Test Charts / Auto Bild
2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test
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
- 225/40 R18
- Tires tested
- 20
- Disciplines
- 16
- Test vehicle
- BMW M135i
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.
Dry
2Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
124 ft | -16 ft | 0 mph |
| 140 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 141 ft | +1 ft | 7 mph | |
| 143 ft | +3 ft | 12 mph | |
| 143 ft | +3 ft | 13 mph | |
| 145 ft | +5 ft | 15 mph | |
| 145 ft | +5 ft | 15 mph | |
| 145 ft | +5 ft | 16 mph | |
| 146 ft | +6 ft | 17 mph | |
| 147 ft | +7 ft | 17 mph | |
| 147 ft | +7 ft | 18 mph | |
| 149 ft | +9 ft | 20 mph | |
| 150 ft | +10 ft | 21 mph | |
| 150 ft | +10 ft | 21 mph | |
| 150 ft | +10 ft | 21 mph | |
| 151 ft | +11 ft | 21 mph | |
| 151 ft | +11 ft | 22 mph | |
RefReference Budget |
153 ft | +13 ft | 23 mph |
| 154 ft | +14 ft | 24 mph | |
| 154 ft | +14 ft | 24 mph | |
| 155 ft | +15 ft | 25 mph | |
| 155 ft | +15 ft | 25 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 25.1% (31 ft ≈ 2.1 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Kleber Krisalp HP3 would still be travelling at 25 mph when the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
73.3 mph | +0.7 mph |
| 72.6 mph | Best | |
| 72.5 mph | -0.1 mph | |
| 72.4 mph | -0.2 mph | |
| 72.3 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 72.0 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 71.8 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 71.6 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 71.5 mph | -1.1 mph | |
| 71.4 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 71.3 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 71.3 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 71.3 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 71.1 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 71.1 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 71.1 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 71.1 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 71.0 mph | -1.6 mph | |
| 70.9 mph | -1.7 mph | |
| 70.5 mph | -2.1 mph | |
| 70.1 mph | -2.5 mph | |
RefReference Budget |
69.0 mph | -3.6 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 5.9% (4.3 mph).
Wet
5Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
157 ft | -10 ft | 0 mph |
| 167 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 170 ft | +3 ft | 11 mph | |
| 171 ft | +4 ft | 12 mph | |
| 171 ft | +4 ft | 12 mph | |
| 172 ft | +5 ft | 13 mph | |
| 175 ft | +8 ft | 17 mph | |
| 177 ft | +10 ft | 19 mph | |
| 178 ft | +11 ft | 20 mph | |
| 179 ft | +12 ft | 21 mph | |
| 179 ft | +12 ft | 21 mph | |
| 180 ft | +13 ft | 21 mph | |
| 182 ft | +15 ft | 23 mph | |
| 182 ft | +15 ft | 23 mph | |
| 183 ft | +16 ft | 24 mph | |
| 183 ft | +16 ft | 24 mph | |
| 185 ft | +18 ft | 25 mph | |
| 185 ft | +18 ft | 25 mph | |
| 186 ft | +19 ft | 25 mph | |
| 189 ft | +22 ft | 27 mph | |
| 189 ft | +22 ft | 27 mph | |
RefReference Budget |
231 ft | +64 ft | 42 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 47.5% (74 ft ≈ 5 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 would still be travelling at 27 mph when the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 52.4 mph | Best | |
| 52.1 mph | -0.3 mph | |
RefReference Summer |
52.1 mph | -0.3 mph |
| 51.8 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 51.3 mph | -1.1 mph | |
| 51.1 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 51.1 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 51.0 mph | -1.4 mph | |
| 50.7 mph | -1.7 mph | |
| 50.7 mph | -1.7 mph | |
| 50.6 mph | -1.8 mph | |
| 50.4 mph | -2.0 mph | |
| 50.3 mph | -2.1 mph | |
| 50.3 mph | -2.1 mph | |
| 50.2 mph | -2.2 mph | |
| 50.2 mph | -2.2 mph | |
| 50.0 mph | -2.4 mph | |
| 49.9 mph | -2.5 mph | |
| 49.8 mph | -2.6 mph | |
| 49.8 mph | -2.6 mph | |
| 49.6 mph | -2.8 mph | |
RefReference Budget |
44.8 mph | -7.6 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 14.6% (7.6 mph).
