All round performance
The winner of this test, the Vredestein Quatrac 3 proved to be an extremely flexible and well balanced tire. Not the strongest in the dry or on snow, its high average score, excellent dynamic properties and group leading wet performance gave it the top spot overall.Closely following the Vredestein was the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons. Again, its real strength was managing to score well in every category, with testers commenting it was a tire with "no drawbacks".
The Hankook Optimo 4S rounded out the top 3, only let down by the comparatively harsh ride it provided when directly compared to the leading two tires.
Also worth noting is the Bridgestone A001 in 5th place. Commended for the shortest braking distance in the wet and its high steering precision, the A001 was only let down by a comparatively weak snow performance. Given the overall UK climate, this could be another great tire if you like a sporty feel and good wet grip.
The rest of the tires prove that while cheaper tires can be good at one thing, they often have to sacrifice in other areas where the premium tires do not. A great example of this is the Nankang NK88 having the best snow performance, yet being a liability in the wet and the Federal SS657 having good dry performance, but totally failing on snow and ice.
Bench-marked
Perhaps the most useful element of the Auto Bild test was the inclusion of a winter and summer tire, which allowed us to benchmark overall braking distances.While the best of the all season tires might not be able to match the summer tire in the dry, or quite beat the winter tire in the snow, it shows if you're only going to run one tire year round, the all season tire will give you the overall shortest braking distance.
The chart however, still clearly proves it pays to be on the right tire for the right time of year.
The Results:
Please note: As always the overall results are weighted in favour of snow and wet performance. Please place less importance on the "total" score, and more on each of the category scores
Multi talented and balanced in all areas. Precise steering and excellent handling characteristics on wet roads. High safety reserves in aquaplanining, short braking distances on snow.
Slightly Noisey.
Total: 41
Dry
7
Wet
8
Snow
8
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
5
Top class all season tire with no drawbacks. High traction and short braking distances on snow. Dynamic handling with superior steering precision and good feedback. Exemplary in all weather.
None mentioned.
Total: 46
Dry
7
Wet
7
Snow
8
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
10
Good all round tire with short braking distances and cornering stability on snow. Best aquaplaning result, direct dry handling, low rolling resistance.
Average comfort.
Total: 43
Dry
7
Wet
7
Snow
8
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
9
Noise
7
Sporty and dynamic driving characteristics with great traction and cornering stability on snow and dry slopes. Good dry braking.
A little understeer in the wet, moderate aquaplaning resistance.
Total: 47
Dry
8
Wet
5
Snow
9
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
10
The rain specialist - good handling, high steering precision and shortest braking distances on wet roads. Good aquaplaning resistance.
Slightly let down by its snow performance, increased cornering noise.
Total: 37
Dry
6
Wet
7
Snow
6
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
5
Dynamic safe handling, good steering, short braking on snow. Good ride comfort.
Only average driving characteristics on wet and dry roads.
Total: 39
Dry
5
Wet
3
Snow
10
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
8
Dynamic safe handling, good steering, short braking on snow. Good ride comfort and rolling resistance.
Long braking distances in wet conditions.
Total: 42
Dry
6
Wet
4
Snow
7
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
7
Perfect handling on snow, low rolling resistance.
Poor steering response, bad handling and extremely long braking distances on wet roads. Reduced ride comfort.
Total: 37
Dry
5
Wet
2
Snow
10
Comfort
4
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
6
Low rolling resistance.
Lack of grip in the wet, poor wet braking, strong understeer, poor handling, bad aquaplaning result, especially in curved sections.
Total: 34
Dry
7
Wet
1
Snow
6
Comfort
3
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
7
Good dry braking.
In spite of M+S marking the tire fails on snow an dice. Long stopping distances on wet roads, unbalanced handling.
Total: 29.1
Dry
7
Wet
3
Snow
0.1
Comfort
3
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
10
What exactly are summer tires and winter tires. Surely tire manufacturers don't expect us to change tires twice a year.
I can't find this test on autobild. Do you have the exact link?
Sorry, for some reason we don't have the link archived.
The 2012 version of the test is easy to find on autobild (and here)
Bought the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons recently, due to living down single track country lanes, which are wet & muddy & having a couple of accidents purely down to lack of grip. these tires are FANTASTIC & have made an incredible difference to grip, handling & stopping, totally transforming my drive, even though I already had decent tires before.
Glad to hear you're enjoying them :)
where is other big brands such as michelin, pirelli, nokian, bridgestone?
Michelin and Pirelli don't make a "proper" all season tire, Bridgestone are in 5th with the A001 and we're not sure where Nokian are!
The Hankook and Goodyear tires have usually held the top two position in past tests. Hence surprised to see the Vredestein in 1st place in the 2011 test. What car/ tire size did they use in the 2011 test? as this might be one of the things affecting the rankings. Strange the Hankook has the best rolling resistance yet comfort and noise scores aren't better(?) Personally I would still opt for Hankook or Goodyear over
Vredestein as their rankings have been more consistent over the years.