The Polish Motor Magazine recently conducted a premium touring tire test. The test included eight different tire brands, all in the popular size of 205/55 R16, which is commonly used in compact and some larger car models. The brands tested were Continental, Goodyear, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Hankook, Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. The test was comprehensive, covering various aspects of tire performance including wet and dry handling, rolling resistance, noise, and comfort.

Wet

In the wet braking test, the Continental PremiumContact 7 stood out with the shortest braking distance from 100 km/h. 

The Continental was also the fastest around the wet handling lap.

The Vredestein had the highest resistance to aquaplaning in deeper water.

Dry

When it came to dry, Continental again took the lead, providing the best performance in terms of handling and braking. Goodyear and Dunlop also showed strong performance in dry handling, but lost a little during the braking test.

Environment

The Goodyear had the lowest external noise on test.

In terms of rolling resistance, Bridgestone outperformed its rivals, which translates to better fuel efficiency. 

The Vredestein was the cheapest tire on test.

Results

1st: Continental PremiumContact 7
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 35.6 M 100% Dry Handling 1st 55.2 s 100% Wet Braking 1st 51.1 M 100% Wet Handling 1st 83.8 s 100% Straight Aqua 5th 76 Km/H 80.6 Km/H -4.6 Km/H 94.29% Noise 4th 64.6 dB 64 dB +0.6 dB 99.07% Price 7th 6938 6250 +688 90.08% Rolling Resistance 7th 0.829 kg / t 0.665 kg / t +0.16 kg / t 80.22% This tire emerged as the clear winner of the test, scoring the highest points in both wet and dry conditions. It offered the shortest braking distances on both wet and dry surfaces and was the fastest on the track in all conditions. The tire also demonstrated excellent handling precision and the highest level of safety. Read Reviews    Buy from £95.33
2nd: Michelin Primacy 4+
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 36.7 M 35.6 M +1.1 M 97% Dry Handling 7th 56.7 s 55.2 s +1.5 s 97.35% Wet Braking 2nd 54.6 M 51.1 M +3.5 M 93.59% Wet Handling 5th 85.6 s 83.8 s +1.8 s 97.9% Straight Aqua 2nd 78.1 Km/H 80.6 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 96.9% Noise 3rd 64.3 dB 64 dB +0.3 dB 99.53% Price 5th 6750 6250 +500 92.59% Rolling Resistance 4th 0.797 kg / t 0.665 kg / t +0.13 kg / t 83.44% Although it didn't win any test category, its consistent high-level performance across all tests allowed it to secure the second place. It is a well-balanced tire that ensures a high level of safety in all conditions. Read Reviews    Buy from £101.21
3rd: Bridgestone Turanza T005
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 36.6 M 35.6 M +1 M 97.27% Dry Handling 4th 56 s 55.2 s +0.8 s 98.57% Wet Braking 5th 58.9 M 51.1 M +7.8 M 86.76% Wet Handling 4th 85.4 s 83.8 s +1.6 s 98.13% Straight Aqua 7th 75.3 Km/H 80.6 Km/H -5.3 Km/H 93.42% Noise 6th 64.9 dB 64 dB +0.9 dB 98.61% Price 4th 6625 6250 +375 94.34% Rolling Resistance 1st 0.665 kg / t 100% Securing the third place, this tire confirmed the high quality of Bridgestone products. It stood out for its excellent rolling resistance score, which translates into noticeable fuel savings. It is a stable tire with very good handling precision. Read Reviews    Buy from £67.94
