2
Dunlop Blue Response TG
4.28 m/sec2
Vredestein Ultrac plus
3.96 m/sec2
Falken e.Ziex
3.87 m/sec2
Giti GitiSynergyH2
3.56 m/sec2
Continental EcoContact 6
3.20 m/sec2
Comfort
Pass-by noise at 80 km/h ranged from 68.7 dB(A) for the Dunlop to 71.9 dB(A) for the Cooper - a 3.2 dB(A) spread. The testers noted that the standard ECE exterior noise measurement does not capture low-speed rolling noise below 60 km/h, which is particularly relevant for city driving. For interior noise at low speeds, the Falken was rated the quietest, while the Vredestein and Firestone scored lowest subjectively.
Noise
Spread: 3.20 dB (4.7%)|Avg: 69.86 dB
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
Dunlop Blue Response TG
68.70 dB
Continental EcoContact 6
68.90 dB
Michelin Primacy 5
69.00 dB
Vredestein Ultrac plus
69.40 dB
Giti GitiSynergyH2
69.50 dB
Falken e.Ziex
70.00 dB
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
71.50 dB
Kia Motors Sportage 2021
71.90 dB
Value
Lab-measured rolling resistance ranged from 5.8 kg/t for the Continental to 8.4 kg/t for the Dunlop - a 45% difference. The Giti, despite carrying an A label for rolling resistance, measured 6.6 kg/t and was beaten by the Continental. This test highlights the fundamental engineering trade-off: the three tyres with the lowest rolling resistance (Continental, Giti, Falken) all had the weakest wet braking performance.
Rolling Resistance
Spread: 2.60 kg / t (44.8%)|Avg: 7.40 kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
Continental EcoContact 6
5.80 kg / t
Giti GitiSynergyH2
6.60 kg / t
Falken e.Ziex
6.90 kg / t
Michelin Primacy 5
7.20 kg / t
Kia Motors Sportage 2021
7.70 kg / t
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
8.30 kg / t
Vredestein Ultrac plus
8.30 kg / t
Dunlop Blue Response TG
8.40 kg / t
Fuel & Energy Cost Calculator
19,000 km
£1.45/L
8.0 L/100km
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Annual Difference
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Lifetime Savings
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Extra Fuel/Energy
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Extra CO2
Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tyre age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.
Real-world energy consumption was measured on the Hyundai Inster over a 10 km urban circuit kept below 60 km/h to isolate tyre effects from aerodynamic drag. The Continental used 9.9 kWh/100km while the Dunlop used 11.1 kWh/100km - a difference of over 10%, translating to 39 km of extra range for the Continental. The results correlated closely with the lab rolling resistance figures.
Energy consumption in kW hours per 100 km (Lower is better)
Continental EcoContact 6
9.90 kWh/100km
Giti GitiSynergyH2
10.10 kWh/100km
Falken e.Ziex
10.20 kWh/100km
Michelin Primacy 5
10.40 kWh/100km
Kia Motors Sportage 2021
10.50 kWh/100km
Vredestein Ultrac plus
10.90 kWh/100km
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
11.00 kWh/100km
Dunlop Blue Response TG
11.10 kWh/100km
Fuel & Energy Cost Calculator
19,000 km
£1.45/L
8.0 L/100km
--
Annual Difference
--
Lifetime Savings
--
Extra Fuel/Energy
--
Extra CO2
Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tyre age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.
Results
The Dunlop Blue Response TG took a clear win with the only "outstanding" rating, dominating wet and dry grip but finishing last for efficiency. The Vredestein Ultrac+ and Michelin Primacy 5 followed in second and third. The Giti Synergy H2 finished last overall, its A/A/A EU label not reflected in the measured results.
The Dunlop Blue Response TG wins this test outright with top scores across nearly every category. It delivers the shortest braking distances on both wet and dry surfaces, the highest lateral grip on wet roads, and the fastest lap times in wet and dry handling. Test drivers rated it as precise, responsive to steering inputs, and stable during lane changes, with a wide and predictable limit range. Under hard cornering at the limit, it tends toward understeer but can become slightly unsettled by lift-off oversteer. The trade-off is clear: it has the highest rolling resistance and energy consumption in the test, resulting in the shortest range on the electric test car. Interior noise levels are well controlled. This is a newly developed tyre from Sumitomo/Falken following their full acquisition of the Dunlop brand, manufactured in Turkey. Retail-purchased tyres matched the test samples in follow-up checks.
