Summer is, arguably, the best time to drive in the UK and for many motorists, this means getting the best summer tyres for the perfect driving experience!
While the tyre industry is a very large one, there are some brands and products that stand out among the rest, popular with a wide range of drivers for their high performance parameters. If you’re looking for the best summer tyres for your vehicle, we’ve collected the 10 greatest selling products from our store!
Uniroyal Rainsport 3 - Prices from £42 per tyre (£168 for 4)
As the name suggests, the Uniroyal Rainsport 3 is well designed to handle wet roads - a common occurrence when it comes to British weather. Uniroyal has improved this tyre from its predecessor, creating a complex asymmetric tread pattern that features a directional tread design on the inside. This enables the tyre to maintain strong grip and performance, even on very wet surfaces, protecting against aquaplaning while still offering a safe, quiet and comfortable ride.
Since its launch, the Rainsport 3 has proven very successful in various professional tests. In 2014, it came 2nd (out of 11 tyres) in the AMS summer tyre test, scoring 8.9 out of 10. In 2015, it came 5th (out of 9) in the AMS performance test, as well as earning a “recommend” rating from Auto, Motor Und Sport in a test of 225/50 R17 tyres. In 2016, it came 4th out of 50 tyres in Autobild’s braking tests.
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This tyre has proven immensely popular with drivers and, looking at the various reviews left in our portal, it’s easy to see why. According to one user, Mister, this product has “improved its performance on dry road. It's all thanks to large blocks on the tyre's shoulder I can feel comfort and stability while making any sudden moves with my car”.
Another driver, P Phipps, comments that the Rainsport 3 is “has performed perfectly . For the money they are the best on the market . No aquaplaning even on the wettest roads”, while Harry James simply states “You won't be disappointed with these tyres”.
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 - Prices from £69 per tyre (£276 for 4)
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tyre has, as the name suggests, an asymmetric tread pattern. This is designed to maintain a large contact area with the road, enabling drivers to get the full performance from their vehicle. It also helps to prevent aquaplaning and skidding on wet roads, making it useful throughout the summer season.
In tests, the Asymmetric 2 has proven to be a highly competitive tyre. In 2012, it came first (out of 15) in Autobild’s test of 225/45 R17 tyres. In 2013 it came first (out of 9) in Auto Review’s test, also in size 225/45 R17. In 2015, it won Auto Zeitung’s test of 14 225/40 R18 tyres, as well as an “excellent” rating in Autobild’s summer test. With such strong results, it’s clear the Goodyear has made a tyre that excels in a wide range of conditions.
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Our customers, likewise, were equally as impressed. One user, DIGIGI, states the tyres offer “very good performance in wet condition! I'm impressed! The car it is stopping even better in wet than dry!”.
Perhaps the best compliment, however, comes from MartyB: “Each time a vehicle is supplied with a different brand I've yet to be impressed with the performance of the original tyres, I usually change to Goodyear F1's at the earliest opportunity and their performance is always a noticeable improvement.”
Pirelli PZero - Prices from £83 per tyre (£312for 4)
Pirelli tyres are well known for offering high performance and the Pirelli PZero summer tyre is no exception. Thanks to an asymmetric tread, featuring three circumferential grooves, this tyre ensures strong grip on both dry and wet roads, with a series of sipes to help disperse water. Pirelli also uses a modern silica compound, to keep the tyre light, yet sturdy. This limits rolling resistance without sacrificing the strength of the tyre, so it stays highly resistance to rapid tread wear.
In tests, the Pirelli PZero is succeeded in a variety of challenges. In 2012, it came first (out of 9) in Sport Auto’s test of 235/35 R19 summer tyres and first (out of 10) in EVO’s test of 225/45 R17 tyres. In 2015, it came first in Sport Auto’s test of 7 tyres in size 235/35 R19, as well as being “highly recommended” in Auto Zeitung’s test of 225/40 R18 products. More recently, in 2016, it was “recommended” in GTÜ’s test of 225/45 R17 summer tyres.
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In our user reviews, it’s clear that drivers are also very satisfied with this product. One review, by RHP91 praises the PZero for being “sticky in the dry and good in the wet, but being a sensible person, you know not to go daft speeds in the wet regardless of what car and tyres you have.”
Other users appreciated this tyre for its “very good grip”, ability to handle corners and offer “good driving at high speeds”. As one user, jclh, aptly summarises: “I have tried many of the big branded makes of tyres, but these are by far the best yet. Highly recommended.”
