For its 2025 summer test, motoring publication Autozeitung has looked at ten models of UHP tyre in size 225/45 R18 95Y. Fitting these to a Skoda Octavia 1.5 TSI, the Autozeitung test team evaluated each brand in wet and dry conditions, awarding a maximum of 150 points per category.
Test win for Goodyear
With an impressive 279 points – 140 in wet conditions and 139 in the dry – the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 took top honours in Autozeitung’s 2025 summer tyre test. Goodyear tyre excelled in both wet and dry conditions, standing out as the fastest tyre in wet handling, ensuring exceptional control and stability on water-covered roads. Additionally, it boasts a short wet braking distance, significantly enhancing safety during sudden stops in rainy conditions.
On dry roads, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 continues to impress, achieving the highest overall dry rating among all tested tyres. It delivers precise handling, strong grip, and short braking distances, making it a well-rounded choice for drivers prioritising both performance and safety.
Moreover, the tyre has received Autozeitung’s eco recommendation, highlighting its balance of efficiency and durability.
Continental a close runner-up
Hot on the Goodyear tyre’s heels was the Continental PremiumContact 7, with 274 Points. The Continental PremiumContact 7 is a well-balanced summer tyre, delivering top-tier wet and dry performance while maintaining a high level of comfort. Despite being designed primarily as a touring tyre rather than a pure ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyre, it holds its own against dedicated UHP competitors.
One of its standout qualities is its exceptional wet braking performance, where it achieves the shortest stopping distance of all tested tyres. It also offers a high level of grip on wet roads, while, the ride comfort of the PremiumContact 7 is rated the best in the test.
While it does not have the most aggressive dry handling characteristics compared to more performance-oriented tyres, PremiumContact 7 still delivers consistent grip and stability in dry conditions, making it an excellent all-rounder.
Third place for Bridgestone
Scoring 265 points, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport completed the podium. A wet score of 141 confirms the tyre’s reputation as a specialist in these conditions, offering a high level of grip and stability. Additionally, it achieves the shortest dry braking distance in the Autozeitung 2025 tyre test, ensuring strong stopping power in high-speed scenarios.
Another standout feature is its highest slalom speed, which highlights its sharp steering response and agility, making it a preferred choice for drivers who enjoy a dynamic driving experience. However, one downside of the Potenza Sport is its high rolling resistance, which may lead to slightly increased fuel consumption compared to some competitors.
Michelin & Pirelli highly recommendable as well
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 (260 points) is a well-balanced ultra-high-performance (UHP) summer tyre that stands out for its durability and wet-weather performance. It is particularly notable for its low wear, making it a long-lasting option for drivers seeking a tyre that maintains its performance over time. Additionally, it performs well in aquaplaning resistance, providing a stable and safe driving experience in heavy rain.
However, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 does have a minor drawback – it tends to understeer early in some driving conditions, which may slightly impact handling precision, especially during aggressive cornering.
Designed for agile handling and strong wet grip, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (254 points) is a solid option for drivers seeking a sporty and responsive driving experience. In the Autozeitung 2025 tyre test, it demonstrated good grip in wet conditions, providing confidence and stability during rainy weather. Additionally, it is praised for its agile handling, allowing for precise steering response and a dynamic driving feel, especially on dry roads.
However, the P Zero PZ4 has a few drawbacks. Its wet braking distance is longer than some of its premium competitors, which may slightly reduce its safety performance in emergency braking situations on wet roads. Furthermore, it has only moderate wear resistance, meaning it may wear out faster than some rivals. Another minor downside is its lower ride comfort, making it less smooth over rough road surfaces compared to some touring-focused tyres.
No specific recommendation for remaining 5 tyres
For reasons best known to itself, Autozeitung refrained from rating the five tyres achieving a below average overall score, even though the gulf between sixth and last place was wide.
The Vredestein Ultrac Pro (230 points) performed best in aquaplaning resistance, making it a reliable option for wet conditions. However, the Vredestrein tyre delivered a mid-tier result with some limitations. Its wet braking distance is longer than many of its premium competitors, and its dry performance was only average.
The Toyo Proxes Sport 2 (228 points) is a performance-oriented summer tyre that excels in dry conditions. The Autozeitung test team gained a short dry braking distance from the Toyo tyre, and it also recorded the fastest dry lap time. However, the Proxes Sport 2 does have some drawbacks, with just moderate wet performance and average wear resistance.
Autozeitung praised the Falken Azenis FK520 (219 Points) for its good durability, but the tyre also had some notable drawbacks, particularly in wet conditions. The testers found it to have a low grip level on wet roads, and braking distances in the wet were long.
In ninth place the Triangle EffeXSport TH202 (167 Points) struggled with wet grip, scoring only 77 points for this discipline. Additionally, its wet braking distance is significantly longer than top-performing tyres. Another major drawback is the tyre’s high wear rate.
Autozeitung awarded the wooden spoon to the Mastersteel Super Sport 2. The tyre scored just 154 Points, including a paltry 54 Points for its performance in wet conditions. The test team found its wet grip low. Additionally, Super Sport 2 delivered one of the longest wet braking distances. The Mastersteel tyre also struggles in dry braking, with a long stopping distance compared to premium competitors. One of its few advantages is its low rolling resistance.
How the tyres performed
Test winner – rated highly recommendable
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
+ Fastest wet handling time, short wet braking distance, best dry rating
Rated highly recommendable
Continental PremiumContact 7
+ Shortest wet braking distance, good grip level in wet conditions, best ride comfort
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
+ Good grip level in wet conditions, shortest dry braking distance, highest slalom speed
– High rolling resistance
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
+ Low wear, good aquaplaning rating
– Understeers early
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
+ Good grip level in wet conditions, agile handling
– Long wet braking distance, only moderate wear resistance, low ride comfort
Without recommendation
Vredestein Ultrac Pro
+ Good aquaplaning result
– Long wet braking distance, average dry result
Toyo Proxes Sport 2
+ Short dry braking distance, fastest dry lap time
– Moderate wet performance, only moderate wear resistance
Falken Azenis FK520
+ Good durability
– Low grip level in wet conditions, long wet braking distance
Triangle EffeXSport TH202
– Low grip level in wet conditions, long wet braking distance, high wear
Mastersteel Supersport 2
+ Low rolling resistance
– Low grip level in wet conditions, long wet & dry braking distances
