The subject of our 2025 summer tyre test is the best-selling 18-inch tyre, the 225/40 R18. It’s three years since we last put this size through the comprehensive Auto Express test regime and back then there were Covid-related supply issues that saw some big names absent. It was a close contest, with the Bridgestone Potenza Sport just seeing off the Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 6 for the win, with the Maxxis Victra Sport 5 a healthy third.
Both Bridgestone and Goodyear are back again this year and they’re up against a strong group. Among the competition are Michelin with the Pilot Sport 5, and Continental with its SportContact 7, while Pirelli fields the latest PZ5 version of the P Zero. There’s also new products in the shape of the Hankook Ventus Evo K137, Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 and Yokohama Advan Sport V107.
Plus, as usual we’ve included a budget tyre to show what level of performance you might expect if you pay less for a lesser-known brand. Notable absentees are Maxxis, due to stock issues, and Vredestein, which is readying its replacement for the Ultrac.
As ever, our test has all the data to help you make an informed choice when replacing your tyres. Our scoring is weighted towards wet-weather performance, but broken down so you can see what tyre best suits your needs.
What we tested
The tyre manufacturers nominated their tyres, all opting for a speed rating of Y (186mph), a weight rating of 92, and XL – Extra Load. We sourced all the test tyres from the open market via a German independent wholesale supplier to ensure that the tyres we assessed were exactly what you can buy.