Falken ZE 914 - Prices from £37 per tyre (£148 for 4)
If you’re looking for a cheap tyre that offers a high amount of quality, the Falken ZE 914 is a very popular option. At the core of its design is an asymmetric tread with four circumferential grooves to help remove water and keep the tyre dry. This asymmetric design ensures control during corners and protection against skidding, even when the road is wet.
The tyre has been a strong contender in numerous tests, including ACE’s 2013 summer touring tyre test, ADAC’s 2015 European tyre test in size 205/55 R16 and, more recently, Autobild’s 2016 summer test of 205/55 R16 products.
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Our users also have had positive experiences with this tyre. According to one review by GT500: “Since the Falkens were fitted the car is a different animal altogether, she really holds the line in corners and feels very sure footed on fast winding country roads. The wet grip is very good when driving enthusiastically and again feels sure footed.”
Another user, Al2y, believes “these tyres perform well in the wet and dry for me and my style of driving. They are also wearing well”. Daz Downie, on the other hand, states these tyres offer the “quality of a premium tyre for the price of a budget tyre” and the tyres come highly recommended for summer use.
Kumho KU39 - Prices from £47 per tyre (£188 for 4)
The Kumho KU39 is a mid-range product designed to offer a high level of quality at a low, affordable cost. It is based on an asymmetric design with wide grooves to help channel water away. Thanks to the carefully designe tread blocks, the KU39 also offers a smooth, quiet drive while also ensuring plenty of grip in both wet and dry conditions.
This tyre has had some favourable reviews, including Autobild’s 2014 test, where it came 8th out of 15 tyres. EVO tested the tyre in 2010 and 2012: both times, the KU39 was praised for having very strong, reliable performance in dry conditions.
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From our reviews, it is clear that many drives appreciate this tyre. According to one driver, S Taylor: “The tyres perform well in all conditions aside from snow which I have not had the chance to drive them but I will have by then switched over to winter tyres. They grip perform flawlessly on dry tarmac and very well in heavy rain, wind and even sleet, the same can be said when braking harshly, they do not seem to lose any grip, wet or dry, taking corners at speed wet or dry doesn't seem to bother them either.”
From our reviews, it is clear that many drives appreciate this tyre. According to one driver, S Taylor: “The tyres perform well in all conditions aside from snow which I have not had the chance to drive them but I will have by then switched over to winter tyres. They grip perform flawlessly on dry tarmac and very well in heavy rain, wind and even sleet, the same can be said when braking harshly, they do not seem to lose any grip, wet or dry, taking corners at speed wet or dry doesn't seem to bother them either.”
Michelin Pilot Super Sport - Prices from £112 per tyre (£448 for 4)
With an asymmetric tread, this tyre offers a high level of steering and control on dry surfaces. Of course, it still has grooves and sipes to expel water and stick to the road when it’s wet. However it’s the use of different compounds that sets this tyre apart. By having each side focus on different parameters and supporting them with tailored compounds, the Pilot Super Sport ensures high performance in all environments.
In professional tests, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport has demonstrated itself as an exceptionally strong contender. In 2011, it came 1st (out of 4 tyres) in Tirerack’s Max Performance summer test and, in 2015, it won an “excellent” rating in Autobild’s test of 255/35 R19 tyres.
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As far as individual experiences go, drivers seem very happy with the Pilot Super Sport. One driver, Andy L, exclaims these products are the “best tyres I’ve ever fitted to a 'Road' car. Loads of grip, and i meen LOADS! Excellent in braking, acceleration and cornering”, while Martin Carpenter explains how their high quality helps to “inspire a huge level of confidence”.
One of the most comprehensive reviews comes from Simba, who summarises: “After trying a few different brands, from Pirelli, to Continentals, to Bridgestone. I found these tyres. The grip is amazing, and I feel really safe, even when driving at higher speeds, knowing it will hug the road as i go round a corner. I definitely recommend these tyres for both wet and dry.”
Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance - Prices from £43 per tyre (£172 for 4)
The Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance is a high quality tyre with an asymmetric design. Compared to other tyres, Goodyear guarantees a shorter braking distance by 2 metres (8%) on wet surfaces and 3% shorter in dry conditions.