Wet Circle
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 12.04 s | Best | |
RefReference Summer |
12.07 s | +0.03 s |
| 12.11 s | +0.07 s | |
| 12.12 s | +0.08 s | |
| 12.17 s | +0.13 s | |
| 12.3 s | +0.26 s | |
| 12.33 s | +0.29 s | |
| 12.38 s | +0.34 s | |
| 12.43 s | +0.39 s | |
| 12.45 s | +0.41 s | |
| 12.46 s | +0.42 s | |
| 12.52 s | +0.48 s | |
| 12.52 s | +0.48 s | |
| 12.55 s | +0.51 s | |
| 12.56 s | +0.52 s | |
| 12.62 s | +0.58 s | |
| 12.63 s | +0.59 s | |
| 12.66 s | +0.62 s | |
| 12.67 s | +0.63 s | |
| 12.69 s | +0.65 s | |
| 12.93 s | +0.89 s | |
RefReference Budget |
13.77 s | +1.73 s |
The difference between best and worst was 14.4% (1.73 s).
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 48.0 mph | Best | |
RefReference Summer |
47.8 mph | -0.2 mph |
| 47.8 mph | -0.2 mph | |
| 47.5 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 47.5 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 47.5 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 47.4 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 47.4 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 47.2 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 47.2 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 47.2 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 46.9 mph | -1.1 mph | |
| 46.7 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 46.6 mph | -1.4 mph | |
| 46.6 mph | -1.4 mph | |
| 46.0 mph | -2.0 mph | |
| 44.7 mph | -3.3 mph | |
| 44.6 mph | -3.4 mph | |
| 44.5 mph | -3.5 mph | |
| 44.4 mph | -3.6 mph | |
| 44.2 mph | -3.8 mph | |
RefReference Budget |
40.1 mph | -7.9 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 16.6% (7.9 mph).
Curved Aquaplaning
Remaining lateral acceleration
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
9.6 ft/s² | +0.7 ft/s² |
| 8.9 ft/s² | Best | |
| 8.7 ft/s² | -0.2 ft/s² | |
| 8.6 ft/s² | -0.3 ft/s² | |
| 8.4 ft/s² | -0.5 ft/s² | |
| 8.3 ft/s² | -0.6 ft/s² | |
| 8.3 ft/s² | -0.6 ft/s² | |
| 8.2 ft/s² | -0.7 ft/s² | |
| 8.1 ft/s² | -0.8 ft/s² | |
| 8.0 ft/s² | -0.9 ft/s² | |
| 7.7 ft/s² | -1.2 ft/s² | |
| 7.6 ft/s² | -1.3 ft/s² | |
| 7.6 ft/s² | -1.3 ft/s² | |
| 7.3 ft/s² | -1.6 ft/s² | |
| 7.2 ft/s² | -1.7 ft/s² | |
| 7.0 ft/s² | -1.9 ft/s² | |
| 6.9 ft/s² | -2.0 ft/s² | |
| 6.9 ft/s² | -2.0 ft/s² | |
| 6.8 ft/s² | -2.1 ft/s² | |
| 6.7 ft/s² | -2.2 ft/s² | |
| 6.6 ft/s² | -2.3 ft/s² | |
RefReference Budget |
4.5 ft/s² | -4.4 ft/s² |
The difference between best and worst was 52.9% (5.1 ft/s²).
