2018 AZ Summer AND All Season Tyre Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingMichelin Pilot Sport 4
Dry BrakingMichelin Pilot Sport 4
WearMichelin Pilot Sport 4
Rolling ResistanceGoodyear EfficientGrip Performance
NoiseMichelin CrossClimate Plus
Snow HandlingGoodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2
The first tyre test of 2018 is rather unique. German publication Auto Zeitung have tested six summer and three all season tyres all in the same test, and while it's going to make the Tyre Reviews version of the results at the bottom of this page read slightly wonky, it's a really interesting way of comparing the dry and wet performances of the two tyre types.

Keep in mind, the nine 225/45 R17 tyres were only tested in the dry and wet, there was no snow or ice testing to highlight the all season tyres year-round abilities. This means this test should just be looked at to see how the all season tyres compare to the summer tyres in summer conditions, rather than making a purchase decision for year-round motoring.

Dry

Dry braking was a double win for Michelin, with the Pilot Sport 4 the best summer tyre and the Michelin CrossClimate+ the best all season tyre. While the CrossClimate+ beat the other two all season tyres by a considerable margin, it was unable to match even the cheapest Giti tyre during dry braking.

Michelin once again had a double win during dry handling, but this time with the CrossClimate further away from the summer tyres. The new Continental AllSeasonContact sat between the Michelin CrossClimate and Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 in the dry.

Wet

Wet braking was won by the Goodyear all season tyre, and lost by the Goodyear summer tyre! The Continental summer tyre beat the Continental all season tyre, as did the Michelin summer. The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance usually scores strongly in the wet, perhaps this is a rogue result.

Wet handling is a harder test for the all season tyres than wet braking, and the best all season tyre could only finish fourth overall. In both wet braking and handling, the Michelin, Continental and Falken summer tyres were close.

The Michelin and Falken summer tyres impress again with the best straight aquaplaning results.

Other

Three decibels covered all nine tyres during noise testing.

Goodyear had a clear lead in fuel use which might explain the wet performance, and Giti and Hankook lead on purchase price. The Falken also proves to be excellent value when balancing the test results against the purchase price.

Sadly wear wasn't tested, but this is an area where Michelin usually excel in.

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Michelin Pilot Sport 4
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 586
  2. Dry: 131
  3. Wet: 149
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 11
  6. Noise: 9
  7. Overall: 280
A leading performance in both the dry and wet ensured the Pilot Sport 4 wins the test convincingly, despite having a right rolling resistance.

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1st: Michelin CrossClimate+

Michelin CrossClimate Plus
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 440
  2. Dry: 109
  3. Wet: 96
  4. Comfort: 9
  5. Rolling Resistance: 14
  6. Noise: 7
  7. Overall: 205
As the most "summer tyre like" of the all season tyres, the CrossClimate+ wins its category. It is however the most expensive tyre on test.

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1st: Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2

Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 442
  2. Dry: 88
  3. Wet: 117
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 14
  6. Noise: 10
  7. Overall: 205
The Vector 4 Season Gen-2 proves to be the strongest all season tyre in the wet, but can't match the Crossclimate or summer tyres in the dry. An excellent all round performance otherwise.

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2nd: Continental Premium Contact 6

Continental Premium Contact 6
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 554
  2. Dry: 126
  3. Wet: 137
  4. Comfort: 5
  5. Rolling Resistance: 15
  6. Noise: 8
  7. Overall: 263
The Premiumcontact 6 has the shortest stopping distances in the wet, and is very strong in the dry. Lowest levels of comfort on test.

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3rd: Falken Azenis FK510

Falken Azenis FK510
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 538
  2. Dry: 123
  3. Wet: 133
  4. Comfort: 5
  5. Rolling Resistance: 12
  6. Noise: 9
  7. Overall: 256
The FK510 proves to be an excellent all round tyre, finishing the test with a well balanced performance. Excellent value.

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3rd: Continental AllSeasonContact

Continental AllSeasonContact
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 434
  2. Dry: 94
  3. Wet: 106
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 18
  6. Noise: 9
  7. Overall: 200
The AllSeasonContact has no real drawbacks, but isn't as strong as the CrossClimate in the dry or the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 in the wet. As an all season tyre, the AllSeasonContact seems to sit between the Michelin and Goodyear with regards to the dry/wet/snow blend of performance.

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4th: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 498
  2. Dry: 128
  3. Wet: 101
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 25
  6. Noise: 8
  7. Overall: 229
Toughness:Top in curved aquaplaning, the EfficientGrip Perf is let down by a wear wet braking performance. Lowest rolling resistance on test.

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5th: Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125

Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 470
  2. Dry: 129
  3. Wet: 93
  4. Comfort: 6
  5. Rolling Resistance: 11
  6. Noise: 9
  7. Overall: 222
A surprisingly poor result for the Ventus Prime3. A poor wet performance was combined with an average dry performance.

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6th: Giti GitiSport S1

GiTi GitiSport S1
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 459
  2. Dry: 119
  3. Wet: 96
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 14
  6. Noise: 8
  7. Overall: 215
The GitiSport S1 might have finished in last place, but when you look at the balance of performance to price, this is one of the better cheap tyres available, proving to be quicker than the Goodyear in the dry, better than the Hankook in the wet, one of the quietest tyres on test and the cheapest to buy.

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