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2021 AMS Winter Tire Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
7 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Dry
  3. Wet
  4. Snow
  5. Environment
  6. Results
  7. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 870
  9. Vredestein Wintrac
  10. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
  11. Michelin Alpin 6
  12. Goodyear UltraGrip 9+
  13. Pirelli Cinturato Winter
  14. Falken Eurowinter HS01
  15. GT Radial WinterPro2
  16. Toyo Observe S 944

Test Publication:
195/55 R16 10 tires 5 categories
Images courtesy of Auto Motor Und Sport
Test Publication:
Auto Motor Und Sport
Images courtesy of Auto Motor Und Sport
Test Size: 195/55 R16
Tires Tested: 10 tires
Test Categories:
5 categories (12 tests)
Similar Tests
The 2021 Auto Motor und Sport winter tire test tested ten popular central European winter tires in 195/55 R16. This size is used for vehicles such as the Audi A1, Dacia Sandero, Ford Fiesta, Mazda 2, Peugeot 208 and many more.

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 took another convincing test win, proving to be excellent in the wet and dry while still having reasonable snow performance. 

The new Continental WinterContact TS870 also performed well with the lowest rolling resistance on test, excellent snow handling and low noise, it was however a little weaker in dry braking than the best on test.

The new Vredestein Wintrac rounded out the top three places, and like the new Vredestein Quatrac this tire excelled in wet handling, it was excellent in all braking tests and regarded as one of the sportiest feeling tires on test.

The other interesting result was BFGoodrich beating Michelin with a very strong snow performance, which is unusual for a second brand to beat the primary brand. The magazine recommended the BFGoodrich for climates which see a lot of snow.

Dry

The Michelin Alpin 6 had the shortest dry braking distances, narrowly beating the Vredestein Wintrac. Both these tires had a significant lead to the third place GT Radial. The Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ unusually struggled in the dry braking test.

Dry Braking

Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
  1. Michelin Alpin 6
    42.80 M
  2. Vredestein Wintrac
    43.00 M
  3. GT Radial WinterPro2
    44.40 M
  4. Toyo Observe S 944
    44.70 M
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    44.70 M
  6. Pirelli Cinturato Winter
    44.80 M
  7. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    45.00 M
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    45.10 M
  9. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    45.50 M
  10. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
    46.60 M

Dry handling mixed up the order with the Toyo Observe S944 leading the pack and the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 placing second. GT Radial retained its third position.

Dry Handling

Dry Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
  1. Toyo Observe S 944
    114.60 Km/H
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    114.10 Km/H
  3. GT Radial WinterPro2
    114.10 Km/H
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    114.00 Km/H
  5. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    113.80 Km/H
  6. Michelin Alpin 6
    113.70 Km/H
  7. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    112.80 Km/H
  8. Vredestein Wintrac
    112.80 Km/H
  9. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
    112.70 Km/H
  10. Pirelli Cinturato Winter
    111.20 Km/H

Wet

The Bridgestone LM005 is known as a wet braking specialist, and once again it dominated the test stopping the test Seat Ibiza nearly 2 meters shorter than the second placed Falken Eurowinter HS01 with the Wintrac in third.

Wet Braking

Wet braking in meters (80 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    29.30 M
  2. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    31.10 M
  3. Vredestein Wintrac
    31.70 M
  4. GT Radial WinterPro2
    32.10 M
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    32.10 M
  6. Michelin Alpin 6
    32.20 M
  7. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    32.60 M
  8. Toyo Observe S 944
    32.80 M
  9. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
    33.70 M
  10. Pirelli Cinturato Winter
    34.80 M

Vredestein and Bridgestone also performed well during wet handling.

Wet Handling

Wet Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
  1. Vredestein Wintrac
    72.00 Km/H
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    71.90 Km/H
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
    71.50 Km/H
  4. Toyo Observe S 944
    71.30 Km/H
  5. Michelin Alpin 6
    70.80 Km/H
  6. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    70.70 Km/H
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    70.20 Km/H
  8. GT Radial WinterPro2
    69.30 Km/H
  9. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    69.30 Km/H
  10. Pirelli Cinturato Winter
    69.30 Km/H

Pirelli had a significant advantage during straight aquaplaning. Curved aquaplaning results can be found at the bottom of the page.

