2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test

For their 2024 summer tire test, the magazine "Auto Motor und Sport" tested eight summer tires in the popular 235/55 R18 SUV size. 

The test includes new tires like Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV, Bridgestone Turanza 6, and Continental PremiumContact 7, evaluating them on wet and dry braking, handling, aquaplaning resistance, comfort, and environmental impact. 

The report emphasises the importance of short braking distances and reliable performance under various conditions. Continental's PremiumContact 7 stood out for its excellent grip and safety, while others like Michelin and Bridgestone were noted for their fuel efficiency and environmental considerations.

Dry BrakingContinental PremiumContact 7: 34.1 MGoodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV: 36.6 M
Dry HandlingContinental PremiumContact 7: 93.8 Km/HMichelin Primacy 4 Plus: 92.6 Km/H
Wet BrakingContinental PremiumContact 7: 27.9 MMaxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV: 31.1 M
Wet HandlingContinental PremiumContact 7: 75.5 Km/HMichelin Primacy 4 Plus: 73.1 Km/H
Wet CircleContinental PremiumContact 7: 8.62 m/sBridgestone Turanza 6: 8.27 m/s
Straight AquaFalken Azenis FK520: 77.9 Km/HMichelin Primacy 4 Plus: 68.6 Km/H
Curved AquaplaningGoodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV: 8.8 m/sec2Michelin Primacy 4 Plus: 6.42 m/sec2
NoiseGoodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV: 69.3 dBContinental PremiumContact 7: 73.2 dB
Rolling ResistanceBridgestone Turanza 6: 6.6 kg / tMaxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV: 9.1 kg / t

Dry

As we've seen many times before, the Continental PremiumContact 7 had a good lead in dry braking. While the Goodyear was last in dry braking, it also has the highest starting tread depth which affects this test.

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

Wet

Shockingly the Continental was back at the front for wet braking.

The Continental also led wet handling and the wet circle.

Wet Circle

The Falken, Vredestein and Goodyear all did well in the deeper water of aquaplaning.

Comfort

The new Goodyear had the lowest noise, an impressive feat considering its high starting tread depth.

Value

The Michelin Primacy 4+ and Bridgestone Turanza 6 had the lowest rolling resistance on test.

Results

1st: Continental PremiumContact 7

Continental PremiumContact 7
  • 235/55 R18 100V
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • Weight: 11.34kgs
  • Tread: 6.6mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st34.1 M100%
Dry Handling1st93.8 Km/H100%
Wet Braking1st27.9 M100%
Wet Handling1st75.5 Km/H100%
Wet Circle1st8.62 m/s100%
Straight Aqua7th73.5 Km/H77.9 Km/H-4.4 Km/H94.35%
Curved Aquaplaning6th8.25 m/sec28.8 m/sec2-0.55 m/sec293.75%
Noise8th73.2 dB69.3 dB+3.9 dB94.67%
Rolling Resistance7th7.7 kg / t6.6 kg / t+1.1 kg / t85.71%
Outstanding grip on wet surfaces, safe in aquaplaning. Also strong adhesion in dry curves, precise and reliable. Good rolling comfort.
Slightly louder rolling noise outside, increased rolling resistance/low fuel efficiency.
By far the highest grip and safest tire in the test.

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2nd: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV
  • 235/55 R18 104W
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • Weight: 12.64kgs
  • Tread: 7.6mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th36.1 M34.1 M+2 M94.46%
Dry Handling2nd93.7 Km/H93.8 Km/H-0.1 Km/H99.89%
Wet Braking3rd28.9 M27.9 M+1 M96.54%
Wet Handling3rd74.2 Km/H75.5 Km/H-1.3 Km/H98.28%
Wet Circle3rd8.53 m/s8.62 m/s-0.09 m/s98.96%
Straight Aqua6th74 Km/H77.9 Km/H-3.9 Km/H94.99%
Curved Aquaplaning7th6.61 m/sec28.8 m/sec2-2.19 m/sec275.11%
Noise3rd70.3 dB69.3 dB+1 dB98.58%
Rolling Resistance3rd6.9 kg / t6.6 kg / t+0.3 kg / t95.65%
Very good, dynamic wet handling with high grip level and easy controllability. Direct steering response, very dynamic on dry roads, good comfort features.
Weaknesses in corner aquaplaning and in driving stability during fast lane changes.
Balanced and comfortable with only marginal weaknesses.

