Test Charts / Auto Bild
2021 Auto Bild 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
- 205/55 R16
- Tires tested
- 20
- Disciplines
- 14
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 |
124 ft | -24 ft | 0 mph |
| 148 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 151 ft | +3 ft | 11 mph | |
| 151 ft | +3 ft | 11 mph | |
| 151 ft | +3 ft | 11 mph | |
| 152 ft | +4 ft | 12 mph | |
| 152 ft | +4 ft | 13 mph | |
| 152 ft | +4 ft | 13 mph | |
| 155 ft | +7 ft | 16 mph | |
| 156 ft | +8 ft | 18 mph | |
RefReference Winter Budget |
156 ft | +8 ft | 18 mph |
| 156 ft | +8 ft | 18 mph | |
| 156 ft | +8 ft | 19 mph | |
| 157 ft | +9 ft | 19 mph | |
| 157 ft | +9 ft | 19 mph | |
| 158 ft | +10 ft | 21 mph | |
| 159 ft | +11 ft | 21 mph | |
| 160 ft | +12 ft | 22 mph | |
| 161 ft | +13 ft | 23 mph | |
| 161 ft | +13 ft | 23 mph | |
| 162 ft | +14 ft | 23 mph | |
| 163 ft | +15 ft | 24 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 30.9% (39 ft ≈ 2.6 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 would still be travelling at 24 mph when the Vredestein Wintrac 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 |
87.8 mph | +1.4 mph |
| 86.4 mph | Best | |
| 86.2 mph | -0.2 mph | |
| 86.2 mph | -0.2 mph | |
| 85.7 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 85.7 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 85.7 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 85.4 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 85.4 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 85.4 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 85.3 mph | -1.1 mph | |
| 85.1 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 85.0 mph | -1.4 mph | |
| 85.0 mph | -1.4 mph | |
RefReference Winter Budget |
84.9 mph | -1.5 mph |
| 84.9 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 84.8 mph | -1.6 mph | |
| 84.8 mph | -1.6 mph | |
| 84.6 mph | -1.8 mph | |
| 84.4 mph | -2.0 mph | |
| 84.3 mph | -2.1 mph | |
| 84.1 mph | -2.3 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 4.2% (3.7 mph).
Wet
5Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 165 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 171 ft | +6 ft | 16 mph | |
| 172 ft | +7 ft | 16 mph | |
| 172 ft | +7 ft | 16 mph | |
| 172 ft | +7 ft | 17 mph | |
| 175 ft | +10 ft | 20 mph | |
RefReference Summer |
178 ft | +13 ft | 22 mph |
| 179 ft | +14 ft | 23 mph | |
| 180 ft | +15 ft | 23 mph | |
| 180 ft | +15 ft | 24 mph | |
| 180 ft | +15 ft | 24 mph | |
| 182 ft | +17 ft | 25 mph | |
| 182 ft | +17 ft | 25 mph | |
| 182 ft | +17 ft | 25 mph | |
| 184 ft | +19 ft | 26 mph | |
| 185 ft | +20 ft | 27 mph | |
| 185 ft | +20 ft | 27 mph | |
| 186 ft | +21 ft | 27 mph | |
| 187 ft | +22 ft | 28 mph | |
| 187 ft | +22 ft | 28 mph | |
| 189 ft | +24 ft | 29 mph | |
RefReference Winter Budget |
213 ft | +48 ft | 38 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 29.1% (48 ft ≈ 3.2 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 would still be travelling at 29 mph when the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 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 |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
45.5 mph | +0.1 mph |
| 45.4 mph | Best | |
| 45.3 mph | -0.1 mph | |
| 45.3 mph | -0.1 mph | |
| 45.0 mph | -0.4 mph | |
| 44.7 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 44.6 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 44.6 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 44.5 mph | -0.9 mph | |
| 44.4 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 44.2 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 43.6 mph | -1.8 mph | |
| 43.5 mph | -1.9 mph | |
| 43.4 mph | -2.0 mph | |
| 43.4 mph | -2.0 mph | |
| 43.4 mph | -2.0 mph | |
| 43.2 mph | -2.2 mph | |
| 43.2 mph | -2.2 mph | |
| 43.1 mph | -2.3 mph | |
| 42.9 mph | -2.5 mph | |
| 42.3 mph | -3.1 mph | |
RefReference Winter Budget |
39.6 mph | -5.8 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 12.8% (5.9 mph).
