For 2024 Autobild's motorhome magazine tested ten sets of 225/55 R17 tires using a van like Mercedes Vito Tourer.

The onset of the travel season marks a crucial time for motorhome owners to evaluate the condition and performance of their tires. Autobild’s comprehensive review begins with practical advice on tire inspection, emphasizing the significance of understanding tire age through the DOT code and the necessity of regular checks for wear and damage. Generally speaking, tires which are over five years old are nearing the end of their life, even if they have good tread depth.

As for any of their excellent tire tests, Autobild evaluated key factors such as aquaplaning resistance, handling stability, braking efficiency, and rolling resistance across various tire brands. 

Bridgestone, Continental, Hankook and Michelin finish with strong results,with Bridgestone and Continental actually tying for first place overall and Hankook and Michelin tying for third!

Dry

On dry surfaces, Continental again had the best braking performance, stopping at 36.9 meters from 100 km/h, with Goodride trailing at 39.2 meters.

In the dry handling test, Continental also achieved the highest average speed around the lap of 79.2 km/h, while Toyo was at the bottom with 77.3 km/h.

Wet

Continental again had the shortest braking distance on wet surfaces at 39.7 meters, while Goodride had the longest at 45.6 meters​

For handling on wet surfaces, Bridgestone led with a speed of 69.1 km/h, whereas Falken was the slowest at 67.2 km/h.

In the aquaplaning test, Continental emerged as the top performer with a speed of 93.9 km/h, while Goodride lagged behind at 91.3 km/h.

Bridgestone pipped Continental to the top sport in the curved aquaplaning test.

Comfort

Bridgestone produced the highest noise level at 73.3 dB, while Hankook was the quietest at 71.2 dB during the pass-by noise test​

Value

Pirelli demonstrated the lowest rolling resistance, indicating potential fuel savings, whereas Vredestein had the highest rolling resistance in the test

