2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test

Continental SportContact 7If you've ever dreamed of seeing the Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, Continental SportContact 7 and Bridgestone Potenza Sport in the same test, your dreams have just been answered with the 2023 Auto Bild Sportscars Summer Tire Test! They even included the new Falken FK520!

The German publication tested thirteen of the most popular UHP tires in 225/40 R18 using a Toyota GR Yaris, and yes you read that right, the SportContact 7 is now available in some 18" wheel sizes!

Want to know which of the UHP titans is best overall? Read on below!

Test Size: 225/40 R18
Tires Tested: 13 tires
Test Categories:
4 categories (10 tests)
Similar Tests

Test Category Best Performer Worst Performer Difference
Dry (2 tests)
Dry Braking Continental SportContact 7: 33.3 M Superia Ecoblue UHP: 38.6 M5.3 M (13.7%)
Dry Handling Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 115.5 Km/H Superia Ecoblue UHP: 109.3 Km/H6.2 Km/H (5.7%)
Wet (5 tests)
Wet Braking Continental SportContact 7: 38.8 M Superia Ecoblue UHP: 50.2 M11.4 M (22.7%)
Wet Handling Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 86.9 Km/H Superia Ecoblue UHP: 73 Km/H13.9 Km/H (19.0%)
Wet Circle Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 11.04 s Superia Ecoblue UHP: 11.66 s0.6 s (5.3%)
Straight Aqua Giti GitiSportS2: 78.6 Km/H Superia Ecoblue UHP: 68.7 Km/H9.9 Km/H (14.4%)
Curved Aquaplaning Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 2.96 m/sec2 Superia Ecoblue UHP: 2.14 m/sec20.8 m/sec2 (38.3%)
Comfort (1 tests)
Noise Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6: 66.5 dB Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 69 dB2.5 dB (3.6%)
Value (2 tests)
Price Superia Ecoblue UHP: 280 Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 500 220.0 (44.0%)
Rolling Resistance Firestone Firehawk Sport: 7.05 kg / t Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.9 kg / t2.9 kg / t (28.8%)

Wet

It seems like the Hankook has a new rival in wet braking, as the Continental SportContact 7 knocked the Korean tire off it's usual top sport to beat it to first place, with the Hankook close behind and the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 in third.

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport jumped up the order to post the fastest lap around wet handling, with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 proving to be impressive in second and the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 finishing third. Oddly, the wet braking winner dropped all the way down to seventh place overall, though the group was very close.

Wet circle kept the Bridgestone at the top, with the Continental moving up a little.

The Giti GitiSportS2 was the best in straight aquaplaning, with the Goodyear and Michelin tied for second place.

Dry

The braking master Sport Contact 7 once again topped the braking test, this time in the dry, narrowly beating the Bridgestone.

Bridgestone and Continental traded top spots in dry handling, with the Pirelli a close third.

Environment

The Goodyear proved to have the lowest external noise with the Potenza Sport trailing the field.

The new Firestone Firehawk Sport had a crazy lead in rolling resistance, with the Continental and Goodyear the best of the named tires. The Pirelli and Bridgestone both faltered in this test, being significantly harder to roll than their key rivals.

As always, the Michelin was the most expensive and the budget tire the cheapest.

Results

1st: Continental SportContact 7

Continental SportContact 7
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st33.3 M100%
Dry Handling2nd115.2 Km/H115.5 Km/H-0.3 Km/H99.74%
Wet Braking1st38.8 M100%
Wet Handling6th84.7 Km/H86.9 Km/H-2.2 Km/H97.47%
Wet Circle5th11.09 s11.04 s+0.05 s99.55%
Straight Aqua9th75.6 Km/H78.6 Km/H-3 Km/H96.18%
Curved Aquaplaning10th2.35 m/sec22.96 m/sec2-0.61 m/sec279.39%
Noise6th67.5 dB66.5 dB+1 dB98.52%
Price11th455 280 +175 61.54%
Rolling Resistance2nd8.38 kg / t7.05 kg / t+1.33 kg / t84.13%
The new SportContact 7 is completely convincing in its first test: dynamic cornering, stable cornering, precise steering behavior with very good feedback, convincingly safe braking performance on wet and dry slopes.
Moderate safety reserves for curve aquaplaning.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews    Buy from £102.91

