In the second part of the comparative test, started by one of the leading domestic expert teams, in fact, its results and conclusions of professionals are presented. It should be noted that this article does not at all serve as a recommendation for choosing tires of a particular brand - guided by the opinion of professionals, each driver can simply draw his own conclusions.
So, the results of the comparative test of summer tires.
Hankook Ventus Prime 2
The updated tire Hankook Ventus Prime 2 has markedly improved performance compared to last year. A particularly big breakthrough has been made in improving grip. The tire has excellent braking qualities and provides high control accuracy.
The only negative is sharp reactions in extreme situations, but thanks to good traction, it allows you to maintain control over the car. Ventus Prime 2 has good hydroplaning resistance. In terms of rolling resistance, i.e., in terms of efficiency and noise, the tire turned out to be average. The Hankook Ventus Prime 2 is a pleasant surprise in this test, the first time an Asian tire brand is in the lead.
Nokian Hakka Blue
One of the relatively recent developments of the manufacturer, the Nokian Hakka Blue model, shared the victory in the test with the product of the Korean brand in terms of total points. Hakka Blue showed exemplary grip and handling on wet pavement. Under these conditions, the new Finnish tire was the clear leader of the test.
Even gross miscalculations in piloting did not entail a complete loss of control over the car. In terms of hydroplaning resistance, Blue showed average results. Its noise level is quite low. But in terms of rolling resistance, Nokian Hakka Blue is an outsider, since this characteristic does not combine well with grip on wet pavement.
Pirelli Cinturato P7
The Pirelli Cinturato P7 tire is the best in dry pavement tests. It provides fast reactions and precise control even in extreme situations. P7 has the shortest braking distance on dry pavement.
The tire also performs well on wet pavement, showing good lap times on a winding track and handling. And only at the border of the loss of traction it behaves very sharply, which can create problems for inexperienced drivers when trying to avoid an accident. Thanks to its good traction properties, it is easy to control on dry pavement. In terms of noise level, the P7 is average, but it is quite economical. The tire offers a compromise between traction and noise.
Continental ContiPremiumContact 5
Concern Continental has updated its line of summer tires, preparing for this season the next generation of the ContiPremiumContact model, which received the number 5. The novelty turned out to be very balanced, without obvious weaknesses.
It has good traction on dry and wet pavement, while providing impeccable handling. The tire is average in terms of acoustic comfort and among the first in terms of economy (low coefficient of rolling resistance). Balanced performance has always been a testament to the quality of the tyres, even if in individual tests the traction properties were slightly lower than those of the winners.
Michelin Pilot Sport 3
The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tire makes for a relaxed driving experience. It reacts slightly slowly to steering turns, providing driving comfort. But, on the other hand, if sharp maneuvers are necessary, the helmsman's reaction speed is just not enough.
However, despite the slow response in such situations, Pilot Sport 3 within reasonable limits does not slip, but tenaciously clings to the road. The grip properties of this tire are good both on dry and wet pavement. At the same time, it is relatively quiet and has an average rolling resistance. The Pilot Sport 3 tire is a good product, no obvious flaws were found.
Goodyear Efficient Grip
EfficientGrip provides fast and precise steering responses. Thanks to this, the car is easy to drive even in extreme situations. True, the loss of traction properties in transcendental modes occurs abruptly. And not only on wet, but also on dry pavement.
The tire brakes well and has decent cornering tenacity, but it lags a bit behind the leaders. But EfficientGrip did well in the hydroplaning resistance test. The tire is quite quiet, without pronounced weak properties.
Dunlop SP Sport FastResponse
The Dunlop SP Sport FastResponse tire demonstrated good hydroplaning resistance and decent traction on various surfaces. But, unfortunately, in extreme situations on wet pavement, it behaves very abruptly, which requires the driver to make precise and accurate steering movements to maintain control over the car.
The situation is similar on dry pavement - the tire provides good handling up to a certain limit, and then suddenly quickly goes into slip. In terms of economy, the tire turned out to be an outsider, but it is quite quiet. Despite some shortcomings, this tire received a decent rating.
