It's the second test for the new Pirelli P Zero PZ5, and the second win! This years Auto Express summer tire test has tested nine popular summer tires in 225/40 R18, with some rather interesting results.
As always we suggest you visit the Auto Express website on the link below for the full details, but here is our summary.

4 categories (9 tests)
Test Category | Best Performer | Worst Performer | Difference |
---|---|---|---|
Dry (2 tests) | |||
Dry Braking | ▲ Yokohama Advan Sport V107: 34 M | ▼ Ceat SportDrive: 38.3 M | 4.3 M (11.2%) |
Dry Handling | ▲ Pirelli P Zero PZ5: 82 s | ▼ Ceat SportDrive: 83.8 s | 1.8 s (2.1%) |
Wet (5 tests) | |||
Wet Braking | ▲ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 30 M | ▼ Ceat SportDrive: 36.8 M | 6.8 M (18.5%) |
Wet Handling | ▲ Pirelli P Zero PZ5: 90 s | ▼ Ceat SportDrive: 97.7 s | 7.7 s (7.9%) |
Wet Circle | ▲ Pirelli P Zero PZ5: 28 s | ▼ Ceat SportDrive: 28.7 s | 0.7 s (2.4%) |
Straight Aqua | ▲ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 88 Km/H | ▼ Ceat SportDrive: 81.3 Km/H | 6.7 Km/H (8.2%) |
Curved Aquaplaning | ▲ Hankook Ventus Evo: 0.85 m/sec2 | ▼ Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72: 0.7 m/sec2 | 0.2 m/sec2 (21.4%) |
Comfort (1 tests) | |||
Subj. Noise | ▲ Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72: 10 Points | ▼ Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6: 8.4 Points | 1.6 Points (19.0%) |
Value (1 tests) | |||
Rolling Resistance | ▲ Ceat SportDrive: 7 kg / t | ▼ Yokohama Advan Sport V107: 8.97 kg / t | 2.0 kg / t (22.0%) |
Perhaps the most interesting result of this test was the Continental SportContact 7, which usually performs well in the wet, struggling in the wet conditions of the test facility. I asked Continental to comment and they are as confused as I am, I'll update this article if I hear something else in the future.
As Auto Express do not provide raw data, instead percentages to the best in test, the data below is based on estimated 'bests'. The percentage difference between the tires is accurate, but the numbers are based on guessing the best in category. As scoring is done on percentages this doesn't affect the score weighting calculator on the results tab but I thought it was important to share.
Dry
Dry Braking
Dry Handling
Wet
Wet Braking
Wet Handling
Wet Circle
Straight Aqua
Curved Aquaplaning
Comfort
Subj. Noise
Value
Rolling Resistance
Results
1st: Pirelli P Zero PZ5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]()
|
The new Pirelli P Zero PZ5 impressed with three test wins—more than any other tire—including first place in both wet and dry handling. In the wet, it was agile, stable, and well-balanced, taking second in braking just 0.7m behind the leader, though its pace was greater than its feel suggested. Aquaplaning results were good but not class-leading. In the dry, it showed strong grip, throttle adjustability, and composure, matching the fastest lap time with Bridgestone and placing fourth in braking. Quiet and comfortable over rough asphalt, its only notable drawback was relatively high rolling resistance. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd: Bridgestone Potenza Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]()
|
The Bridgestone, last year’s winner in this size, takes second place this time but delivers a dramatic turnaround in wet braking, topping the field at 27.5m—nearly a metre ahead of its nearest rival. It added third in wet handling and solid aquaplaning results, though felt less confident in standing water. In the dry, it matched Pirelli for the fastest lap, showing strong grip, precise transitions, and excellent traction, with joint-second braking just under a metre off the best. Quiet and consistent, its main drawback is high rolling resistance, but its balanced performance secures a strong overall result. Read Reviews Buy from £229.99 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Hankook Ventus Evo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]()
|
The new Hankook impressed with consistently strong wet-weather performance, earning third overall despite no outright wins. It was within a metre of the leader in wet braking and excelled on the wet handling circuit, combining grip, braking, traction, and composure for a lap just 0.2 seconds off the best. It also claimed second in both aquaplaning tests. Dry results were less competitive, with sixth in braking and seventh in handling, lacking the grip and precision of the leaders. Refinement was a highlight, with low cabin noise and good bump absorption, though rolling resistance was only average. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]()
