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2019 Swedish Summer Tire Test

Overall test winnerNokian Hakka Blue 2

The Swedish news paper Aftonbladet have tested thirteen 205/55 R16 touring summer tires using a VW Passat.

Data analyzed and reviewed byJonathan Benson
6 min read Updated
Tire shortlist Read the test
Tires tested
13
Tested size
205/55 R16
Disciplines
5

At a glance

Tire shortlist

13 Tires tested

Published finishing positions, with the strengths and considerations from this test. Owner reviews cover other sizes and driving conditions.

1st

Nokian Hakka Blue 2

+Good dry and wet handling, high levels of stability in the dry and wet, high aquaplaning resistance.

−None mentioned.

2 owner reviews Test Results
2nd

Continental Premium Contact 6

+Excellent steering response and good wet stability, the best dry grip and handling.

−Reduced aquaplaning resistance.

139 owner reviews Test Results
3rd

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance

+Good wet handling and grip, balanced in the dry, high aquaplaning resistance.

−None mentioned.

263 owner reviews Test Results
Joint4th

Bridgestone Turanza T005

+Good wet handling.

−In hot weather, the tires quickly stop the car on a wet surface, but as the temperature decreases, the braking distance becomes noticeably longer. Dry grip a little weak.

200 owner reviews Test Results
Joint4th

Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125

+High braking performance, good handling on dry surfaces, including when making an emergency maneuver.

−High rolling resistance, average wet handling.

126 owner reviews Test Results
6th

Michelin Primacy 4

+Short wet braking in warm and cool temperatures, low rolling resistance.

−Average wet handling, understeer in the dry.

207 owner reviews Test Results
7th

Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun

+Good aquaplaning resistance, short braking distances in the wet.

−Slight oversteer in the dry, high rolling resistance.

119 owner reviews Test Results
8th

Vredestein Sportrac 5

+Acceptable dry handling.

−Long braking distances and nervous handling in the wet. Long dry braking.

101 owner reviews Test Results
Joint9th

Maxxis Premitra HP5

+Short wet braking when warm, good dry balance.

−Poor wet handling, long cold wet braking, high rolling resistance.

42 owner reviews Test Results
Joint9th

Sava intensa hp

+High aquaplaning resistance.

−Poor dry and wet handling.

26 owner reviews Test Results
11th

Michelin CrossClimate+

+Short braking wet distance when cold, low rolling resistance.

−Expensive, average handling in the dry and wet.

120 owner reviews Test Results
12th

Radar RPX800

+Short wet braking when cold.

−Poor dry and wet handling.

6 owner reviews Test Results
13th

Nankang Sportnex AS2+

+None mentioned.

−Poor dry and wet grip, high rolling resistance.

29 owner reviews Test Results

Tire shortlist

Compare selected tires

2019 Swedish Summer Tire Test · 205/55 R16

TireNokian Hakka Blue 2Continental Premium Contact 6Goodyear EfficientGrip PerformanceBridgestone Turanza T005Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125Michelin Primacy 4Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRunVredestein Sportrac 5Maxxis Premitra HP5Sava intensa hpMichelin CrossClimate+Radar RPX800Nankang Sportnex AS2+
Position1st2nd3rdJoint 4thJoint 4th6th7th8thJoint 9thJoint 9th11th12th13th
Category scores (% of best)
Dry96.2%99.7%96.6%95.6%98.3%96.3%94.2%93.6%93.6%91.5%88.1%90.3%87%
Wet99.8%97.4%94.9%95.2%93.8%95.7%96%91.3%92.1%92.2%90.6%87.5%87.7%
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Test Results

Explore the complete results →

The full test

The evidence behind the verdict

The Swedish news paper Aftonbladet have tested thirteen 205/55 R16 touring summer tires using a VW Passat.

Sadly the data is a little lacking in this test, but as the driving was done by the experts at Test World, you can be sure it was a proper tire test.

Points of interest? Well, we don't get the Nokian Hakka Blue 2 in Europe, we do get the Nokian WetProof instead, and while the Michelin CrossClimate+ finished in eleventh place overall, you can be sure it performed significantly better than any other siped all season tire with snow capabilities.

Full details of the test below!