Barum Bravuris 2
Barum Bravuris 2 tests showed that it belongs to the category of budget tires with weaker performance than premium brand tires. Its coupling properties and the provided controllability turned out to be at a low level.
The car in these tires reacts sluggishly to relatively fast steering turns, and during extreme maneuvers it easily slips. The tire has a very calm ride, without sudden maneuvers, since in the event of a loss of grip, i.e. at the beginning of sliding, it is already difficult to do anything with the car. The Bravuris 2 has relatively low rolling resistance, but was found to be quite noisy.
Jinyu YU63
The Jinyu YU63 tire comes from China, whose tire products do not have a very good reputation. The grip on wet pavement of this tire is quite low, so it loses to many. On wet pavement there are difficulties in management.
At first glance, YU63 behaves stably, but at the limit of the loss of traction, it reacts very sharply to steering turns, after which it suddenly slips easily. On dry pavement, the Jinyu performs slightly better, with the tire providing responsiveness and handling precision, but at lower critical speeds compared to its elite competitors. In terms of noise, this tire is average, and in terms of rolling resistance, it gave odds to eminent brands.
BF Goodrich G-Grip
The biggest disappointment of the test was the BF Goodrich G-Grip tire. It has low rolling resistance, but all other characteristics are at a very low level. G-Grip has the worst grip on wet pavement. A car in these tires is more difficult to control than others in both wet and dry surfaces. I would also like better hydroplaning resistance.
During sharp maneuvers, rear axle tires can easily lose traction - both wet and dry. The experts were very disappointed that the product of such a well-known brand lost to all other tires, even Chinese ones.
Sources
Sources correspond to companies that independently compare tires based on a consistent methodology that includes as many tire quality criteria as possible, and provide unbiased test scores for a group of similar tires based on usage.
This database includes only those sources that meet these criteria. These criteria also apply for each source test.
Sources used to determine the technical performance of tires:
- Test results published in specialized publications.
- Data obtained in accordance with Regulation (EC) 1222/2009 on the labeling of tires in relation to fuel efficiency and other relevant parameters. Or Grades used in car tire labels (MOBS*) in the absence of official data.
- Data published by independent testing laboratories.
A detailed list of sources (with the exception of EU Regulation 1222/2009) used to assess the rating of each product is attached to the publication.
Grading Scheme
The final score consists of 9 benchmarks, which are supplemented by 4 other winter tire benchmarks.
The basic indicators are divided into 5 groups: 3 - for summer tires, 2 - for winter tires.
Each core indicator is given a different weight in its group based on its degree of importance in the category.
Below are the groups of indicators and their base indicators:
Calculation method
Each base indicator is evaluated according to the following principle:
- A score out of 10 points is given to the tire with the best result in a particular test.
- The score of other tires is reduced in proportion to the obtained standard deviation of the discriminant.
- All results greater than 9 times this standard deviation receive a score of 1.
If the source uses its own rating system (which is not based on a 10-point system), then linear recoding is performed.
The final baseline score will be based on the arithmetic mean of the scores obtained from the results of each test.
Note: Tests carried out by automotive magazines or specialized organizations are usually based on the most common sizes on the market. While tire performance may vary slightly by size, we have preferred to assign a score to the entire size panel of a particular tire model.
- Nokian Hakka Blue
- Pirelli Cinturato P7
- Michelin Pilot Sport 3
- Barum Bravuris 2
- Continental ContiPremiumContact 5
- Hankook Ventus Prime 2 K115
- Jinyu VU63
- Dunlop SP Sport FastResponse
- BFGoodrich g-Grip
- Goodyear Efficient Grip
Test World specializes in testing vehicles and tires. Ownership of the landfill by private individuals provides a high degree of objectivity. In total, 50 hectares of various surfaces are available for testing at the site, which are equivalent to almost 100 kilometers of roads.
To obtain reliable results, qualified Test World experts use modern equipment that allows you to accurately measure acceleration dynamics, braking distance, CO 2 emissions into the atmosphere and noise level. Test runs were carried out on Audi A3 cars. All tires participating in the test were tested in the following disciplines:
- braking from a speed of 80 km / h on wet asphalt;
- braking from a speed of 100 km / h on dry asphalt;
- resistance to aquaplaning, with a water film depth of 7 mm;
- acoustic comfort;
- economy.
