Test Charts / Auto Bild

2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 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: 205/55 R16
Tires tested: 14
Disciplines: 14
Test vehicle: VW Golf

Dry

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
RefReference Summer	115 ft	-19 ft	0 mph
1Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	134 ft	Best	0 mph
2Falken EUROWINTER HS02	137 ft	+3 ft	12 mph
RefReference All Season	140 ft	+6 ft	16 mph
3Toyo Observe EWS1	140 ft	+6 ft	17 mph
4Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	141 ft	+7 ft	17 mph
5Bridgestone Blizzak 6	141 ft	+7 ft	18 mph
6Dunlop Winter	142 ft	+8 ft	18 mph
7Hankook Winter I cept RS3	142 ft	+8 ft	19 mph
8Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	142 ft	+8 ft	19 mph
9Nokian Snowproof 2	144 ft	+10 ft	21 mph
10Michelin Alpin 7	145 ft	+11 ft	22 mph
11Vredestein Wintrac	146 ft	+12 ft	23 mph
12Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	147 ft	+13 ft	23 mph
13Semperit Speed Grip 5	150 ft	+16 ft	26 mph
14Nexen Winguard Sport 3	154 ft	+20 ft	29 mph

The difference between best and worst was 34.4% (39 ft ≈ 2.7 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Nexen Winguard Sport 3 would still be travelling at 29 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.

Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	51.3 mph	+0.4 mph
1Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	50.9 mph	Best
2Bridgestone Blizzak 6	50.8 mph	-0.1 mph
3Vredestein Wintrac	50.7 mph	-0.2 mph
RefReference All Season	50.6 mph	-0.3 mph
4Falken EUROWINTER HS02	50.5 mph	-0.4 mph
4Toyo Observe EWS1	50.5 mph	-0.4 mph
6Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	50.4 mph	-0.5 mph
6Michelin Alpin 7	50.4 mph	-0.5 mph
8Nokian Snowproof 2	50.3 mph	-0.6 mph
9Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	50.3 mph	-0.6 mph
10Hankook Winter I cept RS3	50.2 mph	-0.7 mph
10Nexen Winguard Sport 3	50.2 mph	-0.7 mph
12Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	50.1 mph	-0.8 mph
13Semperit Speed Grip 5	50.0 mph	-0.9 mph
14Dunlop Winter	50.0 mph	-0.9 mph

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

Wet

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
RefReference Summer	138 ft	-14 ft	0 mph
1Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	152 ft	Best	0 mph
2Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	153 ft	+1 ft	7 mph
3Falken EUROWINTER HS02	154 ft	+2 ft	9 mph
4Vredestein Wintrac	155 ft	+3 ft	11 mph
5Hankook Winter I cept RS3	156 ft	+4 ft	12 mph
6Semperit Speed Grip 5	156 ft	+4 ft	13 mph
6Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	156 ft	+4 ft	13 mph
8Bridgestone Blizzak 6	157 ft	+5 ft	14 mph
9Toyo Observe EWS1	157 ft	+5 ft	15 mph
10Michelin Alpin 7	160 ft	+8 ft	18 mph
11Dunlop Winter	162 ft	+10 ft	20 mph
RefReference All Season	163 ft	+11 ft	21 mph
12Nokian Snowproof 2	166 ft	+14 ft	23 mph
13Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	166 ft	+14 ft	24 mph
14Nexen Winguard Sport 3	175 ft	+23 ft	29 mph

The difference between best and worst was 26.3% (37 ft ≈ 2.5 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Nexen Winguard Sport 3 would still be travelling at 29 mph when the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	42.5 mph	+0.2 mph
1Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	42.3 mph	Best
2Falken EUROWINTER HS02	42.1 mph	-0.2 mph
2Bridgestone Blizzak 6	42.1 mph	-0.2 mph
4Semperit Speed Grip 5	41.9 mph	-0.4 mph
RefReference All Season	41.9 mph	-0.4 mph
5Hankook Winter I cept RS3	41.8 mph	-0.5 mph
6Michelin Alpin 7	41.7 mph	-0.6 mph
7Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	41.6 mph	-0.7 mph
8Vredestein Wintrac	41.6 mph	-0.7 mph
9Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	41.4 mph	-0.9 mph
9Nexen Winguard Sport 3	41.4 mph	-0.9 mph
11Toyo Observe EWS1	41.3 mph	-1.0 mph
12Nokian Snowproof 2	41.0 mph	-1.3 mph
13Dunlop Winter	40.8 mph	-1.5 mph
14Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	40.3 mph	-2.0 mph

