09.01.2019
Summer tires are designed to provide good traction in mild weather conditions, at temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius and above, on wet or dry surfaces. We studied the quietest and most reliable summer tires in sizes R15, 16 and 17, sorting them by popularity and reading user reviews about this or that model. This is how the rating of summer tires for 2019 was compiled, which we bring to your attention for the 2019 season.
10. Pirelli Cinturato P7
Our top 10 opens with an impressive all-rounder, with stable cornering and short braking distances on wet and dry surfaces. Its advantages include good handling and low noise. When driving on wet roads, the Pirelli tires are perhaps second only to number one in the rating and resist hydroplaning better than most competitors. As one of the reviews says, “in a rainstorm at 140 km/h they stand tight.” Disadvantages: There is a humming noise at high speeds. By the way, the winter version of Pirelli tires - Ice Zero - tops the rating of the best studded tires.
9. Nokian Hakka Blue 2
An excellent option in terms of price and capabilities. Dry Suction Sipe technology effectively sucks water from the road, directing it to the main grooves of the tire. Thanks to this, Hakka Blue achieves maximum contact with the road surface. If you often drive on rain-wet roads or city streets, and are wondering which summer tires to choose to make them “cheaper and more reliable,” then one of the preferred options is the Nokian Hakka Blue 2. On dry asphalt, the tires also behave obediently and predictably . This rubber does not harden at the first frost, which allows it to be used from early spring to late autumn. The noise level is quite comfortable even at high speed. Cons: weak sidewall, high wear.
7. MICHELIN Primacy 3 
If the R17 had no other competitors in the ranking of the best summer tires of 2019, this rubber would not have taken seventh place, but would have entered the top 3, thanks to its high level of grip on wet surfaces, low fuel consumption, minimal braking distance and safe behavior on dry roads. In addition, it is quiet on good asphalt, shockproof and resistant to ruts. Disadvantages: on coarse and medium-grained asphalt these tires begin to vibrate, the price for size R17 and above is high.
6. Nokian Hakka Green 2
“Which summer tires are 15 better?” - you ask. The answer is Hakka Green 2. A test of summer tires conducted by Za Rulem magazine put this Russian-made rubber in 1-2 places for the best braking properties on wet road surfaces, the best speed when performing a “dry” change, excellent directional stability and good handling during extreme driving. The only minor criticism was the comfort of the tires, but this will not particularly affect driving.
5. Bridgestone Turanza T001
These wear-resistant tires confidently handle both dry and wet roads after rain, even at high speed. They have a strong sidewall, and the Turanza T001 turns “like a knife through butter.” However, most reviews say that the tires are quite noisy, and their resistance to aquaplaning leaves much to be desired. And the tires are hardly suitable for off-road use; if they stretch out on a dirt road in dry weather, they can get stuck in wet weather.
4. MICHELIN Energy XM2 
Next in the ranking of summer tires is quiet, durable and soft tires that perform well in heavy rain. It can withstand the impact if the car falls into a hole at speed, where there is a high risk of breaking a wheel. The wear resistance of this model is excellent; it is quite possible to skate on it for 3-4 seasons, while the wear will be less than 50%. Cons: Energy XM2 tires do not ride well on wet grass, dirt and mud.
3. Yokohama BluEarth-A AE-50
Which summer tires for the R16 are better if you need the optimal cost/reliability ratio? Our answer is the BluEarth-A AE-50. One tire of size R16 will cost 3,725 rubles, size R15 is even cheaper. Advantages of rubber: fast start and braking, good grip on dry and wet roads, decent wear resistance, smoothly drives over uneven surfaces. Disadvantages: it does not make noise only at temperatures above 20 degrees; on gravel surfaces at speeds above 80 km/h it can behave unpredictably.
2. Nokian Nordman SZ
Solid looking tires that will decorate any car. Despite their external advantages, they also hold the track well (both wet and dry), do not stiffen at low temperatures, and quickly accelerate and brake. They keep track even on a dirt road. The disadvantage of Nordman SZ tires is noise, but you can get used to it. And their price is quite high, even for the R15 size versions.
Summer tires are designed to provide good traction in mild weather conditions, at temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius and above, on wet or dry surfaces.
We studied the quietest and most reliable summer tires in sizes R15, 16, 17 on Yandex.Market, sorting them by popularity, and reading user reviews about this or that model. This is how the rating of summer tires for 2018 was compiled, which we bring to your attention.
10. Pirelli Cinturato P7
The average price for one tire is RUB 5,923.
Our top 10 opens with an impressive all-rounder, with stable cornering and short braking distances on wet and dry surfaces. Its advantages include good handling and low noise.
When driving on wet roads, the Pirelli tires are perhaps second only to number one in the rating and resist hydroplaning better than most competitors. As one of the reviews says, “in a rainstorm at 140 km/h they stand tight.”
Flaws: At high speed you can hear a buzzing noise.
By the way, the winter version of Pirelli tires - Ice Zero - tops the list.
Average cost – 3,497 rubles.
An excellent option in terms of price and capabilities. Dry Suction Sipe technology effectively sucks water from the road, directing it to the main grooves of the tire. Thanks to this, Hakka Blue achieves maximum contact with the road surface. If you often drive on rain-wet roads or city streets, and are wondering which summer tires to choose to make them “cheaper and more reliable,” then one of the preferred options is Nokian Hakka Blue. On dry asphalt, the tires also behave obediently and predictably.