According to the results of the tests, the examiners failed to determine the only leader of the entire standings. Three applicants received the same number of points at once: Hankook Ventus Prime 2 K115, Nokian Hakka Blue and Pirelli Cinturato P7. Second place was shared by Continental and Michelin tires, the rest of the tires were placed in the ranking in order of decreasing credit points.
1st place: Hankook Ventus Prime 2 K115
Tire that won first place, produced by the Hungarian tire factory. It has an asymmetric 91V tread pattern. The Hankook participating in the race is an upgraded version of the model already on sale. The changes primarily affected the technical characteristics of the tire, outwardly it did not change at all. The test leader has the best braking performance on wet surfaces, the braking distance of a car “shod” in tires is 31.3 meters. On dry pavement, the track length indicators (36.6 m) are not the best, but the tire resisted the onset of the hydroplaning effect the longest, the moment of ascent came at a speed of 98 km / h. For efficiency and acoustic comfort, Korean tires received 8 points from experts. Through testing, weaknesses of the model were also identified. She received an unsatisfactory mark for sharp breakdowns in sliding, while driving around an obstacle that unexpectedly appeared on the way.
Overall assessment of experts - 9.2 points
Tires have an asymmetric tread pattern and 94V indexes. Released in Finland, Nokian adequately defended the famous name of their brand. In almost all independent tests, experts note the very high quality of wet grip. For braking properties on wet pavement, the tires received a score of 10 points, from a speed of 80 km / h, the path length was only 31 meters. Additionally, their well-controlled handling and low noise level were also noted. The brand received a low rating for increased rolling resistance and slightly reduced hydroplaning resistance (7 points).
Overall assessment of experts - 9.2 points
The Italian tire with the 91V index has an asymmetric tread pattern and the best ratings among competitors for dry pavement behavior. Precise reactions to steering turns save the driver from constant focus on control. The shortest stopping distance (35.8 m) among the competitors participating in the test on a dry surface ensures a successful detour of an obstacle without changing the trajectory of movement. On wet roads, all indicators are clear and balanced, the behavior is predictable, which eliminates any surprises. On the test track, the tires also showed good hydroplaning resistance, with a car equipped with Pirelli tires losing traction at 95.5 km/h. Due to the low rolling resistance, motorists who choose these tires have the opportunity to save money. The noise level will not be too loud, in this sample it is quite comfortable for both the driver and the people around.
2nd place: Continental ContiPremiumContact 5
A novelty from German manufacturers with a speed load index of 91V and an asymmetric tread pattern distinguished itself in testing by the balance of all the most important characteristics for safety. With no sharp deviations in the final performance, the tires braked well on dry and wet surfaces. On wet pavement, the braking distance was 32.9 meters, and on a dry track 37.4 meters. The tires overcame obstacles without sharp slips and did not require the driver to exert effort to maintain directional stability.
Overall assessment of experts - 8.7 points
A feature of this model is a balanced ratio of safety, comfort and efficiency. Produced in Germany, the tire with an asymmetric tread pattern has the 91V indices, differs from its competitors in smooth running and reliable handling. The car, equipped with Michelin tires, clearly responds to steering commands, overcomes obstacles without unexpected slips. The braking distance on a wet track is one of the shortest, it is only 31.9 m, on a dry road the path length corresponds to the second place in the ranking (36.9 m). The tires received an average score for acoustic comfort and economy. Resistance to aquaplaning was completely lost at a speed of 94 km / h, but thanks to a clear balance in control, the car overcame flooded sections of the road without loss.
Overall assessment of experts - 8.6 points
The controlled handling of the EfficientGrip model allows the driver to safely operate the car at high speeds. The machine responds quickly and accurately to steering turns, which makes it easier to avoid unexpected obstacles. On a wet track, the braking distance did not exceed 33.3 meters, in addition, the tires turned out to be very resistant to hydroplaning, according to the results in the balls, they are in second place in the standings, they start to float at a speed of 97 km / h. The braking performance on dry surfaces is somewhat worse, the braking distance of 37.4 meters from a speed of 100 km / h, makes the driver anticipate possible complications on the road in advance and respond in time to the appearance of obstacles.
