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Matador Hectorra 5

Touring Summer

A budget summer touring tire that feels reassuring in the wet for many owners, but is held back by consistently poor braking results in independent mega-tests. Best seen as a value-led option for gentle driving rather than maximum safety margins.

The quick answer

Owners say 87% from 8 owner reviews 100% would buy again Read the reviews
Tests say 40th average finish across 3 independent tests Latest: P41 of 50 · 2026 See every test

Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tire - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated September 2026.

  • 8owner reviews
  • 84,200miles driven
  • 3professional tests
  • 132sizes available
Matador Hectorra 5 1 photos

Tire Reviews Score

Matador Hectorra 5

6.1/10

Better than 30% of summer tires

  • Medium Confidence
  • 3 tests
  • 8 owner reviews
Scores of the 406 summer tires we have tested

How this score is built

Better than Weight
Independent tests3 tests · 1 publication · 2024-2026 19% 86%
Owner reviews8 owner reviews · rated 87% 97% 14%
Combined 30% 6.1

A fixed curve turns the combined figure into the 0 to 10 score, so roughly the top 10% of a group score 9 or more.

Category by category

How it compares with other summer tires in each area, and how much each area counts. 50 is the middle of the group.

Category Better than Weight Tests
WetBraking, handling and aquaplaning in the wet 30% 53% 3
DryBraking and handling on dry roads 13% 47% 3

Weights are shares of the test result. Owner reviews are blended in afterwards.

By discipline

The same results grouped by what the tire was doing. They are not counted a second time.

BrakingEvery braking test, on any surface 25% 3

Confidence

  1. Limited
  2. Medium
  3. High

Its own test results decide 90% of the test figure. The other 10% is the average for its group, and it shrinks as more tests arrive.

High needs at least 3 tests, with its own results deciding 90% or more. Medium needs 2 tests and 70%. Anything less is Limited: expect the number to move as tests arrive.

The tests behind it

  1. 2026 2026 Summer Braking Super Tire Test - How do 52 Tires Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? Auto Bild · 245/45 R19 P41 / 50
  2. 2025 2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout Auto Bild · 225/40 R18 P37 / 52
  3. 2024 2024 Summer Tire Market Overview Auto Bild · 205/55 R16 P43 / 55
All Tests
View Test Results

Tested 3 times by independent publications, the Matador Hectorra 5 averages a finish of 40th.

3 Tests
0 Test Wins
40th Average
37th Best
43rd Worst
Finishing position in each test1stLast20242026

Finishing position in each test

YearTestResultAward
20262026 Summer Braking Super Tire Test - How do 52 Tires Perform in Wet and Dry Braking?Auto Bild · 245/45 R19P41 / 50
20252025 Summer Tire Test ShootoutAuto Bild · 225/40 R18P37 / 52
20242024 Summer Tire Market OverviewAuto Bild · 205/55 R16P43 / 55

On the full record: Record by disciplineHead-to-head recordEvery published verdict

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Dimensions & Label Scores
View All

Size Range99 sizes available

155-295Width35-70Profile14-21Rim75-111 T-YLoad/Speed Index2022First On Market

EU LabelAcross 99 sizes - the grade depends on the size you buy.

Noise

70-75dB

Popular sizes235/45 R19215/55 R16215/50 R17225/40 R18215/55 R17195/55 R15
Frequently Asked Questions
How good is the Matador Hectorra 5 in the wet?
Across the 3 wet-braking tests it has featured in, the Matador Hectorra 5 stops 17.8% longer than premium rivals, 12.4% longer than mid-range rivals and 1.5% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews wet score of 30/100, and owners rate it 8/10 in the wet from 8 reviews.
How good is the Matador Hectorra 5 in the dry?
Across the 3 dry-braking tests it has featured in, the Matador Hectorra 5 stops 11.6% longer than premium rivals, 8.3% longer than mid-range rivals and 2.6% longer than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews dry score of 13/100, and owners rate it 8.8/10 in the dry from 8 reviews.
What do owners say about the Matador Hectorra 5?
Across 8 owner ratings the Matador Hectorra 5 averages 87%. Owners rate Wear highest at 9.2 out of 10 and Wet Grip lowest at 8. 1 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 100% of owners score it 70% or better.
What is the Matador Hectorra 5's EU tire label rating?
Across its range, the Matador Hectorra 5 most commonly carries EU label ratings of C for fuel efficiency, B for wet grip and 72 dB for noise.
How comfortable and quiet are the Matador Hectorra 5?
Owners rate the Matador Hectorra 5 8.6 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 6 reviews.
More questions about the Matador Hectorra 5 (3)
How well do the Matador Hectorra 5 wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Matador Hectorra 5 9.2 out of 10 for wear across 6 reviews. 1 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 5,000 miles.
Would owners buy the Matador Hectorra 5 again?
100% of owners say they would buy the Matador Hectorra 5 again, based on the 8 owner reviews that answered the question. 75% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What sizes does the Matador Hectorra 5 come in?
The Matador Hectorra 5 is available in 132 sizes, ranging from 155-295/35-70 R14-21.
Owner Questions
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Matador Hectorra 5 Owner Reviews

