2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test

Following on from the fifty six winter tire braking shootout, these are the top twenty winter tires in the full Auto Bild Full Winter Tire Test! 

As with the Auto Bild All Season tire test, Auto Bild have performed one of the best winter tire tests of the year, and have even tested wear! Overall the results are going to cause a little confusion, as the Michelin Alpin 6 wins this test overall, after performing relatively poorly in the 2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test.

While the test sizes are similar, both 17" wheels, it's important to note that the Tire Reviews test was 225/45 R17 and this test 215/55 R17. This result for the Alpin 6 is far more in line with the norm for the French winter tire, which makes us further believe there was a problem with the tires we tested earlier this year. In short, there's no need to avoid the Michelin Alpin 6!

Other standouts are the new Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 finishing tied first place overall, and the new aging Goodyear and Dunlop winter tire combination finishing third and fourth!

Auto Bild also included an unnamed budget winter tire to highlight out good this group of tires really is. You can see it listed as "Reference Budget" in the charts below.

Wear

Projected tire tread life is a treat for tire tests, and with over 13,000 kms (8,000 miles) difference between the best and worst, it's data we love to see!

Recent Kumho products have been testing extremely well in wear tests, and this test is no different with the Kumho WinterCraft WP52 just edging out the Michelin Alpin 6 for top spot! Third to fifth spots essentially tied for third, with Firestone, Fulda and Pirelli all performing very well in the wear test.

When you combine the projected wear with the purchase price, you can work out a value based on euros per 1000km. As the Kumho was one of the lower priced tires in the test, it naturally has the best value, with Michelin dropping to the second half of the table thanks to the expensive purchase price.

Dry

The reference summer tire had a clear lead in dry braking, stopping the VW Golf nearly 4 meters shorter than the best winter tire! The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 and Michelin Alpin 6 were the best of the winters, with the reference budget winter being the worst.

Dry handling was also led by the summer tire, with the Bridgestone again the best of the winter tires.

Wet

The summer tire was also best in wet braking, which is very normal for this sort of testing. Once again the Bridgestone was the best of the winter tires, with Michelin in second place.

The reference budget tire had dangerously low levels of grip in both the wet grip tests.

The Bridgestone led wet handling, with the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 second. The reference summer tire could only manage top third.

The Hankook Winter Icept RS3 had the best straight aquaplaning result.

Snow

BFGoodrich led snow braking.

The Uniroyal WinterExpert led snow traction testing.

The Uniroyal also led snow handling.

Environment

The Nokian Snowproof P was the quietest tire on test.

The Uniroyal had the lowest rolling resistance, with the Continental WinterContact TS870P in second.

The Continental and Michelin were the most expensive tires to buy.