Overall assessment of experts - 8.5 points
Tires with an asymmetric tread pattern represent the second line of products of the well-known concern Goodyear, despite this, in some disciplines they have shown themselves even better than the first line tires. Their braking distance on wet pavement is 0.5 meters shorter, and on dry surfaces it is 37.3 meters, which exactly matches the result of the parent tires. In the process of passing the tests, the experts noted some difficulties in driving the car when performing maneuvers and overcoming obstacles. The very high rolling resistance contributed to the reduction of test scores.
Overall assessment of experts - 7.2 points
Not a very prestigious place in the test rating, these German tires received for pronounced shortcomings in tests for grip. A long braking distance of 38.4 meters on a dry surface completely eliminates any inaccuracies in driving. Throughout the journey, the driver requires maximum concentration and control over the management. On wet pavement, the braking properties are mediocre, in deep puddles the tires float already at a speed of 90.5 km, which is a very low figure. Barum is the only tire to get a 7 for acoustic comfort, the lowest score.
Overall assessment of experts - 6.8 points
6th place: Jinyu YU63
The country of manufacture of tires is China. Among the test participants, the Chinese models did not feel very confident. All of their characteristics were rated below average by experts. In the process of testing, the experts emphasized some inadequacy in the behavior on the track. At the beginning of the movement on a wet road, they showed excellent grip, but with the slightest turn of the steering wheel, the tires abruptly sent the car into an uncontrolled slip, which was difficult to correct. On dry pavement, the exact same problem, a slightly sharper brake application immediately required the driver to urgently align the trajectory. Presented by Chinese tires and a surprise, their rolling resistance was the lowest among all ten brands.
Overall assessment of experts - 6.2 points
Bias in the assessment of tires by Test World experts is completely excluded. All ratings are based on real test performance, and BFGoodrich tires made in Poland have the lowest ratings. Tires have very weak grip properties, both on wet and dry pavement. At 88 km / h, they completely cease to resist hydroplaning. Given all the shortcomings of a good mark for handling, these tires also did not receive. Taking into account the fact that the BFGoodrich brand is a subsidiary of the Michelin concern, the disappointment of the experts from the results of the race knew no bounds.
I am already familiar with Hankook products, so I accepted the invitation to test the Ventus S1 Evo2 (K117) model without hesitation. It is not the latest in the brand's lineup, but it is quite "respectable", claiming the highest performance. ((material_116273)) The manufacturer segments the tire as "premium", and this is his right. I believe that de facto everything is a little more modest, which, by the way, is evidenced by the market price of the Ventus S1 Evo2 - a little over 4,000 rubles. In any case, the “Korean” competes with world leaders and, according to European independent tests, does not look like a black sheep in their company. They created a tire using technologies that are used in DTM championship races. It is, in principle, understandable: Hankook has been an exclusive tire supplier for several years, and therefore understands what cars need, developing the highest possible speeds. “For 200” I did not roll out, but I “sneaked up” close to this figure more than once. I can note the good grip properties of the Ventus S1 Evo2 on the high dynamics of the car, both on dry and relatively wet surfaces. One can feel the balance of characteristics so valued by many experts: the absence of rash harshness and excessive rigidity, through which some tire manufacturers are trying to improve certain performance characteristics. ((material_122208)) Course stability and handling at high speeds are provided by 3 tread support ribs. For stability on bends, the outer part with massive blocks is responsible. Longitudinal wide channels, inside which there are stepped drains, quickly remove water from the contact patch and remove heat when the tire heats up, in contact with the asphalt surface. The sidewall has increased wear resistance. Asymmetrical tread blocks - aerodynamic shape. This allows them to be stable in the transverse direction. Once I caught myself thinking that the confident durability of the Ventus S1 Evo2 on the pavement, as it were, provokes you to increase speed and find the brink of what is permitted. This, of course, is not safe, but the fact itself ... I liked the confident grip in long corners, and as 2 bonuses to this - directional stability plus an accurate dosed reaction to my own actions. When making extreme maneuvers, the tire behaves clearly and predictably. Both on a dry surface