2025 Die ReifenTester Summer Touring Tire Test

Below is the data from the Die-Reifen summer touring tire test which tested seven popular summer tires in 205/55 R17 using a VW T-Roc.

Test Publication:

205/55 R17 7 tires 3 categories

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Images courtesy of Die Reifentester

Test Publication:

https://die-reifentester.de/

Images courtesy of Die Reifentester

Test Size: 205/55 R17

Tires Tested: 7 tires

Test Categories:
3 categories (7 tests)

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You can view the full test and video via the link above (in German.) It's worth noting that they do not publish lap times for dry and wet handling, only subjective scores.

Dry

Dry Braking

Subj. Dry Handling

Wet

Wet Braking

Subj. Wet Handling

Straight Aqua

Comfort

Subj. Comfort

Subj. Noise

Results

1^st

Falken ZIEX ZE320

205/55 R17 91W

• Origin: Turkey
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 8.4 kgs
• Tread: 7.20 mm
• Price: 100.00

The new Falken immediately emerged as a stand‑out performer. The Ziex delivered unexpectedly high sporting capability while remaining well balanced and comfortable. In handling tests it guided the VW T‑Cross with “stoic calm” through corners and avoided any pushing or wobbling, giving drivers plenty of confidence and driving pleasure. This blend of agility, stability and comfort earned it overall victory.

Dry

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	35.47 M			100%
Subj. Dry Handling	1st	80 Points			100%

Wet

99.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	23.19 M			100%
Subj. Wet Handling	1st	84 Points			100%
Straight Aqua	3rd	80.4 Km/H	81.9 Km/H	-1.5 Km/H	98.17%

Comfort

93.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	3rd	78 Points	81 Points	-3 Points	96.3%
Subj. Noise	7th	74 Points	82 Points	-8 Points	90.24%

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2^nd

Pirelli Cinturato C3

205/55 R17 95W

• Origin: Romania
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 9.10 kgs
• Tread: 7.06 mm
• Price: 109.00

Pirelli’s fresh C3 proved a very strong second overall. The tire offered precise steering, balanced side‑grip build‑up and predictable behaviour under load changes. Testers called it a prototype of the modern tire: safe, sporty, balanced and comfortable. Its only real weakness was that the Falken beat it in both wet and dry braking, but below that high dynamic threshold the Pirelli impressed.

Dry

97.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	36.54 M	35.47 M	+1.07 M	97.07%
Subj. Dry Handling	2nd	78 Points	80 Points	-2 Points	97.5%

Wet

97.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	24.17 M	23.19 M	+0.98 M	95.95%
Subj. Wet Handling	2nd	82 Points	84 Points	-2 Points	97.62%
Straight Aqua	2nd	81.1 Km/H	81.9 Km/H	-0.8 Km/H	99.02%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	1st	81 Points			100%
Subj. Noise	1st	82 Points			100%

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3^rd

Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN

205/55 R17 95V

• Origin: Spain
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 8.7 kgs
• Tread: 7.34 mm
• Price: 98.00

Firestone’s Roadhawk 2 quietly worked its way into the spotlight. Testers noted that it behaved benignly and could match premium names like Continental in handling and braking. Its character is less dominant than Pirelli’s or Falken’s, but its reliability and predictability make it a trustworthy everyday companion.

Dry

96%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	37.05 M	35.47 M	+1.58 M	95.74%
Subj. Dry Handling	3rd	77 Points	80 Points	-3 Points	96.25%

Wet

95.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	24.19 M	23.19 M	+1 M	95.87%
Subj. Wet Handling	3rd	77 Points	84 Points	-7 Points	91.67%
Straight Aqua	1st	81.9 Km/H			100%

Comfort

95.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	4th	77 Points	81 Points	-4 Points	95.06%
Subj. Noise	3rd	78 Points	82 Points	-4 Points	95.12%

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4^th

Continental PremiumContact 7

205/55 R17 95W

• Origin: Germany
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 9.1 kgs
• Tread: 6.95 mm
• Price: 143.00

The Continental performed competently yet fell short of the leaders. The tire exhibited a pronounced tendency to understeer, and testers said it was occasionally a bit too eager, pressing the rear end during load changes. ESP kept these traits manageable and overall stability remained good, so it still earned a “Good” rating.

