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AvD

Summer tyre test 215/55 R17 - AvD 2026

Summer Conducted by AvD (Automobilclub von Deutschland) in cooperation with technical service provider Tempotire (Henning Klipp). Specific track location not mentioned in the article.
2026
Year
15
Tyres
VW T-Roc
Test Vehicle
vwVW T-Roc
Tested tyres
15
article

AVD Summer Tyre Test 2026 (215/55 R17): Pirelli Cinturato Dominates, Two Budget Tyres Fail

The German automobile club AVD (Automobilclub von Deutschland) has released its 2026 summer tyre test, evaluating 15 tyres in the popular 215/55 R17 size on a VW T-Roc. The tyres were tested across 13 disciplines covering dry performance, wet safety, aquaplaning, comfort, noise, and economy. AVD uses a star-based rating system (1.0 = worst, 5.0 = best) with a final recommendation verdict.

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Price vs Quality

See how tyre price relates to test performance at a glance

Results

Agenda:
Best value in test
Better than average value
Worse than average value
Worst value in test

Pirelli Cinturato C3 leads dry braking with a score of 4.7 (#1/15), closely followed by Continental UltraContact NXT, BF Goodrich Advantage 2, and Falken ZIEX ZE320 all at 4.5. The Autogreen Smart Chaser SC1 is the worst at 3.2 — a full 1.5 points below the leader, with the Sunfull SF-888 and Nexen N'Fera Primus also scoring a weak 3.9.

1
Pirelli Cinturato (C3)
Pirelli

Pirelli Cinturato (C3)

Rating: Highly recommended
£121
98 W
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
Wet4.72
Dry4.59
Enviromental impact4.36
Rolling resistance3.9
Noise4.2
Wet
Aquaplaning Cross#1/15
Wet Braking#1/15
Wet Handling#1/15
Wet Handling Measured#1/15
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/15
Dry
Dry Braking#1/15
Dry Handling Measured#1/15
Dry Handling#3/15
Economy
Mileage#3/15
Rolling Resistance#12/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#10/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 4.59 · 1/15
  • Best discipline position: Cornering aquaplaning (1/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Rolling resistance (12/15)

Pirelli Cinturato C3 dominates wet braking with a score of 4.8 (#1/15), while the Autogreen Smart Chaser SC1 scores a dangerous 1.0 (#15/15) — the maximum possible gap in this test field. The Sunfull SF-888 is nearly as alarming at 2.0 (#14/15). Both budget tyres are rated 'not recommended' specifically because of these safety-critical wet braking deficiencies, which the article explicitly flags as dangerously long stopping distances.

2
Continental UltraContact NXT
Continental

Continental UltraContact NXT

Rating: Highly recommended
£149
98 W
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
Wet4.43
Dry4.53
Enviromental impact4.67
Rolling resistance4.8
Noise4.6
Wet
Wet Braking#3/15
Wet Handling#3/15
Wet Handling Measured#3/15
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#12/15
Aquaplaning Cross#14/15
Dry
Dry Braking#2/15
Dry Handling#2/15
Dry Handling Measured#3/15
Economy
Rolling Resistance#1/15
Mileage#3/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#1/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 4.51 · 2/15
  • Best discipline position: Exterior noise (1/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Cornering aquaplaning (14/15)

The Falken ZIEX ZE320 achieves the joint-best aquaplaning scores in the entire test (4.5 cross, 4.4 longitudinal — both #1 or tied #1), yet finishes only 5th overall due to weaker rolling resistance (3.9, #12/15) and mileage (4.0, #12/15) pulling down its economy score.

Wet4.55
Dry4.31
Enviromental impact4.76
Rolling resistance4.4
Noise4.4
Summary
  • Published overall result: 4.49 · 3/15

Continental UltraContact NXT scores #1 in rolling resistance (4.8), fuel consumption (4.7), and exterior noise (4.6) — making it the most well-rounded eco-performer in the test, which earned it the AvD 'Greenovation' award alongside Goodyear and Bridgestone.

