Test Publication:
Auto Motor Und Sport
225/45 R18
11 tires
4 categories
Test Size:
225/45 R18
Tires Tested:
11 tires
Auto Motor Und Sport is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, Tire Reviews. This is independent editorial coverage of their published test.
The 2020 Auto Motor und Sport summer tire test tested eleven 225/45 R18 ultra high performance tires using a BMW 3 Series.
While the group overall was extremely close, the winning Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 and second placed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 were almost inseparable overall, with the Goodyear narrowly taking the overall win.
The third and fourth placed Continental PremiumContact 6 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 also finished with nearly the same overall score. This should be reassuring for Pirelli, whose PZ4 P Zero has seemed to be rather inconsistent since launch.
It was another good result for fifth placed Maxxis, with the Victra Sport 5 having a great all round performance, and the updated Bridgestone Turanza T005 performing well, but struggling a little in the wet.
The seventh placed Nokian PowerProof scored well in the dry, but struggled a little in the wet, while the Falken FK510 had its worth test result in a while thanks to poor wet grip.
The final three tires in test were all from the cheaper end of the market, with Nexen proving to have a good dry performance and the lowest price on test, while Toyo and Giti struggled a little more in the wet.
Dry
As usual, Michelin had a dry braking advantage, stopping the BMW 3 Series 0.4m shorter than the next nearest rival.
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Nokian PowerProof
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Toyo Proxes Sport
The Continental PremiumContact 6 is often one of the best tires in dry handling, largely thanks to its excellent subjective feel. In this test, it wins both the dry handling test by a significant margin, and is subjectively one of the best tires on test.
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Nokian PowerProof
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Nokian PowerProof
Wet
The test winning Goodyear has a small advantage during wet braking, with Michelin a close second place.
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Nokian PowerProof
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Giti GitiSport S1
The top two results from wet braking swap places during wet handling, with the Michelin narrowly beating Goodyear.
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Nokian PowerProof
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Giti GitiSport S1
Subjectively the Michelin has an advantage during wet handling, with the Goodyear and Continental close behind.
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Nokian PowerProof
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
Michelin manages to keep this advantage during the aquaplaning testing.
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Nokian PowerProof
Environment
The Goodyear scored the best result during the subjective comfort grading. This score assesses how the tire feels and sounds inside the cabin.
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Nokian PowerProof
The noise testing is the external drive by noise.
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Nokian PowerProof
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
The Bridgestone Turanza T005 had a significant advantage in rolling resistance, meaning it will use the least fuel at the pumps.
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Nokian PowerProof
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Toyo Proxes Sport
As always, the Michelin was the most expensive tire per set, with Goodyear looking to offer the best price / performance ratio.
- Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Giti GitiSport S1
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Nokian PowerProof
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Results
Good balance and easy to control with high levels of grip in the wet. Good aquaplaning resistance. Short dry braking distances, low noise and good comfort.
Slightly reduced dry traction, slightly reduced dry handling.
Very good - Top-performances on all surfaces.
| Test |
# |
% |
| Dry Braking |
2nd |
98.84% |
| Dry Handling |
6th |
98.74% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
4th |
88.89% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Wet Braking |
1st |
100% |
| Wet Handling |
2nd |
99.4% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
2nd |
90% |
| Straight Aqua |
2nd |
99.55% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
1st |
100% |
| Noise |
2nd |
99.71% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Price |
5th |
84.62% |
| Rolling Resistance |
7th |
79.78% |
Very high grip and good handling in the wet, good aquaplaning resistance, confident and sharp handling in the dry, quiet.
Only slightly high rolling resistance.
Very good - Strong braking in the dry and wet.
| Test |
# |
% |
| Dry Braking |
1st |
100% |
| Dry Handling |
2nd |
99.45% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
1st |
100% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Wet Braking |
2nd |
99.35% |
| Wet Handling |
1st |
100% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
1st |
100% |
| Straight Aqua |
1st |
100% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
3rd |
90% |
| Noise |
5th |
98.86% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Price |
11th |
56.25% |
| Rolling Resistance |
4th |
84.52% |
Very balanced summer tire with no significant deficits in dynamics or safety. Very direct steering and good handling suit the test BMW well.
Slightly weak aquaplaning resistance, slightly increased rolling resistance and external noise.
