In our “2024/25 Best UHP Tires for Asia Test,” we put five popular ultra-high performance (UHP) tires to the test under wet, dry, and noise conditions to determine which one takes the lead. This test lineup includes the Continental MaxContact MC7, Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, Toyo Proxes TR1, and RoadX RXMotion U11, a tire from China. Additionally, we’re testing an EV-specific tire—the Hankook iON evo—to see how it stacks up against these UHP contenders in real-world conditions. Let’s find out which tire emerges on top!
Table of Contents
Test Setup
In this test, brand new tires sized 235/45 R18 were fitted onto a sporty Audi SQ2. Tire pressures were set to 2.3 bar at the front and 2.1 bar at the rear. For subjective evaluations, each point difference equates to a 10% performance difference. For example, if Tire A scores a 7 and Tire B an 8, Tire B is considered 10% superior. In noise tests, an increase of 1 dB signifies a 10% rating change due to the logarithmic nature of decibel measurements.
Overall test scores are calculated using the following weight distribution: Wet Performance at 40%, Dry Performance at 30%, Noise & Comfort at 25%, and Rolling Resistance (RR) at 5%.
Wet
In Asia’s UHP tire segment, wet performance is paramount—it’s the top requirement due to the region’s frequent heavy rainfall and diverse road conditions.
Wet Braking Results
In wet braking, the Continental MaxContact MC7 leads with a stopping distance of 29.3 meters, closely followed by the Hankook iON evo at 30.1 meters—a 0.8-meter difference. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stops at 30.3 meters, just 1 meter behind the leader, while the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 comes in slightly later at 31.5 meters. A larger gap appears with the Toyo Proxes TR1 at 35.6 meters and the RoadX RXMotion U11 at 37.7 meters, trailing the leader by over 8 meters—significant on wet roads.
Wet Handling Results
Results are separated by objective metrics (lap time) & subjective perceptions.
In wet handling, the Continental MaxContact MC7 leads with a lap time of 80.05 seconds. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is just 0.88 seconds slower at 80.93 seconds, and the Hankook iON evo follows closely, trailing by 1.76 seconds at 81.81 seconds. The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 lags 2.64 seconds behind the leader at 82.69 seconds. The Toyo Proxes TR1 shows a more noticeable delay, 4 seconds slower at 84.05 seconds, while the RoadX RXMotion U11 posts a 9.21-second gap, with a time of 89.26 seconds.
In subjective wet handling, the Continental MaxContact MC7 tops the list with a score of 7.5, offering stability and grip. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 follows at 7.3, excelling in steering feel but losing control when pushed to the limit. The Hankook iON evo scores 7.0, performing well but without standout features. The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, at 6.8, is sporty but prone to oversteer. The Toyo Proxes TR1, scoring 6.5, struggles with understeer and flat steering. At the bottom, the RoadX RXMotion U11 scores 4.8, with poor grip and recovery, feeling unsafe.
In wet cornering, the Continental MaxContact MC7 leads with 0.95 G, just ahead of the Goodyear Eagle F1 at 0.947. The Hankook iON evo and Michelin trail slightly, while the Toyo Proxes TR1 and RoadX RXMotion U11 fall significantly behind in grip.
Aquaplaning Results
In our longitudinal aquaplaning test, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 leads at 78.1 km/h, with the Hankook iON evo, MaxContact MC7, and Goodyear Eagle F1 close behind within 0.3 km/h. The Toyo Proxes TR1 and RoadX RXMotion U11 lag at 75.5 km/h and 73.6 km/h, respectively, showing weaker aquaplaning resistance.
In lateral aquaplaning, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 leads with 3.31 m/s², narrowly outperforming the Goodyear Eagle F1 by 0.1 m/s² and the Continental MaxContact MC7 by 0.21 m/s². The Toyo Proxes TR1 trails the leader by a substantial 0.73 m/s², highlighting a clear gap in aquaplaning resistance.
Dry
Dry performance is second only to wet for UHP tires, yet essential for daily driving, ensuring safety and control in everyday conditions.
