YONKERS, N.Y. (Sept. 16, 2010) — Goodyear, Dunlop and Michelin brand summer ultra-high-performance (UHP) tires topped Consumer Reports (CR) magazine's ratings of 21 different models from 19 companies.
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric, Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 all achieved “excellent” overall scores in the publication's evaluations of braking, handling, hydroplaning, tread life, rolling resistance and noise. The Continental Extreme Contact DW and the Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110 scored just below those three, and CR noted the latter two were priced lower, but the Ventus V12 evo K110 was “considerably less” than the top-three rated tires.
Among the 21 different models of summer UHP tires tested, only the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric earned “excellent” ratings in four of the five braking, handling and hydroplaning tests. It posted a “very good” score in the wet braking test.
Consumer Reports also rated 17 models of all-season UHP tires and 15 models of performance winter tires. The magazine said its tire tests demonstrated that “there's no shortage of good performance tires to choose from,” as 38 summer and all-season ultra-high-performance models CR tested earned a very good score; five models scored excellent.
All of the UHP and performance winter tire ratings are posted at CR's website for subscribers only. The ratings also will be in the November issue of the magazine, which goes on sale Oct. 5.
The three top-scoring tires in the all-season UHP category are the Pirelli P Zero Nero All-Season; the Sumitomo HTR A/S P01; and the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. The Pilot Sport A/S Plus tied with the fourth-place finisher, the Continental Extreme Contact DWS.
The three top-rated tires in the performance winter category are the Nokian WR G2; Hankook Winter i*Cept Evo; and the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3.
Consumer Reports also tested a new all-season fuel-efficient tire, the Continental ProContact Ecoplus +. That tire achieved an “excellent” rolling resistance rating, according to CR, which said it also delivered good all-around performance in braking, handling, hydroplaning resistance and winter-driving tests.
The ProContact Ecoplus + tied the Michelin EnergySaver A/S, which CR tested for its July issue.