Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 vs GT Radial SportActive 2 – It’s a battle between a highly successful UHP giant and a rising value-packed challenger. On one side, Goodyear’s Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 latest flagship dominates headlines with precision handling and wet grip excellence. On the other, GT Radial’s SportActive 2 punches above its weight, aiming to disrupt the premium class with aggressive pricing and surprising performance. Can the value warrior stand toe-to-toe with one of the best in the business? Let’s find out.
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Results: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 vs GT Radial SportActive 2
Results below were taken from the 2023 AutoBild Summer Test while includes an amazing 50 tires from its preliminary braking rounds. Only 20 tires made it through to the final round and a full detail evaluation was completed with these 20 tires. The wet & dry handling performances are evaluated objectively using the average lap speed rather than the preferred subjective ratings.
The graph above shows the comparison between Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 vs GT Radial SportActive 2 based on the relevant performance category. The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. The tire size of interest is 225/45 R18 which is a common tire size for Mercedes-Benz C 200 and Kia Stinger . You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a BMW 3 series.
Wet
In wet braking, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 stopped in 39.7 meters, while the GT Radial SportActive 2 needed 42.8 meters — a difference of 3.1 meters or about 7% longer. For wet handling, the Goodyear maintained an average speed of 76.7 km/h around the course, 2.4 km/h faster than the GT Radial’s 74.3 km/h, translating to a 3% advantage. However, in straight-line aquaplaning, the GT Radial slightly outperformed with a speed of 107.2 km/h versus Goodyear’s 106.3 km/h, giving it a 1% edge.
From a wet performance standpoint, the Goodyear clearly leads in braking and handling, making it the safer and more confident option in rainy conditions.
SportActive 2 :
- -7% in wet braking
- -3% in wet handling (lap speed)
- +1% in straight aquaplaning
Dry
In dry braking, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 stopped in 33.2 meters, while the GT Radial SportActive 2 took 35.9 meters — a 2.7 meter gap, or 8% longer. During dry handling, the Goodyear averaged 120.9 km/h, 2.5 km/h faster than the GT Radial’s 118.4 km/h, which represents a 2% advantage.
SportActive 2 :
- -8% in dry braking
- -2% in dry handling
Wear
In the wear test, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 lasted 63,200 km, while the GT Radial SportActive 2 wore out at 38,800 km. That’s a difference of 24,400 km, meaning the GT Radial had 39% less mileage.
SportActive 2 :
- -39% in mileage
Noise
In the noise test, the GT Radial SportActive 2 measured 72.9 dB, slightly quieter than the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 at 73.2 dB — a difference of 0.3 dB or roughly 0% lower.
SportActive 2 :
- ~0% in exterior noise (-0.3 dB)
Rolling Resistance
In rolling resistance, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 recorded 8.01 N/kN, while the GT Radial SportActive 2 came in higher at 8.32 N/kN. That’s a 0.31 N/kN difference, or about 4% more rolling resistance for the GT Radial.
SportActive 2 :
- -4% in rolling resistance
Price
For size 225/45 R18, the GT Radial SportActive 2 costs €78, while the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is priced at €130. That makes the SportActive 2 a massive 67% cheaper.
Tire size: 225/45 R18
- Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 : € 130
- SportActive 2 : € 78
Difference: -67% more cheaper for SportActive 2
Summary
From my perspective as a tire expert, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 clearly outperforms in key areas like wet and dry braking, handling, and wear — making it the better all-round performer. However, the GT Radial SportActive 2 surprises with decent grip, lower noise, and a huge price advantage. If you’re after top-tier safety and longevity, Goodyear is worth the premium. But if you’re on a budget and still want respectable performance, the SportActive 2 delivers strong value.
Dr Edwin Pang