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Head-to-head Updated

Firestone RoadHawk vs Laufenn S fit EQ — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 17 + 4 road tests and 644 + 14 owner reviews. How we score

RoadHawk leads, 57–54 Narrow edge

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Firestone RoadHawk
Tire AFirestone

RoadHawk

Summer

± 6

Tests 70 · 17 tests Owners 40 · 644 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 15 in 2019 Summer and All Season Tyre Test (wet handling)

“sind diese Sommerreifen noch okay? Im August 2023 gekauft und circa 25 tausend km gefahren. Firestone Roadhawk, DOT 4922. Habe an meinem Opel Meriva beim Anfahren nach links, zB beim Ausparken oder beim Anfahren in einer engen Linkskurve von vorne rechts ein mehrmaliges Poltern gehört. Habe ein bisschen gegoogelt und von ausgeschlagenem Querlenker gelesen. Im Oktober 2022 hat das Auto einen neuen Vorderachsträger und neue Querlenker bekommen. Nun habe ich Winterräder montiert und das Poltern beim Anfahren nach links ist weg. Was kann das sein? Read more”

Laufenn S fit EQ
Tire BLaufenn

S fit EQ

Summer

± 9

Tests 53 · 4 tests Owners 54 · 14 reviews

Best test result: #5 of 14 in 2018 New and Worn Summer Tyre Test (wet handling)

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

Key facts

  • In 3 tests that measured dry braking for both, RoadHawk won 3 and S fit EQ won 0 (average 96% vs 88% of the best).
  • In 3 tests that measured wet braking for both, RoadHawk won 3 and S fit EQ won 0 (average 89% vs 77% of the best).
  1. 68

    Dry

    RoadHawk +17
    51
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkS fit EQ
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 16 / 3 tests8249
    Reviews found online4654
    Dry Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–096%88%
    Dry Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–097%89%

    RoadHawk: 60% × 82.1 + 40% × 46.4 = 68

    S fit EQ: 60% × 48.9 + 40% × 53.9 = 51

  2. 65

    Wet

    RoadHawk +16
    49
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkS fit EQ
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 17 / 3 tests7746
    Reviews found online4854
    Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–099%92%
    Wet Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–089%77%
    Wet Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–193%95%

    RoadHawk: 60% × 76.5 + 40% × 47.5 = 65

    S fit EQ: 60% × 46 + 40% × 53.9 = 49

  3. 51

    Comfort

    S fit EQ +8
    59
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkS fit EQ
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / – tests67≈ 66 (est.)
    Reviews found online4054

    RoadHawk: 40% × 67 + 60% × 39.6 = 51

    S fit EQ: 40% × 66.3 (est.) + 60% × 53.9 = 59

    No road tests of comfort for S fit EQ. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.

  4. 45

    Noise

    S fit EQ +11
    56
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkS fit EQ
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 1 tests3049
    Reviews found online≈ 67 (est.)≈ 67 (est.)
    Noise (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–094%92%

    RoadHawk: 60% × 30.5 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 45

    S fit EQ: 60% × 48.7 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 56

    No owner ratings of noise for RoadHawk or S fit EQ. The owner half is the owners’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  5. 50

    Treadwear

    S fit EQ +11
    61
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkS fit EQ
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 1 tests6564
    Reviews found online2956

    RoadHawk: 60% × 64.7 + 40% × 28.5 = 50

    S fit EQ: 60% × 64 + 40% × 55.8 = 61

  6. 36

    Handling (owners)

    S fit EQ +11
    47
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkS fit EQ
    Reviews found online3647
  7. 72

    Efficiency

    RoadHawk +1
    71
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkS fit EQ
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 1 tests7271
    Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–182%89%
Scores at a glance
CategoryFirestone RoadHawkLaufenn S fit EQ
Relative Score 57 54
Dry 68 51
Wet 65 49
Comfort 51 59
Noise 45 56
Treadwear 50 61
Handling (owners) 36 47
Efficiency 72 71

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 6

RoadHawk

± 9

S fit EQ

The professional test results behind the scores

Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.

In the overall rankings of 3 tests that ran both, Firestone RoadHawk finished ahead 3 times and Laufenn S fit EQ 0 times.

