Best car tyres 2024: evo performance tyre test
Want to fit the very best tyres to your performance car? The annual evo Tyre Test identifies the cream of the current crop
The evo tyre test is back for 2024, and while it has a new look, it’s as thorough as ever. Combining objective test results with subjective assessment of each tyre’s qualities, the results are presented in a way that we believe makes the information easier to find and digest. The scoring remains as it was, including its weighting towards wet performance because you’re more likely to find the limit of a tyre on slippery roads.
The subject of this year’s test is the popular 235/35 R19. The field includes the top three from our previous test of this size, in 2022: the winning Bridgestone Potenza Sport, second-placed Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport and third-placed Pirelli P Zero. However, in such a competitive sector of the market tyre makers keep evolving their offerings, so the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, Continental SportContact 7 and Falken Azenis FK520 can’t be discounted, and nor can the new Vredestein Ultrac Pro, which competes in this important size for the first time.
The car
A car with communicative, adjustable handling and good feedback is important for our tests given the value we attach to subjective assessment, so while a Golf Mk8 was used for the objective tests, we used a more tactile Mk7 Golf GTI for the handling tests and the road route. This example was usefully fitted with super-supportive bucket race seats, all the better to feel what was going on at the tread blocks.
The track
Since our last visit, some major features of Goodyear’s photogenic Mireval Proving Ground, near Montpellier in the south of France, have been refurbished, most notably the dry handling circuit. This former racetrack has been totally relaid with fresh asphalt, while the abrupt chicane at the end of the start straight has been reprofiled to make it flow and is an added challenge.
The tests
The most significant wet tests are straight-line wet braking and laps of the demanding wet handling circuit. The weir-fed circuit is just over a mile in length, wetted to 8mm, and tackled mostly in third gear, the exception being a tight hairpin taken in second, which properly tests traction. There are gentle sweeps taken at speed, testing transient stability, and a mix of uphill and downhill corners challenging turn-in and dynamic balance. Grip, precision and calm adjustability are key to a good lap time and each tyre’s feel and feedback contribute to its subjective rating.
Straight-line wet braking is tested from 80 to 1kph (50 to 1mph) and is the average of multiple runs with outlying results discounted. Similarly, wet cornering is an average of lap times around a 35m, wetted circle. There are two aquaplaning tests. The straight-line test measures the speed at which the wheel running in 7mm of water exceeds the speed of the dry-running wheel by 15 per cent. In the curved test, it’s the speed at which maximum lateral g occurs while tackling a 100m radius corner in 8mm of water.
Straight-line dry braking is from 100 to 1kph (62 to 1mph) and again is an average with outlier runs discounted. Dry handling is around the 3.3km (2-mile) ex-racetrack. It features a tricky downhill, double-apex right and a technical series of turns on the uphill section. As well as lap time, each tyre’s subjective characteristics – steering precision, traction and lateral grip, along with handling balance and stability under braking – are also rated.
We also subjectively assess each tyre’s road noise and ride comfort over a short road loop that includes a variety of surfaces and features, including lateral ridges and drain covers. Meanwhile an industry-standard test of rolling resistance gives us a more accurate figure than the EU label; a four or five per cent increase in rolling resistance is equivalent to a one per cent drop in economy.
Prices shown are sourced from Blackcircles at the time of writing, not including fitting.
Calculating a winner
In each test, the best-performing tyre scores 100 per cent and the scores of the other tyres are calculated relative to this. Wet performance accounts for 30 per cent of the total, dry 20 per cent, and subjective ratings for wet and dry circuit handling and the road route another 40 per cent. Rolling resistance and price account for the final 10 per cent.
Tyre ratings
Beside each tyre you will see its load and speed ratings, weight, and EU tyre label ratings: RR = rolling resistance, on a scale of A (best) to E (worst); a tyre with a better rating should give better fuel economy. Wet = wet grip, on a scale of A (best) to E (worst); this EU rating is derived solely from a straight-line brake test. Noise = exterior (pass-by) noise, measured in decibels at a set speed on a standard, certified surface and tyre-width related, from quieter, A (< 69 dB), to C, louder (> 72 dB).
7th Falken Azenis FK520
£140, 91Y XL, 11.18kg, RR D, Wet A, Noise B 72
The Azenis has been around for a number of years now and its high spots were best in curved aquaplaning, backed up by a fair result in the straight-line test, and low rolling resistance, where it was second only to the Michelin. Generally though, the Falken struggled to match the standard of this high-quality field.
It was seventh fastest around the wet handling circuit, almost four seconds off the best lap time, and was ranked seventh subjectively too. Compared with the others it seemed to lack grip generally and so couldn’t carry as much speed. It was easy to trigger anti-lock into the big stops and needed time to settle into the turns, to lock onto the line, while getting back on the throttle you had to be tentative so as not to excite wheelspin. Confirming its lesser grip, it was seventh around the wet circle and sixth in wet braking, taking almost 3.5m more than the best to stop from 50mph.
