Top Comfort and Noise Tires in Asia: Welcome to the definitive guide for the Top Comfort and Noise Tires in Asia: Expert Reviews and Rankings. In this eagerly awaited evaluation, we delve into the heart of tire performance, focusing on comfort and noise – two critical factors for discerning drivers in Asia. Leveraging Top Tire Review’s inaugural tire showdown, we present an in-depth analysis of six leading touring tires: Giti Control P10, Michelin Primacy 4 ST, Continental UltraContact UC7, Bridgestone Turanza T005A, Nexen N Fera SU1, and Goodtrip GM-5.
Table of Contents
Results
Results below were taken from our own 2023 Top Tire Review APAC Touring Tire Test with a total of 6 tires tested. The Giti Control P10 serves as our reference tire & our testing vehicle is a 245 horse powered BMW F30.
Note that for subjective evaluations, we consider 1 point to be equivalent to 10%. This means that if tire A receives a rating of 7 and tire B receives a rating of 8, tire B is deemed 10% better than tire A. For noise tests, an increase of 1 dB corresponds to a 10% change in rating. This reflects the logarithmic nature of decibel measurements. The overall best comfort & noise ratings are derived based on the following weightage distribution: Pass By Noise at 25%, Interior Noise,dB (front) at 25%, Subjective Comfort at 25%, and Subjective Noise at 25%.
Pass By Noise
Pass by noise from tires significantly impacts road users, particularly those outside the vehicle. This noise, created as the tire interacts with the road surface, is more noticeable to pedestrians, cyclists, and residents near roads than to the driver inside the car. While drivers might not directly experience the full extent of this noise, there’s a likely correlation between the noise experienced by those outside and the overall noise performance of the tire.
In the tire test results, the Michelin Primacy 4 ST and Bridgestone Turanza T005A demonstrated the lowest pass by noise levels, at 69.9 dB and 69.8 dB respectively, suggesting they are slightly quieter and potentially less disturbing to road users. The Giti Control P10 and Nexen N Fera SU1 were moderately noisier, both registering 70.4 dB. The Continental UltraContact UC7 was just a bit louder at 70.7 dB. The Goodtrip GM-5 had the highest noise level at 71.2 dB, indicating it might be the most noticeable to people outside the vehicle. These relative differences, while small in numerical terms, can be significant in terms of the overall impact on the environment and road users’ comfort.
Interior Noise
Interior noise in cars is measured by placing a microphone in the front driving seat. This method helps to understand how loud the noise inside the car is when it’s moving, mainly caused by the tires interacting with the road. It’s a good way to check how comfortable and quiet the ride is for the driver and passengers.
Looking at the tire test results, the Continental UltraContact UC7 had the lowest interior noise at 71.7 dB, meaning it offers a quieter ride compared to others. Close behind was the Bridgestone Turanza T005A with a noise level of 72.3 dB. The Giti Control P10, Michelin Primacy 4 ST, and Nexen N Fera SU1 all showed similar noise levels, around 72.6 to 72.7 dB. The Goodtrip GM-5 was the noisiest inside the car, at 73.2 dB. Even though these differences might seem small, they can make a noticeable difference in how comfortable and quiet the car feels while driving.
Subjective Comfort
Subjective comfort in tire tests is measured based on the personal feedback of the test driver. This means the driver gives their own opinion on how comfortable the tires feel while driving, like how smooth the ride is and how the car feels over bumps and rough roads.
In the test results, the Bridgestone Turanza T005A scored the highest in comfort with a rating of 7.3, suggesting it offers the most pleasant driving experience. Both the Giti Control P10 and Michelin Primacy 4 ST received a comfort score of 7.15, which is quite good and indicates a comfortable ride. The Continental UltraContact UC7 and Nexen N Fera SU1 were slightly behind with scores of 7.05, still indicating decent comfort levels. The Goodtrip GM-5 scored the lowest at 6.65, which might mean it’s not as comfortable compared to the others. These ratings are based on how the driver felt about the ride, so they can vary from person to person, but they give a good idea of overall comfort.
