The 2022 Autobild Sportscars summer tire test has tested eleven 225/45 R18 sizes using a BMW 3 Series, but has also tested four of the SAME sets in a staggered 225/45 R18 front and 255/4 R18 rear size to compare the two different options.

First up, the main test. Sadly the test was missing Goodyear and Pirelli, and interestingly the testers found the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 not only to be the best, but also to have the sportiest handling, something we're don't see often.

Even more surprising was that the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+ finished joint first, beating every tire in the wet handling test and ending up with enough points to match the Pilot Sport 4.

It was the test of ties, with the Falken FK510 and Toyo Proxes Sport A finishing joint third and the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 finishing joint fifth.

Square vs Staggered Setup

The most interesting part of the test was the square vs staggered setup. Unfortunately the Tire Reviews database can't list both results, just the square, so we'll have to explain the differences below referencing the square data we have already.

The tires tested in both square and staggered were the Michelin Pilot Sport 4, the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+, Falken FK510 and Nexen N'Fera Sport.

In the dry, the staggered setup with the wider rear tire stopped 0.1 meters worse for the Falken and 0.2m behind for Michelin and Vredestein which is certainly counter intuitive, but the Nexen was 0.3 meters better with the wider rear tire. 

Dry handling made no more sense with the Michelin finishing 0.8 km/h faster with the wider rear tire, 1.3 km/h faster for the Vredestein, 1.5 km/h faster for the Nexen, but 1.3 km/h slower for the Falken.

Wet braking had the Michelin stopping the BMW 0.5 meters shorter with the wider rear, 1.3 meters shorter for Nexen but exactly the same for Vredestein and 0.5 longer for the Falken!

Finally, every set of tires was significantly slower in the wet with the wider rear tire.

What can we conclude regarding square vs staggered tires? The data shows that there's not a huge amount of difference with the extra 20 mm of rear tire width, and whether you get better or worse performance varies between what test is being tested, and the tire brand used!

There's more information in the full Auto Bild test, so we suggest you check that out if you're interested in further information.

Below is all the data from the 225/45 R18 square test.

Dry

Bridgestone, Hankook and Toyo had an impressive lead in dry braking.

Michelin aced the dry handling test with the quickest lap time and the sportiest handling.

Wet

Bridgestone again led the way in wet braking.

But couldn't quite beat Vredestein for the top place in wet handling.

GT Radial and Toyo led the way in the aquaplaning testing.

Environment

The budget Tomket had the lowest external noise on test.

And the lowest rolling resistance.

And the lowest price.

