Best car tyres for 2026: tested for year-round driving

With dozens of different car tyre brands and models available to buy, it can be very hard to tell if one tyre is better than another.

To find out which car tyre is best, we’ve tested dozens of different models from top brands such as Continental, Dunlop and Michelin, along with models from mid-range brands like Linglong, Nexen and Vredestein.

Our independent car tyre lab and road tests let us assess how each tyre performs on dry and wet surfaces, as well as its environmental and sustainability credentials. Our tests found tyres that impressed enough to be Best Buys, some budget-friendly Great Value options and the Don’t Buy models you should avoid.

All of the tyres we tested are summer tyres, which are fitted on most cars in the UK and, despite their name, are typically used year round.

Tyres on test

The table below shows all tyres we've tested.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the tyre test results. Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.

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Popular car tyres reviewed

Our test results and reviews are exclusively for Which? members, but these are some of the popular tyres we've tested.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Tested size 225/40 R18
Price as tested (tyre only) £109

The Potenza Sport is marketed by Bridgestone as being a 'high-performance' tyre, but how did it perform in our tough and independent tests?

Our full review is exclusively for Which? members, but at nearly 10kg on our scales it's one of the heaviest tyres on test, which can often lead to higher fuel consumption.

Log-in to your account or Join Which? today to see what impact the extra weight has and whether Bridgestone's claims stack up.

We've included some deals above. For more options, check popular retailers including Asda Tyres, Black Circles, Halfords, Kwik Fit and Mytyres.

Continental PremiumContact 7

Tested sizes 215/55 R17 and 225/50 R17
Price as tested (tyre only) £126 (215/55 R17); £118 (225/50 R17)

These are premium tyres from a big-name brand, and we've tested two separate sizes.

The full review is exclusively for Which? members, but our tests revealed that they’re not the quietest tyres we’ve tested.

Log-in to your account or Join Which? today to read our full Continental PremiumContact 7 reviews and find out how they fared in our other tests.

We've included some deals above. For more options, check popular retailers including Asda Tyres, Black Circles, Halfords, Kwik Fit and Mytyres.

Kumho Ecsta HS52

Tested size 215/55 R17
Price as tested (tyre only) £87

The Kumho name is less familiar than some other brands, but the Ecsta HS52 offers a lower price than its rivals.

Our full review is exclusively for Which? members, but we can tell you it's one of the loudest tyres we've tested at 72.6dB.

Log-in to your account or Join Which? today Join Which?Log-in to your account or Join Which? today to find out whether the Kumho Ecsta HS52 is a bargain tyre you should consider.

We've included some deals above. For more options, check popular retailers including Asda Tyres, Black Circles, Halfords, Kwik Fit and Mytyres.

Michelin Primacy 4+

Tested size 225/40 R18
Price as tested (tyre only) £105

This Michelin tyre also has good environmental credentials along with low wear, but that counts for nothing if grip in the dry and wet isn't up to scratch.

Log-in to your account or Join Which? today to unlock our full Michelin Primacy 4+ review and get the full details.

We've included some deals above. For more options, check popular retailers including Asda Tyres, Black Circles, Halfords, Kwik Fit and Mytyres.

Tyres to avoid

We've tested five tyres that performed poorly enough to be named Don't Buys.

To find out which they are, and which tyres earned our Best Buy and Great Value recommendations, log in to your Which? account or join Which? today.

What size tyres do I need?

Different cars are compatible with different sizes of tyre. A good way to find out which tyre you can use is by checking the existing tyres on your car. Many websites also offer services where you can enter your car’s registration number and it will tell you the sizes your car can use.

For more information, read our tyre speed ratings and markings guide.

How long do car tyres last and when should you replace them?

Although you must replace your tyres when they reach the legal limit (see below), it pays to look for earlier signs. Different cars, roads and driving styles dramatically impact tyre wear, so we recommend keeping an eye on signs of damage, the tread depth and the age of your tyres. 

Damage: If a tyre has any lumps or bulges, this suggests its structure is failing. Similarly, if any of the tyre’s internal metal cords are exposed, it’s time to change them immediately.

Tread depth: The legal limit of tread depth across 3/4 of a tyre's surface is 1.6mm. However, don't wait for your tyre to get close to that, as the tyre's grip – especially when there's standing water involved – progressively worsens as it nears the minimum depth. Start looking for replacements when the depth reaches 2-3mm. 

Age: There's no set rule, but it's worth considering replacing tyres once they are 10 years old, as the materials in the tyre may have started to degrade. Markings (the DOT code) on your tyre provide the year (and the week within that year) of manufacture, but if you're unsure consult a tyre retailer or mechanic. As an example, a four-digit code of 0820 would mean the tyre was manufactured in the eighth week of 2020.

Ideally, you should replace all your car tyres at the same time, but this is rarely practical because front and rear tyres can wear at different rates, depending on your car. To prolong the life of your tyres, you could consider rotating the tyres – putting the back ones on the front and vice-versa – midway through their life, but ensure they are all equally sized before doing so.

