2022 AZ SUV Tire Test

Test Size: 215/55 R17
Tires Tested: 10 tires
Test Categories:
4 categories (8 tests)
Similar Tests

Test Category Best Performer Worst Performer Difference
Dry (2 tests)
Dry Braking Vredestein Ultrac: 36.2 M Continental EcoContact 6: 38 M1.8 M (4.7%)
Dry Handling Michelin Primacy 4: 61.5 s Yokohama BluEarth GT AE51: 62.6 s1.1 s (1.8%)
Wet (3 tests)
Wet Braking Maxxis Premitra HP5: 46.5 M Vredestein Ultrac: 50.2 M3.7 M (7.4%)
Wet Handling Vredestein Ultrac: 87.8 s Yokohama BluEarth GT AE51: 97.6 s9.8 s (10.0%)
Straight Aqua Vredestein Ultrac: 80.7 Km/H Continental EcoContact 6: 70.9 Km/H9.8 Km/H (13.8%)
Comfort (1 tests)
Noise Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2: 70 dB Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun: 72 dB2.0 dB (2.8%)
Value (2 tests)
Price Maxxis Premitra HP5: 350 Michelin Primacy 4: 550 200.0 (36.4%)
Rolling Resistance Continental EcoContact 6: 6.04 kg / t Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun: 9.31 kg / t3.3 kg / t (35.1%)
We are very late in the season for this one, so we're not going to write too much on this. For 2022 Auto Zeitung tested ten crossover SUV tire sizes in 215/55 R17 using a Ford Puma.

The excellent testers at AZ were obviously happy with the majority of the tires tested as they gave out seven awards to the top seven tires! It's also worth noting the Continental tire in this test was the ultra low rolling resistance EcoContact 6, not the PremiumContact 6 you'd expect.

Sadly AZ didn't get the chance to do any offroad testing, not that these tires are intended for much offroad use, but if you would like to see how these sorts of tires perform on dirt and grass you can check out the Tire Reviews SUV test here.

Dry

The new Vredestein Ultrac and Maxxis Premitra HP5 led the way in dry braking, in a close set of results.

Dry handling had the Michelin Primacy 4 as the fastest tire around the lap, but with the top nine tires separated by just 0.7 seconds, it was again very close.

Wet

Maxxis also led the way during wet braking, with the Primacy 4 best of the rest.

Vredestein was back at the front in wet handling.

Vredestein also offered the best straight aquaplaning resistance.

Environment

Unusually there was no fraction of numbers in the noise results.

The eco bias Continental EcoContact 6 had much lower rolling resistance than the rest of the tires.

As usual, the Michelin was the most expensive set of tires on test.

Results

1st: Bridgestone Turanza T005

Bridgestone Turanza T005
  • 215/55 R17 94W
  • EU Label: B/A/71
  • Weight: 9kgs
  • Tread: 7.2mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th36.7 M36.2 M+0.5 M98.64%
Dry Handling4th61.8 s61.5 s+0.3 s99.51%
Wet Braking3rd46.8 M46.5 M+0.3 M99.36%
Wet Handling3rd90.1 s87.8 s+2.3 s97.45%
Straight Aqua5th76.7 Km/H80.7 Km/H-4 Km/H95.04%
Noise6th72 dB70 dB+2 dB97.22%
Price7th500 350 +150 70%
Rolling Resistance2nd7.19 kg / t6.04 kg / t+1.15 kg / t84.01%
The Bridgestone Turanza T005 is number one in this test. Longitudinal wet grip, cornering, aquaplaning, the key to this success are top scores in all safety-related criteria - regardless of whether it's raining or the road is dry.

Read Reviews    Buy from £104.99

2nd: Vredestein Ultrac

Vredestein Ultrac
  • 215/55 R17 98Y
  • EU Label: C/A/69
  • Weight: 9.5kgs
  • Tread: 6.8mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st36.2 M100%
Dry Handling4th61.8 s61.5 s+0.3 s99.51%
Wet Braking10th50.2 M46.5 M+3.7 M92.63%
Wet Handling1st87.8 s100%
Straight Aqua1st80.7 Km/H100%
Noise6th72 dB70 dB+2 dB97.22%
Price3rd450 350 +100 77.78%
Rolling Resistance7th8.46 kg / t6.04 kg / t+2.42 kg / t71.39%
Second place for the new Ultrac from Vredestein, which shines in the wet but misses out on overall victory due to long wet braking distances. Good performance overall, especially on dry roads.

Read Reviews

3rd: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
  • 215/55 R17 94W
  • EU Label: B/A/69
  • Weight: 9.1kgs
  • Tread: 8.4mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th38 M36.2 M+1.8 M95.26%
Dry Handling2nd61.6 s61.5 s+0.1 s99.84%
Wet Braking4th46.9 M46.5 M+0.4 M99.15%
Wet Handling4th90.3 s87.8 s+2.5 s97.23%
Straight Aqua7th74.7 Km/H80.7 Km/H-6 Km/H92.57%
Noise1st70 dB100%
Price8th520 350 +170 67.31%
Rolling Resistance2nd7.19 kg / t6.04 kg / t+1.15 kg / t84.01%
Third place for the Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance 2, it offered high levels of grip in the wet and dry and also has particularly low noise.

Read Reviews    Buy from £113.05

3rd: Michelin Primacy 4

Michelin Primacy 4
  • 215/55 R17 94W
  • EU Label: C/A/69
  • Weight: 9.3kgs
  • Tread: 6.4mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th37.1 M36.2 M+0.9 M97.57%
Dry Handling1st61.5 s100%
Wet Braking2nd46.7 M46.5 M+0.2 M99.57%
Wet Handling6th91.7 s87.8 s+3.9 s95.75%
Straight Aqua6th76.6 Km/H80.7 Km/H-4.1 Km/H94.92%
Noise3rd71 dB70 dB+1 dB98.59%
Price10th550 350 +200 63.64%
Rolling Resistance4th7.36 kg / t6.04 kg / t+1.32 kg / t82.07%
The Primacy 4 has balanced grip in the dry and wet, focusing on safety qualities rather than dynamic driving.

