Data Explorer / Auto Bild
2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tire Test
- Tested size
- 205/55 R16
- Tires tested
- 14
- Disciplines
- 14
- Test vehicle
- VW Golf
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| ft ↓ | mph ↑ | ft ↓ | mph ↑ | s ↓ | mph ↑ | ft/s² ↑ | ft ↓ | lbf ↑ | mph ↑ | ft/s² ↑ | Points ↑ | dB ↓ | kg/t ↓ | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 96.04 | 147 | 50.9 | 95.8 | 152 | 42.3 | 16.05 | 52.8 | 12.1 | 98.9 | 81 | 1,209 | 38.0 | 12.4 | 94.2 | 9.0 | 70.1 | 96.0 | 8.62 | 92.1 | |
StrengthsBest of the winter tires for wet braking, wet handling, straight-line aquaplaning and dry handling. Second for snow traction and joint second in curved aquaplaning, with consistent mid-field results in snow braking, snow handling and the slalom, and one of the quieter tires in the pass-by noise test. ConsiderationsDry braking was its one clear weakness: only two of the ranked tires needed more room to stop. Only mid-field for snow braking, and the second most expensive set in the test. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry95.75 × 20% = 19.15 Wet98.92 × 35% = 34.62 Snow94.19 × 30% = 28.26 Comfort95.95 × 5% = 4.8 Rolling Resistance92.11 × 10% = 9.21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2= | 1 | 96.54 | 141 | 50.3 | 97.1 | 153 | 41.4 | 16.21 | 49.5 | 12.1 | 97.4 | 76 | 1,227 | 38.5 | 12.8 | 96.9 | 9.0 | 69.9 | 96.1 | 8.64 | 91.9 | |
StrengthsBest in the test for snow braking and snow traction, and second on the snow handling course and in the slalom. Second-shortest wet braking of the winter tires, joint second in curved aquaplaning, fourth in dry braking and the second quietest tire, all from the second cheapest set in the test. ConsiderationsMid-field on the wet handling course and the wet circle, and below mid-field for straight-line aquaplaning, where only the Michelin and Nexen floated earlier among the ranked tires. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry97.06 × 20% = 19.41 Wet97.36 × 35% = 34.08 Snow96.86 × 30% = 29.06 Comfort96.09 × 5% = 4.8 Rolling Resistance91.9 × 10% = 9.19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2= | 2 | 96.22 | 134 | 50.1 | 99.2 | 156 | 41.6 | 15.81 | 49.9 | 9.8 | 96.5 | 80 | 1,174 | 38.4 | 12.3 | 94.0 | 9.4 | 71.1 | 97.3 | 8.34 | 95.2 | |
StrengthsShortest dry braking of all the winter tires, by a clear margin over the Falken. Second fastest of the winter tires on the wet circle and third on the snow handling course, with low rolling resistance and comfort rated near the top. ConsiderationsNear the bottom for dry handling, where only the Semperit and Dunlop were slower among the ranked tires, and only mid-field for wet handling, wet braking and both aquaplaning tests. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry99.21 × 20% = 19.84 Wet96.51 × 35% = 33.78 Snow94.03 × 30% = 28.21 Comfort97.35 × 5% = 4.87 Rolling Resistance95.2 × 10% = 9.52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2= | 4 | 95.99 | 142 | 50.2 | 96.6 | 156 | 41.8 | 16.05 | 51.9 | 13.1 | 98.3 | 79 | 1,205 | 37.0 | 12.6 | 94.4 | 9.4 | 72.3 | 96.5 | 8.70 | 91.3 | |
StrengthsBest in curved aquaplaning and second in straight-line aquaplaning, with strong snow results: joint third for traction, third in the slalom and fifth for snow braking. Rated among the most comfortable tires, and fifth for both wet braking and wet handling. ConsiderationsSlower than most on the dry handling course, mid-field for dry braking and snow handling, and one of the louder tires in the pass-by noise test. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry96.56 × 20% = 19.31 Wet98.31 × 35% = 34.41 Snow94.37 × 30% = 28.31 Comfort96.54 × 5% = 4.83 Rolling Resistance91.26 × 10% = 9.13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2= | 6 | 95.38 | 141 | 50.8 | 97.4 | 157 | 42.1 | 15.73 | 50.0 | 10.2 | 97.1 | 79 | 1,205 | 36.6 | 12.0 | 93.2 | 9.6 | 72.6 | 97.4 | 8.74 | 90.9 | |
