Test Charts / Auto Bild Allrad
2021 Auto Bild SUV 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
- 235/55 R18
- Tires tested
- 10
- Disciplines
- 13
Read the measurements, not just the rank
Lower is better for braking distances and lap times; higher is better for subjective scores and aquaplaning speed. Bars start at zero. Read the gap alongside the position: adjacent tires can be separated by very different margins.
Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tires does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.
Focus on your tires
Select tires to highlight them throughout the charts.
Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tires does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.
Dry
2Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
126 ft | -16 ft | 0 mph |
| 142 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 144 ft | +2 ft | 9 mph | |
| 144 ft | +2 ft | 10 mph | |
| 145 ft | +3 ft | 11 mph | |
| 146 ft | +4 ft | 14 mph | |
| 147 ft | +5 ft | 15 mph | |
| 148 ft | +6 ft | 16 mph | |
| 148 ft | +6 ft | 16 mph | |
| 148 ft | +6 ft | 16 mph | |
| 149 ft | +7 ft | 17 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 18% (23 ft ≈ 1.5 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 would still be travelling at 17 mph when the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
60.1 mph | +0.6 mph |
| 59.5 mph | Best | |
| 59.2 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 59.2 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 58.8 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 58.7 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 58.7 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 58.5 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 58.5 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 58.5 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 58.2 mph | -1.3 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 3.2% (1.9 mph).
Wet
5Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 136 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 137 ft | +1 ft | 7 mph | |
| 139 ft | +3 ft | 12 mph | |
| 140 ft | +4 ft | 13 mph | |
| 140 ft | +4 ft | 13 mph | |
RefReference Summer |
142 ft | +6 ft | 15 mph |
| 143 ft | +7 ft | 17 mph | |
| 145 ft | +9 ft | 19 mph | |
| 150 ft | +14 ft | 24 mph | |
| 151 ft | +15 ft | 25 mph | |
| 173 ft | +37 ft | 37 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 26.4% (37 ft ≈ 2.4 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Tristar Snowpower UHP would still be travelling at 37 mph when the Vredestein Wintrac Pro had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 54.0 mph | Best | |
RefReference Summer |
53.9 mph | -0.1 mph |
| 53.8 mph | -0.2 mph | |
| 53.8 mph | -0.2 mph | |
| 53.6 mph | -0.4 mph | |
| 53.6 mph | -0.4 mph | |
| 53.4 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 53.4 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 53.3 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 52.8 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 51.0 mph | -3.0 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 5.5% (3 mph).
Wet Circle
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
15.6 s | -0.05 s |
| 15.65 s | Best | |
| 15.68 s | +0.03 s | |
| 15.75 s | +0.10 s | |
| 15.85 s | +0.20 s | |
| 16 s | +0.35 s | |
| 16 s | +0.35 s | |
| 16.05 s | +0.40 s | |
| 16.1 s | +0.45 s | |
| 16.2 s | +0.55 s | |
| 17.1 s | +1.45 s |
The difference between best and worst was 9.6% (1.5 s).
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 48.8 mph | Best | |
| 48.0 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 47.0 mph | -1.8 mph | |
RefReference Summer |
46.6 mph | -2.2 mph |
| 46.4 mph | -2.4 mph | |
| 46.2 mph | -2.6 mph | |
| 46.2 mph | -2.6 mph | |
| 46.0 mph | -2.8 mph | |
| 45.4 mph | -3.4 mph | |
| 42.6 mph | -6.2 mph | |
| 42.3 mph | -6.5 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 13.4% (6.5 mph).
Curved Aquaplaning
Remaining lateral acceleration
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
12.4 ft/s² | +1.0 ft/s² |
| 11.4 ft/s² | Best | |
| 10.8 ft/s² | -0.6 ft/s² | |
| 10.4 ft/s² | -1.0 ft/s² | |
| 10.4 ft/s² | -1.0 ft/s² | |
| 10.2 ft/s² | -1.2 ft/s² | |
| 10.1 ft/s² | -1.3 ft/s² | |
| 9.9 ft/s² | -1.5 ft/s² | |
| 9.7 ft/s² | -1.7 ft/s² | |
| 7.7 ft/s² | -3.7 ft/s² | |
| 7.3 ft/s² | -4.1 ft/s² |
The difference between best and worst was 41.4% (5.1 ft/s²).