Subjective Noise
Subjective noise in tire tests is determined by what the test driver thinks about the noise level inside the car. This is about how loud or quiet the driver feels the tires are when the car is moving. It’s not measured with instruments, but based on the driver’s personal experience and opinion.
In the test, the Michelin Primacy 4 ST and Continental UltraContact UC7 both scored 7.25 for subjective noise, suggesting they are perceived as quite quiet. The Giti Control P10 followed closely with a score of 7.15. The Bridgestone Turanza T005A got a slightly lower score of 7.05, indicating it might be a bit noisier. The Nexen N Fera SU1 and Goodtrip GM-5 scored 6.9 and 6.7, respectively, meaning they might be perceived as noisier compared to the others. These scores show how the driver felt about the noise level, which can be different for each person, but they give a general idea of how noisy or quiet each tire is from the driver’s perspective.
Top Comfort and Noise Tires in Asia: Ranking
1st. Bridgestone Turanza T005A
| Ranking | % | |
| Pass By Noise | 1st | 106.0% |
| Interior Noise,dB (front) | 2nd | 103.5% |
| Subjective Comfort | 1st | 101.5% |
| Subjective Noise | 4th | 99.0% |
In the APAC touring tire test, the Bridgestone Turanza T005A stood out as the best choice for comfort and noise reduction. It ranked first in both pass by noise and subjective comfort, indicating minimal external noise and a highly comfortable ride. Additionally, it scored second in interior noise and fourth in subjective noise, further emphasizing its quietness and comfort for both drivers and external road users. With a total score of 103%, the Turanza T005A proved to be the top performer in these crucial categories.
2nd. Continental UltraContact UC7
| Ranking | % | |
| Pass By Noise | 5th | 97.0% |
| Interior Noise,dB (front) | 1st | 109.3% |
| Subjective Comfort | 4th | 99.0% |
| Subjective Noise | 1st | 101.0% |
In the APAC touring tire test, the Continental UltraContact UC7 was recognized as the second-best tire for comfort and noise. It excelled in interior noise, ranking first, which indicates a very quiet experience inside the car. Additionally, it also topped the subjective noise category, meaning the test driver perceived it as the quietest among all tested tires. While it ranked fifth in pass by noise, suggesting a slightly higher external noise level compared to others, it still managed a respectable fourth place in subjective comfort. These combined performances in key areas of noise and comfort brought the UltraContact UC7 a total score of 102%, making it a strong choice for those valuing a quiet and comfortable driving experience.
3rd. Michelin Primacy 4 ST
| Ranking | % | |
| Pass By Noise | 2nd | 105.0% |
| Interior Noise,dB (front) | 5th | 99.9% |
| Subjective Comfort | 2nd | 100.0% |
| Subjective Noise | 1st | 101.0% |
The Michelin Primacy 4 ST ranked third in the APAC touring tire test for comfort and noise. It performed impressively in pass by noise, securing the second spot, indicating a low level of external noise. In subjective comfort, it was ranked second, highlighting its ability to provide a comfortable driving experience. The tire also shared the top position in subjective noise, suggesting that the test driver found it to be among the quietest. However, in interior noise, it was ranked fifth, slightly impacting its overall performance in noise reduction. Overall, with a total score of 101%, the Michelin Primacy 4 ST proved to be a strong contender for those seeking a balance of comfort and low noise in their tires.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the APAC touring tire test revealed the Bridgestone Turanza T005A as the top choice for comfort and noise, with exceptional performance in both external and internal noise reduction, and outstanding driver comfort. The Continental UltraContact UC7 followed closely, excelling in interior quietness and subjective noise perception, making it a great option for a peaceful driving experience. The Michelin Primacy 4 ST also showed strong results, especially in external noise control and driver comfort, securing its position as the third best choice. Each of these tires demonstrated unique strengths in providing a comfortable and quiet ride, catering to the needs of drivers prioritizing these aspects in their tire selection.