The talented guys at ACE Europe have just released their first summer tire test for 2020, and interestingly they've tested nine 215/55 R17 summer tires from the mid range sector of the market!
Sadly, like ADAC, ACE doesn't provide any of the raw data, but the test still provides a rather unique insight into how the highly contested midrange sector of the market looks. These tires often save you money when compared to a premium tire, but don't fall into the performance category of "ditch finders" like budget tires can. It's a shame there's no premium tire as a benchmark, but it's something we're looking to do in the future!
The Best of the Mid Range
If you've been following tire tests from the past 12 months, it should be no surprise that the Maxxis Premitra HP5 wins the test, acing nearly all the categories and showing no real weakness.
Goodyear will be pleased with their second tier brands Sava and Fulda, as they essentially matched their overall performance, locking out second and third spots.
Apollo, the owners of Vredestein, take fourth place, with a slight weakness in the wet, and everyone's midrange favorite brand Toyo struggled a little more in the dry for fifth.
Kleber, owned by Michelin, could only manage sixth place overall, again struggling in the wet but proving to be very quiet, where the Bridgestone owned Firestone also struggled on the wet surfaces, but had very low fuel useage.
Rounding out the test are Hankook and Avon. Both brands will be disappointed, but in particular this is a very unusual result for Hankook who are now considered a premium brand, and often beat premium rivals.
Results
Maxxis Premitra HP5
215/55 R17
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 51 |
| Wet | 60 |
| Rolling Resistance | 18 |
| Noise | 7 |
| Cost | 18 |
| Overall | 154 |
Total: 308
Sava Intensa UHP 2
215/55 R17
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 47 |
| Wet | 56 |
| Rolling Resistance | 17 |
| Noise | 8 |
| Cost | 18 |
| Overall | 146 |
Total: 292
Fulda SportControl 2
215/55 R17
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 47 |
| Wet | 61 |
| Rolling Resistance | 17 |
| Noise | 8 |
| Cost | 12 |
| Overall | 145 |
Total: 290
Apollo Aspire XP
215/55 R17
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 45 |
| Wet | 51 |
| Rolling Resistance | 17 |
| Noise | 8 |
| Cost | 15 |
| Overall | 136 |
Total: 272
Toyo Proxes Sport
215/55 R17
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 44 |
| Wet | 56 |
| Rolling Resistance | 16 |
| Noise | 7 |
| Cost | 12 |
| Overall | 135 |
Total: 270
Kleber Dynaxer HP4
215/55 R17
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 47 |
| Wet | 45 |
| Rolling Resistance | 17 |
| Noise | 8 |
| Cost | 12 |
| Overall | 129 |
Total: 258
Firestone RoadHawk
215/55 R17
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 44 |
| Wet | 43 |
| Rolling Resistance | 20 |
| Noise | 5 |
| Cost | 14 |
| Overall | 126 |
Total: 252
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
215/55 R17
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 47 |
| Wet | 36 |
| Rolling Resistance | 19 |
| Noise | 7 |
| Cost | 13 |
| Overall | 122 |
Total: 244
Avon ZV7
215/55 R17
All discipline results (6)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 41 |
| Wet | 41 |
| Rolling Resistance | 16 |
| Noise | 8 |
| Cost | 13 |
| Overall | 119 |
Total: 238
I have a set of maxxis hp5 very happy with them. They need higher pressure, I run 40 psi. Great value for money. 10000km no issues.
ACE have the worst tests I ever saw, since some years. In the past they test with Auto Zeitung and had results which seems to be realistic.
Don´t pay much attention to the tests of ACE
This is the thing with Hankook, if you read user reviews it seems that you get Jekyll or Hyde. Whether it is two factories as has been mooted before, I dunno.
Reviews are generally 'excellent' or 'poor in the wet' with seemingly no middle ground.
This is why I've never bought any myself, its a gamble as to what you get!
Maxxis are known to wear extremely fast, as are the firestone, however speaking of the latter, this result is a surprise as they are usually on or close to the podium, up against premium brands... 🤔
Its a pity Kumho are missing too.