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Test source Auto Express

2014 Auto Express Winter Tire Test

Overall test winnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

In previous years Auto Express have been slow to publish their tire tests online, but not this year - Auto Express have done such a great job on their website, there's nothing left for us to add!

Tires tested
10
Tested size
205/55 R16

At a glance

Tire shortlist

10 Tires tested

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

2nd

Nokian WR D3

3rd

Goodyear UltraGrip 9

4th

Uniroyal MS Plus 77

5th

Michelin Alpin A4

6th

Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D

8th

Hankook Winter i cept RS

9th

Vredestein Quatrac Lite

Tire shortlist

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2014 Auto Express Winter Tire Test · 205/55 R16

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The full test

The evidence behind the verdict

In previous years Auto Express have been slow to publish their tire tests online, but not this year - Auto Express have done such a great job on their website, there's nothing left for us to add! Get over to the Auto Express Website to read their 2014 tire test in full!

The Results

1st

Continental WinterContact TS 850

205/55 R16
Continental WinterContact TS 850
A good all round performance with few compromises make this a winter tire winner
2nd

Nokian WR D3

205/55 R16
Nokian WR D3
Top performer on snow and in dry conditions in the cold, but not the cheapest to run
3rd

Goodyear UltraGrip 9

205/55 R16
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
An excellent debut in our test, with good performance on snow and wet roads
4th

Uniroyal MS+ 77

205/55 R16
Uniroyal MS Plus 77
A promising return for Uniroyal, although the poor fuel economy is something of a surprise
5th

Michelin Alpin A4

205/55 R16
Michelin Alpin A4
Its days on sale are number (the Michelin Alpin 5 has replaced it), but this winter tire is still well worth considering
6th

Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D

205/55 R16
Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
Secure and safe, although rivals have the edge over this tire in most tests
7th

Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3

205/55 R16
Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3
Competent, but aquaplaning performance needs looking at, as does fuel efficiency
8th

Hankook Winter i cept RS

205/55 R16
Hankook Winter i cept RS
A keenly priced tire, but you will pay for that at the pumps over time
9th

Vredestein Quatrac Lite

205/55 R16
Vredestein Quatrac Lite
Seven per cent off the best winter tire in the snow, better than the best winter tire in the dry, and again 7% behind the best winter in the cold wet test, but 10% ahead of the summer tire
10th

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance

205/55 R16
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
An unsurprisingly fail in all snow tests, the summer tire needed an extra 16 feet to stop under wet braking. Slight edge on the winters in the cold dry tests

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