|
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 repeats its fourth-place finish from last year, again showing standout aquaplaning ability with wins in both tests. It took third in wet cornering and wet braking—within a metre of the leader—but was only joint-fifth in wet handling despite feeling composed, grippy, and stable. Dry results were more modest, with seventh in both braking and handling, around 2.6m and several tenths off the best respectively, though it delivered a smooth, high-quality driving feel. While rather noisy in the cabin, it offered excellent fuel economy and a performance that felt stronger than the raw times suggested. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]()
|
The new Kumho made an impressive debut with strong wet and dry handling performances and excellent refinement, despite weaknesses in other areas. It struggled in wet braking, aquaplaning, and wet cornering, ranking eighth in each, yet delivered the fourth-fastest wet lap thanks to great traction, stability, and precise balance. In the dry, it again paired poor braking with strong handling, finishing joint-fourth, though it needed assertive steering and was noisy under pressure. It excelled in comfort, recording the lowest noise levels and absorbing bumps well, and offered strong economy with the second-lowest rolling resistance. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]()
|
The Goodyear, a previous triple test winner and close runner-up, delivered a solid but less dominant performance this time, with no outright wins. In the wet, it placed sixth in braking, fourth in cornering, and fifth in handling, showing good balance and composure when driven smoothly, and ranked third in straight-line aquaplaning. Dry results were similarly mid-pack, with average braking and sixth in handling, just 0.6 seconds off the best, offering precision and strong traction but lacking the sharpness of the top performers. High cabin noise and some harshness over ridges were drawbacks, though rolling resistance was competitive, making it a capable all-rounder in a tougher field. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7th: Yokohama Advan Sport V107 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]()
|
The new Yokohama Advan Sport V107 delivers a competitive showing among major European rivals, excelling more in dry conditions than wet. It topped dry braking with a class-leading 32.2m stop from 60mph and ranked joint-fourth in dry handling, feeling grippy and tidy if slightly demanding to drive at the limit. Wet performance was more mixed, with fifth in straight-line braking, equal-seventh in handling due to limited traction and stability, and mid-pack aquaplaning results. It offered low cabin noise but was louder over sharp bumps, and its high rolling resistance made it the least fuel-efficient tire tested. Overall, its performance was still within 2% of the best in the group. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8th: Continental SportContact 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]()
|
The Continental SportContact 7, last year’s third-place finisher in the 17-inch test, ranks eighth here despite being only 2% off the top performer. Its wet performance was the main weakness, placing seventh in straight-line braking—2.5m longer than the leader—eighth in wet handling, and mid-pack in aquaplaning. While traction was good, it felt unsettled over standing water and light at the rear in fast sweeps. In the dry, it excelled with joint-second braking and third in handling, showing superb grip, precision, and composure, though slightly off the fastest time. Noise levels were moderate, comfort was good, and rolling resistance was mid-range. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9th: Ceat SportDrive | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]()
|
The Ceat SportDrive, a newcomer to testing, delivered a mixed performance, showing particular weakness in the wet. It was last in nearly all objective tests, including straight-line wet braking, where it took over 6m longer to stop than the leader, and struggled for grip and traction on the wet handling circuit. The Golf GTI felt light and tentative on them, requiring gentle inputs to maintain balance. Dry performance was also lacking, with braking more than 4m behind the best and handling two seconds off the pace, though it could be guided onto the right line. It was refined, offered the lowest rolling resistance despite an unfavourable EU label, but was surprisingly one of the most expensive tires tested. Read Reviews |