Press
The FALKEN ZIEX ZE320 has won the 2026 Auto Express summer tyre test. The tyre finished 1st in the rankings ahead of several other premium, mid-range and budget tyres. 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 widely recognized within the UK automotive sector. All tyres are tested independently by a team of road testers and tyre experts, without tyre manufacturers’ prior knowledge, providing British car buyers with independent test results and information.
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 demonstrates that FALKEN achieved the highest overall score in this test against several other tyre models and can deliver qualities that many drivers value, including performance and everyday usability.”
About the FALKEN ZIEX ZE320
"The FALKEN ZIEX ZE320 is designed to suit a broad range of drivers and driving conditions. Its intelligently designed tread pattern – with offset sipes – combines strong 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.
The FALKEN ZIEX ZE320 is available in 61 different sizes and variations, covering 15- to 18-inch wheels, and across a wide range of speed ratings.
• New FALKEN EUROALL SEASON AS220 provides dependable all-weather performance for compact and mid-size cars and SUVs • New tyre is the first from FALKEN to feature VARIO CORE technology, supporting reliable, safe driving experience for all powertrains • Broader FALKEN winter tyre line-up includes AS220 PRO, WILDPEAK A/T and EUROWINTER HS02, HS02 PRO – an option for every type of driver
Autumn is tyre change time. For FALKEN, it also marks the start of one of the most established promotional campaigns of the year. With the “Falken says fill up!” promotion, FALKEN is once again offering attractive buying incentives in 2026, and together with retail partners, creating added momentum for winter sales.
After finishing second overall the day before, FALKEN Motorsports moved up one more position: On Sunday, Tim Heinemann and Morris Schuring won the 66th ADAC ACAS Cup, the ninth round of the 2026 ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). The duo had already secured pole position that morning in their teal-and-blue No. 44 Porsche 911 GT3 R and then left nothing to chance in the four-hour race. Adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain at times, created extremely difficult conditions and led to numerous accidents on the legendary Nordschleife.