Ford Focus mk2 Tires
On this page you will find the best real world tire reviews from owners of the Ford Focus mk2.
Do you Drive a Ford Focus mk2? Why not add your own tire review and help other owners pick the right tire! After all, who knows what the best tire for a Focus mk2 better than the owners?
| Tire Reviewed | Dry Grip | Wet Grip | Feedback | Handling | Wear | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Road 3 (22) | 92% | 92% | 88% | 86% | 89% | 90% |
| Semperit SpeedLife 2 (3) | 87% | 97% | 83% | 93% | 93% | 83% |
| Michelin Alpin 5 (24) | 85% | 93% | 84% | 78% | 91% | 90% |
| Nokian Line (65) | 92% | 90% | 89% | 89% | 82% | 86% |
| Michelin Primacy Alpin (5) | 84% | 96% | 80% | 84% | 80% | 88% |
| Fulda SportControl (40) | 92% | 87% | 85% | 83% | 85% | 86% |
| Apollo Acelere Winter (4) | 85% | 88% | 83% | 83% | 90% | 85% |
| Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 (407) | 92% | 89% | 85% | 85% | 80% | 87% |
| Platin RP 410 Diamant (3) | 90% | 87% | 83% | 73% | 93% | 93% |
| Falken Eurowinter HS01 (21) | 89% | 90% | 87% | 77% | 88% | 81% |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 5 (67) | 91% | 93% | 81% | 82% | 82% | 84% |
| Vredestein Sportrac 5 (98) | 88% | 85% | 84% | 83% | 86% | 84% |
| Toyo Proxes CF2 (103) | 88% | 83% | 82% | 83% | 84% | 86% |
| Michelin X Ice North 4 (9) | 76% | 71% | 76% | 79% | 88% | 83% |
| Autogrip Ecosnow (2) | 85% | 90% | 80% | 80% | 75% | 80% |
| Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D (37) | 89% | 93% | 88% | 88% | 88% | 92% |
| Falken ZE914 (99) | 89% | 81% | 84% | 80% | 82% | 81% |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 (302) | 90% | 88% | 84% | 84% | 73% | 82% |
| Bridgestone Turanza GR90 (21) | 81% | 86% | 83% | 81% | 74% | 92% |
| Hankook Winter i cept evo (28) | 80% | 79% | 76% | 72% | 80% | 79% |
| Michelin CrossClimate Plus (113) | 87% | 85% | 82% | 73% | 87% | 86% |
| Vredestein Sportrac 3 (60) | 85% | 91% | 80% | 80% | 76% | 79% |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (322) | 91% | 88% | 81% | 84% | 73% | 78% |
| Falken Azenis FK510 (144) | 89% | 88% | 82% | 82% | 72% | 77% |
| Goodyear UltraGrip 7 Plus (30) | 85% | 86% | 80% | 65% | 82% | 83% |
| Goodyear Vector 4Seasons (61) | 84% | 83% | 82% | 82% | 86% | 82% |
| Uniroyal RainSport 2 (226) | 85% | 91% | 78% | 76% | 76% | 80% |
| Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric (141) | 90% | 87% | 82% | 78% | 70% | 80% |
| Dunlop SP Sport Fast Response (103) | 88% | 84% | 84% | 77% | 76% | 80% |
| Avon Ice Touring ST (40) | 81% | 86% | 74% | 72% | 82% | 81% |
| Toyo Proxes T1 Sport (50) | 90% | 79% | 86% | 84% | 67% | 78% |
| Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance (247) | 86% | 84% | 76% | 78% | 73% | 85% |
| Nexen Arrowspeed CP661 (12) | 81% | 74% | 73% | 75% | 80% | 76% |
| (3) | 87% | 77% | 80% | 77% | 77% | 73% |
| Michelin Primacy 4 (165) | 85% | 81% | 74% | 76% | 81% | 83% |
| Roadstone Eurovis Sport 04 (64) | 84% | 78% | 76% | 77% | 75% | 81% |
| Falken Eurowinter HS439 (17) | 86% | 83% | 86% | 81% | 83% | 77% |
| Dunlop SportMaxx RT (175) | 88% | 84% | 83% | 82% | 60% | 82% |
| Pirelli CINTURATO P1 (32) | 81% | 74% | 77% | 73% | 80% | 84% |
| Hankook Ventus V12 evo k110 (114) | 84% | 75% | 76% | 78% | 74% | 79% |
| Avon ZV5 (112) | 84% | 78% | 77% | 77% | 71% | 77% |
| Dunlop Sport BluResponse (183) | 88% | 84% | 79% | 76% | 62% | 83% |
