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!

Test Size: 235/35 R19
Tires Tested: 10 tires
Test Categories:
4 categories (9 tests)
Similar Tests

Test Category Best Performer Worst Performer Difference
Dry (2 tests)
Dry Braking Continental SportContact 7: 31.6 M Michelin CrossClimate 2: 35.7 M4.1 M (11.5%)
Dry Handling Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 98.4 s Michelin CrossClimate 2: 102.6 s4.2 s (4.1%)
Wet (4 tests)
Wet Braking Continental SportContact 7: 38.1 M Michelin CrossClimate 2: 47.2 M9.1 M (19.3%)
Wet Handling Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 66.5 s Michelin CrossClimate 2: 71.9 s5.4 s (7.5%)
Wet Circle Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 13.41 s Michelin CrossClimate 2: 14.58 s1.2 s (8.0%)
Straight Aqua Giti GitiSportS2: 83.3 Km/H Michelin CrossClimate 2: 75.9 Km/H7.4 Km/H (9.7%)
Comfort (1 tests)
Noise Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6: 67 dB Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 72 dB5.0 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 / t2.3 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

Continental SportContact 7
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • Weight: 10kgs
  • Tread: 6.9mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st31.6 M100%
Dry Handling2nd98.5 s98.4 s+0.1 s99.9%
Wet Braking1st38.1 M100%
Wet Handling7th69.2 s66.5 s+2.7 s96.1%
Wet Circle2nd13.45 s13.41 s+0.04 s99.7%
Straight Aqua5th79.4 Km/H83.3 Km/H-3.9 Km/H95.32%
Noise3rd69 dB67 dB+2 dB97.1%
Price7th750 540 +210 72%
Rolling Resistance3rd8.26 kg / t7.2 kg / t+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 £149.24

1st: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: D/A/72
  • Weight: 9.9kgs
  • Tread: 6.5mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th32.6 M31.6 M+1 M96.93%
Dry Handling1st98.4 s100%
Wet Braking1st38.1 M100%
Wet Handling1st66.5 s100%
Wet Circle6th13.72 s13.41 s+0.31 s97.74%
Straight Aqua3rd80.3 Km/H83.3 Km/H-3 Km/H96.4%
Noise8th71 dB67 dB+4 dB94.37%
Price8th760 540 +220 71.05%
Rolling Resistance10th9.47 kg / t7.2 kg / t+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 £134.50

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
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th33 M31.6 M+1.4 M95.76%
Dry Handling3rd99.1 s98.4 s+0.7 s99.29%
Wet Braking6th40.6 M38.1 M+2.5 M93.84%
Wet Handling4th68.4 s66.5 s+1.9 s97.22%
Wet Circle5th13.67 s13.41 s+0.26 s98.1%
Straight Aqua6th79.3 Km/H83.3 Km/H-4 Km/H95.2%
Noise1st67 dB100%
Price5th700 540 +160 77.14%
Rolling Resistance5th8.39 kg / t7.2 kg / t+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 £146.09

3rd: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • Weight: 10.4kgs
  • Tread: 7.4mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th32.7 M31.6 M+1.1 M96.64%
Dry Handling5th100.1 s98.4 s+1.7 s98.3%
Wet Braking3rd39.6 M38.1 M+1.5 M96.21%
Wet Handling2nd66.7 s66.5 s+0.2 s99.7%
Wet Circle1st13.41 s100%
Straight Aqua6th79.3 Km/H83.3 Km/H-4 Km/H95.2%
Noise6th70 dB67 dB+3 dB95.71%
Price6th745 540 +205 72.48%
Rolling Resistance9th9.46 kg / t7.2 kg / t+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.

