Have you been on the hunt for 205 55 r16 tyres but don’t know where to begin? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Finding the right tyres for your car can be a really difficult thing to do, especially if you’re not mechanically minded. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you.
Below is our guide to eight of Australia’s best 205 55 r16 tyres. We’ve gone into all of their details in a way that’s easy to understand, explained how and why they’d be suitable in certain circumstances, and given an honest point of view on each of them.
Our top picks
- Goodyear Assurance Triplemax 2
- Yokohama Advan Sport V150 MO
- Michelin Primacy 3 GRNX ZP Zero Pressure Runflat FSL
- Dunlop SP Sport MAXX RT AO
- Kumho SOLUS TA21 91 H
- Pirelli P ZERO™ ROSSO 91 Y (N5)
- Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 91 W
- Michelin Primacy 3 91 W
Goodyear Assurance Triplemax 2
Featuring HYDROGRIP Technology that is capable of reducing braking distance by more than 2 metres on a wet road, the Assurance Triplemax 2 is ideal for winter driving and for areas that see heavy rainfall all year round.
As well as this amazing wet-road performance, this tyre has been designed with increased grip in mind on dry, dusty roads too. It achieves this through the innovative polymer tread compound with improved molecular bonding, while the larger surface area provides greater contact with the road to give you more control while braking.
This is also a highly durable tyre that has been reinforced with DuPont Kevlar. This, paired with fuel-saving technology, ensures ongoing value for money.
Key specifications & features
- Vehicle Type: Passenger car
- Usage: All season
- Speed Rating: V ( Max 240 km/h)
What research tells us about the Assurance Triplemax 2
From the specially-developed HYDROGRIP Technology, this tyre is an excellent choice for handling wet and dry roads. This technology also means that you’ll have extra peace of mind when it comes to safety when driving in these environments and paired with the larger surface area and V speed rating, you can rest assured you’ll have loads of control on trickier-to-navigate roads.
Pros
- Features HYDROGRIP Technology
- Ideal for use on wet and dry roads
- A wider surface area provides greater contact with the road
- Reinforced with DuPont Kevlar for enhanced durability
Cons
- Only suitable for passenger vehicles
Who is the Assurance Triplemax 2 best for?
The Assurance Triplemax 2 is best for drivers who regularly have to navigate both wet and dry, dusty roads that are difficult to brake on. It also makes a great all-season tyre for passenger vehicles.
Yokohama Advan Sport V150 MO
Designed as a summer tyre, the Advan Sport V150 MO features a tread pattern that is great for short, dry braking and offers excellent grip in dry conditions. It also provides a great direct steering response in dry conditions, especially on tight turns.
While this tyre has been designed for summer use and dry conditions, it is still capable of dealing with the occasional wet-road drive and it features longitudinal grooves that expel water on contact. It also has very little road noise, offering a smooth, comfortable drive over long distances.
Key specifications & features
- Vehicle Type: Passenger car
- Usage: Summer
- Speed Rating: V ( Max 240 km/h)
What research tells us about the Advan Sport V150 MO
The Advan Sport V150 MO has everything you need for highway driving in dry conditions. The tread pattern offers fantastic grip and gives you more control on sudden, short braking in dry conditions. The downside to this tyre, however, is that it isn’t the best choice for wet conditions and doesn’t offer nearly as many features as some others do when travelling on wet roads.
Pros
- Offers excellent grip and short braking in dry conditions
- Longitudinal grooves expel water on contact
- Provides great steering response
- Little road noise
Cons
- Not a good choice for wet roads
Who is the Advan Sport V150 MO best for?
The Advan Sport V150 MO is best for drivers who make regular journeys on dry, highway roads. It also makes an excellent tyre for summer use, but we wouldn’t recommend it for winter driving or roads that see a lot of rainfall.
Michelin Primacy 3 GRNX ZP Zero Pressure Runflat FSL
Featuring auto-blocking sipe technology, the Primacy 3 ensures excellent performance when driving on rainy summer days. It also features a patented rubber tread compound that enhances its road grip even further and adds to its durability.
Durability is also enhanced through the abrasion-resistant compound used to create the tyre and an optimised “Contact Patch”. This contact patch helps distribute tyre pressure and heat evenly across the entire tyre, allowing you to take on long journeys without fear of tyre damage.
Key specifications & features
- Vehicle Type: Passenger car
- Usage: Summer
- Speed Rating: V ( Max 240 km/h)
What research tells us about the Primacy 3 GRNX ZP Zero Pressure Runflat FSL
We can ascertain from the features the Primacy 3 offers that it would be a great tyre for those long summer journeys and especially good if you’re not 100% certain what kind of weather you might have to drive through. It is also highly durable, making it a good choice for long-distance driving as there’s a significantly reduced risk of delays to your journey to deal with a flat!
