2024 Auto Express All Season Tire Test

The new Pirelli took first place, showing major improvements over its previous model with wins across snow, wet, and dry conditions. Snow performance included leading traction scores despite placing sixth in braking, and third in handling with good adjustability but lighter steering feel. Wet testing showed shared first in braking, second and third in aquaplaning tests, and third in circuit times with strong turn-in and traction. The tire placed fifth in wet circle tests though margins were tight. Dry performance impressed with shortest braking distance - half a meter better than second place - and equal third in handling, showing summer-tire-like precision. Rolling resistance scores were on the higher side.

The new Bridgestone tied for second place, with strengths in wet and dry conditions despite higher rolling resistance. Snow results ranked lower - fifth in braking, sixth in both traction and handling, though showing decent control. Wet performance was strong, sharing first in wet braking and leading both aquaplaning tests. It placed fourth in wet circle and handling tests with slightly less aggressive turn-in than the best. Dry testing highlighted its capabilities - second in both braking (half a meter behind the leader) and handling (just a tenth of a second off fastest), showing good grip and control. The tire recorded the highest rolling resistance score in the test.

The Continental secured second place through balanced performance across all conditions. Snow handling placed second with good grip levels and progressive behavior, backed by second in braking and fourth in traction. Wet testing showed similar strength - second fastest on the handling circuit with strong turn-in and traction, third in both wet braking and circle tests close to the leaders. Its lowest score was fifth in straight-line aquaplaning. Dry braking needed 11ft more than the best, while handling placed equal third, just tenths off the fastest time. The Continental matched the lowest cabin noise scores and led rolling resistance testing, making it the most efficient tire tested.

The Hankook finished fourth, showing performance better suited to UK conditions with emphasis on wet and dry grip. Snow results were mixed - third in braking, fifth in traction, and fourth in handling where it showed good predictability despite some sudden rear-end movement. Wet performance was strong overall - first on the wet circle, fourth in braking just half a meter off the best, and second and third in aquaplaning tests. The tire took fifth in wet handling despite showing good steering response and stability. Dry testing highlighted its strengths, with third-shortest braking distance and fastest handling lap times, showing balanced and predictable behavior. Rolling resistance was mid-pack, with noise levels close to other tested tires.

The Goodyear dropped to fifth place, down from first in last year's 17-inch test. It won two key tests - snow braking by a small margin and wet handling, where it showed good steering precision and traction even beyond grip limits. Other wet results were mixed - second on the wet circle but fifth in wet braking, fourth and fifth in aquaplaning tests. Snow handling placed fifth despite competitive lap times, with less stability than the leaders. Dry performance was its weak point - taking nearly 16ft longer to stop than the best in braking and placing sixth in handling, though showing good control characteristics. The results suggest strong wet weather focus but less balanced performance across all conditions.

The Vredestein placed sixth overall, with clear strengths in snow conditions. It took three podium spots in snow tests, including first in handling where it showed good balance and precision. Wet performance was less competitive, with sixth place finishes across all tests. Wet braking lagged 5ft behind the tight group of premium tires, with similar gaps on the wet circle. Straight-line aquaplaning was average, while curved testing showed bigger gaps. The tire was 2.5 seconds off the pace in wet handling despite showing decent balance. Dry braking was mid-pack, and though last in dry handling, it was within one second of the fastest time. The Vredestein recorded strong rolling resistance scores, second best among all-season tires.

The Imperial placed last in all three snow tests by large margins, showing poor grip and unpredictable rear-end behavior. Wet performance revealed significant safety gaps - taking 15ft longer to stop than the best and 7ft more than sixth place. The tire scored lowest in both aquaplaning tests. Dry braking needed 21ft more distance from 60mph than the best, though it managed fifth in dry handling - its only non-last place finish. Despite its lower price, the test data shows concerning performance gaps compared to premium tires across all conditions.