Test Charts / Auto Bild

2020 Auto Bild Performance 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: 245/45 R18
Tires tested: 20
Disciplines: 12

Dry

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	122 ft	-15 ft
1Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	137 ft	Best
2Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	143 ft	+6 ft
2Vredestein Wintrac Pro	143 ft	+6 ft
4Laufenn I Fit+	144 ft	+7 ft
4Hankook Winter i cept evo3	144 ft	+7 ft
4Apollo Aspire XP Winter	144 ft	+7 ft
7Kleber Krisalp HP3	145 ft	+8 ft
8BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	145 ft	+8 ft
9Semperit Speed Grip 3	145 ft	+8 ft
10Nokian WR A4	146 ft	+9 ft
10Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	146 ft	+9 ft
12Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+	147 ft	+10 ft
13Uniroyal MS Plus 77	148 ft	+11 ft
13Barum Polaris 5	148 ft	+11 ft
15Giti GitiWinterW1	149 ft	+12 ft
16Dunlop Winter Sport 5	150 ft	+13 ft
17General Altimax Winter 3	150 ft	+13 ft
18Cooper Weather Master SA2+	151 ft	+14 ft
19Continental WinterContact TS 850 P	151 ft	+14 ft
20Fulda Kristall Control HP2	153 ft	+16 ft

The difference between best and worst was 25% (31 ft ≈ 2.1 Car Lengths).

Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	68.9 mph	+0.2 mph
1Apollo Aspire XP Winter	68.7 mph	Best
2Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	68.7 mph	0.0 mph
3Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+	68.6 mph	-0.1 mph
3Continental WinterContact TS 850 P	68.6 mph	-0.1 mph
5Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	68.4 mph	-0.3 mph
6Hankook Winter i cept evo3	68.4 mph	-0.3 mph
7Vredestein Wintrac Pro	68.3 mph	-0.4 mph
8Nokian WR A4	68.2 mph	-0.5 mph
9Semperit Speed Grip 3	68.1 mph	-0.6 mph
10Dunlop Winter Sport 5	68.0 mph	-0.7 mph
10Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	68.0 mph	-0.7 mph
12Barum Polaris 5	67.9 mph	-0.8 mph
13Uniroyal MS Plus 77	67.5 mph	-1.2 mph
14Kleber Krisalp HP3	67.4 mph	-1.3 mph
15BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	67.2 mph	-1.5 mph
16Giti GitiWinterW1	67.1 mph	-1.6 mph
17General Altimax Winter 3	66.5 mph	-2.2 mph
18Laufenn I Fit+	66.4 mph	-2.3 mph
19Fulda Kristall Control HP2	66.2 mph	-2.5 mph
20Cooper Weather Master SA2+	66.1 mph	-2.6 mph

The difference between best and worst was 4.1% (2.8 mph).

Wet

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	155 ft	Best
2Semperit Speed Grip 3	158 ft	+3 ft
RefReference Summer	161 ft	+6 ft
3Continental WinterContact TS 850 P	163 ft	+8 ft
4Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	164 ft	+9 ft
5Hankook Winter i cept evo3	166 ft	+11 ft
6Vredestein Wintrac Pro	170 ft	+15 ft
7BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	175 ft	+20 ft
8Uniroyal MS Plus 77	175 ft	+20 ft
9Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+	176 ft	+21 ft
9Kleber Krisalp HP3	176 ft	+21 ft
11Nokian WR A4	177 ft	+22 ft
11Cooper Weather Master SA2+	177 ft	+22 ft
13Apollo Aspire XP Winter	180 ft	+25 ft
14Giti GitiWinterW1	180 ft	+25 ft
14Barum Polaris 5	180 ft	+25 ft
14Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	180 ft	+25 ft
14Dunlop Winter Sport 5	180 ft	+25 ft
18General Altimax Winter 3	184 ft	+29 ft
19Laufenn I Fit+	186 ft	+31 ft
20Fulda Kristall Control HP2	186 ft	+31 ft

The difference between best and worst was 19.9% (31 ft ≈ 2.1 Car Lengths).

