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
Dry braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 90 ft | Best | |
| 96 ft | +6 ft | |
| 97 ft | +7 ft | |
| 97 ft | +7 ft | |
| 99 ft | +9 ft | |
| 100 ft | +10 ft | |
| 100 ft | +10 ft | |
| 100 ft | +10 ft | |
| 102 ft | +12 ft | |
| 104 ft | +14 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 15.2% (14 ft ≈ 0.9 Car Lengths).
The Continental WinterContact TS860 finished joint top with the Gislaved Euro Frost 6.
Subj. Dry Handling
Subjective Dry Handling Score
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -3.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -5.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -5.00 Points | |
| 4 Points | -6.00 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 60% (6 Points).
Wet
The premium tires from Michelin and Continental were the best in wet braking.
Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 109 ft | Best | |
| 111 ft | +2 ft | |
| 111 ft | +2 ft | |
| 114 ft | +5 ft | |
| 116 ft | +7 ft | |
| 116 ft | +7 ft | |
| 119 ft | +10 ft | |
| 119 ft | +10 ft | |
| 120 ft | +11 ft | |
| 125 ft | +16 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 14.5% (16 ft ≈ 1.1 Car Lengths).
Yokohama had a strong result in the wet handling tests.
Subj. Wet Handling
Subjective Wet Handling Score
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -3.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -5.00 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 50% (5 Points).
The Continental WinterContact TS860 had another strong result in the wet, winning the aquaplaning test.
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 53.4 mph | Best | |
| 51.9 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 51.3 mph | -2.1 mph | |
| 50.6 mph | -2.8 mph | |
| 50.2 mph | -3.2 mph | |
| 50.1 mph | -3.3 mph | |
| 50.1 mph | -3.3 mph | |
| 50.1 mph | -3.3 mph | |
| 49.5 mph | -3.9 mph | |
| 47.5 mph | -5.9 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 11.2% (5.9 mph).
Snow
Continental proved to be excellent in snow braking too.
Snow Braking
Snow braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 49 ft | Best | |
| 50 ft | +1 ft | |
| 50 ft | +1 ft | |
| 50 ft | +1 ft | |
| 50 ft | +1 ft | |
| 50 ft | +1 ft | |
| 51 ft | +2 ft | |
| 51 ft | +2 ft | |
| 52 ft | +3 ft | |
| 58 ft | +9 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 16.4% (9 ft ≈ 0.5 Car Lengths).
Strangely, the top two tires from snow braking were near the bottom of the pack in snow traction.
Snow Traction
Pulling Force in pounds-force
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 1 lbf | Best | |
| 1 lbf | 0 lbf | |
| 1 lbf | 0 lbf | |
| 1 lbf | 0 lbf | |
| 1 lbf | 0 lbf | |
| 1 lbf | 0 lbf | |
| 1 lbf | 0 lbf | |
| 1 lbf | 0 lbf | |
| 1 lbf | 0 lbf | |
| 1 lbf | 0 lbf |
The difference between best and worst was 17.2% (0 lbf).
Braking proved to be more important than traction for the snow handling tests, with Continental and Nokian back on top.
Subj. Snow Handling
Subjective Snow Handling Score
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -3.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -3.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -5.00 Points | |
| 4 Points | -6.00 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 60% (6 Points).
Ice
Nokian demonstrated its nordic routes, winning the ice braking and ice traction testing.
Ice Braking
Ice braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 38 ft | Best | |
| 39 ft | +1 ft | |
| 39 ft | +1 ft | |
| 39 ft | +1 ft | |
| 39 ft | +1 ft | |
| 40 ft | +2 ft | |
| 41 ft | +3 ft | |
| 42 ft | +4 ft | |
| 44 ft | +6 ft | |
| 45 ft | +7 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 19.5% (7 ft ≈ 0.5 Car Lengths).
Ice Traction
Ice acceleration time
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 5.14 s | Best | |
| 5.39 s | +0.25 s | |
| 5.43 s | +0.29 s | |
| 5.55 s | +0.41 s | |
| 5.63 s | +0.49 s | |
| 5.67 s | +0.53 s | |
| 5.77 s | +0.63 s | |
| 6 s | +0.86 s | |
| 6.17 s | +1.03 s | |
| 6.4 s | +1.26 s |
The difference between best and worst was 24.5% (1.26 s).
