2021 Motor Summer Tire Test

The 17 inch size tested can be found on a wide range of vehicles, such as the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, and Mercedes E-Class, smaller vehicles like the BMW 3-Series and Mini Countryman, crossovers like the Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail and Skoda Karoq, and even minivans / people carriers like the Chrysler Voyager, Fiat Scudo and Opel Vivaro. 

Motor Magazine used a BMW 5 Series for the testing.

Dry

As with most tests including the Continental PremiumContact 6, the German tire did exceptionally well in the dry, having the shortest dry braking, fastest dry handling lap and the best subjective dry handling feeling. The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 kept the Continental honest in the braking and the timed lap, and the Nokian PowerProof, Bridgestone Turanza T005 and Laufenn S Fit EQ+ performed well.

Unfortunately while the Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue was rated as one of the best tires in the dry subjectively, it had a lack of grip in braking and handling.

Wet

The wet grip tests had a very similar order to dry, with the Continental tire leading the Goodyear in both braking and handling tests, the Nokian and Bridgestone also performing well, and the Pirelli having a surprisingly disappointing result for a premium tire.

The deep water straight aquaplaning test had a surprise win for the Imperial EcoSport 2 budget tire, where as the Goodyear proved best in curved aquaplaning.

On balance, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 had the best balance between the shallow and deep water testing.

Environment

As we've found in the Tire Reviews tests, the Nokian Powerproof and Continental PremiumContact 6 sit at opposite ends of the external noise tests.

The rolling resistance test perhaps highlights why Pirelli struggled in the grip tests, as the P7 Blue has a significantly lower rolling resistance than even the Bridgestone Turanza T005, which usually has the lowest rolling resistance on test.

Unsurprisingly the budget tire is the cheapest tire on test, with the Pirelli tire offsetting it's low fuel use with a very high purchase price!

Results

1^st

Continental Premium Contact 6

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

High level of safety and comfort, stable dry behavior, high grip and good wet stability.

Relatively low resistance to aquaplaning.

Dry

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	34.5 M			100%
Dry Handling	1st	56.1 s			100%
Subj. Dry Handling	1st	7 Points			100%

Wet

93.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	48.1 M			100%
Wet Handling	1st	87.2 s			100%
Straight Aqua	8th	94.01 Km/H	98.1 Km/H	-4.09 Km/H	95.83%
Curved Aquaplaning	10th	2.64 m/sec2	3.43 m/sec2	-0.79 m/sec2	76.97%

Comfort

96.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	10th	72.9 dB	70.6 dB	+2.3 dB	96.84%

Value

61.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	9th	572	234	+338	40.91%
Rolling Resistance	5th	7.96 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+1.36 kg / t	82.91%

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2^nd

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Good handling and short braking distances on dry and wet roads, good aquaplaning resistance.

High rolling resistance.

Dry

96.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	34.9 M	34.5 M	+0.4 M	98.85%
Dry Handling	2nd	56.2 s	56.1 s	+0.1 s	99.82%
Subj. Dry Handling	8th	6.4 Points	7 Points	-0.6 Points	91.43%

Wet

98.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	49.3 M	48.1 M	+1.2 M	97.57%
Wet Handling	2nd	88.5 s	87.2 s	+1.3 s	98.53%
Straight Aqua	4th	94.8 Km/H	98.1 Km/H	-3.3 Km/H	96.64%
Curved Aquaplaning	1st	3.43 m/sec2			100%

Comfort

99%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	71.3 dB	70.6 dB	+0.7 dB	99.02%

Value

60.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	6th	508	234	+274	46.06%
Rolling Resistance	9th	8.85 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+2.25 kg / t	74.58%

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3^rd

Nokian PowerProof

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Good performance on dry and wet surfaces, low noise level, well priced.

High rolling resistance.

