2023 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test

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.

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.

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.

Comfort

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

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.

Results

1^st

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

225/40 R18

• 3PMSF: yes

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.

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

Dry

97.4%

Test	#	%
Dry Braking	8th	96.67%
Dry Handling	8th	98.14%

Wet

95.5%

Test	#	%
Wet Braking	1st	100%
Wet Handling	2nd	99.88%
Wet Circle	1st	100%
Straight Aqua	4th	96.2%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	81.23%

Snow

96.5%

Test	#	%
Snow Braking	1st	100%
Snow Traction	7th	94.12%
Snow Handling	1st	100%
Snow Slalom	9th	91.96%

Comfort

99.7%

Test	#	%
Noise	3rd	99.72%

Value

91.7%

Test	#	%
Price	6th	84.62%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	98.81%

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2^nd

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

225/40 R18

• 3PMSF: yes

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

Could respond a bit finer to unevenness.

Very balanced tire; strong performance under all conditions.

Dry

99.1%

Test	#	%
Dry Braking	3rd	99.09%
Dry Handling	3rd	99.11%

Wet

96.6%

Test	#	%
Wet Braking	2nd	98.78%
Wet Handling	2nd	99.88%
Wet Circle	4th	99.33%
Straight Aqua	3rd	96.33%
Curved Aquaplaning	3rd	88.62%

Snow

98.6%

Test	#	%
Snow Braking	2nd	99.66%
Snow Traction	1st	100%
Snow Handling	7th	99.26%
Snow Slalom	7th	95.31%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	%
Noise	1st	100%

Value

87.8%

Test	#	%
Price	7th	83.45%
Rolling Resistance	5th	92.22%

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3^rd

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

225/40 R18

• 3PMSF: yes

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

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

Snow specialist with high dry grip. Deficiencies in aquaplaning.

Dry

99.7%

Test	#	%
Dry Braking	1st	100%
Dry Handling	2nd	99.43%

Wet

93.2%

Test	#	%
Wet Braking	3rd	97.29%
Wet Handling	6th	99.13%
Wet Circle	6th	99.19%
Straight Aqua	5th	94.63%
Curved Aquaplaning	7th	75.69%

Snow

98.9%

Test	#	%
Snow Braking	4th	99.33%
Snow Traction	2nd	99.35%
Snow Handling	3rd	99.63%
Snow Slalom	5th	97.32%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	%
Noise	1st	100%

Value

82.9%

Test	#	%
Price	9th	72.46%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	93.26%

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4^th

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

225/40 R18

• 3PMSF: yes

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

Strong understeering in wet curves. Few reserves.

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

Dry

99.1%

Test	#	%
Dry Braking	7th	98.2%
Dry Handling	1st	100%

Wet

94.1%

Test	#	%
Wet Braking	8th	94.44%
Wet Handling	6th	99.13%
Wet Circle	7th	98.52%
Straight Aqua	7th	93.05%
Curved Aquaplaning	4th	85.23%

Snow

98%

Test	#	%
Snow Braking	2nd	99.66%
Snow Traction	5th	94.77%
Snow Handling	5th	99.45%
Snow Slalom	3rd	98.21%

Comfort

99.6%

Test	#	%
Noise	4th	99.58%

Value

88.8%

Test	#	%
Price	8th	77.56%
Rolling Resistance	1st	100%

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5^th

Vredestein Wintrac Pro

225/40 R18

• 3PMSF: yes

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

Low aquaplaning protection in wet curves.

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

Dry

98.9%

Test	#	%
Dry Braking	3rd	99.09%
Dry Handling	4th	98.79%

Wet

92.7%

Test	#	%
Wet Braking	3rd	97.29%
Wet Handling	1st	100%
Wet Circle	1st	100%
Straight Aqua	9th	91.87%
Curved Aquaplaning	9th	74.46%

Snow

96.4%

Test	#	%
Snow Braking	6th	96.42%
Snow Traction	8th	92.81%
Snow Handling	5th	99.45%
Snow Slalom	6th	96.88%

Comfort

98.6%

Test	#	%
Noise	6th	98.62%

Value

87.6%

Test	#	%
Price	4th	89.63%
Rolling Resistance	7th	85.57%

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6^th

Hankook Winter i cept evo3

225/40 R18

• 3PMSF: yes

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.

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

Dry

98.9%

Test	#	%
Dry Braking	3rd	99.09%
Dry Handling	5th	98.71%

Wet

97.4%

Test	#	%
Wet Braking	7th	94.72%
Wet Handling	9th	97.5%
Wet Circle	9th	97.84%
Straight Aqua	2nd	97.12%
Curved Aquaplaning	1st	100%

Snow

96.1%

Test	#	%
Snow Braking	5th	97.05%
Snow Traction	5th	94.77%
Snow Handling	2nd	99.82%
Snow Slalom	8th	92.63%

Comfort

96.4%

Test	#	%
Noise	9th	96.36%

Value

91.8%

Test	#	%
Price	3rd	90.3%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	93.26%

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7^th

Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2

225/40 R18

• 3PMSF: yes

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.

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

Dry

98.3%

Test	#	%
Dry Braking	6th	98.87%
Dry Handling	9th	97.74%

Wet

93.1%

Test	#	%
Wet Braking	6th	96.13%
Wet Handling	8th	98.88%
Wet Circle	8th	98.25%
Straight Aqua	6th	93.84%
Curved Aquaplaning	6th	78.15%

Snow

98.1%

Test	#	%
Snow Braking	8th	95.48%
Snow Traction	3rd	97.39%
Snow Handling	3rd	99.63%
Snow Slalom	1st	100%

Comfort

98.4%

Test	#	%
Noise	7th	98.35%

Value

89.6%

Test	#	%
Price	5th	87.05%
Rolling Resistance	5th	92.22%

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8^th

Giti GitiWinterW2

225/40 R18

• 3PMSF: yes

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.

Long wet/dry braking distances, good aquaplaning safety.

Dry

97%

Test	#	%
Dry Braking	9th	95.4%
Dry Handling	6th	98.63%

Wet

96.6%

Test	#	%
Wet Braking	9th	94.17%
Wet Handling	2nd	99.88%
Wet Circle	4th	99.33%
Straight Aqua	1st	100%
Curved Aquaplaning	2nd	89.85%

Snow

95.6%

Test	#	%
Snow Braking	7th	95.79%
Snow Traction	9th	92.16%
Snow Handling	8th	96.51%
Snow Slalom	4th	97.99%

Comfort

99.6%

Test	#	%
Noise	4th	99.58%

Value

91.9%

Test	#	%
Price	1st	100%
Rolling Resistance	9th	83.84%

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9^th

Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro

225/40 R18

• 3PMSF: yes

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.

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

Dry

99.1%

Test	#	%
Dry Braking	2nd	99.77%
Dry Handling	7th	98.46%

Wet

92.9%

Test	#	%
Wet Braking	3rd	97.29%
Wet Handling	5th	99.38%
Wet Circle	3rd	99.6%
Straight Aqua	8th	92.4%
Curved Aquaplaning	7th	75.69%

Snow

96.2%

Test	#	%
Snow Braking	8th	95.48%
Snow Traction	4th	95.42%
Snow Handling	9th	95.04%
Snow Slalom	2nd	98.88%

Comfort

98%

Test	#	%
Noise	8th	97.95%

Value

92.3%

Test	#	%
Price	1st	100%
Rolling Resistance	8th	84.69%

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