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!
Test Publication:
225/40 R18
13 tires
4 categories
Images courtesy of Auto Bild Sportscars
Test Size:
225/40 R18
Tires Tested:
13 tires
Test Categories:
4 categories (10 tests)
Similar Tests
4 categories (10 tests)
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
- EU Label: C/A/72
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.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 1st | 33.3 M | 100% |
| Dry Handling | 2nd | 115.2 Km/H | 99.74% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st | 38.8 M | 100% |
| Wet Handling | 6th | 84.7 Km/H | 97.47% |
| Wet Circle | 5th | 11.09 s | 99.55% |
| Straight Aqua | 9th | 75.6 Km/H | 96.18% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 10th | 2.35 m/sec2 | 79.39% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 6th | 67.5 dB | 98.52% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 11th | 455 | 61.54% |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd | 8.38 kg / t | 84.13% |
- EU Label: D/A/72
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.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 2nd | 33.5 M | 99.4% |
| Dry Handling | 1st | 115.5 Km/H | 100% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th | 41.2 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 | 98.98% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 6th | 2.72 m/sec2 | 91.89% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 13th | 69 dB | 96.38% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 12th | 460 | 60.87% |
| Rolling Resistance | 13th | 9.9 kg / t | 71.21% |
- EU Label: C/A/70
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.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 3rd | 34.3 M | 97.08% |
| Dry Handling | 9th | 114.1 Km/H | 98.79% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th | 40.8 M | 95.1% |
| Wet Handling | 2nd | 86.2 Km/H | 99.19% |
| Wet Circle | 4th | 11.08 s | 99.64% |
| Straight Aqua | 2nd | 77.9 Km/H | 99.11% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 7th | 2.66 m/sec2 | 89.86% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 1st | 66.5 dB | 100% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 9th | 430 | 65.12% |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th | 8.5 kg / t | 82.94% |
- EU Label: C/A72
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.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 6th | 34.7 M | 95.97% |
| Dry Handling | 4th | 114.6 Km/H | 99.22% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd | 39.1 M | 99.23% |
| Wet Handling | 5th | 84.8 Km/H | 97.58% |
| Wet Circle | 7th | 11.13 s | 99.19% |
| Straight Aqua | 2nd | 77.9 Km/H | 99.11% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 1st | 2.96 m/sec2 | 100% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 12th | 68.3 dB | 97.36% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 13th | 500 | 56% |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th | 8.62 kg / t | 81.79% |
- EU Label: D/A/68
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.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 5th | 34.5 M | 96.52% |
| Dry Handling | 3rd | 115.1 Km/H | 99.65% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th | 41.3 M | 93.95% |
| Wet Handling | 3rd | 85.2 Km/H | 98.04% |
| Wet Circle | 2nd | 11.05 s | 99.91% |
| Straight Aqua | 6th | 77.5 Km/H | 98.6% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 4th | 2.75 m/sec2 | 92.91% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 4th | 66.9 dB | 99.4% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 10th | 435 | 64.37% |
| Rolling Resistance | 12th | 9.83 kg / t | 71.72% |
- EU Label: C/A/72
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.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 6th | 34.7 M | 95.97% |
| Dry Handling | 5th | 114.4 Km/H | 99.05% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd | 38.9 M | 99.74% |
| Wet Handling | 4th | 84.9 Km/H | 97.7% |
| Wet Circle | 9th | 11.24 s | 98.22% |
| Straight Aqua | 11th | 74.4 Km/H | 94.66% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 11th | 2.26 m/sec2 | 76.35% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 11th | 68.2 dB | 97.51% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 6th | 380 | 73.68% |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th | 8.55 kg / t | 82.46% |
- EU Label: C/A/70
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.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 8th | 35 M | 95.14% |
| Dry Handling | 7th | 114.3 Km/H | 98.96% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 10th | 43.2 M | 89.81% |
| Wet Handling | 8th | 83.8 Km/H | 96.43% |
| Wet Circle | 10th | 11.25 s | 98.13% |
| Straight Aqua | 5th | 77.6 Km/H | 98.73% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 3rd | 2.82 m/sec2 | 95.27% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 2nd | 66.6 dB | 99.85% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 5th | 375 | 74.67% |
