255/45 R18 - Best summer tyres 2026 - market overview, tests, reviews

Great price for a premium tyre

Ventus Evo

255/45 R18 103 Y

£121

Lowest price among well rated tyres.

Ecsta Sport (PS72)

255/45 R18 103 Y

£116

POTENZA SPORT EVO

255/45 R18 103 Y

£154

Best price in last 6 months

Ecsta Sport (PS72)

255/45 R18 103 Y .

£121

Premiumcontact 7

255/45 R18 103 Y

£173

Roadhawk 2

255/45 R18 103 Y

£117

Ultrac Pro

255/45 R18 103 Y

£150

Best price in last 6 months

Summer

255/45 R18 99 Y .

£124

Best tyres in tests (2026)

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1

Premium

Potenza Sport Evo

'26#1

'26#2

'26#2

9.3

Price from

£154

Price from£154

Expert summary

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo is the successor to the multi-award-winning Potenza Sport, featuring ENLITEN Technology for enhanced performance. It delivers 5% shorter wet braking, 2% shorter dry braking, and 15% greater mileage compared to its predecessor, while achieving EU label A-grade wet grip.

Performance

Handling on gravel

100%

Wet circle cornering

96%

Dry lane changing

95%

+13

Gravel traction

38%

Sand traction

38%

Exterior noise

35%

Test results

2026205/45 R17#1(Outstanding)

2026235/35 R19#2(Highly recommended)

2026255/35 R19#2(Exemplary)

2026255/45 R19#2(Exemplary)

2026225/40 R18#3(Highly recommended)

2026245/45 R19#11(Good)

2026245/45 R19#11(-)

Price variants (1)

255/45 R18 103 Y

A C 72dB

£154

mytyres.co.uk

£154

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£175

In stock · Free shipping

2

Premium

Potenza Sport

'25#1

'25#2

8.7

Price from

£186

Price from£186

Expert summary

We really like the new Potenza Sport, as it’s more sporty and dynamic than the usual tyre in this category, but still perfectly usable and safe for everyday driving, which makes it unique. It’s rolling resistance, mileage and overall comfort are also on a good level, except for a slighty higher noise.

Performance

Mud traction

100%

Handling on gravel

100%

Wet safety

100%

+20

Exterior noise

30%

Rolling resistance

21%

Wear

0%

Test results

2025225/40 R18#1(Very good)

2025225/40 R18#1(-)

2025225/40 R18#2(Good)

2025225/45 R18#3(Highly recommended)

2025225/40 R18#3(Exemplary)

2025225/40 R18#6(-)

2024225/55 R17#1(Exemplary)

2024235/55 R19#3(Good)

2024265/35 R19#4(Good)

2023225/40 R18#2(Outstanding)

Price variants (2)

255/45 R18 103 Y £189

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£189

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£226

In stock · Free shipping

255/45 R18 103 Y

A C 72dB

£186

mytyres.co.uk

£186

In stock · Free shipping

theTire Lab.comRecommended#5 Summer tires 2026

3

Premium

PremiumContact 7

'26#1

9.8

Price from

£173

Price from£173

Expert summary

Continental did it again with the PremiumContact 7. It’s an incredibly well balanced tire with just the right wet and dry grip and above average mileage. Since it’s launch in 2023 it got nothing but the best results in the tests, the only downside being it’s premium price.

Recommended

#5

2026

Performance

Wet side guide

100%

Wet safety

100%

Safety

100%

+15

Wear

60%

Rolling resistance

53%

Exterior noise

41%

Test results

2026205/55 R16#1(Highly recommended)

2026235/45 R18#1(Highly recommended)

2026235/55 R18#1(Good)

2026225/50 R17#1(Good)

2026225/45 R17#1(Test winner)

2026205/55 R16#2(Highly recommended)

2026205/45 R17#4(Very good)

2026245/45 R19#6(-)

2026245/45 R19#6(Good)

2025225/50 R17#1(Test winner)

Price variants (1)

255/45 R18 103 Y

A C 72dB

£173

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£173

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£180

In stock · Free shipping

theTire Lab.comRecommended#4 Summer tires 2026

4

Premium

Ventus Evo

'26#1

'26#2

9.9

Price from

£120

Price from£120

Expert summary

Hankook tyres are getting better with every new generation and the Ventus Evo is the latest evolution. It aims for the stars with excellent dry and wet handling, best-in-test wet braking and top aquaplaning speed, while producing very low exterior noise. The only notable weakness is higher rolling resistance. Still, it is a premium tyre for slightly less than a premium price.

