Test Charts / Tire Reviews

2020 Tire Reviews All Season 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: 225/45 R17
Tires tested: 9
Disciplines: 16

Dry

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
RefReference Summer	115 ft	-4 ft	0 mph
1Michelin CrossClimate+	119 ft	Best	0 mph
2Bridgestone Weather Control A005	123 ft	+4 ft	15 mph
3Hankook Kinergy 4S2	124 ft	+5 ft	17 mph
4Cooper Discoverer All Season	126 ft	+7 ft	20 mph
5Continental AllSeasonContact	128 ft	+9 ft	22 mph
6Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	129 ft	+10 ft	22 mph
7Nexen N Blue 4 Season	129 ft	+10 ft	22 mph
8Vredestein Quatrac Pro	131 ft	+12 ft	25 mph
8Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	131 ft	+12 ft	25 mph
RefReference Winter	135 ft	+16 ft	28 mph

The difference between best and worst was 17.4% (20 ft ≈ 1.4 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Giti GitiAllSeason AS1 would still be travelling at 25 mph when the Michelin CrossClimate+ had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	99.92 s	-1.12 s
1Michelin CrossClimate+	101.04 s	Best
1Vredestein Quatrac Pro	101.04 s	Best
3Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	101.22 s	+0.18 s
4Bridgestone Weather Control A005	101.35 s	+0.31 s
5Hankook Kinergy 4S2	101.36 s	+0.32 s
6Continental AllSeasonContact	101.59 s	+0.55 s
7Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	102.2 s	+1.16 s
8Nexen N Blue 4 Season	102.72 s	+1.68 s
9Cooper Discoverer All Season	103.43 s	+2.39 s
RefReference Winter	103.55 s	+2.51 s

The difference between best and worst was 3.6% (3.63 s).

Subj. Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	10 Points	+0.50 Points
1Michelin CrossClimate+	9.5 Points	Best
2Vredestein Quatrac Pro	9.2 Points	-0.30 Points
3Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	9 Points	-0.50 Points
4Continental AllSeasonContact	8.8 Points	-0.70 Points
4Hankook Kinergy 4S2	8.8 Points	-0.70 Points
4Bridgestone Weather Control A005	8.8 Points	-0.70 Points
4Cooper Discoverer All Season	8.8 Points	-0.70 Points
8Nexen N Blue 4 Season	8.5 Points	-1.00 Points
8Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	8.5 Points	-1.00 Points
RefReference Winter	7.5 Points	-2.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 25% (2.5 Points).

Wet

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Bridgestone Weather Control A005	120 ft	Best	0 mph
2Hankook Kinergy 4S2	121 ft	+1 ft	7 mph
3Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	121 ft	+1 ft	8 mph
RefReference Summer	124 ft	+4 ft	14 mph
RefReference Winter	125 ft	+5 ft	16 mph
4Continental AllSeasonContact	126 ft	+6 ft	17 mph
5Vredestein Quatrac Pro	127 ft	+7 ft	19 mph
6Michelin CrossClimate+	127 ft	+7 ft	19 mph
7Nexen N Blue 4 Season	130 ft	+10 ft	22 mph
8Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	133 ft	+13 ft	25 mph
9Cooper Discoverer All Season	135 ft	+15 ft	27 mph

The difference between best and worst was 12.9% (15 ft ≈ 1 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Cooper Discoverer All Season would still be travelling at 27 mph when the Bridgestone Weather Control A005 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	70.69 s	-0.03 s
1Bridgestone Weather Control A005	70.72 s	Best
2Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	70.83 s	+0.11 s
3Hankook Kinergy 4S2	71.08 s	+0.36 s
4Continental AllSeasonContact	71.62 s	+0.90 s
5Vredestein Quatrac Pro	71.75 s	+1.03 s
6Michelin CrossClimate+	72.12 s	+1.40 s
RefReference Winter	72.31 s	+1.59 s
7Nexen N Blue 4 Season	72.6 s	+1.88 s
8Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	72.94 s	+2.22 s
9Cooper Discoverer All Season	73.91 s	+3.19 s

The difference between best and worst was 4.6% (3.22 s).

