Every year there's a tire test that makes me stop and wonder how they got to their conclusion, and this year that award goes to the UTAC / Aftonbladet summer tire test.
As a bit of scene setting, Aftonbladet is a Scandinavian newspaper, so UTAC, who performed the testing, focused on the cold weather ability of the tires, which is something I love. However, they did make some interesting statements, and ended up with some interesting findings. In total they tested 14 tires, 10 summer and 4 European spec all season tires, all in 225/45 R17.
4 categories (8 tests)
| Test Category | Best Performer | Worst Performer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry (2 tests) | |||
| Dry Braking | ▲ Continental PremiumContact 7: 34.2 M | ▼ Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 40.8 M | 6.6 M (16.2%) |
| Subj. Dry Handling | ▲ Continental PremiumContact 7: 10 Points | ▼ Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6: 7 Points | 3.0 Points (42.9%) |
| Wet (4 tests) | |||
| Wet Braking | ▲ Michelin Primacy 5: 33 M | ▼ Vredestein Ultrac: 36.5 M | 3.5 M (9.6%) |
| Wet Handling | ▲ Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2: 75.5 s | ▼ Continental AllSeasonContact 2: 79 s | 3.5 s (4.4%) |
| Subj. Wet Handling | ▲ Continental PremiumContact 7: 10 Points | ▼ Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6: 7 Points | 3.0 Points (42.9%) |
| Straight Aqua | ▲ Michelin Primacy 5: 79.4 Km/H | ▼ Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 73.2 Km/H | 6.2 Km/H (8.5%) |
| Comfort (1 tests) | |||
| Subj. Noise | ▲ Bridgestone Turanza 6: 10 Points | ▼ Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3: 8 Points | 2.0 Points (25.0%) |
| Value (1 tests) | |||
| Rolling Resistance | ▲ Bridgestone Turanza 6: 7.6 kg / t | ▼ Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6: 8.04 kg / t | 0.4 kg / t (5.5%) |
Firstly, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, a tire that's never had a bad test, had a bad test. A really bad test. The testers found it to be fine at warmer temperatures, but not good when it got cooler. I'm pretty sure I've tested the Asym 6 at 7c, which was their wet handling temperatures and I don't remember it being terrible.
Secondly, at least if the translation is correct, they called the Goodyear Vector 4Season Gen-3 an 'American no-season tire.' American all season tires can certainly be called 'no season', but American all season tires do not have 3PMSF marking and are bad in the winter. The Goodyear Vector 4Season Gen-3 is not sold in America, it is a a 3PMSF marked European all season tire, a totally different category of tire.
Thirdly, the inclusion of all season tires at all is debatable as they're not really intended for the scandinavian market. Perhaps they were intending to position them as a summer tire alternative, but they certainly shouldn't be viewed as a year round tire in those regions. The writer seemed pretty angry they existed at all.
I commend the effort put in to test at multiple temperatures, it's a shame they didn't share more of the data. When they have tested at multiple temperatures, they have averaged the data and just provided the average. It would be super interesting to see the swing of tire temperatures in wet braking, as we did in the same tunnel here.
The biggest question is of course, what happened to the Asymmetric 6. We'll do some more digging to find out.
Here's the data from the test.
Dry
Dry braking results aligned closely with handling assessments, with summer tires stopping substantially shorter. The difference was particularly dramatic, the best summer tires (Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 and Continental PremiumContact 7) stopped from 100 km/h in just 34.2 meters compared to 40.8 meters for the worst-performing all-season tire (Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3) - a substantial 6.6-meter or 16.2% difference that could be critical in emergency situations.
Dry handling evaluations were conducted across an even wider temperature range, with tests at the Pirelli track in Vizzola at a summer-like 20-30°C, contrasted with controlled indoor testing at much cooler temperatures.
The Continental PremiumContact 7 stood alone at the top of the subjective ratings with a perfect 10-point score, demonstrating exceptional precision and grip across all test temperatures. Most summer tires clustered together with strong 9-point ratings, showing their design optimization for these conditions.
