255/55 R18 - Best summer tyres 2026 - market overview, tests, reviews

1

Premium

Blue Response TG

'26#1

9.8

Price from

£147

Price from£147

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.

Recommended

#4

2026

theTyre Lab.comRecommended#4 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)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/55 R18 109 V £147

mytyres.co.uk

£147

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

2

Premium

Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

'26#2

'26#2

'26#2

9.4

Expert summary

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!

Recommended

#10

2026

theTyre Lab.comRecommended#10 Summer tires 2026

Performance

Dry steering response

100%

Mileage

100%

Wet side guide

100%

+21

Sand traction

51%

Mud traction

50%

Interior noise

23%

Test results

2026235/45 R18#2(Highly recommended)

2026245/45 R19#2(Exemplary)

2026205/45 R17#2(Very good)

2026255/45 R19#4(Exemplary)

2026245/45 R19#8(-)

2025255/55 R18#1(Exemplary)

2025225/45 R18#1(Highly recommended)

2025225/40 R18#1(Exemplary)

2025245/35 R19#2(Exemplary)

2025225/40 R18#4(Highly recommended)

View full review

3

Premium

Pilot Sport 4 SUV

'26#5

'25#1

'25#5

9.3

Price from

£161

Price from£161

Expert summary

While the Michelin PS4 SUV was introduced back in 2019, it still offers a top-notch performance for the SUVs which is difficult for it's competitors to match.

Recommended

#11

2026

theTyre Lab.comRecommended#11 Summer tires 2026

Performance

Dry lane changing

100%

Aquaplaning - cross

97%

Gravel traction

94%

+15

Dry handling - objective

56%

Exterior noise

55%

Fuel efficiency

33%

Test results

2026255/45 R19#5(Good)

2025235/55 R19#1(Test winner)

2025255/55 R18#5(Good)

2024235/55 R19#2(Exemplary)

2023225/65 R17#1(Exemplary)

2023255/45 R20#6(Very good)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/55 R18 109 Y

A C 72dB

£161

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£161

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

mytyres.co.uk

£173

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

4

Premium

Efficientgrip 2 SUV

'26#3

'25#3

'23#4

9.2

Expert summary

Comfortable and quiet SUV tyre that is very well balanced with a lean towards durability

Recommended

#13

2026

theTyre Lab.comRecommended#13 Summer tires 2026

Performance

Mileage

100%

Interior noise

100%

Exterior noise

91%

+12

Dry handling

64%

Aquaplaning - longitudal

62%

Dry braking

49%

Test results

2026235/55 R18#3(Recommended)

2025215/55 R18#3(Exemplary)

2023225/65 R17#4(Exemplary)

2022235/55 R18#1(Exemplary)

2021215/60 R17#1(Exemplary)

2021235/55 R18#2(-)

View full review

5

Premium

P ZERO PZ4

'25#3

'25#5

'25#20

8.9

Price from

£157

Price from£157

Expert summary

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.

Performance

Wet handling - objective

97%

Wet circle cornering

95%

Wet handling

89%

+12

Rolling resistance

37%

Mileage

37%

Price/value

0%

Test results

2025245/35 R19#3(Exemplary)

2025225/45 R18#5(Highly recommended)

2025225/40 R18#20(-)

2023235/35 R19#2(Very good -)

2023225/40 R18#3(Outstanding)

2023225/45 R18#3(-)

2023235/35 R19#4(Highly recommended)

2023225/40 R18#5(Very good)

2023225/45 R18#5(Highly recommended)

2023225/45 R18#11(Satisfactory)

View full review

Price variants (2)

255/55 R18 105 T

B B 70dB

£157

mytyres.co.uk

£157

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£159

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

6

Premium

Turanza T005

'25#4

'24#3

'23#3

8.8

Price from

£145

Price from£145

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)

View full review

Price variants (2)

255/55 R18 109 H

C C 72dB

£145

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£145

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

7

Upper-middle

Ecsta PS71

'25#4

'25#6

'25#13

8.6

Price from

£99

Price from£99

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)

View full review

Price variants (2)

255/55 R18 109 Y

A C 72dB

£99

mytyres.co.uk

£99

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£125

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

8

Upper-middle

Roadhawk 2

'26#3

'26#3

'26#4

8.3

Price from

£96

Price from£96

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)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/55 R18 109 Y Y XL Enliten / EV

A B 71dB

£96

mytyres.co.uk

£96

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

9

Premium

Turanza 6

'26#4

'26#5

8.1

Price from

£127

Price from£127

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%

+20

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)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/55 R18 109 V

A A 71dB

£127

mytyres.co.uk

£127

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£146

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

10

Budget

Victra Sport 5

'25#4

'25#10

'25#12

8.1

Price from

£119

Price from£119

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)