Results

View Results as a single table and adjust the score weighting

1st: Michelin Alpin 6
215/55 R17 94V EU Label: C/B/69	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 2nd +0.1 M 99.77% Dry Handling 6th -0.9 Km/H 99.27% Wet Braking 2nd +2.1 M 96.06% Wet Handling 3rd -0.6 Km/H 99.17% Wet Circle 5th +0.32 s 97.41% Straight Aqua 10th -2.6 Km/H 96.8% Curved Aquaplaning 10th -0.33 m/sec2 88.78% Snow Braking 14th +1 M 96.21% Snow Traction 7th -40 N 98.47% Snow Handling 11th -1.8 Km/H 96.76% Snow Slalom 14th -0.14 m/sec2 96.35% Noise 17th +2.5 dB 96.54% Wear 2nd -780 Km 98.13% Value 13th +6.32 Price/1000 63.57% Price 19th +280 61.11% Rolling Resistance 10th +1.65 kg / t 80.19% Test winner with convincing driving performance in all weather conditions, precise steering behavior, sporty dynamic handling behavior, high mileage. Expensive. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £150.99
1st: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/B/71	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 9th +1.5 M 96.63% Dry Handling 15th -2.1 Km/H 98.3% Wet Braking 3rd +2.8 M 94.81% Wet Handling 2nd -0.2 Km/H 99.72% Wet Circle 7th +0.39 s 96.86% Straight Aqua 9th -2.5 Km/H 96.92% Curved Aquaplaning 14th -0.48 m/sec2 83.67% Snow Braking 14th +1 M 96.21% Snow Traction 14th -71 N 97.29% Snow Handling 11th -1.8 Km/H 96.76% Snow Slalom 1st 100% Noise 13th +2 dB 97.21% Wear 5th -1949 Km 95.33% Value 8th +5.06 Price/1000 68.55% Price 15th +200 68.75% Rolling Resistance 14th +2.06 kg / t 76.43% Convincing all-round talent with very good mileage and good economy, precise handling on wet roads, good aquaplaning qualities. Average comfort. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £124.39
3rd: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/B/71	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 8th +1.2 M 97.29% Dry Handling 18th -2.2 Km/H 98.22% Wet Braking 8th +4.2 M 92.42% Wet Handling 6th -0.8 Km/H 98.9% Wet Circle 2nd +0.19 s 98.44% Straight Aqua 10th -2.6 Km/H 96.8% Curved Aquaplaning 4th -0.17 m/sec2 94.22% Snow Braking 2nd +0.1 M 99.61% Snow Traction 6th -38 N 98.55% Snow Handling 3rd -1 Km/H 98.2% Snow Slalom 9th -0.07 m/sec2 98.18% Noise 9th +1.5 dB 97.89% Wear 9th -5120 Km 87.73% Value 11th +5.64 Price/1000 66.17% Price 12th +170 72.13% Rolling Resistance 6th +1.53 kg / t 81.36% Premium winter profile with top performance on snow-covered slopes, balanced driving characteristics on wet and dry slopes, good economy. Average comfort. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £139.79
4th: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/C/71	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 12th +1.9 M 95.77% Dry Handling 11th -1.6 Km/H 98.7% Wet Braking 6th +4 M 92.75% Wet Handling 7th -1 Km/H 98.62% Wet Circle 4th +0.31 s 97.49% Straight Aqua 18th -6.6 Km/H 91.88% Curved Aquaplaning 11th -0.35 m/sec2 88.1% Snow Braking 18th +1.1 M 95.85% Snow Traction 3rd -15 N 99.43% Snow Handling 9th -1.3 Km/H 97.66% Snow Slalom 3rd -0.05 m/sec2 98.7% Noise 17th +2.5 dB 96.54% Wear 8th -4872 Km 88.32% Value 16th +6.88 Price/1000 61.59% Price 16th +220 66.67% Rolling Resistance 12th +1.69 kg / t 79.81% Snow professional with stable driving characteristics on wet and dry slopes, good traction and precise handling on snow, good mileage. Exemplary. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £134.99
5th: Cooper Discoverer Winter
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/B/71	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 3rd +0.3 M 99.31% Dry Handling 13th -2 Km/H 98.38% Wet Braking 5th +3.7 M 93.26% Wet Handling 14th -2.1 Km/H 97.11% Wet Circle 11th +0.41 s 96.7% Straight Aqua 14th -4.7 Km/H 94.22% Curved Aquaplaning 13th -0.46 m/sec2 84.35% Snow Braking 9th +0.9 M 96.58% Snow Traction 9th -54 N 97.94% Snow Handling 6th -1.1 Km/H 98.02% Snow Slalom 3rd -0.05 m/sec2 98.7% Noise 5th +0.8 dB 98.87% Wear 11th -8025 Km 80.76% Value 5th +4.26 Price/1000 72.14% Price 5th +75 85.44% Rolling Resistance 16th +2.21 kg / t 75.14% Inexpensive branded tire with a balanced performance profile, impressive suitability for snow, stable handling in the dry, short braking distances in the dry. Average comfort. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £186.40
