Tyre Reviews 2026 tested twelve 225/45 R17 summer tyres. In the overall assessment, half the weight was wet, so a high position here means not only a fast dry lap, but also an even balance of safety.
Two first places, two different characters
Pirelli Cinturato C3 and Continental PremiumContact 7 both scored 96,8 %. The Pirelli led the dry braking and overall dry evaluation sections, while the Continental was best in the wet lap and wet handling.
Hankook - strongest in rain
The third remaining Hankook Ventus Evo scored 96,0 % and the highest 99,3 % wet score. It had the best wet braking, the highest subjective wet handling rating, and the highest speed in the straight aquaplaning test.
The middle of the price and the result
In the 2026-08-07 catalogue snapshot, the cheapest available offer found for model and size was Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 for 74,71 €. It shared fourth place with Bridgestone, although the catalogue variant 91Y is not identified with the tested 94Y kit. Maxxis for 84,83 € was eighth and had the best dry run lap time.
Low rolling resistance doesn't solve everything
Bridgestone Turanza 6 led the economy section with the lowest rolling resistance at 6,46 kg/t, but its wet score was below the top three. Fuel economy alone is therefore not enough to choose a tyre.
Which choice is more suitable for whom?
- Pirelli – when precise dry braking and very high overall balance are important.
- Continental - When wet cornering, handling and smooth comfort are a priority.
- Hankook - Driving a lot in the rain and assessing braking and aquaplaning reserve.
- Kumho - Looking for a strong result at a lower spot price, accepting the SKU mismatch limit.
- Bridgestone - When low rolling resistance is important, but not maximum wet score.
- Michelin – for comfort and low resistance, although it is only sixth overall.
The limit of a particular variant is important
The direct model and 225/45 R17 size reference is a shopping guide and not proof that the load, speed, XL, OEM, RunFlat or specific tread revision tags match the tested kit. If the exact model is not found, a neutral size search is displayed.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2026 test of 225/45 R17 summer tyres?
Pirelli Cinturato C3 and Continental PremiumContact 7 shared first place with 96,8% each.
Which tyre was best in the wet?
Hankook Ventus Evo had the highest wet score of 99,3% and finished third overall.
Which tyre had the lowest rolling resistance?
Bridgestone Turanza 6 achieved the best result of 6,46 kg/t and scored 100% for economy.
Is the catalogue item the exact SKU tested?
Not necessarily. Matching the model and size does not confirm load and speed ratings, XL, OEM, RunFlat, batch or tread revision.