2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tires for Asia Test

Top Tire Review has put six Asian-market ultra-high performance tires through a comprehensive test for 2024/25. The lineup includes five standard UHP tires - Continental MaxContact MC7, Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, Toyo Proxes TR1, and the Chinese-made RoadX RXMotion U11. Adding an interesting comparison, Hankook's EV-focused iON evo was included to see how a dedicated electric vehicle tire performs against traditional UHP options.

Testing was carried out using 235/45 R18 tires mounted on an Audi SQ2. Given Asia's frequent heavy rainfall, wet performance made up 40% of the final score, followed by dry performance (30%), noise and comfort (25%), and rolling resistance (5%). 

Test Publication:
TopTireReview
Top tire review specialises in the APAC (Asian) tire market.
Test Size: 235/45 R18
Tires Tested: 6 tires
Test Categories:
4 categories (12 tests)
Similar Tests

Test Category Best Performer Worst Performer Difference
Dry (3 tests)
Dry Braking Continental MaxContact MC7: 34 M RoadX RXMOTION U11: 39.9 M5.9 M (14.8%)
Dry Handling Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6: 53.64 s Toyo Proxes TR1: 56.05 s2.4 s (4.3%)
Subj. Dry Handling Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6: 7.5 Points Toyo Proxes TR1: 6.8 Points0.7 Points (10.3%)
Wet (6 tests)
Wet Braking Continental MaxContact MC7: 29.3 M RoadX RXMOTION U11: 37.7 M8.4 M (22.3%)
Wet Handling Continental MaxContact MC7: 80.05 s RoadX RXMOTION U11: 89.26 s9.2 s (10.3%)
Subj. Wet Handling Continental MaxContact MC7: 7.5 Points RoadX RXMOTION U11: 4.8 Points2.7 Points (56.3%)
Wet Circle Continental MaxContact MC7: 0.95 m/s RoadX RXMOTION U11: 0.779 m/s0.2 m/s (22.0%)
Straight Aqua Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 78.1 Km/H RoadX RXMOTION U11: 73.6 Km/H4.5 Km/H (6.1%)
Curved Aquaplaning Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 3.31 m/sec2 RoadX RXMOTION U11: 2.58 m/sec20.7 m/sec2 (28.3%)
Comfort (2 tests)
Subj. Comfort Continental MaxContact MC7: 7.1 Points Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 6.5 Points0.6 Points (9.2%)
Noise Hankook iON Evo: 68.6 dB RoadX RXMOTION U11: 69.4 dB0.8 dB (1.2%)
Value (1 tests)
Rolling Resistance Hankook iON Evo: 7.65 kg / t RoadX RXMOTION U11: 8.56 kg / t0.9 kg / t (10.6%)

Dry

Dry Braking

Dry Handling

Wet

Wet Braking

Wet Handling

Wet Circle

Straight Aqua

Comfort

Subj. Comfort

Noise

Value

Rolling Resistance

Results

1st: Continental MaxContact MC7

Continental MaxContact MC7
  • 235/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st34 M100%
Dry Handling2nd53.79 s53.64 s+0.15 s99.72%
Subj. Dry Handling1st7.5 Points100%
Wet Braking1st29.3 M100%
Wet Handling1st80.05 s100%
Subj. Wet Handling1st7.5 Points100%
Wet Circle1st0.95 m/s100%
Straight Aqua3rd77.9 Km/H78.1 Km/H-0.2 Km/H99.74%
Curved Aquaplaning3rd3.1 m/sec23.31 m/sec2-0.21 m/sec293.66%
Subj. Comfort1st7.1 Points100%
Noise4th69.2 dB68.6 dB+0.6 dB99.13%
Rolling Resistance4th8.33 kg / t7.65 kg / t+0.68 kg / t91.84%
Continental MaxContact MC7 dominated the test, taking first place in most wet tests and dry braking. The tire led wet braking at 29.3m and wet handling with an 80.05s lap time. It also topped the comfort ratings at 7.1 points. While its overall performance was hard to fault, it scored mid-pack for interior noise at 69.2 dB and aquaplaning resistance, suggesting small room for improvement in these areas.

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2nd: Hankook iON Evo

Hankook iON Evo
  • 235/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd35.2 M34 M+1.2 M96.59%
Dry Handling3rd53.84 s53.64 s+0.2 s99.63%
Subj. Dry Handling3rd7.2 Points7.5 Points-0.3 Points96%
Wet Braking2nd30.1 M29.3 M+0.8 M97.34%
Wet Handling3rd81.81 s80.05 s+1.76 s97.85%
Subj. Wet Handling3rd7 Points7.5 Points-0.5 Points93.33%
Wet Circle3rd0.926 m/s0.95 m/s-0.02 m/s97.47%
Straight Aqua2nd78 Km/H78.1 Km/H-0.1 Km/H99.87%
Curved Aquaplaning4th3.02 m/sec23.31 m/sec2-0.29 m/sec291.24%
Subj. Comfort2nd6.8 Points7.1 Points-0.3 Points95.77%
Noise1st68.6 dB100%
Rolling Resistance1st7.65 kg / t100%
Hankook iON evo impressed as an EV-focused tire, finishing second overall. It performed strongly in the wet, stopping at 30.1m and lapping in 81.81s. The tire led both rolling resistance at 7.65 N/kN and interior noise at 68.6 dB - key metrics for EVs. However, its dry performance was less impressive, with mid-pack results in both braking and handling tests showing room for improvement.

