2015 AMS UHP Winter Tire Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingPirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Dry BrakingGoodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1
Wet HandlingGoodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
WearGoodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1
NoiseGoodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Testing 10 premium UHP winter tires in 225/50 R17, including three patterns released in 2015, Auto Motor und Sport put the tires through the usual range of dry, wet, snow and environmental tests across Finland and Germany.

The test was won by the new Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen-1. Launched at the start of 2015, the UltraGrip Performance Gen-1 continues Goodyears excellent results in winter tire tests, and proves its quality by being the most balanced tire on test. Scoring highly in the snow, wet and dry testing, the tire had good steering precision, a quiet ride and a low rolling resistance. The only negative of the tire was a slight oversteer balance in the snow, causing the Mercedes C Class to be a little unstable at the limit.

Second place was taken by the Pirelli Sottozero Series 3 and third by the new Dunlop Winter Sport 5. The Pirelli enjoyed a good all round balance, and very direct steering leading to excellent stability, plus strong braking results in the dry and wet. The Dunlop had excellent aquaplaning results, making it particularly suited to the UK's winters, and strong braking in the dry and wet.

Strangely Continental found itself in fourth place overall with the WinterContact TS850. While the successor to the TS850 has now been announced, the TS850 still provided excellent aquaplaning resistance and a good all round balance of qualities, it was just bested by the top three newer patterns under braking tests.

The new Nokian WR D4 proved to be extremely strong on snow, but failed a little in the dry to end in fourth, while the cheapest tire on test, the GT Radial, had an excellent result in fifth with the Champiro Winterpro HP having a good overall balance.  Yokohama rounded out the top six, proving to be strong where the Nokian was weak in the dry, but weaker in the snow.

Results

Please note, the "comfort" score in this test includes noise, comfort and fuel efficiency.

1st: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 45.8
  2. Dry: 8.8
  3. Wet: 9.4
  4. Snow: 9.3
  5. Comfort: 9.1
  6. Overall: 9.2
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2nd: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 45.4
  2. Dry: 9.2
  3. Wet: 8.7
  4. Snow: 9.3
  5. Comfort: 9.1
  6. Overall: 9.1
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3rd: Dunlop Winter Sport 5

Dunlop Winter Sport 5
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 44.8
  2. Dry: 9
  3. Wet: 9.2
  4. Snow: 9.2
  5. Comfort: 8.4
  6. Overall: 9
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4th: Continental WinterContact TS 850

Continental WinterContact TS 850
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 43.7
  2. Dry: 8.6
  3. Wet: 9.1
  4. Snow: 8.6
  5. Comfort: 8.7
  6. Overall: 8.7
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5th: Nokian WR D4

Nokian WR D4
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 41.2
  2. Dry: 7.9
  3. Wet: 8
  4. Snow: 8.7
  5. Comfort: 8.4
  6. Overall: 8.2
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6th: GT Radial Champiro WinterPro HP

GT-Radial Champiro WinterPro HP
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 38.8
  2. Dry: 7.8
  3. Wet: 7.2
  4. Snow: 8.2
  5. Comfort: 7.9
  6. Overall: 7.7
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7th: Yokohama W drive V905

Yokohama W drive V905
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 37.8
  2. Dry: 8.5
  3. Wet: 6.7
  4. Snow: 8
  5. Comfort: 7
  6. Overall: 7.6
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8th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM32 S

Bridgestone Blizzak LM32 S
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 37
  2. Dry: 7.7
  3. Wet: 6.6
  4. Snow: 8
  5. Comfort: 7.3
  6. Overall: 7.4
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9th: Falken Eurowinter HS449

Falken Eurowinter HS449
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 34.4
  2. Dry: 7.9
  3. Wet: 7.8
  4. Snow: 5.8
  5. Comfort: 5.9
  6. Overall: 7
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10th: Cooper WM SA2

Cooper WM SA2
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 34.3
  2. Dry: 7.3
  3. Wet: 7.6
  4. Snow: 6.5
  5. Comfort: 5.9
  6. Overall: 7
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