Subj. Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	10 Points	+0.50 Points
1Michelin CrossClimate+	9.5 Points	Best
1Hankook Kinergy 4S2	9.5 Points	Best
3Bridgestone Weather Control A005	9.2 Points	-0.30 Points
3Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	9.2 Points	-0.30 Points
3Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	9.2 Points	-0.30 Points
6Nexen N Blue 4 Season	9 Points	-0.50 Points
6Continental AllSeasonContact	9 Points	-0.50 Points
RefReference Winter	8.5 Points	-1.00 Points
8Vredestein Quatrac Pro	8.5 Points	-1.00 Points
9Cooper Discoverer All Season	7 Points	-2.50 Points

The difference between best and worst was 30% (3 Points).

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental AllSeasonContact	52.4 mph	Best
2Hankook Kinergy 4S2	51.5 mph	-0.9 mph
3Cooper Discoverer All Season	50.9 mph	-1.5 mph
RefReference Winter	50.5 mph	-1.9 mph
4Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	49.5 mph	-2.9 mph
5Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	49.1 mph	-3.3 mph
RefReference Summer	47.2 mph	-5.2 mph
6Michelin CrossClimate+	47.0 mph	-5.4 mph
7Bridgestone Weather Control A005	46.0 mph	-6.4 mph
8Vredestein Quatrac Pro	45.3 mph	-7.1 mph
9Nexen N Blue 4 Season	44.7 mph	-7.7 mph

The difference between best and worst was 14.6% (7.7 mph).

Curved Aquaplaning
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Cooper Discoverer All Season	7.6 ft/s²	Best
RefReference Summer	7.1 ft/s²	-0.5 ft/s²
2Hankook Kinergy 4S2	7.1 ft/s²	-0.5 ft/s²
RefReference Winter	7.0 ft/s²	-0.6 ft/s²
3Continental AllSeasonContact	6.8 ft/s²	-0.8 ft/s²
4Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	6.6 ft/s²	-1.0 ft/s²
5Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	6.5 ft/s²	-1.1 ft/s²
6Bridgestone Weather Control A005	6.4 ft/s²	-1.2 ft/s²
7Vredestein Quatrac Pro	6.0 ft/s²	-1.6 ft/s²
8Michelin CrossClimate+	5.9 ft/s²	-1.7 ft/s²
9Nexen N Blue 4 Season	5.9 ft/s²	-1.7 ft/s²

The difference between best and worst was 22.8% (1.7 ft/s²).

Snow

Snow Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Winter	76 ft	-2 ft
1Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	78 ft	Best
2Continental AllSeasonContact	78 ft	0 ft
3Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	78 ft	0 ft
4Hankook Kinergy 4S2	81 ft	+3 ft
5Nexen N Blue 4 Season	82 ft	+4 ft
6Michelin CrossClimate+	83 ft	+5 ft
7Bridgestone Weather Control A005	84 ft	+6 ft
8Vredestein Quatrac Pro	87 ft	+9 ft
9Cooper Discoverer All Season	88 ft	+10 ft
RefReference Summer	134 ft	+56 ft

The difference between best and worst was 76.3% (58 ft ≈ 3.9 Car Lengths).

Snow Traction
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Winter	21.32 s	-0.24 s
1Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	21.56 s	Best
2Continental AllSeasonContact	21.95 s	+0.39 s
3Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	22.48 s	+0.92 s
4Nexen N Blue 4 Season	22.62 s	+1.06 s
5Michelin CrossClimate+	22.74 s	+1.18 s
6Hankook Kinergy 4S2	24.17 s	+2.61 s
7Bridgestone Weather Control A005	24.98 s	+3.42 s
8Vredestein Quatrac Pro	27.05 s	+5.49 s
9Cooper Discoverer All Season	28.03 s	+6.47 s
RefReference Summer	68.66 s	+47.10 s

The difference between best and worst was 222% (47.34 s).

Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Winter	72.81 s	-7.40 s
1Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	80.21 s	Best
2Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	81.35 s	+1.14 s
3Continental AllSeasonContact	81.43 s	+1.22 s
4Hankook Kinergy 4S2	81.92 s	+1.71 s
5Michelin CrossClimate+	83.22 s	+3.01 s
6Nexen N Blue 4 Season	83.87 s	+3.66 s
7Vredestein Quatrac Pro	86.15 s	+5.94 s
8Bridgestone Weather Control A005	88.51 s	+8.30 s
9Cooper Discoverer All Season	92.98 s	+12.77 s
RefReference Summer	124.3 s	+44.09 s

The difference between best and worst was 70.7% (51.49 s).