This rubber does not harden at the first frost, which allows it to be used from early spring to late autumn. The noise level is quite comfortable even at high speed.
Minuses: weak sidewall, high wear.
Costs, on average, 5,586 rubles.
A very balanced tire with excellent grip on both dry and wet road surfaces and relatively low fuel consumption. It rides quietly, you don’t feel any rutting, the braking is predictable, and what more could you want from one of the best summer tires of 2018?
Flaws: When braking sharply, it makes a humming noise, and a “hernia” can easily form from an impact.
Can be purchased for RUB 5,999.
If the R17 had no other competitors in the ranking of the best summer tires of 2018, this rubber would not have taken seventh place, but would have entered the top 3, thanks to its high level of grip on wet surfaces, low fuel consumption, minimal braking distance and safe behavior on dry roads. In addition, it is quiet on good asphalt, shockproof and resistant to ruts.
Disadvantages: On coarse and medium-grained asphalt, these tires begin to vibrate; the price for size R17 and above is high.
Sold for RUB 3,012.
“Which summer tires are 15 better?” - you ask. The answer is Hakka Green 2. A test of summer tires conducted by Za Rulem magazine put this Russian-made rubber in 1-2 places for the best braking properties on wet road surfaces, the best speed when performing a “dry” change, excellent directional stability and good handling during extreme driving.
Small notes caused only the comfort of the tires, but this will not particularly affect driving.
Price, on average, is 4,659 rubles.
These wear-resistant tires confidently handle both dry and wet roads after rain, even at high speed. They have a strong sidewall, and the Turanza T001 turns “like a knife through butter.”
However, most reviews say that tires are quite noisy, and its resistance to hydroplaning leaves much to be desired. And the tires are hardly suitable for off-road use; if they stretch out on a dirt road in dry weather, they can get stuck in wet weather.
Offered for RUB 3,368.
Next in the ranking of summer tires is quiet, durable and soft tires that perform well in heavy rain. It can withstand the impact if the car falls into a hole at speed, where there is a high risk of breaking a wheel. The wear resistance of this model is excellent; it is quite possible to skate on it for 3-4 seasons, while the wear will be less than 50%.
Minuses: Energy XM2 tires do not ride well on wet grass, soil and mud.
Can be purchased for RUB 2,800.
Which summer tires for the R16 are better if you need the optimal cost/reliability ratio? Our answer is the BluEarth-A AE-50. One tire of size R16 will cost 3,725 rubles, size R15 is even cheaper.
Advantages of rubber: fast start and braking, good grip on dry and wet roads, decent wear resistance, smoothly drives over uneven surfaces.
Flaws: It does not make noise only at temperatures above 20 degrees; on gravel surfaces at speeds above 80 km/h it can behave unpredictably.
Average cost - 5,064 rubles.
Solid looking tires that will decorate any car. Despite their external advantages, they also hold the track well (both wet and dry), do not become tanned at low temperatures, and quickly accelerate and brake. They keep track even on a dirt road.
Disadvantage The Nordman SZ tires are noisy, but you can get used to it. And their price is quite high, even for the R15 size versions.
1. Continental ContiPremiumContact 5
Average price - 3,011 rubles.
The rating of summer tires for 2018 R15-R17 is headed by a very popular model from a well-known and respected manufacturer. In addition to its low price, ContiPremiumContact 5 tires are distinguished by the following characteristics:
- acoustically comfortable;
- withstands impacts from pits;
- resist hydroplaning well;
- excellent braking on wet and dry surfaces;
- Confidently corners even on wet sections of the road.
With all its advantages, rubber also has its weaknesses. Among them: softness, and, as a result, rapid wear.
How to choose summer tires?
Rating of summer tires "Behind the wheel"
And here are the most popular tires that were chosen for the 2018 summer season by specialists from the authoritative Russian publication Za Rulem. We provide a comparative table of summer tire test results so that you can choose the best option for yourself, based on our recommendations and the opinion of the Za Rulem editors.
Rating of the best summer tires for crossovers, which are found in such popular sizes: 215/65 R16, 215/55 R17, 235/55 R17, 225/60 R17, etc. The top includes both passenger tire models and SUV-class tires designed for highways, country roads or mixed operating conditions.
Tires are sorted by cost from expensive to cheaper.
1.
Segment: premium.
A quiet, soft and comfortable high-speed tire with an asymmetric tread pattern, which has repeatedly won prizes in tests from European and domestic magazines. The tire has relatively weak resistance to aquaplaning, but at the same time has a short braking distance and effective handling on dry and wet asphalt.
Country of origin: Russia, Germany, Spain, Italy.
2.
Segment: premium.
Another summer high-speed tire - a multiple winner of tests from car magazines. This is a balanced tire that behaves confidently on dry and wet asphalt, has high resistance to aquaplaning and provides a quiet and comfortable ride. An excellent option for city and long-distance country trips.
Country of origin: France, Portugal, Czech Republic, Germany, Romania.
3.
Segment: premium.
Summer tire for SUVs, which is suitable for use in the city, country roads and light off-road. The tire has rather poor fuel efficiency, but at the same time it provides good resistance to aquaplaning, effective braking and handling on wet and dry asphalt.
