In issue 4/2026, German magazine sport auto tested seven summer tires in size 205/45 R 17 on a Mazda MX-5. The field included a mix of premium sport, touring, and budget options: Bridgestone Potenza Sport evo, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, Falken Azenis FK520, Continental PremiumContact 7, Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Linglong Sport Master, and Firestone Roadhawk 2. Tires were evaluated across wet and dry performance tests as well as comfort and efficiency.
Bridgestone's new Potenza Sport Evo took the overall win with the only "outstanding" rating in the test, scoring well in almost every area. Goodyear earned the title of sportiest tire, with the highest cornering grip and a neutral balance that rewards experienced drivers. Falken picked up the price-performance recommendation at 107 euros, largely on the strength of the shortest braking distances in both wet and dry conditions. At the other end of the table, Firestone Roadhawk 2 finished last with an "adequate" rating after a score penalty for excessive wet braking distances - though it did post the best rolling resistance and lateral aquaplaning results. The budget Linglong showed a similar pattern of lopsided development: strong wet braking but poor handling stability and abrupt breakaway behavior.
Dry Braking
Falken stopped shortest at 110 ft, just ahead of Bridgestone at 111 ft - the top four are separated by less than a meter. Firestone trailed at 116 ft, nearly two meters behind the leader.
Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 95 % |
The difference between best and worst was 5%.
Dry Handling
Goodyear and Bridgestone tied for the fastest lap at 70.7 mph, with Continental and Michelin close behind. Firestone was slowest at 68.7 mph - over 2 mph off the pace, a significant gap on a 6,234 ft track.
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % |
All the tires in the Dry Handling test finished less than 3% apart.
Subjective Dry Handling
Bridgestone and Michelin both scored a perfect 10, though for different reasons - the Bridgestone for its safe, controllable understeer and broad reserves, the Michelin for its precision and agility. Goodyear was rated the most demanding to drive, with very neutral balance that rewards a skilled driver. Linglong scored lowest at 6, let down by sluggish steering response and poor stability under weight transfer.
Subj. Dry Handling
Subjective Dry Handling Score
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 70 % | |
| 60 % |
The difference between best and worst was 40%.
Wet Braking
Falken and Linglong shared the shortest stopping distance at 106 ft - a strong result for the budget tire. Firestone was a clear outlier at 126 ft, more than six meters behind the leaders, enough to trigger a score penalty in the final rating.
Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 100 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 94 % | |
| 84 % |
The difference between best and worst was 16%.
Wet Handling
Bridgestone led with 35.0 mph, followed closely by Goodyear and Continental. The spread from first to last is only 1.0 mph, making this one of the tighter tests in the group. Firestone was again slowest at 34.0 mph.
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % |
All the tires in the Wet Handling test finished less than 3% apart.
Subjective Wet Handling
Bridgestone scored a clear 10, praised for its easy-to-read understeer character and wide grip reserves even when sliding. Goodyear and Falken shared second place at 8, though Goodyear's nervous weight-transfer response and narrow limit range on wet roads kept it from matching the Bridgestone. Linglong and Firestone both scored 6, with the Linglong prone to sudden rear-end breakaway and the Firestone lacking feedback and stability.
Subj. Wet Handling
Subjective Wet Handling Score
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 80 % | |
| 80 % | |
| 80 % | |
| 70 % | |
| 60 % | |
| 60 % |
The difference between best and worst was 40%.
Wet Circle
Bridgestone posted the highest lateral grip at 8.58 m/s², ahead of Goodyear at 8.49 m/s². Despite its strong wet braking, Linglong finished last here at 8.31 m/s² - a sign that it was optimized more for straight-line grip than cornering. The full spread is 0.27 m/s², a meaningful difference on a car as light and responsive as the MX-5.
Wet Circle
Lateral wet grip in m/s squared
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 97 % |
All the tires in the Wet Circle test finished less than 3% apart.
