Many recommendations in motoring associations’ 16-inch tyre test

The 2022 summer tyre tests performed by German motoring organisation ADAC and its Austrian and Swiss counterparts ÖAMTC and TCS evaluated a total of 34 tyres, both in size 185/65 R15 88H as well as the 215/60 R16 99V tyre size for compact SUVs that we’re looking at here. Overall, ADAC considers the outcome of the two tests a “positive review” of recent tyre evolution, as it considers almost all the tested tyres “recommendable or even particularly recommendable.”

Dr Reinhard Kolke, the ADAC’s director of test and technical services, calls this a “very pleasing” result and states that a high level of recommendations “shows the outcome of our almost 50 years of testing practice.” Kolke comments that tyre makers “are guided” by the motoring organisation’s tests and in response “continuously improve” their products. “In this way, the ADAC has been helping to make tyres safer and safer for decades.”

ADAC fitted the 18 brands of size 215/60 R16 99V tyres to a Skoda Karoq for testing and evaluated how they perform on dry and wet roads as well as for economy, mileage, noise and comfort. It rated five of the tyres ‘good’ and a further 12 as ‘satisfactory’ – and recommended all of these. Just one tyre had to make good with a rating of ‘adequate’, and all avoided the lowest ‘unsatisfactory’ categorisation.

5 ‘good’ tyres

Test winner: Continental PremiumContact 6
+ A very balanced tyre with top result in the wet, good on dry roads.

Michelin Primacy 4
+ Very balanced, particularly good on dry roads, low fuel consumption and wear.

Bridgestone Turanza T005
+ Very balanced, good on wet & dry roads, relatively low fuel consumption.

Dunlop Sport BluResponse
+ Very balanced, good on wet & dry roads.

Toyo Proxes Comfort
+ Still good on wet & dry roads, quietest tyre tested.
– Fuel consumption on the high side.

Rated satisfactory

Nokian Wetproof
+ Top result in the wet, good on dry roads.
– Higher fuel consumption.

Debica Presto HP2
+ Low wear.
– Weaknesses on wet & dry roads.

Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
+ Still good on dry roads, low wear.
– Weaknesses in the wet (handling)

Kumho Ecowing ES31
+ Top result on dry roads, low wear.
– Weaknesses in the wet.

Kleber Dynaxer HP4
+ Good on dry roads.
– Weaknesses in the wet (aquaplaning, handling)

Firestone Roadhawk
+ Good on dry roads.
– Weaknesses in the wet, relatively loud.

Sava Intensa HP 2
+ Top result for wear, good on dry roads.
– Weaknesses in the wet.

Barum Bravuris 5HM
– Weaknesses on wet & dry roads.

Esa+ Tecar Spirit Pro
– Weak dry roads (driving behaviour) as well as wet roads.

Lassa Competus
– Weak on wet & dry roads, relatively high fuel consumption, loud noise.

Semperit Speed-Life 3
+ Relatively low fuel consumption.
– Weak on wet & dry roads.

Nankang Eco-2+
+ Relatively low noise levels.
– Weak on wet & dry roads, highest wear in test.

Rated adequate

Kormoran Road Performance
+ Top result for fuel consumption.
– Weak on wet roads (braking, handling) as well as dry roads.