In professional tests, this tyre can often be found at the top of the podium. It came first in ADAC’s test of 195/65 R15 summer tyres, out of 17 tyres, in 2014. In the following year, it won Autobild’s technical test of 10 215/55 R16 tyres and also came first in ACE’s comparison of 12 summer touring tyres. It was continually praised for its high balance and grip on both dry and wet roads. In 2015 and 2016, it also received a “good” recommendation from ADAC in a number of different tyre sizes.
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Drivers have also been quick to compliment the Efficientgrip Performance. One driver, Andy, offers the best summary, stating these products are “probably the best tyres I have ever purchased in 46 years of motoring for numerous vehicles of varying performance. Wear evenly with excellent road holding and wet/dry grip.”
Many users highly recommend these tyres, claiming low noise, strong grip and great support in the rain. These tyres are well worth their price, offering all of the high quality drivers have come to expect from Goodyear.
Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 K120 - Prices from £42 per tyre (£168 for 4)
With a directional tread design, the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 K120 offers great traction across wet and dry surfaces, while also offering a low rolling resistance, helping to provide an economical option. It also uses a light rubber compound and a thick carcass, to help ensure the tyre stays rigid. This helps reduce tyre wear and ensures the product continues to offer a safe level of driving.
The V12 evo2 has also been well received by various professionals. Notably, it fared well in a 2015 tyre performance test by AMS, 4th out of 9 tyres. It was praised for its strong performance in the wet, as well as its short braking distance on dry roads.
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Its strong performance is appreciated by many motorists. One such user, Agnes, was quick to praise the strong sidewall and sturdiness of the tyre, claiming it is “ideal for aggressive driving”. This is supported by another driver, Tommy Holt, who claims: “The compound I would say is medium to soft in terms of grip but are wearing like a hard compound. I drive aggressively and these tyres allow me to get the most out of the car.”
Other drivers also commented on this summer tyre’s ability to thrive in both wet and dry environments.As Vincent explains: “The first things I noticed after driving with these tyres was how much quieter and more comfortable they were to the previous tyres. The grip levels are also good in the wet and dry.”
Pirelli P Zero Nero GT - Prices from £57 per tyre (£228 for 4)
Another Pirelli tyre, the Pirelli P Zero Nero GT features an asymmetric tread design, offering different parameters on different sections of the tyre. It also uses a modern rubber compound containing silica, helping it to cope in warmer temperatures, helping to extend the tyre’s lifespan.
Furthermore, the combination of tread blocks and grooves has been designed to allow smooth, effortless manoeuvering, while still retaining the ability to brake well on both dry and wet roads. This makes the tyre a great option for those looking for something that can support and handle a dynamic driving style.
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Users have been quick to praise this tyre for its ability to cope in a variety of environments. As one driver, Abdul, puts it: “They look good and perform how they should in wet and dry conditions. They track the road surface well with good response to steering input. Purchased full set and very pleased with this tyre. I will quite happily purchase another set when needed.”
Other drivers appreciate the tyre for being a “very well balanced premium tyre with no obvious vices” and “a great compromise of all the obvious performance criteria.” It seems that, however you drive, this tyre is strong enough to handle it and give you the driving experience and performance you expect.
Nexen N’Fera SU1 - Prices from £40 per tyre (£160 for 4)
The a uses a symmetric tread to ensure balanced performance across dry and wet surfaces. It’s tread design features an intricate pattern of grooves, designed to drain water out and away from the tyre. This keeps water from building up, preventing aquaplaning and ensuring a smoother drive on wet roads, with plenty of grip.
Furthermore, the modern compound used, which contains silica, allows the tyre to adapt to various temperatures. This also allows it to remain flexible and ensure a large contact patch, helping to maintain your car’s performance.
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Our users seem very satisfied with this product. One user, Wee Al, claims that he’s “never looked back and this is the fourth set I've purchased. For the price, I think you'll find it hard to find any brand to beat them.” Ray, likewise, states: “Fantastic tyres will definitely buy more when needed, excellent grip in all weather's, ride quality and noise among the best.”
Other drivers claim the tyres have “Great grip in the both the dry and wet” and are “great on the motorway in all conditions”. It’s clear from these reviews that the Nexen N’Fera SU1 is a very dynamic, versatile summer tyre.
Buy The Best Selling Summer Tyres Online
Now that you’ve read our list of the best selling summer tyres, you can use our store to get a set for your car. If you need to check your size, you can find this through both our license registration number checker and our tyres by vehicle tool. Once you know your size, you can also look at our tyre size calculator to consider any alternative sizes as well.