Semperit Speed Grip 5 vs Uniroyal WinterExpert
- TR Score
- 8.5/10
- Owners say
- 92% · 3
- TR Score
- 7.8/10
- Owners say
- 76% · 7
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tires, the Uniroyal WinterExpert finished ahead 5 times and the Speed Grip 5 4 times. The Speed Grip 5 held 9.1% more grip in curved aquaplaning; the WinterExpert had 4.1% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Uniroyal WinterExpert for high-mileage commuters and wet-dominant climates prioritizing short stops, efficiency, and longevity. Semperit Speed-Grip 5 for drivers facing heavy rain and standing water who want stronger aquaplaning security and a more precise feel, especially in milder or mixed winters.
Where the Speed Grip 5 is stronger
- Best-in-test aquaplaning safety envelope (straight wins 5-0; frequent curved wins)
- Consistently sharper dry handling/steering precision (dry handling wins 4-0)
- Competitive snow performance with standout 2024 result (3/23 overall; multiple snow test wins)
Where the WinterExpert is stronger
- Class-leading wet braking consistency (wins 7-2) for shorter stops in rain
- Lowest rolling resistance across tests (wins 4-0) for fuel/EV range benefits
- Generally better overall rankings in recent big fields (2025: 5/52, 11/31, 8/22)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Speed Grip 5 vs WinterExpert at a glance
| Category | Speed Grip 5 | Gap | WinterExpert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won9 shared tests | 4 | 5 | |
| Dry9 measurements | 7 | The Speed Grip 5 stopped 0.6% shorter in the dry (5 tests) | 2 |
| Wet28 measurements | 14 | The Speed Grip 5 held 9.1% more grip in curved aquaplaning (4 tests) | 13 |
| Snow22 measurements | 11 | 10 | |
| Ice1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Comfort6 measurements | 2 | 3 | |
| Value11 measurements | 4 | The WinterExpert had 4.1% lower rolling resistance (4 tests) | 6 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.5/10 | The Speed Grip 5 by 0.7 | 7.8/10 |
| Owner rating3 and 7 reviews | 92% | The Speed Grip 5 by 16 points | 76% |
| Pricein the 6 tests that listed prices | +1.3% | The Speed Grip 5 was dearer in 3 of 6 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 90 | 69 sizes made in both | 90 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 9 tests, 2022 to 2025
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Speed Grip 5 | Field | WinterExpert |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test | P11 of 20 | P8 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P15 of 51 | P5 of 51 | |
| 2025 ADAC Winter Tire Test | P15 of 31 | P11 of 31 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P3 of 20 | P9 of 20 | |
| 2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test | P6 of 55 | P7 of 55 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P16 of 20 | P12 of 20 | |
| 2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test | P19 of 54 | P11 of 54 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P9 of 20 | P19 of 20 | |
| 2022 Winter Tire Market Overview | P10 of 56 | P17 of 56 |
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 9 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Speed Grip 5
WinterExpert
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 96%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Speed Grip 5
WinterExpert
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Speed Grip 5
WinterExpert
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Speed Grip 5 92% from 3 reviews and the WinterExpert 76% from 7. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Speed Grip 5 | Gap | WinterExpert | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 149 | 0.6% | 150 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.2 | 0.6% | 70.8 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 146 | 0.9% | 145 | 2-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 123 | 1.3% | 125 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 47.4 | 0.7% | 47.7 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.8 | = | 5.8 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.63 | 0.9% | 12.51 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 50.4 | 3.2% | 48.9 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9 | 9.1% | 8.4 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 88 | 0.1% | 87 | 5-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 464 | 1.3% | 471 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 35.6 | 0.4% | 35.7 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 10.6 | 1.3% | 10.5 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56 | 2.3% | 57 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.44 | 0.4 dB | 71.02 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 27,101 | 1% | 27,052 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.98 | 4.1% | 7.66 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.8 | = | 5.8 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 66 | 4.3% | 69 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Speed Grip 5 scores 8.5 and the WinterExpert 7.8 out of 10.
| Speed Grip 5 | Category | WinterExpert | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | Dry | 35 | ||
| 80 | Wet | 70 | ||
| 25 | Comfort | 40 | ||
| 73 | Value | 69 | ||
| 51 | Snow | 65 | ||
| 32 | Ice | 19 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Speed Grip 5 | Category | WinterExpert | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.3 | Dry Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 9.7 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 9 | Road Feedback | 7.3 | ||
| 9 | Handling | 7.4 | ||
| 9 | Wear | 7.8 | ||
| 8.3 | Comfort | 7.4 | ||
| 9.3 | Snow Grip | 7.2 | ||
| 9.3 | Ice Grip | 6 | ||
Owners rate the Speed Grip 5 92% from 3 reviews and the WinterExpert 76% from 7. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Semperit Speed Grip 5
- 92%from 3 reviews
- 20,500 milesdriven by reviewers
All 3 Speed Grip 5 reviewsSehr guter Winterreifen im mittleren Preissegment. Fahre 100 km täglich durchs Mittelgebirge (Stadt, BAB, Bundesstraßen) und hatte nun alle Bedingungen: Schnee, Eis, Regen, Trockene Fahrbahn. Toller Grip auf Schnee und Eis bedeckten Straßen. Habe mich stehts sicher gefühlt.
