TCS tire test: Seven meters difference in braking distance

In this year's TCS tire test, unknown brands also made it to the top. Generally speaking, the verdict on the dimensions tested in this year's tire test is positive: Of the 16 tire models, three are rated "highly recommended", 12 "recommended" and one tire with the final result "conditionally recommended", the TCS announced.

Despite the pleasing overall picture of the test, the differences in some test criteria are considerable. This becomes clear in the example of the different braking distances and the remaining residual speeds of most tires.

 A South Korean joins the first three

The test winners come from Continental, Michelin and Kumho. While the Continental PremiumContact 7, which was tested for the first time, clearly sets the benchmark in terms of driving safety thanks to its clearly above-average performance and clearly stands out from the competition thanks to its performance, the same applies to the Michelin Prmacy 4+, which clearly stands out in the top three in terms of environmental performance. The gap between the Continental and the rest of the field is particularly large when it comes to wet braking. Its performance clearly stands out from the field, as its braking distance is almost seven meters shorter than the last in the table.

The South Korean Kumho Ecsta HS52, on the other hand, is on a par with the Michelin in terms of driving safety and the Continental in terms of environmental performance. It should be noted, however, that the Michelin is the only tire in the test field to score well in both areas and therefore falls into the category of particularly balanced. Both the Continental and the Kumho do not achieve more than a satisfactory result in the environmental balance due to their comparatively high weight. However, all three offer above-average predicted mileage in the wear test as well as low (Michelin Primacy+ even very low) abrasion.

Tires in the good midfield

The products from Debica, Dunlop, Bridgestone and Fulda are in the other places and just miss out on the overall rating of "highly recommended". The Debica Presto UHP 2 and the Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 only just missed out on a good result in both columns and concluded the test with a final rating of "recommended". The Bridgestone Turanza 6, which is new on the market, missed out on a good rating for driving safety, but was able to make up a few places in the ranking thanks to its good environmental performance. The Fulda SportControl 2 again failed to achieve a good rating in both pillars and also finished the test with 58 percent according to the calculation.

In the other places are the Hankook Ventus Prime4, the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 and the Falken Ziex ZE 310 EcoRun. The Hankook shows slight weaknesses in the wet, but is rated as good in terms of environmental performance. Although the Goodyear claimed the top score in the test in terms of environmental performance, it failed to impress in this year's test in terms of driving safety and its performance on dry roads. The Falken again failed to achieve more than a satisfactory rating in both categories. On the one hand, it shows weaknesses on dry roads and is also the heaviest tire in the test, which leads to a downgrade in the environmental balance.

With the exception of the Semperit, the next five with the final rating of "recommendable" are rated "satisfactory" for both driving safety and environmental performance. Unlike the previously mentioned models (with the exception of the Bridgestone), which scored satisfactory on either dry or wet roads, these tires show (slight) weaknesses in these two sub-criteria, both of which lead to a downgrade in driving safety.

The tail light

The Vredestein Ultrac received a "conditionally recommended" rating. However, this tire is not downgraded because of its driving safety, as it offers good and safe driving characteristics on both dry and wet roads, but because of its low predicted mileage. As this is significantly lower compared to the test field, it brings up the rear. Nevertheless, the tire can be a good alternative for "infrequent drivers" due to its good marks for driving safety.

Two-pillar assessment: driving safety and environmental balance

Since 2023, the tire tests have been published according to the two-pillar evaluation - the overall score is made up of 70 percent "driving safety" and 30 percent "environmental balance".

In the summer tire test, "driving safety" includes the criteria "handling on dry and wet roads". The "environmental balance" includes criteria such as predicted mileage, abrasion, fuel consumption, weight, noise and the criterion of sustainability. The latter is primarily concerned with the production facilities and the associated certificates, but also with the tire itself. Here, it is considered whether the tire is new or retreaded and whether there are any production residues on the tire that are released into the environment in an uncontrolled and unnecessary manner during the first few kilometers. A PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) pollutant analysis was also carried out as part of the test.

Compare all tires on the TCS online portal

The portal, which was launched in 2023 and is the only one of its kind in Europe tcs.ch/tyresearch thousands of summer, winter or all-season tires from around 50 brand manufacturers can be compared for driving safety, fuel consumption/efficiency, comfort/noise and sustainability/wear with filter function.

When choosing tires, drivers should be aware that there are major differences in performance in terms of both driving safety and environmental balance. The focus should not be on the price, but on the performance of a tire and your own needs. The TCS recommends paying particular attention to driving safety and choosing a tire that is at least "recommendable".

Source: TCS