We're a little bit late publishing the 2021 EVO summer tire test, but as we like to have the database on Tire Reviews as complete as possible, here's a brief summary. For the full details, including all the glorious subjective commentary, head over to the EVO website here: https://www.evo.co.uk/tire-reviews/18309/best-car-tires-evo-performance-tire-test .

For 2021 EVO magazine tested nine sets of UHP / UUHP tires in the popular 225/40 R18 size. That size in particular offers some interesting issues as companies like Bridgestone and Goodyear offer their UUHP products in that size, but companies like Continental and Michelin do not.

The test was conducted using an Audi S3 which has a haldex type based four wheel drive system, which is fairly uncommon in tire testing. EVO spend a lot of time rating the subjective handling, noise and comfort of the tires on the road and track, which means they put more score weighting on subjective data than any other publication. This makes the results really interesting for those of us who enjoy driving.

Notes from the Test

Some interesting notes from the test compared to Tire Reviews experience with the tires.

EVO found the Continental PremiumContact 6 slow to steer, and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 dynamic on the road route. We've had both of these tires in this size on the Tire Reviews Octavia VRS and in many tests and have found the opposite. We can't explain this one.
EVO found the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport to be excellent in the wet, one of the fastest overall. The tire was mid pack in wet braking which is similar to Tire Reviews tests, so maybe the AWD system and the excellent subjective nature helped this tire perform.
The GT Radial performed very well for the price point, finishing relatively close to the Pilot Sport 4!
The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 performed well again, which we found in our 2021 UHP test, but this time it won overall! The Pirelli shone dynamically, which is important for driving enthusiasts.

Below is the key data from the test, we haven't databased the road route subjective scores, so be sure to read those on the EVO website!

Dry

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Potenza Sport	111 ft	Best
2Pirelli P Zero PZ4	113 ft	+2 ft
3Michelin Pilot Sport 4	113 ft	+2 ft
4Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	114 ft	+3 ft
5Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	117 ft	+6 ft
6Continental Premium Contact 6	118 ft	+7 ft
7Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2	120 ft	+9 ft
8GT Radial SportActive 2	124 ft	+13 ft
9Triangle SporteX TH201	135 ft	+24 ft

The difference between best and worst was 21.5% (24 ft ≈ 1.6 Car Lengths).

Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	66.1 s	Best
2Michelin Pilot Sport 4	66.8 s	+0.70 s
2Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2	66.8 s	+0.70 s
4Bridgestone Potenza Sport	67 s	+0.90 s
5Continental Premium Contact 6	67.1 s	+1.00 s
6Pirelli P Zero PZ4	67.2 s	+1.10 s
7GT Radial SportActive 2	67.9 s	+1.80 s
8Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	68 s	+1.90 s
9Triangle SporteX TH201	69 s	+2.90 s

The difference between best and worst was 4.4% (2.9 s).

Subj. Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Pirelli P Zero PZ4	57 Points	Best
2Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	56.5 Points	-0.50 Points
3Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2	50 Points	-7.00 Points
4Michelin Pilot Sport 4	49.5 Points	-7.50 Points
4Bridgestone Potenza Sport	49.5 Points	-7.50 Points
6GT Radial SportActive 2	49 Points	-8.00 Points
7Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	48.5 Points	-8.50 Points
8Continental Premium Contact 6	46.5 Points	-10.50 Points
9Triangle SporteX TH201	46 Points	-11.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 19.3% (11 Points).

Wet

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Pirelli P Zero PZ4	89 ft	Best
2Bridgestone Potenza Sport	93 ft	+4 ft
3Michelin Pilot Sport 4	96 ft	+7 ft
4Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	99 ft	+10 ft
5Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	100 ft	+11 ft
6Continental Premium Contact 6	100 ft	+11 ft
7GT Radial SportActive 2	105 ft	+16 ft
8Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2	106 ft	+17 ft
9Triangle SporteX TH201	141 ft	+52 ft

The difference between best and worst was 58.9% (52 ft ≈ 3.5 Car Lengths).

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Pirelli P Zero PZ4	66.3 s	Best
2Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	66.6 s	+0.30 s
2Bridgestone Potenza Sport	66.6 s	+0.30 s
4GT Radial SportActive 2	67.4 s	+1.10 s
5Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2	67.8 s	+1.50 s
6Michelin Pilot Sport 4	68.1 s	+1.80 s
7Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	69.2 s	+2.90 s
8Continental Premium Contact 6	72.3 s	+6.00 s
9Triangle SporteX TH201	73.4 s	+7.10 s

The difference between best and worst was 10.7% (7.1 s).

