2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test

Continental SportContact 7If 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!

Dry BrakingContinental SportContact 7: 33.3 MSuperia Ecoblue UHP: 38.6 M
Dry HandlingBridgestone Potenza Sport: 115.5 Km/HSuperia Ecoblue UHP: 109.3 Km/H
Wet BrakingContinental SportContact 7: 38.8 MSuperia Ecoblue UHP: 50.2 M
Wet HandlingBridgestone Potenza Sport: 86.9 Km/HSuperia Ecoblue UHP: 73.0 Km/H
Wet CircleBridgestone Potenza Sport: 11.04 sSuperia Ecoblue UHP: 11.66 s
Straight AquaGiti GitiSportS2: 78.6 Km/HSuperia Ecoblue UHP: 68.7 Km/H
Curved AquaplaningMichelin Pilot Sport 5: 2.96 m/sec2Superia Ecoblue UHP: 2.14 m/sec2
NoiseGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6: 66.5 dBBridgestone Potenza Sport: 69.0 dB
PriceSuperia Ecoblue UHP: 280 Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 500
Rolling ResistanceFirestone Firehawk Sport: 7.05 kg / tBridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.90 kg / t

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

View Results as a single table and adjust the score weighting

1st: Continental SportContact 7

Continental SportContact 7
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/72
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking1st100%
Dry Handling2nd-0.3 Km/H99.74%
Wet Braking1st100%
Wet Handling6th-2.2 Km/H97.47%
Wet Circle5th+0.05 s99.55%
Straight Aqua9th-3 Km/H96.18%
Curved Aquaplaning10th-0.61 m/sec279.39%
Noise6th+1 dB98.52%
Price11th+175 61.54%
Rolling Resistance2nd+1.33 kg / t84.13%
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.

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2nd: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: D/A/72
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking2nd+0.2 M99.4%
Dry Handling1st100%
Wet Braking5th+2.4 M94.17%
Wet Handling1st100%
Wet Circle1st100%
Straight Aqua4th-0.8 Km/H98.98%
Curved Aquaplaning6th-0.24 m/sec291.89%
Noise13th+2.5 dB96.38%
Price12th+180 60.87%
Rolling Resistance13th+2.85 kg / t71.21%
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 £78.99

3rd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/70
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking3rd+1 M97.08%
Dry Handling9th-1.4 Km/H98.79%
Wet Braking4th+2 M95.1%
Wet Handling2nd-0.7 Km/H99.19%
Wet Circle4th+0.04 s99.64%
Straight Aqua2nd-0.7 Km/H99.11%
Curved Aquaplaning7th-0.3 m/sec289.86%
Noise1st100%
Price9th+150 65.12%
Rolling Resistance4th+1.45 kg / t82.94%
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 £95.00

3rd: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Michelin Pilot Sport 5
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A72
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking6th+1.4 M95.97%
Dry Handling4th-0.9 Km/H99.22%
Wet Braking3rd+0.3 M99.23%
Wet Handling5th-2.1 Km/H97.58%
Wet Circle7th+0.09 s99.19%
Straight Aqua2nd-0.7 Km/H99.11%
Curved Aquaplaning1st100%
Noise12th+1.8 dB97.36%
Price13th+220 56%
Rolling Resistance6th+1.57 kg / t81.79%
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 £104.77

3rd: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: D/A/68
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking5th+1.2 M96.52%
Dry Handling3rd-0.4 Km/H99.65%
Wet Braking6th+2.5 M93.95%
Wet Handling3rd-1.7 Km/H98.04%
Wet Circle2nd+0.01 s99.91%
Straight Aqua6th-1.1 Km/H98.6%
Curved Aquaplaning4th-0.21 m/sec292.91%
Noise4th+0.4 dB99.4%
Price10th+155 64.37%
Rolling Resistance12th+2.78 kg / t71.72%
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.

