Test Charts / Auto Bild

2018 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test

Compare each discipline in the tested size. See the measured result, position and gap to the best tire, then read the verdict for the trade-offs behind the finishing order.

Tested size: 195/65 R15
Tires tested: 20
Disciplines: 11

Dry

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	130 ft	-14 ft
RefReference All Season	138 ft	-6 ft
1Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	144 ft	Best
2Nokian WR D4	146 ft	+2 ft
3Vredestein Snowtrac 5	147 ft	+3 ft
4Debica Frigo HP2	147 ft	+3 ft
5Kleber Krisalp HP3	148 ft	+4 ft
6Falken Eurowinter HS01	149 ft	+5 ft
7Michelin Alpin 5	149 ft	+5 ft
8Continental WinterContact TS 860	150 ft	+6 ft
8Fulda Kristall Control HP2	150 ft	+6 ft
8Dunlop Winter Sport 5	150 ft	+6 ft
11Pirelli Cinturato Winter	150 ft	+6 ft
12Hankook Winter i cept RS2	150 ft	+6 ft
13Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	152 ft	+8 ft
14Goodyear UltraGrip 9	152 ft	+8 ft
14Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	152 ft	+8 ft
16Firestone Winterhawk 3	153 ft	+9 ft
17Barum Polaris 3	155 ft	+11 ft
17Semperit Master Grip 2	155 ft	+11 ft
17Gislaved Euro Frost 6	155 ft	+11 ft
20Uniroyal MS Plus 77	155 ft	+11 ft

The difference between best and worst was 19.5% (25 ft ≈ 1.7 Car Lengths).

Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	68.3 mph	+1.4 mph
RefReference All Season	66.9 mph	0.0 mph
1Hankook Winter i cept RS2	66.9 mph	Best
2Gislaved Euro Frost 6	66.2 mph	-0.7 mph
3Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	66.2 mph	-0.7 mph
3Vredestein Snowtrac 5	66.2 mph	-0.7 mph
5Michelin Alpin 5	66.1 mph	-0.8 mph
5Dunlop Winter Sport 5	66.1 mph	-0.8 mph
5Falken Eurowinter HS01	66.1 mph	-0.8 mph
8Goodyear UltraGrip 9	66.1 mph	-0.8 mph
9Barum Polaris 3	66.0 mph	-0.9 mph
9Fulda Kristall Control HP2	66.0 mph	-0.9 mph
11Kleber Krisalp HP3	65.9 mph	-1.0 mph
12Continental WinterContact TS 860	65.9 mph	-1.0 mph
12Debica Frigo HP2	65.9 mph	-1.0 mph
14Nokian WR D4	65.7 mph	-1.2 mph
15Firestone Winterhawk 3	65.6 mph	-1.3 mph
15Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	65.6 mph	-1.3 mph
17Pirelli Cinturato Winter	65.4 mph	-1.5 mph
18Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	65.3 mph	-1.6 mph
18Uniroyal MS Plus 77	65.3 mph	-1.6 mph
20Semperit Master Grip 2	65.1 mph	-1.8 mph

The difference between best and worst was 4.6% (3.2 mph).

Wet

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	113 ft	Best
2Continental WinterContact TS 860	113 ft	0 ft
3Dunlop Winter Sport 5	114 ft	+1 ft
3Fulda Kristall Control HP2	114 ft	+1 ft
RefReference All Season	115 ft	+2 ft
5Hankook Winter i cept RS2	115 ft	+2 ft
6Goodyear UltraGrip 9	116 ft	+3 ft
RefReference Summer	118 ft	+5 ft
7Kleber Krisalp HP3	118 ft	+5 ft
7Semperit Master Grip 2	118 ft	+5 ft
7Pirelli Cinturato Winter	118 ft	+5 ft
10Uniroyal MS Plus 77	118 ft	+5 ft
11Falken Eurowinter HS01	119 ft	+6 ft
12Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	120 ft	+7 ft
12Debica Frigo HP2	120 ft	+7 ft
12Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	120 ft	+7 ft
15Barum Polaris 3	120 ft	+7 ft
16Gislaved Euro Frost 6	121 ft	+8 ft
17Michelin Alpin 5	122 ft	+9 ft
18Nokian WR D4	122 ft	+9 ft
19Vredestein Snowtrac 5	125 ft	+12 ft
20Firestone Winterhawk 3	125 ft	+12 ft

The difference between best and worst was 11.4% (12 ft ≈ 0.9 Car Lengths).

