THE POPULAR 225/40 R18 HIGH-PERFORMANCE TYRE IS THE SUBJECT of our comprehensive 2023 tyre test. What makes the evo test especially challenging for the test tyres and useful for you, the tyre customer, is that we don’t simply rely on measured performance to determine the finishing order. We also assess the tyres subjectively, rating them for qualities such as steering feel and character, progression up to and over the limit of grip, and ride comfort and noise, to give the most rounded picture of each tyre’s performance. As in previous tests, the scoring is weighted 60 per cent objective and 40 per cent subjective, with a general bias towards performance in the wet as you’re much more likely to find the limit in low-grip scenarios.
The top three finishers from our last test of the 225/40 R18 two years ago are here – the Pirelli PZero, Goodyear Eagle F1SuperSport and Bridgestone Potenza Sport – though the test vehicle is quite different this time. In 2021 we used an Audi S3; this year it’s the Toyota GR86, which is both lighter and rear-drive. Other tyres in this test are the Continental SportContact 7, Falken Azenis FK520, Maxxis Victra Sport 5, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S (the new S 5 isn’t available in our test size) and Toyo Proxes Sport 2. It’ll be one of the closest tests we’ve run, with strong performances from all eight tyres.
THE CAR
The Toyota GR86 isn’t especially potent but it is very highly rated by us for its fabulous feedback, wonderful poise and freely exploitable rear-drive handling. Especially useful is the
