Test Charts / Auto Bild
2020 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test
Compare each discipline in the tested size. See the measured result, position and gap to the best tire, then read the verdict for the trade-offs behind the finishing order.
- Tested size
- 245/45 R18
- Tires tested
- 20
- Disciplines
- 9
Read the measurements, not just the rank
Lower is better for braking distances and lap times; higher is better for subjective scores and aquaplaning speed. Bars start at zero. Read the gap alongside the position: adjacent tires can be separated by very different margins.
Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tires does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.
Focus on your tires
Select tires to highlight them throughout the charts.
Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tires does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.
Dry
2Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 105 ft | Best | |
| 108 ft | +3 ft | |
| 109 ft | +4 ft | |
| 109 ft | +4 ft | |
| 109 ft | +4 ft | |
| 110 ft | +5 ft | |
| 110 ft | +5 ft | |
| 112 ft | +7 ft | |
| 112 ft | +7 ft | |
| 112 ft | +7 ft | |
| 113 ft | +8 ft | |
| 113 ft | +8 ft | |
| 114 ft | +9 ft | |
| 114 ft | +9 ft | |
| 114 ft | +9 ft | |
| 115 ft | +10 ft | |
| 116 ft | +11 ft | |
| 117 ft | +12 ft | |
| 118 ft | +13 ft | |
| 118 ft | +13 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 12.1% (13 ft ≈ 0.9 Car Lengths).
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 72.7 mph | Best | |
| 72.6 mph | -0.1 mph | |
| 72.3 mph | -0.4 mph | |
| 72.3 mph | -0.4 mph | |
| 72.2 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 72.2 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 72.1 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 72.0 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 71.7 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 71.7 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 71.7 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 71.6 mph | -1.1 mph | |
| 71.5 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 71.4 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 71.3 mph | -1.4 mph | |
| 71.2 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 71.0 mph | -1.7 mph | |
| 71.0 mph | -1.7 mph | |
| 70.6 mph | -2.1 mph | |
| 69.9 mph | -2.8 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 3.8% (2.8 mph).
Wet
3Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 147 ft | Best | |
| 149 ft | +2 ft | |
| 149 ft | +2 ft | |
| 153 ft | +6 ft | |
| 155 ft | +8 ft | |
| 155 ft | +8 ft | |
| 155 ft | +8 ft | |
| 157 ft | +10 ft | |
| 158 ft | +11 ft | |
| 158 ft | +11 ft | |
| 158 ft | +11 ft | |
| 160 ft | +13 ft | |
| 161 ft | +14 ft | |
| 162 ft | +15 ft | |
| 163 ft | +16 ft | |
| 166 ft | +19 ft | |
| 166 ft | +19 ft | |
| 167 ft | +20 ft | |
| 169 ft | +22 ft | |
| 171 ft | +24 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 16.3% (24 ft ≈ 1.6 Car Lengths).
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 46.4 mph | Best | |
| 46.2 mph | -0.2 mph | |
| 45.9 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 45.5 mph | -0.9 mph | |
| 45.5 mph | -0.9 mph | |
| 45.4 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 44.9 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 44.8 mph | -1.6 mph | |
| 44.7 mph | -1.7 mph | |
| 44.4 mph | -2.0 mph | |
| 43.9 mph | -2.5 mph | |
| 43.8 mph | -2.6 mph | |
| 43.5 mph | -2.9 mph | |
| 43.2 mph | -3.2 mph | |
| 43.2 mph | -3.2 mph | |
| 43.0 mph | -3.4 mph | |
| 42.8 mph | -3.6 mph | |
| 42.8 mph | -3.6 mph | |
| 42.7 mph | -3.7 mph | |
| 42.1 mph | -4.3 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 9.2% (4.3 mph).
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 61.6 mph | Best | |
| 61.2 mph | -0.4 mph | |
| 60.4 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 60.1 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 60.0 mph | -1.6 mph | |
| 60.0 mph | -1.6 mph | |
| 59.5 mph | -2.1 mph | |
| 59.3 mph | -2.3 mph | |
| 59.3 mph | -2.3 mph | |
| 59.3 mph | -2.3 mph | |
| 59.2 mph | -2.4 mph | |
| 59.2 mph | -2.4 mph | |
| 59.0 mph | -2.6 mph | |
| 58.3 mph | -3.3 mph | |
| 58.2 mph | -3.4 mph | |
| 57.9 mph | -3.7 mph | |
| 57.6 mph | -4.0 mph | |
| 57.5 mph | -4.1 mph | |
| 57.0 mph | -4.6 mph | |
| 56.4 mph | -5.2 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 8.5% (5.2 mph).
Comfort
1Noise
External noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 71 dB | Best | |
| 71.2 dB | +0.20 dB | |
| 71.3 dB | +0.30 dB | |
| 71.3 dB | +0.30 dB | |
| 71.5 dB | +0.50 dB | |
| 71.7 dB | +0.70 dB | |
| 71.8 dB | +0.80 dB | |
| 72.1 dB | +1.10 dB | |
| 72.1 dB | +1.10 dB | |
| 72.1 dB | +1.10 dB | |
| 72.2 dB | +1.20 dB | |
| 72.2 dB | +1.20 dB | |
| 72.4 dB | +1.40 dB | |
| 72.5 dB | +1.50 dB | |
| 72.8 dB | +1.80 dB | |
| 72.8 dB | +1.80 dB | |
| 73.2 dB | +2.20 dB | |
| 73.2 dB | +2.20 dB | |
| 73.5 dB | +2.50 dB | |
| 73.6 dB | +2.60 dB |
The difference between best and worst was 3.7% (2.6 dB).