Subj. Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	60 Points	Best
2Pirelli P Zero PZ4	57.5 Points	-2.50 Points
3Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2	57 Points	-3.00 Points
3Bridgestone Potenza Sport	57 Points	-3.00 Points
5GT Radial SportActive 2	55 Points	-5.00 Points
6Michelin Pilot Sport 4	54.5 Points	-5.50 Points
7Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	53 Points	-7.00 Points
8Continental Premium Contact 6	47.5 Points	-12.50 Points
9Triangle SporteX TH201	36 Points	-24.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 40% (24 Points).

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2	45.5 mph	Best
1GT Radial SportActive 2	45.5 mph	Best
3Bridgestone Potenza Sport	43.3 mph	-2.2 mph
4Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	42.9 mph	-2.6 mph
5Michelin Pilot Sport 4	41.8 mph	-3.7 mph
5Continental Premium Contact 6	41.8 mph	-3.7 mph
7Pirelli P Zero PZ4	41.2 mph	-4.3 mph
8Triangle SporteX TH201	41.1 mph	-4.4 mph
9Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	40.5 mph	-5.0 mph

The difference between best and worst was 10.9% (5 mph).

Environment

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
1Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	8.4 kg/t	Best	$0
2Michelin Pilot Sport 4	8.5 kg/t	+0.10 kg/t	$3
3Continental Premium Contact 6	8.6 kg/t	+0.20 kg/t	$7
4GT Radial SportActive 2	8.7 kg/t	+0.30 kg/t	$10
5Triangle SporteX TH201	8.9 kg/t	+0.50 kg/t	$17
6Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2	9.1 kg/t	+0.70 kg/t	$24
7Bridgestone Potenza Sport	9.5 kg/t	+1.10 kg/t	$38
8Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	9.7 kg/t	+1.30 kg/t	$45
9Pirelli P Zero PZ4	9.9 kg/t	+1.50 kg/t	$52

The difference between best and worst was 17.9% (1.5 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 uses about 15 gal ($52) more fuel than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Adjust the assumptions

Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.

Gas/Diesel Electric

Annual Mileage

12,000 mi

km (L)

miles (US gal)

Fuel Price

$3.60/gal

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Set my vehicle consumption

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.

Results

The PZ4 is a tire that offers (almost) everything, being top ranked subjectively in the dry and wet and offering excellent grip.

Dry98.7%

Wet96.9%

Rolling Resistance84.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 9	113 ft	+2 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	6^th / 9	67.2 s	+1.10 s
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 9	57 Points	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	1^st / 9	89 ft	Best in this discipline
Wet HandlingLower is better	1^st / 9	66.3 s	Best in this discipline
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 9	57.5 Points	-2.50 Points
Wet CircleLower is better	1^st / 9	14.9 s	Best in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better	7^th / 9	41.2 mph	-4.3 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	5^th / 9	56.8 ft/s²	-12.4 ft/s²
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	9^th / 9	9.9 kg/t	+1.50 kg/t

The Eagle F1 SuperSport was excellent in both wet and dry handling with good steering and high levels of grip. A bit noisy on some surfaces but an outstanding performance tire.

Dry98.7%

Wet93.6%

Rolling Resistance86.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	4^th / 9	114 ft	+3 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	1^st / 9	66.1 s	Best in this discipline
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 9	56.5 Points	-0.50 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	5^th / 9	100 ft	+11 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 9	66.6 s	+0.30 s
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 9	60 Points	Best in this discipline
Wet CircleLower is better	3^rd / 9	15.2 s	+0.30 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	4^th / 9	42.9 mph	-2.6 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	6^th / 9	51.8 ft/s²	-17.4 ft/s²
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	8^th / 9	9.7 kg/t	+1.30 kg/t

The Potenza Sport finished in the top 3 places in most grip tests and was solid in the wet and dry. The ride quality was firm and there was higher levels of noise in the cabin.

Dry98.2%

Wet96.6%

Rolling Resistance88.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	1^st / 9	111 ft	Best in this discipline
Dry HandlingLower is better	4^th / 9	67 s	+0.90 s
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	4^th / 9	49.5 Points	-7.50 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 9	93 ft	+4 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 9	66.6 s	+0.30 s
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 9	57 Points	-3.00 Points
Wet CircleLower is better	2^nd / 9	15 s	+0.10 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	3^rd / 9	43.3 mph	-2.2 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	3^rd / 9	61.4 ft/s²	-7.8 ft/s²
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	7^th / 9	9.5 kg/t	+1.10 kg/t

The RT2 had excellent aquaplaning resistance, was agile in the dry and was great on the road route with balanced steering and good comfort.

