Test Publication:
Test Size:
225/45 R17
Tires Tested:
20 tires
Test Categories:
4 categories (11 tests)
View Test Summary
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This is going to be a long test! The German publication Auto Bild often perform the most thorough tire tests of any of the traditional publications, and 2019 is no exception. After taking
fifty three 225/45 R17 tire patterns through wet and dry braking testing to establish the top twenty available in the market, Auto Bild have run the best of the 17" tires through an extremely thorough full test, and even included the often omitted wear test!
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 continued on from a very strong run of results in 2018 to win the test overall, with the brand new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 a very close second. The new Goodyear only had one weakness, the rolling resistance testing, and was also reported to have a very high purchase price, which no longer applies in the UK market.
Third place was joint awarded to another new tire, the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3. This continues on the excellent results Hankook has achieved with the new Ventus Prime 3 in 2018, and confirms what the market has suspected for a while - Hankook is now a premium player. The more established Falken FK510 matched the Hankook, with its only weakness being wear.
It's also worth noting that this is the first test the seventh place Nokian WetProof has been featured in. WetProof by name, the new Nokian proved to be extremely strong in the wet handling tests, but struggled during the aquaplaning testing.
Dry
If you average the dry braking and dry handling results, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is the best dry weather tire overall, with a huge gap during the dry braking testing. The Auto Bild testers also commented that the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was the best handling tire on test, giving excellent steering feel and precision.
Wet
The top four tires during wet braking were all extremely close, with the new Hankook just beating the new Goodyear for the best wet braking tire on test.
The test-winning Michelin proved to be extremely strong during wet handling, leading the pack by a small margin.
And somehow the Michelin tire also dominated the straight aquaplaning testing, which is normally an opposing quality to tests like dry grip and handling.
Environment
The Bridgestone Turanza T005 proved to have the lowest fuel use on test.
All tires, apart from the Bridgestone T005 were separated by less than 3dB during the external noise testing, with the new Nokian WetProof the quietest tire on test.
Each tire was given a subjective comfort score, with the Michelin again being in a class of one.
Cost
The new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 beat Michelin at it's own game, having the lowest wear on test! Michelin and Continental were a close second and third place, which is great to see as wear has been a weak point for Continental in the past.
The new Goodyear was the most expensive tire tested, which would be to do with the new nature of the tire. If you see our pricing below, the new Goodyear is already significantly cheaper than the Michelin in the UK.
Most importantly, the "value" test, where the magazine divides the purchase price by the potential wear had the Continental and Falken as the best value tires of the top six places! With the corrected Goodyear pricing, the new Asymmetric 5 also looks to be extremely good value.
Results
Below are the overall results and testers commentary. Be sure to check out the full test on autobild.de, and feel free to leave any comments or questions below.
Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 1st 34.2 M 100% Dry Handling 2nd 117.7 Km/H 118 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.75% Wet Braking 5th 29.6 M 28.7 M +0.9 M 96.96% Wet Handling 1st 76.5 Km/H 100% Straight Aqua 1st 99.7 Km/H 100% Subj. Comfort 1st 9 Points 100% Noise 4th 71.6 dB 71.3 dB +0.3 dB 99.58% Wear 2nd 51090 KM 54210 KM -3120 KM 94.24% Value 10th 9.4 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +2.93 Price/1000 68.83% Price 19th 480 290 +190 60.42% Rolling Resistance 15th 9.8 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +2.31 kg / t 76.43%
Best driving dynamics on test, and in the top 3 in almost all tests. Excellent wet and dry handling, low wear.
High purchase price, average rolling resistance.
