2026 Netzwelt Mid Range Summer Tire Test

A new publication in Germany has started tire testing. It is Netzwelt , a German newspaper, and for their first summer tire test, they have tested six tires, one premium tire (the Continental PremiumContact 7), five mid-range products and one budget product.

Unfortunately, the data shared is limited to wet and dry braking- they have translated all the other results into a point system, which we don't database here, so we recommend using the link below to check out a full test in German. You can read the subjective comments below for each tire's overall position. 

Once again, Ling Long is rattling the premium manufacturers, finishing a close second but way cheaper than the Continental. We have seen in other tests that this low purchase price and good grip is balanced out with poor wear, so as a value proposition across the tire life, it doesn't always meet expectations but it's certainly showing that the Chinese manufacturers are catching up. 

Dry

Dry Braking

Wet

Wet Braking

Results

1^st

Continental PremiumContact 7

205/55 R16 91V

Netzwelt Test Winner Test Sieger

The Continental PremiumContact 7 is the test winner and the most expensive tire in the group. Grip is high on both wet and dry surfaces, with direct steering response and good feedback. The balance is neutral and the tire remains predictable at the limit. Braking performance leads the field on both surfaces. Aquaplaning resistance is average. Ride comfort is firm, with some harshness over larger expansion joints. Interior noise is low. Rolling resistance sits mid-pack, which is acceptable given the high grip levels.

Dry100%

Wet100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

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	1st / 6	115 ft	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	1st / 6	155 ft	Best in this discipline

Price

317.16

2^nd

Linglong Comfort Master

205/55 R16 91V

Netzwelt Great Value Pick Preis Tipp

The Linglong Comfort Master is the surprise of the test and the cheapest tire in the field. Braking performance is strong, finishing second behind the Continental on both surfaces. On wet roads the tire performs well, with good balance, direct turn-in and a neutral-to-understeer limit character. On dry roads it is weaker - steering response is slower, requiring larger inputs, and lateral grip is limited on the handling course. Rolling resistance is the worst in the test, around 13% higher than the best, equating to roughly 0.1-0.2 l/100km extra fuel consumption. Ride comfort and noise levels are good.

Dry97.5%

Wet97.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

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	2nd / 6	118 ft	+3 ft
Wet BrakingLower is better	2nd / 6	158 ft	+3 ft

Price

186.08

3^rd

Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN

205/55 R16 91V

The Firestone Roadhawk 2 offers good balance and consistent steering response on the dry handling course, producing acceptable lap times, though the steering is not as direct as the top performers. Dry braking is at a good level. On wet roads, lateral grip is limited in tight corners and the tire tends to understeer early. Aquaplaning resistance is strong. The tire remains safe and predictable at the limit on both surfaces. Ride comfort is quiet and without major issues. Pass-by noise and rolling resistance are mid-pack.

Dry95.4%

Wet92.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

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	3rd / 6	121 ft	+6 ft
Wet BrakingLower is better	5th / 6	168 ft	+13 ft

Price

250.08

4^th

Uniroyal RainSport 5

205/55 R16 91V

The Uniroyal RainSport 5 lives up to its rain-specialist positioning. It has the deepest tread (8.7 mm) and the best aquaplaning results in the test by a clear margin. Wet grip is good and wet braking distances are short. On wet roads the handling is stable but the tire understeers earlier in tight corners, and steering reactions are slightly slow. On dry roads it is the weakest of the established brands - lateral grip and steering precision are noticeably lacking, and the steering feels indirect. It is the lightest tire in the test, produces the lowest pass-by noise, and has low rolling resistance.

Dry93.6%

Wet97.1%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

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	5th / 6	123 ft	+8 ft
Wet BrakingLower is better	3rd / 6	159 ft	+4 ft

Price

249.24

5^th

Maxxis Premitra HP6

205/55 R16 91V

The Maxxis Premitra HP 6 delivers solid but unremarkable performance across the board. On wet roads it understeers in tight corners and steering response to direction changes is slightly delayed. Wet and dry braking are average with room for improvement. On the dry handling course, straight-line stability and balance are good, but turn-in and steering precision need work. Aquaplaning resistance is below average. Ride comfort is firm, with some drone in corners. It is the heaviest tire in the test at 8.9 kg but achieves the lowest rolling resistance.

Dry95.1%

Wet94.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

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	4th / 6	121 ft	+6 ft
Wet BrakingLower is better	4th / 6	164 ft	+9 ft

Price

249.92

6^th

Tourador X Wonder TH1

205/55 R16 91V

The Tourador X Wonder TH1 is the budget entry and finishes last with a significant gap to the rest of the field. Grip is poor on both surfaces. Wet braking distance is nearly 30 feet longer than the Continental, and dry braking is also the weakest. Steering response is slow and vague, with little feedback. On wet roads the tire shows critical load-change reactions and the handling is unpredictable. Aquaplaning resistance in curves is poor despite visually deep grooves. Ride comfort is rough, with harsh behavior over edges and droning in corners. It is the lightest tire in the test, but the low weight appears to come at a direct cost to safety performance.

Dry91%

Wet84.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

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	6th / 6	127 ft	+12 ft
Wet BrakingLower is better	6th / 6	183 ft	+28 ft

Price

272.60