Subj. Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Winter	10 Points	+2.00 Points
1Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	8 Points	Best
2Continental AllSeasonContact	7.5 Points	-0.50 Points
3Hankook Kinergy 4S2	7 Points	-1.00 Points
3Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	7 Points	-1.00 Points
5Michelin CrossClimate+	6.8 Points	-1.20 Points
6Nexen N Blue 4 Season	6 Points	-2.00 Points
6Cooper Discoverer All Season	6 Points	-2.00 Points
8Bridgestone Weather Control A005	5 Points	-3.00 Points
8Vredestein Quatrac Pro	5 Points	-3.00 Points
RefReference Summer	1 Points	-7.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 90% (9 Points).

Comfort

Subj. Comfort
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Weather Control A005	10 Points	Best
2Nexen N Blue 4 Season	9.8 Points	-0.20 Points
2Hankook Kinergy 4S2	9.8 Points	-0.20 Points
RefReference Winter	9.5 Points	-0.50 Points
4Vredestein Quatrac Pro	9.5 Points	-0.50 Points
4Cooper Discoverer All Season	9.5 Points	-0.50 Points
4Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	9.5 Points	-0.50 Points
4Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	9.5 Points	-0.50 Points
8Continental AllSeasonContact	9.2 Points	-0.80 Points
9Michelin CrossClimate+	9 Points	-1.00 Points
RefReference Summer	9 Points	-1.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 10% (1 Points).

Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Vredestein Quatrac Pro	57.3 dB	Best
2Nexen N Blue 4 Season	57.5 dB	+0.20 dB
3Bridgestone Weather Control A005	57.6 dB	+0.30 dB
3Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	57.6 dB	+0.30 dB
RefReference Winter	57.7 dB	+0.40 dB
RefReference Summer	57.8 dB	+0.50 dB
5Continental AllSeasonContact	58.4 dB	+1.10 dB
5Hankook Kinergy 4S2	58.4 dB	+1.10 dB
7Michelin CrossClimate+	58.9 dB	+1.60 dB
8Cooper Discoverer All Season	59.1 dB	+1.80 dB
8Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	59.1 dB	+1.80 dB

The difference between best and worst was 3.1% (1.8 dB).

Rough Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Nexen N Blue 4 Season	66.5 dB	Best
RefReference Winter	66.9 dB	+0.40 dB
2Bridgestone Weather Control A005	66.9 dB	+0.40 dB
2Cooper Discoverer All Season	66.9 dB	+0.40 dB
4Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	67 dB	+0.50 dB
5Hankook Kinergy 4S2	67.1 dB	+0.60 dB
6Vredestein Quatrac Pro	67.2 dB	+0.70 dB
7Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	67.7 dB	+1.20 dB
8Continental AllSeasonContact	67.9 dB	+1.40 dB
RefReference Summer	67.9 dB	+1.40 dB
9Michelin CrossClimate+	68.4 dB	+1.90 dB

All the tires in the Rough Noise test finished less than 3% apart.

Value

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
RefReference Summer	7 kg/t	-0.96 kg/t	$0
1Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3	7.96 kg/t	Best	$0
2Bridgestone Weather Control A005	8.01 kg/t	+0.05 kg/t	$2
3Continental AllSeasonContact	8.48 kg/t	+0.52 kg/t	$19
4Giti GitiAllSeason AS1	8.54 kg/t	+0.58 kg/t	$21
5Hankook Kinergy 4S2	8.57 kg/t	+0.61 kg/t	$23
6Michelin CrossClimate+	8.77 kg/t	+0.81 kg/t	$30
7Vredestein Quatrac Pro	9.26 kg/t	+1.30 kg/t	$48
RefReference Winter	9.3 kg/t	+1.34 kg/t	$49
8Nexen N Blue 4 Season	9.32 kg/t	+1.36 kg/t	$50
9Cooper Discoverer All Season	9.72 kg/t	+1.76 kg/t	$65

The difference between best and worst was 38.9% (2.72 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Cooper Discoverer All Season uses about 18 gal ($65) more fuel than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.

