The 2023 Auto Zeitung Performance Summer Tire Test included nine of the very best UHP summer tires in the popular 235/35 R19 tire size, and also included the Michelin CrossClimate 2 all season / all weather tire so show us how one of the best all season tires compared to some of the best summer tires. The test car was a 280bhp Ford Focus ST which will give the summer tires a good stress test, let alone the all seasons!
The Continental SportContact 7 and Bridgestone Potenza Sport led the way in wet braking, with a small gap to the third placed Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
The magazine noted the overall group was very close with the worst summer tire 7.1 meters behind the best... which actually sounds like quite a gap, and the CrossClimate 2 was another half meter behind the best summer tire. We know from all season tests the CrossClimate 2 isn't the best all season tire in the wet, so it's fair to assume an all season tire with higher wet grip could have jumped the Giti.
Wet Braking
Spread: 9.10 M (23.9%)|Avg: 41.60 M
Wet braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
38.10 M
Continental SportContact 7
38.10 M
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
39.60 M
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
39.90 M
Falken Azenis FK520
40.10 M
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
40.60 M
Kumho Ecsta PS91
42.00 M
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
43.80 M
Giti GitiSportS2
46.60 M
Michelin CrossClimate 2
47.20 M
Wet handling had the Bridgestone back at the top, narrowly beating the Pirelli by just 0.2 seconds. Michelin, Goodyear and Kumho were next in line with the all season tire again at the back.
Wet Handling
Spread: 5.40 s (8.1%)|Avg: 68.79 s
Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
66.50 s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
66.70 s
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
67.90 s
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
68.40 s
Kumho Ecsta PS91
68.80 s
Falken Azenis FK520
68.90 s
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
69.20 s
Continental SportContact 7
69.20 s
Giti GitiSportS2
70.40 s
Michelin CrossClimate 2
71.90 s
The all season tire again struggled during the aquaplaning tests, with the Giti the best of the summer tires.
Straight Aqua
Spread: 7.40 Km/H (8.9%)|Avg: 79.41 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
Giti GitiSportS2
83.30 Km/H
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
80.90 Km/H
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
80.30 Km/H
Kumho Ecsta PS91
79.80 Km/H
Continental SportContact 7
79.40 Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
79.30 Km/H
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
79.30 Km/H
Falken Azenis FK520
78.80 Km/H
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
77.10 Km/H
Michelin CrossClimate 2
75.90 Km/H
Dry
Continental were back at the front for dry braking with the Falken Azenis FK520 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tied for second place. The CrossClimate 2, which IS the best all season tire in dry braking, again couldn't match any of the summer tires.
Dry Braking
Spread: 4.10 M (13%)|Avg: 33.32 M
Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Continental SportContact 7
31.60 M
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
32.50 M
Falken Azenis FK520
32.50 M
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
32.60 M
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
32.70 M
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
33.00 M
Kumho Ecsta PS91
33.40 M
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
33.80 M
Giti GitiSportS2
35.40 M
Michelin CrossClimate 2
35.70 M
The Potenza Sport was back in the lead for dry handling, with the Continental again close behind.
Dry Handling
Spread: 4.20 s (4.3%)|Avg: 100.11 s
Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
98.40 s
Continental SportContact 7
98.50 s
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
99.10 s
Falken Azenis FK520
99.40 s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
100.10 s
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
100.10 s
Kumho Ecsta PS91
100.80 s
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
101.00 s
Giti GitiSportS2
101.10 s
Michelin CrossClimate 2
102.60 s
Environment
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 was the quietest tire of the group, with the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 posting a rather high external noise figure.
Noise
Spread: 5.00 dB (7.5%)|Avg: 69.60 dB
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
67.00 dB
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
68.00 dB
Giti GitiSportS2
69.00 dB
Continental SportContact 7
69.00 dB
Falken Azenis FK520
69.00 dB
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
70.00 dB
Michelin CrossClimate 2
70.00 dB
Kumho Ecsta PS91
71.00 dB
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
71.00 dB
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
72.00 dB
The CrossClimate 2 had a huge advantage during the rolling resistance test, with the Giti GitiSportS2 the best of the summer tires, 12% off the all season tire.
Rolling Resistance
Spread: 2.27 kg / t (31.5%)|Avg: 8.59 kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
Michelin CrossClimate 2
7.20 kg / t
Giti GitiSportS2
8.12 kg / t
Continental SportContact 7
8.26 kg / t
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
8.37 kg / t
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
8.39 kg / t
Falken Azenis FK520
8.48 kg / t
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
8.81 kg / t
Kumho Ecsta PS91
9.29 kg / t
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
9.46 kg / t
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.47 kg / t
19,000 km
£1.45/L
8.0 L/100km
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Annual Difference
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Lifetime Savings
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Extra Fuel/Energy
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Extra CO2
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.
There was a significant premium for the all season tire in the purchase prices.
The new Continental SportContact 7 wins with balanced properties that very convincingly solve the balancing act between sportiness and efficiency. Safe when wet.
Outstanding on wet roads, great performance in the dry - this is how the Bridgestone Potenza Sport brought the test win. Slightly more expensive than the Conti with the same points and worse in terms of rolling resistance.