Very good - Sporty premium summer all-rounder.
| Test |
# |
% |
| Dry Braking |
8th |
97.14% |
| Dry Handling |
1st |
100% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
1st |
100% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Wet Braking |
4th |
97.76% |
| Wet Handling |
4th |
99.28% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
2nd |
90% |
| Straight Aqua |
4th |
96.96% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
8th |
70% |
| Noise |
10th |
95.85% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Price |
10th |
64.71% |
| Rolling Resistance |
3rd |
86.59% |
Good grip on wet roads at lower speeds. Very neutral balance with excellent cornering and traction in the dry. Comfortable and quiet.
Average aquaplaning resistance, direct steering can result in oversteer, high rolling resistance.
Very good - Confident summer tires with strengths on dry roads.
| Test |
# |
% |
| Dry Braking |
3rd |
98.27% |
| Dry Handling |
2nd |
99.45% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
4th |
88.89% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Wet Braking |
3rd |
98.08% |
| Wet Handling |
5th |
99.16% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
4th |
80% |
| Straight Aqua |
8th |
94.25% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
3rd |
90% |
| Noise |
4th |
99% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Price |
9th |
70.71% |
| Rolling Resistance |
7th |
79.78% |
Well balanced in the dry and wet. Well priced.
Compared to the best on test, a little weak in wet braking and higher rolling resistance.
Good - Excellent new tire with good level of performance.
| Test |
# |
% |
| Dry Braking |
4th |
97.98% |
| Dry Handling |
5th |
99.13% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
4th |
88.89% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Wet Braking |
6th |
95.92% |
| Wet Handling |
2nd |
99.4% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
4th |
80% |
| Straight Aqua |
5th |
96.84% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
5th |
80% |
| Noise |
5th |
98.86% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Price |
1st |
100% |
| Rolling Resistance |
10th |
78.02% |
Confident wet handling and safe, easily controllable dynamics in the dry. Highest fuel saving potential, quiet and relatively comfortable.
Average wet braking, highest external noise.
Good - Comfortable all-rounder with a very low rolling resistance.
| Test |
# |
% |
| Dry Braking |
7th |
97.42% |
| Dry Handling |
8th |
98.5% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
4th |
88.89% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Wet Braking |
10th |
93.87% |
| Wet Handling |
6th |
99.04% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
4th |
80% |
| Straight Aqua |
7th |
94.59% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
5th |
80% |
| Noise |
11th |
95.72% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Price |
8th |
73.88% |
| Rolling Resistance |
1st |
100% |
Good dry handling, short dry braking, low rolling resistance.
Not very precise handling in the wet, average wet braking, weak aquaplaning resistance, high noise.
Good - A mid-range summer tire with only slight weaknesses.
| Test |
# |
% |
| Dry Braking |
5th |
97.7% |
| Dry Handling |
7th |
98.66% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
9th |
77.78% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Wet Braking |
5th |
97.14% |
| Wet Handling |
7th |
98.56% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
8th |
70% |
| Straight Aqua |
11th |
92.67% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
10th |
60% |
| Noise |
9th |
97.19% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Price |
7th |
79.84% |
| Rolling Resistance |
2nd |
89.87% |
Decent braking performance in the dry, balance handling.
Weak cornering and traction in the wet, average aquaplaning resistance, poor traction and poor stability in fast corners, slightly noisy.
Good - Affordable product at a reduced level of performance, but without serious defects.
| Test |
# |
% |
| Dry Braking |
9th |
93.92% |
| Dry Handling |
10th |
98.19% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
9th |
77.78% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Wet Braking |
7th |
95.33% |
| Wet Handling |
8th |
97.25% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
8th |
70% |
| Straight Aqua |
6th |
95.38% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
8th |
70% |
| Noise |
7th |
97.61% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Price |
6th |
80.16% |
| Rolling Resistance |
5th |
83.53% |
Good dry braking, comfortable with good internal damping, low external noise.
Poor handling with understeer and oversteer, long wet braking distances, slow steering in fast corners, high rolling resistance.
Ok - Very quiet and comfortable with weaknesses in the wet.
| Test |
# |
% |
| Dry Braking |
5th |
97.7% |
| Dry Handling |
9th |
98.42% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
9th |
77.78% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Wet Braking |
8th |
94.74% |
| Wet Handling |
10th |
95.57% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
10th |
60% |
| Straight Aqua |
10th |
92.9% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
1st |
100% |
| Noise |
1st |
100% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Price |
1st |
100% |
| Rolling Resistance |
9th |
78.89% |
Balanced wet handling, good steering feel in the dry.
