Data Explorer / Tire Reviews
The BEST Summer Tires for 2026 Tested and Rated
- Tested size
- 225/45 R17
- Tires tested
- 12
- Disciplines
- 12
- Test vehicle
- VW Golf GTI
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| ft ↓ | s ↓ | Points ↑ | ft ↓ | s ↓ | Points ↑ | s ↓ | mph ↑ | ft/s² ↑ | Points ↑ | dB ↓ | kg/t ↓ | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1= | 1 | 96.84 | 117 | 72.97 | 8.4 | 99.9 | 91 | 68.09 | 8.6 | 12.09 | 47.8 | 11.2 | 98.7 | 6.6 | 74.1 | 94.1 | 8.27 | 78.1 | |
StrengthsTop-level grip in both dry and wet, with an easy, confidence-building balance when you push on. ConsiderationsMeasured noise was the worst here, and standing-water performance was only mid-pack. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry99.91 × 35% = 34.97 Wet98.7 × 50% = 49.35 Comfort94.12 × 5% = 4.71 Rolling Resistance78.11 × 10% = 7.81 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1= | 2 | 96.80 | 118 | 73.29 | 8.2 | 99.1 | 91 | 67.70 | 8.6 | 11.84 | 46.5 | 12.6 | 99.2 | 6.9 | 73.1 | 96.9 | 8.43 | 76.6 | |
StrengthsBest wet performance overall, combining very fast lap times with strong aquaplaning resistance. ConsiderationsEfficiency and measured noise were below average, and it didn't feel as sporty or supported as the most track-leaning tires. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry99.13 × 35% = 34.69 Wet99.2 × 50% = 49.6 Comfort96.88 × 5% = 4.84 Rolling Resistance76.63 × 10% = 7.66 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 95.95 | 122 | 73.48 | 8.4 | 97.7 | 91 | 68.69 | 8.7 | 12.18 | 49.0 | 12.6 | 99.3 | 6.5 | 70.7 | 95.7 | 8.84 | 73.1 | |
StrengthsBest wet braking and aquaplaning performance, with a sporty feel and excellent confidence at the limit. ConsiderationsRolling resistance was near the bottom, and dry braking wasn't at the same level as the test winners. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry97.7 × 35% = 34.2 Wet99.33 × 50% = 49.66 Comfort95.71 × 5% = 4.79 Rolling Resistance73.08 × 10% = 7.31 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4= | 4 | 94.63 | 123 | 74.91 | 8.0 | 96.2 | 97 | 72.65 | 7.4 | 12.74 | 44.9 | 11.8 | 92.4 | 6.6 | 72.8 | 95.0 | 6.46 | 100.0 | |
StrengthsBest in test for efficiency, giving a clear rolling resistance advantage over everything else here. ConsiderationsWet handling pace was well behind the leaders, and it didn't have the bite or grip level I expected in the wet. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry96.23 × 35% = 33.68 Wet92.4 × 50% = 46.2 Comfort94.97 × 5% = 4.75 Rolling Resistance100 × 10% = 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4= | 5 | 94.63 | 122 | 73.15 | 8.4 | 98.2 | 93 | 70.46 | 8.3 | 12.22 | 44.4 | 10.9 | 95.5 | 6.1 | 72.3 | 91.8 | 8.14 | 79.4 | |
StrengthsA strong blend of dry and wet grip with sporty, predictable steering and a high-confidence feel. ConsiderationsAquaplaning resistance was near the bottom and comfort scores were in the lower part of the group. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry98.16 × 35% = 34.35 Wet95.49 × 50% = 47.75 Comfort91.79 × 5% = 4.59 Rolling Resistance79.36 × 10% = 7.94 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 6 | 94.39 | 126 | 74.56 | 8.2 | 95.6 | 98 | 71.35 | 7.9 | 12.91 | 47.8 | 12.2 | 93.9 | 6.9 | 70.9 | 98.4 | 7.12 | 90.7 | |
StrengthsA quiet, comfortable, efficient road tire with a stable, safe balance in both wet and dry driving. ConsiderationsGrip-based results were mostly mid-pack, so it isn't a front-runner for braking or handling pace. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry95.62 × 35% = 33.47 Wet93.86 × 50% = 46.93 Comfort98.38 × 5% = 4.92 Rolling Resistance90.73 × 10% = 9.07 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 7 | 93.75 | 125 | 74.83 | 8.1 | 95.8 | 96 | 72.07 | 8.2 | 12.72 | 45.6 | 11.8 | 94.1 | 6.9 | 72.3 | 97.4 | 7.81 | 82.7 | |
StrengthsA very even all-rounder with predictable behavior and no big weaknesses across the main tests. ConsiderationsIt didn't have the outright wet or dry lap time pace to run with the leading group. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry95.8 × 35% = 33.53 Wet94.15 × 50% = 47.07 Comfort97.42 × 5% = 4.87 Rolling Resistance82.71 × 10% = 8.27 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 8 | 93.01 | 127 | 72.83 | 8.4 | 96.6 | 97 | 71.10 | 6.3 | 12.50 | 46.3 | 12.1 | 92.2 | 6.6 | 73.9 | 94.2 | 7.69 | 84.0 | |
StrengthsFastest on the dry handling course with a sporty, track-friendly feel and strong steering response. ConsiderationsWet confidence at the limit was low on subjective scoring compared with its objective wet pace. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry96.61 × 35% = 33.81 Wet92.17 × 50% = 46.09 Comfort94.25 × 5% = 4.71 Rolling Resistance84.01 × 10% = 8.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 9 | 92.74 | 126 | 73.67 | 8.3 | 96.3 | 99 | 71.59 | 7.2 | 12.52 | 46.8 | 12.9 | 92.5 | 7.1 | 71.0 | 99.7 | 8.29 | 77.9 | |
