Summer tires are one of the simplest and most effective ways to increase vehicle safety. Winter and summer tires are made of different types of rubber (the first - from soft, the second - from hard), so in the heat, winter tires "float" on the road, losing performance, and this can lead to an accident. In addition, summer tires have a different tread pattern than winter tires to ensure good grip of the wheels with the track.
Read also: 2017 summer tire rating.
Summer tire test 2016 "Behind the wheel"
Za Rulem magazine tested 14- and 16-inch summer tires at the Avtovaz training ground in the middle of the last summer season. A Lada Priora with an anti-lock braking system and two golf-class cars were the carriers of the "auto shoes".
Based on the test results, a rating was compiled for 2016 summer tires.
Summer tire rating 2016 R16 ("Behind the wheel")
First, we present the top 10 tires of the most popular dimension - 205/55 R16. The "test subjects" cost from 2,600 to 4 thousand rubles apiece.
10. Cordiant sport 3
Russian tires with good wet braking and mediocre dry braking. With them, the test car had the highest fuel consumption.
Price - 3100 rubles.
9. Bridgestone Ecopia EP200
This rubber helps save fuel, but fails the test on wet pavement. And on a winding road the driver, whose car is "shod" in such tires, will have to be on the alert.
Price - 3550 rubles.
8. Toyo proxes CF2
These Japanese tires have poor ride comfort, but excellent braking on dry and wet asphalt.
Price - 3500 rubles.
7. Nordman SX
The best value for money. The drivers were satisfied with the "behavior" of these tires in normal and extreme driving conditions, on dry and on wet surfaces.
Price - 2800 rubles.
6. Continental Conti Premium Contact 5
The Germans showed themselves excellently when braking on a dry track and in terms of fuel efficiency. Otherwise good, but not brilliant.
Price - 4000 rubles.
5. Hankook Ventus Prime 2
With these tires, the car will tenaciously "hold" the track in any weather. Disadvantages - fuel efficiency and ride comfort failed.
Price - 3400 rubles.
4. Michelin Primacy 3
The experts noted the high adhesion properties of German tires. With them, the car is pleasant to drive and directional stability - no complaints.
Price - 4000 rubles.
3. Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
Leader in the Comfort category. High grip on wet and dry roads. But on dry surfaces, during extreme maneuvering, the rubber did not behave in the best way, for which the score was reduced. However, the third place among worthy competitors is not bad either.
Price - 3700 rubles.
2. Nokian Hakka Blue
These Finnish tires have a record dry speed and excellent wet speed. Slightly worse (in comparison with the leader of the rating) showed themselves when braking on a dry surface.
Price - 3650 rubles.
1. Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
Good tires should provide not only excellent handling and directional stability, but also be affordable. All these qualities are possessed by the rating winner, who scored 944 points (when choosing the best summer tires of 2016, "Behind the Wheel" was guided by the bar of 900 points - an indicator of excellent tires). Pirelli tires also have better wet braking properties.
Price - 3600 rubles.
Summer tire rating 2016 R14 ("Behind the wheel")
Now is the time to evaluate other summer tires. The rating of 2016 is continued by tires of dimension 185/60 R14.
10. Matador Stella 2
With such tires it is better to forget about fast driving, you will have to slow down for a long time if something happens. But they save fuel well.
Price - 1800 rubles.
9. Cordiant Road Runner
The advantages of Russian tires: good handling in extreme conditions. The cons - mediocre comfort and clarity of the course.
Price - 2135 rubles.
8. Pirelli Formula Energy
In the test for directional stability and direction of travel at high speed, they scored 40 points out of 50 possible. But with sharp turns, the reckless driver will have to try very hard to keep the car.
Price - 2150 rubles.
7. Michelin BFGoodrich g? Grip
By all indicators, Za Rulem experts rated these tires as “slightly below average”.
Price - 2165 rubles.
6. Hankook Kinergy Eco
Korean tires "behaved" more worthily than the 7th place winner. Strong average in terms of braking speed on dry / wet asphalt, noise level and driving comfort.
Price - 2135 rubles.
5. Yokohama BluEarth
Japanese tires have the lowest fuel consumption when the vehicle is traveling at 90 km / h. They also demonstrated fast shifting and wet braking.
Price - 2000 rubles.
4. Nokian Nordman SX
The case when cheap does not mean bad. Drivers praised the Nordman SX's handling in extreme conditions. There are no complaints about the adhesion properties on different surfaces. A good anti-crisis solution for the summer.
Price - 1970 rubles.
3. Toyo Proxes CF2
For confident road behavior and quick braking on dry and wet surfaces, it is not inferior to number 2 of this top 10. There is only one drawback - it is not the quietest and softest summer tires.
Price - 2180 rubles.
2. Nokian Hakka Green
The tires of the Finnish brand and made in Russia are responsive during extreme maneuvering and demonstrate excellent directional stability at high speeds.
Price - 2380 rubles.
1. Continental ContiPremiumContact 5
Advantages of the winner: high-speed adjustment and short braking distances on wet and dry asphalt (27.5 meters at 80 km / h and 40 meters at acceleration to 100 km / h, respectively).
Price - 2660 rubles.
conclusions
If you want the rubber to be both inexpensive and of high quality - get Nordman SX. If you want the car to perfectly obey the steering wheel and not let you down on a sharp corner, even in hot weather and rain, then the best choice is tires from Continental (for R14) and Pirelli (for R16).
And finally, let's recall the winners summer tire test 2015 "Behind the Wheel" (R16, R14). They were the Michelin Primacy 3 and the Pirelli Cinturato P1.