Test Charts / Auto Bild
2021 Winter Tire Market Overview
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
- 49
- Disciplines
- 2
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.
Wet
1Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 105 ft | Best | |
| 110 ft | +5 ft | |
| 110 ft | +5 ft | |
| 110 ft | +5 ft | |
| 110 ft | +5 ft | |
| 112 ft | +7 ft | |
| 115 ft | +10 ft | |
| 115 ft | +10 ft | |
| 115 ft | +10 ft | |
| 115 ft | +10 ft | |
| 116 ft | +11 ft | |
| 117 ft | +12 ft | |
| 117 ft | +12 ft | |
| 117 ft | +12 ft | |
| 118 ft | +13 ft | |
| 118 ft | +13 ft | |
| 118 ft | +13 ft | |
| 118 ft | +13 ft | |
| 118 ft | +13 ft | |
| 119 ft | +14 ft | |
21Avon WV7 |
119 ft | +14 ft |
| 120 ft | +15 ft | |
| 120 ft | +15 ft | |
| 121 ft | +16 ft | |
| 122 ft | +17 ft | |
| 123 ft | +18 ft | |
| 123 ft | +18 ft | |
| 123 ft | +18 ft | |
| 124 ft | +19 ft | |
| 124 ft | +19 ft | |
| 124 ft | +19 ft | |
| 124 ft | +19 ft | |
| 125 ft | +20 ft | |
| 125 ft | +20 ft | |
| 125 ft | +20 ft | |
| 125 ft | +20 ft | |
| 128 ft | +23 ft | |
| 131 ft | +26 ft | |
| 134 ft | +29 ft | |
| 135 ft | +30 ft | |
| 135 ft | +30 ft | |
| 135 ft | +30 ft | |
| 135 ft | +30 ft | |
| 140 ft | +35 ft | |
| 142 ft | +37 ft | |
| 143 ft | +38 ft | |
| 145 ft | +40 ft | |
| 147 ft | +42 ft | |
| 149 ft | +44 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 41.4% (44 ft ≈ 3 Car Lengths).
Snow
1Snow 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 | |
| 94 ft | +4 ft | |
| 94 ft | +4 ft | |
| 94 ft | +4 ft | |
| 94 ft | +4 ft | |
| 95 ft | +5 ft | |
| 95 ft | +5 ft | |
| 95 ft | +5 ft | |
| 96 ft | +6 ft | |
| 96 ft | +6 ft | |
| 96 ft | +6 ft | |
| 96 ft | +6 ft | |
| 97 ft | +7 ft | |
| 97 ft | +7 ft | |
28Avon WV7 |
98 ft | +8 ft |
| 98 ft | +8 ft | |
| 99 ft | +9 ft | |
| 99 ft | +9 ft | |
| 100 ft | +10 ft | |
| 122 ft | +32 ft | |
| 124 ft | +34 ft | |
| 133 ft | +43 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 48% (43 ft ≈ 2.9 Car Lengths).
More tire tests
Cross-check this test
Where these tires were tested again, and how the verdict held up.
2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test
205/55 R1655 tires tested
24 of these 49 tires tested again
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R1620 tires tested
20 of these 49 tires tested again
2022 Winter Tire Market Overview
215/55 R1756 tires tested
19 of these 49 tires tested again
