Following on from the
51 winter tire braking test, the excellent German publication Auto Bild have promoted the best 20 tires to their full winter test, which covers every aspect of the winter tires performance.
As always, an (unnamed) summer and all season tire have been included as reference, and to make a change from the past few years, it isn’t the remarkable Continental WinterContact TS860 taking the top spot overall…
Dry
During the dry braking test the summer tire dominated, with the all season tire bridging the gap between the best winter tire and the summer tire (which leads us to guess the all season tire was either the Michelin CrossClimate or Continental AllSeasonContact.) Yokohama had a small dry braking advantage, but the rest of the pack was extremely close, covered by just a few meters.
- Reference Summer
- Reference All Season
- Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
- Nokian WR D4
- Vredestein Snowtrac 5
- Debica Frigo HP2
- Kleber Krisalp HP3
- Falken Eurowinter HS01
- Michelin Alpin 5
- Continental WinterContact TS 860
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter
- Hankook Winter i cept RS2
- Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow
- Goodyear UltraGrip 9
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
- Firestone Winterhawk 3
- Barum Polaris 3
- Semperit Master Grip 2
- Gislaved Euro Frost 6
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
Dry handling resulted with the summer tire with a similar advantage, but this time the Hankook was the leading winter tire.
- Reference Summer
- Reference All Season
- Hankook Winter i cept RS2
- Gislaved Euro Frost 6
- Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
- Vredestein Snowtrac 5
- Michelin Alpin 5
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- Falken Eurowinter HS01
- Goodyear UltraGrip 9
- Barum Polaris 3
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Kleber Krisalp HP3
- Continental WinterContact TS 860
- Debica Frigo HP2
- Nokian WR D4
- Firestone Winterhawk 3
- Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Semperit Master Grip 2
Wet
Wet performance is a key factor for UK winters, so these are the most important results in the test. Both Bridgestone and Continental were the standouts of wet braking, with Dunlop, Fulda and Hankook extremely close.
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
- Continental WinterContact TS 860
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Reference All Season
- Hankook Winter i cept RS2
- Goodyear UltraGrip 9
- Reference Summer
- Kleber Krisalp HP3
- Semperit Master Grip 2
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Falken Eurowinter HS01
- Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
- Debica Frigo HP2
- Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow
- Barum Polaris 3
- Gislaved Euro Frost 6
- Michelin Alpin 5
- Nokian WR D4
- Vredestein Snowtrac 5
- Firestone Winterhawk 3
Continental and Hankook were the two brands that managed to score consistently in the wet grip tests.
- Continental WinterContact TS 860
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter
- Reference Summer
- Hankook Winter i cept RS2
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- Semperit Master Grip 2
- Reference All Season
- Goodyear UltraGrip 9
- Michelin Alpin 5
- Kleber Krisalp HP3
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
- Falken Eurowinter HS01
- Vredestein Snowtrac 5
- Debica Frigo HP2
- Nokian WR D4
- Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow
- Barum Polaris 3
- Gislaved Euro Frost 6
- Firestone Winterhawk 3
Continental once again proved its wet consistency with a third wet podium in the straight aquaplaning testing.
- Falken Eurowinter HS01
- Continental WinterContact TS 860
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
- Michelin Alpin 5
- Reference Summer
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter
- Goodyear UltraGrip 9
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Hankook Winter i cept RS2
- Kleber Krisalp HP3
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
- Reference All Season
- Semperit Master Grip 2
- Vredestein Snowtrac 5
- Firestone Winterhawk 3
- Nokian WR D4
- Debica Frigo HP2
- Barum Polaris 3
- Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow
- Gislaved Euro Frost 6
Snow
It will come as no surprise the summer tire struggled in the snow testing, with dangerous / unusable levels of performance. During snow braking Goodyear lead, but the results were close overall.
- Goodyear UltraGrip 9
- Kleber Krisalp HP3
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter
- Semperit Master Grip 2
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Continental WinterContact TS 860
- Nokian WR D4
- Hankook Winter i cept RS2
- Barum Polaris 3
- Firestone Winterhawk 3
- Vredestein Snowtrac 5
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Falken Eurowinter HS01
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- Debica Frigo HP2
- Gislaved Euro Frost 6
- Michelin Alpin 5
- Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow
- Reference All Season
- Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
- Reference Summer
Snow handling once again had the Goodyear leading, with both the Pirelli and Nokian also consistent across the two tests.
