2012 Autoreview Touring Tire Test

While German tire tests are great at putting raw figures together, they often miss out on some of the subjective feel of the tire. This is where the Russian magazine Auto Review comes into its own, combining great data along with the subjective feel felt when driving on each tire.

In 2012 Auto Review have tested 9 touring tires on an Audi A3 in 205/55 R16 91V. Auto Review selected the newest breed of touring tires, specifically designed to save fuel without sacrificing performance in any other areas, such as wet grip.

The Results

As always, the results at the top were extremely tight, sometimes with only the subjective feel distinguishing one tire from the next.

1st: Hankook Ventus Prime2

Hankook Ventus Prime2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 80.2
  2. Dry: 18
  3. Wet: 37
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8
  6. Overall: 9.2
Best aquaplaning result, strong grip on dry and wet roads
A little unstable during the wet handling tests

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2nd: Nokian Hakka Blue

Nokian Hakka Blue
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 81.2
  2. Dry: 18
  3. Wet: 38
  4. Comfort: 9
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Overall: 9.2
Fastest laptimes in the dry and wet
Increased rolling resistance, average aquaplaning results

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3rd: Pirelli CINTURATO P7

Pirelli CINTURATO P7
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 79.2
  2. Dry: 18
  3. Wet: 36
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8
  6. Overall: 9.2
One of the lowest rolling resistance, excellent braking, good dry handling
A little unstable during the wet handling tests

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4th: Continental Premium Contact 5

Continental Premium Contact 5
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 77.7
  2. Dry: 18
  3. Wet: 35
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8
  6. Overall: 8.7
One of the lowest rolling resistances, accurate steering, good control in the wet
Low resistance to aquaplaning

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5th: Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3

Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 76.7
  2. Dry: 18
  3. Wet: 34
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8
  6. Overall: 8.7
Well balanced in all tests, good grip in the dry and wet
Low resistance to aquaplaning, slightly slow steering response

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6th: Goodyear EfficientGrip

Goodyear EfficientGrip
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 77.7
  2. Dry: 17
  3. Wet: 35
  4. Comfort: 9
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8
  6. Overall: 8.7
Good steering response, predictable at the limit, high resistance to aquaplaning
Average overall grip in the wet and dry

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7th: Dunlop SP Sport Fast Response

Dunlop SP Sport Fast Response
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 74.5
  2. Dry: 16
  3. Wet: 34
  4. Comfort: 9
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Overall: 8.5
Quick steering response, very quiet, high resistance to aquaplaning
Due to the quick steering, can be difficult to control in the wet

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8th: Barum Bravuris 2

Barum Bravuris 2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 64.2
  2. Dry: 13
  3. Wet: 29
  4. Comfort: 7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8
  6. Overall: 7.2
Low rolling resistance, price
Very sluggish handling in the wet and dry, noisy, low resistance to aquaplaning

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9th: BFGoodrich gGrip

BFGoodrich gGrip
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 58.2
  2. Dry: 12
  3. Wet: 23
  4. Comfort: 8
  5. Rolling Resistance: 9
  6. Overall: 6.2
Low rolling resistance
Poor grip in the wet, poor handling in the wet and dry, low resistance to aquaplaning

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