Test source Sport Auto

2023 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test

Overall test winnerBridgestone Blizzak LM005

The 2023 Sport Auto winter tire test has tested ten uhp winter tires using and Audi S3.Why do you only see nine in the results below?

Data analyzed and reviewed byJonathan Benson

November 1, 2023 6 min read Updated January 8, 2025

Tire shortlist Read the test

Tires tested: 9
Tested size: 225/40 R18

At a glance

Tire shortlist

9 Tires tested

Published finishing positions, with the strengths and considerations from this test. Owner reviews cover other sizes and driving conditions.

1^st

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

+Fast and agile on snow, easy to control. Very good grip on wet surfaces, direct, precise, and neutral handling.

−Lacks a bit of grip on dry surfaces compared to the top performers.

115 owner reviews Test Results

2^nd

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

+Precise, safe, and reliable with a wide range of reserves on all three surfaces.

−Could respond a bit finer to unevenness.

15 owner reviews Test Results

3^rd

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

+Clear feedback through the steering in snow. Precise, balanced wet handling.

−Lower aquaplaning protection in curves, a bit clumsy response to edges.

33 owner reviews Test Results

4^th

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

+Safe on snow and on dry roads, as it is well balanced.

−Strong understeering in wet curves. Few reserves.

33 owner reviews Test Results

5^th

Vredestein Wintrac Pro

+High wet grip level and safe, sporty, easily controllable handling on wet surfaces.

−Low aquaplaning protection in wet curves.

30 owner reviews Test Results

6^th

Hankook Winter i cept evo3

+High safety reserves on snow, good aquaplaning precaution.

−Strong understeering with high sensitivity to load changes, less balanced in wet handling, highest pass-by noise.

23 owner reviews Test Results

7^th

Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2

+Safe driving behavior in winter, good grip level in wet curves.

−Sluggish steering response and shallow reserves on wet surfaces, sensitive to puddles in curves, sluggish on dry surfaces.

3 owner reviews Test Results

8^th

Giti GitiWinterW2

+Apart from the weak braking performance, strong and safe as well as sporty wet performance.

−Moderate interlocking on snow, long braking distance on dry surfaces.

1 owner review Test Results

9^th

Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro

+Neutral to understeering in wet conditions.

−Subjectively very low grip level on snow. Neutral to understeering and low aquaplaning protection in wet curves. Few reserves.

4 owner reviews Test Results

Tire shortlist

Compare selected tires

2023 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test · 225/40 R18

Tire	Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	Vredestein Wintrac Pro	Hankook Winter i cept evo3	Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	Giti GitiWinterW2	Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
Position	1^st	2^nd	3^rd	4^th	5^th	6^th	7^th	8^th	9^th
Category scores (% of best)
Dry	97.4%	99.1%	99.7%	99.1%	98.9%	98.9%	98.3%	97%	99.1%
Wet	98.4%	98.4%	96.7%	96.2%	96.9%	96.9%	96.1%	97.4%	96.7%
Snow	96.6%	98.6%	99%	97.9%	96.4%	96.2%	98.2%	95.5%	96.1%
Comfort	99.7%	100%	100%	99.6%	98.6%	96.4%	98.4%	99.6%	98%
Rolling Resistance	98.8%	92.2%	93.3%	100%	85.6%	93.3%	92.2%	83.8%	84.7%
Keep researching	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results

The full test

The evidence behind the verdict

The 2023 Sport Auto winter tire test has tested ten uhp winter tires using and Audi S3.

Why do you only see nine in the results below? The Kumho WinterCraft WP 52 was part of the tire test but was eventually disqualified due to specific issues. While it showed moderate performance on snow and impressive braking capabilities on wet surfaces, it had a tendency to quickly lose grip in curves. The test tires provided by the manufacturer demonstrated strong grip and a neutral, active behavior in wet conditions, along with very short braking distances on dry surfaces. However, the tires displayed a lack of grip and steering precision on snow, and were sensitive to puddles in curves, leading to aquaplaning. The tire was disqualified from the test due to significant deficits in the properties of the currently available tires with the latest manufacturing dates in comparison to the tested product. These discrepancies between the provided test tires and the commercially available products ultimately led to the tire's disqualification.

Dry

The Continental and Michelin tires demonstrate impressive capabilities. Both brands don't specialize in comfort, and the TS 870 P from Continental somewhat lacks braking connection with the leading group. However, the German tire excels in all other dry criteria, providing the most feedback through the steering wheel and the highest safety reserves for spontaneous evasive maneuvers at highway speeds. Both Goodyear and Hankook also deliver consistently good to very good dry performance. In contrast, Bridgestone and Vredestein respond more sluggishly to steering commands.

