2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test

Dry BrakingMichelin Pilot Sport 4: 32.1 MFalken Azenis FK510: 36 M
Dry HandlingVredestein Ultrac Vorti: 117 Km/HZeetex HP2000 vfm: 112.5 Km/H
Wet BrakingBridgestone Potenza S001: 44.9 MMaxxis Victra Sport 5: 52.2 M
Wet HandlingBridgestone Potenza S001: 74.6 Km/HUniroyal RainSport 3: 67.7 Km/H
Straight AquaMichelin Pilot Sport 4: 99.1 Km/HZeetex HP2000 vfm: 90.7 Km/H
NoiseNexen N Fera Sport SU2: 71 dBBridgestone Potenza S001: 73.6 dB
WearContinental Premium Contact 6: 44900 KMKumho Ecsta PS71: 22450 KM
ValueFalken Azenis FK510: 11.9 Price/1000Michelin Pilot Sport 4: 20.01 Price/1000
PriceZeetex HP2000 vfm: 300 Michelin Pilot Sport 4: 665
Rolling ResistanceFulda SportControl 2: 7.13 kg / tBridgestone Potenza S001: 9.82 kg / t
Following on from the fifty tyre braking shootout, Auto Bild have more thoroughly tested the best twenty 245/45 R18 summer tyres using a RWD BMW 5 Series.

The top three tyres should come as no surprise, with Continental, Goodyear and Michelin proving to be the most rounded tyres across all the testing. 

The Continental Premium Contact 6 and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 tied for first place. As we found with our video comparison, both the Continental and Goodyear tyres offer sporty handling, good levels of grip in the dry and wet, and good comfort levels. Both tyres also topped the wear test, and when combined with their reasonable purchase price, offered some of the best value on test.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was a close third, and like the Continental and Goodyear provided to have an excellent rounded performance in all conditions. One thing worth noting, he Michelin had significantly worse wear than the Contiental and Goodyear, which when combined with the most expensive purchase price on test, meant the French tyre offered the worst value. An unusual situation for a Michelin tyre.

Other notable performances again come from Vredestein and its parent company Apollo in fourth and fifth place, while Nexen and Falken round out the list of "highly recommended" tyres in sixth and seventh. 

Dry

Michelin had its usual dry braking advantage, stopping nearly a meter shorter than any other tyre. 

Michelin's dry braking advantage could not be carried over to dry handling, with the Vredestien Ultrac Vorti proving to be best on test.

Wet

Bridgestone highlight their wet grip improvements to the S001, winning the wet braking testing.

Bridgestone continued the wet advantage through to the wet handling test.

Michelin took a second test win, proving best during the straight aquaplaning testing.

Wear

Continental has again shown to have the lowest wear on test, with Goodyear and Falken extremely close behind.

 Thanks to the excellent wear and reasonable purchase prices, the Falken, Goodyear and Continental prove to be the value of all twenty tyres.

Environment

The Fulda SportControl 2 had the lowest rolling resistance on test, with the Bridgestone having the highest by a margin.

The noise testing was relatively close, with the Nexen having the quietest pass-by noise levels.

The budget Zeetex tyre was the cheapest on test, but also the worst overall.

Results

1st: Continental Premium Contact 6

Continental Premium Contact 6
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd33.2 M32.1 M+1.1 M96.69%
Dry Handling2nd116.8 Km/H117 Km/H-0.2 Km/H99.83%
Wet Braking5th47.2 M44.9 M+2.3 M95.13%
Wet Handling6th73 Km/H74.6 Km/H-1.6 Km/H97.86%
Straight Aqua15th93.6 Km/H99.1 Km/H-5.5 Km/H94.45%
Noise19th73.5 dB71 dB+2.5 dB96.6%
Wear1st44900 KM100%
Value3rd12.81 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+0.91 Price/100092.9%
Price19th575 300 +275 52.17%
Rolling Resistance7th7.63 kg / t7.13 kg / t+0.5 kg / t93.45%
Balanced driving behavior at a high level. Dynamic handling with precise steering, short braking distances, best wear on test, low fuel use.
None mentioned.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews    Buy from £132.14