The Vredestein Ultrac+ is a recently revised tyre that finishes second overall, driven mainly by strong wet performance. It posts the shortest wet braking distance of all tyres tested and performs well in wet handling and aquaplaning resistance. On dry roads, however, test drivers found it less impressive - cornering behavior is safe but lacks precision, with sluggish initial turn-in response. Steering feel is described as vague on dry asphalt. A faint slip-angle noise is audible during cornering. Rolling resistance is on the higher side, placing it sixth out of eight. It was also subject to follow-up verification testing with retail-purchased tyres, which confirmed the original results.
The Michelin Primacy 5 delivers balanced and safe handling on both wet and dry surfaces, with enough cornering reserve to remain controllable at the limit. Test drivers noted good aquaplaning protection. On dry roads, however, braking distances are longer than average, and the tyre felt somewhat unstable during fast lane-change maneuvers. Ride comfort is a weak point due to low self-damping, making it feel firm over bumps. It sits in the middle of the field for rolling resistance and is the most expensive tyre in the test at 135 euros. Overall, it offers predictable, secure behavior without standout performance in any single area.
The Falken e.Ziex is specifically designed for electric vehicles, prioritizing low rolling resistance and quiet running. It is the quietest tyre in the test at low speeds inside the cabin, and it delivers comfortable ride quality. On dry roads, it behaves in a safe, understeer-biased manner with good cornering reserves, though steering response is somewhat lazy. The main weakness shows on wet roads: braking distances are longer than average, and the tyre exhibits unstable, lift-off-sensitive behavior in wet corners. Rolling resistance and efficiency are strong, making it the top recommendation for EV owners focused on range. It carries a B/A/B EU label, deliberately trading some rolling resistance performance for better wet grip compared to the most aggressive efficiency tyres.
The Firestone Roadhawk 2 performs well on wet surfaces, with strong results in wet handling, aquaplaning resistance, and the best lateral aquaplaning score in the test. Dry road behavior offers good cornering stability. Steering response is somewhat delayed, and test drivers noted minor comfort shortcomings. Its biggest drawback is efficiency - rolling resistance is among the highest in the group, tied with Vredestein, leading to high energy consumption and reduced range. The exterior pass-by noise measurement is also the second loudest. It is the cheapest tyre in the test after Cooper, priced at 106 euros.
The Continental EcoContact 6 is the efficiency leader, recording the lowest rolling resistance by a significant margin and delivering the longest range on the electric test car. Interior noise is very quiet. On dry roads, it handles securely with stable cornering behavior and precise steering - test drivers gave it the highest score for steering response. The cost of this efficiency focus is severe: wet braking distances are the longest in the test, wet lateral grip is the weakest, and wet handling times are the slowest. The gap is substantial - it slides 6.4 meters further than the Dunlop when braking on wet surfaces. Its EU label reflects this trade-off with an A rating for rolling resistance but only B for wet grip, the only tyre in the group not rated A for wet grip. Dry braking is also on the longer side.
The Cooper Summer is a new product following Cooper's acquisition by Goodyear. On wet roads, it delivers secure, precise, and reliable handling with very good aquaplaning protection, and test drivers found it easy to control. The problem area is dry braking, where it records the longest stopping distance in the test at 37.5 meters - a borderline result. A slight rubbing sensation was noted at the handling limit, and a faint rolling noise is audible in corners. Rolling resistance is mid-pack, and it is among the cheaper options at 100 euros. Like Dunlop and Vredestein, retail-purchased samples were verified in follow-up tests and confirmed the original results.
The Giti Synergy H2 carries an ambitious A/A/A EU label - the best possible ratings for rolling resistance, wet grip, and noise - but the test results do not support those claims. Wet braking is the worst in the field at 43.8 meters, and wet grip scores are consistently near the bottom. On dry roads, it is sluggish and imprecise but still safe and manageable, with reasonably comfortable ride quality. Rolling resistance lab results place it second behind Continental, which is decent but not the class-leading performance the A label implies. The article concludes that the gap between label and actual performance is more about optimistic self-labeling than poor engineering. Manufactured in China, it finishes last in the overall ranking.