All-season tires showed clear compromises in dry handling, with the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 and Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 receiving the lowest scores of 7 points. Testers noted that all-season tires felt noticeably softer with delayed steering responses and earlier onset of understeer compared to dedicated summer options. This performance deficit was consistent across temperatures but became even more apparent as ambient conditions warmed.
Wet
Rather than just testing tires under a single set of conditions, the test examined performance across multiple temperature environments, providing insights into how these tires perform in real-world variation.
Wet braking tests were conducted at +17°C on Pirelli's Italian test track, but also at +2°C, +7°C, and +12°C in Testworld's indoor facility in Finland. The results were averaged.
This approach revealed performance variations that wouldn't be apparent in conventional single-temperature testing. At +12°C, summer and all-season tires demonstrated comparable braking performance. However, as temperatures increased to +17°C, summer tires gained a significant advantage, stopping nearly three meters shorter on average.
The most surprising finding came at the lower end of the temperature spectrum. At just +2°C on wet roads, all-season tires dramatically outperformed their summer counterparts, stopping almost 6.5 meters shorter from 80 km/h. This represents a critical safety advantage in cooler conditions that drivers in northern regions frequently encounter, even during nominal summer months.
When averaged out, the Michelin Primacy 5 delivered the best overall wet braking performance at 33.0 meters, closely followed by the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 at 33.1 meters and the Nokian Hakka Blue 3 at 33.2 meters. These premium summer tires demonstrated their ability to maintain consistent performance across varying temperatures.
Among the all-season options, the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 performed ok at 33.5 meters, with the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 following at 33.8 meters. The temperature-specific strengths of these tires indicate why they earned their "autumn and spring" nickname from the test team.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Vredestein Ultrac struggled significantly with wet braking, requiring 36.5 meters to stop - a full 3.5 meters (or 9.6%) more distance than the class-leading Michelin. Such a difference could prove decisive in an emergency situation, highlighting the importance of tire selection based on typical driving conditions.
The wet handling tests provided some of the most revealing insights into the performance differences between dedicated summer tires and all-season alternatives across varying temperature conditions.
The temperature on the wet track ranged from +7°C to +14°C, which the testers noted are "unfortunately quite normal summer temperatures" for Scandinavian regions.
Summer tires generally demonstrated better handling characteristics on wet surfaces at moderate to warm temperatures, with the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 and Continental PremiumContact 7 achieving the fastest lap times at 75.5 seconds. The Nokian Hakka Blue 3 followed closely at 76.5 seconds. These summer tires offered precise steering feedback and predictable behavior at the limit.
In contrast, all-season tires struggled significantly with wet handling, clustering near the bottom of the rankings. The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 recorded the slowest time at 79.0 seconds, 3.5 seconds (or 4.4%) behind the class leaders. This performance gap widens further as temperatures increase, though the all-season options showed improved competitiveness when temperatures dropped closer to freezing.
The subjective assessments reflected these timing differences, with testers noting that summer tires maintained better steering precision and lateral grip through corners, while all-season alternatives felt softer with more progressive breakaway characteristics but ultimately less capability. The Continental PremiumContact 7 and Michelin Primacy 5 earned perfect 10-point ratings for their exceptional balance of performance and predictability in wet conditions.
Unlike some performance metrics where the differences between tires might be subtle, aquaplaning resistance showed dramatic variations between the best and worst performers. The Michelin Primacy 5 demonstrated exceptional water evacuation capabilities, maintaining contact with the road surface up to 79.4 km/h. The Vredestein Ultrac followed at a respectable 78.6 km/h, with Continental's PremiumContact 7 and Goodyear's Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 both achieving 78.0 km/h.
All-season tires as a category showed concerning weakness in aquaplaning resistance, with three of the four options occupying positions at the bottom of the rankings. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 lost grip at just 73.2 km/h - a full 6.2 km/h (or 8.5%) lower than the class-leading Michelin. The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 performed only marginally better at 73.4 km/h.
Comfort
Tire noise evaluations were conducted using a qualitative approach that mirrors how consumers experience cabin noise. Rather than relying solely on technical measurements, two evaluators - one driving and one in the rear seat - assessed both the volume and tonal quality of tire noise across various road surfaces.