Country of origin: China, Germany, Japan.
4.
Segment: premium.
Another tire from the German Goodyear with a road tread pattern for high-speed driving. This is a quiet, economical and comfortable tire that brakes effectively and provides good handling on wet and dry asphalt. An excellent option for the city and long country trips.
Country of origin: Slovenia, Poland, Germany, France.
5.
Segment: premium.
Road summer tire with an asymmetric tread pattern for high-speed crossovers and SUVs, which is suitable for the city and long trips. The tire has little off-road potential, but in tests it demonstrates high resistance to aquaplaning, low noise levels and good results on dry and wet asphalt.
Country of origin: Japan, Poland.
6.
Segment: premium
Road tire from the Finnish company Nokian. The tire has poor off-road qualities, but very high resistance to aquaplaning, a short braking distance and effective handling on both wet and dry asphalt. The rubber mixture also contains aramid (Kevlar), which significantly increases the strength of the tire walls and its resistance to side impacts.
Country of origin: Russia, Finland.
7.
Segment: premium
High-speed summer tire with an asymmetric tread pattern from the Italian company Pirelli. The tire is quite hard to ride and does not have a high level of comfort, but it provides high resistance to aquaplaning, a short braking distance and effective handling on wet and dry asphalt.
Country of origin: Italy, Romania, China, England, Mexico, Russia.
8.
Segment: medium.
Road summer tire introduced by the Dutch company Vredestein in 2011. This is a soft running tire with a sporty character and balanced high results in braking and handling on wet and dry asphalt. The optimal price-quality ratio makes the tire a good choice for the city and the highway.
Country of origin: Holland, India.
9.
Segment: medium.
Quiet and economical summer tire with an asymmetric tread pattern for crossovers and SUVs from the Japanese company Toyo. In tests, the handling and braking qualities are not particularly impressive, but they cannot be called weak either. It behaves a little better on dry asphalt than on wet one. Not a bad average car for reasonable money for use within the city and on the highway at moderate speeds.
Country of origin: Japan.
10.
Segment: medium.
Summer tire from the Korean company Hankook with a symmetrical tread pattern. In tests, the tire shows poor fuel efficiency, but compensates for this with good off-road qualities, short braking distances and effective handling at the level of premium tires.
Country of origin: Hungary, Korea.
11.
Segment: medium.
High-speed summer tire from the Korean Hankook for the city and long-distance trips. This is an economical and quiet tire that reveals its best qualities on dry asphalt and lags slightly in braking and handling on wet asphalt.
Country of origin: Korea, Hungary, China.
12.
Segment: medium.
A very balanced tire that is perfect for the city, country roads and light off-road use. The tire provides average braking and handling on dry and wet asphalt, as well as high off-road potential on dirt, sand and gravel. An excellent inexpensive option for mixed operating conditions.
Country of origin: Hungary, Spain.
13.
Segment: medium.
Summer “rain tire” that provides maximum safety on wet asphalt. On dry surfaces it gives up a little in braking distance and handling, but makes up for this with a low price, high comfort and low noise levels. An excellent option for city use at moderate speeds.
Country of origin: France, Germany, Romania, Portugal.
14.
Segment: medium.
Road summer tire with an asymmetric tread pattern. Provides high levels of fuel efficiency, comfort and average braking and handling on dry and wet asphalt. Excellent value for money for the city and long trips.
Country of origin: France, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Turkey, Thailand.
15.
Segment: medium.
A soft, quiet and comfortable tire with a relatively rough tread pattern, which is suitable for both urban use and light off-road use. In tests on wet and dry asphalt, it shows average results in braking and handling.
Country of origin: Germany, Czech Republic, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia.
16.
Segment: budget.
Summer tire with an asymmetric tread pattern from the Slovak company Matador, which belongs to the German concern Continental. Compared to similar budget tires, the tire demonstrates a short braking distance and good handling on wet asphalt and is slightly behind in results on dry asphalt. A decent option for the city for little money.
Country of origin: Czech Republic, France, Germany, Portugal, Slovakia.
17.
Segment: budget.
Summer road tire with an asymmetric tread pattern from the Taiwanese company Maxxis. The tire belongs to the UHP class and in tests against the background of expensive premium models it demonstrates a relatively short braking distance and effective handling on wet and dry asphalt.
Country of origin: China.
18.
The peculiarity of this test is that, unlike assessing the effectiveness of tires in terms of comparing the limits of their grip, wear resistance, aquaplaning resistance, etc., it primarily took into account parameters that play a key role, for example, for the owner of a fleet cars, thinking about the profitability of its business and the convenience of its customers.
Firstly, this is the cost of tires, since in the case of personal use of a car, rubber can last for years with proper use and storage, but in commercial vehicles they wear out faster due to frequent use and, of course, not always careful driving style.
Second, fuel efficiency is an important metric because a small percentage of the amount spent on commercial fuel becomes a significant cost-saving factor.
Thirdly, this is safety, but not for reasons of concern for staff and customers, which, of course, come first, but to prevent the costs that arise when the car is being repaired.
Fourthly, noise and comfort indicators complete the list of characteristics. It should be noted that just by looking at the European label it is difficult to determine what noise level will be inside the car, since the data on it characterizes external noise.
