The 2024 summer tire test conducted by Sport Auto magazine compared five premium-category summer tires against an all-season tire on a Hyundai i20 N. The test aimed to determine if the all-season tire could compete with the best summer tires had to offer during warm (approximately 25c / 77f air temperature) conditions.
4 categories (9 tests)
| Test Category | Best Performer | Worst Performer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry (2 tests) | |||
| Dry Braking | ▲ Continental PremiumContact 7: 35.5 M | ▼ Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 43.2 M | 7.7 M (17.8%) |
| Dry Handling | ▲ Continental PremiumContact 7: 105.3 Km/H | ▼ Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 101.4 Km/H | 3.9 Km/H (3.8%) |
| Wet (5 tests) | |||
| Wet Braking | ▲ Continental PremiumContact 7: 29.8 M | ▼ Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 35.6 M | 5.8 M (16.3%) |
| Wet Handling | ▲ Continental PremiumContact 7: 80.2 Km/H | ▼ Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 76.6 Km/H | 3.6 Km/H (4.7%) |
| Wet Circle | ▲ Continental PremiumContact 7: 8.72 m/s | ▼ Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 8.07 m/s | 0.7 m/s (8.1%) |
| Straight Aqua | ▲ Bridgestone Turanza T005: 77.2 Km/H | ▼ Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 71.2 Km/H | 6.0 Km/H (8.4%) |
| Curved Aquaplaning | ▲ Continental PremiumContact 7: 8.45 m/sec2 | ▼ Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 5.32 m/sec2 | 3.1 m/sec2 (58.8%) |
| Comfort (1 tests) | |||
| Noise | ▲ Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 71 dB | ▼ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 72.2 dB | 1.2 dB (1.7%) |
| Value (1 tests) | |||
| Rolling Resistance | ▲ Bridgestone Turanza T005: 7.8 kg / t | ▼ Maxxis Victra Sport 5: 9.2 kg / t | 1.4 kg / t (15.2%) |
Including an all-season tire in a summer tire test, which is something we will be doing towards the end of 2024, provides an interesting insight into the performance differences between dedicated summer tires and all-season options. It highlights the performance gap between summer and all-season tires under conditions where summer tires are expected to excel. This can help consumers understand the trade-offs involved in opting for an all-season tire, particularly in terms of grip, braking, and handling on both wet and dry surfaces.
The all season tire chosen was the Goodyear Vector 4-Season Gen-3, which has won many all season tires tests, including the 2023 Tire Reviews all season tire test. However, when compared to the summer tires in the Sport Auto test, showed that it could not match the performance of summer-specific tires, particularly in wet conditions and handling aspects.
Wet Performance: The all-season tire had significantly longer braking distances in the wet compared to the best-performing summer tires. This indicates a clear disadvantage in wet grip, which is a critical safety aspect in rainy conditions.
Dry Performance: While the all-season tire may have offered adequate performance on dry roads, it still fell short of the summer tires' capabilities, particularly in terms of handling and braking distances. Summer tires exhibited better grip, shorter braking distances, and more dynamic handling on dry asphalt.
Aquaplaning Resistance: The all-season tire showed weaker performance in aquaplaning resistance. The summer tires, with their specialized tread patterns, were more effective at water displacement, reducing the risk of aquaplaning on wet roads.
Handling and Stability: In dynamic handling tests, the all-season tire was found to be less responsive and offered less stability compared to summer tires. The summer tires demonstrated superior lateral support and more precise steering on both wet and dry tracks.
While the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 all-season tire provided a versatile option suitable for varied conditions, it did not perform on par with summer tires in the test, especially in critical areas like wet grip and handling. This performance gap underscores the trade-offs of using all-season tires in conditions where summer tires are optimized to excel.
Finally, it's worth noting that the Bridgestone Turanza T005 was the AO marked (Audi original) tire, which will have been optimised for the Audi A1. We're not quite sure why this was in a test on a Hyundai, as a rule we do not test OE tires.
Data
Michelin and Continental led the group, stopping the vehicle in 35.5 meters from 100km/h. The worst summer tire, the Dunlop, took 37.1 meters and the all season tire took 43.2 meters. The Goodyear has never been the best all season tire in dry braking, but that's a significant gap.
It was a similar story in dry handling with the Continental and Michelin leading the group, and the all season tire slowest.
Wet
Continental again led wet braking, this time with Bridgestone being the next best tire.
Continental was again best during the wet handling and wet circle tests.
The all season tire continued to struggle in the deeper water of aquaplaning.
Comfort
The all season tire did have the lowest pass by noise, it's only test win.
Value
The Bridgestone Turanza T005 had the lowest rolling resistance, something the OE would tune the tire towards.
Results
1st: Continental PremiumContact 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Extremely controllable in wet conditions, great steering precision, high protection against aquaplaning. Agile on dry surfaces, stable in tracking, very safe. Minor comfort compromises with the rear axle. Very grippy on wet and dry roads, very balanced and safe to drive. Read Reviews Buy from £150.80 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Excellent controllability thanks to very high grip level on wet and dry tracks, shortest dry braking distances. Rolling resistance and pass-by noise are low. Moderate aquaplaning protection in curves, partially somewhat bouncy ride. Balanced and very safe to drive on both wet and dry roads. Read Reviews Buy from £142.60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Bridgestone Turanza T005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Turanza T005 AO, optimised for the Audi A1, is grippy on dry roads and when it rains. It has low rolling resistance, good rolling comfort, and high protection against longitudinal aquaplaning. The rear axle is more susceptible to load changes at the limit. Generally grippy and easy-rolling. Could be more balanced. Read Reviews Buy from £119.74 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th: Maxxis Victra Sport 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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High lateral support in wet conditions, spontaneous steering response, precise in switchback curves. Dynamic dry handling with high lane change safety. Fairly long braking distances in the wet, somewhat delayed steering response in dry conditions, high rolling resistance.
Dynamic handling, but long braking distances in the wet. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Helps save fuel due to low rolling resistance, good water displacement during longitudinal driving through puddles. Braking in wet conditions not at top level, sluggish in wet handling, partially unharmonious in dry conditions. Low rolling resistance, but minor grip deficits – both wet and dry. Read Reviews Buy from £119.99 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Quiet pass-by noise, high lane change safety on dry asphalt, good rolling comfort. Almost six meters longer braking distance in wet conditions compared to the best summer tire, poor aquaplaning resistance, low dry grip. On dry surfaces: quiet, stable during lane changes, comfortable. Insufficient grip in wet conditions. Read Reviews Buy from £143.52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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