2nd: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: D/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd33.5 M33.3 M+0.2 M99.4%
Dry Handling1st115.5 Km/H100%
Wet Braking5th41.2 M38.8 M+2.4 M94.17%
Wet Handling1st86.9 Km/H100%
Wet Circle1st11.04 s100%
Straight Aqua4th77.8 Km/H78.6 Km/H-0.8 Km/H98.98%
Curved Aquaplaning6th2.72 m/sec22.96 m/sec2-0.24 m/sec291.89%
Noise13th69 dB66.5 dB+2.5 dB96.38%
Price12th460 280 +180 60.87%
Rolling Resistance13th9.9 kg / t7.05 kg / t+2.85 kg / t71.21%
The Potenza Sport has excellent handling qualities on wet and dry roads, good balance, precise steering behavior with good feedback, short wet and dry braking distances, decent safety reserves in the event of aquaplaning.
Increased rolling resistance, average comfort.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews    Buy from £88.00

3rd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/70
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd34.3 M33.3 M+1 M97.08%
Dry Handling9th114.1 Km/H115.5 Km/H-1.4 Km/H98.79%
Wet Braking4th40.8 M38.8 M+2 M95.1%
Wet Handling2nd86.2 Km/H86.9 Km/H-0.7 Km/H99.19%
Wet Circle4th11.08 s11.04 s+0.04 s99.64%
Straight Aqua2nd77.9 Km/H78.6 Km/H-0.7 Km/H99.11%
Curved Aquaplaning7th2.66 m/sec22.96 m/sec2-0.3 m/sec289.86%
Noise1st66.5 dB100%
Price9th430 280 +150 65.12%
Rolling Resistance4th8.5 kg / t7.05 kg / t+1.45 kg / t82.94%
The Asymmetric 6 is a premium tire without fault and reproach, safe driving behavior on wet and dry slopes, sporty and direct steering behavior with good feedback, well-balanced, good safety reserves in the event of aquaplaning, short wet and dry braking distances, quiet passing noise, fuel-saving rolling resistance.
None mentioned.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews    Buy from £101.15

3rd: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Michelin Pilot Sport 5
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th34.7 M33.3 M+1.4 M95.97%
Dry Handling4th114.6 Km/H115.5 Km/H-0.9 Km/H99.22%
Wet Braking3rd39.1 M38.8 M+0.3 M99.23%
Wet Handling5th84.8 Km/H86.9 Km/H-2.1 Km/H97.58%
Wet Circle7th11.13 s11.04 s+0.09 s99.19%
Straight Aqua2nd77.9 Km/H78.6 Km/H-0.7 Km/H99.11%
Curved Aquaplaning1st2.96 m/sec2100%
Noise12th68.3 dB66.5 dB+1.8 dB97.36%
Price13th500 280 +220 56%
Rolling Resistance6th8.62 kg / t7.05 kg / t+1.57 kg / t81.79%
the PS5 is a top-class sports tires with dynamic handling qualities on wet and dry roads, agile handling with good balance, precise steering, very good safety reserves in the event of aquaplaning, short braking distances in the wet, good comfort, quiet rolling noise.
High price level.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews    Buy from £111.26

3rd: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: D/A/68
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th34.5 M33.3 M+1.2 M96.52%
Dry Handling3rd115.1 Km/H115.5 Km/H-0.4 Km/H99.65%
Wet Braking6th41.3 M38.8 M+2.5 M93.95%
Wet Handling3rd85.2 Km/H86.9 Km/H-1.7 Km/H98.04%
Wet Circle2nd11.05 s11.04 s+0.01 s99.91%
Straight Aqua6th77.5 Km/H78.6 Km/H-1.1 Km/H98.6%
Curved Aquaplaning4th2.75 m/sec22.96 m/sec2-0.21 m/sec292.91%
Noise4th66.9 dB66.5 dB+0.4 dB99.4%
Price10th435 280 +155 64.37%
Rolling Resistance12th9.83 kg / t7.05 kg / t+2.78 kg / t71.72%
The P Zero PZ4 has excellent handling qualities on both dry and wet roads, good aquaplaning properties, precise steering behavior, balanced dynamic balance, high level of grip, short wet and dry braking distances, quiet passing noise.
Increased rolling resistance, average comfort.
Exemplary.

