2021 53 Summer Tire Braking Test

Test Size: 205/55 R16
Tires Tested: 53 tires
Test Categories:
2 categories (2 tests)
Similar Tests

Test Category Best Performer Worst Performer Difference
Dry (1 tests)
Dry Braking Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125: 34.1 M Double-Coin DC99: 40.5 M6.4 M (15.8%)
Wet (1 tests)
Wet Braking Continental Premium Contact 6: 29.6 M Double-Coin DC99: 51 M21.4 M (42.0%)
Without fail, each year German publication Auto Bild provides the most comprehensive overview of the summer tire market by testing a huge amount of tires ability in the dry and wet, in order to work out which twenty tires deserve to be tested in their full summer tire test.

For 2021, Auto Bild have tested 53 tires in the most popular tire size in Europe, 205/55 R16.

All 53 sets of tires have their wet and dry braking results below, with the shortest 20 combined braking distances progressing to the full test, which will be on the website shortly.

Of all 53 results, there are some interesting standouts. Firstly, Hankook managed to win BOTH dry and wet braking, which is unusual for a tire to be best in both categories, while Pirelli and Kumho must have mid-life updated their tires, as the Cinturato P7 C2 and Kumho Ecsta HS51 have progressed up the order. It will be interesting to see how these three tires do in the wear testing of the full test.

Fourth to nineth place brings no surprises, but Firestone in tenth place is interesting, as the same tire just performed really badly in the ADAC 17" test. Perhaps the 16" tire has an update that hasn't made it to the 17" size yet. There's also new tire in seventeenth place, the Toyo Proxes Comfort.

As usual, the gap in dry braking (from 62mph) is much smaller than the gap in wet braking (from 50mph.) Just 6 meters covered the best to worse tires in the dry, but a HUGE 25 meters covering the best to worse in the wet. Even removing the extremely poor performance of the Maxtrek and Double Coin tires in the wet, there's still 15 meters difference from just 50mph.

If this reminds us of nothing else, make sure you give some thought to wet braking when considering budget tires...

Dry

Wet

Results

1st: Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125

Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st34.1 M100%
Wet Braking1st29.6 M100%
Read Reviews    Buy from £69.99

2nd: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2

Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd34.5 M34.1 M+0.4 M98.84%
Wet Braking3rd29.7 M29.6 M+0.1 M99.66%
Read Reviews    Buy from £83.99

3rd: Kumho Ecsta HS51

Kumho Ecsta HS51
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd34.8 M34.1 M+0.7 M97.99%
Wet Braking5th30.4 M29.6 M+0.8 M97.37%
Read Reviews

4th: Continental Premium Contact 6

Continental Premium Contact 6
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking18th36.5 M34.1 M+2.4 M93.42%
Wet Braking1st29.6 M100%
Read Reviews    Buy from £79.99

5th: Michelin Primacy 4

Michelin Primacy 4
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th35.8 M34.1 M+1.7 M95.25%
Wet Braking5th30.4 M29.6 M+0.8 M97.37%
Read Reviews    Buy from £86.67

6th: Nokian WetProof

Nokian WetProof
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th35.1 M34.1 M+1 M97.15%
Wet Braking11th31.7 M29.6 M+2.1 M93.38%
Read Reviews

7th: Bridgestone Turanza T005

Bridgestone Turanza T005
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th35.4 M34.1 M+1.3 M96.33%
Wet Braking8th31.6 M29.6 M+2 M93.67%
Read Reviews    Buy from £67.94

8th: Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun

Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th35.8 M34.1 M+1.7 M95.25%
Wet Braking7th31.4 M29.6 M+1.8 M94.27%
Read Reviews    Buy from £72.65

9th: Maxxis Premitra HP5

Maxxis Premitra HP5
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th35 M34.1 M+0.9 M97.43%
Wet Braking17th32.2 M29.6 M+2.6 M91.93%
Read Reviews

10th: Firestone RoadHawk

Firestone RoadHawk
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking9th35.7 M34.1 M+1.6 M95.52%
Wet Braking8th31.6 M29.6 M+2 M93.67%
Read Reviews    Buy from £67.99

11th: Dunlop Sport BluResponse

Dunlop Sport BluResponse
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th35.4 M34.1 M+1.3 M96.33%
Wet Braking17th32.2 M29.6 M+2.6 M91.93%
Read Reviews    Buy from £70.03

12th: Semperit Speed Life 3

Semperit Speed Life 3
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking28th37.7 M34.1 M+3.6 M90.45%
Wet Braking4th30 M29.6 M+0.4 M98.67%
Read Reviews

