The 2017 Auto Bild all season tire test placed ten 205/55 R16 all season tires through dry, wet and snow testing using a VW Golf. Auto Bild are one of the most thorough tire testers in the world, and as usual they've included a summer and winter tire for reference. While Auto Bild sadly haven't published which summer and winter tires they've used in this all season tire test, they're certain to be well regarded premium offerings.
This is also the first test to include the new Continental AllSeasonContact tire. The AllSeasonContact is Continentals first attempt at an all season tire, and will be interesting to see how the German tire performs against the established winter-bias Goodyear Vector 4Season Gen-2, and the UK favorite, summer-bias Michelin CrossClimate.
Dry
There are no prizes for guessing the best all season tire in the dry. As the only summer-bias all season tire on test, the Michelin CrossClimate wins both the dry braking and dry handling tests, but the new Continental AllSeasonContact is impressively close in second place. Both tires beat the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 which finishes in third.
The summer and winter tires behave as they should, with the summer tire winning both tests, and the winter tire placing last, highlighting how running winter tires year round is not a sensible option for climates like the UK.
Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
122 ft | -6 ft |
| 128 ft | Best | |
| 134 ft | +6 ft | |
| 134 ft | +6 ft | |
| 137 ft | +9 ft | |
| 137 ft | +9 ft | |
| 138 ft | +10 ft | |
| 138 ft | +10 ft | |
| 138 ft | +10 ft | |
| 139 ft | +11 ft | |
| 139 ft | +11 ft | |
RefReference Winter |
145 ft | +17 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 18.9% (23 ft ≈ 1.6 Car Lengths).
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
71.6 mph | +0.8 mph |
| 70.8 mph | Best | |
| 70.8 mph | 0.0 mph | |
| 70.5 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 70.5 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 70.3 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 70.3 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 70.3 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 70.3 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 69.9 mph | -0.9 mph | |
| 69.7 mph | -1.1 mph | |
RefReference Winter |
69.7 mph | -1.1 mph |
All the tires in the Dry Handling test finished less than 3% apart.
Noise
External noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 67.4 dB | Best | |
RefReference Winter |
68.5 dB | +1.10 dB |
| 68.6 dB | +1.20 dB | |
| 68.6 dB | +1.20 dB | |
| 68.7 dB | +1.30 dB | |
| 68.7 dB | +1.30 dB | |
| 68.8 dB | +1.40 dB | |
| 69.1 dB | +1.70 dB | |
| 69.2 dB | +1.80 dB | |
| 69.5 dB | +2.10 dB | |
RefReference Summer |
69.6 dB | +2.20 dB |
| 69.9 dB | +2.50 dB |
The difference between best and worst was 3.7% (2.5 dB).
Wet
In the wet, the new Continental tire continues its impressive first outing, fastest overall during wet handling, second place during wet braking and recording the best aquaplaning resistance. The established Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen-2 trades blows with the Continental, winning the wet braking test and second place during wet handling and aquaplaning, while the Michelin CrossClimate finishes a close third in all three tests.
Once again, the summer and winter tires behave as you would expect, with the summer tire amongst the best on test, and the winter tire struggling in the warmer wet conditions.
Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
134 ft | -2 ft |
| 136 ft | Best | |
| 141 ft | +5 ft | |
| 143 ft | +7 ft | |
| 144 ft | +8 ft | |
| 147 ft | +11 ft | |
| 149 ft | +13 ft | |
| 152 ft | +16 ft | |
| 153 ft | +17 ft | |
| 153 ft | +17 ft | |
| 154 ft | +18 ft | |
RefReference Winter |
161 ft | +25 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 20.9% (27 ft ≈ 1.9 Car Lengths).
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 47.0 mph | Best | |
RefReference Summer |
46.8 mph | -0.2 mph |
| 46.7 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 46.0 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 45.8 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 45.7 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 45.7 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 45.2 mph | -1.8 mph | |
| 45.0 mph | -2.0 mph | |
RefReference Winter |
44.8 mph | -2.2 mph |
| 44.5 mph | -2.5 mph | |
| 44.1 mph | -2.9 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 6.2% (2.9 mph).
