For 2019, the German publication Gute Fahrt has tested ten 225/40 R18 summer tire patterns using a VW Golf, but unlike in 2018 where they included all season tires in the test, this year they've included a 17 and 19 inch comparison tire.
Unfortunately, like the 2018 test, this tire test is a little peculiar.
Firstly, while the magazine seems to have tested the tires in dry and wet handling tests, it hasn't given us any lap times. Instead, it opted to subjectively rate the tires, but only out of five points, which is nearly meaningless so we've left it out.
Secondly, while the inclusion of a 17 and 19 inch wheel and tire combination is a good benchmark (we wonder where they got that idea from), it would have made more sense to use one of the patterns in the 18 inch test. Instead, they used the old P Zero, which in 17 inch fitment has beaten the new and improved P Zero PZ4 in 18 inches.
Thirdly, their rolling resistance results are quoted in BHP gained or lost, which is a first, and finally, every tire in the test was recommended, with the ninth place overall tire having no negative comments!
In short, don't put too much weight on these results, as a lot of the data is strange, but it's nice to see two of the tire we expect to be at the top, at the top.
Dry
Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 112 ft | Best | |
| 114 ft | +2 ft | |
| 114 ft | +2 ft | |
| 114 ft | +2 ft | |
| 115 ft | +3 ft | |
RefReference Summer 19 inch |
115 ft | +3 ft |
| 115 ft | +3 ft | |
RefReference Summer 17 inch |
115 ft | +3 ft |
| 116 ft | +4 ft | |
| 116 ft | +4 ft | |
| 117 ft | +5 ft | |
| 118 ft | +6 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 5.3% (6 ft ≈ 0.4 Car Lengths).
Wet
Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 143 ft | Best | |
| 143 ft | 0 ft | |
| 143 ft | 0 ft | |
| 144 ft | +1 ft | |
| 145 ft | +2 ft | |
| 145 ft | +2 ft | |
RefReference Summer 17 inch |
146 ft | +3 ft |
| 147 ft | +4 ft | |
| 148 ft | +5 ft | |
RefReference Summer 19 inch |
150 ft | +7 ft |
| 151 ft | +8 ft | |
| 151 ft | +8 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 6% (8 ft ≈ 0.6 Car Lengths).
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 48.3 mph | Best | |
| 47.8 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 47.4 mph | -0.9 mph | |
| 47.0 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 46.0 mph | -2.3 mph | |
| 45.9 mph | -2.4 mph | |
| 45.5 mph | -2.8 mph | |
| 44.8 mph | -3.5 mph | |
RefReference Summer 17 inch |
44.8 mph | -3.5 mph |
| 44.7 mph | -3.6 mph | |
| 44.6 mph | -3.7 mph | |
RefReference Summer 19 inch |
43.5 mph | -4.8 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 9.9% (4.8 mph).
Price
Results
Continental Premium Contact 6
225/40 R18
- Price
- 404.00
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
225/40 R18
- Price
- 380.00
Reference Summer 17 inch
225/40 R18
- Price
- 376.00
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
225/40 R18
- Price
- 360.00
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
225/40 R18
- Price
- 344.00
Nokian PowerProof
225/40 R18
- Price
- 360.00
Bridgestone Turanza T005
225/40 R18
- Price
- 388.00
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
225/40 R18
- Price
- 392.00
Apollo Aspire XP
225/40 R18
- Price
- 316.00
Falken Azenis FK510
225/40 R18
- Price
- 312.00
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
225/40 R18
- Price
- 364.00
Reference Summer 19 inch
225/40 R18- Price
- 572.00
You just gotta love the name of this German publication. ;-)