2022 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tire Test - Tire reviews and ratings

Tire	Bridgestone Potenza Sport	Continental SportContact 7	Nankang AR 1	Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129	Michelin Pilot Sport 4	Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R	Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect	Pirelli P Zero PZ4	Falken Azenis FK510
Position	Joint 1^st	Joint 1^st	Joint 1^st	Joint 2^nd	Joint 2^nd	Joint 2^nd	Joint 3^rd	Joint 3^rd	Joint 3^rd	4^th
Category scores (% of best)
Dry	96.2%	99.4%	99.6%	95.5%	96.2%	96.5%	95.5%	96.3%	96.8%	94.9%
Wet	97.2%	97.9%	76.1%	93.4%	95.4%	83.9%	93.2%	88.6%	94.2%	94.5%
Comfort	96.5%	99.6%	97.6%	99.7%	99.1%	97.8%	98.7%	99.6%	100%	99.6%
Rolling Resistance	84.9%	100%	84%	88.4%	98.8%	82.4%	85.7%	89.4%	85.7%	85.7%
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For summer 2022, Sport Auto tested four sets of UHP tires, three sets of UUHP and three semi set of slick track day tires, all in the popular 235/35 R19 size! This is of course very interesting, and in parts a little confusing!

As the Tire Reviews database doesn't yet have the ability to deal with different types of tires in the same test gracefully, we'll run over the results below before presenting all the data.

UHP

Sport Auto classify the new Continental SportContact 7 as a UHP tire, not a UUHP tire, putting it against the Michelin Pilot Sport 4, not the 4S (which was also missing from this test.) After testing the SportContact 7 in our own UUHP test we're not sure we agree with the category, but we do agree with the result - the Continental SportContact 7 convincingly won the category with a huge advantage in wet braking, but also leading the way in dry braking and dry handling. The SportContact 7 was almost as fast around the handling track as the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2... further evidence it might be more suited to the UUHP category!

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 placed second, with Sport Auto finding it to have direct and precise steering in the dry, not something we've found before, and Pirelli and Falken rounded out the group with the P Zero PZ4 and FK510.

UUHP

The UUHP category was led by the Bridgestone Potenza Sport, with the tester noting the tires felt great but needed a lot of temperature to warm up, something we have noticed in our own testing! The new Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z placed second with low noise and good wet handling, and the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport finished in third place, with Sport Auto saying the car and tire combination didn't work well.

Track

Nankang AR-1 won the track group on points, but looking at the data the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R (N rated) was the star of dry handling, which is where you want a track tire to excel! The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect couldn't match the other two in dry grip, but did have a significant advantage in the wet, highlighting that this is a track tire with more usability in the real world.

Dry

Continental led the group in dry braking, with the Nankang AR-1 scoring surprisingly well! We can only assume the tires got a little heat into them during braking, even if the other track tires finished in the last two places.

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result
1Continental SportContact 7	100 %
2Nankang AR 1	99 %
3Pirelli P Zero PZ4	97 %
4Michelin Pilot Sport 4	96 %
5Falken Azenis FK510	96 %
6Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	94 %
7Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129	94 %
7Bridgestone Potenza Sport	94 %
9Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect	94 %
10Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R	93 %

The difference between best and worst was 7%.

Fortunately for the track tires, dry handling does add a lot of temperature, and Sport Auto adjusted the pressures to 2.4/2.0 bar once hot. Sadly they give their lap data in average speed, not time, however it was written in the article that the track tires were on average three seconds a lap faster than the average UUHP tire. This was tested at Michelins proving ground in France, which means it would be approximately a 70 second lap in the Hyundia I30N test vehicle.

Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result
1Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R	100 %
2Nankang AR 1	100 %
3Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect	99 %
4Continental SportContact 7	99 %
5Bridgestone Potenza Sport	99 %
6Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129	97 %
7Pirelli P Zero PZ4	97 %
8Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	97 %
9Michelin Pilot Sport 4	96 %
10Falken Azenis FK510	94 %

The difference between best and worst was 6%.