Value
3Wear
Predicted tread life in KM
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 27,900 miles | Best | |
| 24,273 miles | -3,627 miles | |
| 24,273 miles | -3,627 miles | |
| 22,320 miles | -5,580 miles | |
| 20,646 miles | -7,254 miles | |
| 20,646 miles | -7,254 miles | |
| 20,088 miles | -7,812 miles | |
| 19,809 miles | -8,091 miles | |
| 18,693 miles | -9,207 miles | |
| 18,414 miles | -9,486 miles | |
| 17,298 miles | -10,602 miles | |
| 17,298 miles | -10,602 miles | |
| 17,019 miles | -10,881 miles | |
| 17,019 miles | -10,881 miles | |
| 17,019 miles | -10,881 miles | |
| 16,182 miles | -11,718 miles | |
| 14,787 miles | -13,113 miles | |
| 14,508 miles | -13,392 miles | |
| 14,508 miles | -13,392 miles | |
| 13,950 miles | -13,950 miles |
The difference between best and worst was 50% (13,950 miles).
Value
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | cost per 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11.9 Price/1000 | Best | €29.91 | |
| 12.29 Price/1000 | +0.39 Price/1000 | €25.16 | |
| 12.81 Price/1000 | +0.91 Price/1000 | €26.10 | |
| 12.85 Price/1000 | +0.95 Price/1000 | €26.75 | |
| 13.09 Price/1000 | +1.19 Price/1000 | €26.25 | |
| 13.78 Price/1000 | +1.88 Price/1000 | €27.88 | |
| 14.07 Price/1000 | +2.17 Price/1000 | €38.23 | |
| 15.12 Price/1000 | +3.22 Price/1000 | €39.11 | |
| 15.21 Price/1000 | +3.31 Price/1000 | €32.79 | |
| 15.99 Price/1000 | +4.09 Price/1000 | €32.87 | |
| 16.61 Price/1000 | +4.71 Price/1000 | €35.02 | |
| 16.87 Price/1000 | +4.97 Price/1000 | €32.56 | |
| 16.9 Price/1000 | +5.00 Price/1000 | €37.59 | |
| 17.53 Price/1000 | +5.63 Price/1000 | €36.13 | |
| 18.85 Price/1000 | +6.95 Price/1000 | €45.46 | |
| 19.15 Price/1000 | +7.25 Price/1000 | €47.28 | |
| 19.75 Price/1000 | +7.85 Price/1000 | €43.49 | |
| 19.9 Price/1000 | +8.00 Price/1000 | €36.14 | |
| 19.94 Price/1000 | +8.04 Price/1000 | €52.16 | |
| 20.01 Price/1000 | +8.11 Price/1000 | €41.32 |
The difference between best and worst was 68.2% (8.11 Price/1000). Over 25,000 miles the cheapest tire to own (Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5) works out €675 cheaper than the most expensive (Bridgestone Potenza S001).
How this is calculated
Assumes a typical car doing 29 mpg (rolling resistance causing 20% of fuel use), fuel at €6.25 per gallon and €70 fitting per set of four. Purchase prices are from the time of the 2020 test; financing costs are excluded.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.13 kg/t | Best | $0 | |
| 7.34 kg/t | +0.21 kg/t | $9 | |
| 7.4 kg/t | +0.27 kg/t | $11 | |
| 7.43 kg/t | +0.30 kg/t | $12 | |
| 7.55 kg/t | +0.42 kg/t | $17 | |
| 7.56 kg/t | +0.43 kg/t | $18 | |
| 7.63 kg/t | +0.50 kg/t | $21 | |
| 7.65 kg/t | +0.52 kg/t | $21 | |
| 7.77 kg/t | +0.64 kg/t | $26 | |
| 7.83 kg/t | +0.70 kg/t | $29 | |
| 7.94 kg/t | +0.81 kg/t | $33 | |
| 8.09 kg/t | +0.96 kg/t | $40 | |
| 8.15 kg/t | +1.02 kg/t | $42 | |
| 8.3 kg/t | +1.17 kg/t | $48 | |
| 8.45 kg/t | +1.32 kg/t | $54 | |
| 8.86 kg/t | +1.73 kg/t | $71 | |
| 8.98 kg/t | +1.85 kg/t | $76 | |
| 9.05 kg/t | +1.92 kg/t | $79 | |
| 9.16 kg/t | +2.03 kg/t | $84 | |
| 9.82 kg/t | +2.69 kg/t | $111 |
The difference between best and worst was 37.7% (2.69 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Bridgestone Potenza S001 uses about 31 gal ($111) more fuel than the Fulda SportControl 2.
Adjust the assumptions
Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions. These calculators use the full test field, independently of your tire selection above.
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