Test setup & methodology

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

Recorded test conditions

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

We are very late in the season for this one, so we're not going to write too much on this. For 2022 Auto Zeitung tested ten crossover SUV tire sizes in 215/55 R17 using a Ford Puma.

The excellent testers at AZ were obviously happy with the majority of the tires tested as they gave out seven awards to the top seven tires! It's also worth noting the Continental tire in this test was the ultra low rolling resistance EcoContact 6, not the PremiumContact 6 you'd expect.

Sadly AZ didn't get the chance to do any offroad testing, not that these tires are intended for much offroad use, but if you would like to see how these sorts of tires perform on dirt and grass you can check out the Tire Reviews SUV test here.

Dry

The new Vredestein Ultrac and Maxxis Premitra HP5 led the way in dry braking, in a close set of results.

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Vredestein Ultrac	119 ft	Best	0 mph
1Maxxis Premitra HP5	119 ft	Best	0 mph
3Nokian WetProof	120 ft	+1 ft	7 mph
4Bridgestone Turanza T005	120 ft	+1 ft	9 mph
5Michelin Primacy 4	122 ft	+3 ft	12 mph
5BFGoodrich Advantage	122 ft	+3 ft	12 mph
7Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	123 ft	+4 ft	14 mph
8Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2	125 ft	+6 ft	17 mph
8Continental EcoContact 6	125 ft	+6 ft	17 mph
8Yokohama BluEarth GT AE51	125 ft	+6 ft	17 mph

The difference between best and worst was 5% (6 ft ≈ 0.4 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Yokohama BluEarth GT AE51 would still be travelling at 17 mph when the Vredestein Ultrac had stopped.

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

Dry handling had the Michelin Primacy 4 as the fastest tire around the lap, but with the top nine tires separated by just 0.7 seconds, it was again very close.

Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin Primacy 4	61.5 s	Best
2Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2	61.6 s	+0.10 s
2Continental EcoContact 6	61.6 s	+0.10 s
4Vredestein Ultrac	61.8 s	+0.30 s
4Bridgestone Turanza T005	61.8 s	+0.30 s
4Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	61.8 s	+0.30 s
7Nokian WetProof	61.9 s	+0.40 s
8Maxxis Premitra HP5	62 s	+0.50 s
9BFGoodrich Advantage	62.2 s	+0.70 s
10Yokohama BluEarth GT AE51	62.6 s	+1.10 s

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

Wet

Maxxis also led the way during wet braking, with the Primacy 4 best of the rest.

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Maxxis Premitra HP5	153 ft	Best	0 mph
2Michelin Primacy 4	153 ft	0 ft	5 mph
3Bridgestone Turanza T005	154 ft	+1 ft	6 mph
4Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2	154 ft	+1 ft	7 mph
5BFGoodrich Advantage	155 ft	+2 ft	9 mph
6Continental EcoContact 6	156 ft	+3 ft	12 mph
7Nokian WetProof	156 ft	+3 ft	12 mph
8Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	161 ft	+8 ft	19 mph
9Yokohama BluEarth GT AE51	164 ft	+11 ft	21 mph
10Vredestein Ultrac	165 ft	+12 ft	22 mph

The difference between best and worst was 8% (12 ft ≈ 0.8 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Vredestein Ultrac would still be travelling at 22 mph when the Maxxis Premitra HP5 had stopped.

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

Vredestein was back at the front in wet handling.

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Vredestein Ultrac	87.8 s	Best
2Maxxis Premitra HP5	88.5 s	+0.70 s
3Bridgestone Turanza T005	90.1 s	+2.30 s
4Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2	90.3 s	+2.50 s
5Nokian WetProof	90.9 s	+3.10 s
6Michelin Primacy 4	91.7 s	+3.90 s
7Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	92.4 s	+4.60 s
8Continental EcoContact 6	94.4 s	+6.60 s
9BFGoodrich Advantage	94.5 s	+6.70 s
10Yokohama BluEarth GT AE51	97.6 s	+9.80 s

The difference between best and worst was 11.2% (9.8 s).

Vredestein also offered the best straight aquaplaning resistance.

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Vredestein Ultrac	50.1 mph	Best
2Nokian WetProof	49.5 mph	-0.6 mph
3Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	49.3 mph	-0.8 mph
4Maxxis Premitra HP5	49.2 mph	-0.9 mph
5Bridgestone Turanza T005	47.7 mph	-2.4 mph
6Michelin Primacy 4	47.6 mph	-2.5 mph
7Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2	46.4 mph	-3.7 mph
8Yokohama BluEarth GT AE51	46.2 mph	-3.9 mph
9BFGoodrich Advantage	45.7 mph	-4.4 mph
10Continental EcoContact 6	44.1 mph	-6.0 mph

The difference between best and worst was 12.1% (6 mph).

