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 Braking | ▲Continental PremiumContact 7: 34.1 M | ▼Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV: 36.6 M |
Dry Handling | ▲Continental PremiumContact 7: 93.8 Km/H | ▼Michelin Primacy 4 Plus: 92.6 Km/H |
Wet Braking | ▲Continental PremiumContact 7: 27.9 M | ▼Maxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV: 31.1 M |
Wet Handling | ▲Continental PremiumContact 7: 75.5 Km/H | ▼Michelin Primacy 4 Plus: 73.1 Km/H |
Wet Circle | ▲Continental PremiumContact 7: 8.62 m/s | ▼Bridgestone Turanza 6: 8.27 m/s |
Straight Aqua | ▲Falken Azenis FK520: 77.9 Km/H | ▼Michelin Primacy 4 Plus: 68.6 Km/H |
Curved Aquaplaning | ▲Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV: 8.8 m/sec2 | ▼Michelin Primacy 4 Plus: 6.42 m/sec2 |
Noise | ▲Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV: 69.3 dB | ▼Continental PremiumContact 7: 73.2 dB |
Rolling Resistance | ▲Bridgestone Turanza 6: 6.6 kg / t | ▼Maxxis 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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. Read Reviews Buy from £140.56 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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. Read Reviews Buy from £143.78 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Vredestein Ultrac | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th: Bridgestone Turanza 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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. Read Reviews Buy from £121.79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 SUV | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th: Maxxis Victra Sport VS5 SUV | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7th: Falken Azenis FK520 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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. Read Reviews Buy from £130.36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8th: Michelin Primacy 4+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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. Read Reviews Buy from £138.26 |