2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test

If you've ever dreamed of seeing the Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, Continental SportContact 7 and Bridgestone Potenza Sport in the same test, your dreams have just been answered with the 2023 Auto Bild Sportscars Summer Tire Test! They even included the new Falken FK520!

The German publication tested thirteen of the most popular UHP tires in 225/40 R18 using a Toyota GR Yaris, and yes you read that right, the SportContact 7 is now available in some 18" wheel sizes!

Want to know which of the UHP titans is best overall? Read on below!

Wet

It seems like the Hankook has a new rival in wet braking, as the Continental SportContact 7 knocked the Korean tire off it's usual top sport to beat it to first place, with the Hankook close behind and the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 in third.

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport jumped up the order to post the fastest lap around wet handling, with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 proving to be impressive in second and the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 finishing third. Oddly, the wet braking winner dropped all the way down to seventh place overall, though the group was very close.

Wet circle kept the Bridgestone at the top, with the Continental moving up a little.

The Giti GitiSportS2 was the best in straight aquaplaning, with the Goodyear and Michelin tied for second place.

Dry

The braking master Sport Contact 7 once again topped the braking test, this time in the dry, narrowly beating the Bridgestone.

Bridgestone and Continental traded top spots in dry handling, with the Pirelli a close third.

Environment

The Goodyear proved to have the lowest external noise with the Potenza Sport trailing the field.

The new Firestone Firehawk Sport had a crazy lead in rolling resistance, with the Continental and Goodyear the best of the named tires. The Pirelli and Bridgestone both faltered in this test, being significantly harder to roll than their key rivals.

As always, the Michelin was the most expensive and the budget tire the cheapest.

