2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test

The 2020 Auto Zeitung has tested fourteen winter tires in 205/55 R16, including new winter tires from Bridgestone, Goodyear and Maxxis, as well as a low cost retreaded tire.

While all the tires were tested in the dry, wet and snow, sadly Auto Zeitung didn't include any handling data, instead just providing subjective feel scoring. They do a really good job of talking about how the tires performed in their full article, so we encourage you to head over to AutoZeitung.com and check out the full test where you can also see data such as slalom speeds which we've not included.

Overall, the results confirm the trend we're seeing in 2020, with the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 taking a dominating win, largely thanks to it's incredible wet performance which saw it stopping 3.4 meters ahead of the second best tire in wet braking!

The should-have-been-replaced-by-now Continental WinterContact TS860 finished a solid second, with the Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ taking third, matching the excellent performances of the larger Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+.

Dry

Dry braking was won by Hankook, showing an impressive advantage over the next best Bridgestone.

Subjectively, the testers liked the feel of the Toyo, which was also the fastest tire through the dry slalom.

Wet

The Bridgestone had a huge advantage during wet braking, stopping the test Golf 3.4 meters ahead of the second best Continental. While the Toyo struggled, it was still nearly 7 meters ahead of the retreaded winter tire.

Subjective wet handling had a similar order to wet braking, highlighting the advantage of having grip when driving quickly...

Hankook and Bridgestone scored best during the aquaplaning testing, which is even more impressive when you consider the braking performance of the tires.

Snow

While the Fulda tire struggled in the dry and wet, it was impressive during snow braking, finishing joint top with the aging Dunlop WinterSport 5.

Bridgestone rounded out its impressive performance by scoring the best during subjective snow handling.

The snow traction test was won by Goodyear.

Environment

The snow expert Fulda had the lowest rolling resistance on test.

The best tires on test overall are also some of the best during subjective comfort testing.

