While technically this is the second tire test of the 2026 summer tire testing season, I always think of the AutoBild mega test as the true start to the summer tire test season. It's our first opportunity to see how 50 tires available in 245/45 R19 do in a massive dry and wet braking test!

Test Publication:
245/45 R19
50 tires
2 categories
Images courtesy of Auto Bild
Test Publication:
Images courtesy of Auto Bild
Test Size:
245/45 R19
Tires Tested:
50 tires
And as always, it's an interesting start to the year. This 245/45 R19 tire size fitted to a BMW 5 Series has resulted in a mix of premium touring and ultra high performance tires in the same test. This should give the ultra high performance tires an edge in this braking test; however, as we move on to the full test, which the top 20 tires get carried through to, the added components of things like noise, comfort, rolling resistance, and tread wear will in theory bring the balance back to the premium touring tires.
The other interesting thing to note is that there are some surprise updates. We've seen before that the Linglong Sport Master is very good in braking tests, and once again it finishes as the overall best, with a 0.7 m advantage to second best, which is incredible.
The Hankook Ventus Evo performs well once again. This tire seems to be an excellent product from Hankook all round, and then you have Nexen, Kumho, and Giti in third to fifth place. It's not until sixth place that you see a traditional premium brand, which is the Continental Premium Contact 7, closely followed by the Pirelli Cinturato C3 and the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6.
I am incredibly excited for the full test, which should be out in two weeks, so keep an eye on the site. Below is the data. Pay particular attention to the residual speed calculator below, it shows the stopping distance between the best and the worst tire in wet braking, from a highway speed of 130 km/h is nearly 40m. This means that where you are stopped on the best tire, you will still be doing nearly 80 km/h at the point of impact on the worst tire.
The right tire really does make a difference.
Dry
- Hankook Ventus Evo
- Linglong Sport Master
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Yokohama Advan Sport V107
- Vredestein Ultrac Pro
- Continental PremiumContact 7
- Giti GitiSport S2 plus
- Pirelli Cinturato C3
- Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
- Michelin Pilot Sport 5
- Nokian Powerproof 2
- Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
- Toyo Proxes Sport 2
- Kleber Dynaxer HP5
- GT Radial SportActive 2 EVO
- Maxxis Victra Sport 6
- Sava Intensa UHP 2
- Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
- Falken Azenis FK520
- Fulda SportControl 2
- BFGoodrich Advantage 2
- Firestone Firehawk Sport
- Landspider Sportraxx UHP
- Delinte DS2
- Ceat SportDrive
- Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport
- CST Adreno AD R9
- Gripmax SuperGrip Pro Sport
- Avon ZX7
- Landsail RapidDragon
- Semperit Speed Life 3
- Uniroyal RainSport 5
- Tomason SportRace
- Sentury Qirin 990
- Tracmax X Privilo TX3
- Rotalla RU01 S Pace
- Radar Dimax R8 plus
- Minerva Radial F 205
- Viking Protech Newgen
- Aplus A610
- Sportiva Performance 2
- Momo Toprun M300 AS Sport
- Imperial Ecosport 2
- Marshal MU12
- Matador Hectorra 5
- Dynamo STREET H MU02
- Nankang Green Sport Eco 2 Plus
- Austone Athena SP 303
- Accelera PHI
Wet
- Linglong Sport Master
- Hankook Ventus Evo
- Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
- Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
- Giti GitiSport S2 plus
- Continental PremiumContact 7
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
- Pirelli Cinturato C3
- Michelin Pilot Sport 5
- Falken Azenis FK520
- GT Radial SportActive 2 EVO
- Semperit Speed Life 3
- Nokian Powerproof 2
- Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo
- Maxxis Victra Sport 6
- Vredestein Ultrac Pro
- Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
- Uniroyal RainSport 5
- Toyo Proxes Sport 2
- Kleber Dynaxer HP5
- Firestone Firehawk Sport
- Fulda SportControl 2
- Radar Dimax R8 plus
- Sava Intensa UHP 2
- Ceat SportDrive
- Delinte DS2
- Yokohama Advan Sport V107
- Cooper Zeon 4XS Sport
- Landspider Sportraxx UHP
- BFGoodrich Advantage 2
- Avon ZX7
- CST Adreno AD R9
- Sportiva Performance 2
- Viking Protech Newgen
- Landsail RapidDragon
- Matador Hectorra 5
- Minerva Radial F 205
- Imperial Ecosport 2
- Gripmax SuperGrip Pro Sport
- Aplus A610
- Momo Toprun M300 AS Sport
- Tomason SportRace
- Tracmax X Privilo TX3
- Sentury Qirin 990
- Rotalla RU01 S Pace
- Marshal MU12
- Nankang Green Sport Eco 2 Plus
- Dynamo STREET H MU02
- Austone Athena SP 303
- Accelera PHI
Results
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
2nd |
33.9 M |
32.8 M |
+1.1 M |
96.76% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
1st |
25.2 M |
|
|
100% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
1st |