| Firestone TZ300A (24) | 80% | 79% | 70% | 78% | 78% | 74% |
| Michelin Primacy 3 (191) | 85% | 79% | 76% | 77% | 69% | 80% |
| Cooper Zeon CS6 (33) | 83% | 74% | 69% | 74% | 85% | 72% |
| Primewell Sport 910 (23) | 83% | 76% | 76% | 76% | 74% | 73% |
| Nokian WR A3 (75) | 92% | 87% | 88% | 82% | 90% | 91% |
| Michelin Primacy HP (199) | 85% | 75% | 77% | 74% | 77% | 76% |
| Kumho Ecsta HM KH31 (27) | 81% | 73% | 76% | 74% | 72% | 78% |
| Sava Eskimo S3 (34) | 74% | 65% | 68% | 70% | 75% | 71% |
| Bridgestone Turanza ER300 (193) | 83% | 77% | 77% | 72% | 78% | 71% |
| Uniroyal RainSport 5 (68) | 77% | 86% | 70% | 69% | 75% | 80% |
| Falken ZE912 (200) | 82% | 74% | 75% | 70% | 71% | 79% |
| Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 (80) | 84% | 76% | 76% | 79% | 67% | 72% |
| Michelin Pilot Primacy (52) | 80% | 76% | 71% | 68% | 85% | 71% |
| Bridgestone Turanza T005 (148) | 82% | 79% | 73% | 73% | 65% | 73% |
| Sailun Atrezzo ZSR (46) | 80% | 68% | 71% | 75% | 67% | 72% |
| Nexen N8000 (80) | 79% | 74% | 69% | 66% | 69% | 79% |
| Continental Premium Contact 2 (198) | 84% | 77% | 75% | 73% | 62% | 73% |
| Continental Sport Contact 5 (216) | 86% | 82% | 79% | 76% | 51% | 73% |
| Goodyear Excellence (126) | 79% | 70% | 72% | 71% | 72% | 74% |
| Continental Sport Contact 2 (229) | 85% | 75% | 76% | 72% | 61% | 66% |
| Kormoran Road Performance (25) | 80% | 63% | 66% | 69% | 74% | 77% |
| Debica Frigo 2 (23) | 68% | 61% | 65% | 63% | 84% | 69% |
| Bridgestone Blizzak LM32 (18) | 84% | 69% | 69% | 69% | 81% | 72% |
| Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT (53) | 85% | 73% | 74% | 76% | 64% | 64% |
| Sailun Atrezzo 4 Seasons (7) | 70% | 64% | 71% | 64% | 75% | 77% |
| Pirelli P 7 (85) | 79% | 69% | 71% | 68% | 73% | 65% |
| Sava Intensa HP2 (6) | 78% | 62% | 68% | 75% | 50% | 86% |
| Rovelo RPX 998 (30) | 80% | 62% | 69% | 65% | 65% | 73% |
| Jinyu YU63 (53) | 77% | 61% | 66% | 65% | 72% | 71% |
| Bridgestone Turanza T001 (107) | 80% | 70% | 69% | 67% | 63% | 72% |
| Jinyu YW51 (17) | 70% | 67% | 63% | 58% | 71% | 70% |
| Goodyear Eagle NCT5 (91) | 75% | 61% | 68% | 61% | 78% | 69% |
| Goodyear EfficientGrip (141) | 77% | 68% | 63% | 61% | 71% | 71% |
| Aptany RP203 (7) | 76% | 66% | 71% | 73% | 49% | 67% |
| Dunlop SP2000 (14) | 78% | 70% | 73% | 62% | 59% | 62% |
| Bridgestone Turanza ER30 (44) | 78% | 61% | 67% | 62% | 73% | 57% |
| Kleber Krisalp HP2 (15) | 76% | 63% | 65% | 61% | 85% | 71% |
| Aptany RA301 (20) | 73% | 61% | 66% | 65% | 50% | 66% |
| Hero Milanza HZ1 (20) | 74% | 53% | 65% | 61% | 64% | 59% |
| Kenda KAISER KR20 (64) | 66% | 46% | 55% | 54% | 71% | 55% |
| Marangoni Verso (38) | 69% | 48% | 55% | 47% | 49% | 54% |
| Sava Adapto HP (2) | 55% | 50% | 55% | 55% | 45% | 55% |
| Event WL905 (129) | 59% | 30% | 41% | 39% | 60% | 49% |
| Infinity INF 05 (68) | 56% | 31% | 42% | 39% | 62% | 45% |
| Wanli S1088 (85) | 57% | 35% | 41% | 39% | 59% | 38% |
| Sunny SN3800 (63) | 50% | 29% | 30% | 29% | 44% | 28% |
Ford Focus mk2 Tire Review Highlights
Writing about the Bridgestone Turanza T005 given 50% (205-55-16-)
Driving on a combination of roads for 21000 easy going miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 21000 easy going miles
After 21000miles and 5years the tires have excessive wear The wet grip is non-existent from the 1st day. The dry grip is average while there spin a lot when accelerating sharply. Definitely I'll not buy again.
