Vi Bilagare Summer tire test 205/55 R16 2026
The Swedish magazine Vi Bilägare has published its summer tire test for 2026 in size 205/55 R16 .
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Braking distance in the wet m · ↓ lower is better 
Braking distance in the dry m · ↓ lower is better 
Noise dB · ↓ lower is better 
Estimated mileage km · ↑ higher is better Odhad dojazdu porovnáva predpokladanú životnosť pneumatík Continental PremiumContact 7 a Pirelli Cinturato C3. Vyšší dojazd ponúka Pirelli Cinturato C3 (47 900 km) oproti Continental PremiumContact 7 (39 693 km) — rozdiel 8 207 km.
Vyššia životnosť pneumatík znamená nižšie náklady na kilometer a menej častú výmenu.
Informácie o teste
Summer tire test 2026 (205/55 R16): Continental reigns supreme, budget brands fall short
The Swedish magazine Vi Bilägare has published its summer tire test for 2026 in the size 205/55 R16. This size has long been the best-selling on the Swedish (and Slovak) market. The test focused on the “premium touring” segment, where the emphasis is on comfort, fuel economy and durability. Swedish experts tested 10 models on rough Nordic roads. The results confirmed that the gap between premium and cheap tires in critical situations is still growing.
Overall winner: Continental PremiumContact 7 (94 points)
Continental confirmed its reputation as a safety leader. It mastered braking distances on both dry and wet roads. In addition to safety, it was subjectively the quietest tire in the test. The only weakness was a slightly stiffer response when driving over bumps (comfort).
Silver medal: Pirelli Cinturato C3
If you're looking for a tire that "cuts" corners, the Pirelli is for you. It had the sharpest steering and the highest lateral grip in the wet. However, the price for this sporty character is the highest noise level and the highest fuel consumption in the entire test.
Bronze and Nordic Specialist: Nokian Hakka Blue 3
Nokian has completed the podium as the safest choice in the rain. It offers very balanced performance, high resistance to aquaplaning and good comfort. It is the ideal choice for drivers who prefer stability over sportiness.
Wet road: Where bread breaks
The biggest difference in safety was recorded in wet braking from 100 km/h:
- Continental : 35.5 meters.
- Linglong : 42.0 meters.
A difference of 6.5 meters ! At the point where the car on Continentals is already stationary, the car on Linglong tires passes by at a speed of 51 km/h. That's the difference between a safe stop and a serious collision.
Value and consumption
In this category, the tables were turned. The Linglong Eco Master lived up to its name and was the most economical tire in the test ( 5.15 l/100 km ), just ahead of the Michelin Primacy 5. However, a classic compromise emerges: tires with the lowest rolling resistance generally have the longest braking distance.
Vi Bilagare Summer tire test 205/55 R16 2026
10 products · click a column to sort| # | Tyre | Price from | Dry braking [m] ↕ | Wet braking [m] ↕ | Wet manoeuvring [s] ↕ | Aquaplaning straight [km/h] ↕ | Volume [dB] ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Continental PremiumContact 7 ✓ Available in size 205/55 R16 | from 34 771 Ft | 41.8 | 35.5 | 72.9 | 84.6 | 72.8 |
| 2. | Pirelli Cinturato C3 ✓ Available in size 205/55 R16 | from 35 972 Ft | 42.6 | 36.3 | 72.6 | 84.9 | 74.7 |
| 3. | Nokian Hakka Blue 3 ✕ Unavailable in size 205/55 R16 | — | 43.1 | 36.9 | 73.2 | 85.4 | 73.7 |
| 4. | Falken ZIEX ZE320 ✓ Available in size 205/55 R16 | from 26 216 Ft | 42.1 | 36.6 | 74.2 | 84.9 | 73.2 |
| 5. | Bridgestone Turanza 6 ✓ Available in size 205/55 R16 | from 32 099 Ft | 44 | 37.2 | 74 | 84.2 | 73.5 |
| 6. | Michelin Primacy 5 ✓ Available in size 205/55 R16 | from 36 224 Ft | 44.8 | 38.8 | 73.8 | 85 | 74 |
| 7. | Nexen N Fera Primus ✓ Available in size 205/55 R16 | from 23 780 Ft | 44.4 | 37.6 | 74.3 | 85.7 | 73.2 |
| 8. | Maxxis Premitra HP6 ✕ Unavailable in size 205/55 R16 | — | 44.9 | 38.3 | 74.3 | 84.3 | 73.9 |
| 9. | Landsail RapidDragon ✕ Unavailable in size 205/55 R16 | — | 44.9 | 40.1 | 75.5 | 84.1 | 73.7 |
| 10. | Linglong Eco Master ✕ Unavailable in size 205/55 R16 | — | 48 | 42 | 76 | 83.2 | 74.4 |
Dry braking [m]
Wet braking [m]
Wet manoeuvring [s]
Aquaplaning straight [km/h]
Volume [dB]
The Swedish magazine Vi Bilägare has published its summer tire test for 2026 in size 205/55 R16 .