2023 Motor Summer Tire Test

The Polish Motor Magazine recently conducted a premium touring tire test. The test included eight different tire brands, all in the popular size of 205/55 R16, which is commonly used in compact and some larger car models. The brands tested were Continental, Goodyear, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Hankook, Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. The test was comprehensive, covering various aspects of tire performance including wet and dry handling, rolling resistance, noise, and comfort.

Dry BrakingContinental PremiumContact 7: 35.6 MDunlop Sport BluResponse: 39.6 M
Dry HandlingContinental PremiumContact 7: 55.2 sVredestein Ultrac: 56.8 s
Wet BrakingContinental PremiumContact 7: 51.1 MDunlop Sport BluResponse: 64.6 M
Wet HandlingContinental PremiumContact 7: 83.8 sDunlop Sport BluResponse: 88.2 s
Straight AquaVredestein Ultrac: 80.6 Km/HHankook Ventus Prime 4: 74 Km/H
NoiseGoodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2: 64 dBVredestein Ultrac: 65.3 dB
PriceVredestein Ultrac: 6250 Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2: 7000
Rolling ResistanceBridgestone Turanza T005: 0.665 kg / tVredestein Ultrac: 0.888 kg / t

Wet

In the wet braking test, the Continental PremiumContact 7 stood out with the shortest braking distance from 100 km/h. 

The Continental was also the fastest around the wet handling lap.

The Vredestein had the highest resistance to aquaplaning in deeper water.

Dry

When it came to dry, Continental again took the lead, providing the best performance in terms of handling and braking. Goodyear and Dunlop also showed strong performance in dry handling, but lost a little during the braking test.

Environment

The Goodyear had the lowest external noise on test.

In terms of rolling resistance, Bridgestone outperformed its rivals, which translates to better fuel efficiency. 

The Vredestein was the cheapest tire on test.

Results

1st: Continental PremiumContact 7

Continental PremiumContact 7
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st35.6 M100%
Dry Handling1st55.2 s100%
Wet Braking1st51.1 M100%
Wet Handling1st83.8 s100%
Straight Aqua5th76 Km/H80.6 Km/H-4.6 Km/H94.29%
Noise4th64.6 dB64 dB+0.6 dB99.07%
Price7th6938 6250 +688 90.08%
Rolling Resistance7th0.829 kg / t0.665 kg / t+0.16 kg / t80.22%
This tire emerged as the clear winner of the test, scoring the highest points in both wet and dry conditions. It offered the shortest braking distances on both wet and dry surfaces and was the fastest on the track in all conditions. The tire also demonstrated excellent handling precision and the highest level of safety.

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2nd: Michelin Primacy 4+

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th36.7 M35.6 M+1.1 M97%
Dry Handling7th56.7 s55.2 s+1.5 s97.35%
Wet Braking2nd54.6 M51.1 M+3.5 M93.59%
Wet Handling5th85.6 s83.8 s+1.8 s97.9%
Straight Aqua2nd78.1 Km/H80.6 Km/H-2.5 Km/H96.9%
Noise3rd64.3 dB64 dB+0.3 dB99.53%
Price5th6750 6250 +500 92.59%
Rolling Resistance4th0.797 kg / t0.665 kg / t+0.13 kg / t83.44%
Although it didn't win any test category, its consistent high-level performance across all tests allowed it to secure the second place. It is a well-balanced tire that ensures a high level of safety in all conditions.

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3rd: Bridgestone Turanza T005

Bridgestone Turanza T005
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th36.6 M35.6 M+1 M97.27%
Dry Handling4th56 s55.2 s+0.8 s98.57%
Wet Braking5th58.9 M51.1 M+7.8 M86.76%
Wet Handling4th85.4 s83.8 s+1.6 s98.13%
Straight Aqua7th75.3 Km/H80.6 Km/H-5.3 Km/H93.42%
Noise6th64.9 dB64 dB+0.9 dB98.61%
Price4th6625 6250 +375 94.34%
Rolling Resistance1st0.665 kg / t100%
Securing the third place, this tire confirmed the high quality of Bridgestone products. It stood out for its excellent rolling resistance score, which translates into noticeable fuel savings. It is a stable tire with very good handling precision.