Straight Aquaplaning
Continental resisted aquaplaning longest, floating at 52.1 mph. Michelin was most vulnerable at 50.3 mph. The spread is relatively narrow at under 2 mph, suggesting all tires handle standing water in a straight line reasonably well at this width.
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 97 % |
All the tires in the Straight Aqua test finished less than 3% apart.
Curved Aquaplaning
This test produced the widest relative spread of any wet test. Firestone held the most lateral grip when aquaplaning at 2.44 m/s², while Falken - the wet braking leader - was weakest at just 2.02 m/s². That trade-off between braking grip and aquaplaning resistance is a recurring theme across several tires in this test.
Curved Aquaplaning
Remaining lateral acceleration
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 95 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 87 % | |
| 83 % |
The difference between best and worst was 17%.
Subjective Comfort
Goodyear scored highest at 10, offering the softest ride and quietest cabin of the group. Bridgestone and Firestone both scored 7, the lowest in the field - the Bridgestone's firmer ride is the main trade-off for its strong grip performance.
Subj. Comfort
Subjective Comfort Score
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 80 % | |
| 70 % | |
| 70 % |
The difference between best and worst was 30%.
Noise
Goodyear was the quietest tire at 68.1 dB(A), well clear of the field. Firestone was loudest at 71.8 dB(A), a gap of 3.7 dB(A) - easily perceptible. Linglong was a surprise second place at 69.5 dB(A), one of its better results in the test.
Noise
External noise in dB
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 95 % | |
| 95 % |
The difference between best and worst was 5%.
Rolling Resistance
Firestone recorded the lowest rolling resistance at 8.0 kg/t, making it the most fuel-efficient option - offsetting some of its grip shortcomings with lower running costs. Linglong was highest at 9.7 kg/t, over 20% more than the Firestone. The premium performance tires clustered between 8.4 and 8.9 kg/t.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tire | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 95 % | |
| 94 % | |
| 92 % | |
| 91 % | |
| 90 % | |
| 82 % |
The difference between best and worst was 18%.
Results
Bridgestone takes the overall win with the highest score of 9.2, rated "outstanding" - strong across nearly every test with no major weakness. Goodyear and Falken share second at 8.6, offering sport and value respectively. Continental rounds out the recommended group at 8.3. At the bottom, Firestone's safety-relevant deficits in wet braking triggered a penalty that dropped it to 5.7, rated only "adequate."
Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo
205/45 R17 88Y XLCategory scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 2nd / 7 | 99.41% |
| Dry Handling | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Wet Braking | 3rd / 7 | 97.28% |
| Wet Handling | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Wet Circle | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd / 7 | 98.57% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 3rd / 7 | 90.16% |
| Subj. Comfort | 6th / 7 | 70% |
| Noise | 6th / 7 | 95.24% |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th / 7 | 91.95% |
- EU Label
- C/A/72
- Origin
- Hungary
- Weight
- 8.2 kgs
- Tread
- 6.2 mm
- Price
- 147.00
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
205/45 R17 88W XLCategory scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 3rd / 7 | 98.25% |
| Dry Handling | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 3rd / 7 | 90% |
| Wet Braking | 4th / 7 | 96.7% |
| Wet Handling | 2nd / 7 | 99.47% |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 2nd / 7 | 80% |
| Wet Circle | 2nd / 7 | 98.95% |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd / 7 | 98.57% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 4th / 7 | 89.75% |
| Subj. Comfort | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Noise | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd / 7 | 95.24% |
- EU Label
- C/A/69
- Origin
- Slovenia
- Weight
- 7.9 kgs
- Tread
- 6.9 mm
- Price
- 132.00
Falken Azenis FK520