The difference between best and worst was 5.3% (2.2 mph).

Wet Circle
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	15.4 s	-0.33 s
1Bridgestone Blizzak 6	15.73 s	Best
2Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	15.81 s	+0.08 s
3Falken EUROWINTER HS02	15.92 s	+0.19 s
RefReference All Season	15.99 s	+0.26 s
4Nokian Snowproof 2	16.02 s	+0.29 s
5Hankook Winter I cept RS3	16.05 s	+0.32 s
5Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	16.05 s	+0.32 s
7Semperit Speed Grip 5	16.06 s	+0.33 s
8Vredestein Wintrac	16.1 s	+0.37 s
9Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	16.21 s	+0.48 s
10Michelin Alpin 7	16.23 s	+0.50 s
10Toyo Observe EWS1	16.23 s	+0.50 s
12Nexen Winguard Sport 3	16.31 s	+0.58 s
13Dunlop Winter	16.34 s	+0.61 s
14Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	16.4 s	+0.67 s

The difference between best and worst was 6.5% (1 s).

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	52.8 mph	Best
2Hankook Winter I cept RS3	51.9 mph	-0.9 mph
3Toyo Observe EWS1	51.1 mph	-1.7 mph
4Semperit Speed Grip 5	50.5 mph	-2.3 mph
5Nokian Snowproof 2	50.1 mph	-2.7 mph
5Dunlop Winter	50.1 mph	-2.7 mph
7Bridgestone Blizzak 6	50.0 mph	-2.8 mph
8Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	49.9 mph	-2.9 mph
9Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	49.8 mph	-3.0 mph
10Falken EUROWINTER HS02	49.7 mph	-3.1 mph
11Vredestein Wintrac	49.5 mph	-3.3 mph
11Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	49.5 mph	-3.3 mph
RefReference Summer	48.5 mph	-4.3 mph
13Michelin Alpin 7	48.0 mph	-4.8 mph
RefReference All Season	46.0 mph	-6.8 mph
14Nexen Winguard Sport 3	43.0 mph	-9.8 mph

The difference between best and worst was 18.5% (9.8 mph).

Curved Aquaplaning
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Hankook Winter I cept RS3	13.1 ft/s²	Best
2Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	12.1 ft/s²	-1.0 ft/s²
2Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	12.1 ft/s²	-1.0 ft/s²
2Toyo Observe EWS1	12.1 ft/s²	-1.0 ft/s²
RefReference Summer	11.8 ft/s²	-1.3 ft/s²
5Semperit Speed Grip 5	11.5 ft/s²	-1.6 ft/s²
6Nokian Snowproof 2	10.8 ft/s²	-2.3 ft/s²
7Bridgestone Blizzak 6	10.2 ft/s²	-2.9 ft/s²
8Falken EUROWINTER HS02	9.8 ft/s²	-3.3 ft/s²
8Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	9.8 ft/s²	-3.3 ft/s²
8Michelin Alpin 7	9.8 ft/s²	-3.3 ft/s²
11Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	9.5 ft/s²	-3.6 ft/s²
11Dunlop Winter	9.5 ft/s²	-3.6 ft/s²
RefReference All Season	9.2 ft/s²	-3.9 ft/s²
13Vredestein Wintrac	9.2 ft/s²	-3.9 ft/s²
14Nexen Winguard Sport 3	5.6 ft/s²	-7.5 ft/s²

The difference between best and worst was 57.5% (7.5 ft/s²).