View full review

Price variants (2)

255/55 R18 109 Y XL £119

mytyres.co.uk

£119

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

11

Upper-middle

Azenis FK520

'26#3

'26#4

'26#8

8.0

Price from

£122

Price from£122

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%

Cost per warranted mile

90%

Exterior noise

84%

+19

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)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/55 R18 109 Y Y XL NBLK£122

mytyres.co.uk

£122

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

12

Premium

EcoContact 6

'26#6

'22#7

'22#8

7.7

Price from

£237

Price from£237

Performance

Dry steering response

100%

Rolling resistance

100%

Fuel efficiency

100%

+16

Aquaplaning - longitudal

11%

Aquaplaning - cross

8%

Wet handling - objective

0%

Test results

2026195/55 R16#6(Good)

2022215/55 R17#7(Good)

2022185/65 R15#8(Satisfactory)

2022215/55 R17#19(Satisfactory)

2022215/55 R17#23(-)

View full review

Price variants (2)

255/55 R18 120

A C 73dB

£237

mytyres.co.uk

£237

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

13

Upper-middle

Summer

'26#7

7.6

Price from

£112

Price from£112

Performance

Aquaplaning - longitudal

100%

Wet side guide

86%

Wet handling

86%

+8

Rolling resistance

43%

Exterior noise

14%

Dry braking

0%

Test results

2026195/55 R16#7(Good)

View full review

Price variants (2)

255/55 R18 109 V

B B 70dB

£112

mytyres.co.uk

£112

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£126

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

255/55 R18 109 Y

A C 71dB

£130

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£130

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

14

Budget

radial Sport Active 2

'25#22

'23#4

'23#15

7.1

Performance

Aquaplaning - cross

99%

Price/value

95%

Aquaplaning - longitudal

95%

+11

Comfort

21%

Wet circle cornering

16%

Wet braking

14%

Test results

2025225/40 R18#22(-)

2023225/45 R18#4(Good)

2023225/45 R18#15(-)

2022225/45 R18#10(Not recommended)

2022245/45 R19#10(Sufficient)

View full review

15

Upper-middle

RainSport 5

'26#4

'26#24

'25#23

6.9

Price from

£123

Price from£123

Expert summary

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Performance

Wet handling - objective

100%

Aquaplaning - cross

95%

Interior noise

93%

+16

Dry handling

23%

Dry driving behavior

14%

Safety

14%

Test results

2026205/55 R16#4(Recommended)

2026245/45 R19#24(-)

2025225/40 R18#23(-)

2024205/55 R16#14(-)

2024205/55 R16#18(Satisfactory)

2023205/55 R16#5(-)

2023225/45 R18#17(Satisfactory)

2023225/45 R18#17(-)

2023205/55 R16#31(Good)

2022195/55 R16#3(Recommended)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/55 R18 109 Y £123

mytyres.co.uk

£123

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£131

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

16

Upper-middle

Powerproof 1

'25#13

'25#14

6.9

Price from

£163

Price from£163

Test results

2025225/40 R18#13(-)

2025225/40 R18#14(Satisfactory)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/55 R18 109 Y XL

A B 73dB

£163

mytyres.co.uk

£163

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

17

Upper-middle

Proxes Sport 2

'26#5

'26#7

'26#16

6.7

Price from

£134

Price from£134

Expert summary

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Performance

Comfort

81%

Exterior noise

71%

Mud traction

70%

+14

Cost per warranted mile

11%

Price/value

11%

Dry handling - objective

0%

Test results

2026225/45 R18#5(-)

2026255/45 R19#7(Good)

2026245/45 R19#16(-)

2026245/45 R19#17(Satisfactory)

2025225/45 R18#7(-)

2025225/40 R18#11(Good)

2024235/55 R19#7(Good)

2023225/40 R18#7(Good)

2023225/45 R18#10(-)

2023225/45 R18#14(Satisfactory)

View full review

Price variants (2)

255/55 R18 £155

mytyres.co.uk

£155

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

255/55 R18 109 Y £134

mytyres.co.uk

£134

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

18

Upper-middle

Goodrich Advantage 2

'26#5

'26#11

'26#27

6.7

Price from

£136

Price from£136

Expert summary

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.