Reduced wet grip, high noise, high rolling resistance.
Ok - Despite the sporty feel, the Toyo lacks performance.
| Test |
# |
% |
| Dry Braking |
10th |
93.41% |
| Dry Handling |
10th |
98.19% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
4th |
88.89% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Wet Braking |
9th |
94.44% |
| Wet Handling |
9th |
96.77% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
4th |
80% |
| Straight Aqua |
3rd |
98.76% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
10th |
60% |
| Noise |
8th |
97.47% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Price |
4th |
91.67% |
| Rolling Resistance |
11th |
75.53% |
Sporty, direct tires in the dry with good steering feel.
Long wet braking distances, understeer in wet handling.
Sufficient - Strong in the dry but too little wet performance.
| Test |
# |
% |
| Dry Braking |
10th |
93.41% |
| Dry Handling |
4th |
99.37% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
1st |
100% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Wet Braking |
11th |
90.53% |
| Wet Handling |
11th |
94.38% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
10th |
60% |
| Straight Aqua |
9th |
94.02% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
5th |
80% |
| Noise |
3rd |
99.57% |
| Test |
# |
% |
| Price |
3rd |
98.02% |
| Rolling Resistance |
5th |
83.53% |
Hey guys, I wanna buy tires for my crossover (255/45/R20) and have three options:
Nexen nfera Supreme (N5000 Platinum) : $175 each,
Nankang SP-9 Cross-Sport : $115,
Giti Sport S2 SUV :$125
which will provide more comfort?
Obviously the Michelin PS4 was the best tire in test!
Objectively, excluding price, there is surely only one winner being the Michelin PS4?
Even the price might be mitigated if wear and performance throughout a tires life was taken into account?
I agree that it's very close between the two, if nothing else they should have been marked as tied for first, but that's not how Auto Motor Und Sport presented the data.
We didn't cover curved aquaplaning, where the goodyear had a 2 point advantage which probably tipped the balance in its favour. AMS rated the Goodyear 9.1 and Michelin 9.0 overall.
What would you recommend for a staggered fit for a Lexus IS250 - 225/40/18 and 255/40/18?
If the prices are correct the Michelin costs 50% more than the Goodyear. And it´s only 225/45R18.
In other tests the Goodyear also have better wear.
I don´t have a problem with pay more for the best things but in this case I doubt the PS4 is worth this extreme higher price.
Having just quickly looked at the current price differential I would most probably go for the Goodyear myself.
Hadn't realised it was about 30% - that's quite some difference for premium brands
The Goodyear is cheap for a premium, it´s cheaper than the 2nd class from Goodyear, Fulda. Dunno why.
But Michelin is mostly the most expensive.
Here in Greece, Michelin is the most expensive but there are always coupons either for gas or discount worth 40€. So they end up with same price or lower compared to Continental and Goodyear.
I´m also take a look at someshops and the Michelin-prices are much diffrent to the prices in the magazine. But with big tires the rebates don´t make is cheaper than some other brands (which sometimes make similar offers)
Michelin driver for one season here - totally disappointed from the performance of the tire, comming from Continental SportContact 5. I sold the tires after the season ended and now I'm looking to buy either Pirelli or Goodyear (looking at all the tests). SportContact5 only disadvantage was the high wear - lasted two seasons on my BMW 5er.
Also the price difference between Michelin and Goodyear here in Bulgaria is 15euro. SportContact5 on other hand is much expensive - 50eur more than Michelin for some reason.
What was so disappointing? Personally I really don’t like the SC5, it’s harsh and noisy and while the grip is very good, it’s not the best. Then some driver love that very firm “German” road feal.
I hate it :D
Funny you say that, my experience of the SC5 was it was quite soft with bad handling! It can vary by size and fitment, it's a bit of a minefield!
Well, my experience on two different vehicles/size is pretty consistent with how the PC6 is rated for comfort in this test. And how Continental tires are usually rated for comfort in multiple test.
EDIT: just looked at the SC5 page on the site, “poor comfort” is noted as a negative in multiple test for it.