It fared a little better in the dry, claiming fourth in braking, and while it posted the slowest lap time on the dry circuit, it was just a couple of seconds off the top. It had decent feel, with good steering weight and linearity at speed, and while it wasn’t as positive as the best, it could be effectively hustled around the circuit. It also offered good refinement on the road. However, Falken needs to up its game, particularly in the wet, if it wants to run with the pack.
Overall score 92.7%
Blackcircles says...
Positively rated 4.5 out of 5 overall by our customers, they note this is a competitive choice against other brands. Feedback highlights very good performance in wet and dry conditions.
6th Pirelli P Zero PZ4
£165, 91Y XL, 10.38kg, RR C, Wet A, Noise B 71
Third in 2022 but sixth this time around suggests the Pirelli has lost some of its edge, but a look at the data shows that it hasn’t actually performed any worse this time, it’s just that a couple of its rivals have improved and leapfrogged it. So while there were no outright wins for the P Zero, the majority of its scores were strong and in the wet it was highly rated subjectively.
The Pirelli was fifth in wet braking, stopping just over 2.5m beyond the best, third around the wet circle and second fastest on the wet circuit, where it was described as having great feel. It was neat and responsive, felt strong on the brakes, had great traction and was sweetly balanced for the most part too, just a little on tip-toes when tacking through the fast left-right-left curves. Seventh and last in straight aquaplaning looks poor but it wasn’t that far off the pace, and it was second in curved aquaplaning.
It wasn’t quite so impressive in the dry. It was tidy enough at speed, with good corner-exit traction, useful adjustability and good accuracy, but its steering felt a bit light and lacked the tactility and feedback of the best. However, it was one of the most refined tyres on the road route – quietest on the coarse surfaces and able to round off the sharpest bumps with aplomb.
Overall, a very good tyre that feels great in the wet but is outscored here, particularly in the dry.
Overall score 97.7%
Blackcircles says...
A popular tyre for our customers, rated 4.6 out of 5 for ‘would buy again’. Buyers commend the quiet ride and good driving performance they experience with this tyre.
5th Vredestein Ultrac Pro
£140, 91Y XL, 11.18kg, RR D, Wet A, Noise B 72
This is the first time we’ve tested the new Vredestein against its peers and it comes in fifth but was only a whisker away from third. Consistency was the key to its success – it didn’t win any tests outright but scored well in just about every category.
There were a couple of sixth-place results in the wet tests but in both instances – wet circle and wet handling lap time – the score was good, over 95 per cent, and in the key wet braking test the Ultrac Pro was joint second, less than a metre behind the best tyre. It was strong in straight aquaplaning too, and although it was ranked fifth subjectively in wet handling it was a good performance, with modest traction but useful adjustability and progressive, predictable and easily managed slip at the limit.
Its weakest result was seventh and last in dry braking, where it took a further 4.4m to stop from 62mph than the best tyre. However, in the tight contest of dry handling it finished second fastest and its steering was spot on, bright and connected at all speeds, and subjectively it was well rated. It offered good traction, grip and precision on the first lap but felt overheated on lap two, becoming less positive and precise.
Rounding out its performance, it offered decent refinement on the road route and returned the third best rolling resistance result, adding good economy to an overall performance that was very close to matching the two tyres tied for third place.
Overall score 98.6%
Blackcircles says...
Currently a slightly lesser-known model with our customers, but for those who do purchase this tyre, the reviews are favourable, with an overall score of 5 out of 5.
4th Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport
£164, 91Y XL, 10.14kg, RR D, Wet A, Noise B 72
The Goodyear is another tyre whose performance was pretty much as strong as the last time we tested it in this size (2022) but has since been overtaken by improving rivals. Its strengths remain excellent feel in the wet and strong pace in the dry, which make it a highly accomplished performance tyre.
It was third fastest on the wet handling circuit, just a fraction behind the quickest tyres, and it was the most highly rated subjectively, serving up lots of grip, superb traction and very progressive breakaway. It was adjustable too, helping it into the corners, yet also very stable – the perfect combination. Add good wet braking (fourth, with a stopping distance about 2m off the best) and excellent resistance to aquaplaning in the deep-water tests and you have a very capable wet-weather tyre.
In the dry it was fastest around the demanding circuit, over half a second clear of the next five tyres, which were covered by less than half a second. It was a confident performance, lots of grip and precision helping find the perfect lines, but it was a little looser on lap two and was let down by its steering feel, which lacked the brightness and tactility of the best. On the road it initially seemed a little tough but overall proved decently comfortable and refined.
An impressive tyre, particularly in the wet. Equal third place rather undersells it but shows the strength of the competition.