Dry

96.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	35.3 M	34.5 M	+0.8 M	97.73%
Dry Handling	5th	57 s	56.1 s	+0.9 s	98.42%
Subj. Dry Handling	5th	6.5 Points	7 Points	-0.5 Points	92.86%

Wet

96.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	50.3 M	48.1 M	+2.2 M	95.63%
Wet Handling	5th	90.4 s	87.2 s	+3.2 s	96.46%
Straight Aqua	3rd	94.94 Km/H	98.1 Km/H	-3.16 Km/H	96.78%
Curved Aquaplaning	3rd	3.27 m/sec2	3.43 m/sec2	-0.16 m/sec2	95.34%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	70.6 dB			100%

Value

66.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	5th	452	234	+218	51.77%
Rolling Resistance	7th	8.18 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+1.58 kg / t	80.68%

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4^th

Bridgestone Turanza T005

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Good handling on dry and wet surfaces, low rolling resistance.

High externa noise.

Dry

96.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	35.5 M	34.5 M	+1 M	97.18%
Dry Handling	3rd	56.8 s	56.1 s	+0.7 s	98.77%
Subj. Dry Handling	4th	6.55 Points	7 Points	-0.45 Points	93.57%

Wet

95.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	51.2 M	48.1 M	+3.1 M	93.95%
Wet Handling	4th	90 s	87.2 s	+2.8 s	96.89%
Straight Aqua	4th	94.8 Km/H	98.1 Km/H	-3.3 Km/H	96.64%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	3.22 m/sec2	3.43 m/sec2	-0.21 m/sec2	93.88%

Comfort

98.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	9th	72 dB	70.6 dB	+1.4 dB	98.06%

Value

67.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	546	234	+312	42.86%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	7.12 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+0.52 kg / t	92.7%

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5^th

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Good handling in all conditions (light understeer appears in high-speed corners on wet surfaces, but overall the tires provide a fairly high level of grip), good level of comfort, high resistance to aquaplaning.

High rolling resistance.

Dry

96%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	35.5 M	34.5 M	+1 M	97.18%
Dry Handling	6th	57.2 s	56.1 s	+1.1 s	98.08%
Subj. Dry Handling	5th	6.5 Points	7 Points	-0.5 Points	92.86%

Wet

96.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	51.9 M	48.1 M	+3.8 M	92.68%
Wet Handling	3rd	89.7 s	87.2 s	+2.5 s	97.21%
Straight Aqua	2nd	95.19 Km/H	98.1 Km/H	-2.91 Km/H	97.03%
Curved Aquaplaning	2nd	3.39 m/sec2	3.43 m/sec2	-0.04 m/sec2	98.83%

Comfort

98.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	8th	71.5 dB	70.6 dB	+0.9 dB	98.74%

Value

62.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	7th	525	234	+291	44.57%
Rolling Resistance	8th	8.2 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+1.6 kg / t	80.49%

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6^th

Maxxis Premitra HP5

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Good balance of performance, good handling on dry and wet surfaces (although there is a slight tendency to understeer), well priced.

Long dry braking.

Dry

95.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	36.1 M	34.5 M	+1.6 M	95.57%
Dry Handling	6th	57.2 s	56.1 s	+1.1 s	98.08%
Subj. Dry Handling	5th	6.5 Points	7 Points	-0.5 Points	92.86%

Wet

94.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	51.3 M	48.1 M	+3.2 M	93.76%
Wet Handling	5th	90.4 s	87.2 s	+3.2 s	96.46%
Straight Aqua	6th	94.4 Km/H	98.1 Km/H	-3.7 Km/H	96.23%
Curved Aquaplaning	7th	3.09 m/sec2	3.43 m/sec2	-0.34 m/sec2	90.09%

Comfort

99.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	70.8 dB	70.6 dB	+0.2 dB	99.72%

Value

71.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	3rd	376	234	+142	62.23%
Rolling Resistance	6th	8.12 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+1.52 kg / t	81.28%

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7^th

Debica Presto UHP2

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Acceptable performance on dry and wet surfaces, good balance of performance, low noise level, low rolling resistance

Slow dry handling lap.