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental WinterContact TS 850 P	46.2 mph	Best
1Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	46.2 mph	Best
3Semperit Speed Grip 3	46.2 mph	0.0 mph
RefReference Summer	46.0 mph	-0.2 mph
4Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	45.9 mph	-0.3 mph
5Vredestein Wintrac Pro	45.8 mph	-0.4 mph
6Hankook Winter i cept evo3	45.5 mph	-0.7 mph
7Apollo Aspire XP Winter	45.2 mph	-1.0 mph
8BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	45.1 mph	-1.1 mph
8Giti GitiWinterW1	45.1 mph	-1.1 mph
10Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+	44.7 mph	-1.5 mph
10Kleber Krisalp HP3	44.7 mph	-1.5 mph
12Uniroyal MS Plus 77	44.6 mph	-1.6 mph
12Dunlop Winter Sport 5	44.6 mph	-1.6 mph
14Nokian WR A4	44.4 mph	-1.8 mph
15Cooper Weather Master SA2+	44.3 mph	-1.9 mph
15Barum Polaris 5	44.3 mph	-1.9 mph
17Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	43.8 mph	-2.4 mph
18General Altimax Winter 3	43.6 mph	-2.6 mph
19Laufenn I Fit+	43.5 mph	-2.7 mph
20Fulda Kristall Control HP2	43.2 mph	-3.0 mph

The difference between best and worst was 6.5% (3 mph).

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	58.2 mph	+1.5 mph
1Fulda Kristall Control HP2	56.7 mph	Best
2Cooper Weather Master SA2+	55.8 mph	-0.9 mph
3Dunlop Winter Sport 5	55.7 mph	-1.0 mph
4Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+	55.7 mph	-1.0 mph
5Hankook Winter i cept evo3	55.1 mph	-1.6 mph
6Apollo Aspire XP Winter	55.0 mph	-1.7 mph
6BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	55.0 mph	-1.7 mph
8Kleber Krisalp HP3	54.7 mph	-2.0 mph
9Uniroyal MS Plus 77	54.5 mph	-2.2 mph
9Vredestein Wintrac Pro	54.5 mph	-2.2 mph
11Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	54.4 mph	-2.3 mph
12Continental WinterContact TS 850 P	54.4 mph	-2.3 mph
13Barum Polaris 5	54.2 mph	-2.5 mph
14Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	53.5 mph	-3.2 mph
15Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	53.4 mph	-3.3 mph
16Laufenn I Fit+	52.9 mph	-3.8 mph
17Giti GitiWinterW1	52.2 mph	-4.5 mph
18Nokian WR A4	52.1 mph	-4.6 mph
19Semperit Speed Grip 3	51.6 mph	-5.1 mph
20General Altimax Winter 3	50.9 mph	-5.8 mph

The difference between best and worst was 12.6% (7.3 mph).

Snow

Snow Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	80 ft	Best
2Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	80 ft	0 ft
2Fulda Kristall Control HP2	80 ft	0 ft
4BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	81 ft	+1 ft
4Kleber Krisalp HP3	81 ft	+1 ft
6General Altimax Winter 3	81 ft	+1 ft
7Laufenn I Fit+	81 ft	+1 ft
7Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+	81 ft	+1 ft
9Barum Polaris 5	82 ft	+2 ft
9Vredestein Wintrac Pro	82 ft	+2 ft
11Uniroyal MS Plus 77	82 ft	+2 ft
11Hankook Winter i cept evo3	82 ft	+2 ft
11Dunlop Winter Sport 5	82 ft	+2 ft
14Continental WinterContact TS 850 P	83 ft	+3 ft
15Apollo Aspire XP Winter	83 ft	+3 ft
16Giti GitiWinterW1	83 ft	+3 ft
17Nokian WR A4	84 ft	+4 ft
18Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	85 ft	+5 ft
19Semperit Speed Grip 3	85 ft	+5 ft
20Cooper Weather Master SA2+	86 ft	+6 ft
RefReference Summer	168 ft	+88 ft

The difference between best and worst was 110.7% (88 ft ≈ 6 Car Lengths).

Snow Traction
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+	696 lbf	Best
2Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	681 lbf	-15 lbf
3BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	677 lbf	-19 lbf
4General Altimax Winter 3	676 lbf	-20 lbf
5Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	676 lbf	-20 lbf
6Uniroyal MS Plus 77	672 lbf	-24 lbf
7Fulda Kristall Control HP2	661 lbf	-35 lbf
8Continental WinterContact TS 850 P	658 lbf	-38 lbf
9Dunlop Winter Sport 5	654 lbf	-42 lbf
10Hankook Winter i cept evo3	650 lbf	-46 lbf
11Nokian WR A4	648 lbf	-48 lbf
12Apollo Aspire XP Winter	647 lbf	-49 lbf
13Giti GitiWinterW1	646 lbf	-50 lbf
14Vredestein Wintrac Pro	645 lbf	-51 lbf
15Semperit Speed Grip 3	642 lbf	-54 lbf
16Barum Polaris 5	637 lbf	-59 lbf
17Laufenn I Fit+	636 lbf	-60 lbf
18Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	635 lbf	-61 lbf
19Cooper Weather Master SA2+	624 lbf	-72 lbf
20Kleber Krisalp HP3	516 lbf	-180 lbf
RefReference Summer	94 lbf	-602 lbf

The difference between best and worst was 86.4% (602 lbf).

Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Dunlop Winter Sport 5	38.2 mph	Best
2Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+	38.1 mph	-0.1 mph
3Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	38.0 mph	-0.2 mph
4Continental WinterContact TS 850 P	37.8 mph	-0.4 mph
4Fulda Kristall Control HP2	37.8 mph	-0.4 mph
6Uniroyal MS Plus 77	37.7 mph	-0.5 mph
6BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	37.7 mph	-0.5 mph
8Kleber Krisalp HP3	37.7 mph	-0.5 mph
9Hankook Winter i cept evo3	37.4 mph	-0.8 mph
9Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	37.4 mph	-0.8 mph
11Barum Polaris 5	37.3 mph	-0.9 mph
12Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	37.2 mph	-1.0 mph
12Apollo Aspire XP Winter	37.2 mph	-1.0 mph
14Laufenn I Fit+	37.2 mph	-1.0 mph
14Vredestein Wintrac Pro	37.2 mph	-1.0 mph
16General Altimax Winter 3	37.1 mph	-1.1 mph
17Semperit Speed Grip 3	37.0 mph	-1.2 mph
18Giti GitiWinterW1	37.0 mph	-1.2 mph
19Nokian WR A4	36.8 mph	-1.4 mph
20Cooper Weather Master SA2+	35.7 mph	-2.5 mph
RefReference Summer	23.7 mph	-14.5 mph

The difference between best and worst was 38% (14.5 mph).

Comfort

Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	69.7 dB	Best
1Kleber Krisalp HP3	69.7 dB	Best
3Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	70.1 dB	+0.40 dB
RefReference Summer	70.4 dB	+0.70 dB
4Laufenn I Fit+	70.6 dB	+0.90 dB
5General Altimax Winter 3	70.7 dB	+1.00 dB
6Nokian WR A4	71.1 dB	+1.40 dB
6Barum Polaris 5	71.1 dB	+1.40 dB
8Continental WinterContact TS 850 P	71.2 dB	+1.50 dB
9Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	71.3 dB	+1.60 dB
10Uniroyal MS Plus 77	71.4 dB	+1.70 dB
11Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	71.7 dB	+2.00 dB
12Giti GitiWinterW1	72.1 dB	+2.40 dB
13Vredestein Wintrac Pro	72.7 dB	+3.00 dB
13Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+	72.7 dB	+3.00 dB
15Semperit Speed Grip 3	72.8 dB	+3.10 dB
15Cooper Weather Master SA2+	72.8 dB	+3.10 dB
17Fulda Kristall Control HP2	74.2 dB	+4.50 dB
17Hankook Winter i cept evo3	74.2 dB	+4.50 dB
19Apollo Aspire XP Winter	74.7 dB	+5.00 dB
20Dunlop Winter Sport 5	74.8 dB	+5.10 dB

The difference between best and worst was 7.3% (5.1 dB).

Value

Wear
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	29,807 miles	Best
2Laufenn I Fit+	27,769 miles	-2,038 miles
3BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	27,514 miles	-2,293 miles
4Continental WinterContact TS 850 P	27,005 miles	-2,802 miles
5Semperit Speed Grip 3	26,750 miles	-3,057 miles
5Kleber Krisalp HP3	26,750 miles	-3,057 miles
7Dunlop Winter Sport 5	26,495 miles	-3,312 miles
8Fulda Kristall Control HP2	26,241 miles	-3,566 miles
9Giti GitiWinterW1	25,986 miles	-3,821 miles
10Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+	25,221 miles	-4,586 miles
11Vredestein Wintrac Pro	24,967 miles	-4,840 miles
11Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	24,967 miles	-4,840 miles
13Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	24,712 miles	-5,095 miles
13Hankook Winter i cept evo3	24,712 miles	-5,095 miles
15General Altimax Winter 3	24,457 miles	-5,350 miles
15Apollo Aspire XP Winter	24,457 miles	-5,350 miles
17Nokian WR A4	23,183 miles	-6,624 miles
18Barum Polaris 5	21,910 miles	-7,897 miles
19Uniroyal MS Plus 77	20,890 miles	-8,917 miles
20Cooper Weather Master SA2+	18,598 miles	-11,209 miles

The difference between best and worst was 37.6% (11,209 miles).

