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.
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
3Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual 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 ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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 ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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
4Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual 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 ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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 ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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 ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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
2Subj. Comfort
Subjective Comfort Score
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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 ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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
1Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra 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.
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
More tire tests
Cross-check this test
Where these tires were tested again, and how the verdict held up.
2020 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test
245/45 R1820 tires tested
9 of these 10 tires tested again
Continental Premium Contact 6 / Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
This test’s winner finished 1st there2020 ADAC 18 Inch Summer Tire Test
225/40 R1816 tires tested
9 of these 10 tires tested again
Continental Premium Contact 6 / Michelin Pilot Sport 4
This test’s winner finished 3rd there2020 Tire Market Overview Braking Test
245/45 R1849 tires tested
9 of these 10 tires tested again