Performance

Comfort

100%

Dry braking

93%

Aquaplaning - cross

86%

+6

Dry handling

29%

Wet handling - objective

14%

Wet handling

14%

Test results

2026235/45 R18#5(Recommended)

2026215/55 R17#11(Recommended)

2026245/45 R19#27(-)

View full review

Price variants (2)

255/55 R18 109 H 0£136

mytyres.co.uk

£136

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

255/55 R18 109 V 0£146

mytyres.co.uk

£146

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

19

Premium

Ultrac+

'26#2

'26#10

6.6

Price from

£131

Price from£131

Performance

Aquaplaning - longitudal

86%

Wet side guide

86%

Aquaplaning - cross

67%

+9

Dry handling

36%

Mileage

14%

Dry steering response

0%

Test results

2026195/55 R16#2(Very good)

2026215/55 R17#10(Recommended)

2026225/45 R17#10(-)

2026225/50 R17#12(Satisfactory)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/55 R18 109 Y XL£131

mytyres.co.uk

£131

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£152

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

20

Budget

Presto

'26#7

6.1

Price from

£100

Price from£100

Performance

Dry handling

100%

Exterior noise

100%

Rolling resistance

100%

+3

Wet handling

29%

Wet braking

14%

Aquaplaning - cross

0%

Test results

2026235/55 R18#7(Conditionally recommended)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/55 R18 109 V XL

B B 70dB

£100

mytyres.co.uk

£100

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

21

Premium

Wrangler AT Adventure

'25#10

'22#3

5.6

Test results

2025255/55 R18#10(Conditionally recommended)

2022275/65 R18#3(-)

View full review

22

Budget

Speed-Life 3

'26#22

'25#26

'24#14

5.5

Price from

£131

Price from£131

Expert summary

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Performance

Wet side guide

90%

Price/value

84%

Exterior noise

79%

+12

Dry handling

31%

Wet circle cornering

28%

Dry braking

21%

Test results

2026245/45 R19#22(-)

2025225/40 R18#26(-)

2024215/55 R17#14(Satisfactory)

2024205/55 R16#23(-)

2023205/55 R16#10(-)

2023205/55 R16#19(Good)

2023225/45 R18#41(-)

2022185/65 R15#12(Satisfactory)

2022215/60 R16#16(Satisfactory)

2022215/55 R17#43(-)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/55 R18 109 Y mfs XL

B C 73dB

£131

mytyres.co.uk

£131

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£140

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

23

Upper-middle

Hakka Black 3

'25#2

'25#5

5.4

Expert summary

Not logged in · Please run /login

Performance

Wet handling

100%

Wet braking

92%

Dry braking

92%

+5

Interior noise

46%

Wet circle cornering

40%

Aquaplaning - longitudal

39%

Test results

2025235/55 R19#2(-)

2025225/45 R17#5(-)

View full review

24

Upper-middle

Zeon 4XS Sport

'26#29

'23#11

4.9

Price from

£169

Price from£169

Performance

Gravel traction

100%

Wet handling - objective

90%

Dry handling

80%

+15

Comfort

20%

Fuel efficiency

14%

Aquaplaning - cross

11%

Test results

2026245/45 R19#29(-)

2023225/65 R17#11(Conditionally recommended)

View full review

Price variants (7)

255/55 R18 V XL £174

mytyres.co.uk

£174

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

255/55 R18 Y XL £169

mytyres.co.uk

£169

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

25

Budget

Protech NewGen

'26#36

'25#34

'23#25

4.0

Price from

£143

Price from£143

Performance

Fuel efficiency

100%

Mileage

81%

Interior noise

69%

+6

Dry driving behavior

6%

Safety

6%

Aquaplaning - longitudal

0%

Test results

2026245/45 R19#36(-)

2025225/40 R18#34(-)

2023205/55 R16#25(Good)

2023225/45 R18#37(-)

2022215/55 R17#45(-)

2021225/50 R17#16(Satisfactory)

2021205/55 R16#36(-)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/55 R18 109 Y mfs XL£143

mytyres.co.uk

£143

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

26

Budget

ZX7

'26#30

'21#8

3.8

Performance

Dry handling

100%

Wet handling

63%

Dry braking

25%

+4

Gravel traction

13%

Exterior noise

13%

Rolling resistance

0%

Test results

2026245/45 R19#30(-)

2021235/55 R18#8(-)

View full review

27

Budget

Dimax R8+

'26#31

3.6

Test results

2026245/45 R19#31(-)

View full review

28

Budget

Solmax 1

'26#11

'25#8

3.3

Expert summary

Goodride is a Chinese budget brand and the Solmax 1 is their freshest entry into the European market. The test results don't paint a great picture — 8th at Autobild and 11th at Tyre Reviews, with wet braking and aquaplaning resistance as clear weak spots. It is notably quiet, which makes it a reasonable pick for EV drivers on a tight budget, but for a tyre introduced in 2025, falling short on wet safety is not where you want to be.

Performance

Price/value

100%

Exterior noise

81%

Aquaplaning - cross

59%

+8