5th August 2026

FALKEN ZIEX ZE320 wins 2026 Auto Express summer tyre test

  • 1st place for FALKEN in influential, independent UK summer tyre test with Auto Express magazine
  • ZIEX ZE320 tops the rankings ahead of other premium, mid-range and budget tyre brands
  • Engineered to offer excellent traction and grip, enhanced wear performance, and high levels of stability
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The testing team from Auto Express recognised the ZIEX ZE320 for its all-round ability and its confidence-inspiring performance in both wet and dry conditions.

 

Auto Express is one of the UK’s leading automotive magazines for new and used car buyers. Its annual summer and winter tyre tests are among the most influential test programmes for passenger car tyres in the UK. All tyres are tested independently by a team of road testers and tyre experts, without tyre manufacturers’ prior knowledge, giving British car buyers trusted advice on the most popular tyres available today.

 

The 2026 test was carried out with 205/55 R16 91V tyres, the most popular size tyre sold in the UK today. Testing included driving and braking in wet and dry conditions, aquaplaning tests, and gauging tyres’ noise levels and rolling efficiency.

 

John Barker, a journalist and expert tester from Auto Express, had a positive final verdict to share on the ZIEX ZE320: “The FALKEN scored an impressive victory, beating some excellent tyres to take a first win. It topped the table in three tests, including setting fastest lap times on both the wet and dry circuits, illustrating its excellent all-round ability. It was the pace-setter in both the wet and the dry and delivered strong results in almost every other discipline too. It’s an outstanding tyre.”

 

Jaap Leendertse, managing director for Sumitomo Rubber Europe, the parent company for FALKEN, commented: “Winning the Auto Express summer tyre test is a fantastic achievement and a strong endorsement of the ZIEX ZE320’s real-world performance. This result shows that FALKEN can compete, and win, against the most established names in the market and deliver the quality, confidence and value drivers expect from our tyres.”

 

 

About the FALKEN ZIEX ZE320

 

The FALKEN ZIEX ZE320 is a compelling tyre for any driver. Its intelligently designed tread pattern – with offset sipes – combines superb traction and precise handling in the dry and the wet with reduced running noise. Under EU tyre labelling, every version of the ZEIX ZE320 is rated ‘A’ for wet grip and external rolling noise.

 

Its lightweight casing design also offers high rolling efficiency, improved damping in everyday use and aerodynamically optimized sidewalls, without compromising on lateral stability.