Wet4.37
Dry4.46
Enviromental impact4.60
Rolling resistance4.6
Noise4.4
Wet
Aquaplaning Cross#3/15
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/15
Wet Braking#3/15
Wet Handling Measured#4/15
Wet Handling#10/15
Dry
Dry Handling#1/15
Dry Handling Measured#1/15
Dry Braking#8/15
Economy
Rolling Resistance#2/15
Mileage#3/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#5/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 4.45 · 4/15
  • Best discipline position: Dry handling (1/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Wet handling (10/15)

The Linglong Sport Master surprises with joint-best aquaplaning longitudinal score (4.4, tied #1) and strong wet braking (4.5, tied #3), yet finishes 12th overall due to the worst rolling resistance (3.2, #15/15) and worst mileage (3.6, #15/15) — strong safety but poor economy.

5
Falken ZIEX ZE320
Falken

Falken ZIEX ZE320

Rating: Highly recommended
Wet4.51
Dry4.46
Enviromental impact4.00
Rolling resistance3.9
Noise4.5
Wet
Aquaplaning Cross#1/15
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#1/15
Wet Braking#2/15
Wet Handling#3/15
Wet Handling Measured#4/15
Dry
Dry Braking#2/15
Dry Handling#3/15
Dry Handling Measured#5/15
Economy
Mileage#12/15
Rolling Resistance#12/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#2/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 4.38 · 5/15
  • Best discipline position: Cornering aquaplaning (1/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Rolling resistance (12/15)

Michelin Primacy 5 scores #1 in dry handling (4.7) but only ranks 8th in wet braking (4.5, #3) and 10th in wet handling (4.2, #10) — a notably unbalanced profile for a premium tyre, with wet handling being a relative weak spot despite strong overall ranking.

6
Bridgestone Turanza 6
Bridgestone

Bridgestone Turanza 6

Rating: Highly recommended
Wet4.39
Dry4.20
Enviromental impact4.66
Rolling resistance4.6
Noise4.2
Wet
Aquaplaning Cross#3/15
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/15
Wet Handling Measured#4/15
Wet Handling#5/15
Wet Braking#7/15
Dry
Dry Handling Measured#6/15
Dry Handling#7/15
Dry Braking#10/15
Economy
Mileage#2/15
Rolling Resistance#2/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#10/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 4.37 · 6/15
  • Best discipline position: Comfort (1/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Exterior noise (10/15)

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 achieves the highest mileage score in the entire test (5.0, #1/15) — a perfect score — while also scoring #1 in wet handling measured (4.7) and finishing 3rd overall, making it arguably the best long-term value in the premium segment.

7
Toyo Proxes Comfort
Toyo

Toyo Proxes Comfort

Rating: Highly recommended
Wet4.29
Dry4.28
Enviromental impact4.37
Rolling resistance4.1
Noise4.5
Wet
Aquaplaning Cross#3/15
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/15
Wet Handling Measured#4/15
Wet Handling#8/15
Wet Braking#10/15
Dry
Dry Braking#5/15
Dry Handling Measured#9/15
Dry Handling#10/15
Economy
Mileage#6/15
Rolling Resistance#11/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#2/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 4.3 · 7/15
  • Best discipline position: Exterior noise (2/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Rolling resistance (11/15)
Wet4.39
Dry4.19
Enviromental impact4.30
Rolling resistance4.3
Noise4.2
Wet
Aquaplaning Cross#3/15
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/15
Wet Handling Measured#4/15
Wet Handling#5/15
Wet Braking#7/15
Dry
Dry Handling Measured#6/15
Dry Handling#7/15
Dry Braking#10/15
Economy
Rolling Resistance#7/15
Mileage#11/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#10/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 4.29 · 8/15
  • Best discipline position: Cornering aquaplaning (3/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Mileage (11/15)

The AvD introduced a new 'Greenovation' sustainability award for the first time in this test, recognising Goodyear (best mileage), Continental (65% recycled/renewable materials), and Bridgestone Turanza 6 (lightweight construction) — reflecting growing weight given to environmental criteria.