1st: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd33.2 M32.1 M+1.1 M96.69%
Dry Handling5th116.2 Km/H117 Km/H-0.8 Km/H99.32%
Wet Braking9th48.1 M44.9 M+3.2 M93.35%
Wet Handling2nd74.3 Km/H74.6 Km/H-0.3 Km/H99.6%
Straight Aqua14th93.9 Km/H99.1 Km/H-5.2 Km/H94.75%
Noise15th72.8 dB71 dB+1.8 dB97.53%
Wear2nd39063 KM44900 KM-5837 KM87%
Value2nd12.29 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+0.39 Price/100096.83%
Price12th480 300 +180 62.5%
Rolling Resistance5th7.55 kg / t7.13 kg / t+0.42 kg / t94.44%
Sporty handling tyres in the wet and dry, precise steering, short braking distances, very good mileage, affordable price.
None mentioned.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews    Buy from £125.07

3rd: Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Michelin Pilot Sport 4
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st32.1 M100%
Dry Handling3rd116.4 Km/H117 Km/H-0.6 Km/H99.49%
Wet Braking4th46.5 M44.9 M+1.6 M96.56%
Wet Handling9th71.9 Km/H74.6 Km/H-2.7 Km/H96.38%
Straight Aqua1st99.1 Km/H100%
Noise14th72.5 dB71 dB+1.5 dB97.93%
Wear5th33226 KM44900 KM-11674 KM74%
Value20th20.01 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+8.11 Price/100059.47%
Price20th665 300 +365 45.11%
Rolling Resistance12th8.09 kg / t7.13 kg / t+0.96 kg / t88.13%
Sporty steering behaviour, excellent driving dynamics, good aquaplaning resistance, short braking distances.
Expensive.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews    Buy from £186.50

4th: Vredestein Ultrac Vorti

Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th33.4 M32.1 M+1.3 M96.11%
Dry Handling1st117 Km/H100%
Wet Braking12th48.9 M44.9 M+4 M91.82%
Wet Handling10th71.5 Km/H74.6 Km/H-3.1 Km/H95.84%
Straight Aqua8th95.5 Km/H99.1 Km/H-3.6 Km/H96.37%
Noise15th72.8 dB71 dB+1.8 dB97.53%
Wear7th32328 KM44900 KM-12572 KM72%
Value7th14.07 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+2.17 Price/100084.58%
Price7th455 300 +155 65.93%
Rolling Resistance19th9.16 kg / t7.13 kg / t+2.03 kg / t77.84%
Good grip and excellent handling in the dry and wet, precise steering, good aquaplaning resistance, well priced.
High rolling resistance.
Exemplary.

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5th: Apollo Aspire XP

Apollo Aspire XP
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking13th34.7 M32.1 M+2.6 M92.51%
Dry Handling9th115.4 Km/H117 Km/H-1.6 Km/H98.63%
Wet Braking6th47.3 M44.9 M+2.4 M94.93%
Wet Handling11th70.6 Km/H74.6 Km/H-4 Km/H94.64%
Straight Aqua5th96.6 Km/H99.1 Km/H-2.5 Km/H97.48%
Noise2nd71.2 dB71 dB+0.2 dB99.72%
Wear5th33226 KM44900 KM-11674 KM74%
Value5th13.09 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+1.19 Price/100090.91%
Price3rd435 300 +135 68.97%
Rolling Resistance4th7.43 kg / t7.13 kg / t+0.3 kg / t95.96%
Good handling, short braking distances, low wear, good price / wear ratio.
None mentioned.
Exemplary.

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6th: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd33.2 M32.1 M+1.1 M96.69%
Dry Handling9th115.4 Km/H117 Km/H-1.6 Km/H98.63%
Wet Braking11th48.3 M44.9 M+3.4 M92.96%
Wet Handling13th70 Km/H74.6 Km/H-4.6 Km/H93.83%
Straight Aqua13th95 Km/H99.1 Km/H-4.1 Km/H95.86%
Noise1st71 dB100%
Wear9th30083 KM44900 KM-14817 KM67%
Value8th15.12 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+3.22 Price/100078.7%
Price7th455 300 +155 65.93%
Rolling Resistance17th8.98 kg / t7.13 kg / t+1.85 kg / t79.4%
Safe driving behavior in the dry and wet,short braking distances, low noise, good comfort.
High rolling resistance.
Exemplary.