Dry

94.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	36.54 M	35.47 M	+1.07 M	97.07%
Subj. Dry Handling	6th	73 Points	80 Points	-7 Points	91.25%

Wet

94.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	24.1 M	23.19 M	+0.91 M	96.22%
Subj. Wet Handling	4th	76 Points	84 Points	-8 Points	90.48%
Straight Aqua	5th	78.9 Km/H	81.9 Km/H	-3 Km/H	96.34%

Comfort

95.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	6th	76 Points	81 Points	-5 Points	93.83%
Subj. Noise	2nd	80 Points	82 Points	-2 Points	97.56%

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5^th

Michelin Primacy 5

205/55 R17 91V

• Origin: Spain
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 8.6 kgs
• Tread: 6.90 mm
• Price: 147.00

Michelin’s fifth‑generation Primacy behaved like a docile understeerer that has no ambitions to play the first violin. It was praised as a reliable, pleasant tire that does its job unobtrusively and rolls very comfortably. Long life is expected, but its conservative handling meant it finished mid‑pack.

Dry

94.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	37.59 M	35.47 M	+2.12 M	94.36%
Subj. Dry Handling	5th	75 Points	80 Points	-5 Points	93.75%

Wet

91.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	25.57 M	23.19 M	+2.38 M	90.69%
Subj. Wet Handling	5th	73 Points	84 Points	-11 Points	86.9%
Straight Aqua	4th	80.3 Km/H	81.9 Km/H	-1.6 Km/H	98.05%

Comfort

95.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	2nd	80 Points	81 Points	-1 Points	98.77%
Subj. Noise	4th	76 Points	82 Points	-6 Points	92.68%

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6^th

Hankook Ventus Prime 4

205/55 R17 95V

• Origin: Hungary
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 9.0 kgs
• Tread: 6.98 mm
• Price: 108.00

The Hankook showed a mixed performance. It competed near the front in dry braking, but could not repeat that in the wet and lagged behind in handling grip. Testers concluded that although it did not play a starring role, its balanced nature makes it perfectly adequate for everyday use; however, caution is advised on wet road.

Dry

95.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	36.76 M	35.47 M	+1.29 M	96.49%
Subj. Dry Handling	4th	76 Points	80 Points	-4 Points	95%

Wet

87.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	26.59 M	23.19 M	+3.4 M	87.21%
Subj. Wet Handling	6th	71 Points	84 Points	-13 Points	84.52%
Straight Aqua	7th	74.5 Km/H	81.9 Km/H	-7.4 Km/H	90.96%

Comfort

93.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	4th	77 Points	81 Points	-4 Points	95.06%
Subj. Noise	4th	76 Points	82 Points	-6 Points	92.68%

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7^th

Imperial Ecosport 2

205/55 R17 95W

• Origin: China
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 10.0 kgs
• Tread: 7.31 mm
• Price: 60.00

The Imperial represented the budget end of the test and struggled against stronger rivals. Testers found its behaviour unsettling, with pronounced load‑change reactions and poor wet grip forcing ESP to work hard. The tire’s tetchy nature in both wet and dry conditions led to only a "Sufficient" overall verdict; the low price cannot compensate for the lack of safety.

Dry

85.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	40.06 M	35.47 M	+4.59 M	88.54%
Subj. Dry Handling	7th	66 Points	80 Points	-14 Points	82.5%

Wet

86%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	26.68 M	23.19 M	+3.49 M	86.92%
Subj. Wet Handling	7th	66 Points	84 Points	-18 Points	78.57%
Straight Aqua	6th	75.8 Km/H	81.9 Km/H	-6.1 Km/H	92.55%

Comfort

93.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	6th	76 Points	81 Points	-5 Points	93.83%
Subj. Noise	4th	76 Points	82 Points	-6 Points	92.68%

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