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3rd: Vredestein Ultrac

Vredestein Ultrac
  • 235/55 R18 100V
  • EU Label: B/A/70
  • Weight: 10.98kgs
  • Tread: 6.5mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th35.7 M34.1 M+1.6 M95.52%
Dry Handling7th92.6 Km/H93.8 Km/H-1.2 Km/H98.72%
Wet Braking2nd28.7 M27.9 M+0.8 M97.21%
Wet Handling2nd75.1 Km/H75.5 Km/H-0.4 Km/H99.47%
Wet Circle4th8.42 m/s8.62 m/s-0.2 m/s97.68%
Straight Aqua2nd77.5 Km/H77.9 Km/H-0.4 Km/H99.49%
Curved Aquaplaning2nd8.58 m/sec28.8 m/sec2-0.22 m/sec297.5%
Noise2nd70.1 dB69.3 dB+0.8 dB98.86%
Rolling Resistance5th7.1 kg / t6.6 kg / t+0.5 kg / t92.96%
Very good grip and easy controllability in wet conditions, safe in aquaplaning. Benign handling characteristics on dry asphalt.
Sensitive to load changes and cause for a slightly unstable rear during fast lane changes. Limitations in rolling comfort due to slight bumpiness.
Especially in the rain: a tire you can rely on.

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4th: Bridgestone Turanza 6

Bridgestone Turanza 6
  • 235/55 R18 100V
  • EU Label: B/A/69
  • Weight: 10.64kgs
  • Tread: 7.3mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th36.4 M34.1 M+2.3 M93.68%
Dry Handling4th93.5 Km/H93.8 Km/H-0.3 Km/H99.68%
Wet Braking4th29.9 M27.9 M+2 M93.31%
Wet Handling7th73.3 Km/H75.5 Km/H-2.2 Km/H97.09%
Wet Circle8th8.27 m/s8.62 m/s-0.35 m/s95.94%
Straight Aqua4th75.2 Km/H77.9 Km/H-2.7 Km/H96.53%
Curved Aquaplaning4th8.42 m/sec28.8 m/sec2-0.38 m/sec295.68%
Noise4th70.5 dB69.3 dB+1.2 dB98.3%
Rolling Resistance1st6.6 kg / t100%
Good aquaplaning prevention and decent wet braking properties. On dry roads, sporty-dynamic yet still easily controllable tire.
Limitations in traction and cornering grip on wet surfaces. Somewhat jolty over transverse joints.
Dry-strong summer tire with very low fuel/electricity consumption.

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5th: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV
  • 235/55 R18 100V
  • EU Label: B/A/70
  • Weight: 12.04kgs
  • Tread: 8.6mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th36.6 M34.1 M+2.5 M93.17%
Dry Handling6th93 Km/H93.8 Km/H-0.8 Km/H99.15%
Wet Braking6th30.3 M27.9 M+2.4 M92.08%
Wet Handling6th73.7 Km/H75.5 Km/H-1.8 Km/H97.62%
Wet Circle6th8.36 m/s8.62 m/s-0.26 m/s96.98%
Straight Aqua5th75.1 Km/H77.9 Km/H-2.8 Km/H96.41%
Curved Aquaplaning1st8.8 m/sec2100%
Noise1st69.3 dB100%
Rolling Resistance3rd6.9 kg / t6.6 kg / t+0.3 kg / t95.65%
High aquaplaning safety in curves. Dry good lane change safety, precise, easily controllable handling, very quiet rolling noise, good comfort.
Weak braking, moderate cornering grip and pronounced understeering on wet surfaces. Quite sluggish steering response.
The new Goodyear. Supposed to last longer, but lacking in grip.

