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ADAC 2026 Summer test 16 tyres

ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/50 R17 2026

Your size: 185/65 R15 — below you can see availability in this size.

The German automobile club ADAC has just published the results of its prestigious summer test for 2026 .

Size
185/65 R15
Season
Summer
Segment
Passenger car
tyre tests.
16
Published
2026
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Braking distance in the wet Braking distance in the wet m · ↓ lower is better
✓ PremiumContact 7 has lowest — by 1,2 m before EfficientGrip Performance 2.
Braking distance in the dry Braking distance in the dry m · ↓ lower is better
✓ Cinturato C3 has lowest — by 0,5 m before PremiumContact 7.
Aquaplaning Aquaplaning km/h · ↑ higher is better
✓ PremiumContact 7 is on par with Cinturato C3.
Estimated mileage Estimated mileage km · ↑ higher is better
✓ EfficientGrip Performance 2 has highest — by 8 997 km before Cinturato C3.
test

Test information

ADAC Summer Tire Test 2026 (225/50 R17): Premium tires confirm dominance

The German automobile club ADAC has just published the results of its prestigious summer test for 2026. This time they focused on the size 225/50 R17, which is typical for mid-range vehicles such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series or VW Passat. ADAC is known for its strict independence and for testing tires not only on the track, but also in real convoys for durability. The test of 16 models showed that it is still extremely difficult to get a “good” rating from ADAC (their highest real recommendation). Only three tires managed to balance wet safety with ecology and durability.

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Elite Three: Safety without compromise

These three tires are the only ones that passed the test without a single hesitation:

  • Continental PremiumContact 7 : The absolute top in grip. Along with Linglong, it brakes best in the wet, but unlike it, it also excels in other areas.
  • Pirelli Cinturato C3 : A surprise in terms of durability. Pirelli traditionally holds up great, but the C3 version also adds high mileage.
  • Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 : The king of durability. If you want the tire that lasts the longest, this is your choice.

Dry asphalt: Brakes and handling

In the dry, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 dominated, stopping in the shortest distance ( 33.9 m ). The difference between the best and worst (Hankook) was almost 3 meters, which at highway speeds is the length of the entire car.

Ecology and durability: Michelin still on the throne

ADAC places great emphasis on the ecological footprint (tire abrasion).

  • Less dust: The Michelin Primacy 5 produces almost a third fewer microparticles than the average tire.
  • Lowest consumption : Michelin, Continental and Hankook help save fuel most effectively (the difference in consumption compared to Linglong is up to 0.6 l/100 km ).

Final summary – who to choose?

  1. For maximum safety: Continental PremiumContact 7. If stopping on time in any weather is a priority for you, there's nothing to worry about.
  2. For maximum savings (mileage): Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2. The ideal choice for drivers who drive tens of thousands of kilometers per year.
  3. For the environmentally conscious: Michelin Primacy 5. A great combination of low abrasion, low consumption and very long service life.

Verdict : Cheap tires like Linglong may appeal with their great wet braking, but due to extremely rapid wear and higher fuel consumption, they are not worth it in the long run.

ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/50 R17 2026

16 products · click a column to sort
# Tyre Price from Dry braking [m] ↕ Wet braking [m] ↕ Aquaplaning straight [km/h] ↕ Aquaplaning cornering [m/s²] ↕
1. Continental PremiumContact 7 ✕ Unavailable in size 185/65 R15 — 35 30.1 79.7 3.7
2. Pirelli Cinturato C3 ✕ Unavailable in size 185/65 R15 — 34.5 31.8 79.7 3.6
3. Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 ✓ Available in size 185/65 R15 from 88 € 36.3 31.3 75.7 3.4
4. Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN ✕ Unavailable in size 185/65 R15 — 34.9 34.9 77.2 3.6
5. Falken ZIEX ZE320 ✕ Unavailable in size 185/65 R15 — 33.9 34.3 75.2 3.1
6. Bridgestone Turanza 6 ✕ Unavailable in size 185/65 R15 — 36.4 33.8 77.2 3.4
7. Michelin Primacy 5 ✕ Unavailable in size 185/65 R15 — 36.3 32.7 76.5 3.3
8. Maxxis Premitra HP6 ✕ Unavailable in size 185/65 R15 — 35.8 33.4 75 3
9. Kumho Ecsta HS52 ✓ Available in size 185/65 R15 from 53 € 35.7 31.1 77.3 3.2
10. BFGoodrich Advantage ✓ Available in size 185/65 R15 from 53 € 36.5 34.5 76.2 3.5
11. Hankook Ventus Prime 4 ✕ Unavailable in size 185/65 R15 — 36.7 34.5 72.9 3.4
12. Vredestein Ultrac plus ✓ Available in size 185/65 R15 from 67 € 35.3 33.9 79.3 3.5
13. Greentrac Quest X ✕ Unavailable in size 185/65 R15 — 36.2 37.9 75.7 3.7
14. Lassa Revola ✓ Available in size 185/65 R15 from 82 € 34.4 32.9 76.6 3.3
15. Leao Nova Acro ✕ Unavailable in size 185/65 R15 — 35.2 33 73.7 2.9
16. Linglong Sport Master ✕ Unavailable in size 185/65 R15 — 34.2 30.1 78.6 3.4

Dry braking [m]

🏆 Falken ZIEX ZE320
33.9
Linglong Sport Master
34.2
Lassa Revola
34.4
Pirelli Cinturato C3
34.5
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
34.9
Continental PremiumContact 7
35

Wet braking [m]

🏆 Continental PremiumContact 7
30.1
🏆 Linglong Sport Master
30.1
Kumho Ecsta HS52
31.1
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
31.3
Pirelli Cinturato C3
31.8
Michelin Primacy 5
32.7

Aquaplaning straight [km/h]

🏆 Continental PremiumContact 7
79.7
🏆 Pirelli Cinturato C3
79.7
Vredestein Ultrac plus
79.3
Linglong Sport Master
78.6
Kumho Ecsta HS52
77.3
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
77.2

Aquaplaning cornering [m/s²]

🏆 Continental PremiumContact 7
3.7
🏆 Greentrac Quest X
3.7
Pirelli Cinturato C3
3.6
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
3.6
BFGoodrich Advantage
3.5
Vredestein Ultrac plus
3.5

The German automobile club ADAC has just published the results of its prestigious summer test for 2026 .

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