Snow
4Snow Braking
Snow braking in feet (31 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 89 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 90 ft | +1 ft | 7 mph | |
| 90 ft | +1 ft | 10 mph | |
| 91 ft | +2 ft | 13 mph | |
| 92 ft | +3 ft | 14 mph | |
| 92 ft | +3 ft | 14 mph | |
| 92 ft | +3 ft | 14 mph | |
| 92 ft | +3 ft | 15 mph | |
| 93 ft | +4 ft | 16 mph | |
| 93 ft | +4 ft | 16 mph | |
| 93 ft | +4 ft | 16 mph | |
| 93 ft | +4 ft | 16 mph | |
| 94 ft | +5 ft | 18 mph | |
| 94 ft | +5 ft | 18 mph | |
RefReference Budget |
94 ft | +5 ft | 18 mph |
| 94 ft | +5 ft | 19 mph | |
| 94 ft | +5 ft | 19 mph | |
| 94 ft | +5 ft | 19 mph | |
| 95 ft | +6 ft | 20 mph | |
| 97 ft | +8 ft | 23 mph | |
| 97 ft | +8 ft | 24 mph | |
RefReference Summer |
168 ft | +79 ft | 55 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 88.6% (79 ft ≈ 5.3 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Toyo Observe EWS1 would still be travelling at 24 mph when the Kleber Krisalp HP3 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Snow Traction
Pulling Force in pounds-force
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 589 lbf | Best | |
| 586 lbf | -3 lbf | |
| 579 lbf | -10 lbf | |
| 579 lbf | -10 lbf | |
| 576 lbf | -13 lbf | |
| 573 lbf | -16 lbf | |
| 570 lbf | -19 lbf | |
| 567 lbf | -22 lbf | |
| 562 lbf | -27 lbf | |
RefReference Budget |
562 lbf | -27 lbf |
| 560 lbf | -29 lbf | |
| 559 lbf | -30 lbf | |
| 558 lbf | -31 lbf | |
| 556 lbf | -33 lbf | |
| 548 lbf | -41 lbf | |
| 543 lbf | -46 lbf | |
| 542 lbf | -47 lbf | |
| 532 lbf | -57 lbf | |
| 529 lbf | -60 lbf | |
| 526 lbf | -63 lbf | |
| 520 lbf | -69 lbf | |
RefReference Summer |
56 lbf | -533 lbf |
The difference between best and worst was 90.5% (533 lbf).
Snow Handling
Snow handling average speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 36.8 mph | Best | |
| 36.8 mph | Best | |
| 36.8 mph | 0.0 mph | |
| 36.7 mph | -0.1 mph | |
| 36.7 mph | -0.1 mph | |
| 36.5 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 36.4 mph | -0.4 mph | |
| 36.4 mph | -0.4 mph | |
| 36.4 mph | -0.4 mph | |
| 36.3 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 36.1 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 36.0 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 36.0 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 36.0 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 35.9 mph | -0.9 mph | |
| 35.8 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 35.8 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 35.5 mph | -1.3 mph | |
RefReference Budget |
34.9 mph | -1.9 mph |
| 34.6 mph | -2.2 mph | |
| 34.4 mph | -2.4 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 6.7% (2.4 mph).
Snow Slalom
Lateral acceleration
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 9.9 ft/s² | Best | |
| 9.9 ft/s² | Best | |
| 9.8 ft/s² | -0.1 ft/s² | |
| 9.8 ft/s² | -0.1 ft/s² | |
| 9.7 ft/s² | -0.2 ft/s² | |
| 9.6 ft/s² | -0.3 ft/s² | |
| 9.5 ft/s² | -0.4 ft/s² | |
| 9.5 ft/s² | -0.4 ft/s² | |
| 9.4 ft/s² | -0.5 ft/s² | |
| 9.4 ft/s² | -0.5 ft/s² | |
| 9.3 ft/s² | -0.6 ft/s² | |
| 9.3 ft/s² | -0.6 ft/s² | |
| 9.2 ft/s² | -0.7 ft/s² | |
| 9.2 ft/s² | -0.7 ft/s² | |
| 9.2 ft/s² | -0.7 ft/s² | |
| 9.1 ft/s² | -0.8 ft/s² | |
| 9.1 ft/s² | -0.8 ft/s² | |
| 9.1 ft/s² | -0.8 ft/s² | |
| 9.0 ft/s² | -0.9 ft/s² | |
RefReference Budget |
8.8 ft/s² | -1.1 ft/s² |
| 8.6 ft/s² | -1.3 ft/s² | |
RefReference Summer |
5.9 ft/s² | -4.0 ft/s² |
The difference between best and worst was 40.3% (4 ft/s²).
