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2021 AZ SUV Winter Tire Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
7 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Tire Updates
  3. Dry
  4. Wet
  5. Snow
  6. Environment
  7. Results
  8. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
  9. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
  10. Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV
  11. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
  12. Firestone Winterhawk 4
  13. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen 1
  14. Nokian WR SUV 4
  15. Pirelli Scorpion Winter
  16. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
  17. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV

Test Publication:
235/55 R18 10 tires 5 categories
Images courtesy of Auto Zeitung
Test Publication:
Auto Zeitung
Images courtesy of Auto Zeitung
Test Size: 235/55 R18
Tires Tested: 10 tires
Test Categories:
5 categories (12 tests)
Similar Tests
The 2021 Auto Zeitung SUV winter tire test has tested ten suv winter tires in 235/55 R18 size using a VW Tiguan crossover SUV.

As this is a smaller test when compared to other winter tire tests we'll keep the introduction short. All ten sets of tires were placed through the usual blend of dry, wet and snow testing, plus rolling resistance and noise.

In this test the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 wins another test with the best wet performance of the group, and the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 placed second with the best snow performance, two things we've seen plenty of times in previous tests.

Tire Updates

Like nearly all winter tests, Auto Zeitung bought and tested the tires at the end of the winter before publication, IE January 2021 for publication for the winter of 2021, and since then several of the tires on test have received updates:

Continental update from DOT 3320: new mix, improved wear. TS870P also now available.

Falken changed mixture DOT 0721 for updated Label values according to the new regulation:D/B/72. 

The new Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + SUV was introduced in May 2021 replacing the tire in this test.

Hankook update from DOT 1521: new tread compound for improved wet grip,more precise handling by changing the sidewall structure. 

Bridgestone, Firestone,Michelin, Nokian,Pirelli, Vredestein - No changes   

Dry

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV led dry braking, with the Vredestein Wintrac Pro and Nokian WRSUV 4 in second and third places.

Dry Braking

Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    42.50 M
  2. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    42.90 M
  3. Nokian WR SUV 4
    43.30 M
  4. Pirelli Scorpion Winter
    43.60 M
  5. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
    43.60 M
  6. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    44.00 M
  7. Continental Winter Contact TS 850
    44.30 M
  8. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    44.30 M
  9. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    44.60 M
  10. Firestone Winterhawk 4
    44.70 M

Strangely the best tires in dry braking were midpack at best during the dry handling test, with the Pirelli Scorpion Winter jumping up the order to finish half a second ahead of the second placed Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.

Dry Handling

Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Pirelli Scorpion Winter
    63.40 s
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    63.90 s
  3. Continental Winter Contact TS 850
    64.30 s
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    64.40 s
  5. Nokian WR SUV 4
    64.40 s
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
    64.50 s
  7. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    64.50 s
  8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    64.70 s
  9. Firestone Winterhawk 4
    64.90 s
  10. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    65.10 s

Wet

The Bridgestone performed well during wet braking, but the Vredestein Wintrac Pro was again close to the top and this time the aging Continental Wintercontact TSS850P finished in third.

Wet Braking

Wet braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    50.80 M
  2. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    51.30 M
  3. Continental Winter Contact TS 850
    52.00 M
  4. Nokian WR SUV 4
    54.00 M
  5. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    54.50 M
  6. Firestone Winterhawk 4
    54.60 M
  7. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
    55.00 M
  8. Pirelli Scorpion Winter
    58.20 M
  9. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    60.00 M
  10. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    60.70 M

Vredestein and Michelin again performed well in wet handling, with Continental claiming third.

Wet Handling

Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    89.80 s
  2. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    90.10 s
  3. Continental Winter Contact TS 850
    90.20 s
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    91.20 s
  5. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
    91.90 s
  6. Firestone Winterhawk 4
    92.00 s
  7. Nokian WR SUV 4
    92.40 s
  8. Pirelli Scorpion Winter
    93.30 s
  9. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    93.50 s
  10. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    96.20 s

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 had the highest aquaplaning resistance by quite a margin.

