235/40 R18 - Best summer tyres 2026 - market overview, tests, reviews

We really like the new Potenza Sport, as it’s more sporty and dynamic than the usual tyre in this category, but still perfectly usable and safe for everyday driving, which makes it unique. It’s rolling resistance, mileage and overall comfort are also on a good level, except for a slighty higher noise.

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.

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.

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.

Pilot Sport 4S is the sportier version of the Pilot Sports and the most sporty one that still cares about the wet performance, which is it's strong suite. It's usually expensive, but also a guarantee of a great performance tyre.

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.

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.

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.

A dry-road specialist with track-day ambitions. The Supersport delivers incredible dry grip and handling precision, but it pays for that with weak wet performance, high noise, and the worst rolling resistance in test. A tyre for sunny weekends, not rainy commutes.

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.

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.

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 Ultrac Pro is very well balanced tyre for every day driving made mainly for larger wheel sizes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The P Zero range is with us for a long time, also being a favorite choice for car manufacturers as first equipment. It’s a good, well balanced and enjoyable tyre. It tends to get quite a few mid-life updates so make sure you get the latest one.

The SP Sport MAXX RT2 has been in Dunlop's lineup for a long time, and it shows. Decent aquaplaning resistance and comfortable ride are probably its best qualities, and rolling resistance is reasonable too. But wet braking and wet handling have never been its strong suits, and the dry handling can be unpredictable. As the rest of the segment moved on, it's been struggling to keep up in the tests, which makes it hard to recommend at a premium price.

If rolling resistance is your priority, the Firehawk Sport is hard to beat — it topped the charts. Add short braking distances and low noise, and you get an efficiency-focused tyre that doesn't sacrifice safety basics. Wet handling and aquaplaning are the compromises.

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 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.