The expert team of Germany’s ADAC motoring association performed a large comparative test of summer tires, covering the 2022 models relevant for the German market. A total of 34 tire sets were tested, 18 of which were designed for mid-class passenger cars and sub-compact crossovers, the other 16 for compact cars.

The results of the 15-inch tire test (185/65 R15 88H) are something that we already covered in the previous article; now the time has come for tires with a 16-inch fitting diameter. The tire size chosen for the test — 215/60 R16 99V (V up to 240 km/h) — fits such cars as Mazda CX-3, Ford Galaxy/Mondeo/S-MAX, Volvo V60, Opel Astra/ Insignia/ Zafira, VW Beetle/Passat/ Sharan, etc. The test car was a Skoda Karoq.

So, which tires are best suited for midsize passenger cars and compact crossovers? The answer is given by the ADAC summer tire test 2022, in which the models were scrutinized in terms of handling performance and safety features, as well as ride comfort and fuel economy.

List of summer models tested:

• Toyo Proxes Comfort
• Semperit Speed-Life 3
• Sava Intensa HP2
• Nokian Wetproof
• Nankang Green Sport Eco-2+
• Michelin Primacy 4
• Lassa Competus
• Kumho Ecowing ES31
• Kormoran Road Performance
• Kleber Dynaxer HP4
• Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
• Firestone Roadhawk
• Esa+Tecar Spirit Pro
• Dunlop Sport BluResponse
• Debica Presto HP2
• Continental PremiumContact 6
• Bridgestone Turanza T005
• Barum Bravuris 5HM

Results of the ADAC summer tire test 2022

On the whole, one can draw a positive conclusion for the tires of the chosen size: five out of the 18 tested models received a «Good» verdict and were «highly recommended» for purchase. Twelve models were classified as «satisfactory», and also received recommendations from the expert team. And only one model from the starting list was «recommended with limitations».

As usual, the devil is in the details because there are significant differences even between the «good» tires. The differentiation becomes even more obvious when you look at similar rankings of «satisfactory» tires, whose overall score is usually lower because of weak sides found by the test experts. On the upside, however, if you know your driving style and think you can put up with these or those weak sides of the model, the results of the ADAC test will help you to discover a rather broad selection of relatively inexpensive tires.

Result summary. 2022 ADAC Summer Tire Test — 215/60 R16 Places 1–9.(click to enlarge)

Result summary. 2022 ADAC Summer Tire Test — 215/60 R16 Places 10–18. (click to enlarge)

Leaders of the test with well-balanced performance

Five models at once were rated as «good». The Continental PremiumContact 6, the Michelin Primacy 4 (2.1 points each, the winners of the ADAC test 2022), the Bridgestone Turanza T005 (2.2 points), the Dunlop Sport BluResponse (2.4 points), and Toyo Proxes Comfort (2.5 points) did not have any prominent safety issues by any criteria, and scored high grades for a well-balanced performance in the final standings.

Michelin Primacy 4

On dry pavement, out of the entire leading group, the most impressive performance was shown by the Bridgestone and Michelin tires, while the best wet grip was demonstrated by the Continental model.

At the same time, the Michelin Primacy 4 (which is, incidentally, will shortly be replaced by a Primacy 4+ with improved dry performance) was also head and shoulders above the competition in terms of fuel efficiency and environmental performance (low fuel consumption and long tread life).

Toyo Proxes Comfort

Seeing a Toyo model in one of the top lines of the tournament bracket is quite unusual. However, the Proxes Comfort 215/60 R16 model achieved the impossible: overcoming the threshold of good scores by all the major criteria, it secured itself a place in the top five.

The difference in fuel consumption

The list of recommended «satisfactory» tires is topped by the Nokian Wetproof (2.6 points). Although the tire showed a good wet and dry performance, as well as high resistance to wear, it lacked the high score for fuel efficiency, which deteriorated the overall score.

Kormoran Road Performance

On the whole, the span of fuel consumption performance for the 215/60 R16 tires was rather large. The difference between the best model in this discipline, the Kormoran Road Performance (1.2 points for rolling resistance) and the worst, the Lassa Competus (2.9 points for rolling resistance) was almost 10%, notes the Shina Guide technical expert. And the Nokian model, designed predominantly for wet road conditions, makes the vehicle consume 8% more fuel than the Kormoran tire.

Tires with wet grip issues

The three models that came after the Nokian Wetproof in the final standings scored 2.7 points each. The expert team discovered that they had one thing in common: having a very high resistance to wear, these tires demonstrated only average wet grip.

At the same time, however, the Kumho Ecowing ES31 was rated the highest of all tires for dry performance. The Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 also demonstrated rather good capabilities on dry pavement. And only the Presto HP2 model from Debica (a Polish brand owned by Goodyear) could not deliver reliable performance even on dry tarmac.

Kumho Ecowing ES31

The Dynaxer HP4 from Kleber (2.8 points, a Michelin product), Firestone Roadhawk (2.9 points, a Bridgestone subsidiary), and Sava Intensa HP2 (3.0 points, manufactured by Goodyear), are all good on dry pavement but all have issues with wet performance, which deteriorated their overall result. In this trio, the highest resistance to wear was shown by Kleber.

Kleber Dynaxer HP4

Tires with a poor dry performance

The Barum Bravuris 5HM (Continental Group, 3.1 points), Esa+Tecar Spirit Pro (3.4 points), Lassa Competus H/P, and Semperit Speed-Life 3 (3.4 points each) had their weaknesses exposed both on dry and wet pavement. However, all these tires have good wear resistance, which is commendable from an economic point of view, but cannot compensate for the shortcomings of the safety-related performance areas.

Lassa Competus H/P

Lassa Competus H/Taiwan’s Nankang Eco-2+ (3.5 points) was the last tire, which received a satisfactory overall score, and secured the last-but-one line in the tournament bracket. This had to do with the relatively weak wet and dry grip, as well as average resistance to wear.

Nankang Green Sport Eco 2+

The Kormoran Road Performance tire scored the last line in the final standings, showing what the «Michelin technologies tested on premium tires» are really worth when used in budget products. Despite the fact that the RP tire showed the best result from the fuel consumption standpoint, and was even rated high for wear resistance, the ADAC experts still found critical issues with its safety performance. This tire quickly reaches the grip threshold, especially on wet pavement. In terms of its overall performance, this tire can be recommended only conditionally.