Where to buy car tyres

There are various places to buy tyres. One option is to buy from your vehicle’s main dealer. It’s likely it will have the right size and recommended brand for your car, which is handy if you need them quickly. Expect to pay a premium, though, as they are often supplied by specialist dealers.

Retailers such as Asda Tyres, Black Circles, Kwik Fit and Halfords, can quickly advise you on suitable tyres for your vehicle and arrange for them to be fitted. You can also buy unfitted tyres from sites such as Black Circles and Mytyres and arrange to have them fitted elsewhere. 

It’s worth contacting several different tyre retailers to compare costs. Ensure any quote includes the cost of new valves and balancing the tyres, as well as fitting them.

How to save on car tyres

Car tyres can be expensive and, particularly for high-performance cars, cost several hundred (or even thousands of) pounds each. There are, however, ways you can save money when buying tyres.

For low-mileage drivers, choosing a cheaper (and slightly lower-scoring) tyre model may prove to be more cost-effective than splashing out on an expensive premium tyre.

But for higher-mileage drivers, choosing a premium or mid-range tyre that’s efficient on fuel and has a long lifespan will most likely save you more money long-term than buying a cheap tyre.

Many tyre retailers offer discounts if you purchase multiple tyres, and this can save you a significant amount of money if you need to buy several tyres at the same time.

If you’re planning to buy online, it’s worth comparing multiple retailers to see which tyre is the cheapest (including fitting).

Used and part-worn tyres

It is legal for garages in the UK to sell part-worn – or second-hand – car tyres, but only if they are safe and properly marked.

In addition to being free of defects that would render a tyre unfit for purpose (for example, cuts and bulges), sellers must take various additional steps to comply with the law. This includes:

• Ensuring all original markings on the sidewall of the tyre are legible
• Ensuring tyres have a tread depth of at least 2mm
• Inscribing the words 'PART WORN' on the sidewall in letters at least 4mm high
• Repairing any damage to specific British standards

A DVSA investigation in 2022 into used tyre sellers found that while 96% of tyres checked in the investigation had plenty of tread depth, more than four fifths (85%) were non-compliant due to not having the correct markings. In addition, some of the tyres found were more than 10 years old.

As such, you should be careful when buying used tyres and walk away if the tyres you're looking at don't meet the DVSA's requirements. 

How we test tyres

We go above and beyond when testing tyres, and as the results above demonstrate there’s a huge difference between the best and the worst.

Our main tests are listed below, but before we run any of them each tyre is run in for around 250 miles.

Dry roads

On dry roads, we subjectively assess straight-line stability and how responsive the car’s steering torque, precision and more. We also perform emergency lane changes and take corners at the limit to see how the tyres perform in high-intensity scenarios.

Additionally, we stop the car from 62mph on dry asphalt, averaging measurements across multiple tests.

Wet roads

For each set of tyres, we stop the car from 50mph on wet concrete and tarmac, averaging measurements across multiple tests.

We test straight-line aquaplaning by driving the tyres into a section of test track where water is flowing. We accelerate the car until the tyres begin to aquaplane (in other words, floating in the water above the track surface). The average speed the tyres aquaplane at is evaluated over five runs. Tyres that aquaplane only at higher speeds score better in this section of the test.

We also test aquaplaning in corners on a section of circular track with flowing water. The first test is completed at 37mph and subsequent tests are completed 3mph faster up to a maximum speed of 62mph. How well the car can maintain grip at this steering angle is then measured; those that continue turning more score better.

Additionally, we drive on a wet circuit at the limit of grip and assess how well the tyre handles. For each set of tyres, two drivers complete three runs that each include three laps. We also measure lap times on a wet circular track and carry out a single run with seven laps to measure the average lap time.

Environmental performance

We judge the environmental performance of each tyre by looking at a variety of measures.

Predicted lifespan

To calculate the tyre’s predicted lifespan, we drive each set of tyres on identical vehicles for around 9,000 miles and take six measurements at regular intervals. We then calculate the predicted mileage based on these figures.

Efficiency

To measure efficiency, each tyre is weighed when it arrives at the lab. When tyres are made in multiple locations, we take an average value.

We accurately measure fuel consumption over a distance of 1.24 miles when driven at a constant 62mph; we complete two runs of this test over at least five measurement drives.

Noise

Interior noise is assessed subjectively when the vehicle is coasting at speeds of between 24 and 81mph over concrete and asphalt surfaces. Exterior noise is measured when rolling with the engine off at 50mph.

Environmental impact

To assess each tyre's environmental impact, we look at factors including where each tyre is manufactured and whether the tyre, factory and manufacturer meet or participate in various environmental standards and bodies.

How we calculate car tyre prices

We base our tyre prices on those that are typically quoted by online retailers and exclude any delivery or fitting costs. Prices were last checked in March 2026 and can fluctuate between retailers.

When selecting Great Value tyre models, we calculate an average price for each size of tyre we tested and compare that price to the prices of each tyre model. If a tyre scores at least 65% in our tests and has an average price that is significantly lower than the average for its size, it’s awarded Great Value status.

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