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result
1Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	100 %
2Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	100 %
3Vredestein Wintrac Pro	99 %
3Hankook Winter i cept evo3	99 %
3Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	99 %
6Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	99 %
7Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	98 %
8Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	97 %
9Giti GitiWinterW2	95 %

The difference between best and worst was 5%.

Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result
1Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	100 %
2Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	99 %
3Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	99 %
4Vredestein Wintrac Pro	99 %
5Hankook Winter i cept evo3	99 %
6Giti GitiWinterW2	99 %
7Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	98 %
8Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	98 %
9Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	98 %

All the tires in the Dry Handling test finished less than 3% apart.

Wet

In wet conditions, Bridgestone shines with its consistently foolproof handling, creating an illusion of driving on a dry track. The new tire from Goodyear and Vredestein's Wintrac Pro also perform strongly, though they struggle with lateral aquaplaning, as do Michelin, Falken, and Pirelli. Hankook's Winter icept evo3 stands out for its water drainage capabilities, while the excluded Kumho tire is notably quick in wet conditions. While safety is paramount in these tests, efficiency also plays a crucial role. The laboratory tests for rolling resistance reveal that the Bridgestone Blizzak LM 005 successfully combines excellent wet grip with low rolling resistance, making it the test winner. Close behind are the very balanced Goodyear, the snow-reliable dry king Michelin, and the efficient, grippy Continental.

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result
1Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	100 %
2Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	99 %
3Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	97 %
3Vredestein Wintrac Pro	97 %
3Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	97 %
6Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	96 %
7Hankook Winter i cept evo3	95 %
8Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	94 %
9Giti GitiWinterW2	94 %

The difference between best and worst was 6%.

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result
1Vredestein Wintrac Pro	100 %
2Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	100 %
2Giti GitiWinterW2	100 %
2Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	100 %
5Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	99 %
6Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	99 %
6Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	99 %
8Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	99 %
9Hankook Winter i cept evo3	98 %

All the tires in the Wet Handling test finished less than 3% apart.

Wet Circle
Position / Tire	Result
1Vredestein Wintrac Pro	100 %
1Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	100 %
3Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	100 %
4Giti GitiWinterW2	99 %
4Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	99 %
6Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	99 %
7Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	99 %
8Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	98 %
9Hankook Winter i cept evo3	98 %

All the tires in the Wet Circle test finished less than 3% apart.

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result
1Giti GitiWinterW2	100 %
2Hankook Winter i cept evo3	97 %
3Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	96 %
4Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	96 %
5Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	95 %
6Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	94 %
7Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	93 %
8Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	92 %
9Vredestein Wintrac Pro	92 %

The difference between best and worst was 8%.

Curved Aquaplaning
Position / Tire	Result
1Hankook Winter i cept evo3	100 %
2Giti GitiWinterW2	90 %
3Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	89 %
4Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	85 %
5Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	81 %
6Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	78 %
7Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	76 %
7Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	76 %
9Vredestein Wintrac Pro	74 %

The difference between best and worst was 26%.

Snow

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stands out as extremely fast and safe, leading the pack, followed by Bridgestone (highest subjective rating, but only satisfactory lateral support objectively), Continental (very balanced), and the new Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 (best traction). Notably, all four profiles decelerate almost equally strong and harmonize well with the Audi's ABS system.

In the midfield, Pirelli (fast and safe driving, but weaknesses in deceleration), Vredestein (consistently good performance), and Hankook (prompt, safe handling, but objectively weaker lateral support) are found. Falken and Giti show less compatibility with snow, with the new Falken Eurowinter HS 02 Pro falling so clearly behind in the direct handling comparison that it is downgraded by one grade in this chapter.

Snow Braking
Position / Tire	Result
1Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	100 %
2Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	100 %
2Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	100 %
4Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	99 %
5Hankook Winter i cept evo3	97 %
6Vredestein Wintrac Pro	96 %
7Giti GitiWinterW2	96 %
8Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	95 %
8Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	95 %

The difference between best and worst was 5%.

Snow Traction
Position / Tire	Result
1Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	100 %
2Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	99 %
3Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	97 %
4Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	95 %
5Hankook Winter i cept evo3	95 %
5Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	95 %
7Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	94 %
8Vredestein Wintrac Pro	93 %
9Giti GitiWinterW2	92 %

The difference between best and worst was 8%.

Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result
1Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	100 %
2Hankook Winter i cept evo3	100 %
3Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	100 %
3Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	100 %
5Vredestein Wintrac Pro	99 %
5Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	99 %
7Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	99 %
8Giti GitiWinterW2	97 %
9Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	95 %

The difference between best and worst was 5%.