Judging by the criteria chosen by the experts, it can be said that to a certain extent the test is not comprehensive, although it was carried out using a fairly accurate methodology.
Carrying out a tire test
This version of tire tests uses a unique methodology, customized for commercial vehicle use. Organizers have focused on those areas that have the greatest business impact, combined with those that are most likely to require tires to perform to their limits.
As in 2014, the tests were carried out at the Contidrom test site, which is one of the best in the world, which allows you to control the tests and conduct them as equally as possible for all tires. The chosen size was 225/55 R17, standard parameters for the Audi A6 S-line, which was used for the comfort level test. The tire speed indices were W (up to 269 km/h) and Y (up to 298 km/h).
The tests were divided into safety, comfort and economy testing.
Braking
Even the most experienced driver can be caught off guard in wet weather when traffic suddenly stops. The test organizers tried to imitate this emergency braking. The Audi A4 was used on a rail track with a special beam bolted to the front bumper of the car, which controlled the maintenance of the same course. This was done so that in each case there would be the same section of asphalt under the car’s wheels. The car accelerated to 80 km/h, then braked at the same point, triggering the anti-lock braking system. GPS determined the distance traveled from the very beginning of braking. The result was the average of several runs.
Hydroplaning
Braking tests were carried out in shallow water, but water thicknesses of up to 9mm were used to determine hydroplaning resistance. Two tests were carried out - longitudinal and transverse hydroplaning measurements. In both cases, a point was determined at which the tread could no longer remove water from the contact patch. For the first test, a rail track was again used, but only one tire moved along the watered area. The car accelerated along the rail and the sensors recorded the rotation speed of the wheels, as well as the moment at which the rotation speed of the “wet” wheel was 15% higher than the rotation speed of the “dry” one. Control is lost at this point. The result was the average of several runs.
In the second test, the efficiency of water removal was determined in cases where the drainage channels are deformed when turning. The car moved along an asphalt circle 60 meters long, gradually increasing speed. The accelerometer measured lateral acceleration until traction was completely lost. The higher the speed at which this occurs, the better the tire.
In addition, an additional test was added, turning on a wet surface. It measured the net lateral grip that the tires were able to provide. The water level is similar to the braking tests. The car was driven close to the inner curb and accelerated until it was no longer possible to maintain the required course. This was repeated about 10 times, and the result was calculated based on the average lap time.
Comfort
The level of comfort was determined in two ways: objectively, using a sound meter, and subjectively, in the front and rear seats. The noise level was measured on smooth and rough asphalt, as well as on a concrete surface. An Audi A6 with publisher Mark Bursa in the back seat, armed with a sound meter, was driven onto various types of surfaces at a speed of 80 km/h, switched to neutral and turned off the engine. The average of all indicators on different surfaces, as well as when moving in the opposite direction, formed the final result. Ride comfort was assessed on the same route, as well as on different types of surfaces throughout the test site, including concrete slabs, paving stones and manholes at speeds ranging from 80 to 112 km/h.
Economical
Fuel consumption was measured using industry standard rolling resistance measurements, which involves spinning a loaded tire at different speeds and for different durations. The average of the two tires was taken as the final result.
Tire test results
No one of the three categories was given greater preference. In each sector, the indicators of all tests were added up. To prevent large jumps in results in cases where the performance of races was too different, the test was made more difficult, and factors affecting objectivity were eliminated. In assessing efficiency, emphasis was placed on rolling resistance. The winner of each test received a 100 percent rating, while the scores of the remaining tires were determined based on it.
| Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 | ||
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| Price per tire | 118.2 lbs |
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| Load index | 97
|
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| Speed index | Y |
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| Eurolabel
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| Rolling resistance | C |
|
| Braking on wet surfaces | A |
|
| Noise level | 71 db |
|
| Test | Place | % |
| Noise in the cabin | 1 | 100 |
| Comfort | 1 | 100 |
| Raw braking | 4 | 96,2 |
| Longitudinal hydroplaning | =2 | 97,5 |
| Transverse hydroplaning | 3 | 96,2 |
| 4 | 98,5 | |
| Rolling resistance | 3 | 97,6 |
| Bottom line | 1 | 100 |
At their training ground, of course, the Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 took first place, since the organizers considered it more comfortable, since the noise they produced was low-frequency. However, in “raw” braking and lateral grip during circling they were fourth, rolling resistance and aquaplaning during maneuvering dropped them to third position. It is worth noting that the price of the tire also played a certain role, so ContiPremiumContact 5 became the leader.
| Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 | ||
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| Price per tire | 124.7 lbs |
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| Load index | 97
|
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| Speed index | Y |
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| Eurolabel
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| Rolling resistance | B |
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| Braking on wet surfaces | A |
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| Noise level | 68 db |
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| Test | Place | % |
| Noise in the cabin | =2 | 99 |
| Comfort | 3 | 97,5 |
| Raw braking | 3 | 98 |
| Longitudinal hydroplaning | 2 | 97,5 |
| Transverse hydroplaning | 2 | 97 |
| Lateral grip on wet surfaces | 1 | 100 |
| Rolling resistance | =4 | 96,5 |
| Bottom line | 2 | 99,9 |
Second place went to the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3, which adequately demonstrated the characteristics declared by the manufacturer, especially coming out ahead in the lateral grip test when cornering on a wet surface. They were recognized as second based on the results of a comparison of longitudinal and transverse aquaplaning, and on the third step of the pedestal in the braking test. Also, low-frequency noise was determined by the fact that the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3, according to the final assessment, was so close to the winner, the difference between them was only 0.1.