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 45.6 mph | Best | |
| 45.5 mph | -0.1 mph | |
RefReference Summer |
44.4 mph | -1.2 mph |
| 44.2 mph | -1.4 mph | |
| 43.8 mph | -1.8 mph | |
| 43.7 mph | -1.9 mph | |
| 43.7 mph | -1.9 mph | |
| 43.6 mph | -2.0 mph | |
| 43.6 mph | -2.0 mph | |
| 43.2 mph | -2.4 mph | |
RefReference Winter |
43.1 mph | -2.5 mph |
| 42.8 mph | -2.8 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 6.3% (2.8 mph).
Snow
Again, the new Continental AllSeasonContact proves Continental know how to make a tire work in all conditions, winning both the snow braking and snow handling tests by a small margin. While Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen-2 manages to stay close to the Continental, the summer-bias Michelin CrossClimate loses out a little on the white stuff, but finsihes a still respectable mid table in both tests.
Unsurprisingly the summer tire was essentually useless in these snow tests, but perhaps more surprisingly the winter tire couldn't best the Continental around the snow handling track, or even out-brake the best all season tires in the snow.
Snow Braking
Snow braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 56 ft | Best | |
| 57 ft | +1 ft | |
| 57 ft | +1 ft | |
RefReference Winter |
57 ft | +1 ft |
| 57 ft | +1 ft | |
| 58 ft | +2 ft | |
| 59 ft | +3 ft | |
| 60 ft | +4 ft | |
| 60 ft | +4 ft | |
| 61 ft | +5 ft | |
| 65 ft | +9 ft | |
RefReference Summer |
89 ft | +33 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 58.5% (33 ft ≈ 2.2 Car Lengths).
Snow Handling
Snow handling average speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 37.7 mph | Best | |
RefReference Winter |
37.5 mph | -0.2 mph |
| 37.0 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 36.7 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 36.6 mph | -1.1 mph | |
| 36.5 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 36.3 mph | -1.4 mph | |
| 36.2 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 35.9 mph | -1.8 mph | |
| 35.7 mph | -2.0 mph | |
| 35.0 mph | -2.7 mph | |
RefReference Summer |
22.5 mph | -15.2 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 40.3% (15.2 mph).
Value
While the new Continental might have seemed like the perfect tire up until this point, the wear testing shows the German tires weakness. The projected wear of the Continental was 10,563 miles less than the best tire on test, and when you combine it with the high purchase price, it is the only tire to push into the double digit "euros per 1,000km" scoring in the value category, making it by far the most expensive tire on test. Please note, the reference summer and winter tire were not tested for wear.
Wear
Predicted tread life in KM
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 30,137 miles | Best | |
| 30,120 miles | -17 miles | |
| 27,657 miles | -2,480 miles | |
| 27,556 miles | -2,581 miles | |
| 24,857 miles | -5,280 miles | |
| 20,214 miles | -9,923 miles | |
| 19,829 miles | -10,308 miles | |
| 19,762 miles | -10,375 miles | |
| 19,259 miles | -10,878 miles | |
| 18,086 miles | -12,051 miles | |
RefReference Summer |
17,398 miles | -12,739 miles |
RefReference Winter |
17,398 miles | -12,739 miles |
The difference between best and worst was 42.3% (12,739 miles).
Value
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | cost per 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.98 Price/1000 | Best | €16.04 | |
| 6.29 Price/1000 | +0.31 Price/1000 | €17.22 | |
| 7.08 Price/1000 | +1.10 Price/1000 | €20.55 | |
| 8.15 Price/1000 | +2.17 Price/1000 | €24.06 | |
| 8.62 Price/1000 | +2.64 Price/1000 | €22.04 | |
| 9.1 Price/1000 | +3.12 Price/1000 | €31.41 | |
| 9.24 Price/1000 | +3.26 Price/1000 | €29.28 | |
| 9.25 Price/1000 | +3.27 Price/1000 | €21.74 | |
| 9.68 Price/1000 | +3.70 Price/1000 | €27.39 | |
| 11.63 Price/1000 | +5.65 Price/1000 | €22.26 | |
RefReference Summer |
12 Price/1000 | +6.02 Price/1000 | €34.16 |
RefReference Winter |
12 Price/1000 | +6.02 Price/1000 | €37.21 |
The difference between best and worst was 100.7% (6.02 Price/1000). Over 25,000 miles the cheapest tire to own (Kleber Quadraxer 2) works out €529 cheaper than the most expensive (Reference Winter).
