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2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
8 min read Updated
Below are all the data points for the 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test, displaying how each tire performed across all test categories. The spider chart below provides a complete overview of performance, where one hundred percent represents the best performance in each category. The larger the area covered by each tire's plot, the better its overall performance.
How to read these charts: For each test category, data is presented relative to the best performing tire. The direction indicates whether lower or higher values are better - pay close attention to this when interpreting results.

Performance Overview

This radar chart shows relative performance across all test categories, with 100% representing the best performance in each category. Reference tires may have gaps where data is not available.

Reference Tires: Reference tires are highlighted with a yellow background and are included as benchmarks rather than competitive entries.
Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Hankook Winter i cept evo3
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
Goodride SW608
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
Austone SP 901
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Kumho Winter Craft WP52
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
Reference Summer (Reference)

Quick Navigation

Dry Performance Overview

Dry Braking (M)

Spread: 7.70 M (19.5%) | Avg: 44.63 M

Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro with a result of 43.9 M. The difference between best and worst was 7%. The Reference Summer [reference tire] was 10% better than the best competitive tire.
  1. Reference Summer Ref
    39.5 M
  2. Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
    43.9 M
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    44 M
  4. Kumho Winter Craft WP52
    44 M
  5. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
    44.3 M
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    44.4 M
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    44.6 M
  8. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    44.8 M
  9. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    45.3 M
  10. Goodride SW608
    46.5 M
  11. Austone SP 901
    47 M
  12. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    47.2 M

Dry Handling (Km/H)

Spread: 3.90 Km/H (3.7%) | Avg: 102.22 Km/H

Dry Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 with a result of 103.4 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 3.1%. The Reference Summer [reference tire] was 0.7% better than the best competitive tire.
  1. Reference Summer Ref
    104.1 Km/H
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    103.4 Km/H
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    103.1 Km/H
  4. Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
    102.6 Km/H
  5. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
    102.5 Km/H
  6. Kumho Winter Craft WP52
    102.5 Km/H
  7. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    102.4 Km/H
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    102.2 Km/H
  9. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    101.4 Km/H
  10. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    101.2 Km/H
  11. Goodride SW608
    101 Km/H
  12. Austone SP 901
    100.2 Km/H

Wet Performance Overview

Wet Braking (M)

Spread: 13.90 M (29.8%) | Avg: 49.32 M

Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 with a result of 46.7 M. The difference between best and worst was 22.8%. The Reference Summer [reference tire] was 0.2% better than the best competitive tire.
  1. Reference Summer Ref
    46.6 M
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
    46.7 M
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    47.1 M
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    47.4 M
  5. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    47.4 M
  6. Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
    47.5 M
  7. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    47.5 M
  8. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    47.8 M
  9. Kumho Winter Craft WP52
    49.7 M
  10. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    49.9 M
  11. Goodride SW608
    53.7 M
  12. Austone SP 901
    60.5 M

Wet Handling (Km/H)

Spread: 10.30 Km/H (12.4%) | Avg: 80.39 Km/H

Wet Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 with a result of 83.2 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 12.4%. The best competitive tire was 1.3% better than Reference Summer [reference tire].
  1. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
    83.2 Km/H
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    82.7 Km/H
  3. Reference Summer Ref
    82.1 Km/H
  4. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    81.9 Km/H
  5. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    81.4 Km/H
  6. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    81.4 Km/H
  7. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    81.2 Km/H
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    81.1 Km/H
  9. Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
    80.3 Km/H
  10. Kumho Winter Craft WP52
    79.1 Km/H
  11. Goodride SW608
    77.4 Km/H
  12. Austone SP 901
    72.9 Km/H

Straight Aqua (Km/H)

Spread: 10.30 Km/H (10.1%) | Avg: 97.95 Km/H

Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Hankook Winter i cept evo3 with a result of 102.2 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 10.1%. The best competitive tire was 1.8% better than Reference Summer [reference tire].
  1. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    102.2 Km/H
  2. Reference Summer Ref
    100.4 Km/H
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
    100.1 Km/H
  4. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    99 Km/H
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    98.6 Km/H
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    98.5 Km/H
  7. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    98.5 Km/H
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    97.2 Km/H
  9. Goodride SW608
    97.1 Km/H
  10. Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
    96.8 Km/H
  11. Kumho Winter Craft WP52
    95.1 Km/H
  12. Austone SP 901
    91.9 Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning (m/sec2)

Spread: 1.47 m/sec2 (45.8%) | Avg: 2.64 m/sec2

Remaining lateral acceleration (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Hankook Winter i cept evo3 with a result of 3.21 m/sec2. The difference between best and worst was 45.8%. The best competitive tire was 16.7% better than Reference Summer [reference tire].
  1. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    3.21 m/sec2
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
    2.9 m/sec2
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    2.86 m/sec2
  4. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    2.76 m/sec2
  5. Reference Summer Ref
    2.75 m/sec2
  6. Kumho Winter Craft WP52
    2.73 m/sec2
  7. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    2.67 m/sec2
  8. Goodride SW608
    2.55 m/sec2
  9. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    2.54 m/sec2
  10. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    2.5 m/sec2
  11. Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
    2.45 m/sec2
  12. Austone SP 901
    1.74 m/sec2

