Test source Auto Bild

2011 Auto Bild 4x4 Winter Tire Test

Overall test winnerDunlop SP Winter Sport 3D

As proven in many a video, buying a 4x4 doesn't necessarily mean good winter performance.

Data analyzed and reviewed byJonathan Benson

December 29, 2011 5 min read Updated January 8, 2025

Tire shortlist Read the test

255/55 R18 / 2011 View full image

Tires tested: 8
Tested size: 255/55 R18

At a glance

Tire shortlist

8 Tires tested

Published finishing positions, with the strengths and considerations from this test. Owner reviews cover other sizes and driving conditions.

1^st

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D

+Easily the best in the snow, great in the wet and dry. Quiet.

−High price, moderate rolling resistance.

41 owner reviews Test Results

2^nd

Goodyear UltraGrip SUV

+Strong in the snow, best marks in the wet with excellent aquaplaning properties, best in the dry.

−High price, moderate rolling resistance.

1 owner review Test Results

3^rd

Continental ContiCrossContact Winter

+Short braking in the wet, balanced overall performance.

−High price, average cornering on snow.

4 owner reviews Test Results

4^th

Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow

+Precise handling, great steering feel espeically in the wet, well balanced tire.

−Slightly poor aquaplaning results, average braking distances on snow.

14 owner reviews Test Results

5^th

Nokian W RG2 SUV

+Very low rolling resistance, good comfort, short braking on snow.

−Average braking distances in the wet.

7 owner reviews Test Results

6^th

Bridgestone Blizzak LM80

+Very low rolling resistance, good snow performance, good dry cornering.

−Poor wet performance, poor aquaplaning, long dry braking.

3 owner reviews Test Results

7^th

Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme

+Very low rolling resistance, short braking on snow, good aquaplaning.

−Long stopping distances on wet roads, poor wet cornering, high noise.

44 owner reviews Test Results

8^th

Nankang SV1 Winter+

+Low rolling resistance, acceptable braking on snow, low noise, cheap.

−Extremely poor braking in the wet, little steering control in the wet and on snow, poor comfort.

14 owner reviews Test Results

Tire shortlist

Compare selected tires

2011 Auto Bild 4x4 Winter Tire Test · 255/55 R18

Tire	Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D	Goodyear UltraGrip SUV	Continental ContiCrossContact Winter	Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow	Nokian W RG2 SUV	Bridgestone Blizzak LM80	Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme	Nankang SV1 Winter+
Position	1^st	2^nd	3^rd	4^th	5^th	6^th	7^th	8^th
Keep researching	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results

Explore the complete results →

The full test

The evidence behind the verdict

As proven in many a video, buying a 4x4 doesn't necessarily mean good winter performance. A good all wheel drive system can offer better traction than a 2wd car, however once moving if the 4x4 is on standard summer tires it will only be able to steer and brake as well as any other vehicle on the road. image from auto bild issue 39 SUV and 4x4 winter tire test

image from auto bild issue 39 SUV and 4x4 winter tire test

The truth is with modern 4x4 vehicles often weighing in excess of 2.2 tons, fitted with powerful engines and fashionable wide sports tires, winter tires can be even more of a requirement if you want to stay mobile in the snow and ice.

The tests

To work out which winter tires work best on big 4x4 and SUV vehicles Auto Bild have tested 8 sets of 255/55 R18 on a Mercedes ML, including one budget tire from the far east.

The Summer Tire

Also included in the test was a benchmark summer tire, however as it couldn't finish all the tests it couldn't even be included in the final results! As an example of just how poor the standard tires performed, during the braking test from 31mph the best winter tire stopped the car in 100 feet, while the summer tire slid on to a massive 166 feet!

The Results

All discipline results (3)

Test	Result
Dry	7
Wet	7
Snow	10

Total: 24

All discipline results (3)

Test	Result
Dry	8
Wet	8
Snow	8

Total: 24

All discipline results (3)

Test	Result
Dry	7
Wet	6
Snow	7

Total: 20

All discipline results (3)

Test	Result
Dry	7
Wet	6
Snow	6

Total: 19

All discipline results (3)

Test	Result
Dry	7
Wet	5
Snow	6

Total: 18

All discipline results (3)

Test	Result
Dry	6
Wet	4
Snow	7

Total: 17

All discipline results (3)

Test	Result
Dry	6
Wet	4
Snow	5

Total: 15

All discipline results (3)

Test	Result
Dry	6
Wet	1
Snow	4

Total: 11

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2011 Auto Bild 4x4 Winter Tire Test