Motoring clubs test 215/55 R17 tyres

For their 2024 summer tyre test, European motoring organisations ADAC, ÖAMTC and TCS have shined the spotlight on 215/55 R17, a dimension suitable for mid-size cars and smaller SUVs. The test team put 16 brands of tyre through their paces and was satisfied with overall results, even though some tyres showed “minor weaknesses”.

The team employed the revised test criteria first seen last year, which places a greater emphasis on sustainability. Safety factors now account for 70 per cent of the total result, with factors such as noise, fuel economy, wear and weight making up the balance. From the 16 tested models, the team rated three tyres as ‘good’, a further 12 as ‘satisfactory’ and one as ‘adequate’. No products gained the lowest ‘deficient’ rating.

Rated Good

With its above-average performance on dry and wet roads, ASAC reports that the test team rated the Continental PremiumContact 7 “clearly number one in the driving safety category” with a score of 1.7. Similarly, the Michelin Primacy 4+ outperformed the other two good-rated tyres in the environmental balance category.

According to the ADAC, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 is a “compromise in between”: In terms of driving safety, it performs on a par with the Michelin, and in terms of environmental performance, it is as sustainable as the Continental tyre. However, like the PremiumContact 7, the Kumho tyre does not achieve more than a satisfactory result in the environmental balance due to its comparatively high weight.

What also distinguishes the top trio is an above-average predicted mileage in the wear test as well as low or (Michelin) very low tyre wear.

Rated Satisfactory

Tyres from the Goodyear brands Debica, Dunlop and Fulda shared fourth place with Bridgestone, all narrowly missing out on a ‘good’ rating. The Debica Presto UHP 2, Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 and Fulda SportControl 2 delivered a slightly weaker performance in the wet than the podium trio and their good scores in the environmental balance section of the test were unable to compensate for this. The Bridgestone Turanza 6 scores well for environmental balance but misses out on a good rating for driving safety with weaknesses on dry and wet roads.

Then come the Hankook Ventus Prime4, Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 and Falken Ziex ZE 310 EcoRun. ADAC reports that while the Hankook and Goodyear tyres delivered convincing environmental performance, the testers were less enthusiastic about the Hankook tyre on wet roads and the Goodyear in the dry. The Falken tyre was wanting on dry roads too and was also the heaviest tyre in the test, something that dragged down its environmental balance score.

The Nexen N’Fera Primus, Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2, Semperit Speed-Life 3 and Linglong Sport Master scored better in the wet than on dry roads, while the opposite applied with the Goodride Solmax 1.

Rated Adequate

The wooden spoon in the motoring associations’ size 215/55 R17 test goes to the Vredestein Ultrac. This tyre didn’t receive a mediocre rating due to driving safety factors – the ADAC emphasises that the Vredestein Ultrac “offers good and safe driving characteristics on both dry and wet roads.” Performance in the environmental balance section of the test prevents a better result, specifically wear and tear.

After extensive convoy driving with identical vehicles and road conditions, the test team estimates the Vredestein tyre would achieve a mileage of 27,200 kilometres (16,900 miles). By comparison, the most wear-resistant tyre in the test, the Kumho Ecsta, could drive 69,300 kilometres (43,060 miles). Nevertheless, the test team considers the Vredestein tyre a good and safe alternative for infrequent drivers.