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 37.1 M 36 M +1.1 M 97.04% Dry Handling 1st 104.1 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 2nd 47.6 M 45.7 M +1.9 M 96.01% Wet Handling 5th 86.9 Km/H 88.9 Km/H -2 Km/H 97.75% Wet Circle 7th 12.01 s 11.47 s +0.54 s 95.5% Straight Aqua 3rd 98.2 Km/H 99.4 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.79% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 3.27 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.42 m/sec2 88.62% Noise 4th 72.8 dB 70.8 dB +2 dB 97.25% Price 11th 660 335 +325 50.76% Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.42 kg / t 8.18 kg / t +0.24 kg / t 97.15% Premium summer tires with the best dynamic driving characteristics in the dry (direct steering with good feedback), safe wet handling, short wet and dry braking, low rolling resistance. High price level. Read Reviews    Buy from £145.20
1st: Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 37.5 M 36 M +1.5 M 96% Dry Handling 4th 103.2 Km/H 104.1 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.14% Wet Braking 5th 49.5 M 45.7 M +3.8 M 92.32% Wet Handling 1st 88.9 Km/H 100% Wet Circle 4th 11.82 s 11.47 s +0.35 s 97.04% Straight Aqua 5th 97.9 Km/H 99.4 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 98.49% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 3.34 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.35 m/sec2 90.51% Noise 8th 73.3 dB 70.8 dB +2.5 dB 96.59% Price 3rd 485 335 +150 69.07% Rolling Resistance 11th 10 kg / t 8.18 kg / t +1.82 kg / t 81.8% Sporty balanced summer tire, good wet grip, good aquaplaning resistance, sporty dry handling with precise steering, short wet and dry braking distances. High rolling resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £137.30
3rd: Falken Azenis FK510
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 37 M 36 M +1 M 97.3% Dry Handling 5th 102.9 Km/H 104.1 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.85% Wet Braking 3rd 47.9 M 45.7 M +2.2 M 95.41% Wet Handling 6th 86.4 Km/H 88.9 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 97.19% Wet Circle 6th 11.95 s 11.47 s +0.48 s 95.98% Straight Aqua 4th 98 Km/H 99.4 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.59% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 3.54 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.15 m/sec2 95.93% Noise 7th 73.2 dB 70.8 dB +2.4 dB 96.72% Price 9th 570 335 +235 58.77% Rolling Resistance 7th 9.01 kg / t 8.18 kg / t +0.83 kg / t 90.79% Good performance potential, excellent aquaplaning resistance, stable handling the wet, sporty dry dynamics. High price level. Read Reviews    Buy from £140.70
3rd: Toyo Proxes Sport A
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 36.1 M 36 M +0.1 M 99.72% Dry Handling 2nd 104 Km/H 104.1 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.9% Wet Braking 4th 48.8 M 45.7 M +3.1 M 93.65% Wet Handling 4th 87.5 Km/H 88.9 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.43% Wet Circle 2nd 11.73 s 11.47 s +0.26 s 97.78% Straight Aqua 1st 99.4 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 3.6 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.09 m/sec2 97.56% Noise 9th 73.5 dB 70.8 dB +2.7 dB 96.33% Price 5th 495 335 +160 67.68% Rolling Resistance 8th 9.47 kg / t 8.18 kg / t +1.29 kg / t 86.38% Exemplary driving characteristics, very good aquaplaning resistance, sporty handling in the wet and dry, short wet and dry braking, fair price. Reduced ride comfort, high rolling resistance. Read Reviews
5th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 36.1 M 36 M +0.1 M 99.72% Dry Handling 3rd 103.5 Km/H 104.1 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.42% Wet Braking 5th 49.5 M 45.7 M +3.8 M 92.32% Wet Handling 3rd 87.6 Km/H 88.9 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.54% Wet Circle 3rd 11.76 s 11.47 s +0.29 s 97.53% Straight Aqua 9th 95.6 Km/H 99.4 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 96.18% Curved Aquaplaning 10th 2.85 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.84 m/sec2 77.24% Noise 2nd 72.2 dB 70.8 dB +1.4 dB 98.06% Price 7th 520 335 +185 64.42% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.76 kg / t 8.18 kg / t +0.58 kg / t 93.38% Balanced tire with good driving characteristics in the dry and wet, short braking distances, low noise, low rolling resistance, low price. Limited curved aquaplaning resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £129.44
