List of Tested Tyres :
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2
Continental SportContact 6
Falken Azenis FK510
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
Firestone Firehawk SZ90µ
Kumho Ecsta PS91
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 K117
Rotalla Setula S-Pace RU01
Pirelli PZero
Best tyre for dry roads
Continental SportContact 6
Best tyre for wet roads
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2
The quietest tyre
Kumho Ecsta PS91
The lowest fuel use
Continental SportContact 6
The best value tyre
Continental SportContact 6
Rotalla Setula S-Pace RU01
Dry
Handling 
Braking
Wet
Handling
Braking
Noise
Fuel consumption
Firestone Firehawk SZ90µ
Dry
Handling
Braking
Wet
Handling
Braking
Noise
Fuel consumption
Kumho Ecsta PS91
Dry
Handling
Braking
Wet
Handling
Braking
Noise
Fuel consumption
Pirelli PZero
Dry
Handling
Braking
Wet
Handling
Braking
Noise
Fuel consumption
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2
Dry
Handling
Braking
Wet
Handling
Braking
Noise
Fuel consumption
Falken Azenis FK510
Dry
Handling
Braking
Wet
Handling
Braking
Noise
Fuel consumption
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
Dry
Handling
Braking
Wet
Handling
Braking
Noise
Fuel consumption
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 K117
Dry
Handling
Braking
Wet
Handling
Braking
Noise
Fuel consumption
Continental SportContact 6
Dry
Handling
Braking
Wet
Handling
Braking
Noise
Fuel consumption
Test Results
- Rotalla Setula S-Pace RU01
|
Criterion |
Grade |
% |
|
Wet road |
||
|
Aquaplaning (along strait sections) |
2 |
15% |
|
Aquaplaning (around bends) |
2+ |
5% |
|
Handling |
5 |
40% |
|
Lateral stability |
4- |
10% |
|
Braking |
5+ |
30% |
|
Total |
4 |
|
|
Dry road |
||
|
Handling |
3- |
50% |
|
Braking |
3+ |
30% |
|
Comfort |
2 |
10% |
|
Noise |
2+ |
5% |
|
Fuel consumption |
2+ |
5% |
|
Total |
2- |
|
Low rolling resistance
Low noise level
Very low price
Dangerously long braking distance, severe understeer and unbalanced behavior on wet surface
Weak grip and sluggish steering reactions on dry surface
- Firestone Firehawk SZ90µ
|
Criterion |
Grade |
% |
|
Wet road |
||
|
Aquaplaning (along strait sections) |
2- |
15% |
|
Aquaplaning (around bends) |
2 |
5% |
|
Handling |
4+ |
40% |
|
Lateral stability |
3- |
10% |
|
Braking |
4- |
30% |
|
Total |
3- |
|
|
Dry road |
||
|
Handling |
3- |
50% |
|
Braking |
2- |
30% |
|
Comfort |
2- |
10% |
|
Noise |
3 |
5% |
|
Fuel consumption |
2+ |
5% |
|
Total |
3+ |
|
Good resistance to aquaplaning
Low rolling resistance
Low price
Low lateral stability, strong understeer
Long braking distance on wet surface
Delayed steering reactions and unbalanced behavior on a dry surface
- Kumho Ecsta PS91
|
Criterion |
Grade |
% |
|
Wet road |
||
|
Aquaplaning (along strait sections) |
2- |
15% |
|
Aquaplaning (around bends) |
2- |
5% |
|
Handling |
3 |
40% |
|
Lateral stability |
3+ |
10% |
|
Braking |
2 |
30% |
|
Total |
2- |
|
|
Dry road |
||
|
Handling |
3 |
50% |
|
Braking |
2+ |
30% |
|
Comfort |
3+ |
10% |
|
Noise |
2- |
5% |
|
Fuel consumption |
3+ |
5% |
|
Total |
2- |
|
Good resistance to aquaplaning
Short braking distance on dry surface
Attractive price
Low lateral stability and strong understeer on wet surfaces
Delayed steering reactions and relatively weak grip on dry surface
Increased rolling resistance
- Pirelli PZero
|
Criterion |
Grade |
% |
|
Wet road |
||
|
Aquaplaning (along strait sections) |
3+ |
15% |
|
Aquaplaning (around bends) |
3+ |
5% |
|
Handling |
1- |
40% |
|
Lateral stability |
1- |
10% |
|
Braking |
3+ |
30% |
|
Total |
2 |
|
|
Dry road |
||
|
Handling |
2 |
50% |
|
Braking |
1- |
30% |
|
Comfort |
2 |
10% |
|
Noise |
2 |
5% |
|
Fuel consumption |
2+ |
5% |
|
Total |
2+ |
|
High lateral stability and good handling on wet surfaces
Good informative and short braking distances on dry surface
Low rolling resistance
Relatively long braking distance on wet surface