205/45 R17 88Y XLCategory scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Dry Handling | 5th / 7 | 98.42% |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 3rd / 7 | 90% |
| Wet Braking | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Wet Handling | 6th / 7 | 98.22% |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 2nd / 7 | 80% |
| Wet Circle | 4th / 7 | 97.55% |
| Straight Aqua | 6th / 7 | 97.37% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 7th / 7 | 82.79% |
| Subj. Comfort | 2nd / 7 | 90% |
| Noise | 3rd / 7 | 97.42% |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th / 7 | 90.91% |
- EU Label
- D/A/70
- Origin
- Turkey
- Weight
- 8.3 kgs
- Tread
- 6.7 mm
- Price
- 107.00
Continental PremiumContact 7
205/45 R17 88Y XLCategory scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 5th / 7 | 97.11% |
| Dry Handling | 3rd / 7 | 99.38% |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 3rd / 7 | 90% |
| Wet Braking | 4th / 7 | 96.7% |
| Wet Handling | 3rd / 7 | 99.11% |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 2nd / 7 | 80% |
| Wet Circle | 3rd / 7 | 97.9% |
| Straight Aqua | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 2nd / 7 | 95.49% |
| Subj. Comfort | 2nd / 7 | 90% |
| Noise | 5th / 7 | 95.51% |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th / 7 | 89.89% |
- EU Label
- C/A/71
- Origin
- France
- Weight
- 8.6 kgs
- Tread
- 7.2 mm
- Price
- 148.00
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
205/45 R17 88Y XLCategory scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 4th / 7 | 97.39% |
| Dry Handling | 4th / 7 | 99.21% |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Wet Braking | 6th / 7 | 93.88% |
| Wet Handling | 5th / 7 | 98.4% |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 5th / 7 | 70% |
| Wet Circle | 5th / 7 | 97.2% |
| Straight Aqua | 7th / 7 | 96.66% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 6th / 7 | 87.3% |
| Subj. Comfort | 5th / 7 | 80% |
| Noise | 4th / 7 | 95.78% |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd / 7 | 94.12% |
- EU Label
- C/A/72
- Origin
- Germany
- Weight
- 8.6 kgs
- Tread
- 6.4 mm
- Price
- 175.00
Linglong Sport Master
205/45 R17 88Y XLCategory scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 6th / 7 | 96% |
| Dry Handling | 5th / 7 | 98.42% |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 7th / 7 | 60% |
| Wet Braking | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Wet Handling | 4th / 7 | 98.58% |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 6th / 7 | 60% |
| Wet Circle | 7th / 7 | 96.85% |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd / 7 | 98.57% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 4th / 7 | 89.75% |
| Subj. Comfort | 2nd / 7 | 90% |
| Noise | 2nd / 7 | 97.99% |
| Rolling Resistance | 7th / 7 | 82.47% |
- EU Label
- D/A/69
- Origin
- Serbia
- Weight
- 8.3 kgs
- Tread
- 6.0 mm
- Price
- 75.00
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
205/45 R17 88W XLCategory scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
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 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 7th / 7 | 94.92% |
| Dry Handling | 7th / 7 | 97.19% |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 6th / 7 | 70% |
| Wet Braking | 7th / 7 | 84.07% |
| Wet Handling | 7th / 7 | 97.16% |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 6th / 7 | 60% |
| Wet Circle | 6th / 7 | 97.09% |
| Straight Aqua | 2nd / 7 | 99.28% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 1st / 7 | 100% |
| Subj. Comfort | 6th / 7 | 70% |
| Noise | 7th / 7 | 94.85% |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st / 7 | 100% |
- EU Label
- C/A/77
- Origin
- Hungary
- Weight
- 8.1 kgs
- Tread
- 7.2 mm
- Price
- 102.00


'the Bridgestone for its safe, controllable understeer and broad reserves, the Michelin for its precision and agility' a few years ago that was exactly the other way around! The Michelin used to be safe and secure and the Bridgestone precise and exciting. Still getting the Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo as replacement for the Goodyear's for my MX-5 ND :-) Nice to try something else. Once again thanks for sharing, Jonathan!
Maybe it's a size thing, but based on my own testing I think the old way of looking at things is still more accurate.