2014 All Season Tire Test

Test Summary
Wet Braking	Vredestein Quatrac Lite
Dry Braking	Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert
Wet Handling	Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert Nexen N Priz 4S Kumho Solus HA31
Rolling Resistance	Vredestein Quatrac Lite
Noise	Vredestein Quatrac Lite Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert
Snow Handling	Vredestein Quatrac Lite

The UK weather has proven itself to be unpredictable, and with the 2014 winter approaching quickly we don't yet know whether we're in for another 2011 level of snow induced chaos, or a repeat of last years mild and wet winter.

With this in mind, here at TireReviews we've come to the conclusion the best winter tire for the UK climate, is actually an all season tire.

What is an all season tire?

Ten years ago, there was no such thing as a true all season tire. Tires which were branded "all season" were simply summer tires with slightly wider tread blocks to to gain the M+S marking, and were generally useless in snow.

Modern tire technology allows tire companies to blend dry, wet and snow abilities in a much smarter way, which gives modern all season tires the ability to work year round, in all conditions.

So, true all season tires exist?

In short, no. If you a looking for the optimum grip year round, you're still better off with a dedicated summer and winter tire, and changing once the temperatures get near freezing. However, modern all season tires DO work in all conditions, and can now offer 90% of the grip of a full winter tire on ice and snow, while keeping 90% of a summer tires performance in the dry and wet.

Why is this important for the UK?

UK winters are generally categorised by long periods of cold and wet weather, with occasional snow.

This means during the average UK winter, a tire with snow performance as its best quality can only really shine for a few days a year. While a winter tire will work better than a summer tire in cold, wet conditions, an all season tire will work better than the winter tire in cold, wet conditions, and still retain excellent snow performance to and the ability to be run through the summer if you need.

The below chart compares the third place Vredestein All Season tire tire with the summer and winter tire included in the AutoBild test detailed below

Which all season tire should I buy?

To answer this question we turn to the 2014 Auto Bild All Season Tire Test. This year Auto Bild have tested ten all season tires in 185/60 R15, and include a summer and a winter tire for the braking and handling tests.

Being a German publication, they naturally focus on the snow performance as the highest scored category which means the winning tire might not be the best all season tire for the UK climate. The full results are below, but we suggest paying particular attention to the third place Vredestein Quatrac Lite, which has an excellent blend of dry and wet performance, while retaining excellent snow qualities.

Also worth considering is the Bridgestone A001. Although not tested by Auto Bild this year, it is a very capable all season tire for the UK climate, combining strong wet and dry handling, good wear and a high snow performance.

Results

The best all season tire in the test, with stable cornering and superb handling on wet roads. Good safety margins when aquaplaning and precise steering response with good feedback on wet and dry roads

None listed

Total: 34

Dry 5

Wet 7

Snow 5

Comfort 5

Rolling Resistance 6

Noise 6

Convincing all season tire with safe, balanced qualities and good steering response in all weather conditions. Stable cornering and short braking distances in the snow, strong aquaplaning properties

None listed

Total: 32

Dry 5

Wet 5

Snow 6

Comfort 5

Rolling Resistance 5

Noise 6

The dry specialist with a low rolling resistance. Precise dynamic handling and short braking distances on dry roads, quiet, good comfort

Slight aquaplaning weakness

Total: 41

Dry 7

Wet 5

Snow 6

Comfort 7

Rolling Resistance 9

Noise 7

A good all rounder with an impressive performance on snow and wet roads. Nice steering feel, best aquaplaning scores, fuel efficient

None listed

Total: 39

Dry 5

Wet 7

Snow 8

Comfort 7

Rolling Resistance 7

Noise 5

Excellent winter qualities, dynamic snow handling, short braking distances on snow and dry roads

Limit cornering and longer braking distances on wet roads, average comfort

Total: 32

Dry 5

Wet 4

Snow 7

Comfort 4

Rolling Resistance 6

Noise 6

Stable ride and best performance in the wet, pleasantly quiet, fairly low cost

Only average traction and cornering on snow, slightly higher stopping distances, slightly high rolling resistance

Total: 31

Dry 5

Wet 6

Snow 4

Comfort 6

Rolling Resistance 4

Noise 6

Balanced, safe handling on snow covered and dry roads. Good aquaplaning performance

Limited grip in the wet with long braking distances and understeer. High rolling resistance

Total: 31

Dry 5

Wet 4

Snow 6

Comfort 6

Rolling Resistance 4

Noise 6

A great winter tire with the best snow performance

Only average results in both the wet and dry, low steering speed and long braking distances

Total: 32

Dry 4

Wet 3

Snow 8

Comfort 5

Rolling Resistance 6

Noise 6

Good snow performance

Understeer and long braking distances on both wet and dry roads, average aquaplaning result

Total: 32

Dry 4

Wet 3

Snow 8

Comfort 6

Rolling Resistance 6

Noise 5

Good aquaplaning resistance, short dry braking

Severely limited winter usability, low traction and driving performance on snow, dangerously long snow and wet braking

Total: 23

Dry 5

Wet 3

Snow 1

Comfort 3

Rolling Resistance 6

Noise 5

Menu

What is an all season tire?

So, true all season tires exist?

Why is this important for the UK?

Which all season tire should I buy?

Results

Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason

Goodyear Vector 4Seasons

Vredestein Quatrac Lite

Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert

Dunlop SP Sport 01 AS

Falken EUROALL SEASON AS200

Hankook Optimo 4S

Kumho Solus HA31

Nexen N Priz 4S

Maloya Quadris

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