13th: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking14th36.1 M34.1 M+2 M94.46%
Wet Braking11th31.7 M29.6 M+2.1 M93.38%
Read Reviews    Buy from £70.62

14th: Kleber Dynaxer HP4

Kleber Dynaxer HP4
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking15th36.2 M34.1 M+2.1 M94.2%
Wet Braking8th31.6 M29.6 M+2 M93.67%
Read Reviews

15th: Nexen N Blue HD+

Nexen N Blue HD Plus
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th35.8 M34.1 M+1.7 M95.25%
Wet Braking16th32.1 M29.6 M+2.5 M92.21%
Read Reviews

16th: Debica Presto HP 2

Debica Presto HP 2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking16th36.3 M34.1 M+2.2 M93.94%
Wet Braking13th31.9 M29.6 M+2.3 M92.79%
Read Reviews

17th: Toyo Proxes Comfort

Toyo Proxes Comfort
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th35.2 M34.1 M+1.1 M96.88%
Wet Braking20th33.2 M29.6 M+3.6 M89.16%
Read Reviews    Buy from £72.41

18th: BFGoodrich Advantage

BFGoodrich Advantage
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking20th36.7 M34.1 M+2.6 M92.92%
Wet Braking13th31.9 M29.6 M+2.3 M92.79%
Read Reviews

19th: Uniroyal RainSport 5

Uniroyal RainSport 5
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking24th37.4 M34.1 M+3.3 M91.18%
Wet Braking15th32 M29.6 M+2.4 M92.5%
Read Reviews    Buy from £63.54

20th: Fulda EcoControl HP2

Fulda EcoControl HP2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking13th36 M34.1 M+1.9 M94.72%
Wet Braking24th33.8 M29.6 M+4.2 M87.57%
Read Reviews

21st: Apollo Alnac 4g

Apollo Alnac 4g
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking21st36.8 M34.1 M+2.7 M92.66%
Wet Braking20th33.2 M29.6 M+3.6 M89.16%
Read Reviews    Buy from £66.99

22nd: Sava Intensa HP2

Sava Intensa HP2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking17th36.4 M34.1 M+2.3 M93.68%
Wet Braking23rd33.7 M29.6 M+4.1 M87.83%
Read Reviews

23rd: Radar RPX800

Radar RPX800
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking39th38.4 M34.1 M+4.3 M88.8%
Wet Braking19th32.5 M29.6 M+2.9 M91.08%
Read Reviews    Buy from £56.80

24th: Goodride Z 107 ZuperEco

Goodride Z 107 ZuperEco
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking22nd37.1 M34.1 M+3 M91.91%
Wet Braking26th34.3 M29.6 M+4.7 M86.3%
Read Reviews

25th: Avon ZV7

Avon ZV7
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking31st37.9 M34.1 M+3.8 M89.97%
Wet Braking26th34.3 M29.6 M+4.7 M86.3%
Read Reviews    Buy from £63.99

26th: Cooper Zeon CS8

Cooper Zeon CS8
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking32nd38 M34.1 M+3.9 M89.74%
Wet Braking29th34.5 M29.6 M+4.9 M85.8%
Read Reviews    Buy from £86.59

27th: Event Futurum HP

Event Futurum HP
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking34th38.1 M34.1 M+4 M89.5%
Wet Braking28th34.4 M29.6 M+4.8 M86.05%
Read Reviews

28th: Zeetex ZT1000

Zeetex ZT1000
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking44th38.6 M34.1 M+4.5 M88.34%
Wet Braking25th33.9 M29.6 M+4.3 M87.32%
Read Reviews

29th: Barum Bravuris 5HM

Barum Bravuris 5HM
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking49th39 M34.1 M+4.9 M87.44%
Wet Braking22nd33.6 M29.6 M+4 M88.1%
Read Reviews

30th: General Altimax One S

General Altimax One S
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking41st38.5 M34.1 M+4.4 M88.57%
Wet Braking30th34.6 M29.6 M+5 M85.55%
Read Reviews

31st: Hifly HF201

Hifly HF201
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking34th38.1 M34.1 M+4 M89.5%
Wet Braking31st35.3 M29.6 M+5.7 M83.85%
Read Reviews

32nd: Imperial Ecodriver 5

Imperial Ecodriver 5
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking23rd37.3 M34.1 M+3.2 M91.42%
Wet Braking33rd36.1 M29.6 M+6.5 M81.99%
Read Reviews

