Tire: Safety, Efficiency, Comfort & Durability
In 2026, with the continued rise in the penetration rate of new energy vehicles and the countdown to the implementation of the new national standards, the competitive logic of the tire market is undergoing profound changes. Consumers' expectations for tires have shifted from a single performance indicator to a balanced approach encompassing "safety, energy efficiency, comfort, and durability."
Based on the latest real-world test data from China Automotive Selection in March 2026, the preliminary results from the European magazine Auto Bild, and the ACE Auto Club's evaluation, this article selects six mainstream tire products and conducts a quantitative comparison around five core dimensions: dry braking, wet safety, rolling resistance, quietness and comfort, and wear resistance and durability. The aim is to provide objective purchasing references for different driving scenarios.
This evaluation covers three categories: high-performance sports tires, new energy vehicle-specific tires, and family-oriented balanced tires. It strictly adheres to international standards such as ISO 12585 and SAE J1269. All core data comes from real-vehicle testing in third-party laboratories, ensuring the results are authentic and reproducible.
Specific testing dimensions include: 100-0 km/h dry braking, 100-0 km/h wet braking, 60 km/h in-vehicle noise, rolling resistance coefficient (N/kN), and UTQG abrasion index, combined with wet cornering speed and continuous braking heat fade performance to comprehensively evaluate the overall product performance.
Dry Braking: Sport Tires Dominate, Domestic New Energy Tires Show Impressive Performance
In dry braking performance, sport tires still dominate. The Goodyear Eagle F1 6 leads with a distance of 34.75 meters. Its optimized carcass structure and racing-grade grip compound, combined with a widened central rib design, increase the contact area during emergency braking by 12%. Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo follows closely behind with a dry braking distance of 32.8-32.9 meters. Its high-rigidity tread block design achieves a precise balance between steering response and braking stability.
Among tires designed for new energy vehicles, the Linglong SPORT MASTER e performed exceptionally well, achieving a dry braking distance of approximately 35 meters, on par with flagship models from foreign brands. Its molecular chain-regulated compound effectively enhanced the adhesion between the tire tread and paved surfaces. For everyday passenger tires, the Giti F22 and Hankook Ventus S1 evo³ achieved distances of 39.4 meters and 38.8 meters respectively, sufficient for daily commuting needs.
Wet Safety: A Key Differentiator Under the New National Standard
Wet safety is the key differentiator in this comparison and a crucial assessment indicator under the new national standard GB/T 45478-2025, which will be implemented in May 2026. The Linglong SPORT MASTER e demonstrated a crushing advantage in European testing, achieving a wet braking distance of only 25.2 meters at 80 km/h, nearly 2 meters shorter than the second-place finisher. Its efficient drainage groove design and highly dispersed nano-silica compound enabled a critical hydrostatic speed of 82.5 km/h.
The Goodyear Eagle F1 6th generation tire achieves a wet braking distance of 33.8 meters and a wet cornering speed of 65 km/h. Its double-layer cord structure effectively suppresses tire deformation during wet driving. Notably, the domestically produced Sailun "Liquid Gold" tire, utilizing liquid-phase mixing technology, shortens wet braking distance by 15% compared to traditional tires, solving the "devil's triangle" problem of wear resistance and wet grip. Among household tires, the Giti F22 achieves a wet braking distance of 45.8 meters, with its mesh-like water-breaking groove design meeting basic rain-time anti-skid requirements.
Rolling Resistance and Quietness: Key Indicators for New Energy Vehicles
Rolling resistance and quietness performance are directly related to the range and driving experience of new energy vehicles. The Goodyear e-Ride, designed specifically for electric vehicles, boasts a rolling resistance coefficient of 5.99 N/kN and an interior noise level of only 60.3 dB at 60 km/h. Its fully covered, widened sound-absorbing cotton and closed lateral groove design perfectly meet the quiet cabin requirements of electric vehicles.
The Linglong SPORT MASTER e meets the EU rolling resistance Class A standard and, combined with its low-noise tread design, its noise level at 60km/h is less than 0.5dB lower than the Continental UC7. Among tires suitable for traditional gasoline vehicles, the Michelin Primacy 4 series, thanks to its EverGrip technology, reduces fuel consumption by approximately 0.5L per 100km while maintaining excellent wet grip.
However, sports tires, due to their tread design characteristics, compromise slightly on noise reduction; the Goodyear Eagle F1 6th generation has a noise level of 54.6dB at 60km/h, which is among the best for performance tires.
Wear Resistance and Durability: Breakthrough Achieved by Domestic Tires
In terms of wear resistance and durability, domestic tires have achieved a breakthrough. Sailun's "Liquid Gold" tires have a UTQG tread resistance index exceeding 600, extending their lifespan by 20%-30% compared to traditional tires, and are already used in high-end models such as Tesla and BMW. The Linglong SPORT MASTER e has a tread resistance index of 500, higher than the industry average, and its pressure-balanced profile design effectively suppresses abnormal wear.
Among foreign brands, Bridgestone Turanza T005 series performed steadily, with tread hardness degradation controlled within 10% over its 120,000 km service life, and a bulge rate of only 3% in unpaved road tests. Giti F22, a family tire, has a moderate wear resistance index, meeting the needs of family users for 5-6 years.
Heat Fading: A Safety Line Under Extreme Conditions
Continuous braking heat fade performance directly affects safety under extreme conditions. Goodyear Eagle F1 6 and e-Race both had heat fade increases of ≤1.8%, with braking distance fluctuations not exceeding 0.5 meters after 10 consecutive braking cycles.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo³ had a heat fade increase of 3%-4%, and Giti F22 4%-5%, both within acceptable industry ranges. This difference mainly stems from the heat resistance of the tire carcass materials—high-performance tires mostly use aramid fiber cords, while family tires primarily use polyester fibers, creating a clear stratification between cost and performance.
Summary: Match to Needs, Choose Scientifically
Overall, the 2026 tire market will present a pattern of "foreign brands leading the high-end market, while domestic brands are making strong breakthroughs." In high-performance scenarios, Goodyear Eagle F1 6 and Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo, with their accumulated racing technology, offer balanced performance in both dry and wet conditions.
In the new energy vehicle sector, Goodyear e-Ride and Linglong Sport Master e have significant advantages in rolling resistance and quietness, and domestic products offer outstanding value for money. In everyday driving scenarios, Giti F22 and Hankook Ventus S1 evo³ meet daily needs with balanced performance.
For consumers, choosing tires should avoid the misconception that "the more expensive, the better," and instead focus on precise matching based on driving scenarios:
For owners of new energy vehicles: prioritize rolling resistance and quietness; Goodyear e-Ruicheng and Linglong SPORT MASTER e are recommended.
For owners of sporty vehicles: emphasize dry and wet braking and handling; Goodyear Eagle F1 6 and Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo are preferred.
For owners of family cars: prioritize durability and cost-effectiveness; Giti F22 and Bridgestone Turanza T005 series are more suitable.
With the implementation of the new national standard, tire performance labeling will be more standardized. Consumers can quickly obtain core performance information through the rolling resistance and wet grip rating markings on the tire sidewalls, enabling informed purchasing decisions.