Results

1st: Continental SportContact 7
225/40 R18 92Y EU Label: C/A/72	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 33.3 M 100% Dry Handling 2nd 115.2 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.74% Wet Braking 1st 38.8 M 100% Wet Handling 6th 84.7 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 97.47% Wet Circle 5th 11.09 s 11.04 s +0.05 s 99.55% Straight Aqua 9th 75.6 Km/H 78.6 Km/H -3 Km/H 96.18% Curved Aquaplaning 10th 2.35 m/sec2 2.96 m/sec2 -0.61 m/sec2 79.39% Noise 6th 67.5 dB 66.5 dB +1 dB 98.52% Price 11th 455 280 +175 61.54% Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.38 kg / t 7.05 kg / t +1.33 kg / t 84.13% The new SportContact 7 is completely convincing in its first test: dynamic cornering, stable cornering, precise steering behavior with very good feedback, convincingly safe braking performance on wet and dry slopes. Moderate safety reserves for curve aquaplaning. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £89.94
2nd: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
225/40 R18 92Y EU Label: D/A/72	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 33.5 M 33.3 M +0.2 M 99.4% Dry Handling 1st 115.5 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 5th 41.2 M 38.8 M +2.4 M 94.17% Wet Handling 1st 86.9 Km/H 100% Wet Circle 1st 11.04 s 100% Straight Aqua 4th 77.8 Km/H 78.6 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 98.98% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.72 m/sec2 2.96 m/sec2 -0.24 m/sec2 91.89% Noise 13th 69 dB 66.5 dB +2.5 dB 96.38% Price 12th 460 280 +180 60.87% Rolling Resistance 13th 9.9 kg / t 7.05 kg / t +2.85 kg / t 71.21% The Potenza Sport has excellent handling qualities on wet and dry roads, good balance, precise steering behavior with good feedback, short wet and dry braking distances, decent safety reserves in the event of aquaplaning. Increased rolling resistance, average comfort. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £88.00
3rd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
225/40 R18 92Y EU Label: C/A/70	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 34.3 M 33.3 M +1 M 97.08% Dry Handling 9th 114.1 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.79% Wet Braking 4th 40.8 M 38.8 M +2 M 95.1% Wet Handling 2nd 86.2 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.19% Wet Circle 4th 11.08 s 11.04 s +0.04 s 99.64% Straight Aqua 2nd 77.9 Km/H 78.6 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.11% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 2.66 m/sec2 2.96 m/sec2 -0.3 m/sec2 89.86% Noise 1st 66.5 dB 100% Price 9th 430 280 +150 65.12% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.5 kg / t 7.05 kg / t +1.45 kg / t 82.94% The Asymmetric 6 is a premium tire without fault and reproach, safe driving behavior on wet and dry slopes, sporty and direct steering behavior with good feedback, well-balanced, good safety reserves in the event of aquaplaning, short wet and dry braking distances, quiet passing noise, fuel-saving rolling resistance. None mentioned. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £86.63
3rd: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
225/40 R18 92Y EU Label: C/A72	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 34.7 M 33.3 M +1.4 M 95.97% Dry Handling 4th 114.6 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.22% Wet Braking 3rd 39.1 M 38.8 M +0.3 M 99.23% Wet Handling 5th 84.8 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.58% Wet Circle 7th 11.13 s 11.04 s +0.09 s 99.19% Straight Aqua 2nd 77.9 Km/H 78.6 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.11% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 2.96 m/sec2 100% Noise 12th 68.3 dB 66.5 dB +1.8 dB 97.36% Price 13th 500 280 +220 56% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.62 kg / t 7.05 kg / t +1.57 kg / t 81.79% the PS5 is a top-class sports tires with dynamic handling qualities on wet and dry roads, agile handling with good balance, precise steering, very good safety reserves in the event of aquaplaning, short braking distances in the wet, good comfort, quiet rolling noise. High price level. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £104.14
3rd: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
225/40 R18 92Y EU Label: D/A/68	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 34.5 M 33.3 M +1.2 M 96.52% Dry Handling 3rd 115.1 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.65% Wet Braking 6th 41.3 M 38.8 M +2.5 M 93.95% Wet Handling 3rd 85.2 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.04% Wet Circle 2nd 11.05 s 11.04 s +0.01 s 99.91% Straight Aqua 6th 77.5 Km/H 78.6 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.6% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 2.75 m/sec2 2.96 m/sec2 -0.21 m/sec2 92.91% Noise 4th 66.9 dB 66.5 dB +0.4 dB 99.4% Price 10th 435 280 +155 64.37% Rolling Resistance 12th 9.83 kg / t 7.05 kg / t +2.78 kg / t 71.72% The P Zero PZ4 has excellent handling qualities on both dry and wet roads, good aquaplaning properties, precise steering behavior, balanced dynamic balance, high level of grip, short wet and dry braking distances, quiet passing noise. Increased rolling resistance, average comfort. Exemplary. Read Reviews
6th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
225/40 R18 92Y EU Label: C/A/72	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 34.7 M 33.3 M +1.4 M 95.97% Dry Handling 5th 114.4 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 99.05% Wet Braking 2nd 38.9 M 38.8 M +0.1 M 99.74% Wet Handling 4th 84.9 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -2 Km/H 97.7% Wet Circle 9th 11.24 s 11.04 s +0.2 s 98.22% Straight Aqua 11th 74.4 Km/H 78.6 Km/H -4.2 Km/H 94.66% Curved Aquaplaning 11th 2.26 m/sec2 2.96 m/sec2 -0.7 m/sec2 76.35% Noise 11th 68.2 dB 66.5 dB +1.7 dB 97.51% Price 6th 380 280 +100 73.68% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.55 kg / t 7.05 kg / t +1.5 kg / t 82.46% The Ventus S1 evo 3 is a balanced sports tire with dynamic handling qualities on wet and dry roads, very good braking performance on wet slopes, agile steering behavior, fuel-saving rolling resistance, very good price-performance ratio. Satisfactory safety reserves for curve aquaplaning. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £74.65
7th: Toyo Proxes Sport 2