Read Reviews    Buy from £124.60

6th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th34.7 M33.3 M+1.4 M95.97%
Dry Handling5th114.4 Km/H115.5 Km/H-1.1 Km/H99.05%
Wet Braking2nd38.9 M38.8 M+0.1 M99.74%
Wet Handling4th84.9 Km/H86.9 Km/H-2 Km/H97.7%
Wet Circle9th11.24 s11.04 s+0.2 s98.22%
Straight Aqua11th74.4 Km/H78.6 Km/H-4.2 Km/H94.66%
Curved Aquaplaning11th2.26 m/sec22.96 m/sec2-0.7 m/sec276.35%
Noise11th68.2 dB66.5 dB+1.7 dB97.51%
Price6th380 280 +100 73.68%
Rolling Resistance5th8.55 kg / t7.05 kg / t+1.5 kg / t82.46%
The Ventus S1 evo 3 is a balanced sports tire with dynamic handling qualities on wet and dry roads, very good braking performance on wet slopes, agile steering behavior, fuel-saving rolling resistance, very good price-performance ratio.
Satisfactory safety reserves for curve aquaplaning.
Good.

Read Reviews    Buy from £97.26

7th: Toyo Proxes Sport 2

Toyo Proxes Sport 2
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: D/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th34.4 M33.3 M+1.1 M96.8%
Dry Handling5th114.4 Km/H115.5 Km/H-1.1 Km/H99.05%
Wet Braking9th43 M38.8 M+4.2 M90.23%
Wet Handling6th84.7 Km/H86.9 Km/H-2.2 Km/H97.47%
Wet Circle3rd11.07 s11.04 s+0.03 s99.73%
Straight Aqua8th76.3 Km/H78.6 Km/H-2.3 Km/H97.07%
Curved Aquaplaning8th2.49 m/sec22.96 m/sec2-0.47 m/sec284.12%
Noise6th67.5 dB66.5 dB+1 dB98.52%
Price7th385 280 +105 72.73%
Rolling Resistance9th9.04 kg / t7.05 kg / t+1.99 kg / t77.99%
The new Toyo Proxes Sport 2 has well-balanced, safe handling qualities on wet and dry roads, good grip and short braking distances on dry roads, good ride comfort, low rolling resistance, good value for money.
Slightly longer wet braking distances, average safety reserves when aquaplaning in curves.
Good.

Read Reviews    Buy from £97.03

7th: Falken Azenis FK520

Falken Azenis FK520
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/70
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th35 M33.3 M+1.7 M95.14%
Dry Handling7th114.3 Km/H115.5 Km/H-1.2 Km/H98.96%
Wet Braking10th43.2 M38.8 M+4.4 M89.81%
Wet Handling8th83.8 Km/H86.9 Km/H-3.1 Km/H96.43%
Wet Circle10th11.25 s11.04 s+0.21 s98.13%
Straight Aqua5th77.6 Km/H78.6 Km/H-1 Km/H98.73%
Curved Aquaplaning3rd2.82 m/sec22.96 m/sec2-0.14 m/sec295.27%
Noise2nd66.6 dB66.5 dB+0.1 dB99.85%
Price5th375 280 +95 74.67%
Rolling Resistance8th8.8 kg / t7.05 kg / t+1.75 kg / t80.11%
The new FK520 has convincing handling qualities on both dry and wet slopes, good aquaplaning properties, precise steering behavior, well-balanced dynamic balance, high level of grip, short wet and dry braking distances, quiet pass-by noise.
Increased rolling resistance, average comfort
Good.

Read Reviews    Buy from £95.35

9th: Firestone Firehawk Sport

Firestone Firehawk Sport
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: B/A/70
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking9th35.1 M33.3 M+1.8 M94.87%
Dry Handling7th114.3 Km/H115.5 Km/H-1.2 Km/H98.96%
Wet Braking7th42.2 M38.8 M+3.4 M91.94%
Wet Handling11th81.6 Km/H86.9 Km/H-5.3 Km/H93.9%
Wet Circle8th11.19 s11.04 s+0.15 s98.66%
Straight Aqua10th74.6 Km/H78.6 Km/H-4 Km/H94.91%
Curved Aquaplaning9th2.45 m/sec22.96 m/sec2-0.51 m/sec282.77%
Noise5th67 dB66.5 dB+0.5 dB99.25%
Price4th365 280 +85 76.71%
Rolling Resistance1st7.05 kg / t100%
The new Firehawk Sport has agile handling behavior on dry slopes, short wet and dry braking distances, exceptionally low rolling resistance, low price level.
Average aquaplaning properties, delayed steering response and clearly understeering cornering behavior on wet roads.
Fair.