The testers noted that while instrumented measurements can quantify overall decibel levels, the human ear remains "an unrivalled measuring tool" for determining how intrusive or pleasant different tire noise signatures feel to occupants. This approach acknowledges that two tires with identical decibel readings can produce very different subjective experiences due to frequency patterns and sound quality.
The Bridgestone Turanza 6, Michelin Primacy 5, and Falken ZIEX ZE320 all achieved perfect 10-point scores for their quiet and refined operation. The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 also earned top marks, demonstrating that all-season design can offer advantages in comfort metrics even when sacrificing performance in other areas.
Most tires clustered around the 8-9 point range, suggesting that modern tire design has generally achieved good noise control across market segments. The test found minimal correlation between noise levels and other performance attributes, indicating manufacturers can optimize for quietness without necessarily compromising grip or handling.
Value
Please note, the magazine published the Bridgestone summer as best (0), and then percentage increases in consumption for the rest of the tires. The calculation or data behind this was not provided, so we have simply taken the rolling resistance value of the Bridgestone in this size from another test and calculated the other values, which might lead to inaccuracies.
Results
1st: Michelin Primacy 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Michelin Primacy 5 is excellent on wet roads with calm, easy handling and very good grip in corners. It delivers a short braking distance and outstanding resistance to aquaplaning. On dry roads, the Michelin Primacy 5 remains stable and safe, though its braking distance isn't the shortest in the test. Its steering is slightly slower than some competitors during evasive maneuvers. The Michelin Primacy 5 is quiet with low rolling resistance, making it fuel-efficient. The Michelin was the overall test winner with 9.1 points, praised for being incomparably easy to drive and predictable. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd: Continental PremiumContact 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Continental PremiumContact 7 offers top-class grip and handling on wet roads with precise steering feel in all situations. It achieved the best braking distance on dry roads in the test. Some tire noise and high rolling resistance are the only drawbacks of the Continental PremiumContact 7. The Continental is incomparably easy to drive and predictable in all conditions. The test noted that if you don't care about a little tire noise and higher fuel consumption, the Continental PremiumContact 7 would be your choice. It scored 9.0 points, sharing second place with the Pirelli. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 is easy to drive with excellent grip on wet asphalt, though it can suddenly lose some grip in extreme situations without losing control. Aquaplaning resistance is not the best side of the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2. On dry roads, the Pirelli is predictable and easy to drive, with a slight tendency to oversteer (skidding with the rear) during evasive maneuvers, which is described as traditional Pirelli fashion. The Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 is quiet but somewhat sluggish in terms of rolling resistance. It scored 9.0 points, sharing second place with the Continental. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th: Bridgestone Turanza 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Bridgestone Turanza 6 provides good grip and safe handling, though its lateral grip isn't the best. The Bridgestone's aquaplaning resistance is poor, with aquaplaning coming far too quickly. It's safe and easy to drive on dry roads, but the front tires of the Bridgestone Turanza 6 lose grip a bit too quickly during evasive maneuvers. The test result is saved by the Bridgestone's extremely low rolling resistance (best in test), making it particularly good for electric cars. The Bridgestone Turanza 6 is also very quiet. It scored 8.9 points for fourth place. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th: Nokian Hakka Blue 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Nokian Hakka Blue 3 is among the best for grip and handling, but loses points due to relatively high rolling resistance. It offers precise steering with good lateral grip on wet roads, though the Nokian can be abrupt between grip and skidding during evasive maneuvers. The Nokian Hakka Blue 3 handles aquaplaning decently. On dry roads, the Nokian is described as perfect, with good braking and precise steering. Despite excellent performance characteristics, the Nokian's inefficiency limited its overall score to 8.7 points for fifth place. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th: Hankook Ventus Prime 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Hankook Ventus Prime 4 is easy to drive with nice steering feel. It has good lateral grip on wet roads, but the Hankook can skid with the rear during evasive maneuvers. When braking with the steering wheel slightly turned, the Hankook can lose grip. Aquaplaning resistance is a strong point of the Hankook Ventus Prime 4. On dry roads, the Hankook is usually precise, but can drop slightly at the rear during evasive maneuvers - not dangerous but unpleasant. Tire noise and high rolling resistance drag down the Hankook's overall score to 8.4 points. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7th: Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Bridgestone Turanza AllSeason 6 is at its best when braking on cool, wet roads. During evasive maneuvers, the Bridgestone steers slowly and its front wheels easily lose grip. On dry roads, there is nothing to be happy about with the Bridgestone Turanza AllSeason 6. The tire feels soft, reacts slowly when turning the steering wheel, tends to slide away, and brakes poorly. However, the Bridgestone is quiet and relatively efficient in terms of rolling resistance. Among the all-season tires, the Bridgestone scored highest with 7.9 points. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8th: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is at its best on cool roads. The Pirelli is calm and steers fairly well on wet roads, even if the lateral grip isn't the best. On dry roads, the Pirelli is easy to drive, although the feeling is poor. The test warns to watch out for the Pirelli's long braking distances on dry roads. The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3's tire noise is moderate, but when it gets hot, its performance gets worse across the board. It scored 7.8 points. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9th: Vredestein Ultrac | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Vredestein Ultrac delivered the worst braking performance in the entire test. The Vredestein is bad on hot wet roads in summer and lousy when it gets cooler. During evasive maneuvers, the Vredestein's grip is inconsistent (on/off), but the tire is still okay thanks to fine steering. On dry roads, the Vredestein Ultrac's brake grip is decent in both summer heat and colder weather, but it tends to oversteer a little (skidding at the rear) during evasive maneuvers. The test suggests the Vredestein might be a better choice in warmer countries. The Vredestein scored 7.8 points. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10th: Continental AllSeasonContact 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 has the shortest braking distance of all test tires on cold, wet roads. The lateral grip is not very good, but the Continental is still easy to drive. However, the Continental does not cope well with aquaplaning, which the test noted as concerning. On dry roads, the Continental's braking distances are long in all temperatures. The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 steers slowly. The tire is best in low temperatures, but the risk of aquaplaning does not feel good to the testers. It scored 7.7 points. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric is decent on wet roads in summer heat but really bad when conditions are cooler. The Goodyear's braking is poor on cool wet roads, and the rear tires suddenly lose grip during evasive maneuvers. The test noted this could be problematic given that summer temperatures can sometimes be cool (referencing an 8-degree rainy midsummer in Stockholm). On dry roads, the Goodyear works much better. The Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric had the highest rolling resistance in the test. It scored 7.7 points, making it the biggest disappointment among premium brands. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12th: Nordman South | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Nordman South had better handling and grip than its test placement suggests, but was penalized by a very high rolling resistance. The Nordman is easy to drive on wet roads, even if its grip is not the best. During evasive maneuvers, the Nordman's front wheels may loosen slightly. On dry roads in all temperatures, the Nordman South has decent grip and handling. The Nordman is described as calm and safe on both wet and dry asphalt, even when it's cool, but its efficiency is very poor. It scored 7.7 points. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13th: Falken ZIEX ZE320 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Falken Ziex ZE 320 "never takes off on wet roads." The Falken brakes poorly when conditions are cool. In warmer weather, it grips better, but with an uneasy driving feel. Both the front and/or rear tires of the Falken can skid unexpectedly on wet roads. On dry roads, the Falken is really good, doing exactly what the driver wants. The Falken Ziex ZE 320 suffers from high rolling resistance. It scored 7.6 points, the lowest among the summer tires. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
14th: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cold wet roads are the "mother's go-to" for the Goodyear Vector 4Season Gen-3. The Goodyear gets lost in all other road conditions and temperatures. As soon as the wet road gets a little warmer, the Goodyear's grip gets worse and the front tires lose traction too easily. Aquaplaning is a significant issue for the Goodyear, even on cool roads. On dry roads, the Goodyear Vector 4Season Gen-3 brakes poorly and steers slowly, although the lateral grip is decent. The test noted there were no unpleasant surprises with the Goodyear, but its performance was limited. It scored 7.0 points, the lowest in the entire test. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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