| Maxxis Premitra HP5 | ||
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| Price per tire | 77.2 lbs |
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| Load index | 101
|
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| Speed index | W |
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| Eurolabel
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| Rolling resistance | C |
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| Braking on wet surfaces | A |
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| Noise level | 70 db |
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| Test | Place | % |
| Noise in the cabin | 5 | 98,4 |
| Comfort | 6 | 92 |
| Raw braking | 7 | 94 |
| Longitudinal hydroplaning | 3 | 95,2 |
| Transverse hydroplaning | 4 | 95,6 |
| Lateral grip on wet surfaces | =2 | 99 |
| Rolling resistance | =4 | 96,5 |
| Bottom line | 3 | 99,8 |
The bronze finalist was Maxxis Premitra HP5 tires due to their good fuel efficiency. And, although comfort was not recognized by experts as their best side, they still performed very well in lateral grip and took second place in this test. The results showed that the resistance to hydroplaning was also quite good, despite the fact that braking on wet roads was disappointing. The most pleasant bonus that the experts took into account was the price of Maxxis tires, thanks to which the budget tire proudly took third position in the final assessment, which is not so different from the assessment of the two previous leaders.
| Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue | ||
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| Price per tire | 112 lbs |
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| Load index | 101
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| Speed index | W |
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| Eurolabel
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| Rolling resistance | B |
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| Braking on wet surfaces | A |
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| Noise level | 72 db |
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| Test | Place | % |
| Noise in the cabin | 8 | 98 |
| Comfort | 5 | 93 |
| Raw braking | 5 | 95,7 |
| Longitudinal hydroplaning | =5 | 94,3 |
| Transverse hydroplaning | =5
| 89,4 |
| Lateral grip on wet surfaces | 6 | 98 |
| Rolling resistance | 1 | 100 |
| Bottom line | 4 | 99,7 |
Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue, with the same small margin in the final score, 0.1, fell into 4th place, becoming the undisputed leader in fuel efficiency tests. Behavior indicators on a wet surface are also slightly inferior to the leaders, however, compared to the Maxxis Premitra HP5, the characteristics are harmoniously balanced and do not jump from 7th to 3rd place.
| Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 | ||
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| Price per tire | 139.4 lbs |
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| Load index | 97
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| Speed index | Y |
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| Eurolabel
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| Rolling resistance | C |
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| Braking on wet surfaces | A |
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| Noise level | 68 db |
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| Test | Place | % |
| Noise in the cabin | =4 | 98,8 |
| Comfort | 4
| 94,5 |
| Raw braking | 2
| 98,6 |
| Longitudinal hydroplaning | 1
| 100
|
| Transverse hydroplaning | 1
| 100
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| Lateral grip on wet surfaces | 7
| 97,2 |
| Rolling resistance | 6
| 94,3
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| Bottom line | 5
| 99,3 |
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 distinguished itself by showing excellent resistance to hydroplaning and came in second place in raw braking; the remaining results show an imbalance not in favor of the tires, although the gap in the final assessment is small. The price, as a factor that determined the outcome of the tests, is very high.
| Michelin Primacy 3 | ||
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| Price per tire | 122.4 lbs |
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| Load index | 97
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| Speed index | W |
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| Eurolabel
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| Rolling resistance | C |
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| Braking on wet surfaces | B |
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| Noise level | 69 db |
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| Test | Place | % |
| Noise in the cabin | =2 | 99 |
| Comfort | 2
| 98,5 |
| Raw braking | 1
| 100
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| Longitudinal hydroplaning | 7
| 93,4
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| Transverse hydroplaning | 8
| 81,1
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| Lateral grip on wet surfaces | 5
| 98,2 |
| Rolling resistance | 2
| 97,7
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| Bottom line | 6
| 99,1 |
Rounding out the group of tires with a small gap in the final rating is Michelin Primacy 3. Its score is 99.1, that is, the first five tires presented here have differences of less than one percent. The strengths of the tire are braking in wet areas, high comfort and low rolling resistance. In other words, the Primacy 3 is one of the quietest and most fuel-efficient tires on the list. However, in terms of resistance to hydroplaning, they were still able to bypass it.
| Hankook Ventus Prime3 K125 | ||
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| Price per tire | 96.4 lbs |
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| Load index | 101
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| Speed index | W |
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| Eurolabel
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| Rolling resistance | C |
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| Braking on wet surfaces | B |
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| Noise level | 72 db |
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| Test | Place | % |
| Noise in the cabin | =6 | 98,2 |
| Comfort | 7
| 82,5 |
| Raw braking | 6
| 94,8
|
| Longitudinal hydroplaning | 4
| 94,6
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| Transverse hydroplaning | =5
| 89,4
|
| Lateral grip on wet surfaces | =2
| 99 |
| Rolling resistance | 7
| 90,5
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| Bottom line | 7
| 97 |
The Hankook Ventus Prime3 K125 came second to last due to low comfort, rolling resistance and damp braking, but lap performance on wet pavement was very good. Resistance to hydroplaning turned out to be average, so the final score is 97.