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3rd: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Michelin Pilot Sport 5
  • 235/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd35 M34 M+1 M97.14%
Dry Handling4th54.7 s53.64 s+1.06 s98.06%
Subj. Dry Handling3rd7.2 Points7.5 Points-0.3 Points96%
Wet Braking3rd30.3 M29.3 M+1 M96.7%
Wet Handling2nd80.93 s80.05 s+0.88 s98.91%
Subj. Wet Handling2nd7.3 Points7.5 Points-0.2 Points97.33%
Wet Circle4th0.923 m/s0.95 m/s-0.03 m/s97.16%
Straight Aqua1st78.1 Km/H100%
Curved Aquaplaning1st3.31 m/sec2100%
Subj. Comfort3rd6.5 Points7.1 Points-0.6 Points91.55%
Noise3rd69 dB68.6 dB+0.4 dB99.42%
Rolling Resistance5th8.54 kg / t7.65 kg / t+0.89 kg / t89.58%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 secured third place with balanced performance. It excelled in aquaplaning tests, leading both longitudinal (78.1 km/h) and lateral (3.31 m/s²) measurements. The tire also performed well in wet handling with an 80.93s lap time. However, its rolling resistance was high at 8.54 N/kN, and comfort scores were average at 6.5 points, falling short of premium expectations.

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4th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
  • 235/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th35.5 M34 M+1.5 M95.77%
Dry Handling1st53.64 s100%
Subj. Dry Handling1st7.5 Points100%
Wet Braking4th31.5 M29.3 M+2.2 M93.02%
Wet Handling4th82.69 s80.05 s+2.64 s96.81%
Subj. Wet Handling4th6.8 Points7.5 Points-0.7 Points90.67%
Wet Circle2nd0.947 m/s0.95 m/s-0 m/s99.68%
Straight Aqua4th77.8 Km/H78.1 Km/H-0.3 Km/H99.62%
Curved Aquaplaning2nd3.21 m/sec23.31 m/sec2-0.1 m/sec296.98%
Subj. Comfort3rd6.5 Points7.1 Points-0.6 Points91.55%
Noise2nd68.8 dB68.6 dB+0.2 dB99.71%
Rolling Resistance2nd8.12 kg / t7.65 kg / t+0.47 kg / t94.21%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 showed its strength in dry conditions, leading both handling tests with a 53.64s lap time and 7.5 subjective score. It also performed well in wet cornering and lateral aquaplaning. The tire's main weakness was wet performance, particularly in braking where it needed 31.5m to stop - over 2m longer than the test winner.

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5th: Toyo Proxes TR1

Toyo Proxes TR1
  • 235/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th39.3 M34 M+5.3 M86.51%
Dry Handling6th56.05 s53.64 s+2.41 s95.7%
Subj. Dry Handling6th6.8 Points7.5 Points-0.7 Points90.67%
Wet Braking5th35.6 M29.3 M+6.3 M82.3%
Wet Handling5th84.05 s80.05 s+4 s95.24%
Subj. Wet Handling5th6.5 Points7.5 Points-1 Points86.67%
Wet Circle5th0.83 m/s0.95 m/s-0.12 m/s87.37%
Straight Aqua5th75.5 Km/H78.1 Km/H-2.6 Km/H96.67%
Curved Aquaplaning5th2.89 m/sec23.31 m/sec2-0.42 m/sec287.31%
Subj. Comfort3rd6.5 Points7.1 Points-0.6 Points91.55%
Noise4th69.2 dB68.6 dB+0.6 dB99.13%
Rolling Resistance3rd8.17 kg / t7.65 kg / t+0.52 kg / t93.64%
Toyo Proxes TR1 struggled in most performance tests, though did show some positives in efficiency. While its rolling resistance was competitive at 8.17 N/kN, the tire needed significant improvements across both wet and dry handling. Wet braking required 35.6m - over 6m longer than the leader, while both wet and dry handling lap times were among the slowest.

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6th: RoadX RXMOTION U11

RoadX RXMOTION U11
  • 235/45 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th39.9 M34 M+5.9 M85.21%
Dry Handling5th55.62 s53.64 s+1.98 s96.44%
Subj. Dry Handling5th7.1 Points7.5 Points-0.4 Points94.67%
Wet Braking6th37.7 M29.3 M+8.4 M77.72%
Wet Handling6th89.26 s80.05 s+9.21 s89.68%
Subj. Wet Handling6th4.8 Points7.5 Points-2.7 Points64%
Wet Circle6th0.779 m/s0.95 m/s-0.17 m/s82%
Straight Aqua6th73.6 Km/H78.1 Km/H-4.5 Km/H94.24%
Curved Aquaplaning6th2.58 m/sec23.31 m/sec2-0.73 m/sec277.95%
Subj. Comfort3rd6.5 Points7.1 Points-0.6 Points91.55%
Noise6th69.4 dB68.6 dB+0.8 dB98.85%
Rolling Resistance6th8.56 kg / t7.65 kg / t+0.91 kg / t89.37%
RoadX RXMotion U11 finished last, with notable weaknesses in wet performance. The tire needed 37.7m to stop in wet conditions and posted the slowest wet handling lap at 89.26s. Its only real strength was dry handling, where it performed better than expected for a budget option. The tire's low price point reflects its position as an economy option with significant performance compromises.

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