225/55 R16 - Best summer tyres 2026 - market overview, tests, reviews

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.

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.

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.

The ZE320 is Falken's follow-up to the ZE310, and in some areas it's a clear step forward — dry handling is strong, and it's one of the quietest tyres in its class. Tyre Reviews even rated it highly recommended with top marks in wet handling. That said, wet braking is a real weak spot, especially in cooler conditions, and cross aquaplaning protection is poor. Higher rolling resistance and limited mileage are familiar problems carried over from the predecessor. Available in only 52 sizes, it's still a decent pick if you prioritize a quiet, composed ride and don't push hard in the wet.

A quiet, comfortable all-rounder at a competitive price. The Proxes Comfort delivers solid dry braking and balanced handling across conditions. It won't excel in aquaplaning or mileage, but it covers the basics well and keeps the cabin quiet.

Built for comfort and longevity. The Primacy 4+ delivers outstanding mileage, low noise, and a smooth ride — all backed by short braking distances. Aquaplaning reserves and wet grip are modest, but if you value a quiet, comfortable ride with low running costs, this is the Michelin to get.

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Ventus Prime 4 Is our favorite every day tyre, as it offers premium safety at an affordable price. Short braking distances, good handling, but slightly worse at aquaplaning and comfort.

The HS52 is one of our favorite tires, as the South Korean manufacturer packed a very good performance characteristics with super affordable price. And the best part is that the mileage isn’t compromised, which is usually the case with similar tyres.

A very cheap tyre made in Europe with sufficient grip, but very short life. Not sporty. Good for people that don't drive just occasionally.

The BFGoodrich Advantage is here to offer you a bargain—but it doesn't impress much beyond that. It has decent dry handling and provides a quiet ride with low rolling resistance, but performance on wet surfaces leaves much to be desired. If you're looking for an affordable option and are willing to compromise on wet grip and overall performance, it might still be worth considering. Expect satisfactory comfort but manage your expectations elsewhere.

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Being usually one of the cheaper tyres in the test, the japanese Falken still delivers very safe characteristics for everyday driving. It suffers a bit in the efficiency department, with higher rolling resistance and limited mileage.

The BFGoodrich Advantage 2 is a well-rounded summer touring tire that benefits from Michelin group technology and a completely redesigned tread pattern. It improves on its predecessor with 5% better longevity and 1.6 meters shorter wet braking distances while maintaining consistent performance across all disciplines. Available in an exceptionally wide 288-size range spanning 16 to 21 inches, it covers nearly every modern passenger car and SUV fitment.

The Premitra HP6 is Maxxis's latest summer touring tire, replacing the HP5 with meaningful improvements in longevity and wet safety. It delivers 10-15% better mileage and over 7% shorter wet braking distances thanks to connecting bridge sipes and four optimized longitudinal grooves. A 2025 Red Dot Design Award winner, it punches well above its budget positioning with A-rated wet grip across the 70-size lineup.

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