| Davanti DX640 | ||
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| Price per tire | 70 pounds |
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| Load index | 101
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| Speed index | W |
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| Eurolabel
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| Rolling resistance | C |
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| Braking on wet surfaces | B |
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| Noise level | 68 db |
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| Test | Place | % |
| Noise in the cabin | =6 | 98,2 |
| Comfort | 8
| 77,5 |
| Raw braking | 8
| 81,8
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| Longitudinal hydroplaning | 8
| 90,4
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| Transverse hydroplaning | 7
| 83,4
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| Lateral grip on wet surfaces | 8
| 96,1 |
| Rolling resistance | 8
| 85,1
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| Bottom line | 8
| 93,8 |
The Davanti DX640 is the weakest link in the eight: in most respects they were last, except for the price decision. In terms of cost, they turn out to be the most economical of all, which cannot be said about fuel efficiency.
In the online store and tire hypermarkets "Koleso" you can always choose and buy tires that have the optimal balance of quality and price.
Here everything is not the same as in Europe with its good roads. For example, there are the most common ones, this is the entry level for new golf-class cars. And here we usually wear powerful versions of these. This is also the most affordable and widespread tuning: with wide “bast shoes” even an inexpensive car looks much cooler.
If there is demand, there will be supply. The choice of such tires on our market is huge. Almost all brands are represented in this size - from top to cheap.
Wider circle
It’s been a long time since we’ve had such a young “team”: we’re testing nine out of twelve tires for the first time!
You can’t do without top models, because they are the ones who set the upper bar in the final results. To our great regret, the new tires and the updated Pirelli P Zero did not have time to get to the test (we had to be content with the previous generation model at a price of 8,300 rubles apiece, made in Italy). But we have a couple of other top new products - German-made Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 (6,500 rubles) tires and Nokian Hakka Blue 2 (6,200 rubles). The latter is still of Finnish origin, but in the near future its production will be transferred to Vsevolozhsk, Russia.
We couldn't refuse the tires that were the leaders in last year's test - these are the Hankook Ventus S1 evo2, developed in Korea, but manufactured in Hungary (5,700 rubles). The land of the rising sun is represented by the new Toyo Proxes Sport tire (5,900 rubles), made in Japan and debuting on our market this season in a limited number of sizes. Another “Japanese”, but of Thai origin, is the Dunlop SP Sport FM800 (5,400 rubles).Matador Hectorra 3, also known as MP 47, is a budget model from Continental; made in France, sold for 5,000 rubles. Last year's new Russian-made Nordman SZ is a little cheaper: 4,900 rubles. Among the budget ones is the completely domestic Cordiant Sport 3 for 4,700 rubles. The model is far from new, but it has just appeared in this standard size.
Of great interest to readers are the Chinese tires GT Radial SportActive (4,500 rubles) and Triangle Sportex TSH11 (4,000 rubles). And the list ends with Belshina Artmotion HP from Belarus (4,000 rubles). Experienced motorists probably remember that in Soviet times, Belarusian tires enjoyed well-deserved popularity.The carrier car was chosen to match the test participants - . Almost all tire manufacturers use a sedan built on the Golf platform in their internal tests, since it is characterized by clear reactions, a good balance of handling and interaction with the driver.
Tests were carried out at the end of summer 2016. The weather was hot, the air temperature ranged from 22 to 37 degrees. The testing location is central Russia, the Volga region, the AVTOVAZ test site, located on the border of the Samara and Ulyanovsk regions.
On your marks
We begin testing when the weather is calm. We start with, which combines several successive tests - this way we can save time on rearranging wheels.
The first and most precise test is the rolling resistance assessment.
First, we warm up the car and tires, moving at a speed of 120–130 km/h along the special roads of the test site. While driving, experts evaluate the Jetta's directional stability at high speed and make gentle changes from one lane to another to understand how the tires affect the car's behavior. In the summer, ten kilometers, or one full circle, along the high-speed ring of the AVTOVAZ test site is enough to warm up the tires and all components of a test car, evaluate its behavior at high speed and give preliminary ratings for noise level and smoothness.The best handling of the Jetta at high speed is provided by Pirelli tires: on them the car perfectly holds the given direction without requiring adjustments, and demonstrates very clear reactions at the slightest turns of the steering wheel. At the same time, the dense, heavy steering wheel with excellent information content allows you to understand, even with your eyes closed, by the increasing force on the steering wheel, how much you turn the steering wheel and how much the car moves to the side. Honestly deserved nine points - we give such a rating extremely rarely!
Belshina turned out to be the most uncertain in this exercise - the Jetta immediately developed a blurry “zero”, the steering wheel became empty, and it began to yaw along the road. When adjusting the direction - delays in reactions, large steering angles and unpleasant steering of the rear axle in corners - you will soon fall into a skid. Usually this effect is very good.
The tires are warmed up - it’s time to start taking measurements, which we carry out on a two-kilometer horizontal and straight section of the highway. Three or four double “runs” in opposite directions, and we get the first results. Every few sets of tires, we again check those tires that were designated as base tires - if the temperature of the air and asphalt changes by two or three degrees, you need to make a race on the base tires every three test tires, and if the temperature changes by four to five degrees - every two. This is necessary for subsequent correction of the obtained measurements. And at the end of the day we determine the final results by recalculating those obtained taking into account changes in the data of periodic measurements of the “stove” (that is, in the results shown on the base tires).The most economical of all were the GT Radial, Matador and Nokian - with them the Jetta's consumption at city and suburban speed limits is the most modest. The Jetta looks a little paler on Triangle tires - this model competes with the leading three only at 60 km/h, and at “suburban” speed it is inferior to 0.1 l/100 km.
