For the 2021 Sport Auto summer tire test, the German publication have tested eleven tires in the relatively small 195/55 R16 tire size. As this tire size is intended for smaller vehicles such as the Audi A1, Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 208 and other similar sized cars, Sport Auto used a Seat Ibiza for testing, and placed all eleven sets of tires through the usual dry, wet and environment based tests.
The first and second placed tires will be no surprise. The Michelin Primacy 4, which always seems to work well in the smaller sizes, dominated both braking tests, was the fastest in wet handling and was the quietest on test. Second placed Bridgestone Turanza T005 had the lowest rolling resistance, and scored well in every other key test, other than a slightly average dry braking result, while the third placed Nokian WetProof lived up to its name and was the fastest around the wet handling lap, but struggled during the dry handling lap.
One other issue with this lower volume tire size is not all patterns are the most up to date, with the testers having to test the Continental PremiumContact 5 rather than the 6.
Dry
During dry braking, the Michelin Primacy 4 had a large advantage, beating the second placed Maxxis Premitra 5 by nearly a full meter. The next ten tires were only separated by another 6 feet!
Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 95 % | |
| 95 % | |
| 94 % | |
| 94 % | |
| 94 % | |
| 93 % |
The difference between best and worst was 7%.
The new Toyo Proxes Comfort was the fastest around the dry handling lap, with the BFGoodrich Advantage struggling to set a quick time.
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % |
All the tires in the Dry Handling test finished less than 3% apart.
Wet
The Primacy 4 continued its braking advantage in the wet, with the sister brand BFGoodrich placing second.
Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 95 % | |
| 92 % | |
| 91 % | |
| 91 % | |
| 91 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 87 % | |
| 83 % |
The difference between best and worst was 17%.
The Primacy 4 was also the fastest around the wet handling lap, but this time tying first place with the Nokian WetProof.
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 96 % |
The difference between best and worst was 4%.
Falken and Nokian led the way in the straight aquaplaning test.
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 95 % | |
| 95 % | |
| 95 % | |
| 95 % | |
| 94 % |
The difference between best and worst was 6%.
Environment
The difference in external noise between the eleven sets was relatively low, with Goodyear, Michelin and Nokian all tying for the quietest tires on test.
Noise
External noise in dB
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % |
All the tires in the Noise test finished less than 3% apart.
The two most expensive tires on test offered the lowest rolling resistance, but with the group relatively close it's unlikely they would recover that higher purchase price. As we've seen before, the Falken ZE310 struggled with high rolling resistance.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 94 % | |
| 93 % | |
| 93 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 89 % | |
| 86 % | |
| 77 % |
The difference between best and worst was 23%.
Surprisingly, Michelin wasn't the most expensive tire on test, with the Bridgestone 4 euros per tire more expensive. There is a 184 euro price difference between a full set of the Maxxis and Bridgestone tires.
Results
Michelin Primacy 4
195/55 R16 87T
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (8)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 1st / 11 | 100% |
| Dry Handling | 7th / 11 | 98.65% |
| Wet Braking | 1st / 11 | 100% |
| Wet Handling | 1st / 11 | 100% |
| Straight Aqua | 9th / 11 | 94.67% |
| Noise | 1st / 11 | 100% |
| Tire Weight | 4th / 11 | 96.39% |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st / 11 | 100% |
- EU Label
- C/A/68
- Origin
- Germany
- Weight
- 7.76 kgs
- Tread
- 6.7 mm
- Price
- 107.00
Bridgestone Turanza T005
195/55 R16 91H XL
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (8)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 4th / 11 | 96% |
| Dry Handling | 2nd / 11 | 99.07% |
| Wet Braking | 3rd / 11 | 95.58% |
| Wet Handling | 4th / 11 | 99.3% |
| Straight Aqua | 8th / 11 | 95.16% |
| Noise | 11th / 11 | 96.69% |
| Tire Weight | 2nd / 11 | 99.34% |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st / 11 | 100% |
- EU Label
- B/A/71
- Origin
- France
- Weight
- 7.53 kgs
- Tread
- 7.4 mm
- Price
- 111.00
Nokian WetProof
195/55 R16 87H
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (8)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 3rd / 11 | 97.04% |
| Dry Handling | 9th / 11 | 98.48% |
| Wet Braking | 6th / 11 | 91.29% |
| Wet Handling | 1st / 11 | 100% |
| Straight Aqua | 2nd / 11 | 99.03% |
| Noise | 1st / 11 | 100% |
| Tire Weight | 1st / 11 | 100% |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th / 11 | 92.68% |
- EU Label
- C/A/68
- Origin
- Finland
- Weight
- 7.48 kgs
- Tread
- 7.9 mm
- Price
- 78.00
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
195/55 R16 87H
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (8)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 8th / 11 | 94.49% |
| Dry Handling | 3rd / 11 | 98.82% |
| Wet Braking | 6th / 11 | 91.29% |
| Wet Handling | 6th / 11 | 98.87% |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd / 11 | 98.67% |
| Noise | 1st / 11 | 100% |
| Tire Weight | 4th / 11 | 96.39% |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th / 11 | 96.2% |
- EU Label
- A/C/67
- Origin
- France
- Weight
- 7.76 kgs
- Tread
- 8.46 mm
- Price