How this is calculated
Assumes a typical car doing 29 mpg (rolling resistance causing 20% of fuel use), fuel at €6.25 per gallon and €70 fitting per set of four. Purchase prices are from the time of the 2017 test; financing costs are excluded.
The Continental claws back some of its cost disadvantage with the lowest rolling resistance.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.38 kg/t | Best | $0 | |
| 8.09 kg/t | +0.71 kg/t | $28 | |
| 8.13 kg/t | +0.75 kg/t | $30 | |
| 8.21 kg/t | +0.83 kg/t | $33 | |
| 8.31 kg/t | +0.93 kg/t | $37 | |
| 8.53 kg/t | +1.15 kg/t | $46 | |
| 8.68 kg/t | +1.30 kg/t | $52 | |
| 8.8 kg/t | +1.42 kg/t | $57 | |
RefReference Summer |
9.26 kg/t | +1.88 kg/t | $75 |
| 9.27 kg/t | +1.89 kg/t | $75 | |
| 9.62 kg/t | +2.24 kg/t | $89 | |
RefReference Winter |
9.79 kg/t | +2.41 kg/t | $96 |
The difference between best and worst was 32.7% (2.41 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Nexen N Blue 4 Season uses about 25 gal ($89) more fuel than the Continental AllSeasonContact.
Adjust the assumptions
Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.
Results
Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2
205/55 R16
All discipline results (8)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 6 |
| Wet | 8 |
| Snow | 8 |
| Comfort | 7 |
| Rolling Resistance | 7 |
| Noise | 6 |
| Wear | 6 |
| Cost | 7 |
Total: 55
Michelin CrossClimate
205/55 R16
All discipline results (8)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 8 |
| Wet | 7 |
| Snow | 6 |
| Comfort | 6 |
| Rolling Resistance | 7 |
| Noise | 6 |
| Wear | 7 |
| Cost | 6 |
Total: 53
Continental AllSeasonContact
205/55 R16
All discipline results (8)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 7 |
| Wet | 8 |
| Snow | 8 |
| Comfort | 6 |
| Rolling Resistance | 9 |
| Noise | 5 |
| Wear | 4 |
| Cost | 3 |
Total: 50
Kleber Quadraxer 2
205/55 R16
All discipline results (8)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 5 |
| Wet | 5 |
| Snow | 8 |
| Comfort | 6 |
| Rolling Resistance | 7 |
| Noise | 5 |
| Wear | 9 |
| Cost | 9 |
Total: 54
BFGoodrich g Grip All Season 2
205/55 R16
All discipline results (8)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 5 |
| Wet | 5 |
| Snow | 7 |
| Comfort | 7 |
| Rolling Resistance | 7 |
| Noise | 6 |
| Wear | 9 |
| Cost | 9 |
Total: 55
Nexen N Blue 4 Season
205/55 R16
All discipline results (8)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 5 |
| Wet | 6 |
| Snow | 7 |
| Comfort | 2 |
| Rolling Resistance | 5 |
| Noise | 7 |
| Wear | 3 |
| Cost | 6 |
Total: 41
Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason
205/55 R16
All discipline results (8)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 5 |
| Wet | 6 |
| Snow | 6 |
| Comfort | 7 |
| Rolling Resistance | 6 |
| Noise | 5 |
| Wear | 4 |
| Cost | 5 |
Total: 44
Vredestein Quatrac 5
205/55 R16
All discipline results (8)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 5 |
| Wet | 6 |
| Snow | 4 |
| Comfort | 6 |
| Rolling Resistance | 6 |
| Noise | 6 |
| Wear | 7 |
| Cost | 8 |
Total: 48
Hankook Kinergy 4S
205/55 R16
All discipline results (8)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 5 |
| Wet | 5 |
| Snow | 5 |
| Comfort | 5 |
| Rolling Resistance | 5 |
| Noise | 5 |
| Wear | 4 |
| Cost | 6 |
Total: 40
Apollo Alnac 4G All Season
205/55 R16
All discipline results (8)
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Dry | 5 |
| Wet | 5 |
| Snow | 3 |
| Comfort | 4 |
| Rolling Resistance | 6 |
| Noise | 5 |
| Wear | 4 |
| Cost | 7 |
Total: 39
What do you think about a nexen n blue on a bmw 320? Now I prefer the Nokian wr d4 (winter) with a lower handling than the uncomfortable Dunlop sport max RF (summer).
