In 2026, Auto Zeitung, GTÜ and ARBÖ tested ten retail-bought 235/45 R18 summer tyres on an Audi A5. The wet section and the combined dry and environmental section each carried 150 points, so a fast lap alone could not guarantee victory.
Continental won the wet section
Continental PremiumContact 7 scored 282 out of 300: 147 wet and 135 for dry and environmental performance. It stopped in 53,2 m, completed the wet handling lap in 69,8 s and reached 82,8 km/h in straight-line aquaplaning. These results explain its 19-point lead over second place.
Goodyear and Pirelli were separated by one point
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 finished second with 263 points and led the dry and environmental section at 138. Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 262 overall: it beat Goodyear 128 to 125 in the wet, but trailed 134 to 138 in the dry and environmental section.
Firestone is strong in aquaplaning, but not in braking
Fourth-placed Firestone Roadhawk 2 was among the strongest in aquaplaning, but its wet braking distance of 60,9 m was significantly longer than Continental's. One strong discipline does not describe all aspects of wet-road safety.
The durability of the Michelin did not make up for wet braking
Michelin Primacy 5 scored 129 for dry and environmental performance, with predicted mileage of 50 000 km, low rolling resistance of 6,8 kg/t and the best comfort rating. Its wet braking distance of 59,6 m limited the overall result to 235 points and sixth place.
The price is only valuable in combination with the exact result
In the 2026-08-07 catalogue snapshot, the exact model and 235/45 R18 size candidates were available: Continental - 189,06 €, Goodyear - 186,10 €, Michelin - 198,17 €. The Firestone clean link returned 404, and the other six cards of the exact model and size were not found, so their prices are not shown. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Which choice is more suitable for whom?
- Continental - when short wet braking, handling and aquaplaning reserve are essential.
- Goodyear - For the best dry section result, low noise and predicted 49 500 km mileage.
- Pirelli – Looking for almost the same overall result as Goodyear and a stronger wet score.
- Firestone - Assessing aquaplaning reserve, but deliberately accepting a longer wet stopping distance.
- Michelin - when durability, comfort and low rolling resistance are important, not the highest position in the rain.
The limit of a particular variant is important
The direct model and 235/45 R18 size reference is a shopping guide and not proof that the 98Y index, XL, OEM, RunFlat, batch or tread revision matches the tested kit. A neutral search for summer tyres of the same size is displayed if a secure exact model card is not found.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2026 test of 235/45 R18 summer tyres?
Continental PremiumContact 7 won with 282 out of 300 points, 19 ahead of Goodyear.
Which tyre was best on the wet track?
Continental scored 147 out of 150 wet points, stopped in 53,2 m and completed the wet handling lap in 69,8 s.
Which tyre led the dry and environmental section?
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 led the dry and environmental section with 138 out of 150 points.
Are prices for the tested models compared precisely?
A price is shown only where an exact model in 235/45 R18 was found in stock on 2026-08-07. Even then, matching ratings, XL, OEM or batch is not automatically confirmed.