Straight Aqua

Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Pirelli Cinturato Winter
    87.70 Km/H
  2. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    83.90 Km/H
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    83.90 Km/H
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    83.40 Km/H
  5. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    83.10 Km/H
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
    82.70 Km/H
  7. Michelin Alpin 6
    82.00 Km/H
  8. Toyo Observe S 944
    81.00 Km/H
  9. Vredestein Wintrac
    79.20 Km/H
  10. GT Radial WinterPro2
    77.20 Km/H

Snow

The important snow braking test was led by Vredestein, with BFGoodrich and Bridgestone close behind.

Snow Braking

Snow braking in meters (50 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
  1. Vredestein Wintrac
    32.60 M
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    32.70 M
  3. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    32.70 M
  4. Pirelli Cinturato Winter
    32.80 M
  5. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    32.90 M
  6. GT Radial WinterPro2
    33.10 M
  7. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
    33.10 M
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    33.10 M
  9. Michelin Alpin 6
    33.20 M
  10. Toyo Observe S 944
    33.80 M

BFGoodrich again performed well in snow traction.

Snow Traction

Pulling Force in Newtons (Higher is better)
  1. Pirelli Cinturato Winter
    1.89 N
  2. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    1.89 N
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
    1.89 N
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    1.87 N
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    1.87 N
  6. Vredestein Wintrac
    1.85 N
  7. Michelin Alpin 6
    1.83 N
  8. GT Radial WinterPro2
    1.80 N
  9. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    1.78 N
  10. Toyo Observe S 944
    1.74 N

Confirming the BFGoodrich is the best overall in snow, it was also fastest around the snow handling lap.

Snow Handling

Snow handling average speed (Higher is better)
  1. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    54.40 Km/H
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    53.40 Km/H
  3. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    52.80 Km/H
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
    52.60 Km/H
  5. Pirelli Cinturato Winter
    52.40 Km/H
  6. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    52.10 Km/H
  7. Michelin Alpin 6
    51.60 Km/H
  8. Vredestein Wintrac
    50.90 Km/H
  9. GT Radial WinterPro2
    50.50 Km/H
  10. Toyo Observe S 944
    49.40 Km/H

Environment

The Falken and Continental tires had the lowest external noise.

Noise

External noise in dB (Lower is better)
  1. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    70.60 dB
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    70.80 dB
  3. Vredestein Wintrac
    70.90 dB
  4. Michelin Alpin 6
    70.90 dB
  5. Pirelli Cinturato Winter
    71.00 dB
  6. Toyo Observe S 944
    71.00 dB
  7. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    71.00 dB
  8. GT Radial WinterPro2
    71.10 dB
  9. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    71.70 dB
  10. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
    73.00 dB

Continental also had the lowest fuel use on test.

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    8.00 kg / t
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
    8.30 kg / t
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    8.50 kg / t
  4. Vredestein Wintrac
    8.80 kg / t
  5. GT Radial WinterPro2
    8.80 kg / t
  6. Pirelli Cinturato Winter
    8.90 kg / t
  7. Toyo Observe S 944
    9.00 kg / t
  8. Michelin Alpin 6
    9.10 kg / t
  9. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    9.70 kg / t
  10. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    10.50 kg / t

The magazine provided pricing had Pirelli even more expensive than the Michelin, with the Vredestein looking great value considering its overall result.

Price

Price in local currency (Lower is better)
  1. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    75.00
  2. GT Radial WinterPro2
    91.00
  3. Vredestein Wintrac
    92.00
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
    97.00
  5. Toyo Observe S 944
    98.00
  6. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    98.00
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    103.00
  8. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    103.00
  9. Michelin Alpin 6
    123.00
  10. Pirelli Cinturato Winter
    127.00

