TOP-5 summer tyres of the middle class R16 (spring 2015)

BF Goodrich G-Grip 205/55 R16 91H

Michelin's BF Goodrich brand offers the G-Grip for summer use. It has been produced since 2011 at a factory in Poland and due to this it has a relatively low price in its segment. The company has earned a reputation as a manufacturer of tyres for the most difficult conditions, so it is not surprising that this tyre has become very popular among car enthusiasts.

The BFGoodrich G-Grip has a directional tread pattern with a custom pattern. Wavy grooves on the functional structural blocks of the tread create conditions for good grip on dry and wet surfaces, normal handling and driving safety. True, tests conducted by many independent experts do not confirm its high performance. They indicate that the tyre behaves very well on dry surfaces, but there are complaints about handling and grip on wet surfaces.

At the same time, according to the reviews of those users who have already driven several seasons on this tyre, the G-Grip model has a balanced set of characteristics. Most drivers note acceptable driving properties and low noise, and some of them emphasize the good properties of the tyre when driving on country roads and light off-road.

based on field testing and user feedback, the BFGoodrich G-Grip tyre is a good choice for low-cost-conscious shoppers.

Hankook Ventus Prime2 K115 205/55 R16 91H

The Korean model Hankook Ventus Prime 2 K 115 competes with European manufacturers in the middle class tyre category. class, declares high levels of comfort and safety in a wide variety of operating conditions. According to him, this is achieved thanks to the modern composition of the rubber compound and the special tyre tread pattern.

low-cost offers. These people note normal handling in a quiet driving mode, good wet handling at low speeds, and predictable behavior. True, some consumers are not satisfied with the slightly increased noise and relatively high wear. The latter, most likely, is a sign of high rolling resistance, which means it will not be easy to save fuel with this tyre.

The same opinion about the Ventus Prime 2 and independent experts, who add to the general list not the fastest response to turns steering and not optimal grip properties in the transverse direction, as well as problems with handling on wet pavement. Although at the same time, this model demonstrates a fairly short braking distance compared to more well-known competitors.

Summing up, we should not consider this tyre as an perfect solution for the summer season. However, given the relatively low price, availability in most sizes and high prevalence in our market, Hankook Ventus Prime 2 will be a good choice for those who drive at a moderate speed.

Fulda EcoControl HP 205/55 R16 91H

Like the previous participants in the review, Fulda EcoControl HP is supplied to our market from Poland, although this model is produced at different factories. This model, announced in 2012, is designed for summer operation and belongs to the High Performance category. At the same time, the manufacturer claims that the tyre is perfectly adapted to the weather conditions of our climate. Among the main advantages are low rolling resistance and short braking distances compared to similar models. This result provides a special composition of the rubber compound and an original tread pattern.

According to the results of tests by the world's leading experts Fulda EcoControl HP keeps itself at a high level among competitors. On dry pavement during active cornering, the tyre may show slight drift. The situation is similar on wet pavement. However, the tyre remains within safe limits. With a calm and measured ride, there are no shortcomings. In brake tests, the tyre performs well and even outperforms most competitors. The same good performance is confirmed by feedback from EcoControl HP owners. There are opinions that the tyre tans too much when the temperature drops, but here it is worth recalling that this is a summer model, not an all-season model.

Fulda EcoControl HP can be recommended for drivers who value reliable control over the car.

Dunlop SP Sport BluResponse 205/55 R16 91H Price from 3 150 up to 4 640 ₴ →

The Dunlop SP Sport BluResponse summer tyre is produced at Goodyear factories in many European countries, and our market usually comes from Poland. This model is positioned by the manufacturer as a tyre with high driving performance for daily use. The company's engineers gave the Sport BluResponse model an asymmetric tread pattern. Pronounced longitudinal grooves should provide good directional stability on wet surfaces, and a small number of sipes should reduce noise.

in wet areas. Customers praise the tyre's good mileage, its economy and low noise due to its low rolling resistance. In extreme situations, this model can lose traction, but this will stabilize with the right actions of the driver. This performance is also confirmed by independent testers.

Dunlop's SP Sport BluResponse tyre can be recommended as one of the best in its class for use on various surfaces both in the city and on the highway. It provides good driving properties in the mode of normal daily operation and only allows slight flaws in handling during very aggressive driving.