Wet

Continental once again led wet braking, with the UHP Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Falken FK510, and UUHP Bridgestone Potenza Sport the next group of tires.

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result
1Continental SportContact 7	100 %
2Michelin Pilot Sport 4	92 %
3Falken Azenis FK510	91 %
4Bridgestone Potenza Sport	90 %
5Pirelli P Zero PZ4	85 %
6Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	82 %
7Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129	81 %
8Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect	73 %
9Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R	69 %
10Nankang AR 1	67 %

The difference between best and worst was 33%.

Bridgestone was fastest in wet handling, narrowly beating the UHP Pirelli P Zero. Unsurprisingly the track tires struggled, with the Nankang AR1 having a lot of issues with aquaplaning.

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result
1Bridgestone Potenza Sport	100 %
2Pirelli P Zero PZ4	99 %
3Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129	98 %
4Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	97 %
4Continental SportContact 7	97 %
6Michelin Pilot Sport 4	97 %
7Falken Azenis FK510	97 %
8Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect	93 %
9Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R	89 %
10Nankang AR 1	78 %

The difference between best and worst was 22%.

Wet circle closely mirrored wet handling.

Wet Circle
Position / Tire	Result
1Bridgestone Potenza Sport	100 %
2Continental SportContact 7	99 %
3Pirelli P Zero PZ4	98 %
4Michelin Pilot Sport 4	97 %
4Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	97 %
6Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129	96 %
7Falken Azenis FK510	96 %
8Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect	94 %
9Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R	91 %
10Nankang AR 1	83 %

The difference between best and worst was 17%.

The two aquaplaning tests really highlighted how much the track tires struggled in deeper water.

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result
1Michelin Pilot Sport 4	100 %
2Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129	99 %
2Continental SportContact 7	99 %
4Falken Azenis FK510	99 %
5Bridgestone Potenza Sport	99 %
6Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	98 %
7Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect	94 %
8Pirelli P Zero PZ4	93 %
9Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R	87 %
10Nankang AR 1	78 %

The difference between best and worst was 22%.

Curved Aquaplaning
Position / Tire	Result
1Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129	100 %
2Bridgestone Potenza Sport	100 %
3Pirelli P Zero PZ4	96 %
3Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	96 %
3Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect	96 %
6Michelin Pilot Sport 4	91 %
6Falken Azenis FK510	91 %
6Continental SportContact 7	91 %
9Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R	87 %
10Nankang AR 1	74 %

The difference between best and worst was 26%.

Environment

Pirelli had the quietest tire on test.

Noise
Position / Tire	Result
1Pirelli P Zero PZ4	100 %
2Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129	100 %
3Falken Azenis FK510	100 %
3Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect	100 %
3Continental SportContact 7	100 %
6Michelin Pilot Sport 4	99 %
7Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	99 %
8Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R	98 %
9Nankang AR 1	98 %
10Bridgestone Potenza Sport	96 %

The difference between best and worst was 4%.

The Continental SportContact 7 proved you can be good in the wet AND have low rolling resistance, a blend of qualities that's usually difficult to achieve!

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tire	Result
1Continental SportContact 7	100 %
2Michelin Pilot Sport 4	99 %
3Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect	89 %
4Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129	88 %
5Falken Azenis FK510	86 %
5Pirelli P Zero PZ4	86 %
5Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport	86 %
8Bridgestone Potenza Sport	85 %
9Nankang AR 1	84 %
10Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R	82 %

The difference between best and worst was 18%.

The track tires were the most expensive on test, which given the lowest starting tread depth (see below) shows just how expensive track days can be!

Results

Reminder, the tires are grouped as UHP, UUHP and Track, meaning the actual results are:

UHP - Continental Sportcontact 7, Michelin Pilot Sport 4, Pirelli P Zero PZ4, Falken Azenis FK510

UUHP - Bridgestone Potenza Sport, Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z, Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport

Track - Nankang AR-1, Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R (N0), Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (Connect)

Outstanding safety reserves in everyday life.

