P6 of 20
Beat 74% of the field
Firestone RoadHawk Test Results
Tested 2018 to 2024
7 publications
Tested 24 times by independent publications, the Firestone RoadHawk averages a finish of 11th. Its strongest discipline is Dry Handling, beating 73% of the field across 9 tests; its weakest is Noise, at 24% across 10 tests.
- 24Independent tests
- 0Test wins
- 2Podium finishes
- 11thAverage finish
- 55%Field beaten on average
- 7Publications
24 tests, 2018 to 2024
- Test win
- Second
- Third
- Average 55%
Record by discipline
Where the Firestone RoadHawk finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 17 | P10.1 of 30.6 | 68% | - |
| Dry Handling Strong | 9 | P5.9 of 18.2 | 73% | - |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 1 | P6 of 20 | 74% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 18 | P13.8 of 29.8 | 52% | - |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 1 | P28 of 50 | 45% | - |
| Wet Handling | 9 | P6.9 of 18.2 | 67% | 2 |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 1 | P15 of 20 | 26% | - |
| Wet Circle | 1 | P9 of 21 | 60% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 9 | P8.6 of 21.2 | 57% | - |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 2 | P5.5 of 35.5 | 80% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 2 | P9.5 of 20 | 55% | - |
| Noise Weak | 10 | P17.6 of 21.4 | 24% | - |
| Tire Weight | 1 | P1 of 50 | 100% | 1 |
| Value | ||||
| Wear | 6 | P14.5 of 25 | 42% | - |
| Value | 6 | P14 of 25 | 48% | - |
| Rolling Resistance | 8 | P8.3 of 17.6 | 52% | - |
| Fuel Consumption | 1 | P43 of 50 | 14% | - |
| Abrasion | 1 | P9 of 50 | 84% | - |
Head-to-head record
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Firestone RoadHawk. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bridgestone Turanza T005
16 shared: 2 ahead, 14 behind
|
16 | 2 | 14 | - | 13% |
 Dunlop Sport BluResponse
12 shared: 7 ahead, 4 behind
|
12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 64% |
 Continental Premium Contact 6
12 shared: 0 ahead, 12 behind
|
12 | 0 | 12 | - | 0% |
 Maxxis Premitra HP5
11 shared: 5 ahead, 6 behind
|
11 | 5 | 6 | - | 45% |
 Michelin Primacy 4
10 shared: 1 ahead, 9 behind
|
10 | 1 | 9 | - | 10% |
 Cooper Zeon CS8
9 shared: 7 ahead, 2 behind
|
9 | 7 | 2 | - | 78% |
 Semperit Speed Life 3
9 shared: 6 ahead, 3 behind
|
9 | 6 | 3 | - | 67% |
 Kleber Dynaxer HP4
9 shared: 4 ahead, 5 behind
|
9 | 4 | 5 | - | 44% |
 Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
9 shared: 4 ahead, 5 behind
|
9 | 4 | 5 | - | 44% |
 Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
9 shared: 3 ahead, 6 behind
|
9 | 3 | 6 | - | 33% |
 Barum Bravuris 5HM
8 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind
|
8 | 7 | 1 | - | 88% |
 Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
8 shared: 5 ahead, 3 behind
|
8 | 5 | 3 | - | 63% |
 BFGoodrich Advantage
7 shared: 6 ahead, 1 behind
|
7 | 6 | 1 | - | 86% |
 Uniroyal RainSport 5
7 shared: 6 ahead, 1 behind
Compare with RainSport 5 |
7 | 6 | 1 | - | 86% |
 Avon ZV7
7 shared: 6 ahead, 1 behind
|
7 | 6 | 1 | - | 86% |
 Toyo Proxes Comfort
7 shared: 3 ahead, 4 behind
|
7 | 3 | 4 | - | 43% |
 Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
7 shared: 2 ahead, 4 behind
|
7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 33% |
 Sava Intensa UHP 2
7 shared: 2 ahead, 5 behind
|
7 | 2 | 5 | - | 29% |
 Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
7 shared: 2 ahead, 5 behind
|
7 | 2 | 5 | - | 29% |
 Fulda SportControl 2
7 shared: 1 ahead, 5 behind
|
7 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 17% |
Against its own line
The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.
| Tire | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firestone RoadHawk This tire | 24 | 0 | 11th | 55% |
| Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN Successor | 11 | 0 | 5th | 47% |
Performance Analysis
Drawn from 24 tests. Updated August 26, 2025.