Lowest resistance to aquaplaning
- Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2
|
Criterion |
Grade |
% |
|
Wet road |
||
|
Aquaplaning (along strait sections) |
2+ |
15% |
|
Aquaplaning (around bends) |
2+ |
5% |
|
Handling |
2+ |
40% |
|
Lateral stability |
2+ |
10% |
|
Braking |
1 |
30% |
|
Total |
1- |
|
|
Dry road |
||
|
Handling |
3+ |
50% |
|
Braking |
1- |
30% |
|
Comfort |
2+ |
10% |
|
Noise |
2 |
5% |
|
Fuel consumption |
2 |
5% |
|
Total |
2 |
|
Highest resistance to aquaplaning
Good handling on wet surfaces
Short braking distance on dry and wet surfaces
Delayed steering reactions and relatively weak grip on dry surface
- Falken Azenis FK510
|
Criterion |
Grade |
% |
|
Wet road |
||
|
Aquaplaning (along strait sections) |
2 |
15% |
|
Aquaplaning (around bends) |
2- |
5% |
|
Handling |
2 |
40% |
|
Lateral stability |
2 |
10% |
|
Braking |
1 |
30% |
|
Total |
2+ |
|
|
Dry road |
||
|
Handling |
2+ |
50% |
|
Braking |
2 |
30% |
|
Comfort |
3+ |
10% |
|
Noise |
2 |
5% |
|
Fuel consumption |
3+ |
5% |
|
Total |
2 |
|
Short braking distance on wet surface
Good handling and informativity on dry and wet surfaces
Attractive price
Slightly slow steering reactions
Comfort
Increased rolling resistance
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
|
Criterion |
Grade |
% |
|
Wet road |
||
|
Aquaplaning (along strait sections) |
2+ |
15% |
|
Aquaplaning (around bends) |
2+ |
5% |
|
Handling |
2- |
40% |
|
Lateral stability |
2 |
10% |
|
Braking |
2 |
30% |
|
Total |
2 |
|
|
Dry road |
||
|
Handling |
2 |
50% |
|
Braking |
2+ |
30% |
|
Comfort |
2- |
10% |
|
Noise |
2 |
5% |
|
Fuel consumption |
2 |
5% |
|
Total |
2 |
|
Good handling, precise steering reactions
Short braking distance on dry surface
High resistance to aquaplaning
Slight inclination to understeer on wet surfaces
- Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 K117
|
Criterion |
Grade |
% |
|
Wet road |
||
|
Aquaplaning (along strait sections) |
2 |
15% |
|
Aquaplaning (around bends) |
2 |
5% |
|
Handling |
2- |
40% |
|
Lateral stability |
2 |
10% |
|
Braking |
2 |
30% |
|
Total |
2 |
|
|
Dry road |
||
|
Handling |
2+ |
50% |
|
Braking |
2+ |
30% |
|
Comfort |
2 |
10% |
|
Noise |
2 |
5% |
|
Fuel consumption |
2 |
5% |
|
Total |
2+ |
|
Good handling on dry surface
Attractive price
Tendency to understeer on wet surfaces
- Continental SportContact 6
|
Criterion |
Grade |
% |
|
Wet road |
||
|
Aquaplaning (along strait sections) |
2 |
15% |
|
Aquaplaning (around bends) |
2- |
5% |
|
Handling |
1- |
40% |
|
Lateral stability |
1- |
10% |
|
Braking |
2 |
30% |
|
Total |
2+ |
|
|
Dry road |
||
|
Handling |
1 |
50% |
|
Braking |
1 |
30% |
|
Comfort |
2 |
10% |
|
Noise |
2 |
5% |
|
Fuel consumption |
2- |
5% |
|
Total |
1- |
|
Outstanding handling on dry and wet surfaces
Fast and accurate steering reactions
Allows you to get real driving pleasure
High rolling resistance
Review
The choice of fresh set of tires can be the exhausting occupation as the offer from the known brands already rather wide, and now besides as mushrooms after rain constantly appear all new cheap tires sort from the countries of Asia. Outside all of them identical, but what to take? In Europe on tires multi-colored labels which inform on three key parameters - coupling on wet surface, fuel efficiency and noise level fasten. It is meant that these data can be trusted, however you should not forget that marks to tires are put down by producers, and some of them can be not too sincere. In this test six of nine tires have received the highest rating "And" for coupling on wet covering, and at the others on the label "B" appears. Looks it is promising, but on the course of the test it has become clear that the difference in braking length from 100 km/h can make more than ten meters, and it means that in critical situation the residual speed of the car on the worst tires will make 22 km/h.
