2021 AMS Winter Tire Test

The 2021 Auto Motor und Sport winter tire test tested ten popular central European winter tires in 195/55 R16. This size is used for vehicles such as the Audi A1, Dacia Sandero, Ford Fiesta, Mazda 2, Peugeot 208 and many more.

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 took another convincing test win, proving to be excellent in the wet and dry while still having reasonable snow performance. 

The new Continental WinterContact TS870 also performed well with the lowest rolling resistance on test, excellent snow handling and low noise, it was however a little weaker in dry braking than the best on test.

The new Vredestein Wintrac rounded out the top three places, and like the new Vredestein Quatrac this tire excelled in wet handling, it was excellent in all braking tests and regarded as one of the sportiest feeling tires on test.

The other interesting result was BFGoodrich beating Michelin with a very strong snow performance, which is unusual for a second brand to beat the primary brand. The magazine recommended the BFGoodrich for climates which see a lot of snow.

Dry

The Michelin Alpin 6 had the shortest dry braking distances, narrowly beating the Vredestein Wintrac. Both these tires had a significant lead to the third place GT Radial. The Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ unusually struggled in the dry braking test.

Dry handling mixed up the order with the Toyo Observe S944 leading the pack and the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 placing second. GT Radial retained its third position.

Wet

The Bridgestone LM005 is known as a wet braking specialist, and once again it dominated the test stopping the test Seat Ibiza nearly 2 meters shorter than the second placed Falken Eurowinter HS01 with the Wintrac in third.

Vredestein and Bridgestone also performed well during wet handling.

Pirelli had a significant advantage during straight aquaplaning. Curved aquaplaning results can be found at the bottom of the page.

Snow

The important snow braking test was led by Vredestein, with BFGoodrich and Bridgestone close behind.

BFGoodrich again performed well in snow traction.

Confirming the BFGoodrich is the best overall in snow, it was also fastest around the snow handling lap.

Environment

The Falken and Continental tires had the lowest external noise.

Continental also had the lowest fuel use on test.

The magazine provided pricing had Pirelli even more expensive than the Michelin, with the Vredestein looking great value considering its overall result.