Environment

Unusually there was no fraction of numbers in the noise results.

Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2	70 dB	Best
1Continental EcoContact 6	70 dB	Best
3Michelin Primacy 4	71 dB	+1.00 dB
3Nokian WetProof	71 dB	+1.00 dB
3Yokohama BluEarth GT AE51	71 dB	+1.00 dB
6Vredestein Ultrac	72 dB	+2.00 dB
6Maxxis Premitra HP5	72 dB	+2.00 dB
6Bridgestone Turanza T005	72 dB	+2.00 dB
6Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	72 dB	+2.00 dB
6BFGoodrich Advantage	72 dB	+2.00 dB

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

The eco bias Continental EcoContact 6 had much lower rolling resistance than the rest of the tires.

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
1Continental EcoContact 6	6.04 kg/t	Best	$0
2Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2	7.19 kg/t	+1.15 kg/t	$56
2Bridgestone Turanza T005	7.19 kg/t	+1.15 kg/t	$56
4Michelin Primacy 4	7.36 kg/t	+1.32 kg/t	$64
5Yokohama BluEarth GT AE51	7.37 kg/t	+1.33 kg/t	$65
6BFGoodrich Advantage	8.36 kg/t	+2.32 kg/t	$113
7Vredestein Ultrac	8.46 kg/t	+2.42 kg/t	$118
8Nokian WetProof	8.53 kg/t	+2.49 kg/t	$121
9Maxxis Premitra HP5	9.15 kg/t	+3.11 kg/t	$151
10Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	9.31 kg/t	+3.27 kg/t	$159

The difference between best and worst was 54.1% (3.27 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun uses about 44 gal ($159) more fuel than the Continental EcoContact 6.

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.

As usual, the Michelin was the most expensive set of tires on test.

Results

The Bridgestone Turanza T005 is number one in this test. Longitudinal wet grip, cornering, aquaplaning, the key to this success are top scores in all safety-related criteria - regardless of whether it's raining or the road is dry.

Dry99.1%

Wet97.8%

Comfort97.2%

Rolling Resistance84%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (7)

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 / 10	120 ft	+1 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	4^th / 10	61.8 s	+0.30 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 10	154 ft	+1 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 10	90.1 s	+2.30 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	5^th / 10	47.7 mph	-2.4 mph
NoiseLower is better	6^th / 10	72 dB	+2.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	2^nd / 10	7.19 kg/t	+1.15 kg/t

EU Label: B/A/71
Weight: 9 kgs
Tread: 7.2 mm
Price: 500.00

Second place for the new Ultrac from Vredestein, which shines in the wet but misses out on overall victory due to long wet braking distances. Good performance overall, especially on dry roads.

Dry99.8%

Wet97%

Comfort97.2%

Rolling Resistance71.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (7)

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 / 10	119 ft	Best in this discipline
Dry HandlingLower is better	4^th / 10	61.8 s	+0.30 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	10^th / 10	165 ft	+12 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	1^st / 10	87.8 s	Best in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better	1^st / 10	50.1 mph	Best in this discipline
NoiseLower is better	6^th / 10	72 dB	+2.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	7^th / 10	8.46 kg/t	+2.42 kg/t

EU Label: C/A/69
Weight: 9.5 kgs
Tread: 6.8 mm
Price: 450.00

Third place for the Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance 2, it offered high levels of grip in the wet and dry and also has particularly low noise.

Dry97.6%

Wet97.2%

Comfort100%

Rolling Resistance84%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (7)

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 / 10	125 ft	+6 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 10	61.6 s	+0.10 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	4^th / 10	154 ft	+1 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	4^th / 10	90.3 s	+2.50 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	7^th / 10	46.4 mph	-3.7 mph
NoiseLower is better	1^st / 10	70 dB	Best in this discipline
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	2^nd / 10	7.19 kg/t	+1.15 kg/t

EU Label: B/A/69
Weight: 9.1 kgs
Tread: 8.4 mm
Price: 520.00

The Primacy 4 has balanced grip in the dry and wet, focusing on safety qualities rather than dynamic driving.