Highly recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 2nd 34.7 M 34.2 M +0.5 M 98.56% Dry Handling 8th 116.8 Km/H 118 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.98% Wet Braking 2nd 28.8 M 28.7 M +0.1 M 99.65% Wet Handling 5th 74.7 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 97.65% Straight Aqua 8th 95 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -4.7 Km/H 95.29% Subj. Comfort 11th 6 Points 9 Points -3 Points 66.67% Noise 12th 72.6 dB 71.3 dB +1.3 dB 98.21% Wear 1st 54210 KM 100% Value 12th 9.59 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +3.12 Price/1000 67.47% Price 20th 520 290 +230 55.77% Rolling Resistance 14th 9.61 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +2.12 kg / t 77.94%
Excellent wet handling with high steering precision, short braking distances, extremely low wear leading to an excellent price / performance ratio.
High purchase price, average comfort.
Highly recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 16th 36 M 34.2 M +1.8 M 95% Dry Handling 4th 117.4 Km/H 118 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.49% Wet Braking 4th 29 M 28.7 M +0.3 M 98.97% Wet Handling 7th 74.4 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.25% Straight Aqua 5th 95.6 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -4.1 Km/H 95.89% Subj. Comfort 3rd 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Noise 5th 71.7 dB 71.3 dB +0.4 dB 99.44% Wear 9th 39390 KM 54210 KM -14820 KM 72.66% Value 5th 8.76 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +2.29 Price/1000 73.86% Price 7th 345 290 +55 84.06% Rolling Resistance 11th 9.48 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +1.99 kg / t 79.01%
Good wet and dry grip, sporty dry handling, excellent wet braking, well priced.
Average mileage.
Highly recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 6th 35.2 M 34.2 M +1 M 97.16% Dry Handling 3rd 117.5 Km/H 118 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.58% Wet Braking 1st 28.7 M 100% Wet Handling 11th 73.2 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 95.69% Straight Aqua 7th 95.1 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -4.6 Km/H 95.39% Subj. Comfort 11th 6 Points 9 Points -3 Points 66.67% Noise 6th 71.8 dB 71.3 dB +0.5 dB 99.3% Wear 7th 41340 KM 54210 KM -12870 KM 76.26% Value 8th 9.19 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +2.72 Price/1000 70.4% Price 12th 380 290 +90 76.32% Rolling Resistance 11th 9.48 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +1.99 kg / t 79.01%
Extremely well balanced performance, precise steering and good feedback in the dry, best wet braking, well priced.
Average comfort.
Highly recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 14th 35.8 M 34.2 M +1.6 M 95.53% Dry Handling 10th 116.4 Km/H 118 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.64% Wet Braking 7th 29.9 M 28.7 M +1.2 M 95.99% Wet Handling 10th 73.3 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -3.2 Km/H 95.82% Straight Aqua 16th 91.8 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -7.9 Km/H 92.08% Subj. Comfort 3rd 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Noise 12th 72.6 dB 71.3 dB +1.3 dB 98.21% Wear 3rd 50700 KM 54210 KM -3510 KM 93.53% Value 2nd 8.09 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +1.62 Price/1000 79.98% Price 16th 410 290 +120 70.73% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.23 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +0.74 kg / t 91.01%
A well balanced performance with good wet handling, short wet and dry braking distances, low rolling resistance, low wear.
Average aquaplaning results.
Highly recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 4th 35.1 M 34.2 M +0.9 M 97.44% Dry Handling 7th 116.9 Km/H 118 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 99.07% Wet Braking 15th 32 M 28.7 M +3.3 M 89.69% Wet Handling 13th 73 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -3.5 Km/H 95.42% Straight Aqua 13th 93.8 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -5.9 Km/H 94.08% Subj. Comfort 11th 6 Points 9 Points -3 Points 66.67% Noise 8th 71.9 dB 71.3 dB +0.6 dB 99.17% Wear 12th 38220 KM 54210 KM -15990 KM 70.5% Value 6th 8.77 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +2.3 Price/1000 73.77% Price 5th 335 290 +45 86.57% Rolling Resistance 8th 9.09 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +1.6 kg / t 82.4%
Sporty summer tire with excellent handling, good dry braking, very good curved aquaplaning, low noise, low rolling resistance, low price.
Average mileage.
