2018 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingContinental Premium Contact 6
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Dry BrakingContinental Premium Contact 6
WearContinental Premium Contact 6
The 11th July 2018 issue of Auto Express magazine tested ten 225/45 R17 summer tyres, using a VW Golf at the Continental test facility in Uvalde, Texas. The end result was closer than ever, with the worst tyre on test just 3.7% overall behind the test winner.

As always with the Auto Express tests, we recommend heading over to the excellent Auto Express website for the full results of the test, as we've only summarised the basic information below.

Highlights

There were three surprises in this years Auto Express test.

Firstly, the new Premium Contact 6 won the test, beating the Michelin Pilot Sport 4. This might not be a surprise in itself, but it also was rated as the best handling, and most sporty feeling tyre in the group, something the Michelin has been known for until now.

The second surprise was the Dunlop SportMaxx RT2 finishing joint second. This must have had a mid-life update as it's now an older tyre pattern, and didn't test that well across 2017.

The final surprise was the poor result of the new Bridgestone Turanza T005. This tyre has generally performed well in the European tyre tests, but Auto Express found it to be "too good" in the rolling resistance testing, which hurt its dry and wet performance.

Results

1st: Continental Premium Contact 6

Continental Premium Contact 6
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 300
  2. Dry: 100
  3. Wet: 100
  4. Overall: 100
A very well balanced tyre, with an excellent dry and wet performance. Most sporty tyre on test with the best steering feel and response.
Average aquaplaning and rolling resistance scores.

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2nd: Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Michelin Pilot Sport 4
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 297.4
  2. Dry: 100
  3. Wet: 97.7
  4. Overall: 99.7
Well balanced tyre, very strong in the dry, with confidence inspiring sporty handling and steering feel.
Noisy, relatively high rolling resistance.

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2nd: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 296.6
  2. Dry: 99
  3. Wet: 97.9
  4. Overall: 99.7
Excellent all round performance, excelling in the aquaplaning tests. Very low rolling resistance.
Slightly weak in the dry.

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4th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 295.5
  2. Dry: 99.3
  3. Wet: 96.7
  4. Overall: 99.5
Well balanced tyre, excellent curved aquaplaning result. Low rolling resistance and quiet.
Poor straight aquaplaning result, average in the wet.

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5th: Pirelli P Zero

Pirelli P Zero
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 298.3
  2. Dry: 99.6
  3. Wet: 99.4
  4. Overall: 99.3
The strongest tyres in dry and wet braking, excellent in wet handling. Sporty steering feel and handling.
Poor aquaplaning tests, highest rolling resistance.

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5th: Falken Azenis FK510

Falken Azenis FK510
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 295.4
  2. Dry: 99.2
  3. Wet: 96.9
  4. Overall: 99.3
Excellent dry braking result, strong aquaplaning results.
Noisy, average wet braking.

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7th: Bridgestone Turanza T005

Bridgestone Turanza T005
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 294.6
  2. Dry: 97.9
  3. Wet: 97.8
  4. Overall: 98.9
Lowest rolling resistance on test by a large margin. Good wet handling.
Weak in the dry.

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8th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo2

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 296.5
  2. Dry: 99.8
  3. Wet: 97.9
  4. Overall: 98.8
Good wet and dry handling.
High rolling resistance, relatively noisy.

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9th: Nokian zLine

Nokian zLine
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 294.1
  2. Dry: 97.9
  3. Wet: 97.7
  4. Overall: 98.5
Low rolling resistance.
Very weak dry performance, average wet performance.

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10th: Avon ZV7

Avon ZV7
  • 225/45 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 287.9
  2. Dry: 98
  3. Wet: 93.6
  4. Overall: 96.3
Quietest tyre on test.
Weakest tyre in the dry and wet.

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