Dry98.8%

Wet97.2%

Comfort98.6%

Rolling Resistance82.1%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (7)

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 / 10	122 ft	+3 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	1^st / 10	61.5 s	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 10	153 ft	0 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	6^th / 10	91.7 s	+3.90 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	6^th / 10	47.6 mph	-2.5 mph
NoiseLower is better	3^rd / 10	71 dB	+1.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	4^th / 10	7.36 kg/t	+1.32 kg/t

EU Label: C/A/69
Weight: 9.3 kgs
Tread: 6.4 mm
Price: 550.00

The Maxxis Premitra 5, which has already won two awards in our tire tests, is highly recommended. In the wet it is extremely grippy and safe, but this comes at the expense of efficiency.

Dry99.6%

Wet99.3%

Comfort97.2%

Rolling Resistance66%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (7)

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 / 10	119 ft	Best in this discipline
Dry HandlingLower is better	8^th / 10	62 s	+0.50 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	1^st / 10	153 ft	Best in this discipline
Wet HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 10	88.5 s	+0.70 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	4^th / 10	49.2 mph	-0.9 mph
NoiseLower is better	6^th / 10	72 dB	+2.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	9^th / 10	9.15 kg/t	+3.11 kg/t

EU Label: D/A/70
Weight: 9.6 kgs
Tread: 7.6 mm
Price: 350.00

The Nokian Wetproof is excellent in the wet and solid in the dry. Not a clear recommendation however the limit of wet handling can be tricky.

Dry99.3%

Wet97.4%

Comfort98.6%

Rolling Resistance70.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (7)

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 / 10	120 ft	+1 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	7^th / 10	61.9 s	+0.40 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	7^th / 10	156 ft	+3 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	5^th / 10	90.9 s	+3.10 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	2^nd / 10	49.5 mph	-0.6 mph
NoiseLower is better	3^rd / 10	71 dB	+1.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	8^th / 10	8.53 kg/t	+2.49 kg/t

EU Label: C/A/68
Weight: 10.2 kgs
Tread: 8 mm
Price: 460.00

With a top value for rolling resistance, the Continental Eco Contact 6 confirmed its label efficiency rating in seventh place. Grippy in the wet, but significant aquaplaning weaknesses.

Dry97.6%

Wet94.1%

Comfort100%

Rolling Resistance100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (7)

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 / 10	125 ft	+6 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 10	61.6 s	+0.10 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	6^th / 10	156 ft	+3 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	8^th / 10	94.4 s	+6.60 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	10^th / 10	44.1 mph	-6.0 mph
NoiseLower is better	1^st / 10	70 dB	Best in this discipline
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	1^st / 10	6.04 kg/t	Best in this discipline

EU Label: A/A/72
Weight: 9.1 kgs
Tread: 6.4 mm
Price: 530.00

The ZE-310 has safe handling however it has high rolling resistance and average comfort.

Dry98.2%

Wet95.4%

Comfort97.2%

Rolling Resistance64.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (7)

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 / 10	123 ft	+4 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	4^th / 10	61.8 s	+0.30 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	8^th / 10	161 ft	+8 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	7^th / 10	92.4 s	+4.60 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	3^rd / 10	49.3 mph	-0.8 mph
NoiseLower is better	6^th / 10	72 dB	+2.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	10^th / 10	9.31 kg/t	+3.27 kg/t

EU Label: C/A/69
Weight: 10.6 kgs
Tread: 7.6 mm
Price: 400.00

The BF Goodrich Advantage struggled in the wet to finish in 9th place.

Dry98.2%

Wet95%

Comfort97.2%

Rolling Resistance72.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (7)

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 / 10	122 ft	+3 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	9^th / 10	62.2 s	+0.70 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	5^th / 10	155 ft	+2 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	9^th / 10	94.5 s	+6.70 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	9^th / 10	45.7 mph	-4.4 mph
NoiseLower is better	6^th / 10	72 dB	+2.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	6^th / 10	8.36 kg/t	+2.32 kg/t

EU Label: E/A/70
Weight: 10 kgs
Tread: 6.9 mm
Price: 450.00

Bottom in the wet, lacking grip when it matters. The Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE-51 is better in the dry, although there is no connection to the road and the rolling resistance is too high.

Dry96.8%

Wet91.5%

Comfort98.6%

Rolling Resistance82%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (7)

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 / 10	125 ft	+6 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	10^th / 10	62.6 s	+1.10 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	9^th / 10	164 ft	+11 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	10^th / 10	97.6 s	+9.80 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	8^th / 10	46.2 mph	-3.9 mph
NoiseLower is better	3^rd / 10	71 dB	+1.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	5^th / 10	7.37 kg/t	+1.33 kg/t

EU Label: B/A/71
Weight: 10.4 kgs
Tread: 7.6 mm
Price: 480.00

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The evidence behind the verdict

Test setup & methodology

Recorded test conditions

Dry

Wet

Environment

Results

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