Results

1st: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
205/55 R16 EU Label: C/A/71	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 46.5 M 45.8 M +0.7 M 98.49% Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Wet Braking 1st 50.9 M 100% Subj. Wet Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Straight Aqua 2nd 82.8 Km/H 85.2 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 97.18% Snow Braking 4th 26 M 25.7 M +0.3 M 98.85% Snow Traction 2nd 2175 N 2193 N -18 N 99.18% Subj. Snow Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Subj. Comfort 3rd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Price 12th 340 170 +170 50% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.4 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +0.34 kg / t 95.95% Read Reviews    Buy from £109.66
2nd: Continental WinterContact TS 860
205/55 R16 EU Label: C/B/72	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 11th 48.7 M 45.8 M +2.9 M 94.05% Subj. Dry Handling 7th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Wet Braking 2nd 54.3 M 50.9 M +3.4 M 93.74% Subj. Wet Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Straight Aqua 5th 80.2 Km/H 85.2 Km/H -5 Km/H 94.13% Snow Braking 3rd 25.9 M 25.7 M +0.2 M 99.23% Snow Traction 6th 2146 N 2193 N -47 N 97.86% Subj. Snow Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Subj. Comfort 3rd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Price 12th 340 170 +170 50% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.47 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +0.41 kg / t 95.16% Read Reviews
3rd: Goodyear UltraGrip 9+
205/55 R16 EU Label: C/B/69	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 48.4 M 45.8 M +2.6 M 94.63% Subj. Dry Handling 3rd 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 5th 55.4 M 50.9 M +4.5 M 91.88% Subj. Wet Handling 5th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50% Straight Aqua 3rd 82.3 Km/H 85.2 Km/H -2.9 Km/H 96.6% Snow Braking 6th 26.1 M 25.7 M +0.4 M 98.47% Snow Traction 1st 2193 N 100% Subj. Snow Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Subj. Comfort 1st 10 Points 100% Price 10th 320 170 +150 53.13% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.26 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +0.2 kg / t 97.58% Read Reviews
4th: Hankook Winter i cept RS2
205/55 R16 EU Label: E/B/72	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 45.8 M 100% Subj. Dry Handling 3rd 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 4th 55.1 M 50.9 M +4.2 M 92.38% Subj. Wet Handling 5th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50% Straight Aqua 1st 85.2 Km/H 100% Snow Braking 4th 26 M 25.7 M +0.3 M 98.85% Snow Traction 3rd 2171 N 2193 N -22 N 99% Subj. Snow Handling 7th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Subj. Comfort 3rd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Price 5th 280 170 +110 60.71% Rolling Resistance 10th 9.12 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +1.06 kg / t 88.38% Read Reviews
5th: Michelin Alpin 6
205/55 R16 EU Label: C/B/69	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 47.5 M 45.8 M +1.7 M 96.42% Subj. Dry Handling 9th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50% Wet Braking 3rd 54.4 M 50.9 M +3.5 M 93.57% Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Straight Aqua 10th 76.5 Km/H 85.2 Km/H -8.7 Km/H 89.79% Snow Braking 8th 26.2 M 25.7 M +0.5 M 98.09% Snow Traction 5th 2152 N 2193 N -41 N 98.13% Subj. Snow Handling 6th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Subj. Comfort 1st 10 Points 100% Price 14th 380 170 +210 44.74% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.48 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +0.42 kg / t 95.05% Read Reviews
6th: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
205/55 R16 EU Label: C/B/69	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 12th 48.8 M 45.8 M +3 M 93.85% Subj. Dry Handling 6th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Wet Braking 7th 55.5 M 50.9 M +4.6 M 91.71% Subj. Wet Handling 5th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50% Straight Aqua 9th 76.7 Km/H 85.2 Km/H -8.5 Km/H 90.02% Snow Braking 1st 25.7 M 100% Snow Traction 9th 2132 N 2193 N -61 N 97.22% Subj. Snow Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Subj. Comfort 3rd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Price 11th 330 170 +160 51.52% Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.17 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +0.11 kg / t 98.65% Read Reviews    Buy from £89.40
7th: Pirelli Cinturato Winter
205/55 R16 EU Label: E/B/69	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 48.3 M 45.8 M +2.5 M 94.82% Subj. Dry Handling 12th 4 Points 10 Points -6 Points 40% Wet Braking 8th 56.9 M 50.9 M +6 M 89.46% Subj. Wet Handling 8th 4 Points 10 Points -6 Points 40% Straight Aqua 4th 82 Km/H 85.2 Km/H -3.2 Km/H 96.24% Snow Braking 9th 26.3 M 25.7 M +0.6 M 97.72% Snow Traction 4th 2170 N 2193 N -23 N 98.95% Subj. Snow Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Subj. Comfort 11th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50% Price 7th 300 170 +130 56.67% Rolling Resistance 9th 8.88 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +0.82 kg / t 90.77% Read Reviews