Dry

94.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	35.6 M	34.5 M	+1.1 M	96.91%
Dry Handling	9th	57.6 s	56.1 s	+1.5 s	97.4%
Subj. Dry Handling	10th	6.25 Points	7 Points	-0.75 Points	89.29%

Wet

93.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	53.8 M	48.1 M	+5.7 M	89.41%
Wet Handling	5th	90.4 s	87.2 s	+3.2 s	96.46%
Straight Aqua	7th	94.11 Km/H	98.1 Km/H	-3.99 Km/H	95.93%
Curved Aquaplaning	6th	3.17 m/sec2	3.43 m/sec2	-0.26 m/sec2	92.42%

Comfort

99.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	2nd	70.7 dB	70.6 dB	+0.1 dB	99.86%

Value

72.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4th	390	234	+156	60%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	7.76 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+1.16 kg / t	85.05%

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8^th

Laufenn S Fit EQ+

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Acceptable dry results, relatively low rolling resistance.

Long wet braking, poor aquaplaning resistance.

Dry

96.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	35.9 M	34.5 M	+1.4 M	96.1%
Dry Handling	4th	56.9 s	56.1 s	+0.8 s	98.59%
Subj. Dry Handling	2nd	6.7 Points	7 Points	-0.3 Points	95.71%

Wet

89.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	53.7 M	48.1 M	+5.6 M	89.57%
Wet Handling	8th	93.6 s	87.2 s	+6.4 s	93.16%
Straight Aqua	10th	92.29 Km/H	98.1 Km/H	-5.81 Km/H	94.08%
Curved Aquaplaning	9th	2.78 m/sec2	3.43 m/sec2	-0.65 m/sec2	81.05%

Comfort

99.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	6th	71.1 dB	70.6 dB	+0.5 dB	99.3%

Value

79.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	319	234	+85	73.35%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	7.76 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+1.16 kg / t	85.05%

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9^th

Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Very low rolling resistance.

Long braking distances and poor handling on dry and wet surfaces, relatively low resistance to aquaplaning, high price.

Dry

95.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	9th	37.1 M	34.5 M	+2.6 M	92.99%
Dry Handling	9th	57.6 s	56.1 s	+1.5 s	97.4%
Subj. Dry Handling	2nd	6.7 Points	7 Points	-0.3 Points	95.71%

Wet

88.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	9th	56.4 M	48.1 M	+8.3 M	85.28%
Wet Handling	10th	94.8 s	87.2 s	+7.6 s	91.98%
Straight Aqua	9th	92.82 Km/H	98.1 Km/H	-5.28 Km/H	94.62%
Curved Aquaplaning	8th	2.82 m/sec2	3.43 m/sec2	-0.61 m/sec2	82.22%

Comfort

99.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	70.9 dB	70.6 dB	+0.3 dB	99.58%

Value

68.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	10th	642	234	+408	36.45%
Rolling Resistance	1st	6.6 kg / t			100%

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10^th

Imperial Ecosport 2

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Very low price, good wet performance, low noise level.

Poor dry performance, high rolling resistance.

Dry

92.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	10th	39.1 M	34.5 M	+4.6 M	88.24%
Dry Handling	8th	57.3 s	56.1 s	+1.2 s	97.91%
Subj. Dry Handling	8th	6.4 Points	7 Points	-0.6 Points	91.43%

Wet

92.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	10th	57.5 M	48.1 M	+9.4 M	83.65%
Wet Handling	9th	94.6 s	87.2 s	+7.4 s	92.18%
Straight Aqua	1st	98.1 Km/H			100%
Curved Aquaplaning	3rd	3.27 m/sec2	3.43 m/sec2	-0.16 m/sec2	95.34%

Comfort

99.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	70.9 dB	70.6 dB	+0.3 dB	99.58%

Value

87.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	1st	234			100%
Rolling Resistance	9th	8.85 kg / t	6.6 kg / t	+2.25 kg / t	74.58%

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