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6th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/72
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking6th+1.4 M95.97%
Dry Handling5th-1.1 Km/H99.05%
Wet Braking2nd+0.1 M99.74%
Wet Handling4th-2 Km/H97.7%
Wet Circle9th+0.2 s98.22%
Straight Aqua11th-4.2 Km/H94.66%
Curved Aquaplaning11th-0.7 m/sec276.35%
Noise11th+1.7 dB97.51%
Price6th+100 73.68%
Rolling Resistance5th+1.5 kg / t82.46%
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 £75.39

7th: Toyo Proxes Sport 2

Toyo Proxes Sport 2
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: D/A/71
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking4th+1.1 M96.8%
Dry Handling5th-1.1 Km/H99.05%
Wet Braking9th+4.2 M90.23%
Wet Handling6th-2.2 Km/H97.47%
Wet Circle3rd+0.03 s99.73%
Straight Aqua8th-2.3 Km/H97.07%
Curved Aquaplaning8th-0.47 m/sec284.12%
Noise6th+1 dB98.52%
Price7th+105 72.73%
Rolling Resistance9th+1.99 kg / t77.99%
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    Buy from £88.20

7th: Falken Azenis FK520

Falken Azenis FK520
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/70
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking8th+1.7 M95.14%
Dry Handling7th-1.2 Km/H98.96%
Wet Braking10th+4.4 M89.81%
Wet Handling8th-3.1 Km/H96.43%
Wet Circle10th+0.21 s98.13%
Straight Aqua5th-1 Km/H98.73%
Curved Aquaplaning3rd-0.14 m/sec295.27%
Noise2nd+0.1 dB99.85%
Price5th+95 74.67%
Rolling Resistance8th+1.75 kg / t80.11%
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    Buy from £95.95

9th: Firestone Firehawk Sport

Firestone Firehawk Sport
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: B/A/70
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking9th+1.8 M94.87%
Dry Handling7th-1.2 Km/H98.96%
Wet Braking7th+3.4 M91.94%
Wet Handling11th-5.3 Km/H93.9%
Wet Circle8th+0.15 s98.66%
Straight Aqua10th-4 Km/H94.91%
Curved Aquaplaning9th-0.51 m/sec282.77%
Noise5th+0.5 dB99.25%
Price4th+85 76.71%
Rolling Resistance1st100%
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    Buy from £114.30

10th: Giti GitiSportS2

Giti GitiSportS2
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: D/A/70
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking11th+2.2 M93.8%
Dry Handling10th-1.6 Km/H98.61%
Wet Braking11th+4.7 M89.2%
Wet Handling9th-3.9 Km/H95.51%
Wet Circle11th+0.36 s96.84%
Straight Aqua1st100%
Curved Aquaplaning2nd-0.12 m/sec295.95%
Noise6th+1 dB98.52%
Price8th+120 70%
Rolling Resistance10th+2.1 kg / t77.05%
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.

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10th: Maxxis Victra Sport 5

Maxxis Victra Sport 5
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/72
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking10th+2 M94.33%
Dry Handling11th-2.8 Km/H97.58%
Wet Braking8th+3.6 M91.51%
Wet Handling10th-4 Km/H95.4%
Wet Circle5th+0.05 s99.55%
Straight Aqua7th-1.7 Km/H97.84%
Curved Aquaplaning4th-0.21 m/sec292.91%
Noise9th+1.1 dB98.37%
Price3rd+75 78.87%
Rolling Resistance11th+2.17 kg / t76.46%
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.

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12th: Linglong Sport Master

Linglong Sport Master
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/69
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking12th+2.8 M92.24%
Dry Handling12th-3.3 Km/H97.14%
Wet Braking12th+4.8 M88.99%
Wet Handling12th-8.2 Km/H90.56%
Wet Circle12th+0.51 s95.58%
Straight Aqua12th-5.8 Km/H92.62%
Curved Aquaplaning12th-0.72 m/sec275.68%
Noise3rd+0.2 dB99.7%
Price2nd+30 90.32%
Rolling Resistance7th+1.63 kg / t81.22%
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.

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13th: Superia Ecoblue UHP

Superia Ecoblue UHP
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/B/70
Test#Difference%
Dry Braking13th+5.3 M86.27%
Dry Handling13th-6.2 Km/H94.63%
Wet Braking13th+11.4 M77.29%
Wet Handling13th-13.9 Km/H84%
Wet Circle13th+0.62 s94.68%
Straight Aqua13th-9.9 Km/H87.4%
Curved Aquaplaning13th-0.82 m/sec272.3%
Noise10th+1.2 dB98.23%
Price1st100%
Rolling Resistance3rd+1.36 kg / t83.83%
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.

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