Recommended

#4

2026

Performance

Grass traction

100%

Gravel traction

100%

Wet circle cornering

100%

+12

Handling on gravel

50%

Price/value

50%

Sand traction

25%

Test results

2026245/45 R19#1(Exemplary)

2026255/45 R19#1(Exemplary (test winner))

2026245/45 R19#2(-)

2026225/45 R17#3(Highly recommended)

2025225/40 R18#3(-)

2025225/40 R18#5(Exemplary)

Price variants (3)

255/45 R18 103 Y

A C 71dB

£120

mytyres.co.uk

£120

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£144

In stock · Free shipping

theTire Lab.comRecommended#13 Summer tires 2026

5

Premium

Pilot Sport 5

'26#3

'26#5

'26#9

9.4

Price from

£188

Price from£188

Expert summary

The Pilot Sport range from Michelin is now almost legendary, with the Cup variants being the fastest road legal tyres available. But the ‚ordinary‘ Pilot Sport 5 not as spory as it’s name suggest - it’s incredibly well balanced, with the priority being low rolling resistance and high mileage over sporty handling. It’s still a Michelin tire, so higher price is to be expected.

Recommended

#13

2026

Performance

Wear

100%

Mileage

97%

Dry steering response

88%

+13

Safety

50%

Wet handling - objective

49%

Exterior noise

29%

Test results

2026245/45 R19#3(Exemplary)

2026205/45 R17#5(Good)

2026245/45 R19#9(-)

2025225/40 R18#2(-)

2025225/40 R18#2(Exemplary)

2025225/40 R18#3(Good)

2025225/45 R18#4(Highly recommended)

2025225/40 R18#4(Good)

2024215/40 R18#2(Very good)

2023225/45 R18#2(Outstanding)

Price variants (1)

255/45 R18 103 Y mfs XL

A C 72dB

£188

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£188

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£219

In stock · Free shipping

6

Premium

Primacy 5

'26#3

'26#4

8.6

Price from

£182

Price from£182

Expert summary

The previous model was already a good, economy-focused model and the Primacy 5 is expected to take it even further with 18% better mileage. But Michelin said also the wet performance is improved, which is something we are looking forward to see in the tests.

Performance

Rolling resistance

94%

Mileage

86%

Dry steering response

86%

+11

Dry lane changing

43%

Dry braking

41%

Wet side guide

29%

Test results

2026195/55 R16#3(Good)

2026215/55 R17#4(Highly recommended)

2026235/55 R18#4(Good)

2026205/55 R16#6(Recommended)

2026225/45 R17#6(Recommended)

2026235/45 R18#6(Recommended)

2026225/50 R17#7(Satisfactory)

2025225/45 R17#1(Test winner)

Price variants (2)

255/45 R18 99 Y

A B 70dB

£194

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£194

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£202

In stock · Free shipping

255/45 R18 99 W

A B 70dB

£182

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£182

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£189

In stock · Free shipping

7

Upper-middle

Ecsta Sport (PS72)

'26#4

'26#6

8.7

Price from

£111

Price from£111

Expert summary

A solid all-rounder at a fair price. The Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 blends dry and wet grip with sporty, predictable steering and offers no dramatic weaknesses. Aquaplaning resistance and comfort are its weaker spots, but you're getting upper-middle performance for less than you'd expect.

Performance

Dry lane changing

89%

Gravel traction

88%

Sand traction

88%

+12

Exterior noise

39%

Dry handling

39%

Aquaplaning - cross

33%

Test results

2026225/45 R17#4(Recommended)

2026245/45 R19#4(-)

2026245/45 R19#6(Good)

2026255/45 R19#6(Good)

2026225/40 R18#7(Recommended)

2025225/40 R18#1(Very good)

Price variants (2)

255/45 R18 103 Y

A C 71dB

£111

mytyres.co.uk

£111

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£143

In stock · Free shipping

255/45 R18 103 Y

A C 71dB

£121

mytyres.co.uk

£121

In stock · Free shipping

8

Upper-middle

Roadhawk 2

'26#3

'26#4

8.3

Price from

£117

Price from£117

Expert summary

Firestone, the affordable brand belonging to the Bridgestone group, has a fresh addition to their lineup - the Roadhawk 2. And it seems like it’s set off for success - it offers the Bridgestone’s ENLITEN technology, which makes the rolling resistance and mileage exceptional for a budget tyre and it combines it with safe behavior on wet and dry.

Performance

Interior noise

100%

Wet side guide

86%

Aquaplaning - cross

79%

+14

Dry steering response

23%

Exterior noise

10%

Mileage

0%

Test results

2026205/55 R16#3(Highly recommended)

2026205/55 R16#3(Recommended)

2026225/50 R17#4(Satisfactory)

2026235/45 R18#4(Recommended)

2026195/55 R16#5(Good)

2026205/45 R17#7(Sufficient)

2025215/55 R18#6(Satisfactory)

2025225/50 R17#6(Satisfactory)

2024225/45 R17#5(Highly recommended)

Price variants (1)

255/45 R18 103 Y

A B 71dB

£117

mytyres.co.uk

£117

In stock · Free shipping

9

Premium

Turanza 6

'26#4

'26#5

'26#5

8.1

Price from

£180

Price from£180

Expert summary

The Turanza 6 is quite a new addition to Bridgestone’s lineup, being introduced in 2023. Featuring the new ENLITEN technology, it should be lighter and have positive effect on fuel efficiency. In the tests, the efficiency is confirmed alongside with higher mileage. That being said, it somehow lacks the performance of other premium tyres, so we would recommend it only when the price is lower.