Second place for the current, sixth generation of the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric, which shines as a dynamic all-rounder with remarkable driving comfort. Not a pure racer, but very harmonious.
Once again the Pirelli P Zero, this time in the PZ4 S.C. version, can establish itself at the forefront with its dynamic talents and its meticulously balanced steering characteristics. Level on points with Goodyear.
In the end, the new Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is only missing a single point for second place. He only performs worse in aquaplaning than the tire before him. Low rolling resistance, but high price level.
The price-performance tip: Falken Azenis FK520. Although no longer fresh as a dew, the fairly priced tire remains within striking distance of the top products in the dry and masters the wet without any problems.
The Nexen N'Fera Sport SU2 doesn't set any highlights, but it delivers decent results and shows no major weaknesses. That's not enough for a good placement, but considering the price it's ok.
The Kumho Ecsta PS91 SC doesn't do anything wrong, but it's no longer up to date - a successor is in the works. Currently, however, the low price is the strongest argument for this tire.
Best in aquaplaning, low rolling resistance. But those who opt for the Giti Sport S2 have to accept compromises in wet performance. The latest update is said to offer noticeably more grip.
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 gets the fewest points. But a direct comparison with UHP summer pros would be unfair, so no placement. But: It is fast, very economical and suitable for winter!
Hey guys, I wanna buy tires for my crossover (255/45/R20) and have three options: Nexen nfera Supreme (N5000 Platinum) : $175 each, Nankang SP-9 Cross-Sport : $115, Giti Sport S2 SUV :$125 I can’t decide which one should I go with, as comfort and smooth driving is the number one priority for me.
In your opinion, at a ford focus 2019 st line with 155 ps, you will notice the performance difference if you put michelin crossclimate 2 tires instead of for example a Continental SportContact 7?
I am asking about a subjective score, because I am thinking if it is worth having all season tires for just 10 times a year that I go skiing. I like driving fast as well (I dont do track days).
Is there an all season tire for my case? Sportly handling (ok, I have just 155 ps, I dont drive a lamborghini) with as little as possible snow performance. Out of 10 times that I go skiing, maybe 1 of them it is required to put snow chains.
How big the compromise (of the sport performance) will be with an all season tire? (Again, subjectively)
My new (less than 300 miles) Michelin Crossclimate2 235/55R18 100V tire on my 2014 RAV-4 tire split between the treads and went flat. It could not have been repaired and I had to buy a new one. Is this common for this tire? Costco replaced it but charged me $69 to replace it. Are there any reports of similar tires failures? I did not pick up a nail or run over a sharp object. I am a senior and drive conservatively.
Ambient temperature would have been interesting in respect of inclusion of the CC2. I use CC2 in this size as winter tires in UK and find traction levels are much higher than PZ4 summer tires at temps below 10C especially when also wet
It's quite hard to do. Most tracks aim for just under 1mm consistent, but over time things wear and change and some tracks end up with deeper parts that upset some tires more than others.
Hey guys, I wanna buy tires for my crossover (255/45/R20) and have three options:
Nexen nfera Supreme (N5000 Platinum) : $175 each,
Nankang SP-9 Cross-Sport : $115,
Giti Sport S2 SUV :$125
I can’t decide which one should I go with, as comfort and smooth driving is the number one priority for me.
In your opinion, at a ford focus 2019 st line with 155 ps, you will notice the performance difference if you put michelin crossclimate 2 tires instead of for example a Continental SportContact 7?
I am asking about a subjective score, because I am thinking if it is worth having all season tires for just 10 times a year that I go skiing. I like driving fast as well (I dont do track days).
PS. Now I am in Continental SportContact 5.
Yes for sure you would.
Is there an all season tire for my case? Sportly handling (ok, I have just 155 ps, I dont drive a lamborghini) with as little as possible snow performance. Out of 10 times that I go skiing, maybe 1 of them it is required to put snow chains.
How big the compromise (of the sport performance) will be with an all season tire? (Again, subjectively)
My new (less than 300 miles) Michelin Crossclimate2 235/55R18 100V tire on my 2014 RAV-4 tire split between the treads and went flat. It could not have been repaired and I had to buy a new one. Is this common for this tire? Costco replaced it but charged me $69 to replace it. Are there any reports of similar tires failures? I did not pick up a nail or run over a sharp object. I am a senior and drive conservatively.
Got any pictures so I can see what you mean? I've never heard of that with a CrossClimate product. Very strange.
Ambient temperature would have been interesting in respect of inclusion of the CC2. I use CC2 in this size as winter tires in UK and find traction levels are much higher than PZ4 summer tires at temps below 10C especially when also wet
SC7's wet handling score is a bit of a surprise.
Agreed. I wonder if the PG had a high level of water on wet handling, the SC7 generally has quite low starting tread depth.
Yes. I do will testers would stipulate water depth to make it easier to distinguish pattern sensitive situations from merely compound sensitive ones.
It's quite hard to do. Most tracks aim for just under 1mm consistent, but over time things wear and change and some tracks end up with deeper parts that upset some tires more than others.
Noted; but more could be done re advice, even if with caveats. I look forward to reform with Tire Reviews' tests :-)