and on a wet one - the rubber's quick reaction to the “rearrangement”. Perhaps there are some comments regarding the behavior of the tire during extreme maneuvering on wet pavement, but who, excuse me, flies headlong, seeing how the roadway “shines” after rain? Improved traction on dry and wet surfaces is largely due to the silicon compound, which behaves resistant to abrasion. Plus, as the manufacturer promises, uniform tire wear. It will be possible to check this only after a couple of seasons, so far I am content with the assurances of Hankook. ((gallery_1140)) Koreans, by the way, focus on such an indicator as high environmental friendliness, provided by a low rolling resistance coefficient and an optimal profile. Probably, for someone this "side of the moon" is important, but I'm not sure that our consumer will put it at the forefront. Much more important for all of us is the characteristic of noise. If we evaluate it soberly in relation to the Ventus S1 Evo2, then I would refrain from hasty “oohs and aahs”. The same sister tire Kinergy Eco (K425), which was in an editorial test a couple of years ago (see sidebar), in my subjective opinion, is quieter. ((material_122916)) Please understand correctly: I do not pretend to be peremptory in my judgment, because everything in the world is debatable, not only “taste and color”. But that's my verdict. At the same time, I did not say that everything is very “foggy” in terms of noise. Not at all. If you drive on a gravel road, the most expensive models of eminent competitors will rumble. On smooth pavement, Hankook quite protects the eardrums of those sitting inside the car, and therefore the Ventus S1 Evo2 deserves a solid "four" in full. Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 Features Multi Tread Radius Technology. Thanks to her, the Koreans managed to make the shape of the contact patch almost rectangular. This led to increased grip of the tire with asphalt and stability of control over the car, especially moving at high speed. Design of tread blocks. The tire is made of a 3-layer construction, due to which the contact patch increases during sharp maneuvering - this is nothing more than a guarantee of reliable control. The composition of the rubber compound. The tire has a composition that is distinguished by the latest generation of silicon-containing components. Their main task is to optimize communication between other components. Thus, it was possible to increase the strength of the tire, wear resistance and reduce rolling resistance. Drainage system. The tire tread is equipped with deep grooves that effectively and quickly drain water from the contact patch, ensuring a constant reliable connection of the car with the road surface. Shoulder zones. Being quite massive, they are able to prevent dangerous sliding of the car, especially when entering a turn. Asymmetric non-directional tread pattern. Provides reliable grip, as well as active tire maneuvering and instant response to any steering wheel command.
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 is a medium-class summer tire with an asymmetric tread pattern for small and medium-sized passenger cars.
Country of manufacture: China, Korea, Hungary.
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 test by Swedish Vi Bilägare in 2017
In 2017 experts of the Swedish publication Vi Bilägare have tested Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 at size 205/55 R16 and compared it with seven mid-range and premium summer tyres.
Test results
According to the results of the Hankook K125 Ventus Prime 3 test, it took fifth place in the overall standings and showed an imbalance in performance: the tire performed well on dry pavement, but showed one of the weakest results on wet pavement.
| Discipline | Place | A comment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braking on dry pavement | 3 | The braking distance is 1.6 meters longer than that of the test leader. | |
| Handling on dry pavement | 1 | Best result. The course time is 0.1 sec less than the tire in second place. | |
| Braking on wet pavement | 7 | The braking distance is 7.6 meters longer than that of the test leader. | |
| Handling on wet pavement | 5 | The time of passing the route is 2.98 seconds more than that of the leader of the test. | |
| Hydroplaning resistance | 6 | The ascent speed of the car occurs at a speed of 4.5 km / h less than that of the test leader. | |
| Lateral stability on wet pavement | 8 | The lap time is 0.54 seconds longer than the test leader. | |
 | economy | 6 | Fuel consumption is 0.2 l/100 km more than the test leader. |
Feedback from experts who conducted the test:
The tire is comfortable and provides high resistance to aquaplaning. On dry pavement, it effectively slows down and showed better handling. On wet surfaces, there is poor lateral stability, a long braking distance and a tendency to skid (however, the tire quickly stabilizes). High fuel efficiency.
List of tires tested:
