Evo Tyre Test 2018

Evo magazine recently revealed their summer tyre test 2018 winner.

This year’s annual test put 6 of the market’s most popular 19 inch tyres through their paces to find out which is the best.

The test was completed in association with Blackcircles.com, so we also gave an overview of each tyre in the test.

The Tyre Test

All tests were held at Goodyear’s Mireval test track – near Montpellier in Southern France.

Each set of tyres were fitted to a front drive Ford Focus ST – an ideal candidate to test key areas thanks to the car’s 247bhp turbo 2-litre engine and well-balanced chassis.

Each tyre was tested on several key areas of tyre performance:

• Wet Handling
• Dry Handling
• Braking & Rolling Resistance
• Wet Circle
• Aquaplaning Resistance
• Road Route (i.e. feel and feedback)

The Tyres Tested

All the tyres tested were 235/35 R19 Y (91).

The 6 models were:

• Continental SportContact 6
• Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
• Falken Azenis FK510
• Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
• Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
• Toyo Proxes Sport

Tyre Test – The Verdict

In the end, the results of the Evo Tyre Test 2018 were quite closely matched.

However, the top 3 consisted of Dunlop in 3^rd, Goodyear in 2^nd and Michelin coming out as the overall winner.

6^th - Toyo Proxes Sport

EVO said:

“The least expensive tyre and it brought up the rear in many tests, though was rarely a long way off the pace. Was at its best in the wet, especially in aquaplaning, but was less good in the standard braking tests. Didn’t feel great though, rarely feeling hooked into the surface.

Blackcircles.com said:

“Despite not coming with the best tyre label scores for fuel efficiency, customers have left mostly positive reviews – such as good road holding and reliable braking performances.”

5^th - Falken Azenis FK510

EVO said:

“Scored competitively in the measured wet and dry tests, especially wet braking and was close to the pace on the wet and dry handling circuits. Felt reasonably exploitable and grippy in the wet but the dry lacked a direct connected steering feel.”

Blackcircles.com said:

“Not as high a seller as some of the other well-known tyres in this test. However, customers who have purchased these tyres are generally pleased with the overall performance.”

4^th - Continental SportContact 6

EVO said:

“If you’re looking for a tyre that excels in the dry and will make your car feel keen and precise, this is a great choice. Fastest and best-rated on the dry track, and felt sportiest on the road. The downside is that in the wet it was off the pace tricky.”

Blackcircles.com said:

“The Continental consistently scores well with our customers. With regular comments focusing on the tyre’s good levels of grip, handling and performance. Many state they would buy the tyres again.”

3^rd - Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

EVO said:

“Ran the Goodyear close for second with best results in the wet handling, aquaplaning, and rolling resistance. Not as direct and connected as the best in the dry, though, as was reflected in lap times and subjective scores. Feels more like an all-rounder than a sporty tyre.”

Blackcircles.com said:

“With a review score of 4.6/5 on Blackcircles.com - over 900 motorists have been impressed with the Dunlop tyre. Many citing the tyre’s low noise, smooth performance and reliable grip.”

2^nd - Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3

EVO said:

“Rated best in the wet, dealing with tricky wet handling track in calm, exploitative way. Scored well enough elsewhere else too, but, like the Dunlop, lacks the crispness of steering and response to engage and reward in the dry.”

Blackcircles.com said:

“This is a popular tyre amongst our customers – over 2,500 reviews have seen it achieve a 4.6/5 score, impressed by its dry and wet performance.”

1^st – Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

EVO said:

“Delivers the steering feel, grip and instant response in the dry of a true performance tyre and uniquely combines this with good performance in the wet. Not cheap, but if you want to get the best out of your high-performance car in all conditions, this is the one.

Blackcircles.com said:

“Relatively new, this tyre is a firm favourite. With a 4.8/5 overall score, it is a high scoring tyre. Positive customer reviews frequently praise the tyre’s grip, comfort and handling.”