215/55 R18 99V XL. Made in France. Neuprofiltiefe gemessene 8,7 mm. Nach 10500 km vorn 8,2 mm, hinten 8,0 mm bei sehr ruhigem, entspanntem Fahrstil. D. h. sehr wenig Verschleiß und hohe zu erwartende Laufleistung. Laufgeräusch ist wie bei allen Winterreifen hörbar, aber nicht sonderlich auffällig.
Bin sehr zufrieden, würde sie wieder kaufen.
Meine vorherigen Reifen Bridgestone LM001 mit 5 mm Profil, 2 Jahre alt, waren auf nasser und trockener Fahrbahn top, hatten aber bei Schnee und Matsch null Grip und drehten durch.
Uniroyal WinterExpert
- 76%from 7 reviews
- 71%would buy again
- 59,000 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally report the Uniroyal WinterExpert performs strongly in wet conditions, with confident rain performance and good grip on wet and dry roads. Snow capability is usually described as good, though one reviewer felt it lagged behind a previous winter tire on snow/ice and questioned value for money. A recurring downside is higher noise typical of winter tires, while fuel economy and predictable, responsive handling are noted positives.
- strong wet grip and rain performance (hydroplaning resistance)
- good overall grip on dry and wet roads
- capable winter performance for normal/calm driving (including snow)
- predictable/controlled handling and responsive steering feel
- tends to be noisier than expected, especially at low-speed maneuvers
Summarised by AI from 6 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 7 WinterExpert reviewsTires that I had before was Hankook winter I-cept 2 much beter tires than this uniroyal when it comes to snow and ice driving, driving comfort are about the same, driving on wet roads uniroyal is realy good, beter than hankook, handling is ok and noise level beter than advertised. overall I will not spend that kind of money on uniroyal anymore.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 90 sizes of the Speed Grip 5 and 90 of the WinterExpert, 69 of them made in both.
| Category | Speed Grip 5 | WinterExpert |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 90 sizes, 14 to 21 inch | 90 sizes, 13 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 69 sizes 165/70 R14175/70 R14165/65 R15185/55 R15185/60 R15185/65 R15195/50 R15195/55 R15195/60 R15195/65 R15195/50 R16195/55 R16and 57 more | |
| EU label wet grip | C76%B24% | C79%B21% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C70%D18%B12% | C64%D30%B6% |
| EU label noise | 71-75 dB B100% | 71-73 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 137 of 137 | 121 of 121 |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2021 |
| Replaced | Semperit Speed Grip 3 (2017) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The Speed Grip 5 was the dearer tire in 3 of the 6 tests that listed prices, by 1.3% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This head-to-head pits two Continental-group winter options with different missions: the high-performance-leaning Semperit Speed-Grip 5 versus the efficiency-centric Uniroyal WinterExpert. Across nine shared tests from 2022-2025 in 16-18 inch sizes, the Uniroyal generally ranks higher overall, while the Semperit flashes sharper dynamics and aquaplaning security.
Patterns are clear: Uniroyal is consistently stronger in wet braking and rolling resistance, with solid wear and balanced winter manners. Semperit counters with better dry steering precision, strong straight and curved aquaplaning margins, and competitive snow results that swing by size/test. Value oscillates by year, but Uniroyal's lower consumption and often longer tread life bolster total cost of ownership.
Conclusion
If you prioritize safety in rain-soaked winters and lower running costs, the Uniroyal WinterExpert is the safer bet. It wins most wet braking trials (7 vs. 2), posts class-low rolling resistance in multiple tests, and typically finishes higher overall (e.g., 8/22 vs. 11/22 in 2025 Auto Bild; 5/52 vs. 15/52 in 2025 braking test; 11/31 vs. 15/31 in 2025 ADAC). Wear is frequently better too, enhancing lifetime value.
Choose the Semperit Speed-Grip 5 if you want crisper steering, high aquaplaning reserves, and strong mixed-surface balance. It leads dry handling (4 wins), dominates straight aquaplaning (5-0) and often curved aquaplaning, and can match or beat Uniroyal on snow in several tests (notably the 2024 Auto Bild where it ranked 3/23). However, its wet braking lags in most comparisons and noise can be higher in larger sizes. Net: Uniroyal for cost-savvy, wet-focused commuters; Semperit for drivers who value stability in heavy rain and a more engaging feel in milder winters.
Speed Grip 5 vs WinterExpert: your questions
Is the Semperit Speed Grip 5 or the Uniroyal WinterExpert the better tire?
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tires, the Uniroyal WinterExpert finished ahead 5 times and the Speed Grip 5 4 times. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Speed Grip 5 scores 8.5 and the WinterExpert 7.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Speed Grip 5 or the WinterExpert?
The Speed Grip 5 led 14 of the 28 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 9.1% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 4 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Speed Grip 5 led 7 of the 9 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 0.6% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Speed Grip 5 led 11 of the 22 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Speed Grip 5 lasted 1% longer in the wear tests (5 tests); the WinterExpert had 4.1% lower rolling resistance (4 tests). Owners rate wear 9/10 for the Speed Grip 5 and 7.8/10 for the WinterExpert.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.3/10 for the Speed Grip 5 and 7.4/10 for the WinterExpert.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Speed Grip 5 92% from 3 reviews and the WinterExpert 76% from 7.
Which is more expensive?
In the 6 tests that listed prices, the Speed Grip 5 was the dearer tire in 3 of them, by 1.3% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Speed Grip 5 is made in 90 sizes (14 to 21 inch) and the WinterExpert in 90 (13 to 20 inch). 69 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Speed Grip 5 is graded C for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the WinterExpert C and C.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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