With every new generation of cars being fitted with larger wheels, tires are having to follow suit. While 20 inch wheels and tire were unheard of a few years ago, they are now becoming commonplace enough for the excellent German publication Auto Bild Sports Cars to investigate the options.

On test are eight patterns of tires, with four premium brands, one mid range brands and three budget brands. As 20" tires are still relatively low volume, the patterns used can be previous generation, with only Continental represented by their latest tire from the premium brands.

The test vehicle was a VW Scirocco fitted with 245/30 R20 tires. With the price difference between a full set of premium tires and budget tires nearly 400 euros (800 vs 1200 euros), fitting the budget tires can be tempting, until you realise the worst budget tire will take over 3 car lengths longer in the wet to stop from a moderate speed, and is extremely unpredictable on the limit, switching between under and oversteer.

Unfortunately we've not yet been able to get a breakdown score of this test, so take your time to read the comments on each tire.

The Results

1st: Continental ContiSportContact 5 P
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Top class sports tires, stable running and high steering precision in the wet. Strong aquaplaning resistance and short braking. Moderate ride comfort. Read Reviews
2nd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Stable all rounder with reliable wet and dry handling. Good braking and good comfort. Average aquaplaning resistance. Read Reviews
3rd: Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Good handling and excellent braking on dry roads, high precision steering with good feedback. Quiet pass by noise. Weakness in curved aquaplaning. Read Reviews
4th: Pirelli PZero Nero
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Wet weather specialist with dynamic handling qualities, excellent aquaplaning resistance. High steering precision, short wet and dry braking. Increased rolling resistance. Read Reviews
5th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Well balanced sports tire, stable corning on wet and dry roads, high steering precision and good feedback. Slightly increased rolling resistance. Read Reviews
6th: Nexen N8000
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Good curved aquaplaning, neutral handling. Slightly increased rolling resistance. Read Reviews
7th: Nankang NS2
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Low rolling resistance. Dangerously long braking distance in the wet, wet understeer, reduced steering precision, loud and uncomfortable. Read Reviews
8th: Goodride SV308
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Also known as the Westlake SV308. Quiet pass by noise. Dangerously long braking distance in the wet, unpredictable wet oversteer, uncomfortable. Read Reviews