Other
The Barum had a very low rolling resistance.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.15 kg/t | Best | $0 | |
| 8.54 kg/t | +0.39 kg/t | $14 | |
| 8.62 kg/t | +0.47 kg/t | $17 | |
| 8.64 kg/t | +0.49 kg/t | $18 | |
| 8.67 kg/t | +0.52 kg/t | $19 | |
| 9.01 kg/t | +0.86 kg/t | $31 | |
| 9.06 kg/t | +0.91 kg/t | $33 | |
| 9.08 kg/t | +0.93 kg/t | $34 | |
| 9.18 kg/t | +1.03 kg/t | $37 | |
| 9.43 kg/t | +1.28 kg/t | $46 |
The difference between best and worst was 15.7% (1.28 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905 uses about 13 gal ($46) more fuel than the Barum Polaris 5.
Adjust the assumptions
Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.
Michelin and Nokian finished the test with the highest subjective comfort scores.
Subj. Comfort
Subjective Comfort Score
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -3.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -5.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -5.00 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 50% (5 Points).
Results
Nokian WR Snowproof
205/55 R16Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 1st / 10 | 90 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 8 Points | -2.00 Points |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 6th / 10 | 116 ft | +7 ft |
| Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 8 Points | -2.00 Points |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 9th / 10 | 49.5 mph | -3.9 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 10 | 50 ft | +1 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 1 lbf | 0 lbf |
| Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 10 Points | Best in this discipline |
| Ice BrakingLower is better | 1st / 10 | 38 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Ice TractionLower is better | 1st / 10 | 5.14 s | Best in this discipline |
| Subj. ComfortHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 9 Points | -1.00 Points |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 2nd / 10 | 8.543 kg/t | +0.40 kg/t |
Continental WinterContact TS 860
205/55 R16Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 7th / 10 | 100 ft | +10 ft |
| Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 10 Points | Best in this discipline |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 10 | 111 ft | +2 ft |
| Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 8 Points | -2.00 Points |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 53.4 mph | Best in this discipline |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 1st / 10 | 49 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 8th / 10 | 1 lbf | 0 lbf |
| Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 9 Points | -1.00 Points |
| Ice BrakingLower is better | 6th / 10 | 40 ft | +2 ft |
| Ice TractionLower is better | 8th / 10 | 6 s | +0.86 s |
| Subj. ComfortHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 8 Points | -2.00 Points |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 8.618 kg/t | +0.47 kg/t |
Michelin Alpin 6
205/55 R16Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 10 | 96 ft | +6 ft |
| Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 7 Points | -3.00 Points |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 1st / 10 | 109 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 8 Points | -2.00 Points |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 50.6 mph | -2.8 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 8th / 10 | 51 ft | +2 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 1 lbf | 0 lbf |
| Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 7 Points | -3.00 Points |
| Ice BrakingLower is better | 5th / 10 | 39 ft | +1 ft |
| Ice TractionLower is better | 5th / 10 | 5.63 s | +0.49 s |
| Subj. ComfortHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 10 Points | Best in this discipline |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 9th / 10 | 9.184 kg/t | +1.04 kg/t |
Barum Polaris 5
205/55 R16Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 8th / 10 | 100 ft | +10 ft |
| Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better | 8th / 10 | 5 Points | -5.00 Points |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 5th / 10 | 116 ft | +7 ft |
| Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 9 Points | -1.00 Points |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 8th / 10 | 50.1 mph | -3.3 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 7th / 10 | 51 ft | +2 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 1 lbf | 0 lbf |
| Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better | 9th / 10 | 5 Points | -5.00 Points |
| Ice BrakingLower is better | 7th / 10 | 41 ft | +3 ft |
| Ice TractionLower is better | 7th / 10 | 5.77 s | +0.63 s |
| Subj. ComfortHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 8 Points | -2.00 Points |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 1st / 10 | 8.148 kg/t | Best in this discipline |
Debica Frigo HP2
205/55 R16Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 9th / 10 | 102 ft | +12 ft |
| Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 6 Points | -4.00 Points |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 9th / 10 | 120 ft | +11 ft |
| Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 5 Points | -5.00 Points |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 50.1 mph | -3.3 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 50 ft | +1 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 1 lbf | 0 lbf |
| Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 7 Points | -3.00 Points |
| Ice BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 39 ft | +1 ft |
| Ice TractionLower is better | 4th / 10 | 5.55 s | +0.41 s |
| Subj. ComfortHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 9 Points | -1.00 Points |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 4th / 10 | 8.635 kg/t | +0.49 kg/t |
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
205/55 R16Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 6th / 10 | 100 ft | +10 ft |
| Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better | 8th / 10 | 5 Points | -5.00 Points |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 7th / 10 | 119 ft | +10 ft |
| Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 6 Points | -4.00 Points |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 51.3 mph | -2.1 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 50 ft | +1 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 1 lbf | 0 lbf |
| Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 6 Points | -4.00 Points |
| Ice BrakingLower is better | 4th / 10 | 39 ft | +1 ft |
| Ice TractionLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 5.43 s | +0.29 s |
| Subj. ComfortHigher is better | 9th / 10 | 5 Points | -5.00 Points |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 5th / 10 | 8.672 kg/t | +0.52 kg/t |
Gislaved Euro Frost 6
205/55 R16Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 5th / 10 | 99 ft | +9 ft |
| Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 10 Points | Best in this discipline |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 10th / 10 | 125 ft | +16 ft |
| Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 6 Points | -4.00 Points |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 47.5 mph | -5.9 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 6th / 10 | 50 ft | +1 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 9th / 10 | 1 lbf | 0 lbf |
| Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 8 Points | -2.00 Points |
| Ice BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 10 | 39 ft | +1 ft |
| Ice TractionLower is better | 2nd / 10 | 5.39 s | +0.25 s |
| Subj. ComfortHigher is better | 8th / 10 | 6 Points | -4.00 Points |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 8th / 10 | 9.076 kg/t | +0.93 kg/t |
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
205/55 R16Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 4th / 10 | 97 ft | +7 ft |
| Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 9 Points | -1.00 Points |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 111 ft | +2 ft |
| Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 10 Points | Best in this discipline |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 50.2 mph | -3.2 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 9th / 10 | 52 ft | +3 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 1 lbf | 0 lbf |
| Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 6 Points | -4.00 Points |
| Ice BrakingLower is better | 10th / 10 | 45 ft | +7 ft |
| Ice TractionLower is better | 9th / 10 | 6.17 s | +1.03 s |
| Subj. ComfortHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 8 Points | -2.00 Points |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 10th / 10 | 9.426 kg/t | +1.28 kg/t |
Toyo Snowprox S954
205/55 R16Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 97 ft | +7 ft |
| Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 8 Points | -2.00 Points |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 4th / 10 | 114 ft | +5 ft |
| Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 7 Points | -3.00 Points |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 50.1 mph | -3.3 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 10th / 10 | 58 ft | +9 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 1 lbf | Best in this discipline |
| Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 4 Points | -6.00 Points |
| Ice BrakingLower is better | 8th / 10 | 42 ft | +4 ft |
| Ice TractionLower is better | 6th / 10 | 5.67 s | +0.53 s |
| Subj. ComfortHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 7 Points | -3.00 Points |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 7th / 10 | 9.057 kg/t | +0.91 kg/t |
Uniroyal MS+ 77
205/55 R16Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (12)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 10th / 10 | 104 ft | +14 ft |
| Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 4 Points | -6.00 Points |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 8th / 10 | 119 ft | +10 ft |
| Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 6 Points | -4.00 Points |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 51.9 mph | -1.5 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 5th / 10 | 50 ft | +1 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 1 lbf | 0 lbf |
| Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 8 Points | -2.00 Points |
| Ice BrakingLower is better | 9th / 10 | 44 ft | +6 ft |
| Ice TractionLower is better | 10th / 10 | 6.4 s | +1.26 s |
| Subj. ComfortHigher is better | 9th / 10 | 5 Points | -5.00 Points |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 6th / 10 | 9.009 kg/t | +0.86 kg/t |

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