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6th: Maxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV

Maxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV
  • 235/55 R18 100Y
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • Weight: 12.98kgs
  • Tread: 7.4mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th36.1 M34.1 M+2 M94.46%
Dry Handling4th93.5 Km/H93.8 Km/H-0.3 Km/H99.68%
Wet Braking8th31.1 M27.9 M+3.2 M89.71%
Wet Handling3rd74.2 Km/H75.5 Km/H-1.3 Km/H98.28%
Wet Circle2nd8.54 m/s8.62 m/s-0.08 m/s99.07%
Straight Aqua3rd77.2 Km/H77.9 Km/H-0.7 Km/H99.1%
Curved Aquaplaning3rd8.51 m/sec28.8 m/sec2-0.29 m/sec296.7%
Noise7th71.4 dB69.3 dB+2.1 dB97.06%
Rolling Resistance8th9.1 kg / t6.6 kg / t+2.5 kg / t72.53%
With the exception of the comparatively long braking distances, good, balanced wet performance with safe aquaplaning behavior. Quite responsive steering, safe in evasive maneuvers, reliable in handling.
Long braking distances on both wet and dry roads, highest rolling resistance in the test.
The Maxxis stumbles over its long wet-braking distances.

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7th: Falken Azenis FK520

Falken Azenis FK520
  • 235/55 R18 104Y
  • EU Label: C/A/70
  • Weight: 12.9kgs
  • Tread: 7.5mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd35.2 M34.1 M+1.1 M96.88%
Dry Handling2nd93.7 Km/H93.8 Km/H-0.1 Km/H99.89%
Wet Braking5th30.1 M27.9 M+2.2 M92.69%
Wet Handling5th73.8 Km/H75.5 Km/H-1.7 Km/H97.75%
Wet Circle4th8.42 m/s8.62 m/s-0.2 m/s97.68%
Straight Aqua1st77.9 Km/H100%
Curved Aquaplaning5th8.32 m/sec28.8 m/sec2-0.48 m/sec294.55%
Noise6th70.9 dB69.3 dB+1.6 dB97.74%
Rolling Resistance6th7.5 kg / t6.6 kg / t+0.9 kg / t88%
Very good aquaplaning prevention, easily controllable but not very dynamic driving behavior on dry roads.
Limitations in braking and traction on wet surfaces. Also, unbalanced driving dynamics with oversteering and understeering in wet conditions.
In wet grip and driving stability, Falken could still improve a bit.

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8th: Michelin Primacy 4+

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
  • 235/55 R18 104V
  • EU Label: B/A/70
  • Weight: 11.68kgs
  • Tread: 6.3mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd35.5 M34.1 M+1.4 M96.06%
Dry Handling7th92.6 Km/H93.8 Km/H-1.2 Km/H98.72%
Wet Braking7th31 M27.9 M+3.1 M90%
Wet Handling8th73.1 Km/H75.5 Km/H-2.4 Km/H96.82%
Wet Circle7th8.28 m/s8.62 m/s-0.34 m/s96.06%
Straight Aqua8th68.6 Km/H77.9 Km/H-9.3 Km/H88.06%
Curved Aquaplaning8th6.42 m/sec28.8 m/sec2-2.38 m/sec272.95%
Noise4th70.5 dB69.3 dB+1.2 dB98.3%
Rolling Resistance1st6.6 kg / t100%
Short braking distances and spontaneous steering behavior on dry asphalt.
Long braking distances, weak cornering grip, and poor traction on wet surfaces. Deficiencies in aquaplaning protection. On dry asphalt, increased risk of oversteering during fast lane changes and in load change situations.
With low rolling resistance, great in the fuel-saving chapter. Unfortunately, at the expense of safety.

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