Results

1st: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
225/55 R17 101Y EU Label: C/A/72 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 37.6 M 36.9 M +0.7 M 98.14% Dry Handling 2nd 78.9 Km/H 79.2 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.62% Wet Braking 2nd 40.1 M 39.7 M +0.4 M 99% Wet Handling 1st 69.1 Km/H 100% Straight Aqua 5th 92.9 Km/H 93.9 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.94% Curved Aquaplaning 10th 12.3 m/sec2 13.3 m/sec2 -1 m/sec2 92.48% Noise 10th 73.3 dB 71.2 dB +2.1 dB 97.14% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.69 kg / t 7.66 kg / t +0.03 kg / t 99.61% Premium tires with excellent handling qualities on wet surfaces, high grip level in wet and dry conditions, direct steering response, short wet braking distances, very good safety margins in aquaplaning, fuel-saving rolling resistance, and moderate price level. Slightly increased rolling noise. Read Reviews    Buy from £130.80
1st: Continental PremiumContact 7
225/55 R17 101Y EU Label: C/A/72 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 36.9 M 100% Dry Handling 1st 79.2 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 1st 39.7 M 100% Wet Handling 2nd 68.4 Km/H 69.1 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 98.99% Straight Aqua 1st 93.9 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 9th 12.4 m/sec2 13.3 m/sec2 -0.9 m/sec2 93.23% Noise 9th 72.3 dB 71.2 dB +1.1 dB 98.48% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.82 kg / t 7.66 kg / t +0.16 kg / t 97.95% Top-tier tires with a well-balanced high performance potential, dynamic-sporty dry handling, precise steering response with good feedback, very good safety margins in aquaplaning, short wet and dry braking distances, fuel-efficient rolling resistance. High price level. Read Reviews    Buy from £133.38
3rd: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
225/55 R17 101W EU Label: B/A/69 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 38.5 M 36.9 M +1.6 M 95.84% Dry Handling 7th 78 Km/H 79.2 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.48% Wet Braking 4th 41.9 M 39.7 M +2.2 M 94.75% Wet Handling 4th 67.9 Km/H 69.1 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.26% Straight Aqua 4th 93 Km/H 93.9 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.04% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 12.6 m/sec2 13.3 m/sec2 -0.7 m/sec2 94.74% Noise 1st 71.2 dB 100% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.38 kg / t 7.66 kg / t +0.72 kg / t 91.41% Brand summer tire with convincing driving characteristics on wet and dry roads, good safety margins in aquaplaning, neutral and secure wet and dry handling, quiet pass-by noise, low price level, very good value for money. Average comfort. Read Reviews    Buy from £129.96
3rd: Michelin Primacy 4+
225/55 R17 100V EU Label: B/A/70 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 38 M 36.9 M +1.1 M 97.11% Dry Handling 3rd 78.8 Km/H 79.2 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.49% Wet Braking 5th 42.2 M 39.7 M +2.5 M 94.08% Wet Handling 3rd 68.2 Km/H 69.1 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.7% Straight Aqua 8th 92.3 Km/H 93.9 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.3% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 12.6 m/sec2 13.3 m/sec2 -0.7 m/sec2 94.74% Noise 7th 71.8 dB 71.2 dB +0.6 dB 99.16% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.42 kg / t 7.66 kg / t +0.76 kg / t 90.97% Top summer profile with dynamic and safe handling qualities on wet and dry surfaces, precise steering response with good feedback, short wet and dry braking distances, reliable aquaplaning characteristics, pleasantly quiet rolling comfort. High price level. Read Reviews    Buy from £145.00
5th: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
225/55 R17 101Y EU Label: B/A/69 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 38.5 M 36.9 M +1.6 M 95.84% Dry Handling 6th 78.1 Km/H 79.2 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.61% Wet Braking 3rd 41.7 M 39.7 M +2 M 95.2% Wet Handling 6th 67.8 Km/H 69.1 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.12% Straight Aqua 2nd 93.6 Km/H 93.9 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.68% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 12.9 m/sec2 13.3 m/sec2 -0.4 m/sec2 96.99% Noise 2nd 71.3 dB 71.2 dB +0.1 dB 99.86% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.66 kg / t 100% Premium summer profile with stable driving properties on wet and dry surfaces, direct steering response with good feedback, good safety reserves in aquaplaning, especially good comfort, low rolling resistance. Increased price level, slightly extended dry braking distances. Read Reviews    Buy from £140.83
5th: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
225/55 R17 101W EU Label: A/A/70 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 38.3 M 36.9 M +1.4 M 96.34% Dry Handling 4th 78.4 Km/H 79.2 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 98.99% Wet Braking 7th 42.6 M 39.7 M +2.9 M 93.19% Wet Handling 7th 67.7 Km/H 69.1 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 97.97% Straight Aqua 9th 91.5 Km/H 93.9 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 97.44% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 13.1 m/sec2 13.3 m/sec2 -0.2 m/sec2 98.5% Noise 5th 71.6 dB 71.2 dB +0.4 dB 99.44% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.34 kg / t 7.66 kg / t +0.68 kg / t 91.85% Balanced, safe handling qualities in wet and dry conditions, stable cornering and good grip, precise steering response, reliable aquaplaning qualities, pleasantly quiet rolling comfort. Increased price level, slightly longer wet braking distances. Read Reviews    Buy from £112.60
7th: Vredestein Ultrac
225/55 R17 101Y EU Label: B/A/69 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 38.6 M 36.9 M +1.7 M 95.6% Dry Handling 9th 77.7 Km/H 79.2 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 98.11% Wet Braking 8th 42.8 M 39.7 M +3.1 M 92.76% Wet Handling 9th 67.6 Km/H 69.1 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 97.83% Straight Aqua 7th 92.4 Km/H 93.9 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 98.4% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 13.1 m/sec2 13.3 m/sec2 -0.2 m/sec2 98.5% Noise 3rd 71.5 dB 71.2 dB +0.3 dB 99.58% Rolling Resistance 10th 8.86 kg / t 7.66 kg / t +1.2 kg / t 86.46% Brand tire with stable cornering and safe driving qualities, good aquaplaning properties, pleasantly quiet rolling comfort, moderate price level. Slight tendency to understeer on wet and dry surfaces, increased rolling resistance, slightly extended braking distances. Read Reviews    Buy from £126.73
8th: Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
225/55 R17 101V EU Label: C/A/69 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 38.8 M 36.9 M +1.9 M 95.1% Dry Handling 5th 78.3 Km/H 79.2 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.86% Wet Braking 6th 42.3 M 39.7 M +2.6 M 93.85% Wet Handling 10th 67.2 Km/H 69.1 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 97.25% Straight Aqua 3rd 93.1 Km/H 93.9 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.15% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 13.2 m/sec2 13.3 m/sec2 -0.1 m/sec2 99.25% Noise 3rd 71.5 dB 71.2 dB +0.3 dB 99.58% Rolling Resistance 4th 8 kg / t 7.66 kg / t +0.34 kg / t 95.75% Balanced stable driving behavior on dry surfaces, good safety margins in aquaplaning, low rolling resistance, affordable price level. Understeering behavior on wet surfaces, delayed steering response, average deceleration on dry surfaces. Read Reviews    Buy from £125.46
8th: Toyo Proxes Comfort
225/55 R17 101W EU Label: C/A/70 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 38.1 M 36.9 M +1.2 M 96.85% Dry Handling 10th 77.3 Km/H 79.2 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 97.6% Wet Braking 9th 43.3 M 39.7 M +3.6 M 91.69% Wet Handling 4th 67.9 Km/H 69.1 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.26% Straight Aqua 6th 92.8 Km/H 93.9 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.83% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 13 m/sec2 13.3 m/sec2 -0.3 m/sec2 97.74% Noise 5th 71.6 dB 71.2 dB +0.4 dB 99.44% Rolling Resistance 9th 8.85 kg / t 7.66 kg / t +1.19 kg / t 86.55% Brand comfort profile with good aquaplaning properties, short dry braking distances, quiet pass-by noise, affordable price level. Moderate lateral support on wet and dry surfaces, extended wet braking distances, slightly delayed steering response, understeering dry handling. Read Reviews    Buy from £119.26
10th: Goodride Z 107 ZuperEco
225/55 R17 101W EU Label: C/B/72 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 39.2 M 36.9 M +2.3 M 94.13% Dry Handling 8th 77.8 Km/H 79.2 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.23% Wet Braking 10th 45.6 M 39.7 M +5.9 M 87.06% Wet Handling 7th 67.7 Km/H 69.1 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 97.97% Straight Aqua 10th 91.3 Km/H 93.9 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 97.23% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 13.3 m/sec2 100% Noise 8th 71.9 dB 71.2 dB +0.7 dB 99.03% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.47 kg / t 7.66 kg / t +0.81 kg / t 90.44% Acceptable wet handling, safe aquaplaning properties, low rolling resistance, affordable price level. Moderate grip and understeering behavior in wet conditions, extended wet and dry braking distances, spongy steering response, wooden rolling comfort. Read Reviews