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental WinterContact TS 860	45.2 mph	Best
2Pirelli Cinturato Winter	45.0 mph	-0.2 mph
RefReference Summer	44.9 mph	-0.3 mph
3Hankook Winter i cept RS2	44.9 mph	-0.3 mph
4Uniroyal MS Plus 77	44.8 mph	-0.4 mph
4Dunlop Winter Sport 5	44.8 mph	-0.4 mph
4Semperit Master Grip 2	44.8 mph	-0.4 mph
RefReference All Season	44.7 mph	-0.5 mph
7Goodyear UltraGrip 9	44.6 mph	-0.6 mph
8Michelin Alpin 5	44.4 mph	-0.8 mph
9Kleber Krisalp HP3	44.4 mph	-0.8 mph
10Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	44.2 mph	-1.0 mph
10Fulda Kristall Control HP2	44.2 mph	-1.0 mph
12Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	44.1 mph	-1.1 mph
13Falken Eurowinter HS01	43.8 mph	-1.4 mph
13Vredestein Snowtrac 5	43.8 mph	-1.4 mph
15Debica Frigo HP2	43.6 mph	-1.6 mph
16Nokian WR D4	43.3 mph	-1.9 mph
17Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	43.2 mph	-2.0 mph
18Barum Polaris 3	43.2 mph	-2.0 mph
19Gislaved Euro Frost 6	43.1 mph	-2.1 mph
20Firestone Winterhawk 3	41.9 mph	-3.3 mph

The difference between best and worst was 7.3% (3.3 mph).

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Falken Eurowinter HS01	54.9 mph	Best
2Continental WinterContact TS 860	53.7 mph	-1.2 mph
3Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	52.7 mph	-2.2 mph
4Michelin Alpin 5	52.1 mph	-2.8 mph
RefReference Summer	51.9 mph	-3.0 mph
5Uniroyal MS Plus 77	51.9 mph	-3.0 mph
5Pirelli Cinturato Winter	51.9 mph	-3.0 mph
7Goodyear UltraGrip 9	51.8 mph	-3.1 mph
8Fulda Kristall Control HP2	50.5 mph	-4.4 mph
9Hankook Winter i cept RS2	50.3 mph	-4.6 mph
10Kleber Krisalp HP3	50.1 mph	-4.8 mph
10Dunlop Winter Sport 5	50.1 mph	-4.8 mph
12Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	49.9 mph	-5.0 mph
RefReference All Season	49.5 mph	-5.4 mph
13Semperit Master Grip 2	49.4 mph	-5.5 mph
14Vredestein Snowtrac 5	49.3 mph	-5.6 mph
15Firestone Winterhawk 3	49.2 mph	-5.7 mph
16Nokian WR D4	47.7 mph	-7.2 mph
17Debica Frigo HP2	47.5 mph	-7.4 mph
18Barum Polaris 3	47.0 mph	-7.9 mph
19Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	46.7 mph	-8.2 mph
20Gislaved Euro Frost 6	46.7 mph	-8.2 mph

The difference between best and worst was 14.9% (8.2 mph).

Snow

Snow Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Goodyear UltraGrip 9	89 ft	Best
2Kleber Krisalp HP3	89 ft	0 ft
3Pirelli Cinturato Winter	90 ft	+1 ft
3Semperit Master Grip 2	90 ft	+1 ft
5Fulda Kristall Control HP2	91 ft	+2 ft
5Continental WinterContact TS 860	91 ft	+2 ft
5Nokian WR D4	91 ft	+2 ft
8Hankook Winter i cept RS2	91 ft	+2 ft
9Barum Polaris 3	91 ft	+2 ft
9Firestone Winterhawk 3	91 ft	+2 ft
11Vredestein Snowtrac 5	92 ft	+3 ft
11Uniroyal MS Plus 77	92 ft	+3 ft
13Falken Eurowinter HS01	92 ft	+3 ft
14Dunlop Winter Sport 5	92 ft	+3 ft
14Debica Frigo HP2	92 ft	+3 ft
14Gislaved Euro Frost 6	92 ft	+3 ft
17Michelin Alpin 5	93 ft	+4 ft
18Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	94 ft	+5 ft
RefReference All Season	97 ft	+8 ft
19Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	97 ft	+8 ft
20Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	98 ft	+9 ft
RefReference Summer	142 ft	+53 ft

The difference between best and worst was 60% (53 ft ≈ 3.6 Car Lengths).

Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Goodyear UltraGrip 9	32.8 mph	Best
2Nokian WR D4	32.7 mph	-0.1 mph
3Pirelli Cinturato Winter	32.7 mph	-0.1 mph
4Kleber Krisalp HP3	32.5 mph	-0.3 mph
5Hankook Winter i cept RS2	32.4 mph	-0.4 mph
6Barum Polaris 3	32.3 mph	-0.5 mph
6Semperit Master Grip 2	32.3 mph	-0.5 mph
8Continental WinterContact TS 860	32.2 mph	-0.6 mph
9Uniroyal MS Plus 77	32.2 mph	-0.6 mph
9Firestone Winterhawk 3	32.2 mph	-0.6 mph
11Vredestein Snowtrac 5	32.1 mph	-0.7 mph
12Falken Eurowinter HS01	32.1 mph	-0.7 mph
12Fulda Kristall Control HP2	32.1 mph	-0.7 mph
14Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	32.0 mph	-0.8 mph
14Dunlop Winter Sport 5	32.0 mph	-0.8 mph
16Gislaved Euro Frost 6	31.9 mph	-0.9 mph
17Debica Frigo HP2	31.7 mph	-1.1 mph
18Michelin Alpin 5	31.4 mph	-1.4 mph
19Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	31.3 mph	-1.5 mph
20Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	31.2 mph	-1.6 mph
RefReference All Season	31.1 mph	-1.7 mph
RefReference Summer	17.1 mph	-15.7 mph

The difference between best and worst was 47.7% (15.7 mph).

Comfort

Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	64.8 dB	Best
1Kleber Krisalp HP3	64.8 dB	Best
3Pirelli Cinturato Winter	65.6 dB	+0.80 dB
3Fulda Kristall Control HP2	65.6 dB	+0.80 dB
3Semperit Master Grip 2	65.6 dB	+0.80 dB
RefReference All Season	65.7 dB	+0.90 dB
6Debica Frigo HP2	66 dB	+1.20 dB
7Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	66.2 dB	+1.40 dB
8Continental WinterContact TS 860	66.3 dB	+1.50 dB
8Falken Eurowinter HS01	66.3 dB	+1.50 dB
10Dunlop Winter Sport 5	66.4 dB	+1.60 dB
10Nokian WR D4	66.4 dB	+1.60 dB
12Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	66.5 dB	+1.70 dB
13Firestone Winterhawk 3	67.3 dB	+2.50 dB
14Goodyear UltraGrip 9	67.4 dB	+2.60 dB
14Gislaved Euro Frost 6	67.4 dB	+2.60 dB
16Vredestein Snowtrac 5	67.7 dB	+2.90 dB
17Hankook Winter i cept RS2	67.8 dB	+3.00 dB
RefReference Summer	67.8 dB	+3.00 dB
18Barum Polaris 3	68.2 dB	+3.40 dB
18Michelin Alpin 5	68.2 dB	+3.40 dB
20Uniroyal MS Plus 77	68.4 dB	+3.60 dB

The difference between best and worst was 5.6% (3.6 dB).

Value

Wear
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin Alpin 5	45,018 miles	Best
2Hankook Winter i cept RS2	37,189 miles	-7,829 miles
RefReference All Season	32,436 miles	-12,582 miles
3Dunlop Winter Sport 5	32,156 miles	-12,862 miles
4Goodyear UltraGrip 9	30,199 miles	-14,819 miles
5Nokian WR D4	29,639 miles	-15,379 miles
6Continental WinterContact TS 860	29,360 miles	-15,658 miles
7Semperit Master Grip 2	28,521 miles	-16,497 miles
8Firestone Winterhawk 3	27,962 miles	-17,056 miles
9Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	27,123 miles	-17,895 miles
9Uniroyal MS Plus 77	27,123 miles	-17,895 miles
11Fulda Kristall Control HP2	26,564 miles	-18,454 miles
12Debica Frigo HP2	25,725 miles	-19,293 miles
12Kleber Krisalp HP3	25,725 miles	-19,293 miles
14Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	25,166 miles	-19,852 miles
14Falken Eurowinter HS01	25,166 miles	-19,852 miles
16Barum Polaris 3	24,327 miles	-20,691 miles
17Gislaved Euro Frost 6	23,488 miles	-21,530 miles
18Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	21,251 miles	-23,767 miles
19Vredestein Snowtrac 5	20,692 miles	-24,326 miles
20Pirelli Cinturato Winter	17,895 miles	-27,123 miles

The difference between best and worst was 60.2% (27,123 miles).