Behind everyone is the Cordiant: it loses two “tens” per hundred to the leaders at the suburban speed limit, and four at the city speed limit. Of course, the difference is insignificant, but it is there.
Either a hole or a ditch
Now we move to the northwestern sector of the test site, onto a special road with cracks and potholes. We conduct races at speeds from 30 to 90 km/h to evaluate how the smoothness and internal noise change.The results are quite natural: wide, low-profile tires, due to their design features, are usually noisy and hard. Therefore, six participants “made a splash” by only six points, and five earned seven points each. Only Nokian (for low noise levels) and Goodyear (for smoothness) received eight points (a “norm” rating).
The GT Radial tires turned out to be the toughest - impressive shocks and strong vibrations from road irregularities run through the body floor, seats and controls. And these are the only tires the Jetta has.
Before replacing a set of wheels, drivers drive off the asphalt onto a loose primer. Here, on a 12 percent climb, starting and moving with varying degrees of slipping, experts evaluate the efficiency of traction in various modes. This information is useful for those who have a piece of country road on their way to their dacha. The results do not count towards the final standings - we present them for reference only.
Cordiant, Matador, Hankook and Pirelli tires are the most confident when rowing on unpaved climbs - all received seven points. And Goodyear, GT Radial and Toyo slip more than others - experts gave them five points each. One born to fly cannot crawl!
Stop - one, two...
The assessment of braking properties is associated with increased tire wear. Despite the presence, during sharp braking the front edges of the checkers are slightly rounded. For this reason, we first brake on wet asphalt, where the coefficient of adhesion is lower, and therefore the tires “spoil” less, - then we repeat the test on dry. But the procedures for both coatings are similar.
First, we “clean up” the braking strip pinched by the cones, performing 15–20 braking sessions on non-qualifying tires—we remove dust and small stones from the trajectory on which the car can “slip.” And only then we perform six to eight brakes on the test set, each time carefully cooling the brake mechanisms with a long idle circle.The starting speed of braking on wet asphalt is 80 km/h, on dry asphalt - 100 km/h (these are standard “pegs” in all tire tests). We finish measuring when the speed drops to 5 km/h, since at lower speeds the ABS does not work correctly - the automatic system does not always have time to release the brakes, and skidding, as is known, lengthens the speed. The VBOX measuring system, which operates based on data from GPS and GLONASS satellites, allows you to record the length of the braking distance with high accuracy. The main thing is that there is a clear sky above your head.
When braking, Pirelli beats everyone, as they say, head-to-head - both on wet and dry roads. On wet asphalt, Nokian repeats its performance, but on dry it is a little more than a meter behind, falling back to fourth position. In dry conditions, the second result with a lag of 0.4 meters from the leader is achieved by Goodyear tires. It is noteworthy that according to the results of both “dry” and “wet” braking, the same tires were in the top four - Hankook joined the three above-mentioned.
Matador tires have the longest braking distance on wet asphalt: they are more than four meters behind the leader. On the dry, Cordiant was behind everyone, losing almost four meters to the leader.
It is curious that on a dry surface the difference between the participants is slightly more than 10%. In the wet, the gap is more significant - over 15%. It is wet asphalt that is a stumbling block when manufacturers search for a compromise between results and costs (development and production of mixtures, cost of components).
Jumping to the side
It remains to check how the subjects feel about. This is extremely important on our roads - otherwise how can we avoid potholes? The key to success is quick reactions to steering turns, stability and mutual understanding between the driver and the car. The “rearrangement” or “single lane change” maneuver helps us simulate such a situation.
We perform the shortest (and, accordingly, slowest) of the former GOST exercises to assess the car’s handling: the length of the corridor in which we need to change lanes is only 12 meters. There are also 16-, 20- and 24-meter “rearrangements”, but in the shortest ones the tires are maximally loaded with lateral forces, since the maneuver is the sharpest, with large steering angles.
We perform the “rearrangement” exercise twice - on wet asphalt and on dry one. In both cases, the tester performs 15–20 repetitions, gradually increasing the speed. As a result, we obtain the maximum value at which the car remains within the entrance corridor without knocking down the poles. The speed of the car in the exit corridor is recorded by an impartial VBOX.
The Jetta showed the highest speed on wet surfaces with Pirelli tires, and on dry surfaces with Hankook tires. The lowest speed is on Matador and Cordiant tires, respectively. The palm in handling during extreme maneuvering on both surfaces belongs to Pirelli. Experts awarded these tires nine points. Both on a wet road and on a dry road, these tires fill the steering wheel with informative effort, and the Jetta pleases with clear reactions, reliable and understandable behavior even with very sharp steering inputs.The greatest difficulties with holding the car on wet roads arose on the Cordiant, GT Radial and Matador tires. Experts noted delays in reactions, increased steering angles and low information content, as well as a dangerous deep skid in the second corridor, requiring the driver to instantly parry the steering wheel.
On dry asphalt, the most difficult thing to do is to suddenly change lanes on Cordiant tires - the same comments as on wet asphalt, but the skid is not so deep, although it requires immediate correction.