Snow Performance Overview

Snow Braking (M)

Spread: 31.30 M (109.4%) | Avg: 33.44 M

Snow braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 with a result of 28.6 M. The difference between best and worst was 24.7%. The best competitive tire was 52.3% better than Reference Summer [reference tire].
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    28.6 M
  2. Austone SP 901
    29.6 M
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    29.7 M
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    29.8 M
  5. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
    30.1 M
  6. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    30.8 M
  7. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    30.9 M
  8. Kumho Winter Craft WP52
    31 M
  9. Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
    31.4 M
  10. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    31.5 M
  11. Goodride SW608
    38 M
  12. Reference Summer Ref
    59.9 M

Snow Traction (N)

Spread: 1458.00 N (65.7%) | Avg: 2010.17 N

Pulling Force in Newtons (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 with a result of 2218 N. The difference between best and worst was 12.7%. The best competitive tire was 191.8% better than Reference Summer [reference tire].
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    2218 N
  2. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    2198 N
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
    2174 N
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    2164 N
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    2153 N
  6. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    2151 N
  7. Austone SP 901
    2148 N
  8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    2098 N
  9. Kumho Winter Craft WP52
    2096 N
  10. Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
    2026 N
  11. Goodride SW608
    1936 N
  12. Reference Summer Ref
    760 N

Snow Handling (Km/H)

Spread: 10.10 Km/H (17.3%) | Avg: 54.47 Km/H

Snow handling average speed (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Austone SP 901 with a result of 58.4 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 17.3%.
  1. Austone SP 901
    58.4 Km/H
  2. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    55.8 Km/H
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
    55.7 Km/H
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    55.6 Km/H
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    55.5 Km/H
  6. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    55.3 Km/H
  7. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    54.8 Km/H
  8. Kumho Winter Craft WP52
    54.2 Km/H
  9. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    53.4 Km/H
  10. Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
    52.2 Km/H
  11. Goodride SW608
    48.3 Km/H

Snow Slalom (m/sec2)

Spread: 3.09 m/sec2 (71.4%) | Avg: 3.32 m/sec2

Lateral acceleration (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Austone SP 901 with a result of 4.33 m/sec2. The difference between best and worst was 36%. The best competitive tire was 249.2% better than Reference Summer [reference tire].
  1. Austone SP 901
    4.33 m/sec2
  2. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    3.73 m/sec2
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
    3.68 m/sec2
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    3.66 m/sec2
  5. Kumho Winter Craft WP52
    3.54 m/sec2
  6. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    3.53 m/sec2
  7. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    3.51 m/sec2
  8. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    3.47 m/sec2
  9. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    3.39 m/sec2
  10. Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
    2.95 m/sec2
  11. Goodride SW608
    2.77 m/sec2
  12. Reference Summer Ref
    1.24 m/sec2

Comfort Performance Overview

Noise (dB)

Spread: 4.10 dB (5.9%) | Avg: 71.06 dB

External noise in dB (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 with a result of 69.5 dB. The difference between best and worst was 5.6%. The best competitive tire was 0.3% better than Reference Summer [reference tire].
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    69.5 dB
  2. Reference Summer Ref
    69.7 dB
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
    69.8 dB
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    69.9 dB
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    70 dB
  6. Austone SP 901
    70.6 dB
  7. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    71.1 dB
  8. Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
    71.5 dB
  9. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    71.9 dB
  10. Kumho Winter Craft WP52
    72.3 dB
  11. Goodride SW608
    72.8 dB
  12. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    73.6 dB

Value Performance Overview

Rolling Resistance (kg / t)

Spread: 1.76 kg / t (21.5%) | Avg: 9.03 kg / t

Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental WinterContact TS 870 P with a result of 8.29 kg / t. The difference between best and worst was 16.6%. The Reference Summer [reference tire] was 1.3% better than the best competitive tire.
  1. Reference Summer Ref
    8.18 kg / t
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    8.29 kg / t
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    8.72 kg / t
  4. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    8.89 kg / t
  5. Austone SP 901
    8.92 kg / t
  6. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    9.1 kg / t
  7. Goodride SW608
    9.19 kg / t
  8. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
    9.2 kg / t
  9. Kumho Winter Craft WP52
    9.22 kg / t
  10. Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
    9.3 kg / t
  11. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    9.36 kg / t
  12. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    9.94 kg / t

Overall Findings

Based on the weighted scoring from all tests, here are the overall results:

Reference Tires: Reference tires (highlighted with yellow background) are included as benchmarks rather than competitive entries. They typically show as 0% in overall scoring as they are not part of the final ranking.
Position Tire Score
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 0%
2 Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 0%
3 Continental WinterContact TS 870 P 0%
4 Hankook Winter i cept evo3 0%
5 Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 0%
6 Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 0%
7 Vredestein Wintrac Pro 0%
8 Kumho Winter Craft WP52 0%
9 Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro 0%
10 Austone SP 901 0%
11 Goodride SW608 0%
- Reference Summer (Reference) 0%

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