When browsing tyre test results it’s sometimes easy to gain the impression that the same premium brands dominate proceedings. But this isn’t always the case. Auto Bild has released the results of its 2021 summer tyre test, and the biggest names in the business needed to clear space on the top step of the winners’ podium for an ambitious competitor. The runner-up premium tyre was also given a run for its money by the third-placed candidate, a lower-priced product from the same manufacturer.
Auto Bild’s second round of testing threw the spotlight on the 20 best-braking size 205/55 R16 tyres out of the original field of 53. The German car magazine’s test team rated the finalists’ performance in wet and dry conditions, with each of these areas contributing one third towards the overall score. Mileage, the price/mileage balance and rolling resistance accounted for the remaining third, meaning purchase price plus whole-life mileage economy contributed more than one quarter towards the final result.
The Auto Bild testers reported that “at the end we could only unconditionally recommended only five of the 53 candidates.” Significantly, this cream of the crop includes the cheapest tyre in the finalists’ round, the Debica Presto HP2. This fourth-placed tyre outperformed its premium (and 28 per cent pricier) Goodyear stablemate.
5 tyres rated ‘exemplary’
Kumho Ecsta HS51 – test winner
Strengths: High performance potential, precise steering response, dynamic handling, short stopping distances, affordably priced.
Weaknesses: Elevated rolling resistance.
Continental PremiumContact 6
Strengths: Balanced driving characteristics, short stopping distances in the wet, stable handling qualities, very good mileage.
Weaknesses: Aquaplaning characteristics only acceptable.
Semperit Speed-Life 3
Strengths: Wet conditions specialist with sporty-dynamic handling and short stopping distances in the wet, good aquaplaning safety, low drive-by noise, good value for money.
Weaknesses: Mediocre ride comfort.
Debica Presto HP2
Strengths: Affordable tyre with a high level of balanced driving characteristics, good aquaplaning qualities, dynamic handling in dry conditions, high mileage.
Bridgestone Turanza T005
Strengths: High levels of grip and excellent handling on dry surfaces, harmonious steering behaviour, short stopping distances in the dry, low rolling resistance.
Weaknesses: Mediocre ride comfort.
5 ‘good’ tyres
Hankook Ventus Prime3
Strengths: Convincing driving characteristics on wet and dry roads, precise turn-in behaviour, shortest stopping distances in the wet and dry, affordably prices.
Weaknesses: Limited mileage potential.
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
Strengths: Best aquaplaning safety reserves, harmonious and well-balanced handling, short stopping distances on wet and dry surfaces.
Weaknesses: Mediocre mileage potential and economy.
Michelin Primacy 4
Strengths: Short stopping distances on wet and dry surfaces, very good economy, high mileage potential, good comfort.
Weaknesses: Sluggish handling on dry surfaces.
Firestone Roadhawk
Strengths: Precise driving characteristics on wet and dry surfaces, safe aquaplaning characteristics, short stopping distances on dry roads.
Weaknesses: Mediocre mileage potential and economy.
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 – Auto Bild’s ‘eco champion’
Strengths: New product with good economy, exemplary mileage potential, low rolling resistance, good ride comfort.
Weaknesses: Slightly delayed steering response.
10 ‘satisfactory’ tyres
BFGoodrich Advantage
Strengths: Dynamic handling and precise turn-in behaviour on dry roads, short stopping distances in the wet and dry.
Weaknesses: Understeering wet handling with delayed steering response.
Maxxis Premitra 5 HP5
Strengths: Good aquaplaning characteristics, dynamic wet and dry handling, short stopping distances on dry roads.
Weaknesses: Mediocre mileage potential, elevated rolling resistance.
Toyo Proxes Comfort
Strengths: Convincing driving qualities on dry surfaces, harmonious steering behaviour, short dry stopping distances.
Weaknesses: Slightly lengthy stopping distance on wet surfaces, elevated rolling resistance.
Uniroyal RainSport 5
Strengths: Best aquaplaning safety reserves, stable lateral control, harmonious driving behaviour in the wet.
Weaknesses: Understeer on dry surfaces, elevated rolling resistance.
Falken Ziex ZE310
Strengths: Balanced handling and short stopping distances on dry surfaces, good mileage potential and economy.
Weaknesses: Mediocre steering precision and limited levels of grip in the wet.
Fulda EcoControl HP2
Strengths: Good aquaplaning safety reserves, harmonious handling and precise steering behaviour in the wet.
Weaknesses: Lengthy stopping distances on wet surfaces, delayed steering response on dry roads.
Nokian Wetproof
Strengths: Convincing driving behaviour on wet and dry road surfaces, short stopping distances on dry roads.
Weaknesses: Substantially limited mileage potential, price-performance ratio only satisfactory.
Kleber Dynaxer HP4
Strengths: Safe aquaplaning qualities, short stopping distances, low drive-by noise.
Weaknesses: Understeering handling on wet and dry surfaces, sluggish turn-in behaviour, limited mileage potential.
Dunlop Sport BluResponse
Strengths: Good aquaplaning characteristics, short dry stopping distances, low rolling resistance.
Weaknesses: Understeering handling on wet and dry roads, sluggish turn-in behaviour, limited mileage potential.
Nexen N’blue HD Plus
Strengths: Safe, stable handling and short stopping distances in dry conditions, affordably priced.
Weaknesses: Delayed steering response and understeer in the wet, mediocre mileage potential.