Snow Slalom
Position / Tire	Result
1Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	100 %
2Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	99 %
3Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	98 %
4Giti GitiWinterW2	98 %
5Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	97 %
6Vredestein Wintrac Pro	97 %
7Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	95 %
8Hankook Winter i cept evo3	93 %
9Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	92 %

The difference between best and worst was 8%.

Comfort

The Michelin had the lowest external noise, with the Hankook proving to be quite a noisy tire.

Noise
Position / Tire	Result
1Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	100 %
1Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	100 %
3Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	100 %
4Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	100 %
4Giti GitiWinterW2	100 %
6Vredestein Wintrac Pro	99 %
7Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	98 %
8Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	98 %
9Hankook Winter i cept evo3	96 %

The difference between best and worst was 4%.

Value

The Giti and Falken were the cheapest to buy, whereas the Michelin was the most expensive.

As seen in other tests this year, the Continental and Bridgsetone had the lowest rolling resistance of the group.

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tire	Result
1Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	100 %
2Bridgestone Blizzak LM005	99 %
3Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	93 %
3Hankook Winter i cept evo3	93 %
5Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2	92 %
5Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	92 %
7Vredestein Wintrac Pro	86 %
8Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	85 %
9Giti GitiWinterW2	84 %

The difference between best and worst was 16%.

Results

King in wet conditions with talent on snow and low rolling resistance.

Dry97.4%

Wet98.4%

Snow96.6%

Comfort99.7%

Rolling Resistance98.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	%
Dry Braking	8^th / 9	96.67%
Dry Handling	8^th / 9	98.14%
Wet Braking	1^st / 9	100%
Wet Handling	2^nd / 9	99.88%
Wet Circle	1^st / 9	100%
Straight Aqua	4^th / 9	96.2%
Curved Aquaplaning	5^th / 9	81.23%
Snow Braking	1^st / 9	100%
Snow Traction	7^th / 9	94.12%
Snow Handling	1^st / 9	100%
Snow Slalom	9^th / 9	91.96%
Noise	3^rd / 9	99.72%
Rolling Resistance	2^nd / 9	98.81%

3PMSF: Yes
Price: 143.00

Very balanced tire; strong performance under all conditions.

Dry99.1%

Wet98.4%

Snow98.6%

Comfort100%

Rolling Resistance92.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	%
Dry Braking	3^rd / 9	99.09%
Dry Handling	3^rd / 9	99.11%
Wet Braking	2^nd / 9	98.78%
Wet Handling	2^nd / 9	99.88%
Wet Circle	4^th / 9	99.33%
Straight Aqua	3^rd / 9	96.33%
Curved Aquaplaning	3^rd / 9	88.62%
Snow Braking	2^nd / 9	99.66%
Snow Traction	1^st / 9	100%
Snow Handling	7^th / 9	99.26%
Snow Slalom	7^th / 9	95.31%
Noise	1^st / 9	100%
Rolling Resistance	5^th / 9	92.22%

3PMSF: Yes
Price: 145.00

Snow specialist with high dry grip. Deficiencies in aquaplaning.

Dry99.7%

Wet96.7%

Snow99%

Comfort100%

Rolling Resistance93.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	%
Dry Braking	1^st / 9	100%
Dry Handling	2^nd / 9	99.43%
Wet Braking	3^rd / 9	97.29%
Wet Handling	6^th / 9	99.13%
Wet Circle	6^th / 9	99.19%
Straight Aqua	5^th / 9	94.63%
Curved Aquaplaning	7^th / 9	75.69%
Snow Braking	4^th / 9	99.33%
Snow Traction	2^nd / 9	99.35%
Snow Handling	3^rd / 9	99.63%
Snow Slalom	5^th / 9	97.32%
Noise	1^st / 9	100%
Rolling Resistance	3^rd / 9	93.26%

3PMSF: Yes
Price: 167.00

Rolls efficiently, grippy on snow. Less grippy when the road is wet.

Dry99.1%

Wet96.2%

Snow97.9%

Comfort99.6%

Rolling Resistance100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	%
Dry Braking	7^th / 9	98.2%
Dry Handling	1^st / 9	100%
Wet Braking	8^th / 9	94.44%
Wet Handling	6^th / 9	99.13%
Wet Circle	7^th / 9	98.52%
Straight Aqua	7^th / 9	93.05%
Curved Aquaplaning	4^th / 9	85.23%
Snow Braking	2^nd / 9	99.66%
Snow Traction	5^th / 9	94.77%
Snow Handling	5^th / 9	99.45%
Snow Slalom	3^rd / 9	98.21%
Noise	4^th / 9	99.58%
Rolling Resistance	1^st / 9	100%

3PMSF: Yes
Price: 156.00

Safe in wet conditions and snow. Prone to aquaplaning early in curves.

