2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test

The 2023 Auto Zeitung Performance Summer Tire Test included nine of the very best UHP summer tires in the popular 235/35 R19 tire size, and also included the Michelin CrossClimate 2 all season / all weather tire so show us how one of the best all season tires compared to some of the best summer tires. The test car was a 280bhp Ford Focus ST which will give the summer tires a good stress test, let alone the all seasons!

Dry BrakingContinental SportContact 7: 31.6 MMichelin CrossClimate 2: 35.7 M
Dry HandlingBridgestone Potenza Sport: 098.4 sMichelin CrossClimate 2: 102.6 s
Wet BrakingContinental SportContact 7: 38.1 MMichelin CrossClimate 2: 47.2 M
Wet HandlingBridgestone Potenza Sport: 66.5 sMichelin CrossClimate 2: 71.9 s
Wet CirclePirelli P Zero PZ4: 13.41 sMichelin CrossClimate 2: 14.58 s
Straight AquaGiti GitiSportS2: 83.3 Km/HMichelin CrossClimate 2: 75.9 Km/H
NoiseGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6: 67 dBMichelin Pilot Sport 5: 72 dB
PriceKumho Ecsta PS91: 540 Michelin CrossClimate 2: 975
Rolling ResistanceMichelin CrossClimate 2: 7.20 kg / tBridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.47 kg / t

Wet

The Continental SportContact 7 and Bridgestone Potenza Sport led the way in wet braking, with a small gap to the third placed Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

The magazine noted the overall group was very close with the worst summer tire 7.1 meters behind the best... which actually sounds like quite a gap, and the CrossClimate 2 was another half meter behind the best summer tire. We know from all season tests the CrossClimate 2 isn't the best all season tire in the wet, so it's fair to assume an all season tire with higher wet grip could have jumped the Giti.

Wet handling had the Bridgestone back at the top, narrowly beating the Pirelli by just 0.2 seconds. Michelin, Goodyear and Kumho were next in line with the all season tire again at the back.

The all season tire again struggled during the aquaplaning tests, with the Giti the best of the summer tires.

Dry

Continental were back at the front for dry braking with the Falken Azenis FK520 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tied for second place. The CrossClimate 2, which IS the best all season tire in dry braking, again couldn't match any of the summer tires.

The Potenza Sport was back in the lead for dry handling, with the Continental again close behind.

Environment

The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 was the quietest tire of the group, with the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 posting a rather high external noise figure.

The CrossClimate 2 had a huge advantage during the rolling resistance test, with the Giti GitiSportS2 the best of the summer tires, 12% off the all season tire.

There was a significant premium for the all season tire in the purchase prices.

Results

View Results as a single table and adjust the score weighting

1st: Continental SportContact 7

Continental SportContact 7
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • Weight: 10kgs
  • Tread: 6.9mm
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking1st100%
Dry Handling2nd+0.1 s99.9%
Wet Braking1st100%
Wet Handling7th+2.7 s96.1%
Wet Circle2nd+0.04 s99.7%
Straight Aqua5th-3.9 Km/H95.32%
Noise3rd+2 dB97.1%
Price7th+210 72%
Rolling Resistance3rd+1.06 kg / t87.17%
The new Continental SportContact 7 wins with balanced properties that very convincingly solve the balancing act between sportiness and efficiency. Safe when wet.

Read Reviews    Buy from £137.63

1st: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: D/A/72
  • Weight: 9.9kgs
  • Tread: 6.5mm
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking4th+1 M96.93%
Dry Handling1st100%
Wet Braking1st100%
Wet Handling1st100%
Wet Circle6th+0.31 s97.74%
Straight Aqua3rd-3 Km/H96.4%
Noise8th+4 dB94.37%
Price8th+220 71.05%
Rolling Resistance10th+2.27 kg / t76.03%
Outstanding on wet roads, great performance in the dry - this is how the Bridgestone Potenza Sport brought the test win. Slightly more expensive than the Conti with the same points and worse in terms of rolling resistance.

Read Reviews    Buy from £120.19

3rd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: C/A/69
  • Weight: 9.5kgs
  • Tread: 6.9mm
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking6th+1.4 M95.76%
Dry Handling3rd+0.7 s99.29%
Wet Braking6th+2.5 M93.84%
Wet Handling4th+1.9 s97.22%
Wet Circle5th+0.26 s98.1%
Straight Aqua6th-4 Km/H95.2%
Noise1st100%
Price5th+160 77.14%
Rolling Resistance5th+1.19 kg / t85.82%
Second place for the current, sixth generation of the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric, which shines as a dynamic all-rounder with remarkable driving comfort. Not a pure racer, but very harmonious.