Straight Aqua

Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    81.60 Km/H
  2. Firestone Winterhawk 4
    78.00 Km/H
  3. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    77.90 Km/H
  4. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    75.60 Km/H
  5. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
    75.20 Km/H
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    74.90 Km/H
  7. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    73.30 Km/H
  8. Continental Winter Contact TS 850
    73.10 Km/H
  9. Pirelli Scorpion Winter
    72.20 Km/H
  10. Nokian WR SUV 4
    69.60 Km/H

Snow

Vredestein once again stopped the test vehicle effectively, winning snow braking.

Snow Braking

Snow braking in meters (50 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
  1. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    27.90 M
  2. Nokian WR SUV 4
    28.10 M
  3. Continental Winter Contact TS 850
    28.20 M
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    28.30 M
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    28.90 M
  6. Firestone Winterhawk 4
    29.00 M
  7. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    29.10 M
  8. Pirelli Scorpion Winter
    29.30 M
  9. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    29.50 M
  10. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
    29.80 M

Hankook took their first test win during snow traction with the Hankook Winter I Cept EVO 3 SUV with Michelin in a very close second place.

Snow Traction

Pulling Force in Newtons (Higher is better)
  1. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    3084.00 N
  2. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    3081.00 N
  3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    3035.00 N
  4. Firestone Winterhawk 4
    3017.00 N
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    2981.00 N
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
    2964.00 N
  7. Nokian WR SUV 4
    2955.00 N
  8. Pirelli Scorpion Winter
    2921.00 N
  9. Continental Winter Contact TS 850
    2879.00 N
  10. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    2823.00 N

Snow handling was conducted on a short indoor track.

Snow Handling

Snow handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    29.00 s
  2. Continental Winter Contact TS 850
    29.20 s
  3. Firestone Winterhawk 4
    29.20 s
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    29.60 s
  5. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
    29.90 s
  6. Nokian WR SUV 4
    29.90 s
  7. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    29.90 s
  8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    30.00 s
  9. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    30.10 s
  10. Pirelli Scorpion Winter
    30.10 s

Environment

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was significantly quieter than the next best tire, the Firestone WinterHawk 4.

Noise

External noise in dB (Lower is better)
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    70.00 dB
  2. Firestone Winterhawk 4
    71.00 dB
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
    72.00 dB
  4. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    72.00 dB
  5. Nokian WR SUV 4
    72.00 dB
  6. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    72.00 dB
  7. Pirelli Scorpion Winter
    73.00 dB
  8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    73.00 dB
  9. Continental Winter Contact TS 850
    73.00 dB
  10. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    73.00 dB

Continental had the lowest fuel use of the group, with the Falken trailing the pack by a margin.

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Continental Winter Contact TS 850
    7.30 kg / t
  2. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    7.70 kg / t
  3. Nokian WR SUV 4
    7.90 kg / t
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    7.90 kg / t
  5. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
    8.00 kg / t
  6. Firestone Winterhawk 4
    8.00 kg / t
  7. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    8.20 kg / t
  8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    8.20 kg / t
  9. Pirelli Scorpion Winter
    8.50 kg / t
  10. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    9.30 kg / t

The Falken balanced out some of the fuel costs by being the cheapest tire on test, with the Michelin the most expensive.

Price

Price in local currency (Lower is better)
  1. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    485.00
  2. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    520.00
  3. Firestone Winterhawk 4
    540.00
  4. Nokian WR SUV 4
    545.00
  5. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    560.00
  6. Pirelli Scorpion Winter
    605.00
  7. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
    655.00
  8. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    660.00
  9. Continental Winter Contact TS 850
    715.00
  10. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    750.00

Results

1st

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

235/55 R18 104H
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
  • EU Label: B/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 11.6 kgs
  • Tread: 8.3-8.5 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 44 M 42.5 M +1.5 M 96.59%
Dry Handling 2nd 63.9 s 63.4 s +0.5 s 99.22%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 50.8 M 100%
Wet Handling 4th 91.2 s 89.8 s +1.4 s 98.46%
Wet Circle 1st 12.6 s 100%
Straight Aqua 1st 81.6 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 5th 28.9 M 27.9 M +1 M 96.54%
Snow Traction 5th 2981 N 3084 N -103 N 96.66%
Snow Handling 5th 29.9 s 29 s +0.9 s 96.99%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 3rd 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 8th 660 485 +175 73.48%
Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.9 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 92.41%
2nd