Dry Braking Results
In dry braking, the MaxContact MC7 leads with a stopping distance of 34 meters, just 1 meter shorter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 at 35 meters. The Hankook iON evo and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 come in at 35.2 and 35.5 meters, respectively. The Toyo Proxes TR1 and RoadX RXMotion U11 lag significantly at 39.3 and 39.9 meters, trailing the leader by over 5 meters.
Dry Handling Results
Dry handling is crucial for UHP tires, as it ensures stability and control in everyday high-performance driving. The results here are evaluated through both objective metrics, like lap time, and subjective perceptions of steering feel, grip, and balance.
In dry handling based on lap time, The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 leads with a lap time of 53.64 seconds, edging out the MaxContact MC7 by 0.15 seconds and the Hankook iON evo by 0.2 seconds. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 falls behind by 1.06 seconds at 54.7 seconds, while the RoadX RXMotion U11 and Toyo Proxes TR1 lag further at 55.62 and 56.05 seconds, marking a 2+ second gap from the leader. In dry handling, lap times are close, making subjective ratings more insightful for distinguishing tire performance.
In our subjective dry handling test, the MaxContact MC7 and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 top the list with scores of 7.5. The MC7 shows high grip across all conditions, while the Eagle F1 excels in cornering despite a slightly flat center feel. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Hankook iON evo follow at 7.2, with the Pilot Sport 5 lacking lateral agility and the iON evo experiencing vague on-center steering. The RoadX RXMotion U11 scores 7.1, limited by lower grip, while the Toyo Proxes TR1, scoring 6.8, struggles with delayed steering and reduced stability in hard maneuvers.
Noise
In the Asia region, noise and comfort remain significant factors for UHP tires, as drivers prioritize a balanced experience that combines performance with everyday comfort on varying road surfaces.
Interior Noise Results
The tires were tested for interior noise at 100 km/h, with close results across models. The Hankook iON evo leads at 68.6 dB, just 0.2 dB quieter than the Goodyear Eagle F1 at 68.8 dB, and 0.4 dB below the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 at 69 dB. The MaxContact MC7 and Toyo Proxes TR1 both register 69.2 dB, while the RoadX RXMotion U11 is slightly louder at 69.4 dB. These small differences make all models solid performers in reducing cabin noise.
Subjective comfort results
In our comfort evaluation, the MaxContact MC7 leads with a score of 7.1, offering a smooth and quiet ride. The Hankook iON evo follows at 6.8, delivering decent comfort but with slight bounciness on uneven roads. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Goodyear Eagle F1, Toyo Proxes TR1, and RoadX RXMotion U11 each score 6.5, with variations: the Pilot Sport 5 feels stiff, the Eagle F1 transmits road noise, and both the Proxes TR1 and RXMotion U11 produce pattern noise and offer average comfort.
Rolling Resistance
The Hankook iON Evo, optimized for EVs, leads with a rolling resistance of 7.65, 0.47 lower than the best UHP, the Goodyear Eagle F1 at 8.12. The Toyo Proxes TR1 follows closely at 8.17, just 0.05 higher, while the MaxContact MC7 sits at 8.33, 0.21 above the Goodyear. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and RoadX RXMotion U11 round out the group at 8.54 and 8.56, each around 0.4 higher than the Goodyear.
2024/25 Best UHP Tires for Asia Test: Final Standings
1. Continental MaxContact MC7
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 1st | 100% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 1st | 100% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 1st | 100% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 3rd | 100% |
| Aquaplaning (lateral) | 3rd | 100% |
| Wet Cornering | 1st | 100% |
| Dry Braking | 1st | 100% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 2nd | 100% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 1st | 100% |
| Subjective Comfort | 1st | 100% |
| Interior Noise | 4th | 100% |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th | 100% |
What we like:
- Exceptional wet performance, ranking first in wet braking and handling, with strong dry braking and impressive overall comfort.
What could be improved:
- Well balanced tire overall. However If there is a wish list, I would like to see improvement in interior noise & aquaplaning.