Firestone RoadHawk delivers solid mid-pack performance with standout wet handling and consistently good aquaplaning resistance, but is hampered by mediocre wet braking, frequent high exterior noise, and mixed results in larger, sportier sizes. It often qualifies well in large braking shootouts and occasionally scores top-10 overall finishes, yet struggles to convert this into class-leading results due to braking and noise trade-offs.
Across years and sizes, the tire repeatedly excels in dynamic wet handling and stability (including aquaplaning), with occasional strong dry handling. However, wet braking performance trends at 6-25% behind the best, and several tests place it bottom-tier for noise. Wear and value are generally average-to-good, reinforcing its role as a competent, balanced mid-range option rather than a test winner.
Performance Strengths
-
Wet Handling and Aquaplaning Resistance
Strong
Details
- 1st place wet handling in 2021 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 (+tied fastest)
- 3rd place wet handling in 2024 AutoBild 205/55 R16 (+0.8% from best)
- Straight aquaplaning 4th/21 in 2024 (+2.4% from best) and 5th/20 in 2020 (+2.5% from best)
- Curved aquaplaning 3rd/50 in 2023 (+5% from best)
-
Dry Handling and Overall Balance
Moderate
Details
- Dry handling 5th/21 in 2024 (+0.4% from best)
- Dry handling 3rd/20 in 2021 (+0.4% from best)
- Overall 6th/21 in 2024 and 9th/20 in 2021
-
Qualification in Large Braking Shootouts
Moderate
Details
- 10th/53 overall braking in 2021 (dry 9/53, wet 8/53)
- 3rd/47 in 2018 AutoBild overview
- 11th/49 in 2020 braking overview
-
Value and Wear
Moderate
Details
- Wear 6th/20 in 2024 (+34% from best) and 11th/20 in 2018 (+23.4% from best)
- Value 7th/20 in 2024 (+35.1% from best) and 5th/20 in 2018 (+33.8% from best)
-
Dry handling
Strong
in 5 of 13 tests
Details
sporty dynamic handling
- 2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test (2024)Good dry handling
- 2020 Auto Zeitung Summer Tire Test (2020)balanced behavior in the wet and dry
- 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2020)High lateral stability
- 2019 NAF Summer Tire Test (2019)excellent handling
- 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tire Test (2018)
-
Dry braking
Strong
in 5 of 13 tests
Details
short dry braking distances
- 2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test (2024)short dry braking
- 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tire Test (2021)Short dry braking
- 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2019)excellent dry braking
- 2018 Gute Fahrt Summer Tire Test (2018)short braking in both the dry and wet
- 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tire Test (2018)
-
Dry grip
Strong
in 3 of 13 tests
Details
Good in the dry
- 2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tire Test (2022)Good in the dry
- 2022 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 15 Inch (2022)Top marks on dry roads
- 2019 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 185/65 R15 (2019)
-
Aquaplaning resistance
Strong
in 3 of 13 tests
Details
saafe aquaplaning characteristics
- 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tire Test (2021)good aquaplaning resistance
- 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2020)strong resistance to aquaplaning
- 2018 Gute Fahrt Summer Tire Test (2018)
Performance Weaknesses
-
Wet Braking Performance
Strong
Details
- Wet braking 13/21 in 2024 (+11.4% from best) and 13/55 in 2024 market overview (+11.2%)
- Wet braking 32/50 in 2023 ADAC (+21.2% from best) and 17/17 in 2021 ADAC 225/50 R17 (+26% from best)
-
Noise/Comfort
Strong
Details
- Noise 21/21 in 2024 (+3% from best)
- Noise 20/20 in 2021 (+5% from best)
- Noise 17/20 in 2020 (+3.1% from best) and 16/20 in 2019 (+2.4%)
- Noise 20/20 in 2018 (+6.1% from best)
-
Performance Consistency Across Sizes (especially larger/sportier)
Moderate
Details
- Overall 31/48 with wet braking 34/48 (+24.6%) in 2023 225/45 R18 market overview
- Last place 17/17 in 2021 ADAC 225/50 R17 (wet braking +26% from best)
-
Rolling Resistance/Fuel in some tests
Minor
Details
- Fuel consumption 43/50 in 2023 ADAC (+7.3% from best)
