2015 Sport Auto 235/35 R19 UHP Tyre Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingPirelli P Zero
Dry BrakingPirelli P Zero
Rolling ResistanceDunlop SportMaxx RT
NoisePirelli P Zero
Dunlop SportMaxx RT
Snow HandlingHankook Ventus S1 evo2
Dunlop SportMaxx RT
With the UK being the largest optional "big wheel" upgrader in Europe, you'd have thought the likes of EVO and Auto Express would test a bigger tyre size than the usual 17" size they choose! Fortunately, Germany has the answer, and this year Sport Auto Magazine tested seven patterns in 235/35 R19, the most common 19" tyre size on the market, using a VW Golf R.

All tyres are now rated by the European standardised labels, which grades the rolling resistance and wet grip on an A-F scale. Currently no manufacturer has the technology to make an A/A rated tyre in 235/35 R19, so the best on test were the Dunlop and Continental with a "C/A". The Nokian, Hankook and Pirelli came in with a slightly worse rolling resistance score, at "E/A" and the Bridgestone and Kumho tyres graded themselves as "F/B".

The Results

Proving its sporty background, Pirelli won the test with the P Zero. Thanks to a balanced performance with a particularly strong wet result the Pirelli P Zero was the only tyre to be "Very recommended".

Second to fifth were all awarded the "Recommended" status, with the Continental Sport Contact 5P narrowly beating the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 to second place thanks to a slightly stronger wet performance. Dunlop finished fourth with the SportMaxx RT, interestingly the tyre was praised for sharp steering in the wet, but poor steering in the dry which seems to be a confusing mix of qualities, and the Nokian zLine finished in fifth with a balance performance, but slow steering.

In joint sixth were Bridgestone and Kumho. The Bridgestone Potenza S001 had a poor time in the wet, and the Kumho Ecsta PS91 had an even worse time in the wet, but performed slightly better in the dry than the Bridgestone.

We've included the weight measurements in the final result. The Dunlop was the lightest tyre at 8.7kgs, and the Nokian the heaviest at 9.9kgs.

The overall score is weighted 40% wet, 50% dry and 10% noise and rolling resistance.

1st: Pirelli P Zero

Pirelli P Zero
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 42.9
  2. Dry: 9.7
  3. Wet: 9.2
  4. Comfort: 9
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8
  6. Noise: 7
Very high grip and shot braking distances on wet roads, good handling in all conditions, good comfort, low rolling resistance
Relatively low resistance to aquaplaning

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2nd: Continental ContiSportContact 5 P

Continental ContiSportContact 5 P
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 40
  2. Dry: 9
  3. Wet: 9
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 7
High resistance to aquaplaning, good handling and short braking distances on wet roads, very good handling on dry surfaces, good comfort
A relatively high noise level

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3rd: Hankook Ventus S1 evo2

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 42.7
  2. Dry: 8.8
  3. Wet: 8.9
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 10
High resistance to aquaplaning, good handling in all conditions, low noise level
Increased rolling resistance

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4th: Dunlop SportMaxx RT

Dunlop SportMaxx RT
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 45.2
  2. Dry: 8.3
  3. Wet: 7.9
  4. Comfort: 9
  5. Rolling Resistance: 10
  6. Noise: 10
Good handling on wet roads, short braking distance on dry roads, very low rolling resistance, low noise level
Relatively long braking distances on wet surfaces, slow reaction to the steering in the dry

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5th: Nokian zLine

Nokian zLine
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 40.4
  2. Dry: 8
  3. Wet: 8.4
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 9
  6. Noise: 7
A balanced performance on dry and wet surfaces
Relatively weak resistance to aquaplaning, slow response to steering, rolling resistance

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6th: Bridgestone Potenza S001

Bridgestone Potenza S001
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 35.2
  2. Dry: 7.6
  3. Wet: 7.6
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 7
Short braking distances on dry roads, good resistance to aquaplaning, good steering feel
Long braking distance on wet roads, average handling on dry surfaces, relatively low levels of comfort

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7th: Kumho Ecsta PS91

Kumho Ecsta PS91
  • 235/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 37.8
  2. Dry: 8.8
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Noise: 8
Good performance on dry surfaces
Poor handling and a strong tendency to understeer on wet surfaces

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