Dry99.4%

Wet97.9%

Comfort99.6%

Rolling Resistance100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (9)

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	1^st / 10	100%
Dry Handling	4^th / 10	98.74%
Wet Braking	1^st / 10	100%
Wet Handling	4^th / 10	97.44%
Wet Circle	2^nd / 10	98.5%
Straight Aqua	2^nd / 10	98.86%
Curved Aquaplaning	6^th / 10	91.3%
Noise	3^rd / 10	99.56%
Rolling Resistance	1^st / 10	100%

EU Label: C/A/72
Weight: 9.38 kgs
Tread: 6.5 mm
Price: 184.00

Precise and uncompromisingly sporty – only safe to drive when the tires are warm.

Dry96.2%

Wet97.2%

Comfort96.5%

Rolling Resistance84.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (9)

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	7^th / 10	93.84%
Dry Handling	5^th / 10	98.59%
Wet Braking	4^th / 10	90.16%
Wet Handling	1^st / 10	100%
Wet Circle	1^st / 10	100%
Straight Aqua	5^th / 10	98.57%
Curved Aquaplaning	2^nd / 10	99.57%
Noise	10^th / 10	96.45%
Rolling Resistance	8^th / 10	84.85%

EU Label: D/A/72
Weight: 10.11 kgs
Tread: 6.6 mm
Price: 200.00

The slick like Nankang AR-1 is top on track, but nothing for the street, and loud as hell.

Dry99.6%

Wet76.1%

Comfort97.6%

Rolling Resistance84%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (9)

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	2^nd / 10	99.41%
Dry Handling	2^nd / 10	99.7%
Wet Braking	10^th / 10	66.91%
Wet Handling	10^th / 10	78.44%
Wet Circle	10^th / 10	83.11%
Straight Aqua	10^th / 10	77.57%
Curved Aquaplaning	10^th / 10	73.91%
Noise	9^th / 10	97.56%
Rolling Resistance	9^th / 10	84%

EU Label: F/E/72
Weight: 11.35 kgs
Tread: 4.8 mm
Price: 230.00

Dry96.2%

Wet95.4%

Comfort99.1%

Rolling Resistance98.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (9)

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	4^th / 10	96.26%
Dry Handling	9^th / 10	96.15%
Wet Braking	2^nd / 10	91.67%
Wet Handling	6^th / 10	97.33%
Wet Circle	4^th / 10	97%
Straight Aqua	1^st / 10	100%
Curved Aquaplaning	6^th / 10	91.3%
Noise	6^th / 10	99.12%
Rolling Resistance	2^nd / 10	98.82%

EU Label: C/A/71
Weight: 10.43 kgs
Tread: 6.1 mm
Price: 212.00

Inexpensive everyday athlete with only small deficits.

Dry95.5%

Wet93.4%

Comfort99.7%

Rolling Resistance88.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (9)

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	7^th / 10	93.84%
Dry Handling	6^th / 10	97.19%
Wet Braking	7^th / 10	80.88%
Wet Handling	3^rd / 10	97.67%
Wet Circle	6^th / 10	96.46%
Straight Aqua	2^nd / 10	98.86%
Curved Aquaplaning	1^st / 10	100%
Noise	2^nd / 10	99.71%
Rolling Resistance	4^th / 10	88.42%

EU Label: D/A/72
Weight: 9.95 kgs
Tread: 7 mm
Price: 182.00

The Porsche OE is a perfect match for the Hyundai test vehicle.

Dry96.5%

Wet83.9%

Comfort97.8%

Rolling Resistance82.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (9)

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	10^th / 10	93.06%
Dry Handling	1^st / 10	100%
Wet Braking	9^th / 10	68.75%
Wet Handling	9^th / 10	89.33%
Wet Circle	9^th / 10	90.87%
Straight Aqua	9^th / 10	87%
Curved Aquaplaning	9^th / 10	86.96%
Noise	8^th / 10	97.84%
Rolling Resistance	10^th / 10	82.35%

EU Label: D/B/71
Weight: 9.65 kgs
Tread: 5 mm
Price: 240.00

Dry96.8%

Wet94.2%

Comfort100%

Rolling Resistance85.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (9)

