Drive Into the New Year With the Best Tyres 2023

If you had not noticed, the New Year is well and truly here. Au revoir 2023, bonjour 2024.

Now, one thing that is as constant as the changing of the calendars, is the need for new tyres. Regardless of the time of year or the season - tyres eventually need replacing.

It might not be today; it might not be tomorrow… but it will likely be soon. Sooner than you think, if we’re being totally honest. Such is life.

Therefore, we thought this would be a great time to go back over 2023 and dig into what tyres really shone.

Which tyre models were heralded as the best tyres 2023. All to give you a steer (pun intended) on what tyres you might buy next – be it car tyres, 4x4 tyres, EV tyres or van tyres.

We’re lucky in the fact that there are many publications which run tyre tests every year, covering summer tyres, all season tyres and winter tyres.

We’ve gone through the tyre tests from last year and compiled this. To save you doing the leg work.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right into it.

Best Summer Tyres

In the 2023 Auto Express tyre test, the products tested were very closely contested.

Feedback from the testers included notable mentions for some of the tyres. Such as the need for Hankook to focus on development, Kumho to address wet performance, and Vredestein's concern with fuel economy. Despite losing its overall advantage, Goodyear was mostly worry-free.

With various factors considered, some tyres did pip others to the post in specific areas. For example, the Bridgestone T005 in fuel economy, Kumho Ecsta HS52 in wet cornering, and Vredestein Ultrac for curved aquaplaning.

In the end though, it was the Continental PremiumContact 7 that emerged as the overall winner by a surprising margin.

The Continental PremiumContact 7's significant improvement over its predecessor was highlighted - solidifying its position at the forefront.

Best All Season Tyres

The Auto Express All Season tyre test in 2023, aimed to find the best product on the market.

It was beset by some unusual conditions however, with warmer snow testing and a wet track close to freezing. Which led to unpredictable scores and fluctuations.

The Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert 2, while at the bottom, secured a couple of wins but showed signs of ageing and the need for an update. The Kleber Quadraxer 3 excelled on snow but fell short on other surfaces.

The four tyres were closely matched, and a small change in weighting could have easily alter their final positions. Notable progress was observed with the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF 2. And despite the Hankook Kinergy 4S2's snow performance falling short, it remained a reliable choice.

The category results highlighted Vredestein Quatrac's strong performance, especially in snow braking, while the Michelin CrossClimate 2 excelled in various tests.

Overall though, it was the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 which emerged as the overall winner. With testers commenting it was well-suited for the British climate with its rarity of snow and relatively high temperatures.

Best Winter Tyres

The 2023 Winter Tyre test by Auto Express observed newer arrivals to the market - which set higher performance standards.

Testers felt the Vredestein Wintrac Pro, needed a replacement or an update to compete with new models released by others brands.

Michelin Alpin 6's was seen as competitive but now lagging behind rivals. While Pirelli's Cinturato Winter 2 was said to require a better balance between snow and wet grip.

Hankook's Winter i*cept RS3, although falling short in snow, provided a good platform for development.

Goodyear's UltraGrip Performance 3 made a good debut, particularly excelling in deep-water conditions. The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 secured a runner-up finish, while Continental's WinterContact TS 870 retained the top position. For the second consecutive win.

Continental's WinterContact TS 870 place as the overall winner came down to a balanced performance across various categories, making it an excellent choice for winter driving.

Best Performance Tyres

Each year Evo magazine looks at the best tyres in the High-Performance category.

This year they evaluated eight models across a range of key performance criteria.

Bridgestone's Potenza Sport performed admirably, earning praise for its predictable grip in all conditions.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S showcased an impressive performance in wet and dry conditions. It was particularly praised for its fine steering, poise, and dynamic balance.

Pirelli's P Zero PZ4 demonstrated capability in wet conditions and poise in dry handling.

Testers felt the Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Sport excelled in the curved aquaplane test and showcased adjustable and calm performance in dry handling.

Out of all the tyres tested though, it was the Continental SportContact 7 which emerged as the definitive leader. Thanks to its excellent grip, low noise levels, and high customer satisfaction ratings.

Best Tyres 2024?

As we drive into the new year, the retrospective analysis of the best tyres 2023 offers valuable insights for those considering replacements. I could also give a glimpse into what will be the best tyres of 2024.

In the summer tyre category, the Continental PremiumContact 7 stood out as the clear winner, surpassing its competitors with a significant improvement over its predecessor.

Moving to all-season tyres, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 claimed the top spot, praised for its adaptability to the British climate.

The winter tyre segment saw Continental's WinterContact TS 870 securing the first place for the second consecutive win, providing a balanced performance across various categories.

Lastly, in the high-performance category, the Continental SportContact 7 emerged as the definitive leader, earning acclaim for its excellent grip, low noise levels, and high customer satisfaction ratings.

Continental will be very happy with last year’s results – seeing their tyres come out on top in 3 major tyre tests last year.

As we navigate the road ahead, these best tyres 2023 serve as reliable choices for diverse driving conditions.

Will we see similar results this year? What will be the best tyres of 2024? Time will tell…