6th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/A/71	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 1st 100% Dry Handling 1st 100% Wet Braking 1st 100% Wet Handling 1st 100% Wet Circle 1st 100% Straight Aqua 12th -2.9 Km/H 96.43% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd -0.16 m/sec2 94.56% Snow Braking 9th +0.9 M 96.58% Snow Traction 12th -64 N 97.56% Snow Handling 16th -2.3 Km/H 95.86% Snow Slalom 16th -0.15 m/sec2 96.09% Noise 20th +3.1 dB 95.74% Wear 14th -10304 Km 75.3% Value 18th +8.71 Price/1000 55.88% Price 13th +180 70.97% Rolling Resistance 8th +1.64 kg / t 80.29% Winter tires with convincing handling qualities on wet and dry roads, precise steering, short wet and dry braking distances. Moderate mileage, loud tire noise. Good. Read Reviews
7th: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/A/71	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 14th +2.1 M 95.34% Dry Handling 4th -0.5 Km/H 99.6% Wet Braking 6th +4 M 92.75% Wet Handling 5th -0.7 Km/H 99.04% Wet Circle 12th +0.45 s 96.39% Straight Aqua 1st 100% Curved Aquaplaning 6th -0.2 m/sec2 93.2% Snow Braking 19th +1.2 M 95.49% Snow Traction 18th -121 N 95.38% Snow Handling 6th -1.1 Km/H 98.02% Snow Slalom 6th -0.06 m/sec2 98.44% Noise 12th +1.8 dB 97.48% Wear 16th -10825 Km 74.05% Value 14th +6.61 Price/1000 62.53% Price 8th +105 80.73% Rolling Resistance 15th +2.19 kg / t 75.31% New winter profile with balanced driving characteristics, dynamic wet and dry handling, good aquaplaning reserves. Moderate mileage, average comfort. Good. Read Reviews
8th: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: B/B/71	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 3rd +0.3 M 99.31% Dry Handling 3rd -0.3 Km/H 99.76% Wet Braking 3rd +2.8 M 94.81% Wet Handling 3rd -0.6 Km/H 99.17% Wet Circle 2nd +0.19 s 98.44% Straight Aqua 7th -2.4 Km/H 97.05% Curved Aquaplaning 5th -0.19 m/sec2 93.54% Snow Braking 2nd +0.1 M 99.61% Snow Traction 5th -37 N 98.59% Snow Handling 9th -1.3 Km/H 97.66% Snow Slalom 6th -0.06 m/sec2 98.44% Noise 5th +0.8 dB 98.87% Wear 17th -11123 Km 73.33% Value 20th +12.67 Price/1000 46.54% Price 20th +285 60.69% Rolling Resistance 2nd +0.62 kg / t 91.51% Top winter tires with excellent driving dynamics properties in all weather conditions, fuel-efficient rolling resistance. Limited mileage and economy. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £142.49
9th: BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/B/69	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 11th +1.7 M 96.2% Dry Handling 18th -2.2 Km/H 98.22% Wet Braking 9th +4.7 M 91.59% Wet Handling 12th -1.9 Km/H 97.39% Wet Circle 15th +0.6 s 95.25% Straight Aqua 4th -1.5 Km/H 98.15% Curved Aquaplaning 8th -0.29 m/sec2 90.14% Snow Braking 1st 100% Snow Traction 10th -61 N 97.67% Snow Handling 6th -1.1 Km/H 98.02% Snow Slalom 3rd -0.05 m/sec2 98.7% Noise 3rd +0.6 dB 99.15% Wear 12th -8197 Km 80.35% Value 19th +9.56 Price/1000 53.57% Price 18th +250 63.77% Rolling Resistance 7th +1.63 kg / t 80.39% Snow pro with very good driving performance on packed snow, good aquaplaning reserves, pleasantly quiet driving comfort. Slightly longer wet braking distances, high price. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £129.39
9th: Semperit Speed Grip 5
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/C/72	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 17th +3.1 M 93.28% Dry Handling 13th -2 Km/H 98.38% Wet Braking 14th +5.2 M 90.78% Wet Handling 17th -2.9 Km/H 96.01% Wet Circle 14th +0.57 s 95.47% Straight Aqua 2nd -0.6 Km/H 99.26% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 100% Snow Braking 5th +0.5 M 98.07% Snow Traction 15th -79 N 96.98% Snow Handling 3rd -1 Km/H 98.2% Snow Slalom 9th -0.07 m/sec2 98.18% Noise 14th +2.1 dB 97.08% Wear 13th -8211 Km 80.32% Value 9th +5.09 Price/1000 68.42% Price 7th +100 81.48% Rolling Resistance 3rd +0.71 kg / t 90.39% Short braking distances and precise handling on ice and snow, very good aquaplaning qualities, low rolling resistance. Moderate wet grip, longer wet and dry braking distances. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £115.89
