2022 AMS Performance Summer Tire Test
Good for every day summer weather, deficits only in heavy rain.
Tested 19 times by independent publications, the Nokian PowerProof has taken 1 test wins with an average finish of 6th. Its strongest discipline is Dry Braking, beating 63% of the field across 16 tests; its weakest is Dry Handling, at 32% across 13 tests.
2022 AMS Performance Summer Tire Test P6 of 10
Good for every day summer weather, deficits only in heavy rain.
Where the Nokian PowerProof 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 Strong | 16 | P4.7 of 16.4 | 63% | 2 |
| Dry Handling Weak | 13 | P8.2 of 12.1 | 32% | - |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 6 | P6.3 of 9.2 | 34% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 16 | P6 of 16.4 | 56% | - |
| Wet Handling | 13 | P5.1 of 12.1 | 61% | 1 |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 5 | P4.2 of 9 | 59% | - |
| Wet Circle | 4 | P5.5 of 12.3 | 57% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 14 | P8 of 12.1 | 37% | - |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 5 | P9.8 of 14.2 | 34% | - |
| Off road | ||||
| Gravel Handling | 1 | P1 of 10 | 100% | 1 |
| Gravel Traction | 1 | P8 of 10 | 22% | - |
| Grass Traction | 1 | P3 of 10 | 78% | - |
| Mud Traction | 1 | P5 of 10 | 56% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 6 | P6.5 of 9.3 | 37% | - |
| Noise | 11 | P9.6 of 13 | 32% | 1 |
| Tire Weight | 1 | P9 of 10 | 11% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Wear | 3 | P16.3 of 19 | 15% | - |
| Value | 2 | P17.5 of 20.5 | 16% | - |
| Rolling Resistance | 13 | P5.4 of 12.1 | 63% | 1 |
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Nokian PowerProof. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 3 | 12 | - | 20% | |
| 14 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 15% | |
| 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 70% | |
| 10 | 1 | 9 | - | 10% | |
| 9 | 5 | 4 | - | 56% | |
| 9 | 4 | 5 | - | 44% | |
| 9 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 13% | |
| 8 | 4 | 4 | - | 50% | |
| 8 | 4 | 4 | - | 50% | |
| 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 100% | |
| 7 | 4 | 3 | - | 57% | |
| 6 | 3 | 3 | - | 50% | |
| 5 | 4 | 1 | - | 80% | |
| 5 | 4 | 1 | - | 80% | |
| 5 | 4 | 1 | - | 80% | |
| 4 | 3 | 1 | - | 75% | |
| 4 | 2 | 2 | - | 50% | |
| 4 | 0 | 4 | - | 0% | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% |
The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.
| Tire | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nokian zLine Predecessor | 15 | 0 | 8th | 44% |
| Nokian PowerProof This tire | 19 | 1 | 6th | 49% |
| Nokian Powerproof 1 Successor | 3 | 0 | 15th | 37% |
Drawn from 19 tests. Updated October 15, 2025.
Across 19 summer tests, the Nokian PowerProof delivers balanced performance with standout dry braking and frequent competence in wet handling, but it is held back by aquaplaning resistance, wear, and noise. It scores top-tier dry stops (multiple 1st-2nd places) and often places well in timed wet handling, occasionally challenging premium rivals. However, aquaplaning results are repeatedly below average, and durability/value metrics can be weak, depressing overall rankings in comprehensive tests. Overall, it's a capable UHP tire with strong safety-oriented braking, best suited to drivers prioritizing dry stop distances and confident wet cornering rather than low noise, long wear, or aquaplaning depth.
Very good dry braking- 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2022)
short dry braking distances- 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test (2021)
Good braking performance- 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tire Test (2020)
short braking in the wet and dry- 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2020)
short dry braking- 2020 AMS 18 Inch Summer Tire Test (2020)
dynamic wet handling- 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2022)
Stable cornering in the wet- 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test (2021)
well rounded balance in the dry and wet- 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tire Test (2020)
Good handling and short braking in the wet and dry- 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2020)
very good handling on gravel and wet asphalt- 2019 SUV 4x4 Summer Tire Test (2019)
precise steering and easy to control in the dry- 2022 AMS Performance Summer Tire Test (2022)
Good handling and short braking in the wet and dry- 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2020)
Good dry handling- 2020 AMS 18 Inch Summer Tire Test (2020)
Agile and willing" in the dry- 2019 EVO Summer Tire Test (2019)
Good levels of comfort, low rolling resistance- 2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test (2021)
very low rolling resistance- 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tire Test (2020)
low rolling resistance- 2020 AMS 18 Inch Summer Tire Test (2020)
low rolling resistance- 2019 Auto Bild Sports Car Tire Test (2019)
low rolling resistance- 2019 Gute Fahrt Summer 18 Inch Tire Test (2019)
Low aquaplaning resistance, noisy- 2022 AMS Performance Summer Tire Test (2022)
Long wet braking distances, poor aquaplaning resistance- 2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test (2021)
aquaplaning resistance- 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tire Test (2020)
weak aquaplaning resistance- 2020 AMS 18 Inch Summer Tire Test (2020)
very high wear- 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2022)
relatively high wear- 2020 ADAC 18 Inch Summer Tire Test (2020)
Average wear- 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2020)
Low aquaplaning resistance, noisy- 2022 AMS Performance Summer Tire Test (2022)
high noise- 2020 AMS 18 Inch Summer Tire Test (2020)
Increased noise- 2019 SUV 4x4 Summer Tire Test (2019)
Long wet braking distances- 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test (2021)
Long wet braking distances, poor aquaplaning resistance- 2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test (2021)
long braking distances in the wet- 2019 Auto Bild Sports Car Tire Test (2019)
Every tester write-up on the Nokian PowerProof (15 tests) and 25 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
Good for every day summer weather, deficits only in heavy rain.
The PowerProof needs work if it's to match the big names.
The Nokian PowerProof had a refined ride, but didn't perform up to expectations in the grip tests.
Conditionally Recommended.
A great result for the Powerproof. It’s not the most tactile or the sharpest steering here but it delivered strong performances in the wet, including equal second fastest on the wet track and good aquaplaning resistance. This it combines with decent everyday refinement and good value.
A good mid-range summer tire with slight weakness in the wet.
Good - A mid-range summer tire with only slight weaknesses.
Recommended
A solid balance of results for the Nokian resulted in joint fourth. "Agile and willing" in the dry, but a little skittish in the wet.
A deserved win due to a balanced performance in the key wet and dry tests.
Satisfactory.
Exemplary.
Highly Recommended.
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Nokian tires