Read Reviews    Buy from £164.86

5th: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Michelin Pilot Sport 5
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • Weight: 10.3kgs
  • Tread: 6.4mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd32.5 M31.6 M+0.9 M97.23%
Dry Handling5th100.1 s98.4 s+1.7 s98.3%
Wet Braking4th39.9 M38.1 M+1.8 M95.49%
Wet Handling3rd67.9 s66.5 s+1.4 s97.94%
Wet Circle3rd13.52 s13.41 s+0.11 s99.19%
Straight Aqua9th77.1 Km/H83.3 Km/H-6.2 Km/H92.56%
Noise10th72 dB67 dB+5 dB93.06%
Price9th825 540 +285 65.45%
Rolling Resistance4th8.37 kg / t7.2 kg / t+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 £160.69

6th: Falken Azenis FK520

Falken Azenis FK520
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: C/A/70
  • Weight: 10.1kgs
  • Tread: 6.5mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd32.5 M31.6 M+0.9 M97.23%
Dry Handling4th99.4 s98.4 s+1 s98.99%
Wet Braking5th40.1 M38.1 M+2 M95.01%
Wet Handling6th68.9 s66.5 s+2.4 s96.52%
Wet Circle4th13.63 s13.41 s+0.22 s98.39%
Straight Aqua8th78.8 Km/H83.3 Km/H-4.5 Km/H94.6%
Noise3rd69 dB67 dB+2 dB97.1%
Price3rd595 540 +55 90.76%
Rolling Resistance6th8.48 kg / t7.2 kg / t+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 £128.45

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
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th33.8 M31.6 M+2.2 M93.49%
Dry Handling8th101 s98.4 s+2.6 s97.43%
Wet Braking8th43.8 M38.1 M+5.7 M86.99%
Wet Handling7th69.2 s66.5 s+2.7 s96.1%
Wet Circle8th13.95 s13.41 s+0.54 s96.13%
Straight Aqua2nd80.9 Km/H83.3 Km/H-2.4 Km/H97.12%
Noise2nd68 dB67 dB+1 dB98.53%
Price2nd565 540 +25 95.58%
Rolling Resistance7th8.81 kg / t7.2 kg / t+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.

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8th: Kumho Ecsta PS91

Kumho Ecsta PS91
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: D/A/72
  • Weight: 10.2kgs
  • Tread: 7.2mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th33.4 M31.6 M+1.8 M94.61%
Dry Handling7th100.8 s98.4 s+2.4 s97.62%
Wet Braking7th42 M38.1 M+3.9 M90.71%
Wet Handling5th68.8 s66.5 s+2.3 s96.66%
Wet Circle7th13.91 s13.41 s+0.5 s96.41%
Straight Aqua4th79.8 Km/H83.3 Km/H-3.5 Km/H95.8%
Noise8th71 dB67 dB+4 dB94.37%
Price1st540 100%
Rolling Resistance8th9.29 kg / t7.2 kg / t+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 £143.21

9th: Giti GitiSportS2

Giti GitiSportS2
  • 235/35 R19 91Y
  • EU Label: D/A/70
  • Weight: 10.5kgs
  • Tread: 7.6mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking9th35.4 M31.6 M+3.8 M89.27%
Dry Handling9th101.1 s98.4 s+2.7 s97.33%
Wet Braking9th46.6 M38.1 M+8.5 M81.76%
Wet Handling9th70.4 s66.5 s+3.9 s94.46%
Wet Circle9th14.41 s13.41 s+1 s93.06%
Straight Aqua1st83.3 Km/H100%
Noise3rd69 dB67 dB+2 dB97.1%
Price4th670 540 +130 80.6%
Rolling Resistance2nd8.12 kg / t7.2 kg / t+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
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th35.7 M31.6 M+4.1 M88.52%
Dry Handling10th102.6 s98.4 s+4.2 s95.91%
Wet Braking10th47.2 M38.1 M+9.1 M80.72%
Wet Handling10th71.9 s66.5 s+5.4 s92.49%
Wet Circle10th14.58 s13.41 s+1.17 s91.98%
Straight Aqua10th75.9 Km/H83.3 Km/H-7.4 Km/H91.12%
Noise6th70 dB67 dB+3 dB95.71%
Price10th975 540 +435 55.38%
Rolling Resistance1st7.2 kg / t100%
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

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