- Goodyear UltraGrip 9
- Nokian WR D4
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter
- Kleber Krisalp HP3
- Hankook Winter i cept RS2
- Barum Polaris 3
- Semperit Master Grip 2
- Continental WinterContact TS 860
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Firestone Winterhawk 3
- Vredestein Snowtrac 5
- Falken Eurowinter HS01
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- Gislaved Euro Frost 6
- Debica Frigo HP2
- Michelin Alpin 5
- Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
- Reference All Season
- Reference Summer
Environment
Nokian and Goodyear continued the strong results in the rolling resistance tests, with the Nokian having a huge advantage in fuel use.
The noise testing highlighted the fact many winter tires are now quieter than their summer counterparts.
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
- Kleber Krisalp HP3
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Semperit Master Grip 2
- Reference All Season
- Debica Frigo HP2
- Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow
- Continental WinterContact TS 860
- Falken Eurowinter HS01
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- Nokian WR D4
- Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
- Firestone Winterhawk 3
- Goodyear UltraGrip 9
- Gislaved Euro Frost 6
- Vredestein Snowtrac 5
- Hankook Winter i cept RS2
- Reference Summer
- Barum Polaris 3
- Michelin Alpin 5
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
Value
As we’ve seen with other Michelin patterns, the Alpin 5 had a clear lead in wear testing, which made them the best value tire on test. Hankook also proved to be a very low wear tire, which when combined with the lower purchase price, proved to be as equally good value as the Michelin.
- Michelin Alpin 5
- Hankook Winter i cept RS2
- Reference All Season
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- Goodyear UltraGrip 9
- Nokian WR D4
- Continental WinterContact TS 860
- Semperit Master Grip 2
- Firestone Winterhawk 3
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Debica Frigo HP2
- Kleber Krisalp HP3
- Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
- Falken Eurowinter HS01
- Barum Polaris 3
- Gislaved Euro Frost 6
- Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow
- Vredestein Snowtrac 5
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter
- Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow
- Falken Eurowinter HS01
- Firestone Winterhawk 3
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
- Debica Frigo HP2
- Kleber Krisalp HP3
- Barum Polaris 3
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Gislaved Euro Frost 6
- Hankook Winter i cept RS2
- Semperit Master Grip 2
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
- Nokian WR D4
- Vredestein Snowtrac 5
- Goodyear UltraGrip 9
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter
- Michelin Alpin 5
- Continental WinterContact TS 860
- Michelin Alpin 5
- Hankook Winter i cept RS2
- Firestone Winterhawk 3
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
- Semperit Master Grip 2
- Reference All Season
- Falken Eurowinter HS01
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Nokian WR D4
- Debica Frigo HP2
- Goodyear UltraGrip 9
- Kleber Krisalp HP3
- Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Barum Polaris 3
- Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
- Gislaved Euro Frost 6
- Continental WinterContact TS 860
- Vredestein Snowtrac 5
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter
Results
The overall results are below, and be sure to check out autobild.de, or the September 20th issue of the Auto Bild magazine for the full results.
The best tire on test, with no drawbacks. Stable handling in all conditions, precise steering behavior and good feedback.
None mentioned.
Total: 49
Dry
6
Wet
7
Snow
7
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
7
Wear
8
Excellent all rounder with excellent winter performance. High steering precision and dynamic handling on snow and in the wet, good comfort, low rolling resistance.
None mentioned.
Total: 50
Dry
6
Wet
8
Snow
7
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
7
Wear
6
Inexpensive winter tire with excellent snow performance. Short braking distances in all conditions, low noise, good price to performance ratio.
None mentioned.
Total: 46
Dry
6
Wet
6
Snow
9
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
8
Wear
5
Winter specialist with a balanced performance in the dry and wet. High aquaplaning safety, quiet, low fuel use.
None mentioned.
Total: 43
Dry
5
Wet
7
Snow
7
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
7
Wear
5
Premium tires with excellent handling qualities in all weather conditions. Low wear, good price / performance ratio.