Who will win?
Before summing up, let us recall. This year, we increased the weight of the braking performance assessment to 500 points (increased to 260 points for wet asphalt and to 240 for dry), reducing the weight of the maximum speed at the changeover. The total assessment of the car's behavior, taking into account directional stability, handling and speed at the rearrangement, is 330 points. We believe that the balance between braking and maneuvering behavior is now more logical.
The first place, with a significant gap from competitors, is occupied by the most “driver” tires, capable of giving pleasure from driving a car in any conditions and modes. If your wallet allows, and impeccable comfort is not a manic idea, this is the best choice. I wonder what the updated Pirelli P Zero tire, which hits the market this spring, will be like?
In second position is Nokian Hakka Blue 2. It loses quite a bit to the test winner. The characteristics are just a little inferior, but a little more economical and comfortable. And the price-quality ratio is better. We recommend.Having scored the same number of points and dividing the third and fourth steps of the expanded pedestal, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 and Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 tires, which also fell into the category of excellent tires, were crowded together. They are very similar to each other in their characteristics, the comments on both are minor. When choosing, the scales may tip in favor of the more affordable Hankuk.
In the “very good tires” category were Toyo Proxes Sport (889 points and fifth place), Nordman SZ (882 points) and Dunlop SP Sport FM800 (875 points). In all respects, including comfort, they are very close. But Toyo provides higher directional stability and is more suitable for long trips, and primer for all tires is acceptable in minimal doses. In terms of price-quality ratio, Nordman is more tempting than the rest.
The next three are from the category of “good tires”: Belshina Artmotion HP and Triangle Sportex TSH11, which scored 865 points each and shared eighth-ninth places, as well as the slightly behind GT Radial SportActive (847 points). Despite the difference in the final scores, both Chinese tires are similar in “character”, like twins. Due to significant comments regarding directional stability, we recommend the Belshina tire only for city speeds, although it brakes a little better than the “twins” both on dry and wet roads. In addition, it is a little more comfortable, which means it is better adapted to uneven roads. The “twins” from China (they even have the same braking distances on both dry and wet asphalt!) will delight you with fairly high directional stability on long trips, but only if the roads are good - both tires do not have a smooth ride. All three don't like sharp maneuvering on wet pavement, and the GT Radial doesn't like it on dry pavement either. However, they have an ace up their sleeve - they contribute. In terms of price-quality ratio, Belshina and Triangle are a little more attractive (both are just right for a minimum budget).The last lines are occupied by the Matador Hectorra 3 (834 points) and Cordiant Sport 3 (826 points) tires. They are slightly more expensive than those that took higher positions, and at the same time they are inferior to them in capabilities. The Matador's assets include high fuel efficiency, satisfactory directional stability and level of comfort; its disadvantages include the most modest braking properties on wet roads. The Cordiant boasts satisfactory grip on wet pavement. Both tires provide confident movement on the dirt road.
Test results
| 12th place | 11th place | 10th place |
|
| brand, model | |||
| Country of manufacture | |||
| Load and speed index | |||
| Pattern depth across width, mm | |||
| Rubber hardness Shore, units. | |||
| Tire weight, kg | |||
| Price quality* | |||
| Amount of points awarded | 826 | 834 | 847 |
| pros | satisfactory grip on wet asphalt and dirt roads | high fuel efficiency; satisfactory grip | high fuel efficiency when driving at speeds of 90 km/h and 60 km/h; strict adherence to course |
| Minuses | worse braking properties on dry roads; the lowest speed of rearrangement on a dry road; worse efficiency; problematic handling during extreme maneuvering; comments regarding directional stability and comfort | worst grip on wet asphalt, mediocre - | mediocre grip properties on dry asphalt; problematic handling during extreme maneuvering |
*Obtained by dividing the retail price by the amount of points. The lower the score, the better.
| 8–9 place | 8–9 place | 7th place |
|
| brand, model | |||
| Country of manufacture | Belarus | ||
| Load and speed index | |||
| Pattern depth across width, mm | |||
| Rubber hardness Shore, units. | |||
| Tire weight, kg | |||
| Average price in online stores at the time of preparation of the material, | |||
| Price quality* | |||
| Amount of points awarded | 865 | 865 | 875 |
| pros | high efficiency at a speed of 60 km/h; strict adherence to the course; stable handling during extreme maneuvering on dry roads | stable handling when performing extreme maneuvers on dry asphalt | stable directional stability and controllability during extreme maneuvering on wet roads |
| Minuses | low braking properties | serious comments regarding directional stability; difficult handling during extreme maneuvering | difficult handling when performing extreme maneuvers on dry roads |
*Obtained by dividing the retail price by the amount of points. The lower the score, the better.
| 6th place | 5th place | 3–4 place |
|
| brand, model | |||
| Country of manufacture | |||
| Load and speed index | |||
| Pattern depth across width, mm | |||
| Rubber hardness Shore, units. | |||
| Tire weight, kg | |||
| Average price in online stores at the time of preparation of the material, | |||
| Price quality* | |||
| Amount of points awarded | 882 | 889 | 921 |
| pros | moderate fuel consumption; stable handling during extreme maneuvering | good directional stability | the best speed on a “dry” transfer, high - |
| Minuses |