Overall score 98.7%
Blackcircles says...
This tyre performs favourably with our customers, leading to a 4.5 out of 5 rating overall. Buyers are impressed by the tyre’s grip, remarking it is excellent in all conditions.
3rd Bridgestone Potenza Sport
£129, 91Y XL, 9.81kg, RR D, Wet A, Noise B 72
Our winner the last time we tested this size, the Bridgestone continues to deliver with a string of table-topping performances, missing out on the overall win this time only because a couple of key rivals have upped their game.
As in 2022, it set the pace on the wet handling circuit, getting on for a second faster than the next best tyre, and set the standard around the wet circle and in straight aquaplaning too. Consolidating this, subjectively it was ranked equal second for wet handling, demonstrating good bite and traction, and although it could slip less progressively than some, it was manageable. It felt great on the brakes too, which makes its last place in the straight-line wet brake test (3.7m longer than the best) look a curious result, but the fact is it works better in deep water, as first in straight aquaplaning shows.
In the dry the Bridgestone was third on lap time, among a close-knit mid-field, and was rated third subjectively. Its steering was well judged, with good response and weight at medium to high speeds, and it felt poised and precise. It did feel like it was all on the front though, and grip softened on lap two. Also, after the test its tread looked chewed up.
It was kept off the top slot by high rolling resistance, only fair road refinement and that disappointing wet braking result. Still, an impressive tyre overall.
Overall score 98.7%
Blackcircles says...
Rated 4.6 out of 5 for ‘would buy again’ from nearly 250 reviewers, this tyre is a popular choice. Feedback notes the good grip in all conditions, especially in wet weather.
2nd Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
£158, 91Y XL, 10.96kg, RR C, Wet A, Noise B 71
The Pilot Sport 4 S has long been the tyre of choice for a number of significant car makers, and although there’s now a Pilot Sport 5, the ‘old’ tyre continues to impress. If you were looking to pinpoint what has lifted its performance since the last test, one significant improvement is its straight-line wet braking, where it has jumped from third to first, and by a useful margin too.
To this it adds a tranche of strong results where it matters. It was especially impressive in the dry, where it was just 0.65sec behind the fastest and rated second subjectively. It was a tyre that felt comfortable with the challenge: grippy, composed and precise, with strong traction and a fluid feel through transitions. It has great steering feel, too: bright and connected, with good weight. It also rated highly on the road route, demonstrating suppleness over sharp ridges and broken asphalt and decent refinement.
Although the Michelin’s other wet results weren’t as outstanding as wet braking, objectively it was strongest overall. Subjectively, on the wet circuit it was ranked fourth, matching its lap time result. It felt like the front end was doing most of the work, which made it simple to exploit, but when pressed it also offered calm adjustability. Add lowest rolling resistance to an impressive set of results and the Pilot Sport 4 S is still a compelling high-performance tyre.
Overall score 99.8%
Blackcircles says...
A popular choice, rated 4.8 out of 5 for ‘would buy again’ from over 4800 reviews. Customers say they feel like they’re driving a new car and note improved driving confidence.
1st Continental SportContact 7
£138, 91Y XL, 10.0kg, RR D, Wet A, Noise B 72
It’s quite the turn-around, going from sixth in our last test of this tyre size all the way to first. Objectively, the Continental was as strong this time as last; what has improved significantly, lifting it to the top, are its subjective scores, specifically for dry handling and on the road.
Given the priority weighting we attach to wet performance in its totality, a glance at the SportContact 7’s placings, which include two fourths, a fifth and a sixth, would suggest an uphill climb to the win. However, the percentage scores for the objective wet tests are strong. Subjectively it didn’t feel like it had as much grip as the best around the wet lap and so felt more tentative, but it had a good balance and got into and out of most of the corners sweetly and swiftly.
It was even stronger on the dry circuit, its steering feeling direct and tactile from the off and remaining crisp and connected at speed. It was sixth fastest but still only 0.99sec behind the Bridgestone’s benchmark lap time, and it felt even better, resisting understeer when warmed up and tackling the lap with precision and composure. It backed this up with top ranking on the road route too, just pipping the Michelin with its quietness and bump suppression – a big improvement on 2022, when it ranked lowest.
Strong technically and now strong subjectively, the Continental SportContact 7 is a great tyre offering an unmatched blend of attributes.
Overall score 100%
Blackcircles says...
Customers have rated this tyre well – 4.7 out of 5 overall from over 500 reviews. Drivers are pleased with the driving experience in all conditions, especially in wet weather.
The results
A high-quality field produced a close contest for the win and a very close mid-table pack. Bringing up the foot of the table was the Falken, which needs to improve in the wet in particular to get in the mix. Just off the pace was the Pirelli, which was refined and good to drive but didn’t quite have enough to get in amongst the pack.