11th: Kleber Krisalp HP3
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/B/69	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 9th +1.5 M 96.63% Dry Handling 21st -2.7 Km/H 97.81% Wet Braking 20th +7.1 M 87.82% Wet Handling 15th -2.4 Km/H 96.7% Wet Circle 17th +0.63 s 95.02% Straight Aqua 3rd -0.8 Km/H 99.02% Curved Aquaplaning 7th -0.24 m/sec2 91.84% Snow Braking 2nd +0.1 M 99.61% Snow Traction 2nd -14 N 99.47% Snow Handling 2nd -0.6 Km/H 98.92% Snow Slalom 6th -0.06 m/sec2 98.44% Noise 8th +1 dB 98.59% Wear 10th -7199 Km 82.74% Value 7th +4.76 Price/1000 69.85% Price 8th +105 80.73% Rolling Resistance 10th +1.65 kg / t 80.19% Convincing qualities on ice and snow, good safety reserves for aquaplaning, low price. Extended wet braking distances, understeering wet and dry handling. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £179.00
12th: Vredestein Wintrac Pro
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/B/72	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 6th +0.5 M 98.85% Dry Handling 10th -1.4 Km/H 98.87% Wet Braking 18th +6.5 M 88.73% Wet Handling 9th -1.5 Km/H 97.94% Wet Circle 7th +0.39 s 96.86% Straight Aqua 13th -4.2 Km/H 94.83% Curved Aquaplaning 11th -0.35 m/sec2 88.1% Snow Braking 9th +0.9 M 96.58% Snow Traction 11th -62 N 97.63% Snow Handling 13th -1.9 Km/H 96.58% Snow Slalom 14th -0.14 m/sec2 96.35% Noise 16th +2.4 dB 96.67% Wear 19th -11735 Km 71.87% Value 17th +8.32 Price/1000 57% Price 11th +140 75.86% Rolling Resistance 13th +1.72 kg / t 79.52% Safe handling in all weather conditions, short snow and dry braking distances. Extended wet braking distances, moderate mileage and economy. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £123.19
13th: Falken Eurowinter HS01
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: D/B/70	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 13th +2 M 95.56% Dry Handling 12th -1.8 Km/H 98.54% Wet Braking 15th +5.5 M 90.3% Wet Handling 12th -1.9 Km/H 97.39% Wet Circle 18th +0.64 s 94.94% Straight Aqua 5th -1.7 Km/H 97.91% Curved Aquaplaning 8th -0.29 m/sec2 90.14% Snow Braking 5th +0.5 M 98.07% Snow Traction 19th -159 N 93.93% Snow Handling 16th -2.3 Km/H 95.86% Snow Slalom 18th -0.2 m/sec2 94.79% Noise 15th +2.2 dB 96.94% Wear 7th -3738 Km 91.04% Value 10th +5.3 Price/1000 67.54% Price 13th +180 70.97% Rolling Resistance 21st +3.26 kg / t 67.2% Short snow braking distances, very good safety reserves for aquaplaning, stable dry handling. Moderate cornering on snowy and wet slopes, increased rolling resistance. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £117.99
14th: Nexen Winguard Sport
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: D/B/70	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 15th +2.5 M 94.51% Dry Handling 7th -1.3 Km/H 98.95% Wet Braking 15th +5.5 M 90.3% Wet Handling 9th -1.5 Km/H 97.94% Wet Circle 10th +0.4 s 96.78% Straight Aqua 16th -6.1 Km/H 92.5% Curved Aquaplaning 17th -0.69 m/sec2 76.53% Snow Braking 14th +1 M 96.21% Snow Traction 4th -25 N 99.05% Snow Handling 19th -2.6 Km/H 95.32% Snow Slalom 12th -0.11 m/sec2 97.14% Noise 1st 100% Wear 18th -11410 Km 72.65% Value 4th +3.82 Price/1000 74.28% Price 2nd +10 97.78% Rolling Resistance 19th +2.73 kg / t 70.99% Good traction and short braking distances on snow, stable wet and dry handling. Understeering behavior on snow, limited mileage, high rolling resistance. Good. Read Reviews
15th: Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/B/70	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 16th +2.8 M 93.89% Dry Handling 15th -2.1 Km/H 98.3% Wet Braking 9th +4.7 M 91.59% Wet Handling 11th -1.6 Km/H 97.8% Wet Circle 6th +0.37 s 97.01% Straight Aqua 6th -2 Km/H 97.54% Curved Aquaplaning 16th -0.55 m/sec2 81.29% Snow Braking 9th +0.9 M 96.58% Snow Traction 17th -101 N 96.15% Snow Handling 15th -2.1 Km/H 96.22% Snow Slalom 11th -0.08 m/sec2 97.92% Noise 3rd +0.6 dB 99.15% Wear 20th -13212 Km 68.33% Value 6th +4.41 Price/1000 71.44% Price 1st 100% Rolling Resistance 20th +2.85 kg / t 70.09% Balanced winter properties, safe aquaplaning behavior, low price. Slightly longer wet and dry braking distances, low mileage, high rolling resistance. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £110.59
