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2019 Auto Center Winter Tire Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
6 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Dry
  3. Wet
  4. Snow
  5. Ice
  6. Other
  7. Results
  8. Nokian WR Snowproof
  9. Continental WinterContact TS 860
  10. Michelin Alpin 6
  11. Barum Polaris 5
  12. Debica Frigo HP2
  13. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
  14. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
  15. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
  16. Toyo Snowprox S954
  17. Uniroyal MS+ 77

Test Publication:
AutoCentrum
205/55 R16 10 tires 6 categories
Similar Tests
Images courtesy of AutoCentrum
Test Publication:
AutoCentrum
Images courtesy of AutoCentrum
Test Size: 205/55 R16
Tires Tested: 10 tires
Test Categories:
6 categories (12 tests)
Similar Tests
The 2019 Auto Center winter tire test is both good and bad.

The positive is that out of ten 205/55 R16 patterns, it only includes two premium manufacturers. This means we get a much better look at the midrange bracket of winter tires, which is great for those of us who want to save a little money, and all ten patterns on test have been tested for ice braking and traction which is now usually omitted from central European tire testing.

Sadly, Auto Center decided not to provide any data from handling testing, instead giving an overall subjective score, which we assume combines lap time and handling. While this is a little odd, it's better than no test at all.

The final results might not make a buying decision any easier either, as nearly half the tires on test finished in fourth place. With everything so close in the midrange pack, make sure you drill into the test data to really help you understand which tire is best for your own driving needs.

 

Dry

During dry braking, the Nokian Snowproof had an unusually large braking advantage, stopping the car nearly two meters shorter than the next best tire.

Dry Braking

Spread: 4.18 M (15.2%)|Avg: 30.04 M
Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)
  1. Nokian WR Snowproof
    27.43 M
  2. Michelin Alpin 6
    29.41 M
  3. Toyo Snowprox S954
    29.47 M
  4. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    29.50 M
  5. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
    30.32 M
  6. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    30.43 M
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    30.46 M
  8. Barum Polaris 5
    30.50 M
  9. Debica Frigo HP2
    31.22 M
  10. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    31.61 M

The Continental WinterContact TS860 finished joint top with the Gislaved Euro Frost 6. 

Subj. Dry Handling

Spread: 6.00 Points (60%)|Avg: 7.20 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
    10.00 Points
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    10.00 Points
  3. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    9.00 Points
  4. Nokian WR Snowproof
    8.00 Points
  5. Toyo Snowprox S954
    8.00 Points
  6. Michelin Alpin 6
    7.00 Points
  7. Debica Frigo HP2
    6.00 Points
  8. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    5.00 Points
  9. Barum Polaris 5
    5.00 Points
  10. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    4.00 Points

Wet

The premium tires from Michelin and Continental were the best in wet braking.

Wet Braking

Spread: 4.83 M (14.5%)|Avg: 35.35 M
Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
  1. Michelin Alpin 6
    33.35 M
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    33.85 M
  3. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    33.91 M
  4. Toyo Snowprox S954
    34.74 M
  5. Barum Polaris 5
    35.21 M
  6. Nokian WR Snowproof
    35.29 M
  7. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    36.15 M
  8. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    36.27 M
  9. Debica Frigo HP2
    36.50 M
  10. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
    38.18 M

Yokohama had a strong result in the wet handling tests.

Subj. Wet Handling

Spread: 5.00 Points (50%)|Avg: 7.30 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    10.00 Points
  2. Barum Polaris 5
    9.00 Points
  3. Nokian WR Snowproof
    8.00 Points
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    8.00 Points
  5. Michelin Alpin 6
    8.00 Points
  6. Toyo Snowprox S954
    7.00 Points
  7. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
    6.00 Points
  8. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    6.00 Points
  9. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    6.00 Points
  10. Debica Frigo HP2
    5.00 Points

The Continental WinterContact TS860 had another strong result in the wet, winning the aquaplaning test.