Writing about the Michelin X Ice North 4 given 83% (225-45-18-)
Driving on a combination of roads for 6 average miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 6 average miles
Coming from Finland, a country of winter snow and studs. Have these on two cars
- 2007 Focus Cabrio
- 1998 996 C2
In most winnter conditions amazing grip level. However, two shortcomings. 1) The modern light studs do not penetrate well if there is loose snow on top of hard snor/icy surface. Obviously this has more to do with regulations rather than the tire brand and model. 2) These modern silica tires seem to collect a layer of snow in slow speeds, say below 30..40 km/h . Both these properties make the tires a bit Jekyll and Hyde. At best it gives enormous amount of grip but then you come on loose snow and you think you are driving very slow - and suddenly you have absolutely no grip. I wish we could still have the longer studs. I can tell it is not nice to get the impression of good grip for some 50 km (0.3 < muu < 0.5) and then in an open place wind has collected snow on the hard snow surface and a deer runs into your lights and you find absolutely no grip at all (like muu = 0.05). Fortunately I had my insurances. I dont think this would have happened with the old style big block, long heavy stud Hakkapeliittas. Those would have not given the level of grip on the 50 km stretch but they would have lost pretty much nothing coming to the loose snow.
What impresses me is the strong stud base. The cavity seems wrapped with a very strong compound and the studs seem to not come off at all. The construction of the tire seems very good for winter purposes, not too stiff nor too soft side wall. Subjectively I think I would prefer a sharper shoulder but that is more like an image in my head rather than supported by my driving experience.
If I was to develop this tire I would look into the slow speed attached snow layer phenomenom - perhaps on all the silica tires. I also would like to try something like raised tread on the lines of studs to get the modern studs penetrate better the loose snow on top of the hard.
I know one problem with the winter tire testing is that the tracks are always similar to get good comparability. But in real life the surfaces vary much more in winter conditions and a good winter tire should even the grip levels to predictable. As good as the X-Ice 4 is it is not the most predictable tire. Fortunately you can learn to predict the places where you will loose the grip. I find this all more of a result of rather compromized regulations than tire makes development work.
- 2007 Focus Cabrio
- 1998 996 C2
In most winnter conditions amazing grip level. However, two shortcomings. 1) The modern light studs do not penetrate well if there is loose snow on top of hard snor/icy surface. Obviously this has more to do with regulations rather than the tire brand and model. 2) These modern silica tires seem to collect a layer of snow in slow speeds, say below 30..40 km/h . Both these properties make the tires a bit Jekyll and Hyde. At best it gives enormous amount of grip but then you come on loose snow and you think you are driving very slow - and suddenly you have absolutely no grip. I wish we could still have the longer studs. I can tell it is not nice to get the impression of good grip for some 50 km (0.3 < muu < 0.5) and then in an open place wind has collected snow on the hard snow surface and a deer runs into your lights and you find absolutely no grip at all (like muu = 0.05). Fortunately I had my insurances. I dont think this would have happened with the old style big block, long heavy stud Hakkapeliittas. Those would have not given the level of grip on the 50 km stretch but they would have lost pretty much nothing coming to the loose snow.
What impresses me is the strong stud base. The cavity seems wrapped with a very strong compound and the studs seem to not come off at all. The construction of the tire seems very good for winter purposes, not too stiff nor too soft side wall. Subjectively I think I would prefer a sharper shoulder but that is more like an image in my head rather than supported by my driving experience.
If I was to develop this tire I would look into the slow speed attached snow layer phenomenom - perhaps on all the silica tires. I also would like to try something like raised tread on the lines of studs to get the modern studs penetrate better the loose snow on top of the hard.
I know one problem with the winter tire testing is that the tracks are always similar to get good comparability. But in real life the surfaces vary much more in winter conditions and a good winter tire should even the grip levels to predictable. As good as the X-Ice 4 is it is not the most predictable tire. Fortunately you can learn to predict the places where you will loose the grip. I find this all more of a result of rather compromized regulations than tire makes development work.