Comfort
2Subj. Comfort
Subjective Comfort Score
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Points | Best | |
| 8 Points | Best | |
| 8 Points | Best | |
| 8 Points | Best | |
| 8 Points | Best | |
| 7.3 Points | -0.70 Points | |
| 7.3 Points | -0.70 Points | |
| 7.3 Points | -0.70 Points | |
| 7.3 Points | -0.70 Points | |
| 7.3 Points | -0.70 Points | |
| 7.3 Points | -0.70 Points | |
| 7.3 Points | -0.70 Points | |
| 7.3 Points | -0.70 Points | |
| 7.3 Points | -0.70 Points | |
| 7.3 Points | -0.70 Points | |
| 6.7 Points | -1.30 Points | |
| 6.7 Points | -1.30 Points | |
| 6.7 Points | -1.30 Points | |
| 6.7 Points | -1.30 Points | |
| 6.7 Points | -1.30 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 16.3% (1.3 Points).
Noise
External noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
64.9 dB | -0.10 dB |
| 65 dB | Best | |
| 65 dB | Best | |
| 65.2 dB | +0.20 dB | |
| 65.2 dB | +0.20 dB | |
| 65.5 dB | +0.50 dB | |
| 65.6 dB | +0.60 dB | |
| 65.6 dB | +0.60 dB | |
| 65.7 dB | +0.70 dB | |
| 65.9 dB | +0.90 dB | |
| 65.9 dB | +0.90 dB | |
RefReference Budget |
66.1 dB | +1.10 dB |
| 66.3 dB | +1.30 dB | |
| 66.3 dB | +1.30 dB | |
| 66.3 dB | +1.30 dB | |
| 66.5 dB | +1.50 dB | |
| 66.7 dB | +1.70 dB | |
| 66.7 dB | +1.70 dB | |
| 66.8 dB | +1.80 dB | |
| 66.9 dB | +1.90 dB | |
| 67 dB | +2.00 dB | |
| 67.6 dB | +2.60 dB |
The difference between best and worst was 4.2% (2.7 dB).
Value
3Wear
Predicted tread life in KM
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 32,933 miles | Best | |
| 32,933 miles | Best | |
| 32,274 miles | -659 miles | |
| 32,274 miles | -659 miles | |
| 31,615 miles | -1,318 miles | |
| 30,957 miles | -1,976 miles | |
| 29,969 miles | -2,964 miles | |
| 29,639 miles | -3,294 miles | |
| 29,310 miles | -3,623 miles | |
| 28,981 miles | -3,952 miles | |
| 28,651 miles | -4,282 miles | |
| 28,322 miles | -4,611 miles | |
| 27,993 miles | -4,940 miles | |
| 27,993 miles | -4,940 miles | |
| 27,993 miles | -4,940 miles | |
| 27,663 miles | -5,270 miles | |
| 27,334 miles | -5,599 miles | |
| 27,334 miles | -5,599 miles | |
| 23,382 miles | -9,551 miles | |
| 21,077 miles | -11,856 miles |
The difference between best and worst was 36% (11,856 miles).