Results

1st

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

195/55 R16 87H
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 7.97 kgs
  • Tread: 8.2 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 44.7 M 42.8 M +1.9 M 95.75%
Dry Handling 2nd 114.1 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.56%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 29.3 M 100%
Wet Handling 2nd 71.9 Km/H 72 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.86%
Straight Aqua 4th 83.4 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -4.3 Km/H 95.1%
Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 3.2 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.09 m/sec2 97.26%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 2nd 32.7 M 32.6 M +0.1 M 99.69%
Snow Traction 4th 1.87 N 1.89 N -0.02 N 98.94%
Snow Handling 6th 52.1 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 95.77%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 9th 71.7 dB 70.6 dB +1.1 dB 98.47%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 7th 103 75 +28 72.82%
Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.5 kg / t 8 kg / t +0.5 kg / t 94.12%
Continental WinterContact TS 870
  • EU Label: C/B/70
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 7.58 kgs
  • Tread: 8.6 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 45.1 M 42.8 M +2.3 M 94.9%
Dry Handling 4th 114 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.48%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 32.1 M 29.3 M +2.8 M 91.28%
Wet Handling 7th 70.2 Km/H 72 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 97.5%
Straight Aqua 2nd 83.9 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 95.67%
Curved Aquaplaning 1st 3.29 m/sec2 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 6th 33.1 M 32.6 M +0.5 M 98.49%
Snow Traction 4th 1.87 N 1.89 N -0.02 N 98.94%
Snow Handling 2nd 53.4 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.16%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 2nd 70.8 dB 70.6 dB +0.2 dB 99.72%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 7th 103 75 +28 72.82%
Rolling Resistance 1st 8 kg / t 100%
3rd

Vredestein Wintrac

195/55 R16 87H
Vredestein Wintrac
  • EU Label: C/B/70
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 7.61 kgs
  • Tread: 8.15 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 43 M 42.8 M +0.2 M 99.53%
Dry Handling 7th 112.8 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 98.43%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 31.7 M 29.3 M +2.4 M 92.43%
Wet Handling 1st 72 Km/H 100%
Straight Aqua 9th 79.2 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -8.5 Km/H 90.31%
Curved Aquaplaning 10th 2.67 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.62 m/sec2 81.16%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 1st 32.6 M 100%
Snow Traction 6th 1.85 N 1.89 N -0.04 N 97.88%
Snow Handling 8th 50.9 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -3.5 Km/H 93.57%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 3rd 70.9 dB 70.6 dB +0.3 dB 99.58%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 3rd 92 75 +17 81.52%
Rolling Resistance 4th 8.8 kg / t 8 kg / t +0.8 kg / t 90.91%
4th

BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2

195/55 R16 91H
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
  • EU Label: D/B/69
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 8.36 kgs
  • Tread: 7.9 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 7th 45 M 42.8 M +2.2 M 95.11%
Dry Handling 5th 113.8 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.3%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 7th 32.6 M 29.3 M +3.3 M 89.88%
Wet Handling 8th 69.3 Km/H 72 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.25%
Straight Aqua 5th 83.1 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -4.6 Km/H 94.75%
Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.84 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.45 m/sec2 86.32%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 2nd 32.7 M 32.6 M +0.1 M 99.69%
Snow Traction 1st 1.89 N 100%
Snow Handling 1st 54.4 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 5th 71 dB 70.6 dB +0.4 dB 99.44%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 5th 98 75 +23 76.53%
Rolling Resistance 9th 9.7 kg / t 8 kg / t +1.7 kg / t 82.47%
5th

Michelin Alpin 6

195/55 R16 87H
Michelin Alpin 6
  • EU Label: D/B/69
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 8.31 kgs
  • Tread: 7.45 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 42.8 M 100%
Dry Handling 6th 113.7 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.21%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 6th 32.2 M 29.3 M +2.9 M 90.99%
Wet Handling 5th 70.8 Km/H 72 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.33%
Straight Aqua 7th 82 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -5.7 Km/H 93.5%
Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.84 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.45 m/sec2 86.32%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 9th 33.2 M 32.6 M +0.6 M 98.19%
Snow Traction 7th 1.83 N 1.89 N -0.06 N 96.83%
Snow Handling 7th 51.6 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 94.85%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 3rd 70.9 dB 70.6 dB +0.3 dB 99.58%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 9th 123 75 +48 60.98%
Rolling Resistance 8th 9.1 kg / t 8 kg / t +1.1 kg / t 87.91%
6th

Goodyear UltraGrip 9+

195/55 R16 87H
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 8.2 kgs
  • Tread: 8.6 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 10th 46.6 M 42.8 M +3.8 M 91.85%
Dry Handling 9th 112.7 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 98.34%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 9th 33.7 M 29.3 M +4.4 M 86.94%
Wet Handling 3rd 71.5 Km/H 72 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.31%
Straight Aqua 6th 82.7 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -5 Km/H 94.3%
Curved Aquaplaning 4th 3.15 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.14 m/sec2 95.74%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 6th 33.1 M 32.6 M +0.5 M 98.49%
Snow Traction 1st 1.89 N 100%
Snow Handling 4th 52.6 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 96.69%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 10th 73 dB 70.6 dB +2.4 dB 96.71%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 4th 97 75 +22 77.32%
Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.3 kg / t 8 kg / t +0.3 kg / t 96.39%
6th

