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!

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

1st: Continental SportContact 7
235/35 R19 91Y EU Label: C/A/72 Weight: 10kgs Tread: 6.9mm	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 31.6 M 100% Dry Handling 2nd 98.5 s 98.4 s +0.1 s 99.9% Wet Braking 1st 38.1 M 100% Wet Handling 7th 69.2 s 66.5 s +2.7 s 96.1% Wet Circle 2nd 13.45 s 13.41 s +0.04 s 99.7% Straight Aqua 5th 79.4 Km/H 83.3 Km/H -3.9 Km/H 95.32% Noise 3rd 69 dB 67 dB +2 dB 97.1% Price 7th 750 540 +210 72% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.26 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +1.06 kg / t 87.17% 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 £138.20
1st: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
235/35 R19 91Y EU Label: D/A/72 Weight: 9.9kgs Tread: 6.5mm	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 32.6 M 31.6 M +1 M 96.93% Dry Handling 1st 98.4 s 100% Wet Braking 1st 38.1 M 100% Wet Handling 1st 66.5 s 100% Wet Circle 6th 13.72 s 13.41 s +0.31 s 97.74% Straight Aqua 3rd 80.3 Km/H 83.3 Km/H -3 Km/H 96.4% Noise 8th 71 dB 67 dB +4 dB 94.37% Price 8th 760 540 +220 71.05% Rolling Resistance 10th 9.47 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +2.27 kg / t 76.03% 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 £134.50
3rd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
235/35 R19 91Y EU Label: C/A/69 Weight: 9.5kgs Tread: 6.9mm	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 33 M 31.6 M +1.4 M 95.76% Dry Handling 3rd 99.1 s 98.4 s +0.7 s 99.29% Wet Braking 6th 40.6 M 38.1 M +2.5 M 93.84% Wet Handling 4th 68.4 s 66.5 s +1.9 s 97.22% Wet Circle 5th 13.67 s 13.41 s +0.26 s 98.1% Straight Aqua 6th 79.3 Km/H 83.3 Km/H -4 Km/H 95.2% Noise 1st 67 dB 100% Price 5th 700 540 +160 77.14% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.39 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +1.19 kg / t 85.82% 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 £145.50
3rd: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
235/35 R19 91Y EU Label: C/A/71 Weight: 10.4kgs Tread: 7.4mm	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 32.7 M 31.6 M +1.1 M 96.64% Dry Handling 5th 100.1 s 98.4 s +1.7 s 98.3% Wet Braking 3rd 39.6 M 38.1 M +1.5 M 96.21% Wet Handling 2nd 66.7 s 66.5 s +0.2 s 99.7% Wet Circle 1st 13.41 s 100% Straight Aqua 6th 79.3 Km/H 83.3 Km/H -4 Km/H 95.2% Noise 6th 70 dB 67 dB +3 dB 95.71% Price 6th 745 540 +205 72.48% Rolling Resistance 9th 9.46 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +2.26 kg / t 76.11% 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. Read Reviews
5th: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
235/35 R19 91Y EU Label: C/A/72 Weight: 10.3kgs Tread: 6.4mm	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 32.5 M 31.6 M +0.9 M 97.23% Dry Handling 5th 100.1 s 98.4 s +1.7 s 98.3% Wet Braking 4th 39.9 M 38.1 M +1.8 M 95.49% Wet Handling 3rd 67.9 s 66.5 s +1.4 s 97.94% Wet Circle 3rd 13.52 s 13.41 s +0.11 s 99.19% Straight Aqua 9th 77.1 Km/H 83.3 Km/H -6.2 Km/H 92.56% Noise 10th 72 dB 67 dB +5 dB 93.06% Price 9th 825 540 +285 65.45% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.37 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +1.17 kg / t 86.02% 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 £149.70
6th: Falken Azenis FK520
235/35 R19 91Y EU Label: C/A/70 Weight: 10.1kgs Tread: 6.5mm	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 32.5 M 31.6 M +0.9 M 97.23% Dry Handling 4th 99.4 s 98.4 s +1 s 98.99% Wet Braking 5th 40.1 M 38.1 M +2 M 95.01% Wet Handling 6th 68.9 s 66.5 s +2.4 s 96.52% Wet Circle 4th 13.63 s 13.41 s +0.22 s 98.39% Straight Aqua 8th 78.8 Km/H 83.3 Km/H -4.5 Km/H 94.6% Noise 3rd 69 dB 67 dB +2 dB 97.1% Price 3rd 595 540 +55 90.76% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.48 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +1.28 kg / t 84.91% 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
7th: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
235/35 R19 91Y EU Label: E/A/69 Weight: 9.9kgs Tread: 7.3mm	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 33.8 M 31.6 M +2.2 M 93.49% Dry Handling 8th 101 s 98.4 s +2.6 s 97.43% Wet Braking 8th 43.8 M 38.1 M +5.7 M 86.99% Wet Handling 7th 69.2 s 66.5 s +2.7 s 96.1% Wet Circle 8th 13.95 s 13.41 s +0.54 s 96.13% Straight Aqua 2nd 80.9 Km/H 83.3 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 97.12% Noise 2nd 68 dB 67 dB +1 dB 98.53% Price 2nd 565 540 +25 95.58% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.81 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +1.61 kg / t 81.73% 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
8th: Kumho Ecsta PS91
235/35 R19 91Y EU Label: D/A/72 Weight: 10.2kgs Tread: 7.2mm	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 33.4 M 31.6 M +1.8 M 94.61% Dry Handling 7th 100.8 s 98.4 s +2.4 s 97.62% Wet Braking 7th 42 M 38.1 M +3.9 M 90.71% Wet Handling 5th 68.8 s 66.5 s +2.3 s 96.66% Wet Circle 7th 13.91 s 13.41 s +0.5 s 96.41% Straight Aqua 4th 79.8 Km/H 83.3 Km/H -3.5 Km/H 95.8% Noise 8th 71 dB 67 dB +4 dB 94.37% Price 1st 540 100% Rolling Resistance 8th 9.29 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +2.09 kg / t 77.5% 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 £115.82
9th: Giti GitiSportS2
235/35 R19 91Y EU Label: D/A/70 Weight: 10.5kgs Tread: 7.6mm	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 35.4 M 31.6 M +3.8 M 89.27% Dry Handling 9th 101.1 s 98.4 s +2.7 s 97.33% Wet Braking 9th 46.6 M 38.1 M +8.5 M 81.76% Wet Handling 9th 70.4 s 66.5 s +3.9 s 94.46% Wet Circle 9th 14.41 s 13.41 s +1 s 93.06% Straight Aqua 1st 83.3 Km/H 100% Noise 3rd 69 dB 67 dB +2 dB 97.1% Price 4th 670 540 +130 80.6% Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.12 kg / t 7.2 kg / t +0.92 kg / t 88.67% 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. Read Reviews
10th: Michelin CrossClimate 2
235/35 R19 91Y EU Label: C/B/71 Weight: 10.2kgs Tread: 6.8mm	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 35.7 M 31.6 M +4.1 M 88.52% Dry Handling 10th 102.6 s 98.4 s +4.2 s 95.91% Wet Braking 10th 47.2 M 38.1 M +9.1 M 80.72% Wet Handling 10th 71.9 s 66.5 s +5.4 s 92.49% Wet Circle 10th 14.58 s 13.41 s +1.17 s 91.98% Straight Aqua 10th 75.9 Km/H 83.3 Km/H -7.4 Km/H 91.12% Noise 6th 70 dB 67 dB +3 dB 95.71% Price 10th 975 540 +435 55.38% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.2 kg / t 100% 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 £192.24