8th: Falken Eurowinter HS01
205/55 R16 EU Label: E/B/70	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 47.2 M 45.8 M +1.4 M 97.03% Subj. Dry Handling 3rd 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 9th 57.1 M 50.9 M +6.2 M 89.14% Subj. Wet Handling 9th 3 Points 10 Points -7 Points 30% Straight Aqua 7th 79.3 Km/H 85.2 Km/H -5.9 Km/H 93.08% Snow Braking 10th 26.5 M 25.7 M +0.8 M 96.98% Snow Traction 12th 2078 N 2193 N -115 N 94.76% Subj. Snow Handling 9th 4 Points 10 Points -6 Points 40% Subj. Comfort 9th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Price 5th 280 170 +110 60.71% Rolling Resistance 11th 9.21 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +1.15 kg / t 87.51% Read Reviews
8th: Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
205/55 R16 EU Label: E/B/70	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 47.7 M 45.8 M +1.9 M 96.02% Subj. Dry Handling 7th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Wet Braking 5th 55.4 M 50.9 M +4.5 M 91.88% Subj. Wet Handling 4th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Straight Aqua 6th 79.9 Km/H 85.2 Km/H -5.3 Km/H 93.78% Snow Braking 10th 26.5 M 25.7 M +0.8 M 96.98% Snow Traction 7th 2144 N 2193 N -49 N 97.77% Subj. Snow Handling 11th 2 Points 10 Points -8 Points 20% Subj. Comfort 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Price 7th 300 170 +130 56.67% Rolling Resistance 14th 9.42 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +1.36 kg / t 85.56% Read Reviews
10th: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
205/55 R16 EU Label: C/B/71	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 13th 50.1 M 45.8 M +4.3 M 91.42% Subj. Dry Handling 12th 4 Points 10 Points -6 Points 40% Wet Braking 10th 58.2 M 50.9 M +7.3 M 87.46% Subj. Wet Handling 12th 1 Points 10 Points -9 Points 10% Straight Aqua 11th 75 Km/H 85.2 Km/H -10.2 Km/H 88.03% Snow Braking 1st 25.7 M 100% Snow Traction 10th 2123 N 2193 N -70 N 96.81% Subj. Snow Handling 8th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50% Subj. Comfort 9th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Price 7th 300 170 +130 56.67% Rolling Resistance 1st 8.06 kg / t 100% Read Reviews    Buy from £86.39
11th: Nexen Winguard Snow G3
205/55 R16 EU Label: E/B/72	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 46.7 M 45.8 M +0.9 M 98.07% Subj. Dry Handling 9th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50% Wet Braking 12th 59.1 M 50.9 M +8.2 M 86.13% Subj. Wet Handling 10th 2 Points 10 Points -8 Points 20% Straight Aqua 12th 71.8 Km/H 85.2 Km/H -13.4 Km/H 84.27% Snow Braking 10th 26.5 M 25.7 M +0.8 M 96.98% Snow Traction 8th 2138 N 2193 N -55 N 97.49% Subj. Snow Handling 10th 3 Points 10 Points -7 Points 30% Subj. Comfort 7th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Price 3rd 220 170 +50 77.27% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.81 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +0.75 kg / t 91.49% Read Reviews
12th: Toyo Snowprox S954
205/55 R16 EU Label: E/B/71	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 47.8 M 45.8 M +2 M 95.82% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Wet Braking 13th 61.5 M 50.9 M +10.6 M 82.76% Subj. Wet Handling 12th 1 Points 10 Points -9 Points 10% Straight Aqua 8th 77.2 Km/H 85.2 Km/H -8 Km/H 90.61% Snow Braking 14th 27.3 M 25.7 M +1.6 M 94.14% Snow Traction 13th 2067 N 2193 N -126 N 94.25% Subj. Snow Handling 13th 1 Points 10 Points -9 Points 10% Subj. Comfort 13th 4 Points 10 Points -6 Points 40% Price 4th 230 170 +60 73.91% Rolling Resistance 13th 9.41 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +1.35 kg / t 85.65% Read Reviews
13th: Goodride SW608
205/55 R16 EU Label: C/C/72	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 47.8 M 45.8 M +2 M 95.82% Subj. Dry Handling 14th 3 Points 10 Points -7 Points 30% Wet Braking 11th 58.6 M 50.9 M +7.7 M 86.86% Subj. Wet Handling 10th 2 Points 10 Points -8 Points 20% Straight Aqua 13th 71.1 Km/H 85.2 Km/H -14.1 Km/H 83.45% Snow Braking 6th 26.1 M 25.7 M +0.4 M 98.47% Snow Traction 14th 2039 N 2193 N -154 N 92.98% Subj. Snow Handling 11th 2 Points 10 Points -8 Points 20% Subj. Comfort 11th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50% Price 2nd 200 170 +30 85% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.74 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +0.68 kg / t 92.22% Read Reviews
14th: King Meiler Winter Tact WT81
205/55 R16 EU Label: E/C/72	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 13th 50.1 M 45.8 M +4.3 M 91.42% Subj. Dry Handling 9th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50% Wet Braking 14th 67.3 M 50.9 M +16.4 M 75.63% Subj. Wet Handling 12th 1 Points 10 Points -9 Points 10% Straight Aqua 14th 67.1 Km/H 85.2 Km/H -18.1 Km/H 78.76% Snow Braking 13th 27 M 25.7 M +1.3 M 95.19% Snow Traction 11th 2087 N 2193 N -106 N 95.17% Subj. Snow Handling 13th 1 Points 10 Points -9 Points 10% Subj. Comfort 14th 1 Points 10 Points -9 Points 10% Price 1st 170 100% Rolling Resistance 12th 9.22 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +1.16 kg / t 87.42% Read Reviews