The best high-performance summer tires – Test 2025

AutoBild Reveals the Best Summer Performance Tires in the 2025 Braking Test

The best summer performance tires according to AutoBild in the 2025 braking test: Bridgestone Potenza Sport, Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Hankook Ventus Evo K137, Kumho Ecsta PS71, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, Falken Ziex ZE320, Continental PremiumContact 7, Linglong Sport Master, among others.

AutoBild, the renowned German automotive magazine, recently conducted its large-scale test of high-performance summer tires (braking test), selecting a total of 52 tires from premium, mid-range, and budget brands. 

In the end, a total of 20 tires passed this qualifying test for the final round. There were some surprises, as some budget tires appeared in the top positions of the ranking. All tires are rated as high-speed, with speed symbols Y and W.  

The selected vehicle was a Toyota Yaris GR, a compact car with high-performance capabilities.

Dry braking tests were conducted at 100 km/h, and wet road tests were conducted at 80 km/h.

The Top 20 High-Performance Tires in the AutoBild 2025 Braking Test

				Braking	Braking	Braking
Position	Description	Size	IC/IV	Wet in meters	Dry in meters	Total in meters
1	Bridgestone Potenza Sport	225/40R18	92 Y	27.6	32.6	60.2
2	Michelin Pilot Sport 5	225/40R18	92 Y	27.7	33.5	61.2
3	Hankook Ventus Evo K137	225/40R18	92 Y	27.4	34	61.4
4	Kumho Ecsta PS71	225/40R18	92 Y	27.4	34.2	61.6
5	Linglong Sport Master	225/40R18	92 Y	27.4	34.2	61.6
6	Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6	225/40R18	92 Y	28.3	34.1	62.4
7	Falken Ziex ZE320 92 W	225/40R18	92 W	29.5	33	62.5
8	Continental PremiumContact 7	225/40R18	92 Y	28.3	34.6	62.9
9	Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2	225/40R18	92 Y	28.7	34.3	63
10	Maxxis Victra Sport 5	225/40R18	92 Y	29.2	33.9	63.1
11	Toyo Proxes Comfort 92 W	225/40R18	92 W	30.4	34	64.4
12	Laufenn S Fit EQ+	225/40R18	92 Y	29.7	34.9	64.6
13	Nokian Powerproof 1	225/40R18	92 Y	30.4	34.8	65.2
14	Yokohama Advan Sport V107	225/40R18	92 Y	31.8	33.8	65.6
15	Firestone Firehawk Sport	225/40R18	92 Y	31.1	34.6	65.7
16	Nexen N Fera Sport	225/40R18	92 Y	30.9	35	65.9
17	Giti Giti Sport S2	225/40R18	92 Y	30.9	35.4	66.3
18	Vredestein Ultrac Pro	225/40R18	92 Y	31.2	35	66.2
19	Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2	225/40R18	92 Y	31.5	35.2	66.7
20	Pirelli P Zero PZ4	225/40R18	92 Y	32.3	34.6	67

At the end of the article, the remaining tires competing in the AutoBild braking test are shown. AutoBild.

Analysis of the High-Performance Tire Test Results

Some considerations about the results of the AutoBild 2025 braking test with high-performance summer tires:

1. Premium brands still lead, but not always by a wide margin

Bridgestone Potenza Sport achieved the best overall performance with the shortest total braking distance (60.2 m), closely followed by Michelin Pilot Sport 5 (61.2 m) and Hankook Ventus Evo K137 (61.4 m).

Other premium brands like Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 (62.4m) and Continental PremiumContact 7 (62.9m) were slightly behind but still in the top 10.

2. Surprising results from mid-range and budget high-performance tires

Kumho Ecsta PS71 (61.6m) and Linglong Sport Master (61.6m) tied for 4th place, outperforming well-known premium brands.

Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 (63.0m), another budget tire, ranked in the top 10, showing strong braking performance despite its low price.

This suggests that some mid-range and budget brands have made significant progress in braking performance.

3. Wet braking vs. Dry braking – Advantages and disadvantages

The best tire in wet conditions was the Hankook Ventus Evo K137 (27.4m), along with the Kumho Ecsta PS71, outperforming the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 (27.7m) and Bridgestone Potenza Sport (27.6m).

However, in dry conditions, Bridgestone (32.6 m) took the lead, while other high-performance wet tires had slightly longer braking distances.

Some tires excelled in both wet and dry conditions, but the best performers balance both scenarios.

4. Some premium brands that did not perform as expected

Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (67.0m) ranked lower than expected, taking the 20th position.

Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 (66.7m) also underperformed compared to mid-range competitors like Sailun and Maxxis.

These results show that even well-established premium brands can sometimes be outperformed by newer or more aggressive mid-range brands.

5. Longer braking distances pose a higher risk

The bottom five tires had braking distances exceeding 75 m, significantly worse than the leaders.

Autogreen Smart Chaser SC1 (81.9 m) had the worst results, with a wet braking distance of 43.6 m, nearly 16 meters longer than the best tire.

Brands like Tigar, RoyalBlack, and Arivo also struggled, confirming that some budget brands still have significant performance drawbacks.

6. Safety implications: A difference of over 20 meters can save lives

The difference in braking distance between the best and worst tires in wet conditions was over 16 meters, a difference of four car lengths, which poses a high risk to road safety. 

On dry roads, the difference was smaller but still significant, highlighting the importance of tire choice in emergency braking situations.

Final Thoughts

Bridgestone, Michelin, and Hankook continue to dominate the high-performance tire segment, offering the best balance of safety and braking.

Mid-range brands like Kumho, Linglong, and Sailun are closing the gap with premium brands, making them good alternatives for budget-conscious buyers.

When deciding to purchase budget tires, avoid the cheapest brands if safety is a priority, as their braking distances are much longer than those of premium or mid-range brands.

We hope this information is useful!

Remaining 32 tires tested in the Auto Bild braking test

				Braking	Braking	Braking
Position	Description	Size	IC/IV	Wet in meters	Dry in meters	Total in meters
21	GT Radial SportActive 2	225/40R18	92 Y	31.7	36	67.7
22	Uniroyal RainSport 5	225/40R18	92 Y	30.3	37.4	67.7
23	BF Goodrich Advantage	225/40R18	92 Y	31.9	36.2	68.1
24	Petlas Velox Sport PT 741	225/40R18	92 Y	33.1	35.4	68.5
25	Semperit Speed Life 3	225/40R18	92 Y	31.2	37.4	68.6
26	Syron Premium Performance	225/40R18	92 Y	31.9	36.9	68.8
27	Debica Presto UHP 2	225/40R18	92 Y	33.1	36.4	69.5
28	Ceat SportDrive	225/40R18	92 Y	34	35.8	69.8
29	Leao Nova Force Acro	225/40R18	92 Y	32.9	36.8	69.7
30	Fulda SportControl 2	225/40R18	92 Y	33.9	36.2	70.1
31	Radar Dimax R8+	225/40R18	92 Y	31.7	38.6	70.3
32	Sava Intensa UHP 2	225/40R18	92 Y	34.4	35.9	70.3
33	Viking ProTech NewGen	225/40R18	92 Y	33.5	37.6	71.1
34	Star Performer Interstellar 92 W	225/40R18	92 W	33.7	37.5	71.2
35	Event Potentem UHP 92 W	225/40R18	92 W	33.8	37.9	71.7
36	Gislaved Ultra Speed ​​2	225/40R18	92 Y	34.2	37.6	71.8
37	Matador Hectorra 5	225/40R18	92 Y	34.1	37.7	71.8
38	Ovation VI-588 Sport	225/40R18	92 Y	35.2	37.1	72.3
39	Barum Bravuris 6	225/40R18	92 Y	34.8	37.6	72.4
40	Kormoran Ultra High Performance	225/40R18	92 Y	36.2	36.6	72.8
41	Yartu ZuperEco Z-107 92 W	225/40R18	92 W	34.9	37.9	72.8
42	Iris Sefar 92 W	225/40R18	92 W	35.1	37.9	73
43	Windforce Catchfors UHP PRO 92 W	225/40R18	92 W	36.7	36.5	73.2
44	Lanvigator Catch Power Plus 92 W	225/40R18	92 W	36.7	37.2	73.9
45	Riken Ultra High Performance	225/40R18	92 Y	37.5	36.9	74.4
46	Z Max Zealion 92 W	225/40R18	92 W	38	37.5	75.5
47	Rockblade ROCK 525 92 W	225/40R18	92 W	38.1	37.5	75.6
48	Arivo Ultra ARZ-5 92 W	225/40R18	92 W	37.6	38.1	75.7
49	Tigar Ultra High Performance	225/40R18	92 Y	38.4	37.6	76
50	Tourador X Speed ​​TU1	225/40R18	92 Y	37.1	38.9	76
51	RoyalBlack Explorer II	225/40R18	92 Y	38.6	38.4	77
52	Autogreen Smart Chaser SC1 92 W	225/40R18	92 W	43.6	38.3	81.9