32.8 M |
|
|
100% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
2nd |
27 M |
25.2 M |
+1.8 M |
93.33% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
2nd |
33.9 M |
32.8 M |
+1.1 M |
96.76% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
3rd |
27.1 M |
25.2 M |
+1.9 M |
92.99% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
9th |
34.4 M |
32.8 M |
+1.6 M |
95.35% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
3rd |
27.1 M |
25.2 M |
+1.9 M |
92.99% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
6th |
34.3 M |
32.8 M |
+1.5 M |
95.63% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
5th |
27.2 M |
25.2 M |
+2 M |
92.65% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
6th |
34.3 M |
32.8 M |
+1.5 M |
95.63% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
6th |
27.3 M |
25.2 M |
+2.1 M |
92.31% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
6th |
34.3 M |
32.8 M |
+1.5 M |
95.63% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
8th |
27.6 M |
25.2 M |
+2.4 M |
91.3% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
12th |
34.5 M |
32.8 M |
+1.7 M |
95.07% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
7th |
27.5 M |
25.2 M |
+2.3 M |
91.64% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
9th |
34.4 M |
32.8 M |
+1.6 M |
95.35% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
9th |
27.7 M |
25.2 M |
+2.5 M |
90.97% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
9th |
34.4 M |
32.8 M |
+1.6 M |
95.35% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
12th |
28.1 M |
25.2 M |
+2.9 M |
89.68% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
12th |
34.5 M |
32.8 M |
+1.7 M |
95.07% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
14th |
28.2 M |
25.2 M |
+3 M |
89.36% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
16th |
35 M |
32.8 M |
+2.2 M |
93.71% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
11th |
27.9 M |
25.2 M |
+2.7 M |
90.32% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
5th |
34.2 M |
32.8 M |
+1.4 M |
95.91% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
16th |
28.8 M |
25.2 M |
+3.6 M |
87.5% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
19th |
35.3 M |
32.8 M |
+2.5 M |
92.92% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
10th |
27.8 M |
25.2 M |
+2.6 M |
90.65% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
17th |
35.1 M |
32.8 M |
+2.3 M |
93.45% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
15th |
28.7 M |
25.2 M |
+3.5 M |
87.8% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
14th |
34.6 M |
32.8 M |
+1.8 M |
94.8% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
19th |
29.5 M |
25.2 M |
+4.3 M |
85.42% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
19th |
35.3 M |
32.8 M |
+2.5 M |
92.92% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
17th |
29.1 M |
25.2 M |
+3.9 M |
86.6% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
4th |
34.1 M |
32.8 M |
+1.3 M |
96.19% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
27th |
30.6 M |
25.2 M |
+5.4 M |
82.35% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
15th |
34.9 M |
32.8 M |
+2.1 M |
93.98% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
20th |
29.9 M |
25.2 M |
+4.7 M |
84.28% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
18th |
35.2 M |
32.8 M |
+2.4 M |
93.18% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
23rd |
30.2 M |
25.2 M |
+5 M |
83.44% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
21st |
35.5 M |
32.8 M |
+2.7 M |
92.39% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
20th |
29.9 M |
25.2 M |
+4.7 M |
84.28% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
32nd |
37.4 M |
32.8 M |
+4.6 M |
87.7% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
12th |
28.1 M |
25.2 M |
+2.9 M |
89.68% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
22nd |
35.8 M |
32.8 M |
+3 M |
91.62% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
20th |
29.9 M |
25.2 M |
+4.7 M |
84.28% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
32nd |
37.4 M |
32.8 M |
+4.6 M |
87.7% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
18th |
29.2 M |
25.2 M |
+4 M |
86.3% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
25th |
36.2 M |
32.8 M |
+3.4 M |
90.61% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
25th |
30.5 M |
25.2 M |
+5.3 M |
82.62% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
25th |
36.2 M |
32.8 M |
+3.4 M |
90.61% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
25th |
30.5 M |
25.2 M |
+5.3 M |
82.62% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
22nd |
35.8 M |
32.8 M |
+3 M |
91.62% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
30th |
31.1 M |
25.2 M |
+5.9 M |
81.03% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
24th |
36 M |
32.8 M |
+3.2 M |
91.11% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
29th |
31 M |
25.2 M |
+5.8 M |
81.29% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