16th: Firestone Winterhawk 4
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/B/71	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 19th +3.5 M 92.47% Dry Handling 18th -2.2 Km/H 98.22% Wet Braking 12th +5 M 91.1% Wet Handling 8th -1.4 Km/H 98.07% Wet Circle 7th +0.39 s 96.86% Straight Aqua 7th -2.4 Km/H 97.05% Curved Aquaplaning 15th -0.53 m/sec2 81.97% Snow Braking 14th +1 M 96.21% Snow Traction 8th -42 N 98.4% Snow Handling 3rd -1 Km/H 98.2% Snow Slalom 2nd -0.04 m/sec2 98.96% Noise 7th +0.9 dB 98.73% Wear 3rd -1865 Km 95.53% Value 2nd +1.64 Price/1000 87.06% Price 4th +65 87.13% Rolling Resistance 8th +1.64 kg / t 80.29% Convincing snow qualities, low rolling noise, very good mileage. Only satisfactory dry qualities, longer wet and dry braking distances, moderate driving comfort. Fair. Read Reviews    Buy from £116.69
17th: Kumho Winter Craft WP52
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/B/72	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 3rd +0.3 M 99.31% Dry Handling 2nd -0.2 Km/H 99.84% Wet Braking 11th +4.9 M 91.27% Wet Handling 17th -2.9 Km/H 96.01% Wet Circle 20th +0.75 s 94.13% Straight Aqua 17th -6.2 Km/H 92.37% Curved Aquaplaning 19th -0.89 m/sec2 69.73% Snow Braking 20th +1.9 M 93.04% Snow Traction 20th -180 N 93.13% Snow Handling 13th -1.9 Km/H 96.58% Snow Slalom 17th -0.17 m/sec2 95.57% Noise 19th +2.9 dB 96.01% Wear 1st 100% Value 1st 100% Price 3rd +20 95.65% Rolling Resistance 17th +2.36 kg / t 73.89% Dynamic dry handling, high mileage, good economy. Limited grip level in the wet, heavy understeering when handling in the wet, low aquaplaning reserves. Fair. Read Reviews
18th: Nokian Snowproof P
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/B/69	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 7th +0.9 M 97.95% Dry Handling 5th -0.7 Km/H 99.43% Wet Braking 12th +5 M 91.1% Wet Handling 16th -2.6 Km/H 96.42% Wet Circle 13th +0.46 s 96.31% Straight Aqua 20th -9.8 Km/H 87.95% Curved Aquaplaning 20th -1.13 m/sec2 61.56% Snow Braking 8th +0.8 M 96.95% Snow Traction 16th -89 N 96.6% Snow Handling 20th -2.8 Km/H 94.95% Snow Slalom 20th -0.22 m/sec2 94.27% Noise 1st 100% Wear 6th -2996 Km 92.82% Value 12th +6.28 Price/1000 63.72% Price 17th +230 65.67% Rolling Resistance 4th +1.38 kg / t 82.88% Dynamic dry handling, low rolling noise, good mileage. Moderate cornering and understeering behavior on snow, limited aquaplaning qualities. Fair. Read Reviews    Buy from £118.59
19th: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/C/72	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 18th +3.4 M 92.67% Dry Handling 15th -2.1 Km/H 98.3% Wet Braking 17th +6.3 M 89.04% Wet Handling 20th -4 Km/H 94.5% Wet Circle 19th +0.67 s 94.72% Straight Aqua 15th -5.5 Km/H 93.23% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd -0.12 m/sec2 95.92% Snow Braking 9th +0.9 M 96.58% Snow Traction 13th -68 N 97.4% Snow Handling 18th -2.4 Km/H 95.68% Snow Slalom 18th -0.2 m/sec2 94.79% Noise 21st +3.8 dB 94.83% Wear 4th -1918 Km 95.4% Value 3rd +2.41 Price/1000 82.07% Price 6th +95 82.24% Rolling Resistance 5th +1.5 kg / t 81.66% Short snow braking distances, good economy with high mileage. Significantly understeering handling in all weather conditions, longer wet and dry braking distances. Fair. Read Reviews    Buy from £119.19
19th: Uniroyal WinterExpert
215/55 R17 98V EU Label: C/C/72	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 20th +4.2 M 91.1% Dry Handling 22nd -2.8 Km/H 97.73% Wet Braking 18th +6.5 M 88.73% Wet Handling 19th -3.6 Km/H 95.05% Wet Circle 16th +0.61 s 95.17% Straight Aqua 19th -7 Km/H 91.39% Curved Aquaplaning 18th -0.79 m/sec2 73.13% Snow Braking 7th +0.7 M 97.32% Snow Traction 1st 100% Snow Handling 1st 100% Snow Slalom 12th -0.11 m/sec2 97.14% Noise 9th +1.5 dB 97.89% Wear 15th -10776 Km 74.17% Value 15th +6.75 Price/1000 62.04% Price 10th +110 80% Rolling Resistance 1st 100% Convincing winter qualities, low rolling resistance. Delayed steering response, heavily understeering wet and dry handling, extended wet and dry braking distances. Fair. Read Reviews    Buy from £114.79