205/45 R17 - Best summer tyres 2026 - market overview, tests, reviews

Great price for a premium tyre

Premiumcontact 7

205/45 R17 88 Y

£119

Ecsta Sport (PS72)

205/45 R17 88 Y

£88

Turanza T005

205/45 R17 88 H

£107

Ecsta Sport (PS72)

205/45 R17 88 Y

£89

POTENZA SPORT EVO

205/45 R17 88 Y

£115

Ecsta HS52

205/45 R17 88 V

£87

Ventus Prime 4

205/45 R17 88 V mfsXL

£99

Best price in last 6 months

Summer

205/45 R17 88 W .

£89

Best tyres in tests (2026)

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1

Premium

Potenza Sport Evo

'26#1

'26#2

'26#2

9.3

Price from

£115

Price from£115

Expert summary

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo is the successor to the multi-award-winning Potenza Sport, featuring ENLITEN Technology for enhanced performance. It delivers 5% shorter wet braking, 2% shorter dry braking, and 15% greater mileage compared to its predecessor, while achieving EU label A-grade wet grip.

Performance

Handling on gravel

100%

Wet circle cornering

96%

Dry lane changing

95%

+13

Gravel traction

38%

Sand traction

38%

Exterior noise

35%

Test results

2026205/45 R17#1(Outstanding)

2026235/35 R19#2(Highly recommended)

2026255/35 R19#2(Exemplary)

2026255/45 R19#2(Exemplary)

2026225/40 R18#3(Highly recommended)

2026245/45 R19#11(Good)

2026245/45 R19#11(-)

Price variants (1)

205/45 R17 88 Y

A C 72dB

£115

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£115

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£121

In stock · Free shipping

2

Premium

PremiumContact 7

'26#1

'26#1

'26#1

9.8

Price from

£119

Price from£119

Expert summary

Continental did it again with the PremiumContact 7. It’s an incredibly well balanced tire with just the right wet and dry grip and above average mileage. Since it’s launch in 2023 it got nothing but the best results in the tests, the only downside being it’s premium price.

#5

theTyre Lab.comRecommended#5 Summer tires 2026

Performance

Wet side guide

100%

Wet safety

100%

Safety

100%

+15

Wear

60%

Rolling resistance

53%

Exterior noise

41%

Test results

2026205/55 R16#1(Highly recommended)

2026235/45 R18#1(Highly recommended)

2026235/55 R18#1(Good)

2026225/50 R17#1(Good)

2026225/45 R17#1(Test winner)

2026205/55 R16#2(Highly recommended)

2026205/45 R17#4(Very good)

2026245/45 R19#6(-)

2026245/45 R19#6(Good)

2025225/50 R17#1(Test winner)

Price variants (1)

205/45 R17 88 Y

A C 71dB

£119

mytyres.co.uk

£119

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£125

In stock · Free shipping

3

Premium

Blue Response TG

'26#1

9.8

Price from

£102

Price from£102

Expert summary

The Dunlop Blue Response TG is a new summer touring tyre from Dunlop, designed as the successor to the long-running Dunlop Sport BluResponse. Positioned in the mid-range segment, it targets drivers looking for a balanced combination of wet and dry performance with good fuel efficiency. The tyre made an impressive debut by winning the AMS 2026 summer tyre test in the 195/55 R16 size. In the AMS test, the Blue Response TG achieved outstanding scores across the board: 9.7/10 for dry performance and an exceptional 9.9/10 for wet performance, demonstrating Dunlop's focus on safety in all conditions. The tyre also scored well for environmental characteristics with a 7.2/10 rating, reflecting improvements in rolling resistance and noise levels compared to its predecessor. Currently available in 195/55 R16 and 205/55 R16 sizes with a V speed rating (up to 240 km/h), the Blue Response TG is expected to expand its size range as production ramps up. The TG designation signals a new generation in Dunlop's touring-focused Blue Response lineup.

#6

theTyre Lab.comRecommended#6 Summer tires 2026

Performance

Wet braking

100%

Wet side guide

100%

Wet handling - objective

100%

+8

Dry steering response

86%

Comfort

86%

Rolling resistance

14%

Test results

2026195/55 R16#1(Outstanding)

Price variants (1)

205/45 R17 88 W £102

mytyres.co.uk

£102

In stock · Free shipping

4

Premium

Ventus Evo

'26#1

'26#2

9.9

Price from

£112

Price from£112

Expert summary

Hankook tyres are getting better with every new generation and the Ventus Evo is the latest evolution. It aims for the stars with excellent dry and wet handling, best-in-test wet braking and top aquaplaning speed, while producing very low exterior noise. The only notable weakness is higher rolling resistance. Still, it is a premium tyre for slightly less than a premium price.