Highly recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 6th 35.2 M 34.2 M +1 M 97.16% Dry Handling 11th 116.3 Km/H 118 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.56% Wet Braking 6th 29.7 M 28.7 M +1 M 96.63% Wet Handling 2nd 75.9 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.22% Straight Aqua 19th 90.8 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -8.9 Km/H 91.07% Subj. Comfort 15th 5 Points 9 Points -4 Points 55.56% Noise 1st 71.3 dB 100% Wear 13th 37440 KM 54210 KM -16770 KM 69.06% Value 15th 10.28 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +3.81 Price/1000 62.94% Price 14th 385 290 +95 75.32% Rolling Resistance 13th 9.49 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +2 kg / t 78.93%
Wet specialist with the best wet cornering, precise steering, short wet and dry braking distances, low noise.
Poor aquaplaning result.
Recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 4th 35.1 M 34.2 M +0.9 M 97.44% Dry Handling 1st 118 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 3rd 28.9 M 28.7 M +0.2 M 99.31% Wet Handling 3rd 75.7 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 98.95% Straight Aqua 14th 92.3 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -7.4 Km/H 92.58% Subj. Comfort 11th 6 Points 9 Points -3 Points 66.67% Noise 18th 73.5 dB 71.3 dB +2.2 dB 97.01% Wear 14th 35880 KM 54210 KM -18330 KM 66.19% Value 20th 12.26 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +5.79 Price/1000 52.77% Price 18th 440 290 +150 65.91% Rolling Resistance 16th 10.27 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +2.78 kg / t 72.93%
Excellent wet and dry handling, precise steering with good feedback, short wet and dry braking.
Average mileage, high fuel use.
Recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 13th 35.7 M 34.2 M +1.5 M 95.8% Dry Handling 8th 116.8 Km/H 118 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.98% Wet Braking 18th 32.8 M 28.7 M +4.1 M 87.5% Wet Handling 15th 72.8 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 95.16% Straight Aqua 9th 94.9 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -4.8 Km/H 95.19% Subj. Comfort 2nd 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89% Noise 12th 72.6 dB 71.3 dB +1.3 dB 98.21% Wear 4th 44850 KM 54210 KM -9360 KM 82.73% Value 1st 6.47 Price/1000 100% Price 1st 290 100% Rolling Resistance 9th 9.22 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +1.73 kg / t 81.24%
Good dry handling, good aquaplaning results, low wear, best price / performance ratio.
Slightly reduced wet grip.
Recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 17th 36.3 M 34.2 M +2.1 M 94.21% Dry Handling 17th 115.7 Km/H 118 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 98.05% Wet Braking 11th 31 M 28.7 M +2.3 M 92.58% Wet Handling 9th 73.8 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.47% Straight Aqua 10th 94.6 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -5.1 Km/H 94.88% Subj. Comfort 3rd 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Noise 3rd 71.5 dB 71.3 dB +0.2 dB 99.72% Wear 8th 40560 KM 54210 KM -13650 KM 74.82% Value 3rd 8.38 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +1.91 Price/1000 77.21% Price 6th 340 290 +50 85.29% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.97 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +1.48 kg / t 83.5%
Stable wet handling, good aquaplaning resistance, good comfort, low fuel use, good price / performance ratio.
Understeer during dry handling.
Recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 10th 35.3 M 34.2 M +1.1 M 96.88% Dry Handling 5th 117.1 Km/H 118 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.24% Wet Braking 9th 30.8 M 28.7 M +2.1 M 93.18% Wet Handling 14th 72.9 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 95.29% Straight Aqua 12th 94 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -5.7 Km/H 94.28% Subj. Comfort 15th 5 Points 9 Points -4 Points 55.56% Noise 11th 72.3 dB 71.3 dB +1 dB 98.62% Wear 11th 38610 KM 54210 KM -15600 KM 71.22% Value 9th 9.32 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +2.85 Price/1000 69.42% Price 9th 360 290 +70 80.56% Rolling Resistance 20th 11.49 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +4 kg / t 65.19%
Short dry and wet braking, good steering precision and grip in the dry handling test, low noise.
