As every year, ADAC has carried out summer tyre tests, checking which ones are worth recommending. The 2020 list includes twelve models from different price segments, which were tested for performance. This time, specialists from the German organisation looked at tyres in size 235/55 R17, so if you are the owner of a van or a medium SUV, this ranking was created for you and your safety.
Depending on the car model and features, tyres in size 235/55 R17 are used in models such as: Audi Q3, Ford Galaxy, Ford Kuga, Mercedes Class V, Volvo V60 or VW Tiguan.
Remember to make sure that a given size is actually right for your vehicle before buying tyres. If you are not sure, you can use our tyre selection tool for your car. You may also use the tyre size calculator.
Why are ADAC tests important?
The abbreviation ADAC can very often be seen on websites dedicated to the automotive business and it becomes even more visible in the tyre industry just before the start of the summer or winter season. This is due to the fact that this German organisation has been regularly testing tyres for years and their results are considered as one of the most reliable and opinion-forming.
The ADAC car club has gained the trust of drivers based on a well-thought-out testing methodology which assumes that a good tyre must cope with all conditions typical of a given season. In the case of summer tyres, performance on dry and wet roads, parameters related to driving comfort and noise, as well as rolling resistance and wear resistance are checked. A tested model cannot fail in any of the categories if the final assessment is to be positive. Points are awarded on a scale of 1 to 5, with different weights assigned to each performance. The lower the score, the better, according to the German rating system. What is important, manufacturers do not have influence on the tests and the tyres are purchased from generally available distributors.
Who turned out to be the best?
In this year's ranking, as many as 11 out of 12 tested models received positive final scores, of which four were particularly outstanding as compared to the competition. These were Michelin Primacy 4, Bridgestone Turanza T005, Maxxis Premitra HP5, and Pirelli Cinturato P7. They were ranked as good, while the remaining seven as satisfactory.
Tyres in the middle of the field – Hankook Ventus Prime 3, Semperit Speed-Life 2 SUV, Yokohama BluEarth RV-02, Continental EcoContact 6, and Esa+Tecar Spirit Pro came out of the competition with very similar results. Kumho Ecsta HS51 and Kleber Dynaxer HP3 managed slightly worse. Only Laufenn S-Fit EQ did not live up to expectations, which resulted in ranking it as “fail”, which means without recommendation.
Results of the ADAC test for tyres in size 235/55 R17 are shown below.
Winners in respective categories
The parameter that has been recognised as the most important is driving on wet road. It constitutes as much as 40% of the final rating. In this respect, six tyres handled quite well, of which Michelin and Kumho products were rated the best. In regards to performance on dry asphalt, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyre proved to be unrivalled. Bridgestone and budget Maxxis also did very well.
Interestingly, the models with the highest average score, except for the winner, did not work best in terms of driving comfort and emitted noise. In this category, tyres from the second half of the field received much better results, including the best rated Yokohama BluEarth RV-02.
The results of testing the impact of individual models on fuel consumption turned out to be much more even. Two types of tyres – Continental EcoContact 6 and Bridgestone Turanza T005, were ranked very good - a distinction extremely rarely awarded by ADAC. All the more we are pleased that in the last performance group – wear resistance, as many as four models were distinguished with the highest rating. These were: Michelin Primacy 4, Semperit Speed-Life 2 SUV, Continental EcoContact 6, and Esa+Tecar Spirit Pro. This may mean that tyre manufacturers have taken environmental issues seriously and are focusing on solutions that extend the life of tyres and improve the economy of driving.
| Performance on dry road | Pirelli Cinturato P7 (score 1.7);
Bridgestone Turanza T005 (score 1.9);
Maxxis Premitra 5 (score 1.9); |
| Performance on wet road | Michelin Primacy 4 (score 2.2);
Kumho Ecsta HS51 (score 2.2);
Bridgestone Turanza T005 (score 2.3); |
| Driving comfort/noise | Yokohama BluEarth RV-02 (score 2.2);
Michelin Primacy 4 (score 2.3);
Continental Eco Contact 6 (score 2.3);
Laufenn S-Fit EQ (score 2.3); |
| Effect on fuel consumption | Continental Eco Contact 6 (score 1.2);
Bridgestone Turanza T005 (score 1.4);
Kleber Dynaxer HP3 score (score 1.8); |
| Wear resistance | Michelin Primacy 6 (score 1.0);
Semperit Speed-Life 2 SUV (score 1.0);
Continental Eco Contact 6 (score 1.0);
Esa+Tecar Spirit Pro (score 1.0) |
Impressive debut of Michelin Primacy 4
This model from the iconic French manufacturer appeared in the ADAC list for the first time and immediately jumped to first place.
It is the result of balanced performance – good and very good in all aspects of the overall assessment. The biggest advantage of Primacy 4 turned out to be high wear resistance, achieved through improved rubber compound, as well as optimal distribution of loads. The rubber rubs off slowly and evenly, therefore the service life is significantly longer.
The French brand's proposal also beat the competition in the field of wet driving. This is due to the EverGrip technology and tread pattern designed to push out as much water as possible from below the wheels.
Another recognition for Bridgestone Turanza T005
Last year, ADAC specialists gave a look at the Japanese model in size 185/65 R15, finally choosing it as a winner. This time the Bridgestone tyre earned second, still honourable, place, proving to be the most economical proposition from the top four. This is due to the carcass, which improves tyre stability and increases steering precision, while reducing rolling resistance.
The tyres also also performed well on wet surfaces. Incisions in the shoulder zone work effectively with the longitudinal grooves, so that the car can maintain the greatest traction during rainy days. To ensure safety, water is constantly pushed towards the side of the tyre. Nano-Pro-Tech technology also improves grip.
Balanced Pirelli Cinturato P7
The high position of this model was mostly determined by the best results on dry road – after all, it is a model with a sporty flair.
Reinforced shoulders and centrally placed tread blocks guarantee safe and reliable travelling – not only when driving straight ahead, but also when cornering. This does not mean that the model does not cope on wet surfaces – quite the contrary. Protection against aquaplaning is ensured by a network of grooves, thanks to which even summer downpours will not impair the precision of driving a car.
What to take into account when buying summer tyres?
Tests of organisations such as ADAC provide great guidelines for people choosing a new set of tyres, in especially that they allow you to compare specific parameters and, as a result, tailor the tyre to your needs. Depending on the style of driving or the type of roads we drive on most often, the tyres should have different characteristics.
Valuable information is also provided by tests carried out by the automotive press, e.g. AutoBild, Auto, Motor und Sport or Autozeitung. Drivers' opinions are also important – you will find them on our website. People who have had the opportunity to use tyres for a long time and expose them to various conditions are the strictest judges. However, when beginning your search, one should always start with the basis, which is size.