Read Reviews    Buy from £90.38

10th: Giti GitiSportS2

Giti GitiSportS2
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: D/A/70
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking11th35.5 M33.3 M+2.2 M93.8%
Dry Handling10th113.9 Km/H115.5 Km/H-1.6 Km/H98.61%
Wet Braking11th43.5 M38.8 M+4.7 M89.2%
Wet Handling9th83 Km/H86.9 Km/H-3.9 Km/H95.51%
Wet Circle11th11.4 s11.04 s+0.36 s96.84%
Straight Aqua1st78.6 Km/H100%
Curved Aquaplaning2nd2.84 m/sec22.96 m/sec2-0.12 m/sec295.95%
Noise6th67.5 dB66.5 dB+1 dB98.52%
Price8th400 280 +120 70%
Rolling Resistance10th9.15 kg / t7.05 kg / t+2.1 kg / t77.05%
The GitiSportS2 has convincing aquaplaning properties, stable dry handling, pleasantly quiet passing noise.
Limited level of grip on wet roads, delayed steering response and understeering when cornering on wet roads, slightly longer wet braking distances, higher price level.
Fair.

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10th: Maxxis Victra Sport 5

Maxxis Victra Sport 5
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th35.3 M33.3 M+2 M94.33%
Dry Handling11th112.7 Km/H115.5 Km/H-2.8 Km/H97.58%
Wet Braking8th42.4 M38.8 M+3.6 M91.51%
Wet Handling10th82.9 Km/H86.9 Km/H-4 Km/H95.4%
Wet Circle5th11.09 s11.04 s+0.05 s99.55%
Straight Aqua7th76.9 Km/H78.6 Km/H-1.7 Km/H97.84%
Curved Aquaplaning4th2.75 m/sec22.96 m/sec2-0.21 m/sec292.91%
Noise9th67.6 dB66.5 dB+1.1 dB98.37%
Price3rd355 280 +75 78.87%
Rolling Resistance11th9.22 kg / t7.05 kg / t+2.17 kg / t76.46%
The Victra Sport 5 has good safety reserves for aquaplaning, short braking distances on wet roads, quiet passing noise, low travel. .
Moderate grip level and clearly understeering handling on wet and dry slopes, delayed steering response, limited ride comfort.
Fair.

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12th: Linglong Sport Master

Linglong Sport Master
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/A/69
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking12th36.1 M33.3 M+2.8 M92.24%
Dry Handling12th112.2 Km/H115.5 Km/H-3.3 Km/H97.14%
Wet Braking12th43.6 M38.8 M+4.8 M88.99%
Wet Handling12th78.7 Km/H86.9 Km/H-8.2 Km/H90.56%
Wet Circle12th11.55 s11.04 s+0.51 s95.58%
Straight Aqua12th72.8 Km/H78.6 Km/H-5.8 Km/H92.62%
Curved Aquaplaning12th2.24 m/sec22.96 m/sec2-0.72 m/sec275.68%
Noise3rd66.7 dB66.5 dB+0.2 dB99.7%
Price2nd310 280 +30 90.32%
Rolling Resistance7th8.68 kg / t7.05 kg / t+1.63 kg / t81.22%
Inexpensive sports tire with low rolling resistance and quiet rolling noise.
Moderate grip on wet and dry roads, limited safety reserves in the event of aquaplaning, delayed steering response and understeering handling on wet and dry roads, longer wet and dry braking distances.
Conditionally Recommended.

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13th: Superia Ecoblue UHP

Superia Ecoblue UHP
  • 225/40 R18 92Y
  • EU Label: C/B/70
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking13th38.6 M33.3 M+5.3 M86.27%
Dry Handling13th109.3 Km/H115.5 Km/H-6.2 Km/H94.63%
Wet Braking13th50.2 M38.8 M+11.4 M77.29%
Wet Handling13th73 Km/H86.9 Km/H-13.9 Km/H84%
Wet Circle13th11.66 s11.04 s+0.62 s94.68%
Straight Aqua13th68.7 Km/H78.6 Km/H-9.9 Km/H87.4%
Curved Aquaplaning13th2.14 m/sec22.96 m/sec2-0.82 m/sec272.3%
Noise10th67.7 dB66.5 dB+1.2 dB98.23%
Price1st280 100%
Rolling Resistance3rd8.41 kg / t7.05 kg / t+1.36 kg / t83.83%
Low price level, low rolling resistance, quiet rolling noise.
Low-budget tires with poor grip and dangerously long braking distances on wet and dry roads, low safety reserves in the event of aquaplaning, delayed steering response, severe understeer in wet and dry handling.
Not Recommended.

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