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.

Test setup & methodology

The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.

Show full testing methodology

Recorded test conditions

Dry Braking: 62.1 → 0.6 mph
Wet Braking: 49.7 → 0.6 mph

Score Weighting

Weights express the scoring priorities, not how much each discipline actually changed the finishing order. The size of the performance gaps matters too. Category weights contribute to the overall score. Within each category, discipline weights divide that category’s share. Published finishing positions also need to be read alongside the editorial verdict.

Test	Within category	Share of overall score
Dry · 27%
Dry Braking	46%	12.42%
Dry Handling	45%	12.15%
Subj. Dry Handling	9%	2.43%
Wet · 37%
Wet Braking	37%	13.69%
Wet Handling	36%	13.32%
Subj. Wet Handling	9%	3.33%
Straight Aqua	9%	3.33%
Curved Aquaplaning	9%	3.33%
Snow · 26%
Snow Braking	32%	8.32%
Snow Traction	27%	7.02%
Snow Handling	32%	8.32%
Subj. Snow Handling	9%	2.34%
Comfort · 5%
Subj. Comfort	34%	1.7%
Noise	33%	1.65%
Rough Noise	33%	1.65%
Value · 5%
Rolling Resistance	100%	5%

Our standard methods

The conditions above are recorded for this test. The descriptions below explain our standard procedures; measurement windows and run counts can vary by test.

Dry Braking

For dry braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 110 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on clean, dry asphalt. I typically use an 100–5 km/h measurement window. My standard programme is five runs per tire set where possible, although the sequence can extend to as many as fifteen runs if conditions and tire category justify it. I analyze the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. Reference tires are run repeatedly throughout the session to correct for changing conditions.

Dry Handling

For dry handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated handling circuit with ESC disabled where possible so I can assess the tire's natural balance, transient response, and limit behavior without electronic intervention masking the result. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tire set, depending on the circuit, tire type, and consistency of conditions. I exclude laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Control runs are carried out frequently throughout the session, and I often use multiple sets of control tires so that wear on the references does not become a meaningful variable. For more track-focused products, I also do endurance testing, which is a set number of laps at race pace to determine tire wear patterns and heat resistance over longer driving.

Subj. Dry Handling

I also carry out a structured subjective handling assessment at the limit of adhesion on a dedicated dry handling circuit. I score steering precision, steering response, turn-in behavior, mid-corner balance, corner-exit traction, breakaway characteristics, and overall confidence using a standardised 1–10 scale used consistently across my testing. The final assessment combines numeric scoring with written technical commentary. I complete familiarisation laps on the control tire before evaluating each candidate.

Wet Braking

For wet braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 88 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on an asphalt surface with a controlled water film. I typically use an 80–5 km/h measurement window to isolate tire performance from variability in the initial brake application. My standard programme is eight runs per tire set where possible, although the sequence can extend to as many as fifteen runs if conditions and tire category justify it. I analyze the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. To correct for changing conditions, I run reference tires repeatedly throughout the session — in wet testing, typically every three candidate test sets.

Wet Handling

For wet handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated handling circuit. I generally use specialist wet circuits with kerb-watering systems designed to maintain a consistent surface condition. ESC is disabled where possible so I can assess the tire's natural balance, transient response, and limit behavior without electronic intervention masking the result. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tire set, depending on the circuit, tire type, and consistency of conditions. I exclude laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Control runs are carried out frequently throughout the session, and I often use multiple sets of control tires so that wear on the references does not become a meaningful variable.

Subj. Wet Handling

I also carry out a structured subjective handling assessment at the limit of adhesion on a dedicated wet handling circuit. I score steering precision, steering response, turn-in behavior, mid-corner balance, aquaplaning resistance, breakaway characteristics, and overall confidence using a standardised 1–10 scale used consistently across my testing. The final assessment combines numeric scoring with written technical commentary. I complete familiarisation laps on the control tire before evaluating each candidate.

Straight Aqua

To measure straight-line aquaplaning resistance, I drive one side of the vehicle through a water trough of controlled depth, typically around 7 mm, while the opposite side remains on dry pavement. I enter at a fixed speed and then accelerate progressively. I define aquaplaning onset as the point at which the wheel travelling through the water exceeds a specified slip threshold relative to the dry-side reference wheel. I usually perform four runs per tire set and average the valid results.