Straight Aqua

Spread: 9.60 Km/H (11.2%)|Avg: 81.23 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    86.00 Km/H
  2. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    83.50 Km/H
  3. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    82.50 Km/H
  4. Michelin Alpin 6
    81.50 Km/H
  5. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    80.80 Km/H
  6. Toyo Snowprox S954
    80.70 Km/H
  7. Debica Frigo HP2
    80.70 Km/H
  8. Barum Polaris 5
    80.60 Km/H
  9. Nokian WR Snowproof
    79.60 Km/H
  10. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
    76.40 Km/H

Snow

Continental proved to be excellent in snow braking too.

Snow Braking

Spread: 2.47 M (16.4%)|Avg: 15.58 M
Snow braking in meters (Lower is better)
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    15.06 M
  2. Nokian WR Snowproof
    15.17 M
  3. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    15.19 M
  4. Debica Frigo HP2
    15.19 M
  5. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    15.32 M
  6. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
    15.36 M
  7. Barum Polaris 5
    15.46 M
  8. Michelin Alpin 6
    15.58 M
  9. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    15.91 M
  10. Toyo Snowprox S954
    17.53 M

Strangely, the top two tires from snow braking were near the bottom of the pack in snow traction.

Snow Traction

Spread: 1.05 N (17.2%)|Avg: 5.34 N
Pulling Force in Newtons (Higher is better)
  1. Toyo Snowprox S954
    6.11 N
  2. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    5.60 N
  3. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    5.41 N
  4. Debica Frigo HP2
    5.32 N
  5. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    5.30 N
  6. Barum Polaris 5
    5.22 N
  7. Nokian WR Snowproof
    5.21 N
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    5.12 N
  9. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
    5.08 N
  10. Michelin Alpin 6
    5.06 N

Braking proved to be more important than traction for the snow handling tests, with Continental and Nokian back on top.

Subj. Snow Handling

Spread: 6.00 Points (60%)|Avg: 7.00 Points
Subjective Snow Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Nokian WR Snowproof
    10.00 Points
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    9.00 Points
  3. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
    8.00 Points
  4. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    8.00 Points
  5. Debica Frigo HP2
    7.00 Points
  6. Michelin Alpin 6
    7.00 Points
  7. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    6.00 Points
  8. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    6.00 Points
  9. Barum Polaris 5
    5.00 Points
  10. Toyo Snowprox S954
    4.00 Points

Ice

Nokian demonstrated its nordic routes, winning the ice braking and ice traction testing.

Ice Braking

Spread: 2.23 M (19.5%)|Avg: 12.36 M
Ice braking in meters (Lower is better)
  1. Nokian WR Snowproof
    11.44 M
  2. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
    11.84 M
  3. Debica Frigo HP2
    11.88 M
  4. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    11.95 M
  5. Michelin Alpin 6
    11.96 M
  6. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    12.26 M
  7. Barum Polaris 5
    12.52 M
  8. Toyo Snowprox S954
    12.66 M
  9. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    13.40 M
  10. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    13.67 M

Ice Traction

Spread: 1.26 s (24.5%)|Avg: 5.72 s
Ice acceleration time (Lower is better)
  1. Nokian WR Snowproof
    5.14 s
  2. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
    5.39 s
  3. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    5.43 s
  4. Debica Frigo HP2
    5.55 s
  5. Michelin Alpin 6
    5.63 s
  6. Toyo Snowprox S954
    5.67 s
  7. Barum Polaris 5
    5.77 s
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    6.00 s
  9. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    6.17 s
  10. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    6.40 s

Other

The Barum had a very low rolling resistance.

Rolling Resistance

Spread: 1.28 kg / t (15.7%)|Avg: 8.84 kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Barum Polaris 5
    8.15 kg / t
  2. Nokian WR Snowproof
    8.54 kg / t
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    8.62 kg / t
  4. Debica Frigo HP2
    8.64 kg / t
  5. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    8.67 kg / t
  6. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    9.01 kg / t
  7. Toyo Snowprox S954
    9.06 kg / t
  8. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
    9.08 kg / t
  9. Michelin Alpin 6
    9.18 kg / t
  10. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    9.43 kg / t

Michelin and Nokian finished the test with the highest subjective comfort scores.