27th |
36.4 M |
32.8 M |
+3.6 M |
90.11% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
28th |
30.8 M |
25.2 M |
+5.6 M |
81.82% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
30th |
36.9 M |
32.8 M |
+4.1 M |
88.89% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
31st |
31.2 M |
25.2 M |
+6 M |
80.77% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
38th |
37.9 M |
32.8 M |
+5.1 M |
86.54% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
23rd |
30.2 M |
25.2 M |
+5 M |
83.44% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
28th |
36.8 M |
32.8 M |
+4 M |
89.13% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
32nd |
31.6 M |
25.2 M |
+6.4 M |
79.75% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
28th |
36.8 M |
32.8 M |
+4 M |
89.13% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
39th |
33.2 M |
25.2 M |
+8 M |
75.9% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
31st |
37.1 M |
32.8 M |
+4.3 M |
88.41% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
35th |
32.8 M |
25.2 M |
+7.6 M |
76.83% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
39th |
38 M |
32.8 M |
+5.2 M |
86.32% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
36th |
33 M |
25.2 M |
+7.8 M |
76.36% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
40th |
38.3 M |
32.8 M |
+5.5 M |
85.64% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
34th |
32.7 M |
25.2 M |
+7.5 M |
77.06% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
41st |
38.5 M |
32.8 M |
+5.7 M |
85.19% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
33rd |
32.5 M |
25.2 M |
+7.3 M |
77.54% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
43rd |
38.6 M |
32.8 M |
+5.8 M |
84.97% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
36th |
33 M |
25.2 M |
+7.8 M |
76.36% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
34th |
37.6 M |
32.8 M |
+4.8 M |
87.23% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
42nd |
34 M |
25.2 M |
+8.8 M |
74.12% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
34th |
37.6 M |
32.8 M |
+4.8 M |
87.23% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
42nd |
34 M |
25.2 M |
+8.8 M |
74.12% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
46th |
39 M |
32.8 M |
+6.2 M |
84.1% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
36th |
33 M |
25.2 M |
+7.8 M |
76.36% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
34th |
37.6 M |
32.8 M |
+4.8 M |
87.23% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
44th |
34.4 M |
25.2 M |
+9.2 M |
73.26% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
41st |
38.5 M |
32.8 M |
+5.7 M |
85.19% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
40th |
33.7 M |
25.2 M |
+8.5 M |
74.78% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
37th |
37.8 M |
32.8 M |
+5 M |
86.77% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
45th |
34.5 M |
25.2 M |
+9.3 M |
73.04% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
43rd |
38.6 M |
32.8 M |
+5.8 M |
84.97% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
41st |
33.9 M |
25.2 M |
+8.7 M |
74.34% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
43rd |
38.6 M |
32.8 M |
+5.8 M |
84.97% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
46th |
35.4 M |
25.2 M |
+10.2 M |
71.19% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
48th |
39.4 M |
32.8 M |
+6.6 M |
83.25% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
47th |
35.9 M |
25.2 M |
+10.7 M |
70.19% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
47th |
39.1 M |
32.8 M |
+6.3 M |
83.89% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
48th |
36.8 M |
25.2 M |
+11.6 M |
68.48% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
49th |
39.6 M |
32.8 M |
+6.8 M |
82.83% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
49th |
37.1 M |
25.2 M |
+11.9 M |
67.92% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
50th |
43 M |
32.8 M |
+10.2 M |
76.28% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
50th |
40.2 M |
25.2 M |
+15 M |
62.69% |
Here is an overview with the results
https://reifenpresse.de/2026/03/04/gutes-bremsen-reicht-nicht-immer-zum-sieg-beim-autobild-sommerreifentest/
Hankkook wins but the last Hankooks I saw had max. a minimum of rim protection,so I think the Evo is not good for my wheels.
Wonder about that the Cinturato C3 is available in these size, I would more think the PZ5 is in this area.
Wow, so braking distance only is not a test that would show the difference between premium and budget brands anymore.
I am looking forward to the extended Auto Bild test.
German ADAC also tested summer tires and while the Linglong Sport Master was the very best on wet roads it came dead last overall.
https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/ausstattung-technik-zubehoer/reifen/reifentest/sommerreifen/225-50-r17-2026/
I'm just writing up this test for the site now. Should be live in an hour or two!