Writing about the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 given 93% (225-40-18-)
Driving on mostly country roads for 3000 spirited miles
Driving on mostly country roads for 3000 spirited miles
I bought brand new Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires a few months ago. I don't want to make this long, but I am absolutely impressed in every single way. Coming from a very heavy foot driver and I switched from Goodyer Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6(pretty sporty tire) I can only continue to tell good thing. This tire is exceptional in every single way. Dry grip is amazing, wet grip absolutely shocked the hell out of me, the car just wont slide off. And aquaplaning is amazing, driving 150 km/h on the motorway full off water and its like you are driving on a dry road. I trashed them for about 250 km to my holiday house on a country road (trashed them pretty good) the wear is amazing and I couldn't see any traces of wear (I did on the F1 Asymmetric 6). All together I would absolutely recommend this tire to anyone, weather you like sporty driving, all around good and comfort tire or you just want safety, this is the best tire I ever fitted to my car (and I only buys Michelin, Goodyear or Continental).
Writing about the Falken Azenis FK510 given 74% (205-50-17-)
Driving on a combination of roads for 1000 average miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 1000 average miles
Very good tires. In comparison with Hankook Ventus v12 evo 2 my subjective feeling is that Falken has a better grip in dry and wet and it is more comfortable.
The single negative i have for them is the road noise which in general is more pronounced but it is bearable. Between 110 and 120 kph i can hear a annoying humming comming from them. Below 110 and above 120 everything is fine. Maybe it's just specific to 205/50/R17 size, i have no idea.
Regarding wearing Im not really sure how they will be because i only drive short distances (6000 miles/year average).
I recommend them
Writing about the Sava Intensa HP2 given 80% (205-55-16-)
Driving on a combination of roads for 1800 average miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 1800 average miles
Very quiet/comfortable, decent grip both dry and wet excellent braking in both. Would buy again.
Writing about the Rovelo RPX 998 given 63% (215-55-16-)
Driving on mostly town for 4000 spirited miles
Driving on mostly town for 4000 spirited miles
These came with decent tread on used but mint-looking alloys I swapped onto the Focus. I drove on them through this Spring and summer. I meant to swap back to steels and M+S in autumn but left it too late and had them on for a few days in the ~0C cold snap.
I down-scored them on comfort even though they absorb bumps fine because of their noise. After the first day, I noticed this "whooh" drone. Not hugely loud, but constant from 30mph up and, once I heard it, I couldn't stop hearing it. Not wheel bearings; my garage reckoned it's the tread pattern. Noise gone now I'm on my M+S tires.
Dry grip and braking perfectly adequate for budget tires, no dramas, not a lot of rain this year but similarly capable. When it got to
Writing about the Uniroyal RainSport 5 given 47% (225-45-17-)
Driving on a combination of roads for 8000 spirited miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 8000 spirited miles
I was a fan of the previous Rainsport 3, so naturally I decided to give these a go on my car. After a few thousand miles, I have come to the conclusion that they are not as good as the previous version in any area except for wear. They are not a terrible tire by any means, but they just don't seem to grip as well or inspire as much confidence as the Rainsport 3. I will probably look elsewhere next time.
Writing about the Michelin CrossClimate Plus given 91% (205-55-16-H)
Driving on a combination of roads for 4000 spirited miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 4000 spirited miles
Everything is great, but one weak point is really weak. Gravel.
On the same car, I have used very old Alpin 3 Michelin, they could go through forest and gravel paths without any problems. Same goes for Primacy 3 with very high mileage (cca 90.000 KM). But these tires, completely new, they just drift and slide when there is a steep hill with gravel, not to mention driving across a grass, they are very very poor performers in those conditions. In past two months, it caused me to slide off the gravel road (luckilly without any damage), and yesterday, I just could not climb the steep part of the hill I always managed without problems, using very old Alpin and heavily used Primacy. They are just that bad for gravel and rocky roads. Wish I knew that earlier, now I am having a hard time getting to the places I need to go, if they dont have concrete roads, and lot of them dont...