Slightly high rolling resistance.
Total: 45
Dry
6
Wet
7
Snow
8
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
4
Noise
5
Wear
9
Good steering precision on snow covered and wet roads, safe aquaplaning properties, high mileage, low rolling resistance.
Extended dry braking distances.
Total: 48
Dry
5
Wet
7
Snow
9
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
8
Noise
6
Wear
7
Good value winter tires with balance driving on snow and dry roads. Short braking distances in all weather conditions.
Average handling in the wet.
Total: 39
Dry
6
Wet
5
Snow
6
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
6
Wear
5
Balanced winter tires with a good ability on on snow and dry roads. Best aquaplaning performance.
Average wet cornering.
Total: 40
Dry
6
Wet
6
Snow
5
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
4
Noise
7
Wear
5
Best tire for snow covered roads, good price / performance ratio with low rolling resistance.
Average wet performance.
Total: 46
Dry
5
Wet
4
Snow
9
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
7
Wear
6
Excellent in the wet, good aquaplaning resistance, comfortable, well priced.
Long dry braking and poor dry handling.
Total: 40
Dry
4
Wet
7
Snow
7
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
5
Noise
5
Wear
5
Even as one of the most expensive tires on test it finished as the best value tire due to extremely low wear. Good in the wet and dry.
Average snow performance, high rolling resistance.
Total: 37
Dry
6
Wet
6
Snow
4
Comfort
2
Rolling Resistance
4
Noise
5
Wear
10
Good in the snow and wet, low noise.
Long dry braking, average dry handling.
Total: 43
Dry
4
Wet
6
Snow
7
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
8
Wear
6
Dynamic sporty handling in the snow and wet, good steering precision.
Poor wear, low value, average dry grip.
Total: 42
Dry
5
Wet
7
Snow
8
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
5
Noise
8
Wear
2
Wet specialist with short braking distances and good aquaplaning properties, good value.
Poor snow performance.
Total: 45
Dry
5
Wet
7
Snow
4
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
8
Wear
5
Dry specialist with short braking distances and good handling in the dry. Good comfort.
Average snow performance.
Total: 43
Dry
7
Wet
6
Snow
4
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
7
Wear
5
Good snow performance, short wet braking distances, low price.
Understeer in the wet, long dry braking, poor wear.
Total: 36
Dry
5
Wet
4
Snow
7
Comfort
4
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
5
Wear
4
Balance performance in the snow and dry, low rolling resistance.
Low grip in the wet, poor wear.
Total: 35
Dry
6
Wet
4
Snow
6
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
5
Wear
3
Good snow handling, good comfort, low priced.
Poor wet performance, long dry braking, high wear.
Total: 37
Dry
5
Wet
4
Snow
5
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
7
Wear
3
Low price, ok in snow.
Low grip and slow steering in the wet, long wet and dry braking, low comfort.
Total: 36
Dry
5
Wet
4
Snow
5
Comfort
4
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
6
Wear
6
Balanced snow performance.
Poor wet grip, slow wet steering, low aquaplaning resistance, long dry braking distances.
Total: 37
Dry
5
Wet
4
Snow
6
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
6
Wear
4
I don't get it. How snow tires can be 27 meters in snow braking meanwhile all-season tires in snow braking is 16.9 meters. So... with these tests all-season tires are better then winter tires? Can someone explain it to me?
Just trying to figure out the distance of snow braking by Gislaved Euro Frost 6 vs Michelin CrossClimate2 and how worse all-season tires are. But i'm confused now. It can't be that All-season tires have better snow braking.
The all season tire was better than ONE winter tire in this test (from 2018) so I'm not sure what's confusing. There's bad winter tires and good all season tires
How so? Take for example the worst all-season tire Vredestein (18.08 meters) and compare to the best winter tire GoodYear Ultragrip (27 meters). So.. even the worst all-season tire outperformed the best winter tire by 9 meters shorter distance? Maybe i'm not understanding something.
Okey i think i got it. Numbers are just wrong in 2018 winter braking, cuz in your youtube video results seem fine and 2021 winter tire results are also fine.