4th: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 36.3 M 35.6 M +0.7 M 98.07% Dry Handling 6th 56.3 s 55.2 s +1.1 s 98.05% Wet Braking 4th 57.5 M 51.1 M +6.4 M 88.87% Wet Handling 5th 85.6 s 83.8 s +1.8 s 97.9% Straight Aqua 4th 77 Km/H 80.6 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 95.53% Noise 2nd 64.2 dB 64 dB +0.2 dB 99.69% Price 5th 6750 6250 +500 92.59% Rolling Resistance 5th 0.82 kg / t 0.665 kg / t +0.16 kg / t 81.1% This tire narrowly missed the podium, scoring just 0.2 points less than Bridgestone. Interestingly, Pirelli achieved better results than its competitor in tests conducted on both dry and wet tracks. The final ranking was decided by its lower rolling resistance score. Read Reviews    Buy from £83.99
5th: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 37.7 M 35.6 M +2.1 M 94.43% Dry Handling 2nd 55.7 s 55.2 s +0.5 s 99.1% Wet Braking 7th 59.6 M 51.1 M +8.5 M 85.74% Wet Handling 2nd 84.7 s 83.8 s +0.9 s 98.94% Straight Aqua 5th 76 Km/H 80.6 Km/H -4.6 Km/H 94.29% Noise 1st 64 dB 100% Price 8th 7000 6250 +750 89.29% Rolling Resistance 3rd 0.775 kg / t 0.665 kg / t +0.11 kg / t 85.81% With a very good point score, it secured the fifth place. It slightly lags behind Pirelli on both dry and wet asphalt, while having slightly better rolling resistance. Goodyear is a well-balanced tire that provides a comparable high level of safety in all conditions. Read Reviews    Buy from £70.62
6th: Vredestein Ultrac
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 37.4 M 35.6 M +1.8 M 95.19% Dry Handling 8th 56.8 s 55.2 s +1.6 s 97.18% Wet Braking 6th 59 M 51.1 M +7.9 M 86.61% Wet Handling 2nd 84.7 s 83.8 s +0.9 s 98.94% Straight Aqua 1st 80.6 Km/H 100% Noise 7th 65.3 dB 64 dB +1.3 dB 98.01% Price 1st 6250 100% Rolling Resistance 8th 0.888 kg / t 0.665 kg / t +0.22 kg / t 74.89% This tire lost the competition with Goodyear by only 0.1 point, showing that a good class tire from the middle segment can compete with premium rubber. Interestingly, Vredestein performed much better than Goodyear on wet surfaces, but lost due to lower scores for dry competitions and high rolling resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £78.22
7th: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 36.3 M 35.6 M +0.7 M 98.07% Dry Handling 5th 56.2 s 55.2 s +1 s 98.22% Wet Braking 3rd 56 M 51.1 M +4.9 M 91.25% Wet Handling 7th 87.6 s 83.8 s +3.8 s 95.66% Straight Aqua 8th 74 Km/H 80.6 Km/H -6.6 Km/H 91.81% Noise 5th 64.7 dB 64 dB +0.7 dB 98.92% Price 2nd 6500 6250 +250 96.15% Rolling Resistance 6th 0.823 kg / t 0.665 kg / t +0.16 kg / t 80.8% This tire does not lag behind in quality from premium segment products. It is the cheapest tire in the set, and it provides a decent level of safety. It only noticeably lags behind in aquaplaning tests, but it is not dangerous in these conditions. It receives a low score for rolling resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £72.66
8th: Dunlop Sport BluResponse
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 39.6 M 35.6 M +4 M 89.9% Dry Handling 3rd 55.9 s 55.2 s +0.7 s 98.75% Wet Braking 8th 64.6 M 51.1 M +13.5 M 79.1% Wet Handling 8th 88.2 s 83.8 s +4.4 s 95.01% Straight Aqua 3rd 77.4 Km/H 80.6 Km/H -3.2 Km/H 96.03% Noise 7th 65.3 dB 64 dB +1.3 dB 98.01% Price 3rd 6563 6250 +313 95.23% Rolling Resistance 2nd 0.754 kg / t 0.665 kg / t +0.09 kg / t 88.2% This tire achieves a final result that lags behind its competitors, even those from the middle segment. It loses the most points for poor braking distance on wet asphalt. In other competitions, it performs well and ensures the required level of safety. It has a reasonable price and a good rolling resistance coefficient. Read Reviews    Buy from £70.03