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Test Charts / Auto Zeitung

2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP 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
225/40 R18
Tires tested
10
Disciplines
10

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.

Dry

3

Dry Braking

Dry braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)

Lower is better ↓
Dry Braking
Position / TireResultGap to bestResidual speed
113 ft Best 0 mph
114 ft +1 ft 9 mph
114 ft +1 ft 10 mph
115 ft +2 ft 12 mph
115 ft +2 ft 13 mph
116 ft +3 ft 14 mph
116 ft +3 ft 14 mph
116 ft +3 ft 15 mph
116 ft +3 ft 15 mph
119 ft +6 ft 18 mph

The difference between best and worst was 5.5% (6 ft ≈ 0.4 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 would still be travelling at 18 mph when the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Dry Handling

Dry handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Dry Handling
Position / TireResultGap to best
68.8 s Best
69 s +0.20 s
69 s +0.20 s
69.1 s +0.30 s
69.1 s +0.30 s
69.2 s +0.40 s
69.2 s +0.40 s
69.4 s +0.60 s
69.6 s +0.80 s
69.7 s +0.90 s

All the tires in the Dry Handling test finished less than 3% apart.

Subj. Dry Handling

Subjective Dry Handling Score

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Dry Handling
Position / TireResultGap to best
10 Points Best
9 Points -1.00 Points
9 Points -1.00 Points
9 Points -1.00 Points
9 Points -1.00 Points
8 Points -2.00 Points
7 Points -3.00 Points
6 Points -4.00 Points
5 Points -5.00 Points
4 Points -6.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 60% (6 Points).

Wet

4

Wet Braking

Wet braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)

Lower is better ↓
Wet Braking
Position / TireResultGap to bestResidual speed
137 ft Best 0 mph
138 ft +1 ft 6 mph
140 ft +3 ft 12 mph
147 ft +10 ft 20 mph
148 ft +11 ft 21 mph
153 ft +16 ft 25 mph
160 ft +23 ft 30 mph
163 ft +26 ft 32 mph
164 ft +27 ft 32 mph
166 ft +29 ft 33 mph

The difference between best and worst was 20.8% (29 ft ≈ 1.9 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 would still be travelling at 33 mph when the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Wet Handling

Wet handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Wet Handling
Position / TireResultGap to best
62.6 s Best
62.9 s +0.30 s
63.1 s +0.50 s
63.2 s +0.60 s
63.3 s +0.70 s
63.3 s +0.70 s
63.4 s +0.80 s
63.5 s +0.90 s
63.7 s +1.10 s
64.9 s +2.30 s

The difference between best and worst was 3.7% (2.3 s).

Subj. Wet Handling

Subjective Wet Handling Score

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Wet Handling
Position / TireResultGap to best
10 Points Best
9 Points -1.00 Points
8 Points -2.00 Points
8 Points -2.00 Points
7 Points -3.00 Points
6 Points -4.00 Points
6 Points -4.00 Points
6 Points -4.00 Points
5 Points -5.00 Points
3 Points -7.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 70% (7 Points).

Straight Aqua

Float Speed in mph

Higher is better ↑
Straight Aqua
Position / TireResultGap to best
45.5 mph Best
44.6 mph -0.9 mph
44.4 mph -1.1 mph
43.9 mph -1.6 mph
43.7 mph -1.8 mph
43.4 mph -2.1 mph
43.4 mph -2.1 mph
43.3 mph -2.2 mph
43.2 mph -2.3 mph
42.4 mph -3.1 mph

The difference between best and worst was 7% (3.1 mph).

Comfort

2

Subj. Comfort

Subjective Comfort Score

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Comfort
Position / TireResultGap to best
9 Points Best
8 Points -1.00 Points
8 Points -1.00 Points
8 Points -1.00 Points
7 Points -2.00 Points
7 Points -2.00 Points
7 Points -2.00 Points
7 Points -2.00 Points
7 Points -2.00 Points
6 Points -3.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 33.3% (3 Points).

Noise

External noise in dB

Lower is better ↓
Noise
Position / TireResultGap to best
69.1 dB Best
69.8 dB +0.70 dB
69.8 dB +0.70 dB
70.4 dB +1.30 dB
71 dB +1.90 dB
71 dB +1.90 dB
71.1 dB +2.00 dB
71.2 dB +2.10 dB
71.4 dB +2.30 dB
71.9 dB +2.80 dB

The difference between best and worst was 4.1% (2.8 dB).

Value

1

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance in kg t

Lower is better ↓
Rolling Resistance
Position / TireResultGap to bestExtra fuel / year
8.38 kg/t Best $0
8.5 kg/t +0.12 kg/t $4
8.6 kg/t +0.22 kg/t $8
8.64 kg/t +0.26 kg/t $9
8.66 kg/t +0.28 kg/t $10
8.78 kg/t +0.40 kg/t $14
8.88 kg/t +0.50 kg/t $18
9.23 kg/t +0.85 kg/t $30
9.27 kg/t +0.89 kg/t $31
9.99 kg/t +1.61 kg/t $56

The difference between best and worst was 19.2% (1.61 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 uses about 16 gal ($56) more fuel than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 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.

12,000 mi
$3.60/gal
Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tire age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

Test setup & methodology

The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.

Recorded test conditions

Recorded test conditions

Dry Braking
62.1 → 0.0 mph
Wet Braking
62.1 → 0.0 mph

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