33rd: Wanli SA302 Sport Macro

Wanli SA302 Sport Macro
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking24th37.4 M34.1 M+3.3 M91.18%
Wet Braking35th36.2 M29.6 M+6.6 M81.77%
Read Reviews

34th: Leao Nova Force HP

Leao Nova Force HP
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking24th37.4 M34.1 M+3.3 M91.18%
Wet Braking36th36.5 M29.6 M+6.9 M81.1%
Read Reviews

35th: Petlas Imperium PT515

Petlas Imperium PT515
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking38th38.3 M34.1 M+4.2 M89.03%
Wet Braking32nd35.9 M29.6 M+6.3 M82.45%
Read Reviews

36th: Viking Protech Newgen

Viking Protech Newgen
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking34th38.1 M34.1 M+4 M89.5%
Wet Braking33rd36.1 M29.6 M+6.5 M81.99%
Read Reviews

37th: GT Radial Champiro FE1

GT-Radial Champiro FE1
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking32nd38 M34.1 M+3.9 M89.74%
Wet Braking36th36.5 M29.6 M+6.9 M81.1%
Read Reviews    Buy from £81.38

38th: Sailun Atrezzo Elite

Sailun Atrezzo Elite
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking37th38.2 M34.1 M+4.1 M89.27%
Wet Braking39th37.1 M29.6 M+7.5 M79.78%
Read Reviews    Buy from £58.50

39th: Nankang Eco 2+

Nankang Eco 2 Plus
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking28th37.7 M34.1 M+3.6 M90.45%
Wet Braking41st37.9 M29.6 M+8.3 M78.1%
Read Reviews    Buy from £65.66

40th: Austone SP 6 Athena

Austone SP 6 Athena
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking45th38.7 M34.1 M+4.6 M88.11%
Wet Braking40th37.4 M29.6 M+7.8 M79.14%
Read Reviews

41st: Fortuna FSR 602

Fortuna FSR 602
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking51st39.6 M34.1 M+5.5 M86.11%
Wet Braking38th36.7 M29.6 M+7.1 M80.65%
Read Reviews

43rd: Firemax FM601

Firemax FM601
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking41st38.5 M34.1 M+4.4 M88.57%
Wet Braking41st37.9 M29.6 M+8.3 M78.1%
Read Reviews    Buy from £58.27

44th: Alliance 030EX

Alliance 030EX
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking19th36.6 M34.1 M+2.5 M93.17%
Wet Braking50th40.3 M29.6 M+10.7 M73.45%
Read Reviews

45th: Seiberling Seiberling Touring 2

Seiberling Seiberling Touring 2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking45th38.7 M34.1 M+4.6 M88.11%
Wet Braking43rd38.2 M29.6 M+8.6 M77.49%
Read Reviews

46th: Aplus A606

Aplus A606
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking24th37.4 M34.1 M+3.3 M91.18%
Wet Braking47th39.6 M29.6 M+10 M74.75%
Read Reviews

46th: Riken Road Performance

Riken Road Performance
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking30th37.8 M34.1 M+3.7 M90.21%
Wet Braking49th39.7 M29.6 M+10.1 M74.56%
Read Reviews

47th: Powertrac City Tour

Powertrac City Tour
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking41st38.5 M34.1 M+4.4 M88.57%
Wet Braking47th39.6 M29.6 M+10 M74.75%
Read Reviews

48th: Atlas Green HP

Atlas Green HP
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking47th38.8 M34.1 M+4.7 M87.89%
Wet Braking45th39.4 M29.6 M+9.8 M75.13%
Read Reviews

49th: Tomket Sport 3 Series 3

Tomket Sport 3 Series 3
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking49th39 M34.1 M+4.9 M87.44%
Wet Braking44th39.2 M29.6 M+9.6 M75.51%
Read Reviews

50th: Antares Ingens A1

Antares Ingens A1
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking52nd39.8 M34.1 M+5.7 M85.68%
Wet Braking46th39.5 M29.6 M+9.9 M74.94%
Read Reviews

51st: Achilles ATR Sport 2

Achilles ATR Sport 2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking39th38.4 M34.1 M+4.3 M88.8%
Wet Braking51st41 M29.6 M+11.4 M72.2%
Read Reviews

52nd: Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1

Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking48th38.9 M34.1 M+4.8 M87.66%
Wet Braking52nd45.9 M29.6 M+16.3 M64.49%
Read Reviews

53rd: Double Coin DC99

Double-Coin DC99
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking53rd40.5 M34.1 M+6.4 M84.2%
Wet Braking53rd51 M29.6 M+21.4 M58.04%
Read Reviews

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