In round one of its 2020 summer tyre test, Auto Bild kicked out more than half the 50 candidates as their braking distances weren’t competitive enough. The German motoring magazine scrutinised the 20 survivors more intensively and has now published the results of this comprehensive second test round.
Seasoned Auto Bild testers Dierk Möller and Henning Klipp fitted the size 245/45 R18 100Y tyres to a BMW 5 Series for evaluation. They looked at the tyres’ performance in wet and dry conditions, as well as cost-related factors. None of the 20 finalists were truly awful, and Auto Bild gave more than a third its top recommendation.
Having rated seven tyres as ‘exemplary’, Möller and Klipp stress that “exemplary tyres needn’t always be expensive.” A set of the cheapest top-rated tyres can be yours for just 435 euros (£376) in Germany, and the testers note that five of the seven exemplary tyres are available “at a fair price.”
First place shared by two tyres
The winner is Continental. And Goodyear. Auto Bild awarded both the PremiumContact 6 and Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 the coveted first place. It additionally named the Continental tyre the test’s ‘Eco Champion’ due to its good mileage potential.
Continental PremiumContact 6
Möller and Klipp lauded the PremiumContact 6’s “balanced, top-notch driving behaviour, dynamic handling with steering precision and short braking distances.”
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
The Goodyear tyre gained similar praise. Auto Bild described it as a “sports tyre with dynamic handling characteristics on wet and dry surfaces, precise steering and short braking distances. Mileage was good as well.
Five more ‘exemplary’ tyres
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Third place went to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4. The testers found it a very sporty tyre with “precise steering characteristics and exemplary driving dynamics”. The Pilot Sport 4 also delivered the shortest braking distances and good aquaplaning safety. The only noted minus was high purchase price.
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
The Vredestein Ultrac Vorti gripped and handled very well on dry and wet surfaces. Auto Bild says this fourth-placed tyre also offers precise steering behaviour and aquaplaning safety – all at a fair price. Its sole gripe was rolling resistance, which is on the high side.
Apollo Aspire XP
The fifth-placed Apollo Aspire XP comes from the same manufacturer as the Vredestein tyre. It gave balanced, high performance potential and good handling characteristics, short braking distances and good mileage. Auto Bild considers the tyre good value for money, too.
Nexen N’Fera Sport
Safe driving behaviour and short braking distances both in the wet and dry. Auto Bild also commended the N’Fera Sport’s ride comfort and noise levels, but said its rolling resistance was too high.
Falken Azenis FK510
The testers were impressed with the Falken Azenis FK510. Möller and Klipp report “very stable handling qualities and short wet braking distances” as well as good mileage potential and low drive-by noise. They believe the Falken tyre represents “very good” value for money.
Three tyres rated ‘good’
Nokian Powerproof
The Nokian Powerproof finished the test in eighth place. It delivered “convincingly good handling qualities and short braking distances on wet and dry road surfaces” as well as precise steering behaviour. Mileage potential was only average.
Firestone Roadhawk
Auto Bild considers the Firestone Roadhawk an affordable brand-name tyre with balanced driving behaviour in the wet and dry and good aquaplaning safety. Mileage potential was only average. It is interesting to note that this tyre from Bridgestone’s brand finished the test ahead of its premium sibling.
Fulda Sport Control 2
The Fulda Sport Control 2 shares ninth place with the Firestone tyre. The testers talk of “stable driving characteristics” in the wet as well. Other positive characteristics were short braking distances in the dry, good comfort levels and the lowest rolling resistance of the 20 tyres. On the downside, Auto Bild thought the Fulda’s mileage potential poor and it a little pricey. Fulda is, incidentally, a German tyre brand that today belongs to Goodyear.
Six ‘satisfactory’ tyres
Bridgestone Potenza S001
The Bridgestone Potenza S001 is, says Auto Bild, a “wet specialist”, very well-balanced with safe handling characteristics, good aquaplaning safety reserves and short braking distances. But it had to settle for 11th place due to poor mileage potential and high rolling resistance.
Hankook Ventus S1 Evo³
Auto Bild commended the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo³ for its convincing driving performance and short driving distances on wet and dry surfaces – at a “fair” price. The testers marked the tyre down for its “limited” mileage potential.
Laufenn S Fit EQ+
Laufenn, Hankook’s second tyre brand, occupied 13th place. Auto Bild described the S Fit EQ+ as a tyre with “sporty handling qualities and good delay on dry surfaces”. Rolling resistance was low. However, Möller and Klipp detected understeer in the wet, and just average mileage potential.
Dunlop SportMaxx RT2
Finishing the test far behind its Goodyear sibling, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT2 offered “good reserves of safety when aquaplaning, short dry braking distances and low rolling resistance.” But a couple of issues were noticed in wet conditions, namely understeer and extended braking distances.
Kleber Dynaxer UHP
The “affordable” Kleber Dynaxer UHP delivered short dry braking distances. Its mileage potential is high and rolling resistance low. On the other hand, Möller and Klipp weren’t impressed by the Kleber’s grip and lateral control on both wet and dry surfaces. The Kleber brand has been Michelin-owned for the past 40 years.
Uniroyal RainSport 3
With a name like RainSport 3 you’d expect strong performance in the wet. But this Uniroyal tyre failed to deliver here. Auto Bild drew attention to its understeer and delayed steering response on wet roads. Positive characteristics include good mileage potential and low rolling resistance. We think 16th place a poor finish for a tyre made by the same company that produced the PremiumContact 6.
Four ‘conditionally recommended’ tyres
Kumho Ecsta PS71
The Ecsta PS71 offers convincing wet weather performance, including short braking distances and aquaplaning safety. But Auto Bild experienced understeer when testing the Kumho tyre in the dry. Mileage potential is also limited and rolling resistance high.
Maxxis Victra Sport 5
The Maxxis Victra Sport 5 gave dynamic handling behaviour and good aquaplaning safety reserves. Braking distances were short in the dry but long when water was added. Auto Bild also reported delayed steering response and low mileage potential.
Toyo Proxes Sport
Auto Bild gave the Toyo Proxes Sport the thumbs-up for its short braking distances in the wet and dry as well as its good reserves of safety when aquaplaning. Sounds all well and good, but the testers also reported understeer in the wet, stodgy steering behaviour and limited mileage potential.
Zeetex HP 2000 VFM
This budget tyre from China was a “surprise” survivor of the elimination round. It may have finished last in the final test, but this result should be viewed in context – all in all, it beat 30 other contestants. Auto Bild’s testers commended the Zeetex tyre’s short braking distances in the wet and dry and its low rolling resistance. It also offers a very affordable purchase price. But Möller and Klipp also experienced understeer in both wet and dry conditions as well as low reserves of safety when aquaplaning. Mileage potential is also limited.