Subj. Comfort

Spread: 5.00 Points (50%)|Avg: 7.50 Points
Subjective Comfort Score (Higher is better)
  1. Michelin Alpin 6
    10.00 Points
  2. Nokian WR Snowproof
    9.00 Points
  3. Debica Frigo HP2
    9.00 Points
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    8.00 Points
  5. Barum Polaris 5
    8.00 Points
  6. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    8.00 Points
  7. Toyo Snowprox S954
    7.00 Points
  8. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
    6.00 Points
  9. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    5.00 Points
  10. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    5.00 Points

Results

1st

Nokian WR Snowproof

205/55 R16
Nokian WR Snowproof
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 27.43 M 100%
Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 6th 35.29 M 33.35 M +1.94 M 94.5%
Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Straight Aqua 9th 79.6 Km/H 86 Km/H -6.4 Km/H 92.56%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 2nd 15.17 M 15.06 M +0.11 M 99.27%
Snow Traction 7th 5.21 N 6.11 N -0.9 N 85.27%
Subj. Snow Handling 1st 10 Points 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 1st 11.44 M 100%
Ice Traction 1st 5.14 s 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.543 kg / t 8.148 kg / t +0.4 kg / t 95.38%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
2nd

Continental WinterContact TS 860

205/55 R16
Continental WinterContact TS 860
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 7th 30.46 M 27.43 M +3.03 M 90.05%
Subj. Dry Handling 1st 10 Points 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 33.85 M 33.35 M +0.5 M 98.52%
Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Straight Aqua 1st 86 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 1st 15.06 M 100%
Snow Traction 8th 5.12 N 6.11 N -0.99 N 83.8%
Subj. Snow Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 6th 12.26 M 11.44 M +0.82 M 93.31%
Ice Traction 8th 6 s 5.14 s +0.86 s 85.67%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.618 kg / t 8.148 kg / t +0.47 kg / t 94.55%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
3rd

Michelin Alpin 6

205/55 R16
Michelin Alpin 6
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 29.41 M 27.43 M +1.98 M 93.27%
Subj. Dry Handling 6th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 33.35 M 100%
Subj. Wet Handling 3rd 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Straight Aqua 4th 81.5 Km/H 86 Km/H -4.5 Km/H 94.77%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 8th 15.58 M 15.06 M +0.52 M 96.66%
Snow Traction 10th 5.06 N 6.11 N -1.05 N 82.82%
Subj. Snow Handling 5th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 5th 11.96 M 11.44 M +0.52 M 95.65%
Ice Traction 5th 5.63 s 5.14 s +0.49 s 91.3%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 1st 10 Points 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 9th 9.184 kg / t 8.148 kg / t +1.04 kg / t 88.72%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
4th

Barum Polaris 5

205/55 R16
Barum Polaris 5
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 30.5 M 27.43 M +3.07 M 89.93%
Subj. Dry Handling 8th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 5th 35.21 M 33.35 M +1.86 M 94.72%
Subj. Wet Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Straight Aqua 8th 80.6 Km/H 86 Km/H -5.4 Km/H 93.72%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 7th 15.46 M 15.06 M +0.4 M 97.41%
Snow Traction 6th 5.22 N 6.11 N -0.89 N 85.43%
Subj. Snow Handling 9th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 7th 12.52 M 11.44 M +1.08 M 91.37%
Ice Traction 7th 5.77 s 5.14 s +0.63 s 89.08%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 1st 8.148 kg / t 100%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
4th

Debica Frigo HP2

205/55 R16
Debica Frigo HP2
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 9th 31.22 M 27.43 M +3.79 M 87.86%
Subj. Dry Handling 7th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 9th 36.5 M 33.35 M +3.15 M 91.37%
Subj. Wet Handling 10th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50%
Straight Aqua 6th 80.7 Km/H 86 Km/H -5.3 Km/H 93.84%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 3rd 15.19 M 15.06 M +0.13 M 99.14%
Snow Traction 4th 5.32 N 6.11 N -0.79 N 87.07%
Subj. Snow Handling 5th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 3rd 11.88 M 11.44 M +0.44 M 96.3%
Ice Traction 4th 5.55 s 5.14 s +0.41 s 92.61%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 4th 8.635 kg / t 8.148 kg / t +0.49 kg / t 94.36%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
4th