StrengthsVery strong comfort and standing-water resistance, with a surprisingly sporty dry handling feel for the price point. ConsiderationsWet braking and wet confidence were only mid-pack, and its behavior changed a lot between cold and warm running. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry96.27 × 35% = 33.7 Wet92.52 × 50% = 46.26 Comfort99.72 × 5% = 4.99 Rolling Resistance77.93 × 10% = 7.79 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | 10 | 92.31 | 129 | 74.52 | 7.5 | 93.8 | 99 | 71.86 | 7.8 | 12.72 | 46.8 | 12.3 | 92.9 | 6.4 | 72.6 | 93.7 | 7.73 | 83.6 | |
StrengthsGood wet stability with strong aquaplaning results and sensible efficiency for an everyday road tire. ConsiderationsDry performance and subjective dry handling were below average, and it overheated quickly when driven hard. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry93.81 × 35% = 32.83 Wet92.88 × 50% = 46.44 Comfort93.7 × 5% = 4.68 Rolling Resistance83.57 × 10% = 8.36 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | 11 | 89.77 | 127 | 76.16 | 6.0 | 91.6 | 97 | 72.17 | 6.7 | 12.56 | 45.3 | 11.8 | 91.9 | 5.9 | 70.7 | 91.5 | 8.95 | 72.2 | |
StrengthsMeasured noise was among the best in the test. ConsiderationsPoor dry handling and weak efficiency, with abrupt transitions and low confidence at the limit. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry91.58 × 35% = 32.05 Wet91.86 × 50% = 45.93 Comfort91.48 × 5% = 4.57 Rolling Resistance72.18 × 10% = 7.22 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | 12 | 84.79 | 139 | 75.45 | 6.6 | 89.2 | 112 | 79.87 | 6.3 | 13.93 | 43.5 | 11.1 | 82.4 | 5.6 | 70.6 | 89.4 | 8.16 | 79.2 | |
StrengthsThe best measured noise result in the test, so it can look refined on a simple dB reading. ConsiderationsWorst in the key wet grip tests, with weak braking and handling and poor communication at the limit. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry89.16 × 35% = 31.21 Wet82.39 × 50% = 41.19 Comfort89.44 × 5% = 4.47 Rolling Resistance79.17 × 10% = 7.92 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ref |
Reference UHP All Season
|
— | — | — | 74.95 | 8.2 | — | — | 75.98 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | 7.0 | 72.3 | 98.1 | 9.56 | 67.6 |
Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry— Wet— Comfort98.12 × 5% = 4.91 Rolling Resistance67.57 × 10% = 6.76 | |||||||||||||||||||
Raw results do not change when you move the sliders. Scroll horizontally to see every discipline.
Leading with these priorities
Pirelli Cinturato C3
These are calculated scenarios, not new test awards. The published verdict may reflect judgement, close results and factors outside this calculation.
Not ranked: a measurement needed for these weights is missing. Missing results are not treated as zero or redistributed.
Reference tires provide context only. They do not set the benchmark and cannot win the personalised ranking.
Weighting vs real impact
What decides this ranking
The weighting is how much each category counts. The real impact is how much of the difference between the tires it creates: a discipline in which every tire performed about the same barely changes the order, however much it counts.
- Dry Weighting 35% Real impact 24%
- Wet Weighting 50% Real impact 57%
- Comfort Weighting 5% Real impact 6%
- Rolling Resistance Weighting 10% Real impact 13%
- Subj. Wet Handling counts for 5% of the score but creates 16% of the difference between the tires, because their results in it were far apart.
- Dry Handling counts for 15.8% of the score but creates only 7% of the difference, because most tires performed about the same in it.
Every discipline 12
| Discipline | Weighting | Real impact |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 15.8% | 12% |
| Dry Handling | 15.8% | 7% |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 3.5% | 5% |
| Wet Braking | 20% | 23% |
| Wet Handling | 15% | 9% |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 5% | 16% |
| Wet Circle | 2.5% | 2% |
| Straight Aqua | 5% | 4% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 2.5% | 3% |
| Subj. Comfort | 2.5% | 4% |
| Noise | 2.5% | 1% |
| Rolling Resistance | 10% | 13% |
How it is worked out: each discipline’s weighting is multiplied by the spread of its results (the gap across the middle half of the tires, as a percentage of the best result), then shared out so that all the disciplines add up to 100%. It estimates what separates the tires; it is not a second set of weights, and it follows the weights you set.
How your ranking is calculated
Each discipline is scored against the best non-reference tire in the full test field: best ÷ result × 100 when lower is better, or result ÷ best × 100 when higher is better. Discipline scores are rounded to two decimal places, then combined using your weights.
Within-category weights divide that category’s share of the overall score. A 50% wet category and 40% wet-braking share give wet braking 20% of the total. A weight is a scoring priority, not a measure of its actual effect on the ranking: the performance gaps matter too. What decides this ranking ↑
Published joint positions are preserved separately. Calculated positions tie only when their underlying scores match; two displayed scores can look equal after rounding.
A zero weight excludes that category or discipline. At least one active discipline is required, and the disciplines in every active category must have a positive total.
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