Snow

Snow Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	76 ft	Best	0 mph
2Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	79 ft	+3 ft	14 mph
2Bridgestone Blizzak 6	79 ft	+3 ft	14 mph
2Dunlop Winter	79 ft	+3 ft	14 mph
5Hankook Winter I cept RS3	79 ft	+3 ft	15 mph
6Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	80 ft	+4 ft	16 mph
7Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	81 ft	+5 ft	19 mph
8Nexen Winguard Sport 3	81 ft	+5 ft	20 mph
9Vredestein Wintrac	82 ft	+6 ft	20 mph
9Michelin Alpin 7	82 ft	+6 ft	20 mph
11Semperit Speed Grip 5	83 ft	+7 ft	22 mph
11Falken EUROWINTER HS02	83 ft	+7 ft	22 mph
11Nokian Snowproof 2	83 ft	+7 ft	22 mph
RefReference All Season	86 ft	+10 ft	26 mph
14Toyo Observe EWS1	89 ft	+13 ft	30 mph
RefReference Summer	188 ft	+112 ft	62 mph

The difference between best and worst was 145.5% (112 ft ≈ 7.5 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Toyo Observe EWS1 would still be travelling at 30 mph when the Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Snow Traction
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	1,227 lbf	Best
2Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	1,209 lbf	-18 lbf
3Hankook Winter I cept RS3	1,205 lbf	-22 lbf
3Bridgestone Blizzak 6	1,205 lbf	-22 lbf
5Dunlop Winter	1,198 lbf	-29 lbf
6Vredestein Wintrac	1,181 lbf	-46 lbf
7Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	1,174 lbf	-53 lbf
8Nexen Winguard Sport 3	1,174 lbf	-53 lbf
9Michelin Alpin 7	1,171 lbf	-56 lbf
10Falken EUROWINTER HS02	1,151 lbf	-76 lbf
11Nokian Snowproof 2	1,151 lbf	-76 lbf
12Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	1,148 lbf	-79 lbf
13Semperit Speed Grip 5	1,145 lbf	-82 lbf
RefReference All Season	1,108 lbf	-119 lbf
14Toyo Observe EWS1	1,093 lbf	-134 lbf
RefReference Summer	464 lbf	-763 lbf

The difference between best and worst was 62.2% (763 lbf).

Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Dunlop Winter	39.1 mph	Best
2Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	38.5 mph	-0.6 mph
3Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	38.4 mph	-0.7 mph
4Vredestein Wintrac	38.1 mph	-1.0 mph
5Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	38.0 mph	-1.1 mph
6Nexen Winguard Sport 3	37.3 mph	-1.8 mph
7Michelin Alpin 7	37.1 mph	-2.0 mph
8Hankook Winter I cept RS3	37.0 mph	-2.1 mph
9Falken EUROWINTER HS02	36.8 mph	-2.3 mph
10Semperit Speed Grip 5	36.7 mph	-2.4 mph
11Nokian Snowproof 2	36.7 mph	-2.4 mph
12Bridgestone Blizzak 6	36.6 mph	-2.5 mph
13Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	35.4 mph	-3.7 mph
RefReference All Season	35.0 mph	-4.1 mph
14Toyo Observe EWS1	33.1 mph	-6.0 mph

The difference between best and worst was 15.3% (6 mph).

Snow Slalom
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Dunlop Winter	14.5 ft/s²	Best
2Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	12.8 ft/s²	-1.7 ft/s²
3Hankook Winter I cept RS3	12.6 ft/s²	-1.9 ft/s²
4Michelin Alpin 7	12.5 ft/s²	-2.0 ft/s²
5Falken EUROWINTER HS02	12.4 ft/s²	-2.1 ft/s²
6Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	12.4 ft/s²	-2.1 ft/s²
7Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	12.3 ft/s²	-2.2 ft/s²
8Nexen Winguard Sport 3	12.3 ft/s²	-2.2 ft/s²
9Vredestein Wintrac	12.3 ft/s²	-2.2 ft/s²
10Semperit Speed Grip 5	12.2 ft/s²	-2.3 ft/s²
11Bridgestone Blizzak 6	12.0 ft/s²	-2.5 ft/s²
12Toyo Observe EWS1	11.9 ft/s²	-2.6 ft/s²
13Nokian Snowproof 2	11.8 ft/s²	-2.7 ft/s²
14Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	11.8 ft/s²	-2.7 ft/s²
RefReference All Season	11.0 ft/s²	-3.5 ft/s²
RefReference Summer	7.2 ft/s²	-7.3 ft/s²