9
Maxxis Premitra HP6
Maxxis

Maxxis Premitra HP6

Rating: Recommended
Wet4.25
Dry4.21
Enviromental impact4.36
Rolling resistance4.3
Noise4.1
Wet
Wet Handling Measured#4/15
Wet Handling#8/15
Wet Braking#10/15
Aquaplaning Cross#12/15
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#12/15
Dry
Dry Handling#5/15
Dry Handling Measured#6/15
Dry Braking#10/15
Economy
Rolling Resistance#7/15
Mileage#8/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#14/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 4.25 · 9/15
  • Best discipline position: Wet handling - objective (4/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Exterior noise (14/15)

Safety warning: The Autogreen Smart Chaser SC1 and Sunfull SF-888 are explicitly 'not recommended' — their wet braking scores (1.0 and 2.0 respectively) are dangerously below the field average of ~4.3, representing a serious safety risk in real-world rain conditions.

10
Vredestein Ultrac+
Vredestein

Vredestein Ultrac+

Rating: Recommended
Wet4.30
Dry4.25
Enviromental impact4.08
Rolling resistance4.3
Noise4.4
Wet
Aquaplaning Cross#3/15
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/15
Wet Handling#5/15
Wet Braking#10/15
Wet Handling Measured#10/15
Dry
Dry Handling#5/15
Dry Braking#8/15
Dry Handling Measured#9/15
Economy
Rolling Resistance#7/15
Mileage#13/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#5/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 4.23 · 10/15
  • Best discipline position: Cornering aquaplaning (3/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Mileage (13/15)

Pirelli Cinturato C3 is the overall winner and the most complete performer: #1 in dry braking, wet braking, and wet handling, with top-tier aquaplaning scores — the only tyre to genuinely dominate across all safety-critical wet and dry disciplines simultaneously.

Wet4.16
Dry4.22
Enviromental impact4.39
Rolling resistance4.4
Noise4.3
Wet
Aquaplaning Cross#3/15
Wet Braking#7/15
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#11/15
Wet Handling#13/15
Wet Handling Measured#13/15
Dry
Dry Braking#2/15
Dry Handling Measured#9/15
Dry Handling#11/15
Economy
Rolling Resistance#4/15
Mileage#8/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#9/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 4.23 · 11/15
  • Best discipline position: Comfort (1/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Wet handling - objective (13/15)

Best value award goes to Maxxis Premitra HP6, explicitly highlighted by AvD for offering convincing safety reserves at €375 — finishing 9th overall with consistently good scores across all categories, significantly cheaper than premium rivals like Continental (€635).

12
Linglong Sport Master
Linglong

Linglong Sport Master

Rating: Conditionally recommended
Wet4.31
Dry4.16
Enviromental impact3.51
Rolling resistance3.2
Noise4.4
Wet
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#1/15
Aquaplaning Cross#3/15
Wet Braking#3/15
Wet Handling#11/15
Wet Handling Measured#11/15
Dry
Dry Braking#5/15
Dry Handling Measured#9/15
Dry Handling#11/15
Economy
Mileage#15/15
Rolling Resistance#15/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#5/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 4.09 · 12/15
  • Best discipline position: Longitudinal aquaplaning (1/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Rolling resistance (15/15)

Eight of 15 tyres (over half) rated 'very good', confirming the high overall quality level among mainstream and premium brands in this size — but the bottom two budget entrants pull the average down sharply, underlining the risk of choosing on price alone.

13
Nexen N'Fera Primus (SU1 Plus)
Nexen

Nexen N'Fera Primus (SU1 Plus)

Rating: Conditionally recommended
Wet4.09
Dry3.84
Enviromental impact4.05
Rolling resistance4.4
Noise4.5
Wet
Aquaplaning Cross#3/15
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/15
Wet Handling Measured#11/15
Wet Handling#12/15
Wet Braking#13/15
Dry
Dry Braking#13/15
Dry Handling#13/15
Dry Handling Measured#13/15
Economy
Rolling Resistance#4/15
Mileage#14/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#2/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 3.98 · 13/15
  • Best discipline position: Exterior noise (2/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Mileage (14/15)

Continental UltraContact NXT (€635, ranked 2nd) is the eco and efficiency leader: #1 in rolling resistance, fuel consumption, and noise — ideal for high-mileage drivers and EV users who prioritise running costs and refinement over outright wet performance.