Not sure what you're looking at but this is the snow braking result
https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
I'm looking at this page above. 2018 winter tire snow braking. Best tire is 27 meters. And then i'm looking at 2021 all-season tires. Best tire at snow braking is 16.91 meters. And for example 2021 best winter tire is 15.67 meters. You sure it's correct numbers in 2018? 27 meters was the best? Just scroll up and check snow braking. If it's correct then it means over 3 years tires have improved alot. Hopefully now you understood ?
Different conditions and speeds, you can't compare between tests
Yeah i didn't understand at first sorry. I thought both tests are yours. Cheers ? still would be interesting to see gislaved euro frost 6 vs. michelin crossclimate 2 but i'm sure difference wouldn't be big anyways.
It could be that i'm comparing auto bild results to your results. Auto bild results seem very different than yours. Maybe that's the issue.
Looking for advice on 225/55 19 winter tire for SUV Xtrail. In Yorkshire but drive to Germany and Switzerland in winter.
All the usual suspects work well in the SUV sizes :)
Can't believe I missed the Kleber! Just fallen for the tread pattern, looking at tests and reviews to try and put myself off has conversely resulted in me wishing to advertise a kidney on ebay..... No winter suitable tires this year leaves me feeling vulnerable. Anybody want a kidney? :-)
I know, Im sad, I should covet X-boxes or something, but im afraid tires are much more desirable.... :-/
Hi All, From the data on the winter tires it seems that they could be used all season - would you say that this would be OK? - certainly from a cost basis - it would save money!
I'll answer with a question - if you want an all season tire, why not fit an all season tire?
I suppose its more to do with the latter part of my comment - they cost 3x as much!
A good all season and a good winter tire are pretty much priced the same!
I appreciate that - as the results of the Auto Bild test had the 20 tires cost from £64.70 to £41.60 - the older test of all season I understood to be £138 plus on those tested! If you can point me to the All season tire at the £40 to £60 mark I'd be pleased. BUT I wonder if you could say that the winter tire CAN be used all year safely or NOT?
I would guess those two tests tested different sizes hence the different prices shown...
Yes I see - was just checking the comparison and my size at 17" are significantly more than the 13" which matches the quoted price on this article. Will continue to check through and make a decision on balance between the All season and Winter as I go!
Hi there - I have been enjoying your videos on Youtube and have now subscribed. This is the first year that I am planning on running a dedicated winter tire on a mk7 Golf R. The challenge I am finding is that a lot of the tires don't come in 235/35/19 - which is a fairly common performance size. The new Conti 860p does not come in that size, but I am thinking of plumping for the older Conti 850p (quite expensive for an older tire though). I have yet to find any winter tryre test reviews for this size, but thought I would see if you have any views or thoughts.
Cheers
Jon
Thanks for the kind words. In that size my money would go to Conti, Goodyear or Michelin, can't really go wrong with any of the big three!
Hi John, I have a question and you're probably the only one that can get an answer.
As you know, manufacturers sell brand new "old" model tire. For example Conti WinterContact TS830P is still sold today in some dimensions, DOT XX18, even if the model is very old.
How does this tire compound compare to original compound from years ago when this model was introduced? I'm sure it was updated... What do you think? Is this comparable to say TS850P? Thanks!
The compounds do get updated, but there's no guarantee that it has been updated. Usually the newer tire is the better option as they have more advanced tread patterns and constructions.
Thanks! I know that newer tire is better, it's just that some tires are only available as older models in certain dimensions
The logical reply is: The current compound is the same or potentially improved, as this is usually not explicitly commented and you would need to ask the producer directly.
What is known more general is the models comparison, e.g. here: http://www.tirereviews.co.u...
or here: https://www.continental-tyr...
Would be useful if you can mention what kind of rare dimension you have that you can't find newer model than TS 830P...curious!
Plus don't forget that newest successor for the UHP category from the given producer is http://www.tirereviews.co.u...
Hope this helps.
Seems to me they've placed too much emphasis on rolling resistance, looking at the graphs the Hankook is a bloody exceptional tire, yet it ended up quite low down. I can only see the rolling resistance weighting causing this, yet, the economy difference is very slight in real terms, and surely the significant safety benefits offered are of more importance in the winter...
I agree, but 5th overall is still an excellent result for Hankook!
Oh indeed!