Value
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	cost per 1,000 miles
1Laufenn I Fit+	10.41 Price/1000	Best	€28.87
2Giti GitiWinterW1	11.12 Price/1000	+0.71 Price/1000	€29.09
3General Altimax Winter 3	11.18 Price/1000	+0.77 Price/1000	€30.33
4Fulda Kristall Control HP2	11.6 Price/1000	+1.19 Price/1000	€25.74
5Cooper Weather Master SA2+	11.69 Price/1000	+1.28 Price/1000	€33.21
6Barum Polaris 5	11.77 Price/1000	+1.36 Price/1000	€31.80
7Semperit Speed Grip 3	12.08 Price/1000	+1.67 Price/1000	€29.58
7Kleber Krisalp HP3	12.08 Price/1000	+1.67 Price/1000	€32.57
9Apollo Aspire XP Winter	12.83 Price/1000	+2.42 Price/1000	€29.62
10BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	12.99 Price/1000	+2.58 Price/1000	€32.56
11Hankook Winter i cept evo3	13.33 Price/1000	+2.92 Price/1000	€34.31
12Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+	13.55 Price/1000	+3.14 Price/1000	€29.96
13Nokian WR A4	13.8 Price/1000	+3.39 Price/1000	€28.10
14Vredestein Wintrac Pro	14.56 Price/1000	+4.15 Price/1000	€37.85
15Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	14.68 Price/1000	+4.27 Price/1000	€28.87
16Uniroyal MS Plus 77	14.72 Price/1000	+4.31 Price/1000	€34.87
17Continental WinterContact TS 850 P	14.73 Price/1000	+4.32 Price/1000	€34.31
18Dunlop Winter Sport 5	14.77 Price/1000	+4.36 Price/1000	€30.32
19Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	15.22 Price/1000	+4.81 Price/1000	€33.08
20Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	16.22 Price/1000	+5.81 Price/1000	€28.94

The difference between best and worst was 55.8% (5.81 Price/1000). Over 25,000 miles the cheapest tire to own (Fulda Kristall Control HP2) works out €303 cheaper than the most expensive (Vredestein Wintrac Pro).

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 2020 test; financing costs are excluded.

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
1Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	6.95 kg/t	Best	$0
2Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	7.35 kg/t	+0.40 kg/t	$17
3Nokian WR A4	7.42 kg/t	+0.47 kg/t	$20
4Dunlop Winter Sport 5	7.59 kg/t	+0.64 kg/t	$27
5Fulda Kristall Control HP2	7.67 kg/t	+0.72 kg/t	$30
6Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+	7.83 kg/t	+0.88 kg/t	$37
7Apollo Aspire XP Winter	7.95 kg/t	+1.00 kg/t	$42
8Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	7.97 kg/t	+1.02 kg/t	$43
9Semperit Speed Grip 3	8.18 kg/t	+1.23 kg/t	$52
10Uniroyal MS Plus 77	8.23 kg/t	+1.28 kg/t	$54
11Continental WinterContact TS 850 P	8.26 kg/t	+1.31 kg/t	$55
12Giti GitiWinterW1	8.34 kg/t	+1.39 kg/t	$59
13BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	8.44 kg/t	+1.49 kg/t	$63
14General Altimax Winter 3	8.5 kg/t	+1.55 kg/t	$66
15Laufenn I Fit+	8.52 kg/t	+1.57 kg/t	$66
16Barum Polaris 5	8.53 kg/t	+1.58 kg/t	$67
17Hankook Winter i cept evo3	8.59 kg/t	+1.64 kg/t	$69
18Kleber Krisalp HP3	8.67 kg/t	+1.72 kg/t	$73
19Cooper Weather Master SA2+	8.69 kg/t	+1.74 kg/t	$74
20Vredestein Wintrac Pro	8.85 kg/t	+1.90 kg/t	$80

The difference between best and worst was 27.3% (1.9 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Vredestein Wintrac Pro uses about 22 gal ($80) more fuel than the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 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.

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