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!
4 categories (9 tests)
Test Category | Best Performer | Worst Performer | Difference |
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Dry (2 tests) | |||
Dry Braking | ▲ Continental SportContact 7: 31.6 M | ▼ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 35.7 M | 4.1 M (11.5%) |
Dry Handling | ▲ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 98.4 s | ▼ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 102.6 s | 4.2 s (4.1%) |
Wet (4 tests) | |||
Wet Braking | ▲ Continental SportContact 7: 38.1 M | ▼ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 47.2 M | 9.1 M (19.3%) |
Wet Handling | ▲ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 66.5 s | ▼ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 71.9 s | 5.4 s (7.5%) |
Wet Circle | ▲ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 13.41 s | ▼ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 14.58 s | 1.2 s (8.0%) |
Straight Aqua | ▲ Giti GitiSportS2: 83.3 Km/H | ▼ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 75.9 Km/H | 7.4 Km/H (9.7%) |
Comfort (1 tests) | |||
Noise | ▲ Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6: 67 dB | ▼ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 72 dB | 5.0 dB (6.9%) |
Value (2 tests) | |||
Price | ▲ Kumho Ecsta PS91: 540 | ▼ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 975 | 435.0 (44.6%) |
Rolling Resistance | ▲ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 7.2 kg / t | ▼ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.47 kg / t | 2.3 kg / t (24.0%) |
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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 £149.24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1st: Bridgestone Potenza Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 £146.09 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Pirelli P Zero PZ4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Buy from £164.86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 £160.69 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th: Falken Azenis FK520 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 £128.45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7th: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 £143.21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9th: Giti GitiSportS2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 £190.85 |