Review this tire

What owners say summarised from 7 reviews

Across seven positive reviews averaging 87.6%, owners rate the Matador Hectorra 5 as a strong all-rounder, most often praising its secure wet grip and confidence in heavy rain for the money. A smaller but consistent group also highlights solid dry grip/handling and impressive tread life, with a few reporting it stays dependable as it wears. Complaints are rare, but around one in seven mentions softer sidewalls leading to slightly slower steering response, and a similar share note it can trap stones in the tread.

What owners mention most counted across 7 reviews

Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.

Owner ratings averaged from 8 ratings

  • Owner score 87%
  • Wear 92%
  • Dry Grip 88%
  • Comfort 86%
  • Road Feedback 84%
  • Handling 84%
  • Wet Grip 80%

Featured reviews

Most helpful 91%

“Amazing tires for 93€ per tire they don't slip hold well on dry and wet very good aquaplaning resistance they make little noise on some type of roads not all and catch stones between the treads very often overall best...”

  • Volkswagen Passat 2.0TDI
  • 2,000 miles
Read full review → 949 found this helpful
Longest term 99%

“We are on our third set of Matadors used on a 1.8 Seat Leon tsi FR. The car is driven sensibly and always within the road conditions primarily in 50 mph twity poor country roads and motorways in the UK and France. We do...”

  • SEAT LEON 1.8TSI
  • 30,000 miles
Read full review → 134 found this helpful

All 6 Matador Hectorra 5 reviews

Score spread across 6 written reviews
87%
Member
Mid-Life

All round excellent tire , XL rated and very good towing caravan. Recommended to both my son who's a driving instructor and my wife and daughter. My local tire depot recommends them.

This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 8
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 11
  1. Initial Impressions87% 200 miles
    Only been fitted for 2 weeks but so far very impressed. Previously had Continentals from new which did 22500 miles but double the price
88%
Garzonrobot
Initial Impressions

I have had some other brands on this car, Firestone, Hankook, Vredestein, but I have to say, these Matadors are way better.

They have good balance between comfort and performance. Good levels of grip on dry and wet roads, but smoothen the ride well on rough or damaged tarmac. The noise level is ok.

The tires are soft (both sidewalls and tread), shows some delay in steering in the corner entries, but it's not a big deal. Not a sporty tire, tuned for comfort ride, they have the feeling I'm driving a Michelin subbrand, however It's a brand of Continental.

I got more what I expected for the price, I'm waiting how they will perform on long term.

This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 8
  • Handling 8
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 22
71%
Member
Initial Impressions
Car came from factory with Continental EcoContact 6Q, which were decent enough, but needed replacing at 14k on the front. The dealer I bought the car off fitted these Matadors, and I was honestly expecting them to be terrible. They really are quite good.

Only when really pushing on in the wet do they start to let go. They handle the cars 201hp no problem.

I would certainly consider buying them in the future if they weren't the price they are - for the same money you can get Falkens and only a tenner more for Goodyear.

Matador shares a lot of Continental knowledge, and really I can't tell the difference between them and the EcoContact 6Q. The Matador even have the Continental "wet grip" wear bars, same as the 6Q.

If you can get them cheap, then go for it.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 6
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 6
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 8
Helpful 121

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697 reviews submitted this month Earn your Contributor badge No account needed
99%
Member
Initial Impressions
We are on our third set of Matadors used on a 1.8 Seat Leon tsi FR. The car is driven sensibly and always within the road conditions primarily in 50 mph twity poor country roads and motorways in the UK and France. We do not do drag strip dashes as seems prevalent with a lot of people these days.
These Matadors are fantastic and last incredibly well. At 30 k miles fronts were still legal but near the 1.6 mm marker. The rears were totally legal but had began to go slightly out of round. Ive put these tires on my other car too (e class Mercedes).
SIMPLY FANTASTIC. The price has sadly increased over the years. People used to refer to them as budget but now the tire snobs call them mid range. We're in the UK and have driven at 110 kph in France in heavy rain . No sign of aqua planning and superb handling and feedback. Why anyone would choose to spend two or three times as much beats me.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 9
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 134
90%
Member
The tires have done 110,000 in 1.5, they are used in a taxi Opel Astra K Sports Tourer and they did not slip and the wear is minimal, they will soon be replaced with the same ones.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 9
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 357
91%
Member
Amazing tires for 93€ per tire they don't slip hold well on dry and wet very good aquaplaning resistance they make little noise on some type of roads not all and catch stones between the treads very often overall best budget tire for now
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 8
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 9
Helpful 949
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