Results

1st: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
195/55 R16 87H EU Label: C/A/71 Weight: 7.97kgs Tread: 8.2mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 44.7 M 42.8 M +1.9 M 95.75% Dry Handling 2nd 114.1 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.56% Wet Braking 1st 29.3 M 100% Wet Handling 2nd 71.9 Km/H 72 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.86% Straight Aqua 4th 83.4 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -4.3 Km/H 95.1% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 3.2 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.09 m/sec2 97.26% Snow Braking 2nd 32.7 M 32.6 M +0.1 M 99.69% Snow Traction 4th 1.87 N 1.89 N -0.02 N 98.94% Snow Handling 6th 52.1 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 95.77% Noise 9th 71.7 dB 70.6 dB +1.1 dB 98.47% Price 7th 103 75 +28 72.82% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.5 kg / t 8 kg / t +0.5 kg / t 94.12% Safe braking and good handling on snow, outstanding wet grip with very short braking distances and safe cornering. Slightly longer braking distances in the dry. Read Reviews
2nd: Continental WinterContact TS 870
195/55 R16 87H EU Label: C/B/70 Weight: 7.58kgs Tread: 8.6mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 45.1 M 42.8 M +2.3 M 94.9% Dry Handling 4th 114 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.48% Wet Braking 4th 32.1 M 29.3 M +2.8 M 91.28% Wet Handling 7th 70.2 Km/H 72 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 97.5% Straight Aqua 2nd 83.9 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 95.67% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 3.29 m/sec2 100% Snow Braking 6th 33.1 M 32.6 M +0.5 M 98.49% Snow Traction 4th 1.87 N 1.89 N -0.02 N 98.94% Snow Handling 2nd 53.4 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.16% Noise 2nd 70.8 dB 70.6 dB +0.2 dB 99.72% Price 7th 103 75 +28 72.82% Rolling Resistance 1st 8 kg / t 100% Excellent winter performance with high cornering safety in the snow and safe, good handling in the dry and wet, fuel efficient. Small weakness in dry braking. Read Reviews    Buy from £128.76
3rd: Vredestein Wintrac
195/55 R16 87H EU Label: C/B/70 Weight: 7.61kgs Tread: 8.15mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 43 M 42.8 M +0.2 M 99.53% Dry Handling 7th 112.8 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 98.43% Wet Braking 3rd 31.7 M 29.3 M +2.4 M 92.43% Wet Handling 1st 72 Km/H 100% Straight Aqua 9th 79.2 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -8.5 Km/H 90.31% Curved Aquaplaning 10th 2.67 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.62 m/sec2 81.16% Snow Braking 1st 32.6 M 100% Snow Traction 6th 1.85 N 1.89 N -0.04 N 97.88% Snow Handling 8th 50.9 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -3.5 Km/H 93.57% Noise 3rd 70.9 dB 70.6 dB +0.3 dB 99.58% Price 3rd 92 75 +17 81.52% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.8 kg / t 8 kg / t +0.8 kg / t 90.91% Good snow braking, dynamic wet handling, short dry braking with precise cornering. High noise when cornering. Read Reviews
4th: BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
195/55 R16 91H EU Label: D/B/69 Weight: 8.36kgs Tread: 7.9mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 45 M 42.8 M +2.2 M 95.11% Dry Handling 5th 113.8 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.3% Wet Braking 7th 32.6 M 29.3 M +3.3 M 89.88% Wet Handling 8th 69.3 Km/H 72 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.25% Straight Aqua 5th 83.1 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -4.6 Km/H 94.75% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.84 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.45 m/sec2 86.32% Snow Braking 2nd 32.7 M 32.6 M +0.1 M 99.69% Snow Traction 1st 1.89 N 100% Snow Handling 1st 54.4 Km/H 100% Noise 5th 71 dB 70.6 dB +0.4 dB 99.44% Price 5th 98 75 +23 76.53% Rolling Resistance 9th 9.7 kg / t 8 kg / t +1.7 kg / t 82.47% Outstanding snow properties. Weak results in the wet. Read Reviews
5th: Michelin Alpin 6
195/55 R16 87H EU Label: D/B/69 Weight: 8.31kgs Tread: 7.45mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 42.8 M 100% Dry Handling 6th 113.7 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.21% Wet Braking 6th 32.2 M 29.3 M +2.9 M 90.99% Wet Handling 5th 70.8 Km/H 72 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.33% Straight Aqua 7th 82 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -5.7 Km/H 93.5% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.84 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.45 m/sec2 86.32% Snow Braking 9th 33.2 M 32.6 M +0.6 M 98.19% Snow Traction 7th 1.83 N 1.89 N -0.06 N 96.83% Snow Handling 7th 51.6 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 94.85% Noise 3rd 70.9 dB 70.6 dB +0.3 dB 99.58% Price 9th 123 75 +48 60.98% Rolling Resistance 8th 9.1 kg / t 8 kg / t +1.1 kg / t 87.91% Best in the dry with good dry handling and good cornering grip in the wet. Average snow performance. Read Reviews