Dry94.9%

Wet94.1%

Rolling Resistance92.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	7^th / 9	120 ft	+9 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 9	66.8 s	+0.70 s
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 9	50 Points	-7.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	8^th / 9	106 ft	+17 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	5^th / 9	67.8 s	+1.50 s
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 9	57 Points	-3.00 Points
Wet CircleLower is better	5^th / 9	15.4 s	+0.50 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	1^st / 9	45.5 mph	Best in this discipline
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	2^nd / 9	67.3 ft/s²	-1.9 ft/s²
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	6^th / 9	9.1 kg/t	+0.70 kg/t

The PS4 had direct steering and a good balance, but the detail sometimes lacked. A solid performer but not inspiring.

Dry97.5%

Wet93.8%

Rolling Resistance98.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 9	113 ft	+2 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 9	66.8 s	+0.70 s
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	4^th / 9	49.5 Points	-7.50 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 9	96 ft	+7 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	6^th / 9	68.1 s	+1.80 s
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 9	54.5 Points	-5.50 Points
Wet CircleLower is better	4^th / 9	15.3 s	+0.40 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	5^th / 9	41.8 mph	-3.7 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	4^th / 9	58.1 ft/s²	-11.1 ft/s²
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	2^nd / 9	8.5 kg/t	+0.10 kg/t

The SportActive 2 had very high aquaplaning resistance and performed well during wet handling. It was less dynamic in the dry but it scored well on the road route for the good combination of steering and ride quality. A good tire.

Dry92.7%

Wet94.1%

Rolling Resistance96.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	8^th / 9	124 ft	+13 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	7^th / 9	67.9 s	+1.80 s
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 9	49 Points	-8.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	7^th / 9	105 ft	+16 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	4^th / 9	67.4 s	+1.10 s
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	5^th / 9	55 Points	-5.00 Points
Wet CircleLower is better	6^th / 9	15.6 s	+0.70 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	1^st / 9	45.5 mph	Best in this discipline
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	1^st / 9	69.2 ft/s²	Best in this discipline
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	4^th / 9	8.7 kg/t	+0.30 kg/t

The S1 Evo 3 (K127) was strong in wet and dry braking but struggled in the aquaplaning tests and never shone on track. It did offer a fair compromise on the road.

Dry95%

Wet88.5%

Rolling Resistance100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	5^th / 9	117 ft	+6 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	8^th / 9	68 s	+1.90 s
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	7^th / 9	48.5 Points	-8.50 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	4^th / 9	99 ft	+10 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	7^th / 9	69.2 s	+2.90 s
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	7^th / 9	53 Points	-7.00 Points
Wet CircleLower is better	8^th / 9	15.9 s	+1.00 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	9^th / 9	40.5 mph	-5.0 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	9^th / 9	39.4 ft/s²	-29.8 ft/s²
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	1^st / 9	8.4 kg/t	Best in this discipline

The PremiumContact 6 felt a lot like a comfort biased tire, very refined and comfortable but at the expense of dynamic sharpness.

Dry95.1%

Wet88.9%

Rolling Resistance97.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	6^th / 9	118 ft	+7 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	5^th / 9	67.1 s	+1.00 s
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	8^th / 9	46.5 Points	-10.50 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	6^th / 9	100 ft	+11 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	8^th / 9	72.3 s	+6.00 s
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	8^th / 9	47.5 Points	-12.50 Points
Wet CircleLower is better	7^th / 9	15.8 s	+0.90 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	5^th / 9	41.8 mph	-3.7 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	6^th / 9	51.8 ft/s²	-17.4 ft/s²
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	3^rd / 9	8.6 kg/t	+0.20 kg/t

The Sportex TH201 might be well priced but if you fit this after a good tire your car will feel worse. It also had long wet braking.

Dry88.2%

Wet78.6%

Rolling Resistance94.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	9^th / 9	135 ft	+24 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	9^th / 9	69 s	+2.90 s
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	9^th / 9	46 Points	-11.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	9^th / 9	141 ft	+52 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	9^th / 9	73.4 s	+7.10 s
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	9^th / 9	36 Points	-24.00 Points
Wet CircleLower is better	9^th / 9	17.7 s	+2.80 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	8^th / 9	41.1 mph	-4.4 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	6^th / 9	51.8 ft/s²	-17.4 ft/s²
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	5^th / 9	8.9 kg/t	+0.50 kg/t

Discussion

2 comments

4cvg Aug 10, 2022 archived

Interesting that their view of the PC6 dry handling differ from yours.

#8178
1. TireReviews 4cvg Aug 10, 2022 archived
  
  It is. Usually I can work out why there's differences in tests, but not this time! I've had the PC6 in many sizes on many vehicles and never found it to be comfortable or slow to steer compared to its peers!
  
  #8179

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Notes from the Test

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Wet

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Results

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