Dry

Dry Braking

Dry braking in feet

Lower is better ↓
Position / TireResultGap to best
1Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
 78 ft Best
2Continental Premium Contact 6
 78 ft 0 ft
2Michelin Primacy 4
 78 ft 0 ft
4Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
 79 ft +1 ft
5Nokian Hakka Blue 2
 80 ft +2 ft
6Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
 80 ft +2 ft
7Bridgestone Turanza T005
 80 ft +2 ft
8Vredestein Sportrac 5
 81 ft +3 ft
8Maxxis Premitra HP5
 81 ft +3 ft
10Sava intensa hp
 81 ft +3 ft
11Radar RPX800
 82 ft +4 ft
12Michelin CrossClimate+
 85 ft +7 ft
13Nankang Sportnex AS2+
 86 ft +8 ft

The difference between best and worst was 10.5% (8 ft ≈ 0.6 Car Lengths).

Subj. Dry Handling

Subjective Dry Handling Score

Higher is better ↑
Position / TireResultGap to best
1Continental Premium Contact 6
 10 Points Best
2Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
 9 Points -1.00 Points
2Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
 9 Points -1.00 Points
2Nokian Hakka Blue 2
 9 Points -1.00 Points
2Bridgestone Turanza T005
 9 Points -1.00 Points
6Vredestein Sportrac 5
 8 Points -2.00 Points
6Maxxis Premitra HP5
 8 Points -2.00 Points
6Michelin Primacy 4
 8 Points -2.00 Points
6Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
 8 Points -2.00 Points
10Sava intensa hp
 7 Points -3.00 Points
10Radar RPX800
 7 Points -3.00 Points
10Nankang Sportnex AS2+
 7 Points -3.00 Points
10Michelin CrossClimate+
 7 Points -3.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 30% (3 Points).

Wet

Wet Braking

Wet braking in feet

Lower is better ↓
Position / TireResultGap to best
1Michelin Primacy 4
 89 ft Best
2Nokian Hakka Blue 2
 89 ft 0 ft
3Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
 90 ft +1 ft
4Continental Premium Contact 6
 90 ft +1 ft
4Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
 90 ft +1 ft
6Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
 91 ft +2 ft
7Bridgestone Turanza T005
 92 ft +3 ft
8Michelin CrossClimate+
 93 ft +4 ft
9Sava intensa hp
 93 ft +4 ft
10Vredestein Sportrac 5
 94 ft +5 ft
11Maxxis Premitra HP5
 94 ft +5 ft
12Radar RPX800
 96 ft +7 ft
13Nankang Sportnex AS2+
 98 ft +9 ft

The difference between best and worst was 10% (9 ft ≈ 0.6 Car Lengths).

Subj. Wet Handling

Subjective Wet Handling Score

Higher is better ↑
Position / TireResultGap to best
1Nokian Hakka Blue 2
 10 Points Best
1Continental Premium Contact 6
 10 Points Best
3Bridgestone Turanza T005
 9 Points -1.00 Points
4Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
 8 Points -2.00 Points
4Maxxis Premitra HP5
 8 Points -2.00 Points
4Michelin Primacy 4
 8 Points -2.00 Points
4Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
 8 Points -2.00 Points
8Sava intensa hp
 7 Points -3.00 Points
8Vredestein Sportrac 5
 7 Points -3.00 Points
8Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
 7 Points -3.00 Points
8Nankang Sportnex AS2+
 7 Points -3.00 Points
12Radar RPX800
 6 Points -4.00 Points
12Michelin CrossClimate+
 6 Points -4.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 40% (4 Points).

Straight Aqua

Float Speed in mph

Higher is better ↑
Position / TireResultGap to best
1Nokian Hakka Blue 2
 52.1 mph Best
1Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
 52.1 mph Best
3Sava intensa hp
 51.9 mph -0.2 mph
4Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
 51.6 mph -0.5 mph
5Michelin CrossClimate+
 51.3 mph -0.8 mph
6Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
 50.7 mph -1.4 mph
7Vredestein Sportrac 5
 50.5 mph -1.6 mph
8Michelin Primacy 4
 50.2 mph -1.9 mph
9Maxxis Premitra HP5
 49.1 mph -3.0 mph
10Bridgestone Turanza T005
 49.0 mph -3.1 mph
11Radar RPX800
 48.8 mph -3.3 mph
12Nankang Sportnex AS2+
 48.0 mph -4.1 mph
12Continental Premium Contact 6
 48.0 mph -4.1 mph

The difference between best and worst was 7.8% (4.1 mph).