High rolling resistance.
Recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 12th 35.6 M 34.2 M +1.4 M 96.07% Dry Handling 18th 115.6 Km/H 118 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 97.97% Wet Braking 10th 30.9 M 28.7 M +2.2 M 92.88% Wet Handling 4th 74.9 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 97.91% Straight Aqua 17th 91.7 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -8 Km/H 91.98% Subj. Comfort 3rd 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Noise 20th 75 dB 71.3 dB +3.7 dB 95.07% Wear 6th 41370 KM 54210 KM -12840 KM 76.31% Value 12th 9.59 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +3.12 Price/1000 67.47% Price 15th 400 290 +110 72.5% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.49 kg / t 100%
Sporty dynamic wet handling, short braking distances, lowest rolling resistance.
Understeer during dry handling, average comfort, average noise.
Recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 11th 35.4 M 34.2 M +1.2 M 96.61% Dry Handling 6th 117 Km/H 118 Km/H -1 Km/H 99.15% Wet Braking 12th 31.4 M 28.7 M +2.7 M 91.4% Wet Handling 18th 72.1 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -4.4 Km/H 94.25% Straight Aqua 3rd 96.1 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 96.39% Subj. Comfort 20th 2 Points 9 Points -7 Points 22.22% Noise 9th 72.2 dB 71.3 dB +0.9 dB 98.75% Wear 5th 41730 KM 54210 KM -12480 KM 76.98% Value 7th 9.11 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +2.64 Price/1000 71.02% Price 12th 380 290 +90 76.32% Rolling Resistance 10th 9.43 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +1.94 kg / t 79.43%
Good aquaplaning resistance, good handling and short braking distances in the dry, low rolling resistance.
Understeer in the wet.
Recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 6th 35.2 M 34.2 M +1 M 97.16% Dry Handling 14th 116.2 Km/H 118 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 98.47% Wet Braking 19th 32.9 M 28.7 M +4.2 M 87.23% Wet Handling 16th 72.3 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -4.2 Km/H 94.51% Straight Aqua 15th 92.2 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -7.5 Km/H 92.48% Subj. Comfort 15th 5 Points 9 Points -4 Points 55.56% Noise 2nd 71.4 dB 71.3 dB +0.1 dB 99.86% Wear 14th 35880 KM 54210 KM -18330 KM 66.19% Value 17th 11.43 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +4.96 Price/1000 56.61% Price 16th 410 290 +120 70.73% Rolling Resistance 7th 9.08 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +1.59 kg / t 82.49%
Short dry braking, low noise, low fuel use.
Average grip and handling in the wet, high wear.
Conditionally recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 19th 37.1 M 34.2 M +2.9 M 92.18% Dry Handling 11th 116.3 Km/H 118 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.56% Wet Braking 14th 31.7 M 28.7 M +3 M 90.54% Wet Handling 8th 74 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 96.73% Straight Aqua 2nd 96.8 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -2.9 Km/H 97.09% Subj. Comfort 3rd 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Noise 15th 72.7 dB 71.3 dB +1.4 dB 98.07% Wear 18th 30420 KM 54210 KM -23790 KM 56.12% Value 18th 11.83 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +5.36 Price/1000 54.69% Price 9th 360 290 +70 80.56% Rolling Resistance 18th 10.67 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +3.18 kg / t 70.2%
Very good aquaplaning results, good wet handling, good comfort.
Average dry grip, high wear, high rolling resistance.
Conditionally recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 15th 35.9 M 34.2 M +1.7 M 95.26% Dry Handling 18th 115.6 Km/H 118 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 97.97% Wet Braking 17th 32.1 M 28.7 M +3.4 M 89.41% Wet Handling 20th 71.6 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -4.9 Km/H 93.59% Straight Aqua 18th 91.1 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -8.6 Km/H 91.37% Subj. Comfort 3rd 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Noise 6th 71.8 dB 71.3 dB +0.5 dB 99.3% Wear 10th 39050 KM 54210 KM -15160 KM 72.03% Value 11th 9.48 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +3.01 Price/1000 68.25% Price 11th 370 290 +80 78.38% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.99 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +1.5 kg / t 83.31%
Low noise, low fuel use.
