Tyres in size 185/60 R14 are models in high demand, as they are fitted to popular cars such as the Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo. If you’re looking for summer tyres in this size, you can read this article to find out more about the best products available, as well as how to choose the optimum tyres for your car.
Choosing the right tyres is important when it comes to safety, as well your own driving comfort. As a result, it is best to find out about a tyre model’s various parameters before you purchase it, as well as learning of some existing opinions and views expressed about the tyre already. The information given in this article will highlight what factors to look out for when buying tyres, as well as introduce you to the best tyres in size 185/60 R14 H. This is based on the 2015 summer tyre tests conducted by the ADAC organisation.
How should you choose summer tyres?
When selecting any car tyres, there are various factors that you should take into account. First of all, you should what tyre size your car takes. This information can be found on a sticker placed near the door and/or fuel flap, as well as within the vehicle manual. The size of the actual tyre will be found on the sidewall.
It is also important to decide whether you want to change the full set of tyres or only one pair. The best driving parameters, for instance, can only be gained by replacing all four tyres. Using different pairs of tyres can greatly impact car performance during braking, as well as a reduced grip and an increased risk of aquaplaning. A car fitted this will also become more risk when driving at high speeds.
Which tyres you ultimately choose should also depend on your own driving style, the distances you travel and the power of your vehicle. All of these elements influence the class of tyres recommended for particular situations. The most durable tyres, which also offer the best parameters, are those within the premium bracket. These guarantee dynamic and confident driving, typically designed for more powerful cars as a result. Mid-range models are a compromise between premium and the last category, otherwise known as economy tyres. These latter tyres are recommended for drivers of smaller cars, as well as car owners that mainly drive within the city.
Tyre Treads
When choosing tyres, it is also vital that you consider the tread. Popular summer tyres include models with both asymmetric and directional tread designs. This is in contrast to winter tyres, which primarily feature directional treads. A directional tyre tread resembles a V-shape and performs very well on set surfaces. It also offers a shorter braking distance in tough conditions, as well as a rapid reaction to acceleration.
An asymmetric tread, on the other hand, consists of two independent parts, the outer and inner. The first of these, the outer part, offers stability and safe driving on a dry surface (regardless of whether the vehicle is driving straight or on a corner). The inner part of the tread, in contract, is responsible for the rapid expulsion of water and slush in bad weather conditions. Tyres with an asymmetric tread provide a comfortable drive and help reduce fuel consumption.
Tyres in size 185/60 R14 H are found on such cars as the Volkswagen Polo (photo: Volkswagen).
Which cars take summer tyres in size 185/60 R14 H?
Tyres in size 185/60 R14 H can be found on various popular city cars designed for everyday use. They also frequently appear on the following models:
| Seat Cordoba | Renault Thalia | Volkswagen Polo | Daewoo Nexia |
| Audi 80 | Volkswagen Golf | Seat Ibiza | Hyundai Accent |
| Mitsubishi Colt | Opel Astra | Renault Clio | Lancia Dedra |
| Volkswagen Vento | Skoda Fabia | Seat Toledo | Volvo V40 |
Note: Remember that size 185/60 R14 H tyres are just one of several possible solutions for these models of car. The size of tyre that you eventually fit depends on the generation of the vehicle, year of production, engine capacity and power, and equipment options. To help choose the right size of tyres for your car, you can use our
tyre configuration tool.
What kind of cars use 185/60 R14 H tyres?
The models listed above are mainly B-segment and C-segment vehicles. Here’s a quick overview of the two groups:
B-segment vehicles are small cars that do not meet the specific requirements for segment C. They include such models as the Nissan Micra, Renault Thalia, Ford Fiesta, Dacia Sandero, Volkswagen Polo and Suzuki Swift.
C-segment cars make up the most numerous group. This segment includes vehicles with a compact built, yet still able to fit four people with room for luggage. These cars perform well both in the city and on longer routes. The category includes saloons, estates and hatchbacks, as all some low-budget limos.
Which tyres should you choose?
B-segment cars are mostly used in the city and, under these conditions, the emphasis is usually placed on braking distances, durability and a low rolling resistance. C-segment vehicles, while used quite commonly in the city, can also be found on more external or remote routes. As such, they favour low rolling resistance and driving comfort. Tyres were tested in all of these categories by ADAC.
The Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 – the best tyre in the test.