- 83.00
Continental Premium Contact 5
195/55 R16 87H
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (8)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 6th / 11 | 94.99% |
| Dry Handling | 8th / 11 | 98.57% |
| Wet Braking | 4th / 11 | 94.54% |
| Wet Handling | 5th / 11 | 99.01% |
| Straight Aqua | 6th / 11 | 97.46% |
| Noise | 6th / 11 | 98.73% |
| Tire Weight | 3rd / 11 | 96.64% |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th / 11 | 92.68% |
- EU Label
- C/A/71
- Origin
- Portugal
- Weight
- 7.74 kgs
- Tread
- 7.4 mm
- Price
- 82.00
Maxxis Premitra HP5
195/55 R16 91V XL
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (8)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 2nd / 11 | 97.56% |
| Dry Handling | 3rd / 11 | 98.82% |
| Wet Braking | 5th / 11 | 91.78% |
| Wet Handling | 3rd / 11 | 99.72% |
| Straight Aqua | 4th / 11 | 98.43% |
| Noise | 5th / 11 | 99.57% |
| Tire Weight | 10th / 11 | 89.69% |
| Rolling Resistance | 9th / 11 | 89.41% |
- EU Label
- C/A/71
- Origin
- Taiwan
- Weight
- 8.34 kgs
- Tread
- 7.5 mm
- Price
- 65.00
BFGoodrich Advantage
195/55 R16 87V
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (8)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 6th / 11 | 94.99% |
| Dry Handling | 11th / 11 | 97.9% |
| Wet Braking | 2nd / 11 | 96.65% |
| Wet Handling | 7th / 11 | 97.61% |
| Straight Aqua | 7th / 11 | 95.4% |
| Noise | 9th / 11 | 98.04% |
| Tire Weight | 7th / 11 | 95.04% |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th / 11 | 93.83% |
- EU Label
- C/A/70
- Origin
- Romania
- Weight
- 7.87 kgs
- Tread
- 6.95 mm
- Price
- 93.00
Hankook Kinergy Eco 2
195/55 R16 87H
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (8)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 9th / 11 | 93.99% |
| Dry Handling | 5th / 11 | 98.74% |
| Wet Braking | 6th / 11 | 91.29% |
| Wet Handling | 8th / 11 | 96.76% |
| Straight Aqua | 9th / 11 | 94.67% |
| Noise | 4th / 11 | 99.72% |
| Tire Weight | 9th / 11 | 94.44% |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd / 11 | 98.7% |
- EU Label
- B/A/71
- Origin
- Hungary
- Weight
- 7.92 kgs
- Tread
- 7.6 mm
- Price
- 75.00
Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
195/55 R16 87H
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (8)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 11th / 11 | 92.78% |
| Dry Handling | 5th / 11 | 98.74% |
| Wet Braking | 9th / 11 | 89.87% |
| Wet Handling | 8th / 11 | 96.76% |
| Straight Aqua | 1st / 11 | 100% |
| Noise | 8th / 11 | 98.18% |
| Tire Weight | 11th / 11 | 83.39% |
| Rolling Resistance | 11th / 11 | 76.77% |
- EU Label
- E/A/67
- Origin
- Turkey
- Weight
- 8.97 kgs
- Tread
- 7.8 mm
- Price
- 74.00
Pirelli Cinturato P1 Verde
195/55 R16 87H
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (8)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 10th / 11 | 93.75% |
| Dry Handling | 10th / 11 | 98.32% |
| Wet Braking | 10th / 11 | 86.93% |
| Wet Handling | 10th / 11 | 96.48% |
| Straight Aqua | 5th / 11 | 97.94% |
| Noise | 7th / 11 | 98.59% |
| Tire Weight | 4th / 11 | 96.39% |
| Rolling Resistance | 8th / 11 | 90.48% |
- EU Label
- C/B/69
- Origin
- Turkey
- Weight
- 7.76 kgs
- Tread
- 7.5 mm
- Price
- 80.00
Toyo Proxes Comfort
195/55 R16 91V XL
Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (8)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 5th / 11 | 95.74% |
| Dry Handling | 1st / 11 | 100% |
| Wet Braking | 11th / 11 | 82.78% |
| Wet Handling | 11th / 11 | 96.06% |
| Straight Aqua | 11th / 11 | 93.58% |
| Noise | 10th / 11 | 97.63% |
| Tire Weight | 8th / 11 | 94.8% |
| Rolling Resistance | 10th / 11 | 86.36% |
- EU Label
- C/B/70
- Origin
- Japan
- Weight
- 7.89 kgs
- Tread
- 7.5 mm
- Price
- 69.00
Thanks for this. I need a set of 185/60/15’s for my Audi A2, a car that transmits tire / road noise into the cabin and can give quite large variations in fuel consumption depending on tire choice.
All things considered, I’ve gone for your test winner Michelins- I’m hoping that in such a light car the wear I’ll get out of them before performance drops off unacceptably will justify their price.
How would you rank them by comfort? I'm a little confused... Michelin Primacy 4 was always said to be one of the most confort tires,and maybe Nokian too,but here is nothing told about that neither in Pros or Cons..
I'm about to buy this size for my Nissan Note 2nd gen. but it's a little too hard on poor serbian roads,but i wouls keep these nice 16" rims,so i would choose by comfort level primarly.
Check out my 16 inch test, linked top right
Another great example that the 'same tire' ain't the same in different sizes. Winner in one size can loose a few points in another one. Still, usually the differences between the leading models in various sizes aren't worrying. More like, interesting to see ;) Nicely done Primacy 4! In other recent tests more like 'comfy, all-round, not excelling in any category' and here - clear winner. Goodyear EGP2 - winner in the most popular size, here close behind. So many conditions play some role in those tests, but still - a good tire is a good tire :) Thanks for sharing another fresh test results!
It's a really fascinating year for tire testing, there's some super interesting results appearing as more are published!
Is the tire size of this test the 195/65 R15 or the 195/55 R15 (the one we can see bellow the tires photos)? The website's search engine can't even find the prices for 5 of the them. Jonathan, you probably typed the size incorrectly.
You may have a point, it was actually 195/55 R16! all updated now, thank you.
It was the H speed category tested, could be useful to add.
Some were V, it's listed under each tire picture :)