The difference between best and worst was 50.3% (7.3 ft/s²).

Comfort

Subj. Comfort
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak 6	9.6 Points	Best
2Hankook Winter I cept RS3	9.4 Points	-0.20 Points
2Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	9.4 Points	-0.20 Points
2Michelin Alpin 7	9.4 Points	-0.20 Points
5Vredestein Wintrac	9 Points	-0.60 Points
5Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	9 Points	-0.60 Points
5Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	9 Points	-0.60 Points
5Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	9 Points	-0.60 Points
9Semperit Speed Grip 5	8.8 Points	-0.80 Points
10Nokian Snowproof 2	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
10Dunlop Winter	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
10Toyo Observe EWS1	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
13Falken EUROWINTER HS02	8.4 Points	-1.20 Points
14Nexen Winguard Sport 3	7.8 Points	-1.80 Points

The difference between best and worst was 18.8% (1.8 Points).

Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Nexen Winguard Sport 3	68.8 dB	Best
2Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	69.9 dB	+1.10 dB
3Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	70.1 dB	+1.30 dB
4Vredestein Wintrac	70.3 dB	+1.50 dB
5Michelin Alpin 7	70.5 dB	+1.70 dB
6Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	71.1 dB	+2.30 dB
7Dunlop Winter	71.2 dB	+2.40 dB
8Falken EUROWINTER HS02	71.3 dB	+2.50 dB
9Semperit Speed Grip 5	71.8 dB	+3.00 dB
10Nokian Snowproof 2	71.9 dB	+3.10 dB
11Hankook Winter I cept RS3	72.3 dB	+3.50 dB
12Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	72.4 dB	+3.60 dB
13Bridgestone Blizzak 6	72.6 dB	+3.80 dB
RefReference Summer	72.7 dB	+3.90 dB
RefReference All Season	72.9 dB	+4.10 dB
14Toyo Observe EWS1	73.4 dB	+4.60 dB

The difference between best and worst was 6.7% (4.6 dB).

Value

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
1Michelin Alpin 7	7.94 kg/t	Best	$0
2Nokian Snowproof 2	7.98 kg/t	+0.04 kg/t	$1
3Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	8.34 kg/t	+0.40 kg/t	$15
4Nexen Winguard Sport 3	8.36 kg/t	+0.42 kg/t	$16
5Toyo Observe EWS1	8.46 kg/t	+0.52 kg/t	$19
6Vredestein Wintrac	8.5 kg/t	+0.56 kg/t	$21
7Semperit Speed Grip 5	8.59 kg/t	+0.65 kg/t	$24
8Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	8.62 kg/t	+0.68 kg/t	$25
9Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	8.64 kg/t	+0.70 kg/t	$26
10Hankook Winter I cept RS3	8.7 kg/t	+0.76 kg/t	$28
11Bridgestone Blizzak 6	8.74 kg/t	+0.80 kg/t	$30
12Dunlop Winter	8.77 kg/t	+0.83 kg/t	$31
13Falken EUROWINTER HS02	9.49 kg/t	+1.55 kg/t	$57
14Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	9.89 kg/t	+1.95 kg/t	$72

The difference between best and worst was 24.6% (1.95 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 uses about 20 gal ($72) more fuel than the Michelin Alpin 7.

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.

Gas/Diesel Electric

Annual Mileage

12,000 mi

km (L)

miles (US gal)

Fuel Price

$3.60/gal

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Set my vehicle consumption

Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tire age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.