225/40 R18 92Y EU Label: D/A/71	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 34.4 M 33.3 M +1.1 M 96.8% Dry Handling 5th 114.4 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 99.05% Wet Braking 9th 43 M 38.8 M +4.2 M 90.23% Wet Handling 6th 84.7 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 97.47% Wet Circle 3rd 11.07 s 11.04 s +0.03 s 99.73% Straight Aqua 8th 76.3 Km/H 78.6 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 97.07% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.49 m/sec2 2.96 m/sec2 -0.47 m/sec2 84.12% Noise 6th 67.5 dB 66.5 dB +1 dB 98.52% Price 7th 385 280 +105 72.73% Rolling Resistance 9th 9.04 kg / t 7.05 kg / t +1.99 kg / t 77.99% The new Toyo Proxes Sport 2 has well-balanced, safe handling qualities on wet and dry roads, good grip and short braking distances on dry roads, good ride comfort, low rolling resistance, good value for money. Slightly longer wet braking distances, average safety reserves when aquaplaning in curves. Good. Read Reviews
7th: Falken Azenis FK520
225/40 R18 92Y EU Label: C/A/70	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 35 M 33.3 M +1.7 M 95.14% Dry Handling 7th 114.3 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.96% Wet Braking 10th 43.2 M 38.8 M +4.4 M 89.81% Wet Handling 8th 83.8 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.43% Wet Circle 10th 11.25 s 11.04 s +0.21 s 98.13% Straight Aqua 5th 77.6 Km/H 78.6 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.73% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 2.82 m/sec2 2.96 m/sec2 -0.14 m/sec2 95.27% Noise 2nd 66.6 dB 66.5 dB +0.1 dB 99.85% Price 5th 375 280 +95 74.67% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.8 kg / t 7.05 kg / t +1.75 kg / t 80.11% The new FK520 has convincing handling qualities on both dry and wet slopes, good aquaplaning properties, precise steering behavior, well-balanced dynamic balance, high level of grip, short wet and dry braking distances, quiet pass-by noise. Increased rolling resistance, average comfort Good. Read Reviews
9th: Firestone Firehawk Sport
225/40 R18 92Y EU Label: B/A/70	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 35.1 M 33.3 M +1.8 M 94.87% Dry Handling 7th 114.3 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.96% Wet Braking 7th 42.2 M 38.8 M +3.4 M 91.94% Wet Handling 11th 81.6 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -5.3 Km/H 93.9% Wet Circle 8th 11.19 s 11.04 s +0.15 s 98.66% Straight Aqua 10th 74.6 Km/H 78.6 Km/H -4 Km/H 94.91% Curved Aquaplaning 9th 2.45 m/sec2 2.96 m/sec2 -0.51 m/sec2 82.77% Noise 5th 67 dB 66.5 dB +0.5 dB 99.25% Price 4th 365 280 +85 76.71% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.05 kg / t 100% The new Firehawk Sport has agile handling behavior on dry slopes, short wet and dry braking distances, exceptionally low rolling resistance, low price level. Average aquaplaning properties, delayed steering response and clearly understeering cornering behavior on wet roads. Fair. Read Reviews
10th: Giti GitiSportS2
225/40 R18 92Y EU Label: D/A/70	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 11th 35.5 M 33.3 M +2.2 M 93.8% Dry Handling 10th 113.9 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.61% Wet Braking 11th 43.5 M 38.8 M +4.7 M 89.2% Wet Handling 9th 83 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -3.9 Km/H 95.51% Wet Circle 11th 11.4 s 11.04 s +0.36 s 96.84% Straight Aqua 1st 78.6 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 2.84 m/sec2 2.96 m/sec2 -0.12 m/sec2 95.95% Noise 6th 67.5 dB 66.5 dB +1 dB 98.52% Price 8th 400 280 +120 70% Rolling Resistance 10th 9.15 kg / t 7.05 kg / t +2.1 kg / t 77.05% The GitiSportS2 has convincing aquaplaning properties, stable dry handling, pleasantly quiet passing noise. Limited level of grip on wet roads, delayed steering response and understeering when cornering on wet roads, slightly longer wet braking distances, higher price level. Fair. Read Reviews
10th: Maxxis Victra Sport 5
225/40 R18 92Y EU Label: C/A/72	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 35.3 M 33.3 M +2 M 94.33% Dry Handling 11th 112.7 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 97.58% Wet Braking 8th 42.4 M 38.8 M +3.6 M 91.51% Wet Handling 10th 82.9 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -4 Km/H 95.4% Wet Circle 5th 11.09 s 11.04 s +0.05 s 99.55% Straight Aqua 7th 76.9 Km/H 78.6 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 97.84% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 2.75 m/sec2 2.96 m/sec2 -0.21 m/sec2 92.91% Noise 9th 67.6 dB 66.5 dB +1.1 dB 98.37% Price 3rd 355 280 +75 78.87% Rolling Resistance 11th 9.22 kg / t 7.05 kg / t +2.17 kg / t 76.46% The Victra Sport 5 has good safety reserves for aquaplaning, short braking distances on wet roads, quiet passing noise, low travel. . Moderate grip level and clearly understeering handling on wet and dry slopes, delayed steering response, limited ride comfort. Fair. Read Reviews
12th: Linglong Sport Master
225/40 R18 92Y EU Label: C/A/69	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 12th 36.1 M 33.3 M +2.8 M 92.24% Dry Handling 12th 112.2 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 97.14% Wet Braking 12th 43.6 M 38.8 M +4.8 M 88.99% Wet Handling 12th 78.7 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -8.2 Km/H 90.56% Wet Circle 12th 11.55 s 11.04 s +0.51 s 95.58% Straight Aqua 12th 72.8 Km/H 78.6 Km/H -5.8 Km/H 92.62% Curved Aquaplaning 12th 2.24 m/sec2 2.96 m/sec2 -0.72 m/sec2 75.68% Noise 3rd 66.7 dB 66.5 dB +0.2 dB 99.7% Price 2nd 310 280 +30 90.32% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.68 kg / t 7.05 kg / t +1.63 kg / t 81.22% Inexpensive sports tire with low rolling resistance and quiet rolling noise. Moderate grip on wet and dry roads, limited safety reserves in the event of aquaplaning, delayed steering response and understeering handling on wet and dry roads, longer wet and dry braking distances. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews
13th: Superia Ecoblue UHP
225/40 R18 92Y EU Label: C/B/70	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 13th 38.6 M 33.3 M +5.3 M 86.27% Dry Handling 13th 109.3 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -6.2 Km/H 94.63% Wet Braking 13th 50.2 M 38.8 M +11.4 M 77.29% Wet Handling 13th 73 Km/H 86.9 Km/H -13.9 Km/H 84% Wet Circle 13th 11.66 s 11.04 s +0.62 s 94.68% Straight Aqua 13th 68.7 Km/H 78.6 Km/H -9.9 Km/H 87.4% Curved Aquaplaning 13th 2.14 m/sec2 2.96 m/sec2 -0.82 m/sec2 72.3% Noise 10th 67.7 dB 66.5 dB +1.2 dB 98.23% Price 1st 280 100% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.41 kg / t 7.05 kg / t +1.36 kg / t 83.83% Low price level, low rolling resistance, quiet rolling noise. Low-budget tires with poor grip and dangerously long braking distances on wet and dry roads, low safety reserves in the event of aquaplaning, delayed steering response, severe understeer in wet and dry handling. Not Recommended. Read Reviews