Wet Circle
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
12.58 s | -0.01 s |
| 12.59 s | Best | |
| 12.64 s | +0.05 s | |
| 12.64 s | +0.05 s | |
| 12.66 s | +0.07 s | |
| 12.69 s | +0.10 s | |
| 12.73 s | +0.14 s | |
| 12.77 s | +0.18 s | |
| 12.85 s | +0.26 s | |
| 12.87 s | +0.28 s | |
| 12.9 s | +0.31 s | |
| 12.93 s | +0.34 s | |
| 12.94 s | +0.35 s | |
| 12.94 s | +0.35 s | |
| 12.95 s | +0.36 s | |
| 12.99 s | +0.40 s | |
| 13.03 s | +0.44 s | |
| 13.04 s | +0.45 s | |
| 13.06 s | +0.47 s | |
| 13.17 s | +0.58 s | |
| 13.2 s | +0.61 s | |
RefReference Winter Budget |
13.75 s | +1.16 s |
The difference between best and worst was 9.3% (1.17 s).
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 52.5 mph | Best | |
| 51.1 mph | -1.4 mph | |
| 50.8 mph | -1.7 mph | |
| 50.2 mph | -2.3 mph | |
| 49.8 mph | -2.7 mph | |
| 49.6 mph | -2.9 mph | |
| 49.6 mph | -2.9 mph | |
| 49.2 mph | -3.3 mph | |
| 48.8 mph | -3.7 mph | |
RefReference Summer |
48.7 mph | -3.8 mph |
| 48.5 mph | -4.0 mph | |
| 48.2 mph | -4.3 mph | |
| 47.8 mph | -4.7 mph | |
| 47.5 mph | -5.0 mph | |
| 47.5 mph | -5.0 mph | |
| 46.8 mph | -5.7 mph | |
| 46.3 mph | -6.2 mph | |
| 45.9 mph | -6.6 mph | |
| 45.8 mph | -6.7 mph | |
| 45.8 mph | -6.7 mph | |
| 45.0 mph | -7.5 mph | |
RefReference Winter Budget |
42.6 mph | -9.9 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 18.8% (9.9 mph).
Curved Aquaplaning
Remaining lateral acceleration
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 11.1 ft/s² | Best | |
| 10.7 ft/s² | -0.4 ft/s² | |
RefReference Summer |
10.6 ft/s² | -0.5 ft/s² |
| 10.5 ft/s² | -0.6 ft/s² | |
| 10.4 ft/s² | -0.7 ft/s² | |
| 10.3 ft/s² | -0.8 ft/s² | |
| 10.2 ft/s² | -0.9 ft/s² | |
| 10.2 ft/s² | -0.9 ft/s² | |
| 10.1 ft/s² | -1.0 ft/s² | |
| 10.1 ft/s² | -1.0 ft/s² | |
| 10.1 ft/s² | -1.0 ft/s² | |
| 10.0 ft/s² | -1.1 ft/s² | |
| 9.9 ft/s² | -1.2 ft/s² | |
| 9.7 ft/s² | -1.4 ft/s² | |
| 9.6 ft/s² | -1.5 ft/s² | |
| 9.6 ft/s² | -1.5 ft/s² | |
| 9.6 ft/s² | -1.5 ft/s² | |
RefReference Winter Budget |
9.5 ft/s² | -1.6 ft/s² |
| 9.5 ft/s² | -1.6 ft/s² | |
| 8.9 ft/s² | -2.2 ft/s² | |
| 8.4 ft/s² | -2.7 ft/s² | |
| 7.6 ft/s² | -3.5 ft/s² |
The difference between best and worst was 31.4% (3.5 ft/s²).