#4

theTyre Lab.comRecommended#4 Summer tires 2026

Performance

Grass traction

100%

Gravel traction

100%

Wet circle cornering

100%

+12

Handling on gravel

50%

Price/value

50%

Sand traction

25%

Test results

2026245/45 R19#1(Exemplary)

2026255/45 R19#1(Exemplary (test winner))

2026245/45 R19#2(-)

2026225/45 R17#3(Highly recommended)

2025225/40 R18#3(-)

2025225/40 R18#5(Exemplary)

Price variants (2)

205/45 R17 88 W mfs XL

A C 71dB

£112

mytyres.co.uk

£112

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£138

In stock · Free shipping

5

Premium

Pilot Sport 5

'26#3

'26#5

'26#9

9.4

Price from

£144

Price from£144

Expert summary

The Pilot Sport range from Michelin is now almost legendary, with the Cup variants being the fastest road legal tyres available. But the ‚ordinary‘ Pilot Sport 5 not as spory as it’s name suggest - it’s incredibly well balanced, with the priority being low rolling resistance and high mileage over sporty handling. It’s still a Michelin tire, so higher price is to be expected.

#13

theTyre Lab.comRecommended#13 Summer tires 2026

Performance

Wear

100%

Mileage

97%

Dry steering response

88%

+13

Safety

50%

Wet handling - objective

49%

Exterior noise

29%

Test results

2026245/45 R19#3(Exemplary)

2026205/45 R17#5(Good)

2026245/45 R19#9(-)

2025225/40 R18#2(-)

2025225/40 R18#2(Exemplary)

2025225/40 R18#3(Good)

2025225/45 R18#4(Highly recommended)

2025225/40 R18#4(Good)

2024215/40 R18#2(Very good)

2023225/45 R18#2(Outstanding)

Price variants (1)

205/45 R17 88 Y mfs XL

A C 72dB

£144

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£144

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£144

In stock · Free shipping

6

Premium

Primacy 5

'26#3

'26#4

8.6

Price from

£127

Price from£127

Expert summary

The previous model was already a good, economy-focused model and the Primacy 5 is expected to take it even further with 18% better mileage. But Michelin said also the wet performance is improved, which is something we are looking forward to see in the tests.

Performance

Rolling resistance

94%

Mileage

86%

Dry steering response

86%

+11

Dry lane changing

43%

Dry braking

41%

Wet side guide

29%

Test results

2026195/55 R16#3(Good)

2026215/55 R17#4(Highly recommended)

2026235/55 R18#4(Good)

2026205/55 R16#6(Recommended)

2026225/45 R17#6(Recommended)

2026235/45 R18#6(Recommended)

2026225/50 R17#7(Satisfactory)

2025225/45 R17#1(Test winner)

Price variants (3)

205/45 R17 88 H

A B 70dB

£127

mytyres.co.uk

£127

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£134

In stock · Free shipping

205/45 R17 88 W

A B 70dB

£128

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£128

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£135

In stock · Free shipping

205/45 R17 88 V

A B 70dB

£129

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£129

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£133

In stock · Free shipping

7

Upper-middle

Ecsta Sport (PS72)

'26#4

'26#6

8.7

Price from

£88

Price from£88

Expert summary

A solid all-rounder at a fair price. The Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 blends dry and wet grip with sporty, predictable steering and offers no dramatic weaknesses. Aquaplaning resistance and comfort are its weaker spots, but you're getting upper-middle performance for less than you'd expect.

Performance

Dry lane changing

89%

Gravel traction

88%

Sand traction

88%

+12

Exterior noise

39%

Dry handling

39%

Aquaplaning - cross

33%

Test results

2026225/45 R17#4(Recommended)

2026245/45 R19#4(-)

2026245/45 R19#6(Good)

2026255/45 R19#6(Good)

2026225/40 R18#7(Recommended)

2025225/40 R18#1(Very good)

Price variants (2)

205/45 R17 88 Y

A D 72dB

£89

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£89

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£90

In stock · Free shipping

205/45 R17 88 Y £88

mytyres.co.uk

£88

In stock · Free shipping

8

Upper-middle

Roadhawk 2

'26#3

'26#4

8.3

Price from

£94

Price from£94

Expert summary

Firestone, the affordable brand belonging to the Bridgestone group, has a fresh addition to their lineup - the Roadhawk 2. And it seems like it’s set off for success - it offers the Bridgestone’s ENLITEN technology, which makes the rolling resistance and mileage exceptional for a budget tyre and it combines it with safe behavior on wet and dry.

