Auto Zeitung has compared the performances of 20 high performance summer tyres in the size 225/50 R17 for a BMW 3-Series and similar vehicles. Once again, a test that shows that a no-compromise driving experience comes at a price.

By Published On: 7 June 2021Categories: Tyre reviews755 words4 min read
Auto Zeitung best summer tyres test
Auto Zeitung tested the best summer tyres. © Auto Zeitung

20 tyres from all types of brands

In a new test of HP (High Performance) tyres, the German car magazine Auto Zeitung has put a selection of 20 tyres in the size 225/50 R17 through 13 different tests. The vehicle used? A BMW 3-Series 320d producing 190 hp. For this comparison test, the magazine prepared a wide selection of tyres from premium, intermediate and budget brands:

Summer tyres comparison test: Auto Zeitung ranking
© Auto Zeitung

What are the best HP summer tyres according to Auto Zeitung?

Tyre +
1 – Continental PremiumContact 6 Best tyre in wet conditions None
2 – Bridgestone Turanza T005 Best tyre in dry conditions None
2 – Michelin Primacy 4 Good performance balance and high safety, wet grip Expensive
4 – Maxxis Premitra HP5 Best price / quality ratio and good aquaplaning resistance Long wet braking distances
5 – Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 Good dry performance and safe wet handling Fuel consumption
6 – Vredestein Ultrac Satin Very high aquaplaning resistance and good ride comfort Fuel consumption
7 – Falken Ziex ZE914 Good aquaplaning resistance and short wet braking Fuel consumption
7 – Dunlop Sport BluResponse Dry handling performance and aquaplaning resistance Wet grip
9 – Giti Premium H1 Good performance in dry conditions Aquaplaning resistance and long wet braking
10 – Apollo Aspire XP Short wet and dry braking distances Aquaplaning
11 – Yokohama BluEarth-A AE50 Good performance in dry conditions Aquaplaning resistance and long wet braking
12 – Firestone Roadhawk Good performance in dry conditions Aquaplaning resistance and long wet braking
13 – Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue Good performance in dry conditions Aquaplaning resistance and long wet braking
14 – Linglong Green Max Wet braking Weak traction when driving
15 – Westlake SA37 Sport Dry handling Nervous handling in wet conditions
16 – Rotalla Setulla S-Pace RU01 Agile in dry conditions Low traction on wet roads
17 – Star Performer UHP 3 Dry handling Weak wet performance and high fuel consumption
18 – Goodride SA37 Sport M+S Slaloms in dry conditions Weak wet performance and high fuel consumption
19 – Nankang Sportnex NS-20 Dry braking and aquaplaning resistance Wet braking
20 – Achilles ATR Sport 2 Dry handling Long wet braking distances and poor wet handling
Summer tyres comparison: Auto Zeitung slalom test
© Auto Zeitung

Wet performance is the downfall of several tyres

In this comparison test, the results for performance in wet and dry conditions each account for 50% of the final score and not a reason for relegation as can be the case in ADAC tests. Yet, for most, if not all of the tyres at the bottom of the ranking show weaknesses in wet conditions. However, the 20 tyres tested at least deliver a correct level of performance in dry conditions.

To a certain extent, tyres ranked from the 20th to the 7th positions experience difficulties in aquaplaning and wet braking tests. Faults which mean that Auto Zeitung cannot recommend these tyres except for the Falken Ziex ZE914, 7th equal with the Dunlop Sport Bluresponse tyre. The Falken tyre proves to be more efficient in wet conditions.

Summer tyres comparison: Auto Zeitung noise test
© Auto Zeitung

From the 6th place to the top of the ranking, Auto Zeitung found no real weaknesses with the best tyres. The Vredestein Ultrac Satin, for example, delivers high safety, comfort and a good performance balance just like the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 which has the shortest dry braking distance.

The Maxxis Premitra HP5 is the good “surprise” of this test even if the Taiwanese brand is increasingly proving the good performances of its summer tyres in tests. It was voted the tyre offering the best value for money by Auto Zeitung thanks to its balanced performances and despite a slightly long wet braking distance.

Summer tyres comparison: Auto Zeitung wet braking test
© Auto Zeitung

And, on the podium, the Michelin-Bridgestone-Continental trio. The first two tied for second place with very well-balanced performances. The Bridgestone Turanza T005 is the best of all tyres tested for dry handling whereas the Michelin Primacy 4, although excellent in dry conditions, is more at ease on wet surfaces.

Only the Continental PremiumContact 6 manages to perform better on wet roads: it is the fastest tyre and the one delivering the shortest braking distance. In short, the tyre from the German tyre manufacturer delivers a faultless performance in the wet and is just as good in dry conditions.

Discover the complete Auto Zeitung test (in German).

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