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV

235/55 R18 104H
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
  • EU Label: C/C/71
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 13.2 kgs
  • Tread: 7.6-8.6 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 42.5 M 100%
Dry Handling 6th 64.5 s 63.4 s +1.1 s 98.29%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 5th 54.5 M 50.8 M +3.7 M 93.21%
Wet Handling 2nd 90.1 s 89.8 s +0.3 s 99.67%
Wet Circle 2nd 12.7 s 12.6 s +0.1 s 99.21%
Straight Aqua 4th 75.6 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -6 Km/H 92.65%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 9th 29.5 M 27.9 M +1.6 M 94.58%
Snow Traction 2nd 3081 N 3084 N -3 N 99.9%
Snow Handling 1st 29 s 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 1st 70 dB 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 10th 750 485 +265 64.67%
Rolling Resistance 7th 8.2 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.9 kg / t 89.02%
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 11.1 kgs
  • Tread: 8.3-9.0 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 7th 44.3 M 42.5 M +1.8 M 95.94%
Dry Handling 3rd 64.3 s 63.4 s +0.9 s 98.6%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 52 M 50.8 M +1.2 M 97.69%
Wet Handling 3rd 90.2 s 89.8 s +0.4 s 99.56%
Wet Circle 5th 12.8 s 12.6 s +0.2 s 98.44%
Straight Aqua 8th 73.1 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -8.5 Km/H 89.58%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 3rd 28.2 M 27.9 M +0.3 M 98.94%
Snow Traction 9th 2879 N 3084 N -205 N 93.35%
Snow Handling 2nd 29.2 s 29 s +0.2 s 99.32%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 7th 73 dB 70 dB +3 dB 95.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 9th 715 485 +230 67.83%
Rolling Resistance 1st 7.3 kg / t 100%
4th

Vredestein Wintrac Pro

235/55 R18 104H
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
  • EU Label: C/C/72
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 12.3 kgs
  • Tread: 7.9-8.7 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 42.9 M 42.5 M +0.4 M 99.07%
Dry Handling 8th 64.7 s 63.4 s +1.3 s 97.99%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 51.3 M 50.8 M +0.5 M 99.03%
Wet Handling 1st 89.8 s 100%
Wet Circle 5th 12.8 s 12.6 s +0.2 s 98.44%
Straight Aqua 6th 74.9 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -6.7 Km/H 91.79%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 1st 27.9 M 100%
Snow Traction 3rd 3035 N 3084 N -49 N 98.41%
Snow Handling 8th 30 s 29 s +1 s 96.67%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 7th 73 dB 70 dB +3 dB 95.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 5th 560 485 +75 86.61%
Rolling Resistance 7th 8.2 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.9 kg / t 89.02%
5th

Firestone Winterhawk 4

235/55 R18 104H
Firestone Winterhawk 4
  • EU Label: C/B/71
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 11.3 kgs
  • Tread: 8.1-8.5 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 10th 44.7 M 42.5 M +2.2 M 95.08%
Dry Handling 9th 64.9 s 63.4 s +1.5 s 97.69%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 6th 54.6 M 50.8 M +3.8 M 93.04%
Wet Handling 6th 92 s 89.8 s +2.2 s 97.61%
Wet Circle 8th 12.9 s 12.6 s +0.3 s 97.67%
Straight Aqua 2nd 78 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 95.59%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 6th 29 M 27.9 M +1.1 M 96.21%
Snow Traction 4th 3017 N 3084 N -67 N 97.83%
Snow Handling 2nd 29.2 s 29 s +0.2 s 99.32%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 2nd 71 dB 70 dB +1 dB 98.59%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 3rd 540 485 +55 89.81%
Rolling Resistance 5th 8 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.7 kg / t 91.25%
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen 1
  • EU Label: C/B/69
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 13.4 kgs
  • Tread: 8.0-8.1 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 43.6 M 42.5 M +1.1 M 97.48%
Dry Handling 6th 64.5 s 63.4 s +1.1 s 98.29%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 7th 55 M 50.8 M +4.2 M 92.36%
Wet Handling 5th 91.9 s 89.8 s +2.1 s 97.71%
Wet Circle 2nd 12.7 s 12.6 s +0.1 s 99.21%
Straight Aqua 5th 75.2 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -6.4 Km/H 92.16%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 10th 29.8 M 27.9 M +1.9 M 93.62%
Snow Traction 6th 2964 N 3084 N -120 N 96.11%
Snow Handling 5th 29.9 s 29 s +0.9 s 96.99%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 3rd 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 7th 655 485 +170 74.05%
Rolling Resistance 5th 8 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.7 kg / t 91.25%
7th