Pros
- Provides great traction on wet roads during the summer months
- The patented rubber tread compound enhances traction
- An optimised “Contact Patch” distributes pressure and heat evenly across the tyre
- Built using an abrasion-resistant compound for enhanced durability
Cons
- While it can handle summer rains, this tyre is not the best choice for winter driving
Who is the Primacy 3 GRNX ZP Zero Pressure Runflat FSL best for?
The Primacy 3 is best for drivers who need to travel long distances during the summer months and need a tyre that can offer great dry and wet road performance.
Dunlop SP Sport MAXX RT AO
Built using motorsport-inspired polymers that adapt to the road surface as needed, the SP Sport Maxx RT AO is a great all-season tyre that offers increased tyre contact with the road in all weather. It also features Dunlop’s new short braking blocks that are designed to reduce braking distances, even when travelling at high speeds, ensuring your safety at all times.
Another fantastic feature the SP Sport Maxx RT AO has to offer is its ability to adapt to the weight of your vehicle. This doesn’t only help prevent abrasions and weak spots, but means that you’re offered optimal safety when taking corners at a high speed.
Key specifications & features
- Vehicle Type: Passenger car
- Usage: All seasons
- Speed Rating: W (Max 270 km/h)
What research tells us about the Sport MAXX RT AO
The Sport Maxx has all of the features that anybody who is confident driving at high speeds, even on winding roads, would need. It is perfect for when you suddenly need to hit the brakes and won’t long-brake in wet conditions, while the durable construction offers both longevity and safety.
Pros
- Feature motorsport-inspired polymers that adapt to the road’s surface
- Has short braking blocks that reduce braking distances at high speed
- Adapts to the weight of your vehicle to prevent weak spots and abrasions
- Great for year-round use
Cons
- Only suitable for highway driving
Who is the Sport MAXX RT AO best for?
The Sport Maxx RT AO is best for drivers who are confident driving at high speeds and taking on tight turns, and need a tyre that will ensure safety in sudden braking situations.
Kumho SOLUS TA21 91 H
The SOLUS TA21 is one of the most durable all-season tyres available and is designed to provide improved tyre life and longer mileage. It also features increased tread pitches and an optimised bead design to improve ride comfort while noise reduction technology brings noise levels way down.
An application of multi-functional silica compounds also work harmoniously with the optimised treated pattern and 3D interlocking sipes to provide a balanced performance in any season. The longitudinal grooves also ensure immediate water evacuation and prevent hydroplaning when driving in wet conditions.
Key specifications & features
- Vehicle Type: Passenger car
- Usage: All season
- Speed Rating: H (Max 210 km/h)
What research tells us about the SOLUS TA21 (205/55 R16) 91 H
If you’re looking for a tyre that can be used in any weather and is specially developed for noise reduction, the SOLUS TA21 is definitely one you should consider. The optimised carcass also give it great longevity, so you won’t need to worry about replacing them any time soon.
Pros
- Super durable all-season tyre
- Features increased tread pitches and an optimised bead design to improve ride comfort
- Noise-reducing technology keeps road noise to a minimum
- Longitudinal grooves prevent hydroplaning and evacuate water immediately
Cons
- Lower speed rating than some other tyres on our list
Who is the SOLUS TA21 (205/55 R16) 91 H best for?
The SOLUS TA21 is best for anyone who needs a high-performance, low-noise tyre that can be used in any season. It’s also great for people who only drive occasionally, as their high durability means you’ll have a tyre that lasts a long time!
Pirelli P ZERO™ ROSSO 91 Y (N5)
One of the most luxurious tyres on the market, the P Zero Rosso has been designed with the sports car enthusiast in mind. It features an “Asimmetrico” tread pattern with a compact external area and four continuous longitudinal grooves, it offers improved safety and control along with high levels of handling even in super wet conditions.
It also features robust outer shoulder blocks and semi-slick central rib with curved transversal grooves to offer excellent traction and performance at speeds of up to 300 km/h.
Key specifications & features
- Vehicle Type: Passenger car
- Usage: Highway
- Speed Rating: Y (Max 300 km/h)
What our research tells us about the P ZERO™ ROSSO (205/55 R16) 91 Y (N5)
What we know about the P Zero Rosso is that it has specifically been designed to offer the performance needed from a sports car while still ensuring the legislation that limits acoustic pollution is adhered to. It is super quiet without affecting performance and is equally good at handling wet and dry conditions. It may be a slightly higher price than some other tyres but it certainly has all of the design features you’d expect from one of the world’s most revered tyre manufacturers.