Read Reviews    Buy from £142.00

3rd: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • Weight: 10.4kgs
  • Tread: 7.4mm
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking5th+1.1 M96.64%
Dry Handling5th+1.7 s98.3%
Wet Braking3rd+1.5 M96.21%
Wet Handling2nd+0.2 s99.7%
Wet Circle1st100%
Straight Aqua6th-4 Km/H95.2%
Noise6th+3 dB95.71%
Price6th+205 72.48%
Rolling Resistance9th+2.26 kg / t76.11%
Once again the Pirelli P Zero, this time in the PZ4 S.C. version, can establish itself at the forefront with its dynamic talents and its meticulously balanced steering characteristics. Level on points with Goodyear.

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5th: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Michelin Pilot Sport 5
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • Weight: 10.3kgs
  • Tread: 6.4mm
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking2nd+0.9 M97.23%
Dry Handling5th+1.7 s98.3%
Wet Braking4th+1.8 M95.49%
Wet Handling3rd+1.4 s97.94%
Wet Circle3rd+0.11 s99.19%
Straight Aqua9th-6.2 Km/H92.56%
Noise10th+5 dB93.06%
Price9th+285 65.45%
Rolling Resistance4th+1.17 kg / t86.02%
In the end, the new Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is only missing a single point for second place. He only performs worse in aquaplaning than the tire before him. Low rolling resistance, but high price level.

Read Reviews    Buy from £154.62

6th: Falken Azenis FK520

Falken Azenis FK520
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: C/A/70
  • Weight: 10.1kgs
  • Tread: 6.5mm
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking2nd+0.9 M97.23%
Dry Handling4th+1 s98.99%
Wet Braking5th+2 M95.01%
Wet Handling6th+2.4 s96.52%
Wet Circle4th+0.22 s98.39%
Straight Aqua8th-4.5 Km/H94.6%
Noise3rd+2 dB97.1%
Price3rd+55 90.76%
Rolling Resistance6th+1.28 kg / t84.91%
The price-performance tip: Falken Azenis FK520. Although no longer fresh as a dew, the fairly priced tire remains within striking distance of the top products in the dry and masters the wet without any problems.

Read Reviews    Buy from £138.95

7th: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: E/A/69
  • Weight: 9.9kgs
  • Tread: 7.3mm
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking8th+2.2 M93.49%
Dry Handling8th+2.6 s97.43%
Wet Braking8th+5.7 M86.99%
Wet Handling7th+2.7 s96.1%
Wet Circle8th+0.54 s96.13%
Straight Aqua2nd-2.4 Km/H97.12%
Noise2nd+1 dB98.53%
Price2nd+25 95.58%
Rolling Resistance7th+1.61 kg / t81.73%
The Nexen N'Fera Sport SU2 doesn't set any highlights, but it delivers decent results and shows no major weaknesses. That's not enough for a good placement, but considering the price it's ok.

Read Reviews    Buy from £106.19

8th: Kumho Ecsta PS91

Kumho Ecsta PS91
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: D/A/72
  • Weight: 10.2kgs
  • Tread: 7.2mm
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking7th+1.8 M94.61%
Dry Handling7th+2.4 s97.62%
Wet Braking7th+3.9 M90.71%
Wet Handling5th+2.3 s96.66%
Wet Circle7th+0.5 s96.41%
Straight Aqua4th-3.5 Km/H95.8%
Noise8th+4 dB94.37%
Price1st100%
Rolling Resistance8th+2.09 kg / t77.5%
The Kumho Ecsta PS91 SC doesn't do anything wrong, but it's no longer up to date - a successor is in the works. Currently, however, the low price is the strongest argument for this tire.

Read Reviews    Buy from £102.59

9th: Giti GitiSportS2

Giti GitiSportS2
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: D/A/70
  • Weight: 10.5kgs
  • Tread: 7.6mm
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking9th+3.8 M89.27%
Dry Handling9th+2.7 s97.33%
Wet Braking9th+8.5 M81.76%
Wet Handling9th+3.9 s94.46%
Wet Circle9th+1 s93.06%
Straight Aqua1st100%
Noise3rd+2 dB97.1%
Price4th+130 80.6%
Rolling Resistance2nd+0.92 kg / t88.67%
Best in aquaplaning, low rolling resistance. But those who opt for the Giti Sport S2 have to accept compromises in wet performance. The latest update is said to offer noticeably more grip.

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10th: Michelin CrossClimate 2

Michelin CrossClimate 2
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: C/B/71
  • Weight: 10.2kgs
  • Tread: 6.8mm
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking10th+4.1 M88.52%
Dry Handling10th+4.2 s95.91%
Wet Braking10th+9.1 M80.72%
Wet Handling10th+5.4 s92.49%
Wet Circle10th+1.17 s91.98%
Straight Aqua10th-7.4 Km/H91.12%
Noise7th+3 dB95.71%
Price10th+435 55.38%
Rolling Resistance1st100%
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 gets the fewest points. But a direct comparison with UHP summer pros would be unfair, so no placement. But: It is fast, very economical and suitable for winter!

Read Reviews    Buy from £176.00

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