Pirelli Cinturato Winter

195/55 R16 91H
Pirelli Cinturato Winter
  • EU Label: C/B/67
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 7.39 kgs
  • Tread: 8.9 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 44.8 M 42.8 M +2 M 95.54%
Dry Handling 10th 111.2 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 97.03%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 10th 34.8 M 29.3 M +5.5 M 84.2%
Wet Handling 8th 69.3 Km/H 72 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.25%
Straight Aqua 1st 87.7 Km/H 100%
Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 3.25 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.04 m/sec2 98.78%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 4th 32.8 M 32.6 M +0.2 M 99.39%
Snow Traction 1st 1.89 N 100%
Snow Handling 5th 52.4 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -2 Km/H 96.32%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 5th 71 dB 70.6 dB +0.4 dB 99.44%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 10th 127 75 +52 59.06%
Rolling Resistance 6th 8.9 kg / t 8 kg / t +0.9 kg / t 89.89%
8th

Falken Eurowinter HS01

195/55 R16 87H
Falken Eurowinter HS01
  • EU Label: D/B/70
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 8.91 kgs
  • Tread: 8.7 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 9th 45.5 M 42.8 M +2.7 M 94.07%
Dry Handling 7th 112.8 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 98.43%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 31.1 M 29.3 M +1.8 M 94.21%
Wet Handling 6th 70.7 Km/H 72 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.19%
Straight Aqua 2nd 83.9 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 95.67%
Curved Aquaplaning 5th 2.85 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.44 m/sec2 86.63%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 5th 32.9 M 32.6 M +0.3 M 99.09%
Snow Traction 9th 1.78 N 1.89 N -0.11 N 94.18%
Snow Handling 3rd 52.8 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 97.06%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 1st 70.6 dB 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 1st 75 100%
Rolling Resistance 10th 10.5 kg / t 8 kg / t +2.5 kg / t 76.19%
9th

GT Radial WinterPro2

195/55 R16 91H
GT Radial WinterPro2
  • EU Label: D/B/70
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 7.98 kgs
  • Tread: 8.4 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 44.4 M 42.8 M +1.6 M 96.4%
Dry Handling 2nd 114.1 Km/H 114.6 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.56%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 32.1 M 29.3 M +2.8 M 91.28%
Wet Handling 8th 69.3 Km/H 72 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.25%
Straight Aqua 10th 77.2 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -10.5 Km/H 88.03%
Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.8 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.49 m/sec2 85.11%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 6th 33.1 M 32.6 M +0.5 M 98.49%
Snow Traction 8th 1.8 N 1.89 N -0.09 N 95.24%
Snow Handling 9th 50.5 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -3.9 Km/H 92.83%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 8th 71.1 dB 70.6 dB +0.5 dB 99.3%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 2nd 91 75 +16 82.42%
Rolling Resistance 4th 8.8 kg / t 8 kg / t +0.8 kg / t 90.91%
10th

Toyo Observe S 944

195/55 R16 91H
Toyo Observe S 944
  • EU Label: D/B/71
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 8.2 kgs
  • Tread: 8.8 mm
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 44.7 M 42.8 M +1.9 M 95.75%
Dry Handling 1st 114.6 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 8th 32.8 M 29.3 M +3.5 M 89.33%
Wet Handling 4th 71.3 Km/H 72 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.03%
Straight Aqua 8th 81 Km/H 87.7 Km/H -6.7 Km/H 92.36%
Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.8 m/sec2 3.29 m/sec2 -0.49 m/sec2 85.11%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 10th 33.8 M 32.6 M +1.2 M 96.45%
Snow Traction 10th 1.74 N 1.89 N -0.15 N 92.06%
Snow Handling 10th 49.4 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -5 Km/H 90.81%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 5th 71 dB 70.6 dB +0.4 dB 99.44%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 5th 98 75 +23 76.53%
Rolling Resistance 7th 9 kg / t 8 kg / t +1 kg / t 88.89%

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