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
|
- 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% |
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|
- 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% |
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|
- 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% |
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|
- 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% |
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|
- 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% |
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|
- 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% |
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|
- 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% |
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|
- 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% |
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|
- 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% |
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|
- 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% |
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|
- 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% |
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|
- 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% |
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|
- 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% |
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|
- 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% |
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