DisciplineCategoryRoadHawkS fit EQΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 96% 88% +7.7 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking Shootout · 225/45 R17
Dry Handling Dry 97% 89% +8.5 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2018 New and Worn Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 99% 92% +6.4 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2018 Gute Fahrt Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Wet Braking Wet 89% 77% +11.8 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking Shootout · 225/45 R17
Wet Handling Wet 93% 95% −1.6 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2018 New and Worn Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Noise Noise 94% 92% +2.0 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2018 New and Worn Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 82% 89% −7.0 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2018 Gute Fahrt Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Overall Ranking Overall #13/45 #40/45 – 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking Shootout · 225/45 R17

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A RoadHawk

Pros

  • Exceptional wet weather performance, particularly in standing water and heavy rain
  • Strong dry grip and confident cornering for daily driving
  • Comfortable ride quality with good bump absorption

Cons

  • Accelerated and sometimes uneven tread wear, resulting in shorter-than-expected lifespan
  • Soft sidewalls that can cause a visual 'under-inflated' bulge and spongy cornering response
  • Limited steering feedback and precision during spirited driving
All owner themes in the RoadHawk review

Tire B S fit EQ

Pros

  • Attractive price point offering high value for money
  • Low road noise resulting in a quiet, comfortable ride for daily commuting
  • Competent dry grip and handling under normal driving conditions

Cons

  • Flimsy sidewalls prone to bubbling and easy puncture from potholes
  • Poor wet weather performance with tendencies toward understeer and traction loss
  • Lack of steering feedback and poor turn-in response
All owner themes in the S fit EQ review

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Firestone RoadHawk

Mixed

Community discussions reflect mixed perspectives on the Firestone Roadhawk, noting reasonable reviews alongside concerns regarding tread wear. While some test results place it competitively among budget-friendly summer options, owners also discuss practical issues such as unusual noises, generational replacement difficulties, and overall value.

r/automobil ·2025-11-20

“sind diese Sommerreifen noch okay? Im August 2023 gekauft und circa 25 tausend km gefahren. Firestone Roadhawk, DOT 4922. Habe an meinem Opel Meriva beim Anfahren nach links, zB beim Ausparken oder beim Anfahren in einer engen Linkskurve von vorne rechts ein mehrmaliges Poltern gehört. Habe ein bisschen gegoogelt und von ausgeschlagenem Querlenker gelesen. Im Oktober 2022 hat das Auto einen neuen Vorderachsträger und neue Querlenker bekommen. Nun habe ich Winterräder montiert und das Poltern beim Anfahren nach links ist weg. Was kann das sein? Read more”
bobistheoilguy.com ·2023-09-18

“Not sure if it is what you are looking for. I am Polish but I live in the USA. I am still following info from Poland but I am not buying tires there anymore. A magazine Motor tests tires. magazynauto.pl Firestone was included in their "accessibly priced" summer tires: Firestone Roadhawk. They lost to Uniroyal, Semperit, Dębica but were ahead of Kumho, Apollo, Tomket, Imperial and Double Coin. They were not included in their premium and middle priced test. German based Auto Bild (and its Polish version Auto Świat) did a test in 2019 and the same Roadhawk passed the elimination test (53 down to 20: wet and dry braking distances added together as #13) and finished #18 in detailed test. So Firestone is present in Poland and Europe as a cheaper brand from Bridgestone but how popular it is I do not know. Krzyś”
Top themes
#tread wear concerns#budget tire test results#replacement availability issues#generation differences#driving noise symptoms

Based on 5 community posts

Tire B

Laufenn S fit EQ

We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Firestone RoadHawk B · Laufenn S fit EQ
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available11524
Rim diameters15″ – 21″15″ – 20″
Sizes in common2020

Which one should you actually buy?

Firestone RoadHawk

Laufenn S fit EQ

Narrow edge: Firestone RoadHawk — better dry and wet. Pick the Laufenn S fit EQ if noise, treadwear and handling matter most to you.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Firestone RoadHawk scores 68 vs 51 on dry.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Firestone RoadHawk scores 65 vs 49 on wet.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Laufenn S fit EQ scores 56 vs 45 on noise.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Laufenn S fit EQ scores 61 vs 50 on treadwear.

Tire A · Firestone RoadHawk
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Tire B · Laufenn S fit EQ
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RoadHawk or S fit EQ?

Which is better in the wet, RoadHawk or S fit EQ?

Firestone RoadHawk, 65 vs 49 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, RoadHawk or S fit EQ?

Firestone RoadHawk, 68 vs 51 on our dry score.

Which is quieter, RoadHawk or S fit EQ?

Laufenn S fit EQ, 56 vs 45 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, RoadHawk or S fit EQ?

Laufenn S fit EQ, 59 vs 51 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, RoadHawk or S fit EQ?

Laufenn S fit EQ, 61 vs 50 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, RoadHawk or S fit EQ?

Neither, by our numbers: 72 vs 71 on the efficiency score, within 3 points.

How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology