The 2024 AZ Summer Tire Test evaluated nine premium touring summer tires, providing a detailed analysis of their performance in various conditions, including dry and wet braking, handling, noise level, and rolling resistance. The Continental PremiumContact 7 stood out with top marks in most categories, followed closely by other brands like Pirelli and Hankook.

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

Dry

The Continental PremiumContact 7 led the way in dry braking, with the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 in close second.

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Continental PremiumContact 7	108 ft	Best	0 mph
2Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2	108 ft	0 ft	4 mph
3Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	109 ft	+1 ft	9 mph
4Michelin Primacy 4+	110 ft	+2 ft	12 mph
5Vredestein Ultrac	111 ft	+3 ft	12 mph
6Maxxis Premitra HP5	112 ft	+4 ft	16 mph
6Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN	112 ft	+4 ft	16 mph
8Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	113 ft	+5 ft	16 mph
9Bridgestone Turanza 6	114 ft	+6 ft	19 mph

The difference between best and worst was 5.8% (6 ft ≈ 0.4 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 would still be travelling at 19 mph when the Continental PremiumContact 7 had stopped.

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

The Continental and Pirelli combination also led dry handling, proving their the best in the dry.

Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental PremiumContact 7	75.3 s	Best
2Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2	75.6 s	+0.30 s
3Vredestein Ultrac	75.7 s	+0.40 s
4Maxxis Premitra HP5	76 s	+0.70 s
5Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	76.4 s	+1.10 s
5Michelin Primacy 4+	76.4 s	+1.10 s
7Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	76.5 s	+1.20 s
8Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN	76.6 s	+1.30 s
9Bridgestone Turanza 6	76.8 s	+1.50 s

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

Wet

Continental was back at the front in wet braking, with a significant advantage over the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 in second place.

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Continental PremiumContact 7	130 ft	Best	0 mph
2Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	134 ft	+4 ft	15 mph
3Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2	137 ft	+7 ft	19 mph
4Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN	141 ft	+11 ft	23 mph
5Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	142 ft	+12 ft	23 mph
5Bridgestone Turanza 6	142 ft	+12 ft	23 mph
7Maxxis Premitra HP5	142 ft	+12 ft	24 mph
8Vredestein Ultrac	145 ft	+15 ft	26 mph
9Michelin Primacy 4+	146 ft	+16 ft	27 mph

The difference between best and worst was 12.9% (16 ft ≈ 1.1 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Michelin Primacy 4+ would still be travelling at 27 mph when the Continental PremiumContact 7 had stopped.

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

In a surprising turn of events, the PremiumContact 7 was also the fastest in wet handling, and the wet circle test.

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental PremiumContact 7	77.7 s	Best
2Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	78 s	+0.30 s
3Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2	78.2 s	+0.50 s
4Vredestein Ultrac	78.4 s	+0.70 s
5Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN	78.8 s	+1.10 s
6Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	79.2 s	+1.50 s
7Maxxis Premitra HP5	80.6 s	+2.90 s
7Bridgestone Turanza 6	80.6 s	+2.90 s
9Michelin Primacy 4+	80.8 s	+3.10 s

The difference between best and worst was 4% (3.1 s).

Wet Circle

Wet Circle
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental PremiumContact 7	11.7 s	Best
2Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN	11.8 s	+0.10 s
3Vredestein Ultrac	11.9 s	+0.20 s
3Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	11.9 s	+0.20 s
3Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	11.9 s	+0.20 s
3Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2	11.9 s	+0.20 s
7Maxxis Premitra HP5	12.1 s	+0.40 s
8Bridgestone Turanza 6	12.2 s	+0.50 s
9Michelin Primacy 4+	12.4 s	+0.70 s

The difference between best and worst was 6% (0.7 s).

The Continental had to settle for third place in the deeper water of straight aquaplaning, with the Firestone Roadhawk 2 and Maxxis Premitra HP5 beating the German tire.

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN	52.3 mph	Best
2Maxxis Premitra HP5	51.7 mph	-0.6 mph
3Continental PremiumContact 7	51.1 mph	-1.2 mph
4Michelin Primacy 4+	50.9 mph	-1.4 mph
5Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2	50.6 mph	-1.7 mph
6Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	49.3 mph	-3.0 mph
7Vredestein Ultrac	49.3 mph	-3.0 mph
8Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	49.2 mph	-3.1 mph
9Bridgestone Turanza 6	48.8 mph	-3.5 mph

The difference between best and worst was 6.7% (3.5 mph).

Comfort

The Hankook was also the quietest in the noise test, tying the top spot with Michelin.

Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	70 dB	Best
1Michelin Primacy 4+	70 dB	Best
3Vredestein Ultrac	71 dB	+1.00 dB
3Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	71 dB	+1.00 dB
3Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2	71 dB	+1.00 dB
3Bridgestone Turanza 6	71 dB	+1.00 dB
7Continental PremiumContact 7	72 dB	+2.00 dB
7Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN	72 dB	+2.00 dB
9Maxxis Premitra HP5	73 dB	+3.00 dB

The difference between best and worst was 4.3% (3 dB).

Value

The Michelin Primacy 4+ also joint won the rolling resistance test, tying top spot with the Bridgestone Turanza 6.

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
1Michelin Primacy 4+	7.6 kg/t	Best	$0
1Bridgestone Turanza 6	7.6 kg/t	Best	$0
3Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN	7.8 kg/t	+0.20 kg/t	$8
4Vredestein Ultrac	7.9 kg/t	+0.30 kg/t	$12
5Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2	8.2 kg/t	+0.60 kg/t	$23
6Continental PremiumContact 7	8.6 kg/t	+1.00 kg/t	$39
7Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3	8.7 kg/t	+1.10 kg/t	$43
8Maxxis Premitra HP5	8.8 kg/t	+1.20 kg/t	$46
9Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun	8.9 kg/t	+1.30 kg/t	$50

The difference between best and worst was 17.1% (1.3 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun uses about 14 gal ($50) more fuel than the Michelin Primacy 4+.

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 Continental PremiumContact 7 is a true all-rounder, delivering exceptional performance on both wet and dry surfaces. It reacts quickly to driver input and provides a thrilling driving experience, though it might not be the top choice for drivers who prioritize maximizing fuel savings.

Dry100%

Wet99.7%

Comfort97.2%

Rolling Resistance88.4%

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	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	1^st / 9	108 ft	Best in this discipline
Dry HandlingLower is better	1^st / 9	75.3 s	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	1^st / 9	130 ft	Best in this discipline
Wet HandlingLower is better	1^st / 9	77.7 s	Best in this discipline
Wet CircleLower is better	1^st / 9	11.7 s	Best in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better	3^rd / 9	51.1 mph	-1.2 mph
NoiseLower is better	7^th / 9	72 dB	+2.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	6^th / 9	8.6 kg/t	+1.00 kg/t

EU Label: C/A/72
Weight: 9.38 kgs

The Pirelli P7 Cinturato is designed for those who enjoy a more spirited driving experience. It offers precise steering, excellent grip, and a sporty feel, though its focus on performance means slightly reduced comfort and average fuel efficiency.

Dry99.7%

Wet97.2%

Comfort98.6%

Rolling Resistance92.7%

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	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 9	108 ft	0 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 9	75.6 s	+0.30 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 9	137 ft	+7 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 9	78.2 s	+0.50 s
Wet CircleLower is better	3^rd / 9	11.9 s	+0.20 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	5^th / 9	50.6 mph	-1.7 mph
NoiseLower is better	3^rd / 9	71 dB	+1.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	5^th / 9	8.2 kg/t	+0.60 kg/t

EU Label: B/A/70
Weight: 8.94 kgs

The Hankook Ventus S1 evo³ offers a comfortable and quiet ride with good handling characteristics, making it a balanced choice with a slightly sportier feel. While it performs well overall, it's not the best choice if fuel economy is your main concern.

Dry98.6%

Wet97.7%

Comfort100%

Rolling Resistance87.4%

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	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 9	109 ft	+1 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	7^th / 9	76.5 s	+1.20 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 9	134 ft	+4 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 9	78 s	+0.30 s
Wet CircleLower is better	3^rd / 9	11.9 s	+0.20 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	6^th / 9	49.3 mph	-3.0 mph
NoiseLower is better	1^st / 9	70 dB	Best in this discipline
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	7^th / 9	8.7 kg/t	+1.10 kg/t

EU Label: C/A/72
Weight: 9.84 kgs

The Vredestein Ultrac focuses on providing a balanced driving experience with a strong emphasis on safety. It offers good grip levels in both dry and wet conditions, along with a comfortable ride and good fuel economy. Its one drawback is a slightly longer braking distance in the wet compared to some rivals.

Dry98.6%

Wet95.5%

Comfort98.6%

Rolling Resistance96.2%

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	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	5^th / 9	111 ft	+3 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 9	75.7 s	+0.40 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	8^th / 9	145 ft	+15 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	4^th / 9	78.4 s	+0.70 s
Wet CircleLower is better	3^rd / 9	11.9 s	+0.20 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	7^th / 9	49.3 mph	-3.0 mph
NoiseLower is better	3^rd / 9	71 dB	+1.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	4^th / 9	7.9 kg/t	+0.30 kg/t

EU Label: C/A/69
Weight: 8.96 kgs

The Firestone Roadhawk 2 is a value-oriented tire with a focus on balanced performance. It delivers a good all-around driving experience and stands out for its excellent fuel efficiency, but doesn't have any specific areas where it truly excels.