| Rolling Resistance | 8th | 8.8 kg / t | 80.11% |
- EU Label: D/A/71
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.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 4th | 34.4 M | 96.8% |
| Dry Handling | 5th | 114.4 Km/H | 99.05% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 9th | 43 M | 90.23% |
| Wet Handling | 6th | 84.7 Km/H | 97.47% |
| Wet Circle | 3rd | 11.07 s | 99.73% |
| Straight Aqua | 8th | 76.3 Km/H | 97.07% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 8th | 2.49 m/sec2 | 84.12% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 6th | 67.5 dB | 98.52% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 7th | 385 | 72.73% |
| Rolling Resistance | 9th | 9.04 kg / t | 77.99% |
- EU Label: B/A/70
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.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 9th | 35.1 M | 94.87% |
| Dry Handling | 7th | 114.3 Km/H | 98.96% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th | 42.2 M | 91.94% |
| Wet Handling | 11th | 81.6 Km/H | 93.9% |
| Wet Circle | 8th | 11.19 s | 98.66% |
| Straight Aqua | 10th | 74.6 Km/H | 94.91% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 9th | 2.45 m/sec2 | 82.77% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 5th | 67 dB | 99.25% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 4th | 365 | 76.71% |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st | 7.05 kg / t | 100% |
- EU Label: D/A/70
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.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 11th | 35.5 M | 93.8% |
| Dry Handling | 10th | 113.9 Km/H | 98.61% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 11th | 43.5 M | 89.2% |
| Wet Handling | 9th | 83 Km/H | 95.51% |
| Wet Circle | 11th | 11.4 s | 96.84% |
| Straight Aqua | 1st | 78.6 Km/H | 100% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 2nd | 2.84 m/sec2 | 95.95% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 6th | 67.5 dB | 98.52% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 8th | 400 | 70% |
| Rolling Resistance | 10th | 9.15 kg / t | 77.05% |
- EU Label: C/A/72
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.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 10th | 35.3 M | 94.33% |
| Dry Handling | 11th | 112.7 Km/H | 97.58% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 8th | 42.4 M | 91.51% |
| Wet Handling | 10th | 82.9 Km/H | 95.4% |
| Wet Circle | 5th | 11.09 s | 99.55% |
| Straight Aqua | 7th | 76.9 Km/H | 97.84% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 4th | 2.75 m/sec2 | 92.91% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 9th | 67.6 dB | 98.37% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 3rd | 355 | 78.87% |
| Rolling Resistance | 11th | 9.22 kg / t | 76.46% |
- EU Label: C/A/69
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.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 12th | 36.1 M | 92.24% |
| Dry Handling | 12th | 112.2 Km/H | 97.14% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 12th | 43.6 M | 88.99% |
| Wet Handling | 12th | 78.7 Km/H | 90.56% |
| Wet Circle | 12th | 11.55 s | 95.58% |
| Straight Aqua | 12th | 72.8 Km/H | 92.62% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 12th | 2.24 m/sec2 | 75.68% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 3rd | 66.7 dB | 99.7% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 2nd | 310 | 90.32% |
| Rolling Resistance | 7th | 8.68 kg / t | 81.22% |
- EU Label: C/B/70
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.
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 13th | 38.6 M | 86.27% |
| Dry Handling | 13th | 109.3 Km/H | 94.63% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 13th | 50.2 M | 77.29% |
| Wet Handling | 13th | 73 Km/H | 84% |
| Wet Circle | 13th | 11.66 s | 94.68% |
| Straight Aqua | 13th | 68.7 Km/H | 87.4% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 13th | 2.14 m/sec2 | 72.3% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 10th | 67.7 dB | 98.23% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 1st | 280 | 100% |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd | 8.41 kg / t | 83.83% |
Hey guys, I wanna buy tires for my crossover (255/45/R20) and have three options:
Nexen nfera Supreme (N5000 Platinum) : $175 each,
Nankang SP-9 Cross-Sport : $115,
Giti Sport S2 SUV :$125
which will provide more comfort on the road?
Need an advise for tires replace in Jaguar F-Type S awd. Currrently on old Pirelli P-zero non pz4. What whould you recommend - assymetric 6, supersport or pz4? Or maybe ps5?
A good list of tires, it really depends what you want from them, lots of data on the site. I'd probably take the Asym 6.
Asym 6 ordered:D Gonna post review soon.
Sweeet
Oddly enough, this GR Yaris comes with the Michelin PS4S factory equipped and AutoBild missed to mention it or even implicate the PS4S to this review. Again, just odd.
It might be they didn't know the link, I'm not sure it's that public.
Different results for the same tires on the same conditions?!