Nokian WR SUV 4

235/55 R18 104H
Nokian WR SUV 4
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 13.1 kgs
  • Tread: 7.9-8.4 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 43.3 M 42.5 M +0.8 M 98.15%
Dry Handling 4th 64.4 s 63.4 s +1 s 98.45%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 54 M 50.8 M +3.2 M 94.07%
Wet Handling 7th 92.4 s 89.8 s +2.6 s 97.19%
Wet Circle 5th 12.8 s 12.6 s +0.2 s 98.44%
Straight Aqua 10th 69.6 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -12 Km/H 85.29%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 2nd 28.1 M 27.9 M +0.2 M 99.29%
Snow Traction 7th 2955 N 3084 N -129 N 95.82%
Snow Handling 5th 29.9 s 29 s +0.9 s 96.99%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 3rd 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 4th 545 485 +60 88.99%
Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.9 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 92.41%
8th

Pirelli Scorpion Winter

235/55 R18 104H
Pirelli Scorpion Winter
  • EU Label: C/B/69
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 12.7 kgs
  • Tread: 7.8-8.4 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 43.6 M 42.5 M +1.1 M 97.48%
Dry Handling 1st 63.4 s 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 8th 58.2 M 50.8 M +7.4 M 87.29%
Wet Handling 8th 93.3 s 89.8 s +3.5 s 96.25%
Wet Circle 2nd 12.7 s 12.6 s +0.1 s 99.21%
Straight Aqua 9th 72.2 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -9.4 Km/H 88.48%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 8th 29.3 M 27.9 M +1.4 M 95.22%
Snow Traction 8th 2921 N 3084 N -163 N 94.71%
Snow Handling 9th 30.1 s 29 s +1.1 s 96.35%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 7th 73 dB 70 dB +3 dB 95.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 6th 605 485 +120 80.17%
Rolling Resistance 9th 8.5 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +1.2 kg / t 85.88%
9th

Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X

235/55 R18 104V
Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 12.7 kgs
  • Tread: 8.0-8.2 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 7th 44.3 M 42.5 M +1.8 M 95.94%
Dry Handling 4th 64.4 s 63.4 s +1 s 98.45%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 10th 60.7 M 50.8 M +9.9 M 83.69%
Wet Handling 10th 96.2 s 89.8 s +6.4 s 93.35%
Wet Circle 10th 13.4 s 12.6 s +0.8 s 94.03%
Straight Aqua 7th 73.3 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -8.3 Km/H 89.83%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 4th 28.3 M 27.9 M +0.4 M 98.59%
Snow Traction 1st 3084 N 100%
Snow Handling 4th 29.6 s 29 s +0.6 s 97.97%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 7th 73 dB 70 dB +3 dB 95.89%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 2nd 520 485 +35 93.27%
Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.7 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.4 kg / t 94.81%
10th

Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV

235/55 R18 104V
Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
  • EU Label: D/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 14.6 kgs
  • Tread: 8.8-9.6 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 9th 44.6 M 42.5 M +2.1 M 95.29%
Dry Handling 10th 65.1 s 63.4 s +1.7 s 97.39%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 9th 60 M 50.8 M +9.2 M 84.67%
Wet Handling 9th 93.5 s 89.8 s +3.7 s 96.04%
Wet Circle 9th 13.3 s 12.6 s +0.7 s 94.74%
Straight Aqua 3rd 77.9 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 95.47%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 7th 29.1 M 27.9 M +1.2 M 95.88%
Snow Traction 10th 2823 N 3084 N -261 N 91.54%
Snow Handling 9th 30.1 s 29 s +1.1 s 96.35%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 3rd 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 1st 485 100%
Rolling Resistance 10th 9.3 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +2 kg / t 78.49%

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