Value
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	cost per 1,000 miles
1Michelin Alpin 5	4.07 Price/1000	Best	€21.42
2Hankook Winter i cept RS2	4.09 Price/1000	+0.02 Price/1000	€21.72
3Firestone Winterhawk 3	5.11 Price/1000	+1.04 Price/1000	€21.11
4Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	5.38 Price/1000	+1.31 Price/1000	€17.78
5Semperit Master Grip 2	5.45 Price/1000	+1.38 Price/1000	€20.56
RefReference All Season	5.46 Price/1000	+1.39 Price/1000	€18.21
6Falken Eurowinter HS01	5.56 Price/1000	+1.49 Price/1000	€24.36
7Dunlop Winter Sport 5	5.6 Price/1000	+1.53 Price/1000	€18.58
8Uniroyal MS Plus 77	5.61 Price/1000	+1.54 Price/1000	€20.95
9Nokian WR D4	5.66 Price/1000	+1.59 Price/1000	€11.47
10Debica Frigo HP2	5.68 Price/1000	+1.61 Price/1000	€21.75
11Goodyear UltraGrip 9	5.76 Price/1000	+1.69 Price/1000	€15.68
12Kleber Krisalp HP3	5.8 Price/1000	+1.73 Price/1000	€21.33
13Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	5.85 Price/1000	+1.78 Price/1000	€23.20
14Fulda Kristall Control HP2	5.96 Price/1000	+1.89 Price/1000	€18.95
15Barum Polaris 3	6.13 Price/1000	+2.06 Price/1000	€19.76
16Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	6.42 Price/1000	+2.35 Price/1000	€21.42
17Gislaved Euro Frost 6	6.48 Price/1000	+2.41 Price/1000	€22.75
18Continental WinterContact TS 860	6.77 Price/1000	+2.70 Price/1000	€19.69
19Vredestein Snowtrac 5	8.11 Price/1000	+4.04 Price/1000	€25.41
20Pirelli Cinturato Winter	9.99 Price/1000	+5.92 Price/1000	€32.12

The difference between best and worst was 145.5% (5.92 Price/1000). Over 25,000 miles the cheapest tire to own (Nokian WR D4) works out €516 cheaper than the most expensive (Pirelli Cinturato 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 2018 test; financing costs are excluded.

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
1Nokian WR D4	6.96 kg/t	Best	$0
2Goodyear UltraGrip 9	7.63 kg/t	+0.67 kg/t	$28
3Continental WinterContact TS 860	8.01 kg/t	+1.05 kg/t	$44
4Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	8.03 kg/t	+1.07 kg/t	$45
5Fulda Kristall Control HP2	8.06 kg/t	+1.10 kg/t	$46
6Barum Polaris 3	8.11 kg/t	+1.15 kg/t	$49
RefReference All Season	8.15 kg/t	+1.19 kg/t	$50
7Dunlop Winter Sport 5	8.17 kg/t	+1.21 kg/t	$51
8Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	8.32 kg/t	+1.36 kg/t	$57
9Vredestein Snowtrac 5	8.43 kg/t	+1.47 kg/t	$62
10Kleber Krisalp HP3	8.48 kg/t	+1.52 kg/t	$64
RefReference Summer	8.48 kg/t	+1.52 kg/t	$64
11Semperit Master Grip 2	8.49 kg/t	+1.53 kg/t	$65
11Uniroyal MS Plus 77	8.49 kg/t	+1.53 kg/t	$65
11Gislaved Euro Frost 6	8.49 kg/t	+1.53 kg/t	$65
14Debica Frigo HP2	8.58 kg/t	+1.62 kg/t	$68
15Firestone Winterhawk 3	8.66 kg/t	+1.70 kg/t	$72
16Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	8.68 kg/t	+1.72 kg/t	$73
17Pirelli Cinturato Winter	8.88 kg/t	+1.92 kg/t	$81
18Falken Eurowinter HS01	9.03 kg/t	+2.07 kg/t	$87
19Hankook Winter i cept RS2	9.13 kg/t	+2.17 kg/t	$92
20Michelin Alpin 5	9.14 kg/t	+2.18 kg/t	$92

The difference between best and worst was 31.3% (2.18 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Michelin Alpin 5 uses about 26 gal ($92) more fuel than the Nokian WR D4.

Adjust the assumptions

Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions. These calculators use the full test field, independently of your tire selection above.

Gas/Diesel Electric

Annual Mileage

12,000 mi

km (L)

miles (US gal)

Fuel Price

$3.60/gal

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Set my vehicle consumption

Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tire age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

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