Results

1st

Nokian Hakka Blue 2

205/55 R16
Nokian Hakka Blue 2
Dry96.2%
Wet99.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (5)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better5th / 1380 ft+2 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better2nd / 139 Points-1.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better2nd / 1389 ft0 ft
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better1st / 1310 PointsBest in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better1st / 1352.1 mphBest in this discipline
2nd

Continental Premium Contact 6

205/55 R16
Continental Premium Contact 6
Dry99.7%
Wet97.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (5)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better2nd / 1378 ft0 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better1st / 1310 PointsBest in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better4th / 1390 ft+1 ft
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better1st / 1310 PointsBest in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better12th / 1348.0 mph-4.1 mph
3rd

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance

205/55 R16
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
Dry96.6%
Wet94.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (5)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better4th / 1379 ft+1 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better2nd / 139 Points-1.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better6th / 1391 ft+2 ft
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better4th / 138 Points-2.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better4th / 1351.6 mph-0.5 mph
Joint 4th

Bridgestone Turanza T005

205/55 R16
Bridgestone Turanza T005
Dry95.6%
Wet95.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (5)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better7th / 1380 ft+2 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better2nd / 139 Points-1.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better7th / 1392 ft+3 ft
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better3rd / 139 Points-1.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better10th / 1349.0 mph-3.1 mph
Joint 4th

Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125

205/55 R16
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
Dry98.3%
Wet93.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (5)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better1st / 1378 ftBest in this discipline
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better2nd / 139 Points-1.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better3rd / 1390 ft+1 ft
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better8th / 137 Points-3.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better6th / 1350.7 mph-1.4 mph
6th

Michelin Primacy 4

205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4
Dry96.3%
Wet95.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (5)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better2nd / 1378 ft0 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better6th / 138 Points-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better1st / 1389 ftBest in this discipline
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better4th / 138 Points-2.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better8th / 1350.2 mph-1.9 mph
7th

Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun

205/55 R16
Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
Dry94.2%
Wet96%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (5)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better6th / 1380 ft+2 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better6th / 138 Points-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better4th / 1390 ft+1 ft
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better4th / 138 Points-2.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better1st / 1352.1 mphBest in this discipline
8th

Vredestein Sportrac 5

205/55 R16
Vredestein Sportrac 5
Dry93.6%
Wet91.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (5)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better8th / 1381 ft+3 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better6th / 138 Points-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better10th / 1394 ft+5 ft
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better8th / 137 Points-3.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better7th / 1350.5 mph-1.6 mph
Joint 9th

Maxxis Premitra HP5

205/55 R16
Maxxis Premitra HP5
Dry93.6%
Wet92.1%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (5)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better8th / 1381 ft+3 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better6th / 138 Points-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better11th / 1394 ft+5 ft
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better4th / 138 Points-2.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better9th / 1349.1 mph-3.0 mph
Joint 9th

Sava intensa hp

205/55 R16
Sava intensa hp
Dry91.5%
Wet92.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (5)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better10th / 1381 ft+3 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better10th / 137 Points-3.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better9th / 1393 ft+4 ft
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better8th / 137 Points-3.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better3rd / 1351.9 mph-0.2 mph
11th

Michelin CrossClimate+

205/55 R16
Michelin CrossClimate+
Dry88.1%
Wet90.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (5)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better12th / 1385 ft+7 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better10th / 137 Points-3.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better8th / 1393 ft+4 ft
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better12th / 136 Points-4.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better5th / 1351.3 mph-0.8 mph
12th

Radar RPX800

205/55 R16
Radar RPX800
Dry90.3%
Wet87.5%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (5)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better11th / 1382 ft+4 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better10th / 137 Points-3.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better12th / 1396 ft+7 ft
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better12th / 136 Points-4.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better11th / 1348.8 mph-3.3 mph
13th

Nankang Sportnex AS2+

205/55 R16
Nankang Sportnex AS2+
Dry87%
Wet87.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (5)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better13th / 1386 ft+8 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better10th / 137 Points-3.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better13th / 1398 ft+9 ft
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better8th / 137 Points-3.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better12th / 1348.0 mph-4.1 mph

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