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Test source Auto Bild Allrad

2016 AutoBild 4x4 Winter Tire Test

Overall test winnerGoodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen 1

While the four wheel drive systems and extra weight of large SUVs can give you a traction advantage in snow and ice over "normal" cars, you have roughly the same braking and turning ability as any other car on the road, which makes winter…

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.

1st

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen 1

+Good in the snow, excellent wet traction, short braking distances in the wet and dry, good comfort, low rolling resistance.

−Expensive, average snow braking

2nd

Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV

+Very good on snow, excellent wet grip, good dry handling, good comfort

−High Price, longer dry braking when compared to the best

3rd

Dunlop Winter Sport 5 SUV

+Very good on snow, excellent wet grip with short wet braking, low rolling resistance

−Expensive, average aquaplaning scores

4th

Pirelli Scorpion Winter

+Good in the snow, good comfort, low rolling resistance, low noise

−Poor aquaplaning results

5th

Michelin Latitude Alpin 2

+Very good in the snow, quiet, good aquaplaning result

−High rolling resistance, average wet grip, long stopping distances, expensive

6th

Hankook Winter i cept evo2 SUV

+Good on snow, very good aquaplaning resistance results, low price

−High rolling resistance, high levels of noise, poor ride quality

7th

Nokian WR SUV 3

+Low rolling resistance, good levels of comfort, short braking distances on dry roads, good aquaplaning results

−Average grip in snow, average cornering grip in the wet and dry

8th

Gripmax Stature MS

+Very low price, excellent snow traction

−Average cornering in the dry, very low wet grip, extremely long wet braking distances, low aquaplaning resistance, high noise

Tire shortlist

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2016 AutoBild 4x4 Winter Tire Test · 255/55 R18

Explore the complete results →

The full test

The evidence behind the verdict

While the four wheel drive systems and extra weight of large SUVs can give you a traction advantage in snow and ice over "normal" cars, you have roughly the same braking and turning ability as any other car on the road, which makes winter tires a sensible option for anyone with an SUV requiring safe, year round motoring.

This year, Auto Bild have tested eight winter tire patterns in 255/55 R18 using a BMW X5 in Northern Finland, across the usual array of dry, wet and snow tests, all while looking at the tires comfort, rolling resistance and noise levels.

Results

1st

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen 1

255/55 R18
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen 1
All discipline results (6)
TestResult
Dry6
Wet9
Snow6
Comfort8
Rolling Resistance8
Noise6

Total: 43

2nd

Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV

255/55 R18
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV
All discipline results (6)
TestResult
Dry6
Wet7
Snow7
Comfort8
Rolling Resistance7
Noise6

Total: 41

3rd

Dunlop Winter Sport 5 SUV

255/55 R18
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 SUV
All discipline results (6)
TestResult
Dry6
Wet7
Snow7
Comfort7
Rolling Resistance7
Noise6

Total: 40

4th

Pirelli Scorpion Winter

255/55 R18
Pirelli Scorpion Winter
All discipline results (6)
TestResult
Dry6
Wet6
Snow7
Comfort7
Rolling Resistance7
Noise7

Total: 40

5th

Michelin Latitude Alpin 2

255/55 R18
Michelin Latitude Alpin 2
All discipline results (6)
TestResult
Dry5
Wet6
Snow7
Comfort6
Rolling Resistance4
Noise8

Total: 36

6th

Hankook Winter i cept evo2 SUV

255/55 R18
Hankook Winter i cept evo2 SUV
All discipline results (6)
TestResult
Dry6
Wet6
Snow6
Comfort5
Rolling Resistance4
Noise6

Total: 33

7th

Nokian WR SUV 3

255/55 R18
Nokian WR SUV 3
All discipline results (6)
TestResult
Dry5
Wet6
Snow4
Comfort7
Rolling Resistance8
Noise6

Total: 36

8th

Gripmax Stature MS

255/55 R18
Gripmax Stature MS
All discipline results (6)
TestResult
Dry5
Wet1
Snow5
Comfort4
Rolling Resistance6
Noise5

Total: 26

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