After already publishing the ADAC 16" tire test in 2021, ADAC have also released their slightly more sporty, 225/50 R17 summer tire test.
While the 16" test received wear data, for this test we have wet braking data, and the range between best and worst is larger than ever!
Unsurprisingly, the tires which did well during the wet braking testing also did well in the overall results below. The best tire overall on test was the Falken Azenis FK510. This tire has been performing well since it's release, proved to be one of the best in all the wet testing, and also one of the quietest tires on test meaning the FK510 is an excellent "comfort bias performance" tire.
Second place was awarded to the Continental Premium Contact 6. Like in our own testing ADAC found the PremiumContact 6 to have excellent grip in the dry and wet, combined with precises steering and low fuel consumption.
The final spot on the podium was awarded to the Kumho Ecsta PS71. In the previous two years, the PS71 hasn't had the best results, so we're assuming there's been a midlife update to the tire which has moved the performance forward as it was rated as one of the best in aquaplaning, and very good in the dry and wet.
The Bridgestone Turanza T005, Michelin Primacy 4 and Dunlop SportMaxx RT2 take fourth, fifth and sixth places respectively, all having a very good performance on dry roads, and as usual the Michelin proved to have the lowest wear of the group.
The final noteworthy performance is unfortunately the last place Firestone RoadHawk. This tire had a very weak performance in the wet, which is confusing as in this years 16" Auto Bild braking test it was one of the best. If we get any news from Firestone, we'll update this article.
Wet Braking
The Continental owned brand Semperit, and Continental themselves dominated wet wet braking, with the Falken Azenis FK510 close behind. The difference between the best and worst tire on test was 7 meters from just 50 mph, which is almost certainly the difference between stopping safely and writing off a car!
Wet Braking
Spread: 8.50 M (26%)|Avg: 36.48 M
Wet braking in meters (80 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Semperit Speed Life 3
32.70 M
Continental Premium Contact 6
33.30 M
Falken Azenis FK510
33.40 M
Michelin Primacy 4
34.10 M
ESA Tecar Spirit Pro
34.40 M
Bridgestone Turanza T005
35.00 M
Kumho Ecsta PS71
35.50 M
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
36.10 M
Kleber Dynaxer HP4
36.60 M
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
37.10 M
Laufenn S Fit EQ Plus
37.40 M
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
37.90 M
Sava Intensa UHP 2
38.70 M
Giti GitiPremium H1
38.80 M
Viking Protech Newgen
38.90 M
Barum Bravuris 5HM
39.10 M
Firestone RoadHawk
41.20 M
Results
ADAC applied the following score weighting to the overall results - Dry 20% / Wet 40% / Noise 10% / Fuel 10% / Wear 20%
Very balanced, top marks in the wet, very good on dry roads.
Slightly higher fuel consumption.
The Falken FK510 is excellent in the dry and wet. In the dry it shines with good precision and short braking distances, and excellent control in all situations in the wet. It is also one of the quietest tires on test.
Very balanced, especially good in the wet, good on dry roads, low fuel consumption.
The Continental PremiumContact 6 is a wall balanced tire, and extremely strong in dry braking. In the wet it is one of the best on test, like in the dry, with precise and controllable steering. Very good fuel consumption and good in terms of wear.
The Kumho Ecsta PS71 is the best tire in aquaplaning testing, but only has average wet braking. In the dry it's a stable tire. Average noise, fuel consumption and wear.
The Bridgestone Turanza T005 is strong in the dry with short braking distances and precise cornering behavior. ADAC describe it as "inconspicuous" in the wet, it's not outstanding in any category but not bad either. The T005 does have the loudest passby noise on test, and slightly high fuel consumption and wear.
The Michelin Primacy 4 is a specialist in dry conditions with good dry braking and precise steering and handling. The Primacy 4 loses points in the wet, with weak aquaplaning resistance, but still has good wet braking. Average road noise, but the lowest wear on test.
Slightly increased wear, slight weakness in the wet.
The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 is another dry specialist, with precise handling and good levels of grip. The Sport Maxx RT2 is less balanced in the wet, it has good aquaplaning resistance but the grip and handling is only average. Low internal noise and low fuel consumption.
The ESA+TECAR Spirit Pro has the odd combination of results of being excellent in the wear testing, very good in the wet, but devalued because of its dry performance. Average fuel consumption but good noise levels.
Slightly high wear, increased fuel use, and weak in the wet.
Nexen seem to have focused on dry performance with the Nexen N'Fera Sport, as the test car drives precisely with high levels of grip. The N'Fera Sport could only achieve a satisfactory result in the wet as it loses grip early on in wet handling. It is inconspicuous when it comes to noise, but is one of the worst on test for fuel usage. Middle of the field result in the wear test.
The Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 impresses with maximum performance on dry roads, but only a satisfactory result in the wet, even though it had good aquaplaning resistance. Low internal noise, better than average wear, but slightly high fuel consumption.
The Semperit Speed-Life 3 is a wet specialist with the shortest wet braking, however the car feels imprecise in the dry with sudden oversteer during sudden maneuvers. One of the lowest wears on test, inconspicuous noise and midpack fuel consumption round out the Speed-Life 3s results.
The Kleber Dynaxer HP4 is balanced on dry roads good good grip, control at the limit and short dry braking distances. Unfortunately the Dynaxer 4 doesn't score higher than average in the wet, with poor wet grip levels. Average noise levels, but slightly better than average fuel use.
The Sava Intensa UHP2 is another tire which is good in the sry but weak in the wet. Good comfort levels as the quietest tire on test, but poor wear results.
The Giti GitiPremium H1 has the largest difference between dry and wet performance. It drives safely in the dry, with impressive cornering grip, but average braking. In the wet it has significant weakness with long wet braking and imprecise feedback. Average road noise and fuel consumption. This tire has already been replaced by the GitiSynergy H2.
The Laufenn S-Fit EQ+ LK01 is ok during dry braking, but unfortunately the S-Fit EQ+ has low lateral stiffness meaning dry handling suffers. Long wet braking distances and poor wet handling mean this tire scores poorly overall.
The Barum Bravuris 5HM is the worst tire in dry braking and very weak in the wet. It has very low fuel consumption and slightly better than average wear.
The Viking ProTech NewGen has poor dry braking and inconsistent dry handling. It has poor wet grip, with and oversteer balance. Average noise but comparatively low wear and very low fuel use.
The Firestone Roadhawk comes last in the test. It has an average dry performance but a very weak wet performance in all tests. Average noise and high wear also mark down the Firestone, however it does have low rolling resistance.
