Test Summary
Wet Braking	Pirelli P Zero
Dry Braking	Pirelli P Zero
Rolling Resistance	Dunlop SportMaxx RT
Noise	Pirelli P Zero Dunlop SportMaxx RT
Snow Handling	Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 Dunlop SportMaxx RT

With the UK being the largest optional "big wheel" upgrader in Europe, you'd have thought the likes of EVO and Auto Express would test a bigger tire size than the usual 17" size they choose! Fortunately, Germany has the answer, and this year Sport Auto Magazine tested seven patterns in 235/35 R19, the most common 19" tire size on the market, using a VW Golf R.

All tires are now rated by the European standardised labels, which grades the rolling resistance and wet grip on an A-F scale. Currently no manufacturer has the technology to make an A/A rated tire in 235/35 R19, so the best on test were the Dunlop and Continental with a "C/A". The Nokian, Hankook and Pirelli came in with a slightly worse rolling resistance score, at "E/A" and the Bridgestone and Kumho tires graded themselves as "F/B".

The Results

Proving its sporty background, Pirelli won the test with the P Zero. Thanks to a balanced performance with a particularly strong wet result the Pirelli P Zero was the only tire to be "Very recommended".

Second to fifth were all awarded the "Recommended" status, with the Continental Sport Contact 5P narrowly beating the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 to second place thanks to a slightly stronger wet performance. Dunlop finished fourth with the SportMaxx RT, interestingly the tire was praised for sharp steering in the wet, but poor steering in the dry which seems to be a confusing mix of qualities, and the Nokian zLine finished in fifth with a balance performance, but slow steering.

In joint sixth were Bridgestone and Kumho. The Bridgestone Potenza S001 had a poor time in the wet, and the Kumho Ecsta PS91 had an even worse time in the wet, but performed slightly better in the dry than the Bridgestone.

We've included the weight measurements in the final result. The Dunlop was the lightest tire at 8.7kgs, and the Nokian the heaviest at 9.9kgs.

The overall score is weighted 40% wet, 50% dry and 10% noise and rolling resistance.

1st: Pirelli P Zero
235/35 R19 3PMSF: no	Total: 42.9 Dry: 9.7 Wet: 9.2 Comfort: 9 Rolling Resistance: 8 Noise: 7 Very high grip and shot braking distances on wet roads, good handling in all conditions, good comfort, low rolling resistance Relatively low resistance to aquaplaning Read Reviews    Buy from £153.41
2nd: Continental ContiSportContact 5 P
235/35 R19 3PMSF: no	Total: 40 Dry: 9 Wet: 9 Comfort: 8 Rolling Resistance: 7 Noise: 7 High resistance to aquaplaning, good handling and short braking distances on wet roads, very good handling on dry surfaces, good comfort A relatively high noise level Read Reviews    Buy from £142.99
3rd: Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
235/35 R19 3PMSF: no	Total: 42.7 Dry: 8.8 Wet: 8.9 Comfort: 8 Rolling Resistance: 7 Noise: 10 High resistance to aquaplaning, good handling in all conditions, low noise level Increased rolling resistance Read Reviews
4th: Dunlop SportMaxx RT
235/35 R19 3PMSF: no	Total: 45.2 Dry: 8.3 Wet: 7.9 Comfort: 9 Rolling Resistance: 10 Noise: 10 Good handling on wet roads, short braking distance on dry roads, very low rolling resistance, low noise level Relatively long braking distances on wet surfaces, slow reaction to the steering in the dry Read Reviews    Buy from £131.66
5th: Nokian zLine
235/35 R19 3PMSF: no	Total: 40.4 Dry: 8 Wet: 8.4 Comfort: 8 Rolling Resistance: 9 Noise: 7 A balanced performance on dry and wet surfaces Relatively weak resistance to aquaplaning, slow response to steering, rolling resistance Read Reviews
6th: Bridgestone Potenza S001
235/35 R19 3PMSF: no	Total: 35.2 Dry: 7.6 Wet: 7.6 Comfort: 6 Rolling Resistance: 7 Noise: 7 Short braking distances on dry roads, good resistance to aquaplaning, good steering feel Long braking distance on wet roads, average handling on dry surfaces, relatively low levels of comfort Read Reviews
7th: Kumho Ecsta PS91
235/35 R19 3PMSF: no	Total: 37.8 Dry: 8.8 Wet: 6 Comfort: 8 Rolling Resistance: 7 Noise: 8 Good performance on dry surfaces Poor handling and a strong tendency to understeer on wet surfaces Read Reviews    Buy from £143.21