Dry97.3%

Wet96.9%

Comfort97.2%

Rolling Resistance97.4%

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	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	6^th / 9	112 ft	+4 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	8^th / 9	76.6 s	+1.30 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	4^th / 9	141 ft	+11 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	5^th / 9	78.8 s	+1.10 s
Wet CircleLower is better	2^nd / 9	11.8 s	+0.10 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	1^st / 9	52.3 mph	Best in this discipline
NoiseLower is better	7^th / 9	72 dB	+2.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	3^rd / 9	7.8 kg/t	+0.20 kg/t

EU Label: B/A/71
Weight: 9.14 kgs

The Falken ZIEX ZE310 Ecorun is a decent tire for everyday driving, offering a comfortable ride and reasonable performance in both wet and dry conditions. However, this older model suffers from high rolling resistance, meaning it will use more fuel than its competitors.

Dry97.2%

Wet95.7%

Comfort98.6%

Rolling Resistance85.4%

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	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	8^th / 9	113 ft	+5 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	5^th / 9	76.4 s	+1.10 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	5^th / 9	142 ft	+12 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	6^th / 9	79.2 s	+1.50 s
Wet CircleLower is better	3^rd / 9	11.9 s	+0.20 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	8^th / 9	49.2 mph	-3.1 mph
NoiseLower is better	3^rd / 9	71 dB	+1.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	9^th / 9	8.9 kg/t	+1.30 kg/t

EU Label: D/A/69
Weight: 9.78 kgs

The Michelin Primacy 4+ prioritizes comfort and fuel efficiency above all else. It provides an exceptionally quiet and smooth ride while helping you save on fuel, but its wet braking performance isn't the best and it lacks the sporty handling of some competitors.

Dry98.2%

Wet93.6%

Comfort100%

Rolling Resistance100%

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	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	4^th / 9	110 ft	+2 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	5^th / 9	76.4 s	+1.10 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	9^th / 9	146 ft	+16 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	9^th / 9	80.8 s	+3.10 s
Wet CircleLower is better	9^th / 9	12.4 s	+0.70 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	4^th / 9	50.9 mph	-1.4 mph
NoiseLower is better	1^st / 9	70 dB	Best in this discipline
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	1^st / 9	7.6 kg/t	Best in this discipline

EU Label: C/A/70
Weight: 9.02 kgs

The Maxxis Premitra 5 is a budget-friendly option that delivers acceptable grip and overall performance. However, its high rolling resistance negatively impacts fuel economy, and it tends to be noisy on the road.

Dry97.6%

Wet95.3%

Comfort95.9%

Rolling Resistance86.4%

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	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	6^th / 9	112 ft	+4 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	4^th / 9	76 s	+0.70 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	7^th / 9	142 ft	+12 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	7^th / 9	80.6 s	+2.90 s
Wet CircleLower is better	7^th / 9	12.1 s	+0.40 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	2^nd / 9	51.7 mph	-0.6 mph
NoiseLower is better	9^th / 9	73 dB	+3.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	8^th / 9	8.8 kg/t	+1.20 kg/t

EU Label: C/A/70
Weight: 8.96 kgs

The Bridgestone Turanza 6 prioritizes fuel efficiency and a comfortable ride. It offers a quiet driving experience, however, its grip in wet conditions is only average.

Dry96.3%

Wet94.4%

Comfort98.6%

Rolling Resistance100%

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	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	9^th / 9	114 ft	+6 ft
Dry HandlingLower is better	9^th / 9	76.8 s	+1.50 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	5^th / 9	142 ft	+12 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	7^th / 9	80.6 s	+2.90 s
Wet CircleLower is better	8^th / 9	12.2 s	+0.50 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	9^th / 9	48.8 mph	-3.5 mph
NoiseLower is better	3^rd / 9	71 dB	+1.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	1^st / 9	7.6 kg/t	Best in this discipline

EU Label: B/A/70
Weight: 9.26 kgs

Discussion

2 comments

Lorenzo Mar 20, 2024 archived

When Conti will commercialise the 215/45R17 CPC7? I'm waiting for it

#9419
1. TireReviews Lorenzo Mar 26, 2024 archived
  
  I would hope so! You can always check https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/... to see if it's been through the EUs testing.
  
  #9438

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The evidence behind the verdict

Test setup & methodology

Recorded test conditions

Dry

Wet

Comfort

Value

Results

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