The nexen can be a half way, or like the Nokian?
You can see how the Nexen performs in this test compared to a winter and summer tire above. It wouldn't be my first choice of all season tire due to the drt grip, but it seems to be ok for its price point.
Thanks, I'm from Italy, here the difference between the nexen and other premium choice is at least 40€ (×4 160 for 225/50 r17), and if I pierce one it would be even more.
But the nexen have a low noise, but a low comfort? So if I need comfort and low noise the Goodyear is better... but the difference in price is about 55€ for each tire, and for the Michelin even more.
Is it a secret what reference tires are?
Sadly for this test, yes. It will have been a premium winter tire.
I really regret there is no Nokian Weatherproof in this test. Moreover I'm very curious about Continental AllSeasonsContact - is that really so good or does it have good results because it was German magazine which made tests? I was almost decided to buy GoodYear Vector 4Seasons but 1) it's not XL model which for SUV car can make small difference 2) I've found in Internet few stories about breaking this tire - manufacturing defect? perhaps only for some short time but still it was something making me to afraid to buy it.
I wouldn't worry about any manufacturing issues with the Goodyear, I've not heard any reports. I also believe the Continental is as good as the magazine has made out, largely because the grip comes at the expense of wear.
Is the ranking updated?
2nd Michellin with 53pts, while:
Kleber Quadraxer 54,
BFGoodrich 55,
and so why is Goodyear no1 with 55pts, same as BFG?
Auto Bild weight apply category weighting to each of the results, which means for example a score in the wet is worth more than a score in cost.
This does leave the overall totals a little confusing, which is why we include all the key data in the charts above.
CrossClimate or CrossClimate + tested ?
I ride on the second placed tires which doesn't seem bad.
Respect to Auto Build for the tests and of course the Value tests that complete the whole picture.
Thanks for the valuable review!
Pls. take a look at the total score calculations, especially in case of the Goodyear tire, because dry result was taken 4 times (4x6 points), so actual result is 55 points, if I am right. Thanks!
Thank you for pointing that out, I'll get it fixed now :)
Great article. You know, I hope the Conti AllSeasonContact turns out to have better subjective feel than the Michelin Crossclimate. Wear may be more important to taxi drivers, but I expect subjective feel will trump everything for enthusiastic drivers. The UK market needs a premium sports all season tire. I really want to put all season tires with snow capability on to my hot hatch when the cold weather starts, but I'm not prepared to sacrifice fun to do it. Could this new Conti tire be the one I've been waiting for???
Obviously without testing we don't actually know, but usually more sipes means more tread block movement which means worse subjective handling. I'm due to drive them in Feb 2018 which is a long while away, hopefully someone will leave a review before that time! :)
You may be surprised by the crossclimate!
I have given them a caning on a big diesel mpv driving it much more aggressively and quicker than it was designed for. As someone who hates sloppy tires and poor subjective feel/handling, they have impressed me greatly. Put it this way, they are better, on the hottest of summer days, than conti eco 3, nokian line, and within an ace of primacy 3...
Well, the wear is still better than the reference winter and summer so I am happy that I choose the Conti's as I value the other criteria more (and the rolling resistance appears excellent which is important on an EV). Fitted to the rims but not on the car for another couple of weeks.
The summer and winter tires weren't tested for wear, sadly the database system doesn't allow for blank values. I'll update the article to reflect this.
The Nexen for a cheaper tire seem to work very well in every category except for aquaplaning,
But my question is regarding comfort, why do they score so low and what are the criterias for the comfort scoring?
Exactly, Nexen is quite quiet (best mark) and yet the tire is marked comfort 2?
Why?
So still Goodyear is the best for central Europe :)
Conti has amazing traction on all surfaces, but wear is so disappointing... I'm wondering for who is that tire, only for personns making around 5-8k kilometers per year.
If Auto Bild hadn't tested wear we'd have a very different opinion!
Since when goodyear is so good in dry braking? It used to be its weakest point. Except if there was an update of the tire.