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7th: Falken Azenis FK510

Falken Azenis FK510
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking19th36 M32.1 M+3.9 M89.17%
Dry Handling15th114.8 Km/H117 Km/H-2.2 Km/H98.12%
Wet Braking8th48 M44.9 M+3.1 M93.54%
Wet Handling16th69.2 Km/H74.6 Km/H-5.4 Km/H92.76%
Straight Aqua8th95.5 Km/H99.1 Km/H-3.6 Km/H96.37%
Noise8th72.1 dB71 dB+1.1 dB98.47%
Wear2nd39063 KM44900 KM-5837 KM87%
Value1st11.9 Price/1000100%
Price10th465 300 +165 64.52%
Rolling Resistance15th8.45 kg / t7.13 kg / t+1.32 kg / t84.38%
Safe handling, short wet braking distances, low noise, low wear, very good price / performance ratio.
None mentioned.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews    Buy from £175.99

8th: Nokian PowerProof

Nokian PowerProof
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd32.9 M32.1 M+0.8 M97.57%
Dry Handling8th115.9 Km/H117 Km/H-1.1 Km/H99.06%
Wet Braking3rd45.4 M44.9 M+0.5 M98.9%
Wet Handling3rd73.9 Km/H74.6 Km/H-0.7 Km/H99.06%
Straight Aqua17th92.7 Km/H99.1 Km/H-6.4 Km/H93.54%
Noise17th73.2 dB71 dB+2.2 dB96.99%
Wear13th27389 KM44900 KM-17511 KM61%
Value14th17.53 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+5.63 Price/100067.88%
Price12th480 300 +180 62.5%
Rolling Resistance9th7.77 kg / t7.13 kg / t+0.64 kg / t91.76%
Good handling and short braking in the wet and dry, precise steering.
Average wear.
Good.

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9th: Firestone RoadHawk

Firestone RoadHawk
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking11th34.3 M32.1 M+2.2 M93.59%
Dry Handling9th115.4 Km/H117 Km/H-1.6 Km/H98.63%
Wet Braking9th48.1 M44.9 M+3.2 M93.35%
Wet Handling7th72.3 Km/H74.6 Km/H-2.3 Km/H96.92%
Straight Aqua5th96.6 Km/H99.1 Km/H-2.5 Km/H97.48%
Noise17th73.2 dB71 dB+2.2 dB96.99%
Wear13th27389 KM44900 KM-17511 KM61%
Value11th16.61 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+4.71 Price/100071.64%
Price7th455 300 +155 65.93%
Rolling Resistance10th7.83 kg / t7.13 kg / t+0.7 kg / t91.06%
Well priced tyres with balanced behavior in the wet and dry. good aquaplaning resistance.
Average wear.
Good.

Read Reviews    Buy from £141.99

9th: Fulda SportControl 2

Fulda SportControl 2
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th34.2 M32.1 M+2.1 M93.86%
Dry Handling13th115 Km/H117 Km/H-2 Km/H98.29%
Wet Braking14th49.5 M44.9 M+4.6 M90.71%
Wet Handling12th70.5 Km/H74.6 Km/H-4.1 Km/H94.5%
Straight Aqua19th91.7 Km/H99.1 Km/H-7.4 Km/H92.53%
Noise5th71.5 dB71 dB+0.5 dB99.3%
Wear13th27389 KM44900 KM-17511 KM61%
Value18th19.9 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+8 Price/100059.8%
Price17th545 300 +245 55.05%
Rolling Resistance1st7.13 kg / t100%
Stable driving in the wet, short dry braking distances, good comfort, low rolling resistance.
Average wear, high price.
Good.

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11th: Bridgestone Potenza S001

Bridgestone Potenza S001
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th33.5 M32.1 M+1.4 M95.82%
Dry Handling12th115.3 Km/H117 Km/H-1.7 Km/H98.55%
Wet Braking1st44.9 M100%
Wet Handling1st74.6 Km/H100%
Straight Aqua7th95.8 Km/H99.1 Km/H-3.3 Km/H96.67%
Noise20th73.6 dB71 dB+2.6 dB96.47%
Wear11th27838 KM44900 KM-17062 KM62%
Value19th19.94 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+8.04 Price/100059.68%
Price18th555 300 +255 54.05%
Rolling Resistance20th9.82 kg / t7.13 kg / t+2.69 kg / t72.61%
A wet specialist with a good balance and safe handling properties, good aquaplaning reserves, short braking distances.
Average wear, high rolling resistance.
Satisfactory.