14
Sunfull SF-888
Sunfull

Sunfull SF-888

Rating: Not recommended
Wet3.15
Dry3.74
Enviromental impact4.03
Rolling resistance3.3
Noise4.2
Wet
Aquaplaning Cross#12/15
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#12/15
Wet Braking#14/15
Wet Handling#14/15
Wet Handling Measured#14/15
Dry
Dry Braking#13/15
Dry Handling#14/15
Dry Handling Measured#14/15
Economy
Mileage#8/15
Rolling Resistance#14/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#10/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 3.56 · 14/15
  • Best discipline position: Mileage (8/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Wet handling - objective (14/15)

Falken ZIEX ZE320 is a standout value-performance surprise: finishing 5th overall with the best aquaplaning resistance in the test and top-tier wet braking (4.6, #2/15) and wet handling (4.5, #3/15), likely at a lower price than the premium brands it outperforms in those categories.

15
Autogreen

Autogreen Smart Chaser SC1

Rating: Not recommended
Wet2.52
Dry2.80
Enviromental impact4.44
Rolling resistance4.3
Noise4.0
Wet
Aquaplaning Cross#15/15
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#15/15
Wet Braking#15/15
Wet Handling#15/15
Wet Handling Measured#15/15
Dry
Dry Braking#15/15
Dry Handling#15/15
Dry Handling Measured#15/15
Economy
Mileage#6/15
Rolling Resistance#7/15
Comfort
Noise Exterior#15/15
Summary
  • Published overall result: 3.01 · 15/15
  • Best discipline position: Mileage (6/15)
  • Lowest discipline position: Wet handling - objective (15/15)

Detailed results

Same size tyres not featured in the test

Tests usually don't cover the whole market - here is our selection what not to miss when shopping for tyres in this size.

#NamePrice
1£133
94 V
+1 More
2£99
94 V
+1 More
3
hankookPremium
Hankook iON evo
93%
£129
98 Y
4£129
98 Y
5£113
94 V
+7 More
6£141
98 Y
7£152
94 V
8
kumhoUpper-middle
Kumho Ecsta PS71
86%
£95
94 W
+2 More
9
nokianUpper-middle
Nokian Powerproof 2
84%
£113
0 W
10
firestoneUpper-middle
Firestone Roadhawk 2
83%
£109
94 W
+1 More
11£127
94 V
+1 More
12£119
94 V
+5 More
13£120
94 V
+2 More
14£102
94 Y
+1 More
15£114
94 V
+18 More
16
kumhoUpper-middle
Kumho Ecsta HS52
76%
£83
98 W
+1 More
17
18
cooperUpper-middle
Cooper Summer
76%
£98
94 W
+1 More
19£90
94 V
20£85
94 V
+1 More
21£86
94 V
+2 More
22£108
23£128
94 V
+1 More
24
bfgoodrichUpper-middle
BFGoodrich Advantage
70%
25£115
94 V
+1 More
26
uniroyalUpper-middle
Uniroyal RainSport 5
69%
£100
94 V
+2 More
27
toyoUpper-middle
Toyo Proxes Sport 2
67%
£102 +1 More
28£166
94 V
+3 More
29
nokianUpper-middle
Nokian Wetproof
66%
30£83
98 W
+1 More
31£93
98 Y
+1 More
32£92
94 V
33
firestoneUpper-middle
Firestone Roadhawk
60%
34£134
94 V
+1 More
35
kleberUpper-middle
Kleber Dynaxer HP5
56%
£104 +3 More
36£91
94 V
+1 More
37
38£80
98 W
+1 More
39£109
94 V
+10 More
40
41
pirelliPremium
Pirelli Powergy
48%
£180
94 V
+1 More
42
delinteBudget
Delinte DS2
46%
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
cooperUpper-middle
Cooper Zeon CS8
38%
£88
0 W
+5 More
50
51£81
94 V
+2 More
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63

Cars with 215/55 R17 tyres

Insignia 2020
Insignia
2020
Puma 2020
Puma
2020
Niro 2019
Niro
2019
Superb 2019
Superb
2019
Soul 2019
Soul
2019
ES 2019
ES
2019
Vitara 2018
Vitara
2018
HR-V 2018
HR-V
2018
+11
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