For 2024 Autobild's motorhome magazine tested ten sets of 225/55 R17 tires using a van like Mercedes Vito Tourer.
The onset of the travel season marks a crucial time for motorhome owners to evaluate the condition and performance of their tires. Autobild’s comprehensive review begins with practical advice on tire inspection, emphasizing the significance of understanding tire age through the DOT code and the necessity of regular checks for wear and damage. Generally speaking, tires which are over five years old are nearing the end of their life, even if they have good tread depth.
As for any of their excellent tire tests, Autobild evaluated key factors such as aquaplaning resistance, handling stability, braking efficiency, and rolling resistance across various tire brands.
Bridgestone, Continental, Hankook and Michelin finish with strong results,with Bridgestone and Continental actually tying for first place overall and Hankook and Michelin tying for third!
Dry Braking | ▲Continental PremiumContact 7: 36.9 M | ▼Goodride Z 107 ZuperEco: 39.2 M |
Dry Handling | ▲Continental PremiumContact 7: 79.2 Km/H | ▼Toyo Proxes Comfort: 77.3 Km/H |
Wet Braking | ▲Continental PremiumContact 7: 39.7 M | ▼Goodride Z 107 ZuperEco: 45.6 M |
Wet Handling | ▲Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 69.1 Km/H | ▼Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun: 67.2 Km/H |
Straight Aqua | ▲Continental PremiumContact 7: 93.9 Km/H | ▼Goodride Z 107 ZuperEco: 91.3 Km/H |
Curved Aquaplaning | ▲Goodride Z 107 ZuperEco: 13.3 m/sec2 | ▼Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 12.3 m/sec2 |
Noise | ▲Hankook Ventus Prime 4: 71.2 dB | ▼Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 73.3 dB |
Rolling Resistance | ▲Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2: 7.66 kg / t | ▼Vredestein Ultrac: 8.86 kg / t |
Dry
On dry surfaces, Continental again had the best braking performance, stopping at 36.9 meters from 100 km/h, with Goodride trailing at 39.2 meters.
In the dry handling test, Continental also achieved the highest average speed around the lap of 79.2 km/h, while Toyo was at the bottom with 77.3 km/h.
Wet
Continental again had the shortest braking distance on wet surfaces at 39.7 meters, while Goodride had the longest at 45.6 meters
For handling on wet surfaces, Bridgestone led with a speed of 69.1 km/h, whereas Falken was the slowest at 67.2 km/h.
In the aquaplaning test, Continental emerged as the top performer with a speed of 93.9 km/h, while Goodride lagged behind at 91.3 km/h.
Bridgestone pipped Continental to the top sport in the curved aquaplaning test.
Comfort
Bridgestone produced the highest noise level at 73.3 dB, while Hankook was the quietest at 71.2 dB during the pass-by noise test
Value
Pirelli demonstrated the lowest rolling resistance, indicating potential fuel savings, whereas Vredestein had the highest rolling resistance in the test
Results
1st: Bridgestone Potenza Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Premium tires with excellent handling qualities on wet surfaces, high grip level in wet and dry conditions, direct steering response, short wet braking distances, very good safety margins in aquaplaning, fuel-saving rolling resistance, and moderate price level. Slightly increased rolling noise. Read Reviews Buy from £127.24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1st: Continental PremiumContact 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Top-tier tires with a well-balanced high performance potential, dynamic-sporty dry handling, precise steering response with good feedback, very good safety margins in aquaplaning, short wet and dry braking distances, fuel-efficient rolling resistance. High price level. Read Reviews Buy from £137.86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Hankook Ventus Prime 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Brand summer tire with convincing driving characteristics on wet and dry roads, good safety margins in aquaplaning, neutral and secure wet and dry handling, quiet pass-by noise, low price level, very good value for money. Average comfort. Read Reviews Buy from £123.78 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Michelin Primacy 4+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Top summer profile with dynamic and safe handling qualities on wet and dry surfaces, precise steering response with good feedback, short wet and dry braking distances, reliable aquaplaning characteristics, pleasantly quiet rolling comfort. High price level. Read Reviews Buy from £143.36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Premium summer profile with stable driving properties on wet and dry surfaces, direct steering response with good feedback, good safety reserves in aquaplaning, especially good comfort, low rolling resistance. Increased price level, slightly extended dry braking distances. Read Reviews Buy from £134.14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Balanced, safe handling qualities in wet and dry conditions, stable cornering and good grip, precise steering response, reliable aquaplaning qualities, pleasantly quiet rolling comfort. Increased price level, slightly longer wet braking distances. Read Reviews Buy from £112.60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7th: Vredestein Ultrac | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Brand tire with stable cornering and safe driving qualities, good aquaplaning properties, pleasantly quiet rolling comfort, moderate price level. Slight tendency to understeer on wet and dry surfaces, increased rolling resistance, slightly extended braking distances. Read Reviews Buy from £125.09 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8th: Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Balanced stable driving behavior on dry surfaces, good safety margins in aquaplaning, low rolling resistance, affordable price level. Understeering behavior on wet surfaces, delayed steering response, average deceleration on dry surfaces. Read Reviews Buy from £121.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8th: Toyo Proxes Comfort | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Brand comfort profile with good aquaplaning properties, short dry braking distances, quiet pass-by noise, affordable price level. Moderate lateral support on wet and dry surfaces, extended wet braking distances, slightly delayed steering response, understeering dry handling. Read Reviews Buy from £116.64 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10th: Goodride Z 107 ZuperEco | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Acceptable wet handling, safe aquaplaning properties, low rolling resistance, affordable price level. Moderate grip and understeering behavior in wet conditions, extended wet and dry braking distances, spongy steering response, wooden rolling comfort. Read Reviews |