Pros
- Features a patented “Assimetrico” tread pattern and continuous longitudinal grooves for improved control in all conditions
- Has robust outer shoulder blocks and a semi-slick central rib
- Curved transversal grooves ensure excellent traction and performance at speeds of up to 300 km/h
- Designed by one of the world’s best tyre manufacturers
Cons
- High rolling resistance
Who is the P ZERO™ ROSSO (205/55 R16) 91 Y (N5) best for?
The P Zero Rosso is best for sports car enthusiasts who want a tyre that offers incredible performance at speeds up to 300 km/h without breaking acoustic pollution legislation.
Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 91 W
Designed to offer more comfort while driving through gripping the road in both wet and dry conditions and offering better handling, the ContiPremiumContact 5 is a great choice if you’re looking for an all-season tyre at an affordable price.
The longitudinal grooves evacuate water on contact to prevent hydroplaning as well as improve short stopping distances on wet and dry roads. It also offers the perfect level of rolling resistance which helps to save fuel and, in the process, saves you even more money.
Key specifications & features
- Vehicle Type: Passenger car
- Usage: Highway
- Speed Rating: Speed Rating: W (Max 270 km/h)
What research tells us about the ContiPremiumContact 5 (205/55 R16) 91 W
While this tyre doesn’t have as many features as others to boast about, it does have everything you’d need for travelling on the highway in all seasons. It isn’t the best choice for off-roading but for city living and the daily commute to the office, it’s a great tyre at an affordable price.
Pros
- Provides great handling and excellent grip in wet and dry conditions
- Ensures shorter stopping distances, even on very wet roads
- Offers a comfortable drive that saves on fuel
Cons
- May wear more easily than some other tyres
Who is the ContiPremiumContact 5 (205/55 R16) 91 W best for?
The ContiPremiumContact 5 is best for city-dwellers who have no need to venture off-road. It is also a great choice if you’re on a budget and need a tyre that offers excellent performance at a low price in wet and dry conditions.
Michelin Primacy 3 91 W
With innovative auto-blocking sipe technology and built using a patented rubber tread compound, the Primacy 3 is another tyre that offers excellent traction in both wet and dry driving conditions. It also has a great handling feel and is ideal for sports cars or any other vehicles that need that superior sporty handling.
It also features Michelin’s patented Comfort Control Technology, ensuring a smooth ride. This works by reducing vibrations and road noise, while the two longitudinal grooves help prevent hydroplaning by evacuating water fast.
Key specifications & features
- Vehicle Type: Passenger car
- Usage: Highway
- Speed Rating: W (Max 270 km/h)
What research tells us about the Primacy 3 (205/55 R16) 91 W
The patented technology used to make the Primacy 3 offers peace of mind that it has been created by real tyre experts. The sporty handling also makes it a great option for BMWs, Mercedes, and Audis while ensuring road contact and safety in all conditions is assured.
Pros
- Auto-blocking sipe technology ensures excellent wet and dry performance
- A patented rubber tread compound ensures durability and offers sporty handling
- Comfort Control Technology reduces vibrations and road noise for a smoother, more comfortable drive
Cons
- Only features two longitudinal grooves instead of four, meaning hydroplaning isn’t as reduced
Who is the Primacy 3 (205/55 R16) 91 W best for?
The Primacy 3 is best for a sports car and luxury car drivers who need a reliable tyre without losing any of that sporty handling feel.
How to choose 205 55 r16 tyres?
Just like anything else you purchase online, you need to consider certain things when it comes to buying 205 55 r16 tyres. These include:
- Highway VS off-roading – the first thing you must consider is the environment you regularly drive in. If you’re always on the highway, you won’t need a tyre with an aggressive tread pattern or huge tread blocks. However, if you go off-road regularly, you’ll need to ensure you have these things as they’ll ensure your vehicle can make it through mud, puddles, rocky surfaces, and other hard-to-navigate terrain.
- Wet and dry conditions – likewise, think about the type of weather the area you drive in most gets most regularly. If it has a high level of rainfall, choose a tyre that is designed to grip to the road in wet conditions and prevent hydroplaning. Or, if you live in a very dry area, go for a tyre that allows for quicker stopping distances on dry roads safely.
- Tyre size – different cars and vehicles need different tyre sizes, but this is quite easy to overlook in the excitement of all the features each tyre has to offer. It is crucial, though. So, make sure you can get the tyres you want in a size that fits your car. If they don’t, you’ll need to choose a different model.
- Speed rating – think about the speed rating of your tyres as well. You’ll need a tyre that allows you to safely reach the speed limit on highways and wherever else you may travel without causing early wear or the tyre suffering from any punctures.
Final thoughts
While finding a good set of tyres for your vehicle can be confusing, it doesn’t have to be! Follow our advice above and look through our simply-explained points for each of the tyres we’ve reviewed, and we’re certain that the whole shopping experience becomes a lot easier!