Fulda Kristall Control HP2

205/55 R16
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 30.43 M 27.43 M +3 M 90.14%
Subj. Dry Handling 8th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 7th 36.15 M 33.35 M +2.8 M 92.25%
Subj. Wet Handling 7th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Straight Aqua 3rd 82.5 Km/H 86 Km/H -3.5 Km/H 95.93%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 3rd 15.19 M 15.06 M +0.13 M 99.14%
Snow Traction 5th 5.3 N 6.11 N -0.81 N 86.74%
Subj. Snow Handling 7th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 4th 11.95 M 11.44 M +0.51 M 95.73%
Ice Traction 3rd 5.43 s 5.14 s +0.29 s 94.66%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 9th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 5th 8.672 kg / t 8.148 kg / t +0.52 kg / t 93.96%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
4th

Gislaved Euro Frost 6

205/55 R16
Gislaved Euro Frost 6
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 5th 30.32 M 27.43 M +2.89 M 90.47%
Subj. Dry Handling 1st 10 Points 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 10th 38.18 M 33.35 M +4.83 M 87.35%
Subj. Wet Handling 7th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Straight Aqua 10th 76.4 Km/H 86 Km/H -9.6 Km/H 88.84%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 6th 15.36 M 15.06 M +0.3 M 98.05%
Snow Traction 9th 5.08 N 6.11 N -1.03 N 83.14%
Subj. Snow Handling 3rd 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 2nd 11.84 M 11.44 M +0.4 M 96.62%
Ice Traction 2nd 5.39 s 5.14 s +0.25 s 95.36%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 8th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 8th 9.076 kg / t 8.148 kg / t +0.93 kg / t 89.78%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
8th

Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905

205/55 R16
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 29.5 M 27.43 M +2.07 M 92.98%
Subj. Dry Handling 3rd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 33.91 M 33.35 M +0.56 M 98.35%
Subj. Wet Handling 1st 10 Points 100%
Straight Aqua 5th 80.8 Km/H 86 Km/H -5.2 Km/H 93.95%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 9th 15.91 M 15.06 M +0.85 M 94.66%
Snow Traction 2nd 5.6 N 6.11 N -0.51 N 91.65%
Subj. Snow Handling 7th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 10th 13.67 M 11.44 M +2.23 M 83.69%
Ice Traction 9th 6.17 s 5.14 s +1.03 s 83.31%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 10th 9.426 kg / t 8.148 kg / t +1.28 kg / t 86.44%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
9th

Toyo Snowprox S954

205/55 R16
Toyo Snowprox S954
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 29.47 M 27.43 M +2.04 M 93.08%
Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 34.74 M 33.35 M +1.39 M 96%
Subj. Wet Handling 6th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70%
Straight Aqua 6th 80.7 Km/H 86 Km/H -5.3 Km/H 93.84%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 10th 17.53 M 15.06 M +2.47 M 85.91%
Snow Traction 1st 6.11 N 100%
Subj. Snow Handling 10th 4 Points 10 Points -6 Points 40%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 8th 12.66 M 11.44 M +1.22 M 90.36%
Ice Traction 6th 5.67 s 5.14 s +0.53 s 90.65%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 7th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 7th 9.057 kg / t 8.148 kg / t +0.91 kg / t 89.96%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
10th

Uniroyal MS+ 77

205/55 R16
Uniroyal MS Plus 77
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 10th 31.61 M 27.43 M +4.18 M 86.78%
Subj. Dry Handling 10th 4 Points 10 Points -6 Points 40%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 8th 36.27 M 33.35 M +2.92 M 91.95%
Subj. Wet Handling 7th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60%
Straight Aqua 2nd 83.5 Km/H 86 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 97.09%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 5th 15.32 M 15.06 M +0.26 M 98.3%
Snow Traction 3rd 5.41 N 6.11 N -0.7 N 88.54%
Subj. Snow Handling 3rd 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 9th 13.4 M 11.44 M +1.96 M 85.37%
Ice Traction 10th 6.4 s 5.14 s +1.26 s 80.31%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Comfort 9th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 6th 9.009 kg / t 8.148 kg / t +0.86 kg / t 90.44%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

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