16 tires were tested: Pirelli in the top 3, a Chinese creates a surprise... before being rejected

Every spring, the ADAC tire test is eagerly awaited as a barometer of the season to come. For 2026, the powerful German automobile club put 16 summer tires to the test in 225/50 R17, a size widely used on mid-range sedans and wagons, from the Alfa Romeo Giulia to the Audi A4 (test vehicle), via the BMW 3 Series and the Peugeot 3008.

The verdict? Only three models received a «good» rating. And in the midst of the premium references, a Chinese brand came very close to achieving the feat... only to fall sharply in the rankings.

Continental as a benchmark, Pirelli solid, Goodyear enduring

Of the 16 tires tested, ADAC gave only three «good» ratings. Note that the smaller the number, the better the score. The big winner is the Continental PremiumContact 7, with an overall score of 1.9. It stands out for its remarkable balance between dry and wet safety, excellent traction, high reserves for dynamic driving and low abrasion. It was the most consistent tire in the test.

Behind it, the Pirelli Cinturato (C3) scores a solid 2.2. Very safe, with good wet performance and longevity, it confirms the Italian manufacturer's move upmarket in passenger cars. On wet roads, it even slightly outperforms the Goodyear.

The podium is completed by the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2, rated 2.3. Less incisive in the rain than the Pirelli, it impresses above all with its durability. The ADAC estimates that it can cover almost 58,000 km before reaching the wear limit, a figure that sets the benchmark in this comparison.

Ranking	Model	Strong points
1	Continental PremiumContact 7	Maximum dry/wet safety, very well-balanced
2	Pirelli Cinturato (C3)	Very safe, good performance in the rain
3	Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2	Record durability, low abrasion

Linglong: wet genius... but only wet genius

This is the most surprising story of the 2026 test. The Linglong Sport Master, a Chinese brand positioned in the economy segment, literally blew the engineers away in the wet tests. In aquaplaning, braking in the rain and dynamic behavior, it achieved a partial score of 1.5. The best performance of the test on this criterion.

On paper, it even outclasses some of the big established brands.

But the ADAC reminds us of a fundamental rule: a good tire must perform well in all conditions. In dry conditions, however, the Linglong is transformed. Imprecise steering, blurred behavior when hot, necessary corrections in the middle of a curve and a marked tendency to oversteer during evasive maneuvers. For inexperienced drivers, this can be a tricky situation.

This is compounded by very rapid wear and severe abrasion. The result: a poor environmental rating, weighing 30 % in the overall assessment. The Linglong finished last with a final score of 4.2 and an unfavorable recommendation. Wet performance is not enough.

A large majority of «recommendable» tires»

Behind the top three, ten tires received a «satisfactory» rating. These include the Firestone Roadhawk 2, the Falken Ziex ZE320, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 and the Michelin Primacy 5.

Some, like Bridgestone and Michelin, excel in longevity, but have dynamic limitations in dry conditions. Others offer a good safety/price compromise, but fall short in terms of driving precision or resistance to aquaplaning. ADAC stresses the importance of overall balance. A tire that performs well in one area but is average elsewhere can quickly lose points in the final rankings.

Three models to avoid

In addition to the Linglong, two other tires close the gap: the Leao Nova-Force Acro and the Lassa Revola.

The Leao, also of Chinese origin, disappoints in both wet and dry conditions, and has a limited lifespan. The Lassa, made in Turkey, is acceptable in the rain, but has serious weaknesses on dry roads.