Choosing the right tyre for hot hatches and sports compact cars such as the VW Golf GTI is crucial for safety and driving pleasure. To make choosing the right tyre an easier decision, Die Reifentester has evaluated eight tyres in the popular 225/40 ZR18 size. Die Reifentester team – tyre tester and former tyre developer Dirk Vincken, together with experienced motoring journalist Joachim Fischer – compared the tyres at the ATP proving ground in Papenburg, Germany.
The contenders include the Continental Sport Contact 7, which served as a reference tyre, as well as the Bridgestone Potenza Sport, Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport, Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 K127, Kumho Ecsta Sport, Maxxis Victra Sport 5, Michelin Pilot Sport 5, and Vredestein Ultrac Pro. Die Reifentester tyre test involved the usual dry and wet handling (with the results in each contributing 15% towards the total result), wet and dry braking (each 20%), straight (10%) and lateral (5%) aquaplaning tests along with measurement of rolling resistance, comfort, and noise levels (each 5%).
Winning trio rated very good
According to Die Reifentester, the results of the 225/40 ZR18 summer tyre test were “quite surprising” at times, particularly in the crucial wet-condition disciplines. In the aquaplaning (lateral) test, for example, the Continental SportContact 7 reference tyre only achieved a satisfactory result – a notable outcome given that it topped five of the nine test disciplines. However, lateral aquaplaning contributed to just five per cent of the overall score, its impact upon the Continental tyre’s final result was limited. SportContact 7 still managed to impress in the wet handling and – with minor shortcomings – ABS wet braking tests.
Testers Vincken and Fischer also slightly marked down the Kumho Ecsta Sport, a relative newcomer, in the aquaplaning (lateral) test. It only achieved a satisfactory result here, but again, this did not significantly affect its overall performance. The new Ecsta Sport otherwise excelled across the board, earning it a very good overall rating from the testers. The same applies to Bridgestone’s 2020-launched Potenza Sport. This ultra-high-performance tyre received top marks in four test categories, earning it a very good overall rating and a recommendation from the testers.
All three tyres shared the winners’ podium. Despite noting weakness in wet braking, Die Reifentester still considers the Continental tyre its “top choice for sporty compact cars.” The Kumho impressed in almost all disciplines with good to very good results. The Bridgestone tyre, meanwhile, fought its way to the top through sheer consistency and balance. Vincken and Fischer gave all three their top rating of very good.
Good rating for 4 tyres
Behind the leading trio are four tyres that gained a rating of good. Three of these four managed to each achieve very good results in two disciplines, albeit in different ones. For instance, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport particularly impressed in the dry disciplines, whereas the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 excelled in rolling comfort and interior noise, along with the Maxxis Victra Sport. Meanwhile, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 received very good ratings in three test disciplines – both aquaplaning tests and rolling resistance. However, since it only managed a satisfactory rating in wet handling and no more than a good rating in the two crucial ABS braking disciplines, its final score didn’t suffice for a very good rating.
Satisfactory
Die Reifentesters awarded one tyre its satisfactory rating. The Vredestein Ultrac Pro was held back from a better result by merely adequate wet handling performance, which resulted in the lowest single score in any of the nine test disciplines. All other tyres in Die Reifentester’s summer tyre test achieved at least satisfactory ratings across all tested disciplines.
How the tyres performed
Joint test winners – rated very good
Continental Sport Contact 7
+ Excellent wet handling and strong dry performance, good aquaplaning resistance, well-balanced across all disciplines
– Wet braking slightly weaker than competitors
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
+ Best dry braking performance, excellent handling in dry conditions, good aquaplaning resistance
– Higher rolling resistance
Kumho Ecsta Sport
+ Best wet braking performance, excellent dry and wet handling, great value for performance at an affordable price
– Slightly weaker aquaplaning resistance
Rated good
Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport
+ Very strong dry handling, good wet braking and handling, good overall balance
– Noisy and less comfortable, higher rolling resistance
Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 K127
+ Best comfort and lowest noise level, good wet handling performance, low rolling resistance
+ Weakest dry handling performance, mediocre aquaplaning resistance
Maxxis Victra Sport 5
+ Good all-around performance, low interior noise level, good dry braking performance
– Struggles slightly with wet handling, not as refined as premium competitors
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
+Best aquaplaning resistance in both longitudinal and lateral tests, lowest rolling resistance, good dry and wet handling balance
+ More expensive than competitors, slightly weaker wet braking performance
Rated satisfactory
Vredestein Ultrac Pro
+ Affordable pricing, decent dry handling performance
– Weakest wet handling and braking, struggles in aquaplaning resistance