Value
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | cost per 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.32 Price/1000 | Best | €21.05 | |
| 7.81 Price/1000 | +0.49 Price/1000 | €29.22 | |
| 8.44 Price/1000 | +1.12 Price/1000 | €16.08 | |
| 9.24 Price/1000 | +1.92 Price/1000 | €23.22 | |
| 9.63 Price/1000 | +2.31 Price/1000 | €22.58 | |
| 9.64 Price/1000 | +2.32 Price/1000 | €19.63 | |
| 9.66 Price/1000 | +2.34 Price/1000 | €23.16 | |
| 9.99 Price/1000 | +2.67 Price/1000 | €22.46 | |
| 10 Price/1000 | +2.68 Price/1000 | €24.84 | |
| 10.02 Price/1000 | +2.70 Price/1000 | €22.77 | |
| 10.94 Price/1000 | +3.62 Price/1000 | €27.34 | |
| 11.1 Price/1000 | +3.78 Price/1000 | €25.56 | |
| 11.14 Price/1000 | +3.82 Price/1000 | €22.57 | |
| 11.19 Price/1000 | +3.87 Price/1000 | €25.67 | |
| 11.32 Price/1000 | +4.00 Price/1000 | €24.55 | |
| 12.86 Price/1000 | +5.54 Price/1000 | €30.02 | |
| 13.08 Price/1000 | +5.76 Price/1000 | €24.83 | |
| 13.29 Price/1000 | +5.97 Price/1000 | €32.80 | |
| 13.36 Price/1000 | +6.04 Price/1000 | €28.97 | |
| 15.04 Price/1000 | +7.72 Price/1000 | €34.41 |
The difference between best and worst was 105.5% (7.72 Price/1000). Over 25,000 miles the cheapest tire to own (Barum Polaris 6) works out €458 cheaper than the most expensive (Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro).
How this is calculated
Assumes a typical car doing 29 mpg (rolling resistance causing 20% of fuel use), fuel at €6.25 per gallon and €70 fitting per set of four. Purchase prices are from the time of the 2025 test; financing costs are excluded.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.77 kg/t | Best | $0 | |
| 8.02 kg/t | +0.25 kg/t | $9 | |
| 8.09 kg/t | +0.32 kg/t | $12 | |
| 8.15 kg/t | +0.38 kg/t | $14 | |
| 8.48 kg/t | +0.71 kg/t | $27 | |
RefReference Summer |
8.54 kg/t | +0.77 kg/t | $29 |
| 8.54 kg/t | +0.77 kg/t | $29 | |
| 8.58 kg/t | +0.81 kg/t | $31 | |
| 8.65 kg/t | +0.88 kg/t | $33 | |
| 8.7 kg/t | +0.93 kg/t | $35 | |
| 8.7 kg/t | +0.93 kg/t | $35 | |
| 8.72 kg/t | +0.95 kg/t | $36 | |
| 8.72 kg/t | +0.95 kg/t | $36 | |
| 8.9 kg/t | +1.13 kg/t | $43 | |
| 8.9 kg/t | +1.13 kg/t | $43 | |
| 9.03 kg/t | +1.26 kg/t | $48 | |
| 9.05 kg/t | +1.28 kg/t | $48 | |
| 9.07 kg/t | +1.30 kg/t | $49 | |
| 9.16 kg/t | +1.39 kg/t | $53 | |
| 9.31 kg/t | +1.54 kg/t | $58 | |
RefReference Budget |
9.9 kg/t | +2.13 kg/t | $81 |
| 10.37 kg/t | +2.60 kg/t | $98 |
The difference between best and worst was 33.5% (2.6 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Linglong Sport Master Winter uses about 27 gal ($98) more fuel than the Barum Polaris 6.
Adjust the assumptions
Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions. These calculators use the full test field, independently of your tire selection above.
Test setup & methodology
The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.
Recorded test conditions
Recorded test conditions
- Dry Braking
- 62.1 → 0.0 mph
- Wet Braking
- 62.1 → 0.0 mph
- Snow Braking
- 31.1 → 0.0 mph
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