Snow
3Snow Braking
Snow braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 90 ft | Best | |
| 90 ft | 0 ft | |
| 91 ft | +1 ft | |
| 92 ft | +2 ft | |
| 92 ft | +2 ft | |
| 92 ft | +2 ft | |
| 93 ft | +3 ft | |
| 93 ft | +3 ft | |
| 94 ft | +4 ft | |
| 94 ft | +4 ft | |
| 94 ft | +4 ft | |
| 94 ft | +4 ft | |
| 94 ft | +4 ft | |
| 94 ft | +4 ft | |
| 95 ft | +5 ft | |
| 96 ft | +6 ft | |
| 96 ft | +6 ft | |
| 96 ft | +6 ft | |
| 97 ft | +7 ft | |
| 99 ft | +9 ft | |
RefReference Winter Budget |
111 ft | +21 ft |
RefReference Summer |
152 ft | +62 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 69.2% (62 ft ≈ 4.2 Car Lengths).
Snow Traction
Pulling Force in pounds-force
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 652 lbf | Best | |
| 643 lbf | -9 lbf | |
| 638 lbf | -14 lbf | |
| 638 lbf | -14 lbf | |
| 638 lbf | -14 lbf | |
| 636 lbf | -16 lbf | |
| 635 lbf | -17 lbf | |
| 634 lbf | -18 lbf | |
| 634 lbf | -18 lbf | |
| 626 lbf | -26 lbf | |
| 626 lbf | -26 lbf | |
| 624 lbf | -28 lbf | |
| 620 lbf | -32 lbf | |
| 616 lbf | -36 lbf | |
| 613 lbf | -39 lbf | |
| 608 lbf | -44 lbf | |
| 607 lbf | -45 lbf | |
| 600 lbf | -52 lbf | |
| 595 lbf | -57 lbf | |
| 584 lbf | -68 lbf | |
RefReference Winter Budget |
485 lbf | -167 lbf |
RefReference Summer |
165 lbf | -487 lbf |
The difference between best and worst was 74.7% (487 lbf).
Snow Handling
Snow handling average speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 36.0 mph | Best | |
| 35.7 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 35.7 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 35.7 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 35.6 mph | -0.4 mph | |
| 35.5 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 35.4 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 35.3 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 35.2 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 35.2 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 35.1 mph | -0.9 mph | |
| 35.0 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 34.8 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 34.5 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 34.5 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 34.4 mph | -1.6 mph | |
| 34.2 mph | -1.8 mph | |
| 34.1 mph | -1.9 mph | |
| 33.9 mph | -2.1 mph | |
| 33.9 mph | -2.1 mph | |
RefReference Winter Budget |
33.5 mph | -2.5 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 6.9% (2.5 mph).
Comfort
1Noise
External noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 69.7 dB | Best | |
| 69.8 dB | +0.10 dB | |
| 70.1 dB | +0.40 dB | |
| 70.3 dB | +0.60 dB | |
RefReference Summer |
70.4 dB | +0.70 dB |
| 70.5 dB | +0.80 dB | |
| 70.6 dB | +0.90 dB | |
| 70.9 dB | +1.20 dB | |
| 71.1 dB | +1.40 dB | |
| 71.3 dB | +1.60 dB | |
| 71.3 dB | +1.60 dB | |
| 71.3 dB | +1.60 dB | |
| 71.4 dB | +1.70 dB | |
| 71.6 dB | +1.90 dB | |
| 71.8 dB | +2.10 dB | |
| 71.9 dB | +2.20 dB | |
| 72.2 dB | +2.50 dB | |
| 72.3 dB | +2.60 dB | |
| 72.7 dB | +3.00 dB | |
| 72.8 dB | +3.10 dB | |
RefReference Winter Budget |
73.3 dB | +3.60 dB |
| 73.7 dB | +4.00 dB |
The difference between best and worst was 5.7% (4 dB).