Buy the best tyre in the ADAC test – the Continental ContiPremiumContact 5
A total of 16 models of tyre took part in the test (listed here from the highest to the lowest scoring):
The best models in particular categories:
| Dry surface | Continental ContiPremiumContact 5, Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance, Nokian Line, Dunlop Sport BluResponse, Vredestein Sportrac 5, Hankook Kinergy Eco K425, Firestone TZ 300, Pirelli Cinturato P1 Verde, Yokohama BluEarth AE-01, Kumho KH27 Ecowing ES 01 |
| Wet surface | Continental ContiPremiumContact 5, Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance, Nokian Line, Dunlop Sport BluResponse, Vredestein Sportrac 5, Hankook Kinergy Eco K425, Firestone TZ 300, Pirelli Cinturato P1 Verde |
| Noise | Continental ContiPremiumContact 5, Infinity Ecosis, GT Radial Champiro Eco, Kumho KH27 Ecowing ES 01, Matador MP 16 |
| Fuel consumption | Kumho KH27 Ecowing ES 01 (bardzo dobre), Continental ContiPremiumContact 5, Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance, Nokian Line, Dunlop Sport BluResponse, Vredestein Sportrac 5, Hankook Kinergy Eco K425, Firestone TZ 300, Michelin Energy Saver+, Infinity Ecosis, Yokohama BluEarth AE-01, GT Radial Champiro Eco, Semperit Comfort-Life 2, Matador MP 16 |
| Resistance to wear | Nokian Line, Michelin Energy Saver+, Sava Intensa HP, Pirelli Cinturato P1 Verde, Semperit Comfort-Life 2, Kumho KH27 Ecowing ES 01 |
The ADAC tests and users’ opinions
Users of our portal who drive on the tested tyres every day mostly confirm the very good performance of these models on every type of surface encountered in summer. This means that all of us can trust the results of the ADAC tests. Again, when newly launched tyres feature in the tests, the results are a reliable indicator of whether it is worth trying out manufacturers’ latest offerings (this ADAC test featured as many as three new models). See below for a detailed comparison between the results of the ADAC tests and the opinions of drivers just like you.
We have reviews from users in our portal, written by those with experience driving on the tested tyres every day. These reviews help confirm the great performance parameters on these models over every type of surface encountered while driving in the summer. This means we can more readily trust the results of the ADAC tests, as they fit with the opinions of real drivers.
When newly launched tyres feature in these tests, the results are often the first reliable indicator of whether a tyre is worth trying out or not. ADAC often test many new offerings this way, with up three new models featuring in any given test. Below, we have offered a detailed comparison between the results of the ADAC tests and the opinions of drivers just like you.
The top three
It is a strong sign that the opinions of experts from the German motoring organisation ADAC agree with what has been said about the ContiPremiumContact 5 by our users. Both drivers and experts have given this tyre high scores for driving on a dry surface, as well as appreciating its performance in wet conditions.
In our portal, as of February 2015, this tyre has over 300 posted opinions, which combined together offer the tyre an “excellent” rating. It is clear, therefore, that the scores awarded by our drivers are very much in line with the evaluations of ADAC’s experts, who honoured this tyre with their highest available rating of “very good”.
The next tyre on the list, coming in 2nd, is the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance. A tried and tested model, this Goodyear tyre has obtained an overall score of 4.5, or “excellent”, from our driver reviews. This tyre has proven itself as a very good product for any driver looking for a summer tyre that provides maximum performance in combination with safety and comfort.
Furthermore, the Nokian Line tyre comes in third, making it the last tyre to complete the podium. Like the two models above it, this tyre performs exceptionally well on both dry and wet surfaces. This tyre is more appreciated by users who drive mainly within city environments and prefer a relaxed driving style.
Runners up
The fourth tyre in the test, the Dunlop SP Sport BluResponse, also received positive results from both ordinary drivers and motoring organisation experts. The tyre offers balanced parameters on every type of surface, while also proving exceptionally durable and resistance to mechanical damage.
The fifth tyre in our table, the Vredestein Sportrac 5, gained similar reviews from ADAC to that of the Dunlop Sport BluResponse, although it was rated somewhat lower by the drivers within our portal. Drivers consider the Dunlop tyre to be “excellent”, for instance, while the Vredestein Sportrac 5 is “worthy of recommendation”, which is not as high in our ratings.
The last of the car tyres to be classed as “very good” or better in this test, the Hankook Kinergy Eco K425 is also ranked as “worthy of recommendation”. Like the other tyre models listed above, its main advantage is a balanced performance and good behaviour on roads, regardless of the weather conditions.
The ADAC testing methodology
For ADAC’s tests, a tyre’s final score is calculated from its results in each of the categories which make up the overall test. However, this is not an equal ratio, as the overall percentage is weighted in favour of the more important categories.
The overall score is composed thusly:
- 40% of the final score depends on the tyre performance on wet surfaces
- 20% depends on its resistance to wear
- 20% is based on its performance on a dry road
- 10% is based on the fuel consumption index
- 10% relates to the tyre noise emitted
This breakdown shows that the German organisation pays most attention to those parameters which affect safety, favouring them over the parameters that relate to the comfort of driving. The available ratings, from the most positive down, are “very good”, “good”, “satisfactory” and “adequate”. A tyre with worryingly low parameters is described as “defective”.
A “very good” rating was awarded to size tyres in this size during the test:
The “good” rating was not given to any of the tested tyres, while the largest group (12 of all the tyres tested) were rated as “satisfactory”. One model was found to be “adequate” while the final tyre in the table - the Nankang Econex Eco-2 - was given a “defective” due to its poor performance and low scores in factors relating to safety.
Hopefully, the information presented here should make it clear which 185/60 R14 summer tyres are worthy of your consideration.