I'm a huge fan of TR for both of their tests and and tests from other sources like magazines etc. Sometimes we see different results from the same tires in different tests. This is probably because of the ground/asphalt type differences. Could you please mention about the ground conditions like spikey/drained (like in race tracks), concrete or smooth etc. So we can distinguish one test to another.
Which difference surprised you? The common tires between the two tests seemed to perform pretty closely.
Let me give you an example for Continental Sport Contact 7, Kumho Ecsta PS91 and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6. Noise levels and podium results differ in 3 different tests.
Test 1 (this thread): 225/40 R18 92Y
Goodyear F1 A6: - (1st Place/13)
Continental SC7: +1dB (6th Place/13)
Test 2 (2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test): 235/35 R19 91Y
Goodyear F1 A6: - (1st Place/10)
Continental SC7: +2dB (3rd Place/10)
Kumho PS91: +4dB (8th Place/10)
Test 3 (2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test): 225/40 R18 92Y
Kumho PS91: -- (1st Place/11)
Goodyear F1 A6: +1.2dB (3rd Place/11)
Continental SC7: +3.6dB (11th Place/11)
Kumho did not competed in Test 1. It is one of the worst in Test 2 although the best in Test 3?!?! Also Continental has the mid places in Test 1 and 2 but achieved the last place in Test 3.
Those tests consist of 10-13 makes and models. This is irrational IMHO.
Ah I see. As far as I know noise is usually on an ISO regulated surface as everyone does the same tests for the label scores. That said, sometimes certain testers do multiple speeds, Auto Bild are one of them, and I just database the higher speed.
Noise is certainly tricky though, the correlation between test results and label scores isn't always perfect either!
Oh now it makes sense. That was a question mark for me for more than 10 maybe 15 years. Thank you very much for the information.
Interesting reading, thank you for reporting. I am desperate to change the stock Bridgestone runflats currently fitted to my BMW E92 335i for a set of non-runflat tires in my desired sizes of 225/40/19 and 255/35/19. I've been weighing up either a set of Maxxis VS5 or Hankook Ventus Evo3. These appear to be the best value tires going at the moment; a set of the Maxxis would be £150 less than Continental CS7 for example.
Tire noise is very important to me. Is there any reliable correlation between external noise and internal noise? While pass by noise is an annoyance as a pedestrian it is temporary in nature. Cabin noise is permanent when driving so why aren't tests looking at this?
There should be a correlation, but there isn't always as tires can emit noise in different directions. I'd suggest looking at the Asymmetric 6, it should be a bit more budget friendly than the Conti and are the go to tires for e92 owners switching away from runflats.
The reason internal noise isn't done more often is because to do it properly it's difficult. Internal noise is as much affected by pitch as it is by loudness so you have to use a lot of complicated equipment and analyse the pitch. I do when I have time, otherwise I give a subjective comfort score which includes internal noise and general other harsh feelings or sounds.
That's really interesting detail to have, thank you. The Goodyear ASY6 is even more expensive than the Conti SC7 now - prices seem to have gone up hugely of late. I have decided to take a punt on the Maxxis VS5 and will report back on them.
Almost every tire is less noisy compared to your BS runflats probably except the SC7.
I second TR's vote for Asymmetric 6.
That said, thank you for reporting!
What a surprise, the german tire wins the german magazine gong, this has been going on for years now. I added up the scores ( 13 points first, 1 point last ) for the driving tests ( ignoring price and rolling resistance which are more financial ) and the Goodyear got 73 points, the Bridgestone 71 and the Continental 67.
If you include the rolling resistance and price then the top 3 are - Goodyear 88. Continental 82 and Pirelli 75, just beating the Bridgestone into 4th. The Continental got 12 points for rolling resistance which clawed some of it back, but that might be a moot point because in the past they have not lasted very long compared to Michelin and others at same performance.
If you look at the driving tests both Goodyear and Bridgestone are far better in the wet, which is still important even in summer. Does it not rain in Germany so they ignore it?
I think we need to replace the untrustworthy German testing with independent British testing. Can you look into it ? :)
My winner would be the Goodyear which is a great performer and an even better one if you factor in cost. One of the few things nowadays good value for what you are getting.
I don't personally know the testers at Autobild but I understand from people who work with both them and myself that they are excellent people and hopefully as unbiased as I am.
The issue with adding up their point system is that it excludes the score weighting which I believe they share in the articles. Wet usually takes the highest weighting but it varies from test to test. I agree the german point system isn't as transparent as it could be which is why I prefer to share all the data and let people adjust it.
I guess the real winners are the consumers, three excellent tires to choose from :)