Performance

Interior noise

100%

Wet side guide

86%

Aquaplaning - cross

79%

+14

Dry steering response

23%

Exterior noise

10%

Mileage

0%

Test results

2026205/55 R16#3(Highly recommended)

2026205/55 R16#3(Recommended)

2026225/50 R17#4(Satisfactory)

2026235/45 R18#4(Recommended)

2026195/55 R16#5(Good)

2026205/45 R17#7(Sufficient)

2025215/55 R18#6(Satisfactory)

2025225/50 R17#6(Satisfactory)

2024225/45 R17#5(Highly recommended)

Price variants (1)

205/45 R17 88 W XL Enliten / EV

A C 71dB

£94

mytyres.co.uk

£94

In stock · Free shipping

9

Premium

Cinturato P7 C2

'25#3

'24#2

'24#6

8.8

Price from

£117

Price from£117

Expert summary

The upgraded version of the legendary P7 has a good steering response and low rolling resistance, which makes sense as it's often a first equipment of many car manufacturers.

Performance

Wet handling - objective

88%

Wet safety

88%

Safety

88%

+13

Aquaplaning - cross

47%

Mileage

37%

Price/value

32%

Test results

2025225/45 R17#3(Outstanding)

2024225/45 R17#2(Highly recommended)

2024225/55 R17#6(Good)

2023205/55 R16#2(Highly recommended)

2023205/55 R16#4(-)

2023205/55 R16#17(Good)

2021205/55 R16#2(-)

2021205/55 R16#7(Good)

2021225/50 R17#9(Satisfactory)

Price variants (2)

205/45 R17 88 W

B A 69dB

£117

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£117

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£126

In stock · Free shipping

205/45 R17 88 W runflat

B B 69dB

£149

mytyres.co.uk

£149

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£168

In stock · Free shipping

10

Premium

Turanza 6

'26#4

'26#5

'26#5

8.1

Price from

£117

Price from£117

Expert summary

The Turanza 6 is quite a new addition to Bridgestone’s lineup, being introduced in 2023. Featuring the new ENLITEN technology, it should be lighter and have positive effect on fuel efficiency. In the tests, the efficiency is confirmed alongside with higher mileage. That being said, it somehow lacks the performance of other premium tyres, so we would recommend it only when the price is lower.

Performance

Interior noise

93%

Gravel traction

93%

Rolling resistance

89%

+19

Price/value

26%

Grass traction

26%

Safety

13%

Test results

2026225/45 R17#4(Recommended)

2026235/55 R18#5(Good)

2026235/55 R18#5(Recommended)

2026215/55 R17#6(Highly recommended)

2026225/50 R17#6(Satisfactory)

2025215/55 R17#3(Very good)

2025225/45 R17#4(-)

2025255/55 R18#7(-)

2024205/55 R16#3(Exemplary)

2024235/55 R18#4(Good)

Price variants (1)

205/45 R17 88 W

A B 70dB

£117

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£117

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£117

In stock · Free shipping

11

Upper-middle

E.Ziex

'26#4

'25#2

'25#5

8.9

Price from

£88

Price from£88

Expert summary

If you care about the range of your electric vehicle, there are now non-premium options that are more than good enough for daily driving. The Falken e.Ziex delivers top-tier rolling resistance and some of the shortest braking distances in test, both wet and dry. It rides comfortably and stays quiet, though aquaplaning safety in corners and overall wet grip leave room for improvement.

Performance

Rolling resistance

91%

Dry braking

80%

Comfort

73%

+11

Aquaplaning - cross

34%

Dry steering response

31%

Wet handling

27%

Test results

2026195/55 R16#4(Good)

2025215/55 R17#2(Very good)

2025215/55 R18#5(Good)

2023255/45 R20#4(Very good)

Price variants (1)

205/45 R17 88 V £88

mytyres.co.uk

£88

In stock · Free shipping

12

Premium

Turanza T005

'25#4

'24#3

'23#3

8.8

Price from

£107

Price from£107

Expert summary

The Turanza T005 was introduced in 2018, but still stands as a great tyre, offered in incredible 350 different sizes. It’s universal also in it’s properties - it’s a balanced mix of wet and dry performance with above-average rolling resistance.

Performance

Rolling resistance

95%

Dry driving behavior

84%

Wet handling - objective

83%

+21

Price/value

29%

Exterior noise

25%

Grass traction

11%

Test results

2025205/55 R16#4(Recommended)

2024215/40 R18#3(Very good)

2023205/55 R16#3(-)

2023205/55 R16#3(Highly recommended)

2023205/55 R16#4(Good)

2022215/55 R17#1(-)

2022215/55 R17#1(Highly recommended)

2022245/45 R19#2(Very good)

2022185/65 R15#2(Good)

2022215/60 R16#3(Good)

Price variants (8)

205/45 R17 88 H

A C 71dB

£107

mytyres.co.uk

£107

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£117

In stock · Free shipping

13

Premium

Ventus S1 evo3 K127

'25#4

'24#3

'23#1

8.1

Price from

£106

Price from£106

Expert summary

Hankook Ventus tyres are designed to offer a very sporty experience for affordable price, which is also the case for evo3. It’s also safe on wet and got short braking distances, the only drawback being lower mileage.