Read Reviews

12th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking13th34.7 M32.1 M+2.6 M92.51%
Dry Handling5th116.2 Km/H117 Km/H-0.8 Km/H99.32%
Wet Braking6th47.3 M44.9 M+2.4 M94.93%
Wet Handling8th72.1 Km/H74.6 Km/H-2.5 Km/H96.65%
Straight Aqua10th95.4 Km/H99.1 Km/H-3.7 Km/H96.27%
Noise11th72.2 dB71 dB+1.2 dB98.34%
Wear16th26042 KM44900 KM-18858 KM58%
Value13th16.9 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+5 Price/100070.41%
Price4th440 300 +140 68.18%
Rolling Resistance13th8.15 kg / t7.13 kg / t+1.02 kg / t87.48%
Convincing performance on wet and dry roads, short braking distances, good aquaplaning resistance, good price.
Average wear.
Satisfactory.

Read Reviews    Buy from £130.08

13th: Laufenn S Fit EQ+

Laufenn S Fit EQ Plus
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th34 M32.1 M+1.9 M94.41%
Dry Handling7th116.1 Km/H117 Km/H-0.9 Km/H99.23%
Wet Braking18th51 M44.9 M+6.1 M88.04%
Wet Handling17th68.9 Km/H74.6 Km/H-5.7 Km/H92.36%
Straight Aqua12th95.2 Km/H99.1 Km/H-3.9 Km/H96.06%
Noise3rd71.3 dB71 dB+0.3 dB99.58%
Wear11th27838 KM44900 KM-17062 KM62%
Value10th15.99 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+4.09 Price/100074.42%
Price6th445 300 +145 67.42%
Rolling Resistance8th7.65 kg / t7.13 kg / t+0.52 kg / t93.2%
Sporty handling qualities, good dry grip, low rolling resistance.
Understeer in the wet, average wear.
Satisfactory.

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14th: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking11th34.3 M32.1 M+2.2 M93.59%
Dry Handling16th114.6 Km/H117 Km/H-2.4 Km/H97.95%
Wet Braking19th51.6 M44.9 M+6.7 M87.02%
Wet Handling18th68.8 Km/H74.6 Km/H-5.8 Km/H92.23%
Straight Aqua16th93.2 Km/H99.1 Km/H-5.9 Km/H94.05%
Noise8th72.1 dB71 dB+1.1 dB98.47%
Wear10th29634 KM44900 KM-15266 KM66%
Value12th16.87 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+4.97 Price/100070.54%
Price16th500 300 +200 60%
Rolling Resistance3rd7.4 kg / t7.13 kg / t+0.27 kg / t96.35%
Good lateral grip, short dry braking, low rolling resistance.
Understeer handling and long wet braking.
Satisfactory.

Read Reviews    Buy from £122.10

15th: Kleber Dynaxer UHP

Kleber Dynaxer UHP
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking9th34.1 M32.1 M+2 M94.13%
Dry Handling18th114.2 Km/H117 Km/H-2.8 Km/H97.61%
Wet Braking16th50.5 M44.9 M+5.6 M88.91%
Wet Handling19th68.7 Km/H74.6 Km/H-5.9 Km/H92.09%
Straight Aqua18th92.5 Km/H99.1 Km/H-6.6 Km/H93.34%
Noise11th72.2 dB71 dB+1.2 dB98.34%
Wear8th31879 KM44900 KM-13021 KM71%
Value9th15.21 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+3.31 Price/100078.24%
Price14th484 300 +184 61.98%
Rolling Resistance11th7.94 kg / t7.13 kg / t+0.81 kg / t89.8%
Short dry braking, low wear, low rolling resistance, low price.
Average wet performance.
Satisfactory.

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16th: Uniroyal RainSport 3

Uniroyal RainSport 3
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking18th35.7 M32.1 M+3.6 M89.92%
Dry Handling19th113.7 Km/H117 Km/H-3.3 Km/H97.18%
Wet Braking17th50.6 M44.9 M+5.7 M88.74%
Wet Handling20th67.7 Km/H74.6 Km/H-6.9 Km/H90.75%
Straight Aqua11th95.3 Km/H99.1 Km/H-3.8 Km/H96.17%
Noise7th71.8 dB71 dB+0.8 dB98.89%
Wear4th35920 KM44900 KM-8980 KM80%
Value6th13.78 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+1.88 Price/100086.36%
Price15th495 300 +195 60.61%
Rolling Resistance6th7.56 kg / t7.13 kg / t+0.43 kg / t94.31%
Low wear, low rolling resistance.
Understeer handling, slow steering in the wet.
Satisfactory.