Tire Price (235/45R18): RM 831
2. Hankook iON evo
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 2nd | 97% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 3rd | 98% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 3rd | 95% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 2nd | 100% |
| Aquaplaning (lateral) | 4th | 97% |
| Wet Cornering | 3rd | 97% |
| Dry Braking | 3rd | 97% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 3rd | 100% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 3rd | 97% |
| Subjective Comfort | 2nd | 97% |
| Interior Noise | 1st | 106% |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st | 109% |
What we like
- Outstanding wet performance, only losing out to the test winner, MC7; best-in-class rolling resistance for extra EV range; and 1st in interior noise reduction.
What could be improved
- Dry performance could be stronger to achieve a more balanced all-rounder.
Tire Price (235/45R18): RM 904
3. Michelin Pilot Sport 5
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 3rd | 97% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 2nd | 99% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 2nd | 98% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 1st | 100% |
| Aquaplaning (lateral) | 1st | 107% |
| Wet Cornering | 4th | 97% |
| Dry Braking | 2nd | 97% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 4th | 98% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 3rd | 97% |
| Subjective Comfort | 3rd | 94% |
| Interior Noise | 3rd | 102% |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th | 98% |
What we like
- Strong aquaplaning resistance and balanced handling, with a solid finish in both wet and dry conditions.
What could be improved
- Wet/Dry braking and overall comfort could be better to meet premium expectations.
Tire Price (235/45R18): RM 873
4. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 4th | 93% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 4th | 97% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 4th | 94% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 4th | 100% |
| Aquaplaning (lateral) | 2nd | 104% |
| Wet Cornering | 2nd | 100% |
| Dry Braking | 4th | 96% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 1st | 100% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 1st | 100% |
| Subjective Comfort | 3rd | 94% |
| Interior Noise | 2nd | 104% |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd | 103% |
What we like
- Excellent dry handling performance and strong cornering grip. Good interior noise levels.
What could be improved
- Wet braking and handling could use improvement to provide better wet traction relative to the coemption.
Tire Price (235/45R18): RM 850
5. Toyo Proxes TR1
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 5th | 82% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 5th | 95% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 5th | 90% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 5th | 97% |
| Aquaplaning (lateral) | 5th | 93% |
| Wet Cornering | 5th | 87% |
| Dry Braking | 5th | 87% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 6th | 96% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 6th | 94% |
| Subjective Comfort | 3rd | 94% |
| Interior Noise | 4th | 100% |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd | 102% |
What we like
- Decent rolling resistance
What could be improved
- Wet and dry performances need improvement to enhance grip and overall driving confidence.
Tire Price (235/45R18): RM 506
6. RoadX RXMotion U11
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 6th | 78% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 6th | 90% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 6th | 78% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 6th | 94% |
| Aquaplaning (lateral) | 6th | 83% |
| Wet Cornering | 6th | 82% |
| Dry Braking | 6th | 117% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 5th | 97% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 5th | 96% |
| Subjective Comfort | 3rd | 94% |
| Interior Noise | 6th | 98% |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th | 102% |
What we like
- Better-than-expected dry handling for a budget tire.
What could be improved
- Wet performance, especially braking, needs significant improvement for safer handling in rainy conditions.
Tire Price (235/45R18): RM 350
Test Summary
This test highlighted the strengths and trade-offs across a range of tires. The Continental MaxContact MC7 emerged as the top performer, excelling in both wet and dry handling, with a well-rounded balance of comfort and grip. The EV-specific Hankook iON Evo impressed with outstanding wet performance and best-in-class rolling resistance, ideal for maximizing EV range.
Michelin’s Pilot Sport 5 and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 delivered solid, balanced performance but lacked in wet braking, showing room for improvement. The Toyo Proxes TR1 and budget-friendly RoadX RXMotion U11 struggled in wet conditions, though the TR1 showed decent rolling resistance, and the RXMotion U11 surprised with respectable dry handling. Overall, the test revealed clear leaders in UHP performance segemnt.