Sport Auto tested 7 summer tyres in size 205/45 R17 on a Mazda MX-5 — a car that communicates tyre behaviour more directly than almost any other vehicle on sale. With just under 1000 kg, rear-wheel drive, and a 50:50 weight distribution, this roadster is the ultimate tyre-testing instrument. The test weighted three categories: Wet 40%, Dry 50%, Environment 10%.
The headline: Bridgestone’s brand-new Potenza Sport evo scored an outstanding 9.2/10 to claim a decisive test victory. At the bottom, Firestone Roadhawk 2 (★75) received a rare safety penalty for dangerously long wet braking distances (38.3 m vs 32.2 m best), dropping it to just 5.7/10.
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Top 3 comparison
Full rankings
1. Bridgestone Potenza Sport (★87) evo — 9.2/10 (outstanding)
The clear test winner and the only tyre to earn the top rating. Outstanding grip on both wet and dry surfaces, with impressive cornering stability and short braking distances (33.8 m dry, 33.1 m wet). A controlled understeer tendency and wide grip reserves make it easy and safe to control at the limit. Minor weaknesses: slightly louder pass-by noise (71.5 dB(A)) and less plush ride comfort.
2. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 (★93) — 8.6/10 (very good)
Crowned the sportiest tyre in the test. Highest cornering grip level with a very neutral, balanced chassis feel that challenges the skilled driver. On the dry handling track, it even outscores the Bridgestone in subjective criteria. Best comfort rating (10/10), quietest pass-by noise (68.1 dB(A)), and lowest rolling resistance among the premium contenders (8.4 kg/t). Weaknesses: slightly nervous load-transfer behaviour and a narrow limit range.
3. Falken Azenis FK520 (★74) — 8.6/10 (very good)
The value pick at just 107 EUR — the cheapest premium tyre in the test. Delivers the shortest braking distances in the entire field, both wet (32.2 m, tied 1st) and dry (33.6 m, 1st). Safe understeer character with good grip reserves. Held back by somewhat pronounced understeer on wet surfaces and the weakest cross-aquaplaning score (2.02 m/s², last place).
4. Continental PremiumContact 7 (★97) — 8.3/10 (very good)
The best all-rounder in the test, perfectly balanced between sport and comfort. High steering precision, quick turn-in response, stable balance, and low load-transfer sensitivity. Best longitudinal aquaplaning score (83.8 km/h, 1st). Pleasant ride comfort. The only weakness: slightly louder pass-by noise. If you want one tyre that does everything well for relaxed-to-spirited road driving, this is it.
5. Michelin Pilot Sport 5 (★93) — 7.9/10 (good)
A precision instrument on dry tarmac — the test’s sharpest steering response (10/10) and excellent vehicle balance. On track, the ultraprecise cutter in dry corners. The problem: wet grip is genuinely weak. Poor cornering stability and sudden rear-end breakaway on wet load transfers expose a clear limitation. Also the most expensive tyre in the test at 175 EUR.
6. Linglong Sport Master (★67) — 7.4/10 (good)
At 75 EUR, the cheapest tyre in the test — and it shows in the results. Engineered one-sidedly for short wet braking distances (32.2 m, tied 1st), but deficient in almost everything else: very sluggish steering, unstable load-transfer behaviour with sudden rear-end breakaway, the highest rolling resistance (9.7 kg/t), and generally lacking the refinement of an established brand product.
7. Firestone Roadhawk 2 (★75) — 5.7/10 (adequate, safety penalty)
The Firestone and the MX-5 simply don’t get along. Dangerously long wet braking distances (38.3 m — over 6 m more than the best) trigger a 1-point safety deduction. Weak steering feedback, unstable load-transfer behaviour, and the longest dry braking distances (35.4 m) complete a poor picture. On the plus side: outstanding cross-aquaplaning protection (2.44 m/s², 1st) and the best rolling resistance (8.0 kg/t, 1st).
Key measured values
Dry braking (100–0 km/h): Falken 33.6 m, Bridgestone 33.8 m, Goodyear 34.2 m, Michelin 34.5 m, Continental 34.6 m, Linglong 35.0 m, Firestone 35.4 m.
Wet braking (80–0 km/h): Falken 32.2 m, Linglong 32.2 m, Bridgestone 33.1 m, Goodyear 33.3 m, Continental 33.3 m, Michelin 34.3 m, Firestone 38.3 m.
Dry handling (avg. speed, 1900 m track): Goodyear 113.8 km/h, Bridgestone 113.8 km/h, Continental 113.1 km/h, Michelin 112.9 km/h, Falken 112.0 km/h, Linglong 112.0 km/h, Firestone 110.6 km/h.
Rolling resistance: Firestone 8.0 kg/t, Goodyear 8.4 kg/t, Michelin 8.5 kg/t, Bridgestone 8.7 kg/t, Falken 8.8 kg/t, Continental 8.9 kg/t, Linglong 9.7 kg/t.
Test winner
Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo
Dimensions: 205/30R17 - 325/55R22
Number of sizes: 105
Number of tests: 5
Sportiest tyre
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
Dimensions: 205/25R17 - 325/65R23
Number of sizes: 179
Number of tests: 5
Value pick
Falken Azenis FK520
Dimensions: 205/30R17 - 325/65R22
Number of sizes: 126
Number of tests: 5
Best all-rounder
Continental PremiumContact 7
Dimensions: 205/35R16 - 315/65R21
Number of sizes: 62
Number of tests: 5