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4th: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2

Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd36.3 M35.6 M+0.7 M98.07%
Dry Handling6th56.3 s55.2 s+1.1 s98.05%
Wet Braking4th57.5 M51.1 M+6.4 M88.87%
Wet Handling5th85.6 s83.8 s+1.8 s97.9%
Straight Aqua4th77 Km/H80.6 Km/H-3.6 Km/H95.53%
Noise2nd64.2 dB64 dB+0.2 dB99.69%
Price5th6750 6250 +500 92.59%
Rolling Resistance5th0.82 kg / t0.665 kg / t+0.16 kg / t81.1%
This tire narrowly missed the podium, scoring just 0.2 points less than Bridgestone. Interestingly, Pirelli achieved better results than its competitor in tests conducted on both dry and wet tracks. The final ranking was decided by its lower rolling resistance score.

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5th: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th37.7 M35.6 M+2.1 M94.43%
Dry Handling2nd55.7 s55.2 s+0.5 s99.1%
Wet Braking7th59.6 M51.1 M+8.5 M85.74%
Wet Handling2nd84.7 s83.8 s+0.9 s98.94%
Straight Aqua5th76 Km/H80.6 Km/H-4.6 Km/H94.29%
Noise1st64 dB100%
Price8th7000 6250 +750 89.29%
Rolling Resistance3rd0.775 kg / t0.665 kg / t+0.11 kg / t85.81%
With a very good point score, it secured the fifth place. It slightly lags behind Pirelli on both dry and wet asphalt, while having slightly better rolling resistance. Goodyear is a well-balanced tire that provides a comparable high level of safety in all conditions.

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6th: Vredestein Ultrac

Vredestein Ultrac
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th37.4 M35.6 M+1.8 M95.19%
Dry Handling8th56.8 s55.2 s+1.6 s97.18%
Wet Braking6th59 M51.1 M+7.9 M86.61%
Wet Handling2nd84.7 s83.8 s+0.9 s98.94%
Straight Aqua1st80.6 Km/H100%
Noise7th65.3 dB64 dB+1.3 dB98.01%
Price1st6250 100%
Rolling Resistance8th0.888 kg / t0.665 kg / t+0.22 kg / t74.89%
This tire lost the competition with Goodyear by only 0.1 point, showing that a good class tire from the middle segment can compete with premium rubber. Interestingly, Vredestein performed much better than Goodyear on wet surfaces, but lost due to lower scores for dry competitions and high rolling resistance.

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7th: Hankook Ventus Prime 4

Hankook Ventus Prime 4
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd36.3 M35.6 M+0.7 M98.07%
Dry Handling5th56.2 s55.2 s+1 s98.22%
Wet Braking3rd56 M51.1 M+4.9 M91.25%
Wet Handling7th87.6 s83.8 s+3.8 s95.66%
Straight Aqua8th74 Km/H80.6 Km/H-6.6 Km/H91.81%
Noise5th64.7 dB64 dB+0.7 dB98.92%
Price2nd6500 6250 +250 96.15%
Rolling Resistance6th0.823 kg / t0.665 kg / t+0.16 kg / t80.8%
This tire does not lag behind in quality from premium segment products. It is the cheapest tire in the set, and it provides a decent level of safety. It only noticeably lags behind in aquaplaning tests, but it is not dangerous in these conditions. It receives a low score for rolling resistance.

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8th: Dunlop Sport BluResponse

Dunlop Sport BluResponse
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th39.6 M35.6 M+4 M89.9%
Dry Handling3rd55.9 s55.2 s+0.7 s98.75%
Wet Braking8th64.6 M51.1 M+13.5 M79.1%
Wet Handling8th88.2 s83.8 s+4.4 s95.01%
Straight Aqua3rd77.4 Km/H80.6 Km/H-3.2 Km/H96.03%
Noise7th65.3 dB64 dB+1.3 dB98.01%
Price3rd6563 6250 +313 95.23%
Rolling Resistance2nd0.754 kg / t0.665 kg / t+0.09 kg / t88.2%
This tire achieves a final result that lags behind its competitors, even those from the middle segment. It loses the most points for poor braking distance on wet asphalt. In other competitions, it performs well and ensures the required level of safety. It has a reasonable price and a good rolling resistance coefficient.

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