2015 Auto Express Tyre Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingContinental Sport Contact 5
Dry BrakingContinental Sport Contact 5
WearContinental Sport Contact 5
Rolling ResistanceDunlop Sport BluResponse
Snow HandlingHankook Ventus S1 evo2
The 2015 Auto Express tyre test covers eleven patterns in the popular 225/45 R17 size.  Testing at Continentals test track in Texas, Auto Express used the benchmark VW Golf to carry out nine thorough tests covering dry and wet performance, along with rolling resistance and cabin noise.

As usual, we don't write too much for the Auto Express test, instead we encourage you to read the full tyre test on their own website. Full details on the test can be found here, or read on for our summary below.

The Results

1st: Continental Sport Contact 5

Continental Sport Contact 5
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 771.3
  2. Dry: 200
  3. Wet: 299.7
  4. Rolling Resistance: 73.1
  5. Noise: 98.5
  6. Overall: 100
The Continental Sport Contact 5 dominated the test with four wins and three runner-up spots. The Continental shone on all surfaces, and was particularly strong and consistent under wet and dry braking.

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2nd: Dunlop Sport BluResponse

Dunlop Sport BluResponse
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 789.1
  2. Dry: 198.2
  3. Wet: 293.2
  4. Rolling Resistance: 100
  5. Noise: 98.9
  6. Overall: 98.8
The 2014 champion came close to repeating the win in this bigger size. The Dunlop Sport BluResponse had the best rolling resistance on test, while retaining excellent wet performance.

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3rd: Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3

Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 747.1
  2. Dry: 191.6
  3. Wet: 289.6
  4. Rolling Resistance: 72.1
  5. Noise: 95.8
  6. Overall: 98
While the Michelin Primacy 3 is a few years old, it still managed a great performance, excelling particularly in the aquaplaning tests where it won both the straight and curved aquaplaning.

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4th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo2

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 754.3
  2. Dry: 191.5
  3. Wet: 287.2
  4. Rolling Resistance: 77.9
  5. Noise: 100
  6. Overall: 97.7
Only winning the cabin noise test, the Hankook S1 Evo 2 had a strong performance in every category, always close to the front and rarely slipping past mid table.

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5th: Pirelli P Zero

Pirelli P Zero
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 760.8
  2. Dry: 195.1
  3. Wet: 297.2
  4. Rolling Resistance: 71.4
  5. Noise: 99.8
  6. Overall: 97.3
The Pirelli P Zero won the test back in 2008, which makes it the oldest pattern on test. Naturally there have been updates to the tyre during its life, and they show. In the top 3 for all the handling, cornering and braking tests, the P Zero shows its sports car pedigree. The tyre also managed to be the second quietest. Only let down by a poor rolling resistance and finishing last in the curved aquaplaning test, the P Zero is still a strong tyre, all these years on.

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6th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 761.9
  2. Dry: 190.1
  3. Wet: 287.9
  4. Rolling Resistance: 89.4
  5. Noise: 97.8
  6. Overall: 96.7
We're used to the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 winning, so it was a surprise to see it down in sixth place. As rivals have progressed, it seems the Goodyear has stagnated, scoring poorly in dry and wet handling which used to be the key areas. Excellent rolling resistance shows where the trade might have been, or perhaps it was a size dependant anomaly, as the tyre still tests well in other magazines.

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7th: Yokohama Advan Sport V105

Yokohama Advan Sport V105
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 741
  2. Dry: 193.3
  3. Wet: 290.2
  4. Rolling Resistance: 63.2
  5. Noise: 98.2
  6. Overall: 96.1
The Yokohama V105 still has a lovely balance of wet and dry grip, and still feels great to drive on, but it still has a very high rolling resistance and average aquaplaning performance. A good sports tyre.

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8th: Falken FK453

Falken FK453
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 730.5
  2. Dry: 197.8
  3. Wet: 273.6
  4. Rolling Resistance: 66.2
  5. Noise: 97.9
  6. Overall: 95
A test debut for Falken with the FK453, and sadly eighth place. The tyre struggled in wet and dry braking, was second to last in wet cornering, had a high rolling resistance and could only manage eighth in straight aquaplaning. Fourth in dry handling was its saving grace, only 1% slower than the Continental.

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9th: Bridgestone Turanza T001

Bridgestone Turanza T001
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 729
  2. Dry: 189.2
  3. Wet: 266.5
  4. Rolling Resistance: 81
  5. Noise: 98
  6. Overall: 94.3
Again, the worlds biggest tyre maker ends a test with a disappointing result. The T001 had the worst wet grip on test, finishing last in wet handling, braking and cornering, and felt subjectively weak too. An update is due for this tyre soon, and it's well needed.

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10th: GT Radial Champiro HPY

GT-Radial Champiro HPY
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 737.5
  2. Dry: 191.1
  3. Wet: 277.4
  4. Rolling Resistance: 78.8
  5. Noise: 96.1
  6. Overall: 94.1
The Champiro HPY felt most at home on the dry handling, thanks to a sharp turn in and quick direction change. Sadly, that was the peak of the grip, with the dry struggling in dry and wet braking, and wet handling and aquaplaning tests. Fourth best rolling resistance, but still over 20% behind the Dunlop.

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11th: Toyo Proxes T1 Sport

Toyo Proxes T1 Sport
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 723.2
  2. Dry: 187.9
  3. Wet: 268.4
  4. Rolling Resistance: 76.5
  5. Noise: 96.8
  6. Overall: 93.6
A disappointing test for Toyo, finishing in the bottom three in nearly every performance test.

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