The German magazine AutoBild has tested more than 50 summer tyres for 15-inch rims. After a pre-selection braking test, the 20 best tyres were compared.
A preselection braking test
There are a large number of summer tyres in the size 195/65 R15. On rezulteo, you can find 172. For its summer tyre test, AutoBild chose 51 of these and put them through a qualifying round in order to further narrow down the selection for the final test. The tyres were fitted on a Seat Leon, and their braking distances to a standstill from 100 km/h (62 mph) in dry conditions and from 80 km/h (50 mph) in wet conditions were measured. As with the magazine’s last winter test, only the 20 tyres with the best braking performance would make the final cut. On dry surfaces, the distance separating the best from the worst tyre was 8 metres. In wet conditions, this rose to almost 18 metres! The 20 tyres that made it through to the final round were:
- Avon ZV7
- BFGoodrich g-Grip
- Bridgestone Turanza T005
- Continental ContiPremiumContact 5
- Cooper Zeon CS8
- Dunlop Sport BluResponse
- Falken Ziex ZE310 EcoRun
- Firestone RoadHawk
- Fulda EcoControl HP
- Giti GitiSynergy E1
- Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
- Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
- Infinity Ecosis
- Kleber Dynaxer HP 3
- Maxxis Premitra HP5
- Michelin Energy Saver +
- Nokian Line
- Pirelli Cinturato P1 Verde
- Uniroyal RainExpert 3
- Vredestein Sportrac 5
20 tyres compared from all angles
In addition to braking tests, these 20 tyres were rated on other performance criteria, including rolling resistance, wear, rolling noise, aquaplaning resistance and wet and dry handling speed.
Despite achieving the third shortest braking distance and delivery a balanced performance, the Maxxis Premitra HP5 was unable to compensate for its low mileage. This tyre was the least economical of the finalists with the highest price per km.
The GitiSynergy E1 had a tendency to understeer in dry conditions but boasted the lowest rolling resistance by far. The Kleber Dynaxer HP 3 had low wear and was considered good value for money. However, it had the longest dry braking distance of the finalists, at 39 metres, and limited wet grip. On the other hand, despite a low rolling resistance and short dry braking distance, the Nokian Line was let down by a higher wear rate and lower aquaplaning resistance than the other tyres. These three tyres were all considered to offer a good level of comfort and finished with the same overall score.
The Avon ZV7 had a tendency to oversteer in the dry and its cost per mile was a bit on the high side. It performed very well in aquaplaning tests, however, and was quite comfortable, just like the Cooper Zeon CS8 with which it shared practically the same results. The BFGoodrich g-Grip also shared the same position in the ranking, due to its poor grip in wet conditions where it quickly began to slide. However, on the energy side it was very efficient with the third best mileage (45,000 km/ 28,000 miles) and the second lowest rolling resistance.
The low-priced Infinity Ecosis – at €180 (£160) for 4 tyres – gave a balanced ride with stable dry handling. Its poor aquaplaning resistance, the second worst of the finalists, and a high wear rate prevented it from ranking higher in this test.
As the top tyre in the aquaplaning tests and boasting the second shortest braking distance in wet conditions, the Uniroyal RainExpert 3 lived up to its name. However, AutoBild noted this tyre’s tendency to understeer on all surfaces.
The Dunlop Sport BluResponse performed well in tests for aquaplaning and handling on different surfaces but was let down by a high purchase price and low mileage. Performance-wise this tyre was very similar to the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance which had a slightly lower rolling resistance
The VredesteinSportrac 5, despite average results in aquaplaning tests, provided balanced performance in wet and dry conditions. It also had a high resistance to wear, lasting more than 40,000 km (25,000 miles). In the same final place, the Fulda EcoControl HP performed well in aquaplaning and wet handling tests. The second most expensive tyre of the finalists, it was the most durable, delivering almost 50,000 km (31,000 miles). The only downside was an average wet braking performance.
The recently released BridgestoneTuranza T005 was by far the best tyre in wet conditions with a braking distance of 34.3 metres, although it was slightly below average in aquaplaning tests. It also had the second lowest rolling resistance, lasting more than 42,000 km (26,000 miles). Autobild noted the tyre’s high price at €260 (£230) for 4 tyres, although this is not exceptional for a latest generation tyre.
6 tyres break away from the pack
The Pirelli Cinturato P1 Verde proved to be well balanced, offering safe handling on all surfaces. It delivered short braking distances (36 metres in both cases) and lasted over 41,000 km (25,000 miles). Its average aquaplaning results prevented it from ranking higher. The same was true of the Michelin EnergySaver + which ranked equal with the Pirelli tyre. However, it is worth mentioning that the EnergySaver + boasted the second best mileage at 47,500 km (30,000 miles) and also had one of the lowest rolling resistances and shortest braking distances.
4 tyres made podium with 3 tying for second place. The FirestoneRoadHawk, one of the cheapest tyres at €200 (£175) a set, had the second shortest braking distance in dry conditions and finished second from top in wet and dry handling tests. The only negative points were its noise levels and high rolling resistance.The FalkenZiex ZE310 EcoRun obtained excellent aquaplaning results, and had good steering precision when cornering and stable handling in dry conditions. Its short braking distance in all conditions and low wear rate (44,5000 km/ 28,000 miles) made up for its high rolling resistance.
The Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 had only its high price against it (€250/ £220 for 4 tyres). According to Autobild, it is an “excellent premium tyre without fault.” It provided good steering and balance in wet and dry conditions, with short braking distances.
First place when to the HankookVentus Prime 3 K125, which was the best in all tests on dry surfaces and took third place in tests in wet conditions. It was also one of the quietest and most comfortable tyres, according to the German magazine which considered it to be good value for money.
| Tyre | Dry braking (100 km/h) | Wet braking (80 km/h) | Final ranking |
| Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 | 34.5 m (1) | 35.2 m (3) | 1 |
| Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 | 36.4 m (7) | 36 m (5) | 2 |
| Falken Ziex ZE310 EcoRun | 36.7 m (8) | 35.9 m (4) | 2 |
| Firestone RoadHawk | 35.2 m (2) | 36.5 m (7) | 2 |
| Michelin Energy Saver + | 37.5 m (11) | 38.7 m (17) | 5 |
| Pirelli Cinturato P1 Verde | 36.2 m (6) | 36 m (5) | 5 |
| Bridgestone Turanza T005 | 35.7 m (4) | 34.3 m (1) | 7 |
| Fulda EcoControl HP | 37 m (9) | 39.6 m (20) | 8 |
| Vredestein Sportrac 5 | 37 m (9) | 37 m (8) | 8 |
| Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance | 37.5 m (11) | 37.6 m (12) | 10 |
| Dunlop Sport BluResponse | 36 m (5) | 37.3 m (10) | 11 |
| Uniroyal RainExpert 3 | 38.7 m (19) | 34.5 m (2) | 12 |
| Infinity Ecosis | 38.1 m (16) | 37 m (8) | 13 |
| Avon ZV7 | 38.3 m (17) | 38.2 m (16) | 14 |
| BF Goodrich g-Grip | 38.3 m (17) | 39.1 m (18) | 14 |
| Cooper Zeon CS8 | 37.7 m (14) | 37.5 m (11) | 14 |
| Giti Synergy E1 | 37.9 m (15) | 39.2 m (19) | 17 |
| Kleber Dynaxer HP 3 | 39.2 m (20) | 37.7 m (13) | 17 |
| Nokian Line | 37.5 m (11) | 38 m (14) | 17 |
| Maxxis Premitra HP5 | 35.6 m (3) | 38.1 m (15) | 20 |