Value
3Wear
Predicted tread life in KM
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 28,210 miles | Best | |
| 24,917 miles | -3,293 miles | |
| 24,668 miles | -3,542 miles | |
| 23,115 miles | -5,095 miles | |
| 22,991 miles | -5,219 miles | |
| 22,866 miles | -5,344 miles | |
| 22,742 miles | -5,468 miles | |
| 22,494 miles | -5,716 miles | |
| 22,494 miles | -5,716 miles | |
| 22,432 miles | -5,778 miles | |
| 21,624 miles | -6,586 miles | |
| 21,189 miles | -7,021 miles | |
| 21,064 miles | -7,146 miles | |
| 20,443 miles | -7,767 miles | |
| 19,449 miles | -8,761 miles | |
| 19,449 miles | -8,761 miles | |
| 19,387 miles | -8,823 miles | |
| 19,076 miles | -9,134 miles | |
| 18,455 miles | -9,755 miles | |
| 17,709 miles | -10,501 miles |
The difference between best and worst was 37.2% (10,501 miles).
Value
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | cost per 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.89 Price/1000 | Best | €14.14 | |
| 7.3 Price/1000 | +0.41 Price/1000 | €22.08 | |
| 7.39 Price/1000 | +0.50 Price/1000 | €20.52 | |
| 8.17 Price/1000 | +1.28 Price/1000 | €21.40 | |
| 8.37 Price/1000 | +1.48 Price/1000 | €20.25 | |
| 8.43 Price/1000 | +1.54 Price/1000 | €17.67 | |
| 8.56 Price/1000 | +1.67 Price/1000 | €24.20 | |
| 8.62 Price/1000 | +1.73 Price/1000 | €30.49 | |
| 8.65 Price/1000 | +1.76 Price/1000 | €29.48 | |
| 8.74 Price/1000 | +1.85 Price/1000 | €23.28 | |
| 8.81 Price/1000 | +1.92 Price/1000 | €23.81 | |
| 8.95 Price/1000 | +2.06 Price/1000 | €29.43 | |
| 9.27 Price/1000 | +2.38 Price/1000 | €31.19 | |
| 9.29 Price/1000 | +2.40 Price/1000 | €30.83 | |
| 9.6 Price/1000 | +2.71 Price/1000 | €27.34 | |
| 9.76 Price/1000 | +2.87 Price/1000 | €33.06 | |
| 9.81 Price/1000 | +2.92 Price/1000 | €25.67 | |
| 9.9 Price/1000 | +3.01 Price/1000 | €24.02 | |
| 11.02 Price/1000 | +4.13 Price/1000 | €27.05 | |
| 11.56 Price/1000 | +4.67 Price/1000 | €30.06 |
The difference between best and worst was 67.8% (4.67 Price/1000). Over 25,000 miles the cheapest tire to own (Barum Polaris 5) works out €473 cheaper than the most expensive (Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906).
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 2021 test; financing costs are excluded.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.21 kg/t | Best | $0 | |
| 7.38 kg/t | +0.17 kg/t | $7 | |
| 7.94 kg/t | +0.73 kg/t | $30 | |
| 7.97 kg/t | +0.76 kg/t | $31 | |
| 8.08 kg/t | +0.87 kg/t | $35 | |
| 8.16 kg/t | +0.95 kg/t | $39 | |
RefReference Summer |
8.16 kg/t | +0.95 kg/t | $39 |
| 8.18 kg/t | +0.97 kg/t | $40 | |
| 8.23 kg/t | +1.02 kg/t | $42 | |
| 8.25 kg/t | +1.04 kg/t | $42 | |
| 8.36 kg/t | +1.15 kg/t | $47 | |
| 8.46 kg/t | +1.25 kg/t | $51 | |
| 8.48 kg/t | +1.27 kg/t | $52 | |
| 8.53 kg/t | +1.32 kg/t | $54 | |
| 8.75 kg/t | +1.54 kg/t | $63 | |
| 9.09 kg/t | +1.88 kg/t | $77 | |
| 9.29 kg/t | +2.08 kg/t | $85 | |
| 9.34 kg/t | +2.13 kg/t | $87 | |
| 9.39 kg/t | +2.18 kg/t | $89 | |
RefReference Winter Budget |
9.46 kg/t | +2.25 kg/t | $92 |
| 9.48 kg/t | +2.27 kg/t | $93 | |
| 9.51 kg/t | +2.30 kg/t | $94 |
The difference between best and worst was 31.9% (2.3 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 uses about 26 gal ($94) more fuel than the Barum Polaris 5.
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
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