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.

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

1^st

Continental PremiumContact 7

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

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.

Dry

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	35.6 M			100%
Dry Handling	1st	55.2 s			100%

Wet

98.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	51.1 M			100%
Wet Handling	1st	83.8 s			100%
Straight Aqua	5th	76 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-4.6 Km/H	94.29%

Comfort

99.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	64.6 dB	64 dB	+0.6 dB	99.07%

Value

85.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	7th	6938	6250	+688	90.08%
Rolling Resistance	7th	0.829 kg / t	0.665 kg / t	+0.16 kg / t	80.22%

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2^nd

Michelin Primacy 4+

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

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.

Dry

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	36.7 M	35.6 M	+1.1 M	97%
Dry Handling	7th	56.7 s	55.2 s	+1.5 s	97.35%

Wet

96.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	54.6 M	51.1 M	+3.5 M	93.59%
Wet Handling	5th	85.6 s	83.8 s	+1.8 s	97.9%
Straight Aqua	2nd	78.1 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-2.5 Km/H	96.9%

Comfort

99.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	64.3 dB	64 dB	+0.3 dB	99.53%

Value

88%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	5th	6750	6250	+500	92.59%
Rolling Resistance	4th	0.797 kg / t	0.665 kg / t	+0.13 kg / t	83.44%

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3^rd

Bridgestone Turanza T005

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

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.

Dry

97.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	36.6 M	35.6 M	+1 M	97.27%
Dry Handling	4th	56 s	55.2 s	+0.8 s	98.57%

Wet

92.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	58.9 M	51.1 M	+7.8 M	86.76%
Wet Handling	4th	85.4 s	83.8 s	+1.6 s	98.13%
Straight Aqua	7th	75.3 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-5.3 Km/H	93.42%

Comfort

98.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	6th	64.9 dB	64 dB	+0.9 dB	98.61%

Value

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4th	6625	6250	+375	94.34%
Rolling Resistance	1st	0.665 kg / t			100%

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4^th

Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

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.

Dry

98.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	36.3 M	35.6 M	+0.7 M	98.07%
Dry Handling	6th	56.3 s	55.2 s	+1.1 s	98.05%

Wet

94.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	57.5 M	51.1 M	+6.4 M	88.87%
Wet Handling	5th	85.6 s	83.8 s	+1.8 s	97.9%
Straight Aqua	4th	77 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-3.6 Km/H	95.53%

Comfort

99.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	2nd	64.2 dB	64 dB	+0.2 dB	99.69%

Value

86.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	5th	6750	6250	+500	92.59%
Rolling Resistance	5th	0.82 kg / t	0.665 kg / t	+0.16 kg / t	81.1%

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5^th

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

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.

Dry

96.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	37.7 M	35.6 M	+2.1 M	94.43%
Dry Handling	2nd	55.7 s	55.2 s	+0.5 s	99.1%

Wet

93%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	59.6 M	51.1 M	+8.5 M	85.74%
Wet Handling	2nd	84.7 s	83.8 s	+0.9 s	98.94%
Straight Aqua	5th	76 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-4.6 Km/H	94.29%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	64 dB			100%

Value

87.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	7000	6250	+750	89.29%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	0.775 kg / t	0.665 kg / t	+0.11 kg / t	85.81%

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6^th

Vredestein Ultrac

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

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.

Dry

96.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	37.4 M	35.6 M	+1.8 M	95.19%
Dry Handling	8th	56.8 s	55.2 s	+1.6 s	97.18%

Wet

95.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	59 M	51.1 M	+7.9 M	86.61%
Wet Handling	2nd	84.7 s	83.8 s	+0.9 s	98.94%
Straight Aqua	1st	80.6 Km/H			100%

Comfort

98%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	65.3 dB	64 dB	+1.3 dB	98.01%

Value

87.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	1st	6250			100%
Rolling Resistance	8th	0.888 kg / t	0.665 kg / t	+0.22 kg / t	74.89%

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7^th

Hankook Ventus Prime 4

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

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.

Dry

98.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	36.3 M	35.6 M	+0.7 M	98.07%
Dry Handling	5th	56.2 s	55.2 s	+1 s	98.22%

Wet

92.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	56 M	51.1 M	+4.9 M	91.25%
Wet Handling	7th	87.6 s	83.8 s	+3.8 s	95.66%
Straight Aqua	8th	74 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-6.6 Km/H	91.81%

Comfort

98.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	5th	64.7 dB	64 dB	+0.7 dB	98.92%

Value

88.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	6500	6250	+250	96.15%
Rolling Resistance	6th	0.823 kg / t	0.665 kg / t	+0.16 kg / t	80.8%

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8^th

Dunlop Sport BluResponse

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

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.

Dry

94.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	39.6 M	35.6 M	+4 M	89.9%
Dry Handling	3rd	55.9 s	55.2 s	+0.7 s	98.75%

Wet

90%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	64.6 M	51.1 M	+13.5 M	79.1%
Wet Handling	8th	88.2 s	83.8 s	+4.4 s	95.01%
Straight Aqua	3rd	77.4 Km/H	80.6 Km/H	-3.2 Km/H	96.03%

Comfort

98%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	65.3 dB	64 dB	+1.3 dB	98.01%

Value

91.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	3rd	6563	6250	+313	95.23%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	0.754 kg / t	0.665 kg / t	+0.09 kg / t	88.2%

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