Snow
4Snow Braking
Snow braking in feet (31 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 85 ft | +2 ft | 12 mph | |
| 85 ft | +2 ft | 13 mph | |
| 86 ft | +3 ft | 15 mph | |
| 87 ft | +4 ft | 17 mph | |
| 87 ft | +4 ft | 18 mph | |
| 89 ft | +6 ft | 21 mph | |
| 91 ft | +8 ft | 23 mph | |
| 97 ft | +14 ft | 31 mph | |
| 101 ft | +18 ft | 34 mph | |
RefReference Summer |
207 ft | +124 ft | 62 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 149.8% (124 ft ≈ 8.4 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Tristar Snowpower UHP would still be travelling at 34 mph when the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Snow Traction
Pulling Force in pounds-force
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 640 lbf | Best | |
| 607 lbf | -33 lbf | |
| 600 lbf | -40 lbf | |
| 593 lbf | -47 lbf | |
| 582 lbf | -58 lbf | |
| 580 lbf | -60 lbf | |
| 580 lbf | -60 lbf | |
| 564 lbf | -76 lbf | |
| 552 lbf | -88 lbf | |
| 522 lbf | -118 lbf | |
RefReference Summer |
110 lbf | -530 lbf |
The difference between best and worst was 82.8% (530 lbf).
Snow Handling
Snow handling average speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 33.6 mph | Best | |
| 33.0 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 32.4 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 32.4 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 32.4 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 32.1 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 32.1 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 31.7 mph | -1.9 mph | |
| 31.1 mph | -2.5 mph | |
| 30.2 mph | -3.4 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 10% (3.4 mph).
Snow Slalom
Lateral acceleration
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 13.6 ft/s² | Best | |
| 13.3 ft/s² | -0.3 ft/s² | |
| 12.9 ft/s² | -0.7 ft/s² | |
| 12.8 ft/s² | -0.8 ft/s² | |
| 12.8 ft/s² | -0.8 ft/s² | |
| 12.7 ft/s² | -0.9 ft/s² | |
| 12.4 ft/s² | -1.2 ft/s² | |
| 12.2 ft/s² | -1.4 ft/s² | |
| 11.0 ft/s² | -2.6 ft/s² | |
| 10.3 ft/s² | -3.3 ft/s² | |
RefReference Summer |
5.1 ft/s² | -8.5 ft/s² |
The difference between best and worst was 62.5% (8.5 ft/s²).
Comfort
1Noise
External noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 68.7 dB | Best | |
| 69.4 dB | +0.70 dB | |
| 70 dB | +1.30 dB | |
| 70 dB | +1.30 dB | |
| 71 dB | +2.30 dB | |
RefReference Summer |
71.4 dB | +2.70 dB |
| 71.5 dB | +2.80 dB | |
| 71.6 dB | +2.90 dB | |
| 71.9 dB | +3.20 dB | |
| 72 dB | +3.30 dB | |
| 72.9 dB | +4.20 dB |
The difference between best and worst was 6.1% (4.2 dB).
Value
1Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
6.55 kg/t | -0.28 kg/t | $0 |
| 6.83 kg/t | Best | $0 | |
| 7.11 kg/t | +0.28 kg/t | $12 | |
| 7.43 kg/t | +0.60 kg/t | $26 | |
| 8.02 kg/t | +1.19 kg/t | $51 | |
| 8.03 kg/t | +1.20 kg/t | $52 | |
| 8.09 kg/t | +1.26 kg/t | $54 | |
| 8.51 kg/t | +1.68 kg/t | $72 | |
| 8.59 kg/t | +1.76 kg/t | $76 | |
| 8.88 kg/t | +2.05 kg/t | $88 | |
| 8.96 kg/t | +2.13 kg/t | $92 |
The difference between best and worst was 36.8% (2.41 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X uses about 25 gal ($92) more fuel than the Continental WinterContact TS 850 P.
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.
Test setup & methodology
The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.
Recorded test conditions
Recorded test conditions
- Dry Braking
- 62.1 → 0.0 mph
- Wet Braking
- 62.1 → 0.0 mph
- Snow Braking
- 31.1 → 0.0 mph
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