Read Reviews

17th: Kumho Ecsta PS71

Kumho Ecsta PS71
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking16th34.9 M32.1 M+2.8 M91.98%
Dry Handling17th114.3 Km/H117 Km/H-2.7 Km/H97.69%
Wet Braking2nd45.3 M44.9 M+0.4 M99.12%
Wet Handling5th73.2 Km/H74.6 Km/H-1.4 Km/H98.12%
Straight Aqua2nd98.5 Km/H99.1 Km/H-0.6 Km/H99.39%
Noise13th72.4 dB71 dB+1.4 dB98.07%
Wear20th22450 KM44900 KM-22450 KM50%
Value16th19.15 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+7.25 Price/100062.14%
Price2nd430 300 +130 69.77%
Rolling Resistance18th9.05 kg / t7.13 kg / t+1.92 kg / t78.78%
Good aquaplaning resistance, short wet braking.
Understeer in the dry, average wear, high fuel use.
Conditionally Recommended.

Read Reviews    Buy from £110.98

18th: Maxxis Victra Sport 5

Maxxis Victra Sport 5
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking15th34.8 M32.1 M+2.7 M92.24%
Dry Handling4th116.3 Km/H117 Km/H-0.7 Km/H99.4%
Wet Braking20th52.2 M44.9 M+7.3 M86.02%
Wet Handling4th73.3 Km/H74.6 Km/H-1.3 Km/H98.26%
Straight Aqua3rd97.2 Km/H99.1 Km/H-1.9 Km/H98.08%
Noise8th72.1 dB71 dB+1.1 dB98.47%
Wear18th23348 KM44900 KM-21552 KM52%
Value15th18.85 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+6.95 Price/100063.13%
Price4th440 300 +140 68.18%
Rolling Resistance16th8.86 kg / t7.13 kg / t+1.73 kg / t80.47%
Sport handling, good aquaplaning safety, short braking distances.
Long wet braking, high wear.
Conditionally Recommended.

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19th: Toyo Proxes Sport

Toyo Proxes Sport
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking17th35.4 M32.1 M+3.3 M90.68%
Dry Handling14th114.9 Km/H117 Km/H-2.1 Km/H98.21%
Wet Braking13th49.2 M44.9 M+4.3 M91.26%
Wet Handling14th69.6 Km/H74.6 Km/H-5 Km/H93.3%
Straight Aqua4th96.7 Km/H99.1 Km/H-2.4 Km/H97.58%
Noise3rd71.3 dB71 dB+0.3 dB99.58%
Wear17th23797 KM44900 KM-21103 KM53%
Value17th19.75 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+7.85 Price/100060.25%
Price11th470 300 +170 63.83%
Rolling Resistance14th8.3 kg / t7.13 kg / t+1.17 kg / t85.9%
High aquaplaning resistance, short wet and dry braking distances.
Understeer in the wet, poor wear.
Conditionally Recommended.

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20th: Zeetex HP2000 vfm

Zeetex HP2000 vfm
  • 245/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking19th36 M32.1 M+3.9 M89.17%
Dry Handling20th112.5 Km/H117 Km/H-4.5 Km/H96.15%
Wet Braking15th49.7 M44.9 M+4.8 M90.34%
Wet Handling15th69.5 Km/H74.6 Km/H-5.1 Km/H93.16%
Straight Aqua20th90.7 Km/H99.1 Km/H-8.4 Km/H91.52%
Noise6th71.7 dB71 dB+0.7 dB99.02%
Wear18th23348 KM44900 KM-21552 KM52%
Value4th12.85 Price/100011.9 Price/1000+0.95 Price/100092.61%
Price1st300 100%
Rolling Resistance2nd7.34 kg / t7.13 kg / t+0.21 kg / t97.14%
Short wet and dry braking distances, low price, low rolling resistance.
Understeer in the dry and wet, low aquaplaning resistance, high wear.
Conditionally Recommended.

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