Dry98.9%

Wet96.9%

Snow96.4%

Comfort98.6%

Rolling Resistance85.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	%
Dry Braking	3^rd / 9	99.09%
Dry Handling	4^th / 9	98.79%
Wet Braking	3^rd / 9	97.29%
Wet Handling	1^st / 9	100%
Wet Circle	1^st / 9	100%
Straight Aqua	9^th / 9	91.87%
Curved Aquaplaning	9^th / 9	74.46%
Snow Braking	6^th / 9	96.42%
Snow Traction	8^th / 9	92.81%
Snow Handling	5^th / 9	99.45%
Snow Slalom	6^th / 9	96.88%
Noise	6^th / 9	98.62%
Rolling Resistance	7^th / 9	85.57%

3PMSF: Yes
Price: 135.00

Good on snow, high aquaplaning protection. Too unbalanced in wet conditions.

Dry98.9%

Wet96.9%

Snow96.2%

Comfort96.4%

Rolling Resistance93.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	%
Dry Braking	3^rd / 9	99.09%
Dry Handling	5^th / 9	98.71%
Wet Braking	7^th / 9	94.72%
Wet Handling	9^th / 9	97.5%
Wet Circle	9^th / 9	97.84%
Straight Aqua	2^nd / 9	97.12%
Curved Aquaplaning	1^st / 9	100%
Snow Braking	5^th / 9	97.05%
Snow Traction	5^th / 9	94.77%
Snow Handling	2^nd / 9	99.82%
Snow Slalom	8^th / 9	92.63%
Noise	9^th / 9	96.36%
Rolling Resistance	3^rd / 9	93.26%

3PMSF: Yes
Price: 134.00

Safe snow handling, prone to aquaplaning, sluggish in dry conditions.

Dry98.3%

Wet96.1%

Snow98.2%

Comfort98.4%

Rolling Resistance92.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	%
Dry Braking	6^th / 9	98.87%
Dry Handling	9^th / 9	97.74%
Wet Braking	6^th / 9	96.13%
Wet Handling	8^th / 9	98.88%
Wet Circle	8^th / 9	98.25%
Straight Aqua	6^th / 9	93.84%
Curved Aquaplaning	6^th / 9	78.15%
Snow Braking	8^th / 9	95.48%
Snow Traction	3^rd / 9	97.39%
Snow Handling	3^rd / 9	99.63%
Snow Slalom	1^st / 9	100%
Noise	7^th / 9	98.35%
Rolling Resistance	5^th / 9	92.22%

3PMSF: Yes
Price: 139.00

Long wet/dry braking distances, good aquaplaning safety.

Dry97%

Wet97.4%

Snow95.5%

Comfort99.6%

Rolling Resistance83.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	%
Dry Braking	9^th / 9	95.4%
Dry Handling	6^th / 9	98.63%
Wet Braking	9^th / 9	94.17%
Wet Handling	2^nd / 9	99.88%
Wet Circle	4^th / 9	99.33%
Straight Aqua	1^st / 9	100%
Curved Aquaplaning	2^nd / 9	89.85%
Snow Braking	7^th / 9	95.79%
Snow Traction	9^th / 9	92.16%
Snow Handling	8^th / 9	96.51%
Snow Slalom	4^th / 9	97.99%
Noise	4^th / 9	99.58%
Rolling Resistance	9^th / 9	83.84%

3PMSF: Yes
Price: 121.00

Very sluggish snow handling, good wet grip, high rolling resistance.

Dry99.1%

Wet96.7%

Snow96.1%

Comfort98%

Rolling Resistance84.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	%
Dry Braking	2^nd / 9	99.77%
Dry Handling	7^th / 9	98.46%
Wet Braking	3^rd / 9	97.29%
Wet Handling	5^th / 9	99.38%
Wet Circle	3^rd / 9	99.6%
Straight Aqua	8^th / 9	92.4%
Curved Aquaplaning	7^th / 9	75.69%
Snow Braking	8^th / 9	95.48%
Snow Traction	4^th / 9	95.42%
Snow Handling	9^th / 9	95.04%
Snow Slalom	2^nd / 9	98.88%
Noise	8^th / 9	97.95%
Rolling Resistance	8^th / 9	84.69%

3PMSF: Yes
Price: 121.00

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Tire shortlist

The evidence behind the verdict

Dry

Wet

Snow

Comfort

Value

Results