Read Reviews    Buy from £133.60

5th: Maxxis Premitra HP5

Maxxis Premitra HP5
  • 215/55 R17 94W
  • EU Label: D/A/70
  • Weight: 9.6kgs
  • Tread: 7.6mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st36.2 M100%
Dry Handling8th62 s61.5 s+0.5 s99.19%
Wet Braking1st46.5 M100%
Wet Handling2nd88.5 s87.8 s+0.7 s99.21%
Straight Aqua4th79.2 Km/H80.7 Km/H-1.5 Km/H98.14%
Noise6th72 dB70 dB+2 dB97.22%
Price1st350 100%
Rolling Resistance9th9.15 kg / t6.04 kg / t+3.11 kg / t66.01%
The Maxxis Premitra 5, which has already won two awards in our tire tests, is highly recommended. In the wet it is extremely grippy and safe, but this comes at the expense of efficiency.

Read Reviews

6th: Nokian WetProof

Nokian WetProof
  • 215/55 R17 94V
  • EU Label: C/A/68
  • Weight: 10.2kgs
  • Tread: 8mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd36.5 M36.2 M+0.3 M99.18%
Dry Handling7th61.9 s61.5 s+0.4 s99.35%
Wet Braking7th47.6 M46.5 M+1.1 M97.69%
Wet Handling5th90.9 s87.8 s+3.1 s96.59%
Straight Aqua2nd79.7 Km/H80.7 Km/H-1 Km/H98.76%
Noise3rd71 dB70 dB+1 dB98.59%
Price5th460 350 +110 76.09%
Rolling Resistance8th8.53 kg / t6.04 kg / t+2.49 kg / t70.81%
The Nokian Wetproof is excellent in the wet and solid in the dry. Not a clear recommendation however the limit of wet handling can be tricky.

Read Reviews

7th: Continental EcoContact 6

Continental EcoContact 6
  • 215/55 R17 98W
  • EU Label: A/A/72
  • Weight: 9.1kgs
  • Tread: 6.4mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th38 M36.2 M+1.8 M95.26%
Dry Handling2nd61.6 s61.5 s+0.1 s99.84%
Wet Braking6th47.5 M46.5 M+1 M97.89%
Wet Handling8th94.4 s87.8 s+6.6 s93.01%
Straight Aqua10th70.9 Km/H80.7 Km/H-9.8 Km/H87.86%
Noise1st70 dB100%
Price9th530 350 +180 66.04%
Rolling Resistance1st6.04 kg / t100%
With a top value for rolling resistance, the Continental Eco Contact 6 confirmed its label efficiency rating in seventh place. Grippy in the wet, but significant aquaplaning weaknesses.

Read Reviews    Buy from £136.20

8th: Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun

Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
  • 215/55 R17 98W
  • EU Label: C/A/69
  • Weight: 10.6kgs
  • Tread: 7.6mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th37.4 M36.2 M+1.2 M96.79%
Dry Handling4th61.8 s61.5 s+0.3 s99.51%
Wet Braking8th49.2 M46.5 M+2.7 M94.51%
Wet Handling7th92.4 s87.8 s+4.6 s95.02%
Straight Aqua3rd79.3 Km/H80.7 Km/H-1.4 Km/H98.27%
Noise6th72 dB70 dB+2 dB97.22%
Price2nd400 350 +50 87.5%
Rolling Resistance10th9.31 kg / t6.04 kg / t+3.27 kg / t64.88%
The ZE-310 has safe handling however it has high rolling resistance and average comfort.

Read Reviews    Buy from £113.35

9th: BFGoodrich Advantage

BFGoodrich Advantage
  • 215/55 R17 94W
  • EU Label: E/A/70
  • Weight: 10kgs
  • Tread: 6.9mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th37.1 M36.2 M+0.9 M97.57%
Dry Handling9th62.2 s61.5 s+0.7 s98.87%
Wet Braking5th47.1 M46.5 M+0.6 M98.73%
Wet Handling9th94.5 s87.8 s+6.7 s92.91%
Straight Aqua9th73.6 Km/H80.7 Km/H-7.1 Km/H91.2%
Noise6th72 dB70 dB+2 dB97.22%
Price3rd450 350 +100 77.78%
Rolling Resistance6th8.36 kg / t6.04 kg / t+2.32 kg / t72.25%
The BF Goodrich Advantage struggled in the wet to finish in 9th place.

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10th: Yokohama BluEarth GT AE51

Yokohama BluEarth GT AE51
  • 215/55 R17 98W
  • EU Label: B/A/71
  • Weight: 10.4kgs
  • Tread: 7.6mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th38 M36.2 M+1.8 M95.26%
Dry Handling10th62.6 s61.5 s+1.1 s98.24%
Wet Braking9th50.1 M46.5 M+3.6 M92.81%
Wet Handling10th97.6 s87.8 s+9.8 s89.96%
Straight Aqua8th74.4 Km/H80.7 Km/H-6.3 Km/H92.19%
Noise3rd71 dB70 dB+1 dB98.59%
Price6th480 350 +130 72.92%
Rolling Resistance5th7.37 kg / t6.04 kg / t+1.33 kg / t81.95%
Bottom in the wet, lacking grip when it matters. The Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE-51 is better in the dry, although there is no connection to the road and the rolling resistance is too high.

Read Reviews    Buy from £125.15

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