- Rolling resistance mid-pack: 10/20 in 2021 (+21.4% from best), 15/20 in 2018 (+31%)
-
Road noise
Strong
in 6 of 13 tests
Details
Increased rolling noise
- 2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test (2024)loudest tire on test
- 2022 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 15 Inch (2022)Weakness in the wet, relatively noisey
- 2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tire Test (2022)high noise
- 2020 ACE Mid Range Summer Tire Test (2020)High noise levels
- 2019 NAF Summer Tire Test (2019)
-
Wet grip
Strong
in 3 of 13 tests
Details
Weakness in the wet, relatively noisey
- 2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tire Test (2022)very weak in the wet
- 2021 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2021)A little weaker in the wet
- 2019 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 185/65 R15 (2019)
-
Tread life
Strong
in 3 of 13 tests
Details
High wear / low value
- 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tire Test (2021)high wear
- 2021 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2021)Average wear
- 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2020)
-
Wet handling
Moderate
in 2 of 13 tests
Details
Weakness in wet handling
- 2022 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 15 Inch (2022)poor wet handling
- 2020 ACE Mid Range Summer Tire Test (2020)
Do owners agree with the tests?
Every tester write-up on the Firestone RoadHawk (13 tests) and 43 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Where owners and testers agree
- Dry grip strength in 3 of 13 tests 15 praise, 0 criticise of 43 reviews · Read those reviews
- Ride comfort strength in 1 of 13 tests 7 praise, 1 criticise of 43 reviews · Read those reviews
Where they disagree
- Wet grip weakness in 3 of 13 tests 16 praise, 3 criticise of 43 reviews · Read those reviews
Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire
- Sidewall stiffness no test mentions it 1 praise, 8 criticise of 43 reviews · Read those reviews
- Even wear no test mentions it 1 praise, 5 criticise of 43 reviews · Read those reviews
Every test, newest first 24
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
2024 2 tests
P12 of 55
Beat 80% of the field
2023 2 tests
P20 of 50
Beat 61% of the field
P31 of 50
Beat 36% of the field
2022 3 tests
P11 of 18
Beat 41% of the field
2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tire Test
The Firestone Roadhawk offers good performance on dry roads and good wear resistance. In the wet, however, it shows slight weaknesses that lead to the devaluation of the overall rating. Overall, the tire is recommended.
P9 of 16
Beat 47% of the field
2022 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 15 Inch
The Firestone Roadhawk offers good performance on dry roads and good wear resistance. In the wet, however, it shows slight weaknesses that lead to the devaluation of the overall rating. Overall, the tire is recommended.
P28 of 50
Beat 37% of the field
2021 3 tests
P9 of 20
Beat 53% of the field
P17 of 17
Beat 0% of the field
2021 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 225/50 R17
The Firestone Roadhawk comes last in the test. It has an average dry performance but a very weak wet performance in all tests. Average noise and high wear also mark down the Firestone, however it does have low rolling resistance.
P10 of 53
Beat 83% of the field
2020 4 tests
P9 of 20
Beat 53% of the field
P12 of 20
Beat 42% of the field
P7 of 9
Beat 25% of the field
2020 ACE Mid Range Summer Tire Test
Conditionally recommended
P11 of 50
Beat 79% of the field
2019 5 tests
P9 of 15
Beat 43% of the field
P3 of 7
Beat 50% of the field
P18 of 20
Beat 11% of the field
2019 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test
Conditionally recommended.
P13 of 53
Beat 73% of the field
P5 of 16
Beat 73% of the field
2018 5 tests
P8 of 16
Beat 46% of the field
P4 of 12
Beat 45% of the field
2018 Gute Fahrt Summer Tire Test
Very Good.
P4 of 20
Beat 84% of the field
P3 of 51
Beat 96% of the field
P4 of 16
Beat 80% of the field
Back to the Firestone RoadHawk overview
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Firestone tires