Performance

Fuel efficiency

87%

Wet safety

75%

Wet braking

75%

+17

Aquaplaning - cross

24%

Dry handling - objective

11%

Dry steering response

11%

Test results

2025225/40 R18#4(Good)

2024225/45 R17#3(-)

2023225/45 R18#1(-)

2023225/40 R18#4(Recommended)

2023225/40 R18#6(Good)

2023225/45 R18#7(Highly recommended)

2023225/45 R18#12(Satisfactory)

2022245/45 R19#3(Very good)

2022225/45 R17#3(Recommended)

2022245/40 R19#3(Exemplary)

Price variants (2)

205/45 R17 88 W *

A A 68dB

£106

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£106

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£110

In stock · Free shipping

205/45 R17 88 W XL *

B B 68dB

£118

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£118

In stock · Free shipping

mytyres.co.uk

£138

In stock · Free shipping

14

Upper-middle

Azenis FK520

'26#3

'26#4

'26#8

8.0

Price from

£90

Price from£90

Expert summary

One of the cheaper tyres that can be recommended as it hasn't failed a single test and is often rated as a economical choice. It's surprisingly quiet, so if you are looking for a good and comfortable tyre, Azenis FK520 could be a tyre for you.

Performance

Price/value

95%

Exterior noise

84%

Mileage

82%

+18

Gravel traction

35%

Wet handling

32%

Interior noise

17%

Test results

2026205/45 R17#3(Very good)

2026225/40 R18#4(Highly recommended)

2026255/45 R19#8(Satisfactory)

2026245/45 R19#13(Good)

2026245/45 R19#14(-)

2025255/55 R18#2(Exemplary)

2025225/40 R18#5(Recommended)

2025225/40 R18#8(Good)

2025225/45 R18#8(-)

2024235/55 R18#7(Good)

Price variants (1)

205/45 R17 88 Y £90

mytyres.co.uk

£90

In stock · Free shipping

15

Upper-middle

Ecsta PS71

'25#4

'25#6

'25#13

8.6

Price from

£86

Price from£86

Expert summary

The Kumho Ecsta PS71 has been around for a while and keeps showing up well in tests. Strong aquaplaning resistance, short braking distances, and balanced handling across conditions make it a dependable choice. Comfort and noise are where it compromises.

Performance

Aquaplaning - longitudal

91%

Sand traction

90%

Aquaplaning - cross

87%

+17

Dry driving behavior

28%

Exterior noise

27%

Interior noise

23%

Test results

2025225/40 R18#4(-)

2025225/40 R18#6(Exemplary)

2025225/40 R18#13(Satisfactory)

2023225/45 R18#5(Good)

2023225/45 R18#7(Highly recommended)

2023225/45 R18#12(-)

2022255/35 R19#6(-)

2021225/50 R17#3(Good)

Price variants (3)

205/45 R17 88 Y

A C 72dB

£86

mytyres.co.uk

£86

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£106

In stock · Free shipping

205/45 R17 88 Y £117

mytyres.co.uk

£117

In stock · Free shipping

16

Budget

Victra Sport 5

'25#4

'25#10

'25#12

8.1

Price from

£83

Price from£83

Expert summary

A budget tyre with real wet grip — that's rare. The Maxxis Victra Sport 5 handles wet roads confidently, brakes well, and stays quiet. The delayed steering response takes getting used to, but at this price point, the overall safety package is hard to argue with.

Performance

Mud traction

100%

Handling on gravel

95%

Wet side guide

92%

+20

Rolling resistance

44%

Sand traction

33%

Fuel efficiency

20%

Test results

2025225/40 R18#4(Good)

2025225/40 R18#10(-)

2025225/40 R18#12(Satisfactory)

2024215/40 R18#4(Very good)

2024225/45 R17#7(Recommended)

2023235/35 R19#4(Good)

2023225/45 R18#6(Highly recommended)

2023225/45 R18#9(-)

2023225/40 R18#9(Good)

2023225/40 R18#10(Satisfactory)

Price variants (1)

205/45 R17 88 Y XL£83

mytyres.co.uk

£83

In stock · Free shipping

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£89

In stock · Free shipping