6th: Pirelli Cinturato Winter
195/55 R16 91H EU Label: C/B/67 Weight: 7.39kgs Tread: 8.9mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 44.8 M 42.8 M +2 M 95.54% Dry Handling 10th 111.2 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 97.03% Wet Braking 10th 34.8 M 29.3 M +5.5 M 84.2% Wet Handling 8th 69.3 Km/H 72 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.25% Straight Aqua 1st 87.7 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 3.25 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.04 m/sec2 98.78% Snow Braking 4th 32.8 M 32.6 M +0.2 M 99.39% Snow Traction 1st 1.89 N 100% Snow Handling 5th 52.4 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -2 Km/H 96.32% Noise 5th 71 dB 70.6 dB +0.4 dB 99.44% Price 10th 127 75 +52 59.06% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.9 kg / t 8 kg / t +0.9 kg / t 89.89% Short braking distances and good traction on snow. Long wet braking, poor dry handling. Read Reviews
6th: Goodyear UltraGrip 9+
195/55 R16 87H EU Label: C/B/72 Weight: 8.2kgs Tread: 8.6mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 46.6 M 42.8 M +3.8 M 91.85% Dry Handling 9th 112.7 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 98.34% Wet Braking 9th 33.7 M 29.3 M +4.4 M 86.94% Wet Handling 3rd 71.5 Km/H 72 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.31% Straight Aqua 6th 82.7 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -5 Km/H 94.3% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 3.15 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.14 m/sec2 95.74% Snow Braking 6th 33.1 M 32.6 M +0.5 M 98.49% Snow Traction 1st 1.89 N 100% Snow Handling 4th 52.6 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 96.69% Noise 10th 73 dB 70.6 dB +2.4 dB 96.71% Price 4th 97 75 +22 77.32% Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.3 kg / t 8 kg / t +0.3 kg / t 96.39% Good cornering grip and handling in snow. Good wet cornering. Average braking in all conditions, relatively loud external noise. Read Reviews
8th: Falken Eurowinter HS01
195/55 R16 87H EU Label: D/B/70 Weight: 8.91kgs Tread: 8.7mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 45.5 M 42.8 M +2.7 M 94.07% Dry Handling 7th 112.8 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 98.43% Wet Braking 2nd 31.1 M 29.3 M +1.8 M 94.21% Wet Handling 6th 70.7 Km/H 72 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.19% Straight Aqua 2nd 83.9 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 95.67% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 2.85 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.44 m/sec2 86.63% Snow Braking 5th 32.9 M 32.6 M +0.3 M 99.09% Snow Traction 9th 1.78 N 1.89 N -0.11 N 94.18% Snow Handling 3rd 52.8 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 97.06% Noise 1st 70.6 dB 100% Price 1st 75 100% Rolling Resistance 10th 10.5 kg / t 8 kg / t +2.5 kg / t 76.19% Acceptable snow and wet performance, good ride comfort. Not very precise steering, average dry grip. Read Reviews
9th: GT Radial WinterPro2
195/55 R16 91H EU Label: D/B/70 Weight: 7.98kgs Tread: 8.4mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 44.4 M 42.8 M +1.6 M 96.4% Dry Handling 2nd 114.1 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.56% Wet Braking 4th 32.1 M 29.3 M +2.8 M 91.28% Wet Handling 8th 69.3 Km/H 72 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.25% Straight Aqua 10th 77.2 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -10.5 Km/H 88.03% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.8 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.49 m/sec2 85.11% Snow Braking 6th 33.1 M 32.6 M +0.5 M 98.49% Snow Traction 8th 1.8 N 1.89 N -0.09 N 95.24% Snow Handling 9th 50.5 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -3.9 Km/H 92.83% Noise 8th 71.1 dB 70.6 dB +0.5 dB 99.3% Price 2nd 91 75 +16 82.42% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.8 kg / t 8 kg / t +0.8 kg / t 90.91% Very good dry performance, good wet grip, comfortable. Poor performance on snow. Read Reviews
10th: Toyo Observe S 944
195/55 R16 91H EU Label: D/B/71 Weight: 8.2kgs Tread: 8.8mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 44.7 M 42.8 M +1.9 M 95.75% Dry Handling 1st 114.6 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 8th 32.8 M 29.3 M +3.5 M 89.33% Wet Handling 4th 71.3 Km/H 72 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.03% Straight Aqua 8th 81 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -6.7 Km/H 92.36% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.8 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.49 m/sec2 85.11% Snow Braking 10th 33.8 M 32.6 M +1.2 M 96.45% Snow Traction 10th 1.74 N 1.89 N -0.15 N 92.06% Snow Handling 10th 49.4 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -5 Km/H 90.81% Noise 5th 71 dB 70.6 dB +0.4 dB 99.44% Price 5th 98 75 +23 76.53% Rolling Resistance 7th 9 kg / t 8 kg / t +1 kg / t 88.89% Very good dry handling with safe understeer. Long wet braking, very low snow performance. Read Reviews