5th: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 36 M 100% Dry Handling 7th 102.2 Km/H 104.1 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 98.17% Wet Braking 1st 45.7 M 100% Wet Handling 2nd 88.8 Km/H 88.9 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.89% Wet Circle 1st 11.47 s 100% Straight Aqua 8th 95.7 Km/H 99.4 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 96.28% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 3.06 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.63 m/sec2 82.93% Noise 10th 74.1 dB 70.8 dB +3.3 dB 95.55% Price 8th 560 335 +225 59.82% Rolling Resistance 9th 9.7 kg / t 8.18 kg / t +1.52 kg / t 84.33% Impressive grip with sporty handling in the wet, direct steering response and stable handling in the dry, short wet and dry braking, good comfort. High rolling resistance, high noise. Read Reviews    Buy from £138.31
7th: Continental Premium Contact 6
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 36.7 M 36 M +0.7 M 98.09% Dry Handling 6th 102.7 Km/H 104.1 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.66% Wet Braking 9th 52.5 M 45.7 M +6.8 M 87.05% Wet Handling 7th 85.8 Km/H 88.9 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.51% Wet Circle 9th 12.2 s 11.47 s +0.73 s 94.02% Straight Aqua 10th 95 Km/H 99.4 Km/H -4.4 Km/H 95.57% Curved Aquaplaning 9th 2.91 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.78 m/sec2 78.86% Noise 10th 74.1 dB 70.8 dB +3.3 dB 95.55% Price 10th 590 335 +255 56.78% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.71 kg / t 8.18 kg / t +0.53 kg / t 93.92% Premium comfort tires with stable driving on dry roads, short dry braking, fuel saving rolling resistance, good comfort. Low aquaplaning resistance, longer wet braking. Read Reviews    Buy from £141.56
8th: Fulda SportControl 2
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 11th 37.8 M 36 M +1.8 M 95.24% Dry Handling 8th 102.1 Km/H 104.1 Km/H -2 Km/H 98.08% Wet Braking 8th 52.4 M 45.7 M +6.7 M 87.21% Wet Handling 8th 85.1 Km/H 88.9 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 95.73% Wet Circle 5th 11.9 s 11.47 s +0.43 s 96.39% Straight Aqua 6th 97 Km/H 99.4 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 97.59% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 3.6 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.09 m/sec2 97.56% Noise 4th 72.8 dB 70.8 dB +2 dB 97.25% Price 5th 495 335 +160 67.68% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.77 kg / t 8.18 kg / t +0.59 kg / t 93.27% Safe driving characteristics in the wet and dry, good aquaplaning resistance, short dry braking, low rolling resistance, good comfort. Long wet braking, limited dry cornering grip. Read Reviews
9th: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 37.4 M 36 M +1.4 M 96.26% Dry Handling 9th 101 Km/H 104.1 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 97.02% Wet Braking 7th 50.6 M 45.7 M +4.9 M 90.32% Wet Handling 9th 82.9 Km/H 88.9 Km/H -6 Km/H 93.25% Wet Circle 8th 12.02 s 11.47 s +0.55 s 95.42% Straight Aqua 7th 96.4 Km/H 99.4 Km/H -3 Km/H 96.98% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 3.18 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.51 m/sec2 86.18% Noise 6th 72.9 dB 70.8 dB +2.1 dB 97.12% Price 2nd 410 335 +75 81.71% Rolling Resistance 10th 9.85 kg / t 8.18 kg / t +1.67 kg / t 83.05% Good aquaplaning resistance, short dry braking, low price. Limited handling in the dry and wet, weak cornering, slow steering, high rolling resistance. Read Reviews
10th: GT Radial SportActive 2
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 37.7 M 36 M +1.7 M 95.49% Dry Handling 10th 99.2 Km/H 104.1 Km/H -4.9 Km/H 95.29% Wet Braking 10th 57 M 45.7 M +11.3 M 80.18% Wet Handling 10th 78.2 Km/H 88.9 Km/H -10.7 Km/H 87.96% Wet Circle 10th 12.34 s 11.47 s +0.87 s 92.95% Straight Aqua 2nd 98.8 Km/H 99.4 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.4% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 3.69 m/sec2 100% Noise 3rd 72.3 dB 70.8 dB +1.5 dB 97.93% Price 4th 490 335 +155 68.37% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.62 kg / t 8.18 kg / t +0.44 kg / t 94.9% Good aquaplaning resistance, short dry braking, low rolling resistance. Low levels of grip in the wet with understeer balance, significantly longer wet braking distances, average ride comfort. Read Reviews    Buy from £128.74
11th: Tomket Sport 3 Series 3
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 37.7 M 36 M +1.7 M 95.49% Dry Handling 11th 99 Km/H 104.1 Km/H -5.1 Km/H 95.1% Wet Braking 11th 65.6 M 45.7 M +19.9 M 69.66% Wet Handling 11th 75.2 Km/H 88.9 Km/H -13.7 Km/H 84.59% Wet Circle 11th 12.78 s 11.47 s +1.31 s 89.75% Straight Aqua 11th 94.6 Km/H 99.4 Km/H -4.8 Km/H 95.17% Curved Aquaplaning 11th 2.82 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.87 m/sec2 76.42% Noise 1st 70.8 dB 100% Price 1st 335 100% Rolling Resistance 1st 8.18 kg / t 100% Short dry braking, low rolling resistance. Very poor grip in the wet with severe understeer, dangerously long wet braking distances, poor aquaplaning resistance. Read Reviews