Curved Aquaplaning

For curved aquaplaning, I use a circular track, typically around 100 meters in diameter, with a flooded arc of controlled water depth, usually about 7 mm. The vehicle is instrumented with GPS telemetry and a tri-axial accelerometer. I drive through the flooded section at progressively increasing speed, typically in 5 km/h increments, and record the minimum sustained lateral acceleration at each step. The test continues until lateral acceleration collapses, indicating complete aquaplaning. The result is expressed as remaining lateral acceleration in m/s² as speed rises.

Snow Braking

For snow braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 50 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on a groomed, compacted snow surface, measuring 45-5 km/h. I generally use a wide VDA (vehicle dynamic area) and progressively move across the surface between runs so that no tire ever brakes on the same piece of snow twice. My standard programme is twelve runs per tire set, although the sequence can extend further if the data justify it. I analyze the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. The surface is regularly groomed throughout the session. To correct for changing snow surface conditions, I run reference tires repeatedly — typically every two candidate test sets.

Snow Traction

For snow traction, I accelerate the vehicle from rest on a groomed snow surface with traction control active and measure speed and time using GPS telemetry. I typically use a 5–35 km/h measurement window to reduce the influence of launch transients and powertrain irregularities. I use a wide VDA (vehicle dynamic area) and progressively move across the surface between runs so that no tire ever accelerates on the same piece of snow twice. The surface is regularly groomed throughout the session. I complete multiple runs per tire set and average the valid results. Reference tires are run typically every two candidate test sets to correct for changing snow surface conditions.

Snow Handling

For snow handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated snow handling circuit with ESC disabled where possible. The circuit is groomed and prepared after every run while tires are being changed, so each set runs on a consistently prepared surface. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tire set, excluding laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Because snow surfaces degrade more rapidly than asphalt, control runs are carried out more frequently — typically every two candidate test sets.

Subj. Snow Handling

I also carry out a structured subjective handling assessment at the limit of adhesion on a dedicated snow handling circuit. The circuit is groomed and prepared after every run while tires are being changed, so each set runs on a consistently prepared surface. I score steering precision, turn-in behavior, mid-corner balance, corner-exit traction, breakaway characteristics, and overall confidence on snow using a standardised 1–10 scale used consistently across my testing. The final assessment combines numeric scoring with written technical commentary. I complete familiarisation laps on the control tire before evaluating each candidate.

Subj. Comfort

To assess comfort, I drive on a wide range of road surfaces (often dedicated comfort tracks at test facilities) at speeds from 50 to 120 km/h, including smooth motorway, coarse surfaces, expansion joints, broken pavement, and sharp-edged obstacles. I evaluate primary ride quality, secondary ride quality, impact harshness, seat-transmitted vibration, and the tire's ability to absorb sharp inputs. Ratings are assigned on a 1–10 scale relative to the reference tire.

Noise

For cabin noise assessment, I drive at controlled speeds, typically 50, 80, 100, and 120 km/h, on NVH test surfaces with defined texture characteristics. Calibrated microphones are positioned at ear height within the cabin. Measurements are taken using A-weighting, with one-third octave analysis where required to identify tonal features such as cavity resonance. Windows remain closed, ventilation is off, and ambient conditions are controlled so the data reflects the tire rather than external interference.

Rough Noise

For rough-surface cabin noise, I drive at controlled speeds over coarse aggregate and heavily textured surfaces with calibrated microphones positioned at ear height inside the cabin. Measurements are taken using A-weighting, with one-third octave analysis where required. This test specifically captures the tire's noise characteristics on surfaces that amplify tire cavity resonance and pattern noise, which can differ significantly from smooth-surface noise behavior.

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance is measured under controlled laboratory conditions in accordance with ISO 28580 and UNECE Regulation 117 Annex 6. The tire is mounted on a test wheel and loaded against a large-diameter steel drum. After thermal stabilisation at the prescribed test speed, rolling resistance force is measured at the spindle and corrected according to the relevant procedure. The result is expressed as rolling resistance coefficient, typically in kg/tonne.

Read our complete testing methodology →

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