Average wet performance with poor steering, understeer in the dry and wet, low aquaplaning resistance.
Conditionally recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 17th 36.3 M 34.2 M +2.1 M 94.21% Dry Handling 15th 116 Km/H 118 Km/H -2 Km/H 98.31% Wet Braking 20th 33.2 M 28.7 M +4.5 M 86.45% Wet Handling 17th 72.2 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -4.3 Km/H 94.38% Straight Aqua 11th 94.5 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -5.2 Km/H 94.78% Subj. Comfort 3rd 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Noise 16th 73 dB 71.3 dB +1.7 dB 97.67% Wear 16th 35490 KM 54210 KM -18720 KM 65.47% Value 4th 8.45 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +1.98 Price/1000 76.57% Price 2nd 300 290 +10 96.67% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.47 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +0.98 kg / t 88.43%
Well priced, low rolling resistance.
Slight understeer in the dry and wet, slow steering response, average mileage.
Conditionally recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 6th 35.2 M 34.2 M +1 M 97.16% Dry Handling 20th 115.3 Km/H 118 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 97.71% Wet Braking 15th 32 M 28.7 M +3.3 M 89.69% Wet Handling 19th 72 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -4.5 Km/H 94.12% Straight Aqua 20th 90.7 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -9 Km/H 90.97% Subj. Comfort 15th 5 Points 9 Points -4 Points 55.56% Noise 16th 73 dB 71.3 dB +1.7 dB 97.67% Wear 16th 35490 KM 54210 KM -18720 KM 65.47% Value 14th 9.72 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +3.25 Price/1000 66.56% Price 7th 345 290 +55 84.06% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.69 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +0.2 kg / t 97.4%
Short dry braking.
Understeer balance handling and limited steering precision in the dry and wet, poor aquaplaning reserves.
Conditionally recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 3rd 34.9 M 34.2 M +0.7 M 97.99% Dry Handling 16th 115.8 Km/H 118 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 98.14% Wet Braking 8th 30.3 M 28.7 M +1.6 M 94.72% Wet Handling 6th 74.5 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -2 Km/H 97.39% Straight Aqua 4th 95.7 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -4 Km/H 95.99% Subj. Comfort 15th 5 Points 9 Points -4 Points 55.56% Noise 9th 72.2 dB 71.3 dB +0.9 dB 98.75% Wear 19th 28080 KM 54210 KM -26130 KM 51.8% Value 16th 11.04 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +4.57 Price/1000 58.61% Price 3rd 310 290 +20 93.55% Rolling Resistance 17th 10.29 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +2.8 kg / t 72.79%
Good aquaplaning resistance, short dry braking.
Understeer during dry handling, very poor wear.
Conditionally recommended.
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Test # Result Best Difference %
Dry Braking 19th 37.1 M 34.2 M +2.9 M 92.18% Dry Handling 11th 116.3 Km/H 118 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.56% Wet Braking 13th 31.6 M 28.7 M +2.9 M 90.82% Wet Handling 11th 73.2 Km/H 76.5 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 95.69% Straight Aqua 6th 95.5 Km/H 99.7 Km/H -4.2 Km/H 95.79% Subj. Comfort 3rd 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Noise 19th 74.1 dB 71.3 dB +2.8 dB 96.22% Wear 20th 26520 KM 54210 KM -27690 KM 48.92% Value 19th 12.07 Price/1000 6.47 Price/1000 +5.6 Price/1000 53.6% Price 4th 320 290 +30 90.63% Rolling Resistance 19th 11.06 kg / t 7.49 kg / t +3.57 kg / t 67.72%
Good aquaplaning properties, good dry handling.
Very poor wear, very high rolling resistance.
Conditionally recommended.
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