Just a point separated the Vredestein, Bridgestone and Goodyear, the latter pair tied for third. The debutant Vredestein put in a strong, consistent performance, while the Bridgestone and Goodyear both handled superbly in the wet and the dry.
The Michelin was strong where it counted and proved easy to exploit in the wet, but that wasn’t quite enough to beat the Continental, which has added great feel and feedback to its strengths in measured tests to take the win.
Wet Handling
| Subjective score | % | |
| Goodyear | 60 | 100 |
| Bridgestone | 58 | 96.7 |
| Pirelli | 58 | 96.7 |
| Michelin | 57.5 | 95.8 |
| Vredestein | 57 | 95.0 |
| Continental | 56.5 | 94.2 |
| Falken | 47 | 78.3 |
Wet Handling
| Lap time (sec) | % | |
| Bridgestone | 67.51 | 100 |
| Pirelli | 68.36 | 98.8 |
| Goodyear | 68.41 | 98.7 |
| Michelin | 69.17 | 97.6 |
| Continental | 69.25 | 97.5 |
| Vredestein | 69.80 | 96.7 |
| Falken | 71.27 | 94.7 |
Wet Braking
| Metres | % | |
| Michelin | 31.4 | 100 |
| Continental | 32.3 | 97.2 |
| Vredestein | 32.3 | 97.2 |
| Goodyear | 33.5 | 93.7 |
| Pirelli | 34.1 | 92.1 |
| Falken | 34.8 | 90.2 |
| Bridgestone | 35.1 | 89.5 |
Wet cornering
| Sec | % | |
| Bridgestone | 13.42 | 100 |
| Goodyear | 13.58 | 98.8 |
| Pirelli | 13.65 | 98.3 |
| Continental | 13.73 | 97.7 |
| Michelin | 13.75 | 97.6 |
| Vredestein | 14.02 | 95.7 |
| Falken | 14.20 | 94.5 |
Aquaplaning (straight)
| kph | % | |
| Bridgestone | 72.66 | 100 |
| Goodyear | 72.04 | 99.1 |
| Continental | 72.00 | 99.1 |
| Vredestein | 71.76 | 98.8 |
| Falken | 71.43 | 98.3 |
| Michelin | 70.51 | 97.0 |
| Pirelli | 69.85 | 96.1 |
Aquaplaning (curved)
| kph | % | |
| Falken | 69.33 | 100 |
| Pirelli | 67.78 | 97.8 |
| Goodyear | 67.70 | 97.6 |
| Continental | 67.14 | 96.8 |
| Bridgestone | 66.66 | 96.1 |
| Vredestein | 66.14 | 95.4 |
| Michelin | 65.32 | 94.2 |
Dry Handling
| Subjective score | % | |
| Continental | 61 | 100 |
| Michelin | 58.5 | 95.9 |
| Bridgestone | 58 | 95.1 |
| Goodyear | 57 | 93.4 |
| Vredestein | 57 | 93.4 |
| Pirelli | 56 | 91.8 |
| Falken | 51 | 83.6 |
Dry handling
| Lap time (sec) | % | |
| Goodyear | 100.56 | 100 |
| Vredestein | 101.18 | 99.4 |
| Bridgestone | 101.20 | 99.4 |
| Michelin | 101.21 | 99.4 |
| Pirelli | 101.23 | 99.3 |
| Continental | 101.55 | 99.0 |
| Falken | 102.52 | 98.1 |
Dry Braking
| Metres | % | |
| Continental | 30.7 | 100 |
| Bridgestone | 32.1 | 95.6 |
| Michelin | 33.1 | 92.7 |
| Falken | 33.4 | 91.9 |
| Goodyear | 33.5 | 91.6 |
| Pirelli | 33.6 | 91.4 |
| Vredestein | 35.1 | 87.5 |
Road Route
| Score | % | |
| Continental | 24.5 | 100 |
| Michelin | 24 | 98.0 |
| Goodyear | 23.5 | 95.9 |
| Pirelli | 23.5 | 95.9 |
| Vredestein | 23.5 | 95.9 |
| Bridgestone | 22 | 89.8 |
| Falken | 21 | 85.7 |
Rolling Resistance
| Test value | % | |
| Michelin | 8.50 | 100 |
| Falken | 8.66 | 98.2 |
| Vredestein | 8.96 | 94.9 |
| Continental | 9.61 | 88.4 |
| Pirelli | 9.77 | 87.0 |
| Bridgestone | 10.04 | 84.7 |
| Goodyear | 10.44 | 81.4 |
Overall
| % | |
| Continental | 100 |
| Michelin | 99.8 |
| Bridgestone | 98.7 |
| Goodyear | 98.7 |
| Vredestein | 98.6 |
| Pirelli | 97.7 |
| Falken | 92.7 |
This story was first featured in evo issue 327.
