2018 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16

Test Summary
Wet BrakingHankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
Dry BrakingBridgestone Turanza T001 Evo
WearMichelin Primacy 3
Rolling ResistanceVredestein Sportrac 5
Continental Premium Contact 5
NoiseNexen N Blue HD Plus
Snow BrakingMichelin Primacy 3
In 2018, German test body ADAC have tested sixteen 205/55 R16 summer tyres, and fourteen tyres in the smaller 175/65 R14 size.

In this 205/55 R16 test, premium manufacturers take the top three places. Michelin lead the way, having the lowest wear on test and proving to be excellent in the dry, Bridgestone have a surprisingly strong performance in the wet to score second place overall, and Continental have a very balanced showing for the last of the podium spots.

The next group of tyres are all mid range brands, with Bridgestone owned Firestone taking fourth place with a very balanced performance, Hankook continuing the run of strong finishes for the Prime 3 in fifth place, and the Continental owned Semperit brand finishing in sixth largely thanks to a great wet performance.

Other note worthy results are Pirelli and Goodyear only managing to finish ninth and twelfth overall, with both premium manufacturers struggling in the wet, and the new Giti brand beating some very established brands on their first attempt.

More results below, or check out the ADAC website for the full details. 

Results

The overall results are weighted 20% dry, 40% wet, 10% noise and comfort, 10% fuel consumption and 20% wear

1st: Michelin Primacy 3

Michelin Primacy 3
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 47.4
  2. Dry: 8.6
  3. Wet: 7
  4. Comfort: 5.8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8.2
  6. Wear: 10
  7. Overall: 7.8
Very balanced with top marks when worn, especially good on dry roads, still very good in the wet
None mentioned

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2nd: Bridgestone Turanza T001 Evo

Bridgestone Turanza T001 Evo
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 43.6
  2. Dry: 8.2
  3. Wet: 8
  4. Comfort: 5.2
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7.8
  6. Wear: 7
  7. Overall: 7.4
Very balanced with top marks in the wet, good on dry roads
None mentioned

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3rd: Continental Premium Contact 5

Continental Premium Contact 5
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 43.6
  2. Dry: 7.6
  3. Wet: 7.6
  4. Comfort: 5.4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8.6
  6. Wear: 7
  7. Overall: 7.4
Very well balanced with top fuel consumption, especially good in the wet
None mentioned

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4th: Firestone RoadHawk

Firestone RoadHawk
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 43.2
  2. Dry: 8.6
  3. Wet: 7.6
  4. Comfort: 4.6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8
  6. Wear: 7
  7. Overall: 7.4
A very balanced tyre, very good in the wet
None mentioned

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5th: Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125

Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 43
  2. Dry: 8.8
  3. Wet: 7
  4. Comfort: 5.2
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7.8
  6. Wear: 7
  7. Overall: 7.2
Very balanced with top marks on dry roads, still good in the wet
None mentioned

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6th: Semperit SpeedLife 2

Semperit SpeedLife 2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 42
  2. Dry: 7.2
  3. Wet: 7.8
  4. Comfort: 5.2
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7.6
  6. Wear: 7
  7. Overall: 7.2
Very balanced, especially good on wet roads, but still good in the dry
None mentioned

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7th: ESA Tecar Spirit 5 HP

ESA-Tecar Spirit 5 HP
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 41
  2. Dry: 7.8
  3. Wet: 6.8
  4. Comfort: 4.6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8
  6. Wear: 7
  7. Overall: 6.8
Good in the dry
Slightly weak in the wet when compared to the best on test

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8th: Kumho Ecsta HS51

Kumho Ecsta HS51
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 40.8
  2. Dry: 6.8
  3. Wet: 7
  4. Comfort: 5.6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7.6
  6. Wear: 7
  7. Overall: 6.8
Good in the wet
Slightly weak in the dry when compared to the best on test

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9th: Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue

Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 43.8
  2. Dry: 8.6
  3. Wet: 6.8
  4. Comfort: 4.2
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8.4
  6. Wear: 9
  7. Overall: 6.8
Very good in the dry, low wear and low fuel consumption
A little weak in the wet

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10th: Fulda EcoControl HP

Fulda EcoControl HP
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 41
  2. Dry: 6.8
  3. Wet: 6.2
  4. Comfort: 5.2
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7.6
  6. Wear: 9
  7. Overall: 6.2
Low wear
Relatively weak in the wet, slightly weak on dry roads

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11th: Giti GitiPremium H1

GiTi GitiPremium H1
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 37.6
  2. Dry: 6.6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Comfort: 5.4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7.6
  6. Wear: 6
  7. Overall: 6
None mentioned
Relatively weak in the dry and wet, slightly high wear

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12th: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 40.4
  2. Dry: 8
  3. Wet: 6.4
  4. Comfort: 5.6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8.4
  6. Wear: 6
  7. Overall: 6
Good in the dry, low fuel consumption
Slightly weak in the wet, high wear

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13th: Nexen N Blue HD+

Nexen N Blue HD Plus
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 39.4
  2. Dry: 7.6
  3. Wet: 6.6
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7.2
  6. Wear: 6
  7. Overall: 6
Very quiet
Highest fuel use, high wear

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14th: Cooper Zeon CS8

Cooper Zeon CS8
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 36.8
  2. Dry: 5.6
  3. Wet: 5.6
  4. Comfort: 5.6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7.4
  6. Wear: 7
  7. Overall: 5.6
None mentioned
Weak in the dry and wet

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15th: Infinity Ecosis

Infinity Ecosis
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 35
  2. Dry: 5.8
  3. Wet: 5.6
  4. Comfort: 5.6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8
  6. Wear: 6
  7. Overall: 4
None mentioned
Relatively weak on dry and wet roads, high wear, ADAC high speed test failed, standard test ECE R-30 passed

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16th: Vredestein Sportrac 5

Vredestein Sportrac 5
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 42.6
  2. Dry: 8.6
  3. Wet: 6.6
  4. Comfort: 5.8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8.6
  6. Wear: 9
  7. Overall: 4
Lowest fuel use, very good in the dry
A little weak in the wet, ADAC high speed test failed, standard test ECE R-30 passed

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