Writing about the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance given 77% (205-55-16-)
Driving on mostly motorways for 27000 average miles
Driving on mostly motorways for 27000 average miles
Having bought several sets of these, since they were released in the UK (back in around 2013, I believe), and now having switched the Michelin Cross Climates, I felt it was time I gave these a decent send off. Firstly, in terms of rolling resistance, these tires are superb. The comfort levels are also good, owing to the soft sidewalls. Wet grip was good, too. Dry weather grip is okay, however, owing to the softer compound it does suffer in hotter conditions and does start to understeer and not providing much feedback (they are safe and progressive, though). My main criticism I have is poor end of life performance. Aquaplaning performance was quite poor when the tire was below 3 mm of tread. Also, owing to the softer compound, the wear was quite poor. Okay, 27,000 miles isn't bad, but if you are a higher mileage driver, I would find myself changing them every 10 months (although I understand that Goodyear have resolved their wear issues with their recent EG Performance 2). I would buy again (as the pricing was very good), but if doing a lower mileage and not needing the extra insurance/performance of an all-season tire.
Writing about the Michelin CrossClimate Plus given 81% (205-55-16-)
Driving on mostly motorways for 30000 average miles
Driving on mostly motorways for 30000 average miles
Admittedly, yes, they are expensive. Also, I would not recommend taking these around a track, as their dry performance isn't as good as a summer tire (but you don't buy them for that, do you?), that being said, they are by no means bad. However, as an all-round tire with good performance in the wet English winters, with excellent wear properties, I have yet to drive on a tire better than it. The fuel economy isn't quite as good as the Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance previously fitted, however, after 30,000 miles there is still 4 mm of tread on the front, whereas the Goodyear would be on the wear bars. Also, there has been very little deterioration in performance, unsurprisingly dry weather performance has improved as the tread blocks have worn, but there seems to be very little in the wet. I have only driven these for about 20 minutes in barely settled snow, and they seemed significantly better than any summer tire I have driven on in the snow (I cannot comment on ice performance, unfortunately). I do not think I would buy these out of choice if winter performance was my main priority, but in the South of England it is more of a 'get yourself out of trouble tire' if there is a freak snow storm (even though you will probably be stuck because no one else in front can move).
Would I buy these again? Probably not. As Jon highlighted in his recent video, the game has moved on, but I would seriously consider the Cross Climate 2 when it is released. Also, I would probably only recommend these to higher mileage drivers now; with the competition now having caught up, lower mileage drivers may be better served looking to one of the cheaper competitors when looking for an all season tire.
Writing about the Pirelli CINTURATO P1 given 77% (205-55-16-W)
Driving on a combination of roads for 10000 spirited miles
Driving on a combination of roads for 10000 spirited miles
So my Mk2 Focus came with Good Years stock, then after it worn out I changed to Falken, Dunlop, and finally this Pirelli. Every single one of them was touring tires. I was looking for the Michelin PS4 but the tire shop put this one on clearance sale for half the price of the Michelin, so of course I chose this one.
I'd say for what I wanted it to do (daily driving around town and long drives in motorways) it does the job pretty well. Comfortable, low noise, and low rolling resistance. Grips well in both wet and dry conditions (as long as it's has >50% of tread life). Low levels of wear as well. Mind you, where I live the road quality isn't that great. However, don't expect it to perform well in intense driving sessions. (i.e. track days) Grip in late life could be better as well, but I think this is the problem with many Pirellis. I hope I can get it to last 30k kms or so.
I'm on the second half of these tires' life and I'm thinking on getting Contis next time. However, if I can snag another set of reasonably priced Pirellis I'll do it in a heartbeat.
Writing about the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 given 80% (225-40-18-)
Driving on mostly motorways for 10000 spirited miles
Driving on mostly motorways for 10000 spirited miles
Had these on the car for just under 10k miles, replacing the Dunlop sport maxx rt2 on all four corners.
Initially I was very disappointed with the noise, but things now seem to have calmed down, but still quite a bit noisier than the Dunlops at 70mph. I also find the comfort to be worse than the Dunlops, the tires crash over bumps and I get a lot more suspension noise than before.
I have also had two punctures (one complete failure) and a slow puncture in the first two months of ownership, perhaps it was bad luck, but I cant help but feel they are good at picking up screws lol.
Wear seems average, I'd say I'm more than half way through on the fronts at 10k. The Dunlops lasted 35k, with life still left on the rear.
Handling etc fantastic and overall better than the Dunlops. They are very progressive so you feel safe when chucking the car around. Grip off the line is phenomenal and way better than the Dunlops (this includes the wet).
For aquaplaning, I'd say they are very good, but definitely fall short compared to the Dunlop, which felt incredibly secure.
If you want a quieter and more comfortable drive, I'd go for the Dunlop. If performance is high on your list (or you have a performance car) go for the Michelin.
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