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Best Tires for the Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5

Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 drivers have left 22 tire reviews on Tire Reviews, covering 179,712 miles of real world driving. Every tire they rated is ranked below, so you can see what actually works on this car. The numbers include 1 Golf GTi Mk5 variants, listed further down.

This page covers the Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 specifically. For the full picture, the Volkswagen Golf GTI page combines 221 reviews from every variant. All Volkswagen Golf GTI reviews →

  • 22owner reviews
  • 179,712 milescovered on them
  • 19different tires rated
  • 66%average tire score
Most fitted size - 11 reviews 225/40 R18 To scale, mm
Ø 637 225 90 18" 90 All 225/40 R18 data →

The quick answer

The quick answer - Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5
Season Owners' pick Owner rating Our category test
Summer Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 8.5 Current version: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 89% from 3 reviews Best Summer Tires

Highest weighted owner score from Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 drivers. Full rankings and the evidence behind them below.

The best rated tires for the Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5

Rated only by drivers of this car. Each tire needs at least 3 reviews from the Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 to be ranked; the order weights a tire's score by how many reviews back it, so one glowing review cannot top a table.

Summer tires

The highest rated tire in the Summer category for the Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 is the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 - 89% from 3 owner reviews across 10,012 miles. The current tire in that line is now the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6.

Summer tires ranked by Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 owner rating
# Tire Owner rating Reviews Distance reviewed TR Score
1 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 Replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 89% 3 10,012 miles 8.5

Want test data as well as owner opinion? Best Summer Tires →

TR Score is the tire's overall Tire Reviews rating out of 10, built from independent test results and every owner review of that tire - not just the reviews from this car. The owner rating column is this car only.

The best rated tires that fit the Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5

The rankings above can only speak for tires a Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 driver has already reviewed. These are the highest rated tires we hold that are actually manufactured in the sizes these drivers run - 225/40 R18 and 225/45 R17 - whether or not anyone here has fitted them yet. They are ranked on the TR Score, which is built from independent test results and every owner review of that tire.

Summer tires

Our highest rated tire in the Summer category, in this car's sizes, is the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, at 9.7 out of 10.

Highest rated Summer tires made in Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 sizes
# Tire TR Score Made in Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 reviews
1 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 9.7 All your sizes Be the first →
2 Continental SportContact 7 9.7 225/40 R18 Be the first →
3 Continental PremiumContact 7 9.5 All your sizes Be the first →
4 Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo 9.5 All your sizes Be the first →
5 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 9.4 All your sizes 1
6 Michelin Pilot Sport 5 9.4 All your sizes Be the first →

Want test data as well as owner opinion? Best Summer Tires →

All Season tires

No Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 driver has reviewed a tire in the All Season category yet. Of the ones made in this car's sizes, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is our highest rated, at 9.6 out of 10.

Highest rated All Season tires made in Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 sizes
# Tire TR Score Made in Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 reviews
1 Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 9.6 All your sizes Be the first →
2 Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport 9.6 225/40 R18 Be the first →
3 Continental AllSeasonContact 2 9.5 All your sizes Be the first →
4 Michelin CrossClimate 3 9.5 All your sizes Be the first →
5 BFGoodrich Advantage All Season 9.5 All your sizes Be the first →
6 Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 9.4 All your sizes Be the first →

Want test data as well as owner opinion? Best All Season Tires → Test winner: Goodyear Vector All Season 4

Winter tires

No Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 driver has reviewed a tire in the Winter category yet. Of the ones made in this car's sizes, the Hankook Winter I*cept Evo 4 is our highest rated, at 9.6 out of 10.

Highest rated Winter tires made in Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 sizes
# Tire TR Score Made in Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 reviews
1 Hankook Winter I*cept Evo 4 9.6 225/40 R18 Be the first →
2 Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 9.5 All your sizes Be the first →
3 Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 225/40 R18 Be the first →
4 Michelin Alpin 7 9.5 225/45 R17 Be the first →
5 Bridgestone Blizzak 6 9.4 All your sizes Be the first →
6 Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 9.4 All your sizes Be the first →

Want test data as well as owner opinion? Best Winter Tires → Test winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

All Weather tires

No Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 driver has reviewed a tire in the All Weather category yet. Of the ones made in this car's sizes, the Vredestein Quatrac is our highest rated, at 9.5 out of 10.

Highest rated All Weather tires made in Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 sizes
# Tire TR Score Made in Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 reviews
1 Vredestein Quatrac 9.5 All your sizes Be the first →
2 Vredestein Quatrac Pro EV 8.3 225/45 R17 Be the first →
3 Vredestein Quatrac Pro+ 8.1 All your sizes Be the first →

Want test data as well as owner opinion? Best All Weather Tires →

Fitment comes from each tire's manufactured size list, and the sizes are the ones drivers reported when they reviewed. Check the size, load index and speed rating on your own doorplate before buying - a size a previous owner ran is not always the size your car left the factory on.

Every tire reviewed on the Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5

The complete record, including discontinued tires and tires with too few reviews to rank, ordered by the amount of evidence. A further 17 tires have a single review each; they count toward the totals but are not listed.

All tires reviewed by Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 drivers
Tire Season Owner rating Reviews Distance reviewed
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 Replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 Summer 89% 3 10,012 miles
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 Summer 93% 2 29,000 miles

Tire sizes Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 drivers run

The sizes fitted in the reviews on this page. Each one links to the top rated tires in that size, across every car.

Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 variants, reviewed separately

These trims and body styles have pages of their own. Their reviews are already counted in the rankings above.

What Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 drivers say

The most recent owner reviews from this car, in their own words.

61%
Kumho Ecsta PS71 225-45-17- Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 1,000 miles August 7, 2023
These replaced Continental premium tires. Generally they seem pretty good but there are time the car loses grip and bring on the traction control light, in slightly damp conditions it wouldn't with the Continental. That said they are a pretty cheap tire.
73%
Yokohama Advan A050 235-40-18- Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 500 miles May 14, 2023
While the a050 semi-slicks are the most expensive tires I have purchased, I have no regrets about the investment. I use them as daily driving tires, and I anticipate they will last approximately 5000 km at the front and 7000 km at the rear, given my driving style, which includes a front-wheel drive car.

Having been upgraded from Hankook Ventus TD, I have found the a050 tires to be superb. While I do not expect exceptional wet grip from semi-slicks, they consistently perform well on dry ground.

In terms of tire noise, the a050's soft compound provides a pleasant surprise. The noise level is not as high as I had anticipated, making for a more enjoyable driving experience. Overall, the a050 semi-slicks have exceeded my expectations, and I highly recommend them.
87%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 225-40-18- Volkswagen Golf GTI MK5 (remapped 330bhp) 28,000 miles December 27, 2019
These tires just keep going and going. I have done 2
45 000km on them and still have 4mm left all round. They are now 5 years old and starting to chip. But still grip is insane, both dry and wet. Really really good wet tire.
Noise levels are low as well.
Their rim protector is also a nice feature. Never had any issues with these tires. I'm moving on to Continental maxcontact MC6 which have high expectations so I'll review those Soon.
24%
Maxxis Premitra HP5 195-65-17- Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 8,000 miles October 20, 2019
Without a doubt the worst tires I've ever had. I usually run Avon's but when they've been in short supply I've used unknown budget ones - I recently went from
Budget ones to these maxxis and they were notably much worse. Wet grip fairly problematic , handling poor but worst of all they did less than 10000 miles (9 months ) before running to cords.
Will never ever buy Maxxis again
80%
Continental ContiMaxContact MC5 225-45-17- Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 40,000 miles May 15, 2019
They were a great tire especially at the price point. My biggest issue with them was how they gave way quickly when pushed rather than being progressive. If you don't plan on pushing your car to the limit then these are an incredible tire for the price.
73%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 225-40-18-W Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 8,000 miles March 23, 2019
Seem to wear extremely quickly. I drive hard but still would expect more than 9 months/8000 miles out of them! They've just worn down to the big that signifies a change. They do grip well however, especially in the wet, they do have a tendency it seems to understeer a bit but this is neglible and arguably the cars lack of mechanical grip. Will upgrade to PS4's next so that will tell the difference!
81%
Kumho Ecsta PS31 225-40-18-W Volkswagen Golf GTI MK5 (remapped 330bhp) 7,000 miles May 6, 2017
At first when my friends at the workshop recommended this tire. Being only RM400/piece I have my doubts initially plus I'm not familiar with the brand but I still make my choices to take up the PS31. The doubts immediately cleared off when took the car out for a convoy. The entire journey is about 650km with mix of average and spirited drive and I'm surprised how a RM400/piece tire perform on the road. Dry grip is good and the wet grip is fantastic. On dry road the car feels steady at high speed and surprisingly low noise and during low speed/normal driving speed, the tire is a little soft due to softer tire wall but resulted in comfort drive. But when you hit wet road, this is where the tire shines as it has even more awesome grip on dry. Normally you'll feel the car shifts to the left and right when driving on wet road but with this tire, you barely feel the tire skid and feel more in control. As for wear it's still unknown but after driving it for about 10,000km with mixture of driving (been for spirited drive for 4-5 times since I got the tire), I have to say the wear is impressive. Will I buy again? Hell yeah but I'll want to try the PS91 next but no doubt for those who wants to enjoy spirited driving but have tight budget, this is the tire to go for.
89%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 225-40-18-W Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 8,000 miles March 21, 2017
Best tires I ever put on a Golf MK5 GTI. They inspire confidence. I have put a few sets over the last couple of years. Wear is good and cost is on the high side but I'm a firm believer that tires are cheaper than body panels. The wet and dry grip is outstanding.
10%
Nordexx NS9000 225-40-18- Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 600 miles March 17, 2017
Got these tires on advice from a tire dealer who obviously gave the wrong advice, I have a golf gti and I nearly crashed twice, wet grip is terrible when taking corners, also road noise is very loud, if you want to stay alive do not buy these tires
10%
Haida HD921 225-45-17- Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 August 26, 2016
This brand of tires are crap. I bought them and changed them away after 11 days of driving. The road noise was so loud and deafening. The fuel consumption was so bad too with this tires. I'm driving a 2007 VW Golf GTI. Changed them away and fitted them back with Bridgestone Potenza S001. I was using this set of tires till its time before changing to this horrendous Haida brand.

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Where this data comes from

Every rating on this page was submitted by a driver through the review form on this site, naming the car, the tire, the size and the distance covered. Reviews are checked by hand before publication, and the page rebuilds automatically as new ones arrive.

About the TR Score

The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 using independent test results and the full body of owner reviews, so you can check a car-specific ranking against the wider evidence.

Who does the testing

Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.

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