Test Publication:
235/55 R18
10 tires
5 categories
Images courtesy of Auto Zeitung
Test Publication:
Images courtesy of Auto Zeitung
Test Size:
235/55 R18
Tires Tested:
10 tires
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.
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Nokian WR SUV 4
- Pirelli Scorpion Winter
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Continental Winter Contact TS 850
- Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
- Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
- Firestone Winterhawk 4
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.
- Pirelli Scorpion Winter
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Continental Winter Contact TS 850
- Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
- Nokian WR SUV 4
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Firestone Winterhawk 4
- Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
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.
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Continental Winter Contact TS 850
- Nokian WR SUV 4
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
- Firestone Winterhawk 4
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
- Pirelli Scorpion Winter
- Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
- Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
Vredestein and Michelin again performed well in wet handling, with Continental claiming third.
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
- Continental Winter Contact TS 850
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
- Firestone Winterhawk 4
- Nokian WR SUV 4
- Pirelli Scorpion Winter
- Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
- Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 had the highest aquaplaning resistance by quite a margin.
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Firestone Winterhawk 4
- Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
- Continental Winter Contact TS 850
- Pirelli Scorpion Winter
- Nokian WR SUV 4
Snow
Vredestein once again stopped the test vehicle effectively, winning snow braking.
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Nokian WR SUV 4
- Continental Winter Contact TS 850
- Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Firestone Winterhawk 4
- Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
- Pirelli Scorpion Winter
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
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.
- Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Firestone Winterhawk 4
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
- Nokian WR SUV 4
- Pirelli Scorpion Winter
- Continental Winter Contact TS 850
- Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
Snow handling was conducted on a short indoor track.
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
- Continental Winter Contact TS 850
- Firestone Winterhawk 4
- Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
- Nokian WR SUV 4
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
- Pirelli Scorpion Winter
Environment
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was significantly quieter than the next best tire, the Firestone WinterHawk 4.
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
- Firestone Winterhawk 4
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
- Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
- Nokian WR SUV 4
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Pirelli Scorpion Winter
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Continental Winter Contact TS 850
- Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
Continental had the lowest fuel use of the group, with the Falken trailing the pack by a margin.
- Continental Winter Contact TS 850
- Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
- Nokian WR SUV 4
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
- Firestone Winterhawk 4
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Pirelli Scorpion Winter
- Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
The Falken balanced out some of the fuel costs by being the cheapest tire on test, with the Michelin the most expensive.
- Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
- Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
- Firestone Winterhawk 4
- Nokian WR SUV 4
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Pirelli Scorpion Winter
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Continental Winter Contact TS 850
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
Results
Another test victory for the Bridgestone LM005. The wet qualities are currently unbeatable, it's has very good dry performance and is good on snow.
| 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% |
The Michelin PA5 SUV is a snow specialist but it also offers enormously high safety margins in all conditions.
| 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% |
The TS870P SUV is an excellent allrounder, safe on every surface, with the lowest rolling resistance on test.
| 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% |
Strong on snow, one of the best in wet conditions, safe when dry. The price / performance champion.
| 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% |
Good results in the snow and wet, however only average in the dry.
| 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% |
The Goodyear was only middle in all three conditions however as it is a rounded performance it's still worth recommending.
| 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% |
The WRSUV 4 has very good snow braking and good in the dry, but weaker in the wet with low aquaplaning resistance.
| 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% |
The Pirelli Scorpion Winter is very good in the dry but weaker in the wet and snow, with high rolling resistance.
| 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% |
The Winter Icept Evo3 X is safe on snow with excellent traction and reliable in the dry however it is very weak in the wet.
| 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% |
On snow and in the dry the Falken HS01 offered very little grip. Highest rolling resistance on test.
| 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% |