About reliability of estimates on the label it is possible to judge at least by the fact that the Chinese tires Rotalla with the rating of "B" in the braking efficiency test on wet surface have received assessment "Unsatisfactorily". Besides, experts have noted that on wet track the Chinese tires cannot provide at least acceptable controllability and constantly begin to slide on front axle. Side stability? Practically is absent, and in this discipline of Rotalla show unsatisfactory result too.
Much higher level of safety is provided by tires from Falken and Dunlop most of which quicker stop the car on wet surface and remain controlled even during drift. Continental, Goodyear and Hankook have well proved to be on wet track too, and Pirelli was brought by weak resistance to hydroplaning - in this test they lost coupling most quicker than other tires.
On dry surface of Pirelli have been recognized the best as they very precisely react to turns of wheel and provide model controllability during passing of turns. Good time of circle was also shown by Goodyear, Hankook, Falken and Continental presented last year which besides without problems have coped with the tests on wet covering. Thanks to such impressive balance of characteristics of Continental as a result have won first place in the overall ranking, and they were prevented even by the high resistance to swing.
Rotalla which are capable to cut fuel usage for 3% in comparison with tires on the last place were the most economic tires. Rotalla has also the lowest price which can attract persons interested to save, but it cannot justify unsatisfactory coupling on the wet road.
RESULTS OF TESTS
Controllability on dry surface
In tests Ford Focus ST with the switched-off systems of the help to the driver was used, and the best tires from Continental, have been recognized by Falken and Hankook. The lower places of rating were taken by Kumho, Rotalla and Firestone.
Braking on dry surface
Usually in this discipline of difference between tires are minimum, but only not this time - the braking distance of Firestone and Rotalla on the whole four meters was longer, than at Continental, and it is car length.
Noise
Rather loudly only Firestone rustle and if were pleasant to tell about smoothness of the course to experts most of all Continental, Hankook and Pirelli. Tires Goodyear, Firestone, Falken and Kumho cope with absorption of blows worse.
Profitability
Cheap Chinese tires have surprised with the lowest resistance to swing, and the worst results have shown Continental, Falken and Kumho.
Resistance to longitudinal/cross hydroplaning
Most quicker lose Pirelli coupling, and best of all cope with hydroplaning of the tire Dunlop and Goodyear.
Side stability on wet surface
Continental and Pirelli surely overtake rivals, and Rotalla show unacceptable result.
Controllability on wet surface
Continental and Pirelli win first place again, Firestone too quickly lose coupling on front axle, and Rotalla create real safety hazard.
Braking on wet surface
Continental and Pirelli could not hold leadership, and most quicker stop the car of the tire Falken and Dunlop. The braking distance of Firestone and Rotalla was about 10 meters longer, than at the best tires.
Estimates for the tested tires are presented in the table
Note: Marks are put down on the German school scale: 1 - perfectly, 6 - it is unsatisfactory. If the tire receives in tests of wet or dry surface assessment worse 2 in the separate discipline influencing safety (such disciplines are designated by asterisk) or the general assessment it is worse 2-, it loses opportunity to receive final rating "Is exemplary".