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	3^rd / 10	96.82%
Dry Handling	7^th / 10	96.74%
Wet Braking	5^th / 10	84.88%
Wet Handling	2^nd / 10	99.33%
Wet Circle	3^rd / 10	98.09%
Straight Aqua	8^th / 10	93.43%
Curved Aquaplaning	3^rd / 10	95.65%
Noise	1^st / 10	100%
Rolling Resistance	5^th / 10	85.71%

EU Label: C/A/71
Weight: 10.37 kgs
Tread: 7.5 mm
Price: 202.00

Dry95.5%

Wet93.2%

Comfort98.7%

Rolling Resistance85.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (9)

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	6^th / 10	94.37%
Dry Handling	8^th / 10	96.59%
Wet Braking	6^th / 10	82.09%
Wet Handling	4^th / 10	97.44%
Wet Circle	4^th / 10	97%
Straight Aqua	6^th / 10	98.14%
Curved Aquaplaning	3^rd / 10	95.65%
Noise	7^th / 10	98.69%
Rolling Resistance	5^th / 10	85.71%

EU Label: D/A/72
Weight: 9.99 kgs
Tread: 7.1 mm
Price: 191.00

Easily manageable track tires.

Dry96.3%

Wet88.6%

Comfort99.6%

Rolling Resistance89.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (9)

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	9^th / 10	93.58%
Dry Handling	3^rd / 10	99.04%
Wet Braking	8^th / 10	73.33%
Wet Handling	8^th / 10	92.67%
Wet Circle	8^th / 10	94.41%
Straight Aqua	7^th / 10	94.29%
Curved Aquaplaning	3^rd / 10	95.65%
Noise	3^rd / 10	99.56%
Rolling Resistance	3^rd / 10	89.36%

EU Label: D/C/70
Weight: 10.43 kgs
Tread: 5.3 mm
Price: 284.00

Dry94.9%

Wet94.5%

Comfort99.6%

Rolling Resistance85.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (9)

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	5^th / 10	95.71%
Dry Handling	10^th / 10	94%
Wet Braking	3^rd / 10	90.76%
Wet Handling	7^th / 10	96.56%
Wet Circle	7^th / 10	95.78%
Straight Aqua	4^th / 10	98.71%
Curved Aquaplaning	6^th / 10	91.3%
Noise	3^rd / 10	99.56%
Rolling Resistance	5^th / 10	85.71%

EU Label: D/A/71
Weight: 10.76 kgs
Tread: 7.4 mm
Price: 139.00

Discussion

7 comments

Mourgos Apr 25, 2023 archived

I run one year now my i30N with Conti7.
Absolutely satisfied, immediate warm up, and responsive until last km that I changed them, after 10.000km.
Probably the best tire I have tested and I have tested many of them. Great vfm also

#8885
1. Mourgos Mourgos Apr 25, 2023 archived
  
  With Potenza, they went off, after less than 4.000km without track driving of course
  
  #8886
  1. TireReviews Mourgos Apr 25, 2023 archived
    
    Glad you like them :) Get your review on the site so others see it :D https://www.tyrereviews.com...
    
    #8887
930 Engineering Apr 15, 2022 archived

The Michelin PS5 is a UHP, the Conti SC7 is a UUHP. The PS5 certainly isn't something you want to drive (and perhaps destroy) on a track. Unfortunately Conti refuses to sell their excellent SC7 in 18" sizes. It would have been my choices otherwise. Considering today's very poor condition roads 17" or 18" is the way to go on a hot hatch. Running 19" is nuts.

#7970
1. TireReviews 930 Engineering Apr 18, 2022 archived
  
  The PC6 is still an excellent choice in 18", I chose it for my VRS in the uk!
  
  #7981
RabzHimself Mar 10, 2022 archived

That Continental is just unreal! For a UHP it performs like a UUHP and would make an excellent rain tire when tracking a car. Coupled with the lowest rolling resistance and low tire noise, it's a truly remarkable product. I wonder how the Michelin PS5 will be in return?

#7872
1. TireReviews RabzHimself Mar 11, 2022 archived
  
  I'm still calling it a UUHP
  
  #7874

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