245/45 R19 - Best summer tyres 2026 - market overview, tests, reviews

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.

Hankook designed the ION Evo specifically for electric vehicles and it shows. It combines low rolling resistance with good aquaplaning safety, short braking distances and excellent handling dynamics. Comfort and mileage are also strong points, making it a well-rounded EV tyre with very few compromises.

A driver's tyre through and through. The P Zero PZ5 took first place in dry handling and posted the best aquaplaning speed in test — sporty, but with real safety margins. Wet handling is the weak spot, so this one's for those who value dry grip and aquaplaning resistance above all.

When safety meets sportiness, you get the Pirelli Cinturato C3. It posted the best dry braking distance in test and backs it up with excellent wet grip and handling. Low rolling resistance adds efficiency to the mix, though noise levels and aquaplaning in standing water are only average.

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.

Despite its name, this tyre is focused mainly on efficiency and comfort, which is where it excels. It has got a great mileage, while maintaining very safe characteristics and therefore is recommended for drivers that value comfort over sportiness.

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.

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.

The Asymmetric 6 is the latest addition in the Eagle F1 range, offering great compromise between every day comfort and sporty driving. While it has dynamic steering response, it’s also very good on wet and has a low rolling resistance. Definitely recommended!

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 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.

100 out of 100 in rolling resistance, mileage, and EV suitability — the e.Primacy is in a class of its own when it comes to efficiency. It's also one of the quietest tyres you can buy. Just know that braking and wet cornering are average at best. A tyre for maximising range, not fun.

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 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.

Not logged in · Please run /login

The Kumho ECSTA Sport S PS72 is a summer tyre aimed at good performance at an affordable price. It has been benchmarked against premium competitors, including the Continental SportContact 7. The model targets reliable performance while remaining a cost-effective option for drivers.

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.

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.

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

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.