For 2019, Sport Auto Magazine has tested eight ultra high performance summer tyres in 245/30 R20 using a Civic Type R.

Sadly the new Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport wasn't included in the test, and instead the twice replaced Asymmetric 2 was left representing Goodyear. This meant the Continental SportContact 6 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S could fight it out for the top spot overall.

The data below is interesting, as it shows in this size at least the Continental SportContact 6 is the better handling, and faster tyre in the dry, and has a significant advantage in the wet when compared to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. This once again proves that the gaps between the very best tyres on the market are extremely close, and the winner can be affected by choices such as size, vehicle used, and even driving style!

Dry

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S was the best tyre during the dry braking testing, with a 0.4 meter advantage over the second placed Continental SportContact 6.

During dry handling, the Continental proved to be both the fastest tyre, and have the best steering feel and handling. The usual dry-dominant Michelin could only manage the sixth fastest lap.

Wet

During wet braking, the Continental had a significant advantage, which is extremely unusual for this type of testing.

The wet braking advantage the Continental had didn't carry over to wet handling, this time with the aging Goodyear being the fastest tyre on test.

The Continental remained the best handling tyre on test subjectively.

The Toyo, the worst tyre in the dry, proved to have the best aquaplaning resistance.

Environment

The Continental also did an excellent job of blending outright grip and low rolling resistance, low noise and acceptable levels of comfort.

Results

1st: Continental Sport Contact 6
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 35 M 34.6 M +0.4 M 98.86% Dry Handling 1st 115.8 Km/H 100% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Wet Braking 1st 30.4 M 100% Wet Handling 2nd 89.2 Km/H 90.9 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.13% Subj. Wet Handling 1st 9 Points 100% Straight Aqua 5th 75.4 Km/H 80.8 Km/H -5.4 Km/H 93.32% Subj. Comfort 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Noise 2nd 73.2 dB 72.6 dB +0.6 dB 99.18% Rolling Resistance 2nd 9.1 kg / t 9 kg / t +0.1 kg / t 98.9% Excellent braking performance, quick and accurate steering response and good directional stability. Average comfort, low aquaplaning resistance. Highly Recommended. Read Reviews
2nd: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 34.6 M 100% Dry Handling 6th 114 Km/H 115.8 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 98.45% Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Wet Braking 3rd 33 M 30.4 M +2.6 M 92.12% Wet Handling 6th 87 Km/H 90.9 Km/H -3.9 Km/H 95.71% Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Straight Aqua 6th 75.2 Km/H 80.8 Km/H -5.6 Km/H 93.07% Subj. Comfort 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Noise 5th 74.3 dB 72.6 dB +1.7 dB 97.71% Rolling Resistance 5th 9.6 kg / t 9 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 93.75% Best dry braking, good handling in the dry and wet. Average comfort, lower wet grip. Recommended. Read Reviews    Buy from £244.67
3rd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 36.3 M 34.6 M +1.7 M 95.32% Dry Handling 2nd 115 Km/H 115.8 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.31% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 5th 33.8 M 30.4 M +3.4 M 89.94% Wet Handling 1st 90.9 Km/H 100% Subj. Wet Handling 2nd 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89% Straight Aqua 4th 75.6 Km/H 80.8 Km/H -5.2 Km/H 93.56% Subj. Comfort 1st 10 Points 100% Noise 7th 74.4 dB 72.6 dB +1.8 dB 97.58% Rolling Resistance 4th 9.5 kg / t 9 kg / t +0.5 kg / t 94.74% Good wet handling, good comfort. Average braking. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews    Buy from £209.40
4th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 35.9 M 34.6 M +1.3 M 96.38% Dry Handling 7th 113.7 Km/H 115.8 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 98.19% Subj. Dry Handling 6th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Wet Braking 4th 33.6 M 30.4 M +3.2 M 90.48% Wet Handling 8th 85.1 Km/H 90.9 Km/H -5.8 Km/H 93.62% Subj. Wet Handling 6th 6 Points 9 Points -3 Points 66.67% Straight Aqua 8th 73.5 Km/H 80.8 Km/H -7.3 Km/H 90.97% Subj. Comfort 5th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Noise 4th 73.8 dB 72.6 dB +1.2 dB 98.37% Rolling Resistance 1st 9 kg / t 100% Good braking, good dry handling. Lower wet grip. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews    Buy from £216.40
5th: Bridgestone Potenza S001
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 36 M 34.6 M +1.4 M 96.11% Dry Handling 5th 114.3 Km/H 115.8 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 98.7% Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Wet Braking 8th 36.1 M 30.4 M +5.7 M 84.21% Wet Handling 5th 87.7 Km/H 90.9 Km/H -3.2 Km/H 96.48% Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Straight Aqua 2nd 76.8 Km/H 80.8 Km/H -4 Km/H 95.05% Subj. Comfort 5th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Noise 8th 75.6 dB 72.6 dB +3 dB 96.03% Rolling Resistance 8th 10.1 kg / t 9 kg / t +1.1 kg / t 89.11% Good braking, good dry handling. Longest wet braking distances, high rolling resistance, noisy. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews
6th: Vredestein Ultrac Vorti R
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 35.5 M 34.6 M +0.9 M 97.46% Dry Handling 2nd 115 Km/H 115.8 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.31% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 6th 34.2 M 30.4 M +3.8 M 88.89% Wet Handling 6th 87 Km/H 90.9 Km/H -3.9 Km/H 95.71% Subj. Wet Handling 6th 6 Points 9 Points -3 Points 66.67% Straight Aqua 7th 75 Km/H 80.8 Km/H -5.8 Km/H 92.82% Subj. Comfort 5th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Noise 3rd 73.4 dB 72.6 dB +0.8 dB 98.91% Rolling Resistance 6th 10 kg / t 9 kg / t +1 kg / t 90% Short dry braking, good dry handling. Average aquaplaning resistance, long wet braking. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews
7th: Falken Azenis FK510
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 37.2 M 34.6 M +2.6 M 93.01% Dry Handling 4th 114.8 Km/H 115.8 Km/H -1 Km/H 99.14% Subj. Dry Handling 6th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Wet Braking 2nd 32.3 M 30.4 M +1.9 M 94.12% Wet Handling 3rd 88.5 Km/H 90.9 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 97.36% Subj. Wet Handling 6th 6 Points 9 Points -3 Points 66.67% Straight Aqua 3rd 76.5 Km/H 80.8 Km/H -4.3 Km/H 94.68% Subj. Comfort 8th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Noise 5th 74.3 dB 72.6 dB +1.7 dB 97.71% Rolling Resistance 3rd 9.4 kg / t 9 kg / t +0.4 kg / t 95.74% Good wet grip. Long dry braking, slow steering. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews
8th: Toyo Proxes Sport
245/30 R20 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 37.6 M 34.6 M +3 M 92.02% Dry Handling 8th 112.6 Km/H 115.8 Km/H -3.2 Km/H 97.24% Subj. Dry Handling 8th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Wet Braking 7th 34.5 M 30.4 M +4.1 M 88.12% Wet Handling 4th 87.8 Km/H 90.9 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.59% Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Straight Aqua 1st 80.8 Km/H 100% Subj. Comfort 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Noise 1st 72.6 dB 100% Rolling Resistance 6th 10 kg / t 9 kg / t +1 kg / t 90% Good aquaplaning resistance. Longest dry braking, poor dry handling. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews    Buy from £179.82