Performance

Interior noise

93%

Gravel traction

93%

Rolling resistance

89%

+19

Price/value

26%

Grass traction

26%

Safety

13%

Test results

2026225/45 R17#4(Recommended)

2026235/55 R18#5(Good)

2026235/55 R18#5(Recommended)

2026215/55 R17#6(Highly recommended)

2026225/50 R17#6(Satisfactory)

2025215/55 R17#3(Very good)

2025225/45 R17#4(-)

2025255/55 R18#7(-)

2024205/55 R16#3(Exemplary)

2024235/55 R18#4(Good)

Price variants (1)

255/45 R18 103 Y

A B 71dB

£180

mytyres.co.uk

£180

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£180

In stock · Free shipping

10

Premium

Turanza T005

'25#4

'24#3

'23#3

8.8

Price from

£170

Price from£170

Expert summary

The Turanza T005 was introduced in 2018, but still stands as a great tyre, offered in incredible 350 different sizes. It’s universal also in it’s properties - it’s a balanced mix of wet and dry performance with above-average rolling resistance.

Performance

Rolling resistance

95%

Dry driving behavior

84%

Wet handling - objective

83%

+21

Price/value

29%

Exterior noise

25%

Grass traction

11%

Test results

2025205/55 R16#4(Recommended)

2024215/40 R18#3(Very good)

2023205/55 R16#3(-)

2023205/55 R16#3(Highly recommended)

2023205/55 R16#4(Good)

2022215/55 R17#1(-)

2022215/55 R17#1(Highly recommended)

2022245/45 R19#2(Very good)

2022185/65 R15#2(Good)

2022215/60 R16#3(Good)

Price variants (2)

255/45 R18 103 H

A A 73dB

£170

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£170

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£174

In stock · Free shipping

11

Premium

Ventus S1 evo3 K127

'25#4

'24#3

'23#1

8.1

Price from

£156

Price from£156

Expert summary

Hankook Ventus tyres are designed to offer a very sporty experience for affordable price, which is also the case for evo3. It’s also safe on wet and got short braking distances, the only drawback being lower mileage.

Performance

Fuel efficiency

87%

Wet safety

75%

Wet braking

75%

+17

Aquaplaning - cross

24%

Dry handling - objective

11%

Dry steering response

11%

Test results

2025225/40 R18#4(Good)

2024225/45 R17#3(-)

2023225/45 R18#1(-)

2023225/40 R18#4(Recommended)

2023225/40 R18#6(Good)

2023225/45 R18#7(Highly recommended)

2023225/45 R18#12(Satisfactory)

2022245/45 R19#3(Very good)

2022225/45 R17#3(Recommended)

2022245/40 R19#3(Exemplary)

Price variants (2)

255/45 R18 103 Y

A C 73dB

£156

mytyres.co.uk

£156

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£160

In stock · Free shipping

255/45 R18 103 Y

A A 69dB

£173

mytyres.co.uk

£173

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£187

In stock · Free shipping

12

Upper-middle

Azenis FK520

'26#3

'26#4

'26#8

8.0

Price from

£126

Price from£126

Expert summary

One of the cheaper tyres that can be recommended as it hasn't failed a single test and is often rated as a economical choice. It's surprisingly quiet, so if you are looking for a good and comfortable tyre, Azenis FK520 could be a tyre for you.

Performance

Price/value

95%

Exterior noise

84%

Mileage

82%

+18

Gravel traction

35%

Wet handling

32%

Interior noise

17%

Test results

2026205/45 R17#3(Very good)

2026225/40 R18#4(Highly recommended)

2026255/45 R19#8(Satisfactory)

2026245/45 R19#13(Good)

2026245/45 R19#14(-)

2025255/55 R18#2(Exemplary)

2025225/40 R18#5(Recommended)

2025225/40 R18#8(Good)

2025225/45 R18#8(-)

2024235/55 R18#7(Good)

Price variants (1)

255/45 R18 103 Y £126

mytyres.co.uk

£126

In stock · Free shipping

13

Upper-middle

Ecsta PS71

'25#4

'25#6

'25#13

8.6

Price from

£140

Price from£140

Expert summary

The Kumho Ecsta PS71 has been around for a while and keeps showing up well in tests. Strong aquaplaning resistance, short braking distances, and balanced handling across conditions make it a dependable choice. Comfort and noise are where it compromises.

Performance

Aquaplaning - longitudal

91%

Sand traction

90%

Aquaplaning - cross

87%

+17

Dry driving behavior

28%

Exterior noise

27%

Interior noise

23%

Test results

2025225/40 R18#4(-)

2025225/40 R18#6(Exemplary)

2025225/40 R18#13(Satisfactory)

2023225/45 R18#5(Good)

2023225/45 R18#7(Highly recommended)

2023225/45 R18#12(-)

2022255/35 R19#6(-)

2021225/50 R17#3(Good)

Price variants (1)

255/45 R18 103 Y

A C 71dB

£140

mytyres.co.uk

£140

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£159

In stock · Free shipping