2025 | 225/45R18 | Summer - Auto Zeitung Summer Tire Test
Our 2025 summer tire test helps you find the best tread patterns.
Top 3 from the test
You'll find the complete ranking in the "All tyres" tab below.
Continental Premium Contact 7
D
A
B (72 dB)
Test winner 
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
CAB (70 dB)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
DAB (72 dB)Build a comparison from this test
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Braking distance in the wet m · ↓ lower is better 
Braking distance in the dry m · ↓ lower is better 
Noise dB · ↓ lower is better 
Estimated mileage km · ↑ higher is better Informácie o teste
Summer tire test 2025:
Not all tires are the same anymore. The cost differences from the price blockbuster to the premium tires are huge, as are the differences in the efficiency and sustainability of the tread patterns. This season we will take a close look at ten current UHP tires (here are the AUTO ZEITUNG tire test criteria), starting with two real price blockbusters from China, the Mastersteel Super Sport 2 and the Triangle EffeXSport TH202, through the quality tires with a fair price Falken Azenis FK520, Toyo Proxes Sport 2 and Vredestein Ultrac Pro, to the expensive premium products Bridgestone Potenza Sport, Continental PremiumContact 7, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Pirelli P Zero. Strictly speaking, Continental tires do not necessarily belong to the UHP segment, but were designed as tires for touring. However, in our summer tire test 2024 (here are the full results), they performed so strongly and showed so much dynamism that they should also succeed in this environment.
Braking on wet asphalt:
How accurate this assessment is is underlined by the Continental PremiumContact 7 during our 2025 summer tire test on wet asphalt: Even in the UHP competition, it has the shortest braking distance (this is the approximate calculation formula) from 100 km/h with 41.8 m and impresses with its predictable and safe handling. This means it achieves the same number of points in the wet as Bridgestone, which has dominated this discipline for years. The Japanese brakes slightly worse, but offers even more lateral support and sportier characteristics. Goodyear follows with a gap of just one point, which can complete the handling circuit the fastest and also achieves strong braking deceleration. This already sets these three candidates apart from the field a little, while the two Chinese brands reveal significant weaknesses. The Mastersteel in particular, which was the cheapest tyre of this specification on the market at the time of purchase, fails in all disciplines and is constantly at the tail in the 2025 summer tyre test. In the brake test alone, it has a 10.9 m longer stopping distance than the Conti – which corresponds to a residual speed of more than 45 km/h. The Triangle EffeXSport TH202 also disappointed with a total braking distance of 52 m, but otherwise came out of it relatively respectably. Nevertheless: in the rain it is not a good choice either.
Bridgestone, Continental and Goodyear convince on wet roads: The excellent wet grip of the Bridgestone Potenza Sport, as well as Continental and Goodyear, is particularly evident in the difference compared to the tread patterns of the Michelin and Pirelli P Zero, which, although they achieve good results on their own, do not reach the level of the top group. The Falken, Toyo and Vredestein tyres show significantly less wet grip, which results in longer braking distances in direct comparison. However, the Vredestein tyre even achieves the best result in terms of protection against aquaplaning (how to prevent accidents caused by aquaplaning). During the dry track test, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 then takes the lead and impresses with its absolutely flawless behaviour even in extreme situations. It is also strong when braking and stands out with its decent rolling comfort. The Continental naturally adds a little something extra and rolls the smoothest. Because it convinces with strong results even on dry asphalt, it keeps pace with Goodyear.
Comparison
Michelin is closing in and securing third place on dry roads in the 2025 summer tire test. Pirelli follows, whose rolling resistance has improved since the latest revision. Bridgestone, on the other hand, achieves the shortest braking distance and presents itself as significantly sporty. However, this characteristic limits comfort and in terms of energy efficiency, the tire carries a red flag. The Toyo Proxes Sport 2 is evenly matched on dry roads and impresses with its agility, which ensures it the fastest lap time. The Falken Azenis FK520 and Vredestein hold their own, but do not excel. Two Chinese tires prove that a low price (how to save when buying tires) does not say everything about economy in itself. The Mastersteel Super Sport 2 does show savings potential thanks to its very low rolling resistance coefficient (how to save fuel and money when driving a car), but its low mileage compensates for this advantage. The Triangle wears out even faster, which is why it is only recommended to a limited extent as a "cheap" alternative. Since these two tires also have significantly less grip and cause longer braking distances, they end up in last place.
Premium tires clearly lead the summer tire test:
Goodyear proves to be the most sustainable tire, which is kind to the environment and your wallet thanks to its low wear, high mileage, good rolling resistance values and, last but not least, low external noise. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 also stands out, as is typical of the brand, with its low wear and high mileage, but it is a bit noisy and has average rolling resistance. Continental and Falken achieve comparable results, while the Vredestein Ultrac Pro impresses with its quiet rolling. After all, the Mastersteel is the quietest tire in the test, but that does not hide its weaknesses. When we add up all the aspects, the premium tires dominate, led by Goodyear, which impresses with both performance and sustainability. But Conti, Bridgestone, as well as Michelin and Pirelli also deserve our recommendation.
How we tested:
- Tire purchasing: We purchase all tires ourselves to guarantee the same quality as for customers.
- Test site: Testing takes place at the Bridgestone EUPG in Italy, which offers various types of test tracks.
- Subjective evaluation: In addition to objective measurements, we also evaluate subjective characteristics such as driving safety.
- Laboratory tests: Tires undergo speed, rolling resistance, wear and mileage tests.
2025 | 225/45R18 | Summer - Auto Zeitung Summer Tire Test
8 products · click a column to sort| # | Tyre | Price from | Dry braking [m] ↕ | Wet braking [m] ↕ | Aquaplaning straight [Km/h] ↕ | Aquaplaning cornering [m/s2] ↕ | Volume [dB] ↕ | Rolling resistance ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 ✓ Available in size 225/45 R18 | from 139 € | 33.3 | 43.3 | 75.9 | 11.13 | 68 | 8.35 |
| 2. | Continental Premium Contact 7 ✓ Available in size 225/45 R18 | from 145 € | 33.6 | 41.8 | 73.2 | 11.52 | 70 | 8.25 |
| 3. | Bridgestone Potenza Sport ✓ Available in size 225/45 R18 | from 148 € | 33 | 42.5 | 73.7 | 11.11 | 70 | 10.15 |
| 4. | Michelin Pilot Sport 5 ✓ Available in size 225/45 R18 | from 141 € | 33.5 | 44.4 | 75.7 | 11.2 | 71 | 8.85 |
| 5. | Pirelli P-ZERO (PZ4) S.C. ✓ Available in size 225/45 R18 | from 163 € | 33.9 | 45.2 | 73 | 11.18 | 69 | 8.6 |
| 6. | Vredestein Ultrac Pro ✓ Available in size 225/45 R18 | from 120 € | 35 | 47.3 | 76.6 | 11.71 | 68 | 8.85 |
| 7. | Triangle Effe X Sport TH202 ✓ Available in size 225/45 R18 | from 73 € | 36.1 | 52 | 74.7 | 11.93 | 69 | 9.05 |
| 8. | Mastersteel Super Sport 2 ✕ Unavailable in size 225/45 R18 | — | 36.9 | 52.7 | 70.8 | 12.58 | 67 | 7.35 |
Dry braking [m]
Wet braking [m]
Aquaplaning straight [Km/h]
Aquaplaning cornering [m/s2]
Volume [dB]
Rolling resistance
Our 2025 summer tire test helps you find the best tread patterns.