The 2024 summer tyre test conducted by European motoring organisations ADAC, ÖAMTC, and TCS has spotlighted the 215/55 R17 dimension, ideal for mid-size cars and smaller SUVs. Testing 16 tyre brands, the team expressed overall satisfaction with the results, despite noting “minor weaknesses” in some tyres.
The test team employed the revised test criteria introduced last year. This shifts the emphasis increasingly towards sustainability, with factors such as noise, fuel economy, wear, and weight now constituting 70 per cent of the total result. Safety considerations, specifically performance in wet and dry conditions, account for the rest. Out of the 16 models tested, three received a rating of ‘good’, 12 were deemed ‘satisfactory’, and one was rated ‘adequate’, with no tyres falling into the lowest ‘deficient’ category.
Rated Good
The Continental PremiumContact 7 stood out as “clearly number one in the driving safety category,” with its exceptional performance on both dry and wet roads earning it a score of 1.7 in the safety part of the test. Similarly, the Michelin Primacy 4+ excelled in environmental balance, outshining the other two ‘good’-rated tyres.
The Kumho Ecsta HS52 earned praise as a “compromise in between”, matching the driving safety of the Michelin while demonstrating sustainability akin to the Continental. However, its comparatively high weight hindered its environmental balance score, resulting in a satisfactory rating in that aspect.
Rated Satisfactory
Tyres from Goodyear brands Debica, Dunlop, and Fulda, along with Bridgestone, shared fourth place, narrowly missing out on a ‘good’ rating. While delivering decent performance, they fell slightly short in wet conditions compared to the top performers.
The Hankook Ventus Prime4 and Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2, showcased commendable environmental performance. However, concerns were raised about their performance on specific road conditions, affecting their overall ratings. The Falken Ziex ZE 310 EcoRun fell behind in dry conditions and was also the heaviest tyre in the test, dragging down its environmental balance score.
The Nexen N’Fera Primus, Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2, Semperit Speed-Life 3 and Linglong Sport Master scored better in the wet than on dry roads, while the opposite applied with the Goodride Solmax 1.
Rated Adequate
The Vredestein Ultrac received the lowest rating, not due to driving safety but because of its environmental balance performance, particularly in wear and tear. Despite offering good and safe driving characteristics, its mileage estimate was lower compared to other tyres, making it a suitable choice for infrequent drivers.