StrengthsFastest of the winter tires on the wet circle, joint second on the wet handling course and second in dry handling. Rated the most comfortable tire in the test, with joint second-best snow braking and joint third-best snow traction. ConsiderationsSlower than most on the snow handling course, where only the Maxxis and Toyo were further off the pace among the ranked tires, and below mid-field in the snow slalom. The second loudest of the ranked tires in the pass-by noise test, and only mid-field for wet braking and aquaplaning. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry97.44 × 20% = 19.49 Wet97.06 × 35% = 33.97 Snow93.22 × 30% = 27.97 Comfort97.39 × 5% = 4.87 Rolling Resistance90.85 × 10% = 9.09 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6= | 8 | 94.79 | 146 | 50.7 | 95.7 | 155 | 41.6 | 16.10 | 49.5 | 9.2 | 95.8 | 82 | 1,181 | 38.1 | 12.3 | 93.3 | 9.0 | 70.3 | 95.8 | 8.50 | 93.4 | |
StrengthsThird fastest of the winter tires on the dry handling course and fourth on snow handling, with the fourth-shortest wet braking. One of the quieter tires in the pass-by noise test. ConsiderationsDry braking was longer than most, with only the Pirelli, Semperit and Nexen needing more room. Weak in curved aquaplaning, where only the Nexen was worse among the ranked tires, and below mid-field for straight-line aquaplaning. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry95.67 × 20% = 19.13 Wet95.8 × 35% = 33.53 Snow93.33 × 30% = 28 Comfort95.81 × 5% = 4.79 Rolling Resistance93.41 × 10% = 9.34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6= | 9 | 94.16 | 137 | 50.5 | 98.4 | 154 | 42.1 | 15.92 | 49.7 | 9.8 | 97.1 | 83 | 1,151 | 36.8 | 12.4 | 91.8 | 8.4 | 71.3 | 92.0 | 9.49 | 83.7 | |
StrengthsSecond-shortest dry braking and third-shortest wet braking of the winter tires, joint second on the wet handling course and third on the wet circle. Fifth in the snow slalom. ConsiderationsIn the lower half of the field for snow braking, traction and handling, with only the Toyo stopping longer on snow. The second highest rolling resistance in the test, and rated the second least comfortable tire. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry98.44 × 20% = 19.69 Wet97.06 × 35% = 33.97 Snow91.77 × 30% = 27.53 Comfort92 × 5% = 4.6 Rolling Resistance83.67 × 10% = 8.37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8= | 5 | 95.46 | 142 | 50.0 | 96.4 | 162 | 40.8 | 16.34 | 50.1 | 9.5 | 93.9 | 79 | 1,198 | 39.1 | 14.5 | 98.7 | 8.6 | 71.2 | 93.1 | 8.77 | 90.5 | |
StrengthsFastest on the snow handling course and the clear best in the snow slalom, with joint second-best snow braking and fifth for snow traction. Sixth in dry braking and joint fifth for straight-line aquaplaning. ConsiderationsThe slowest of the ranked tires on the dry handling course, and near the bottom on the wet handling course and the wet circle. Wet braking was longer than most, and its rolling resistance was among the higher ones. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry96.43 × 20% = 19.29 Wet93.89 × 35% = 32.86 Snow98.7 × 30% = 29.61 Comfort93.11 × 5% = 4.66 Rolling Resistance90.54 × 10% = 9.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8= | 7 | 95.07 | 145 | 50.4 | 95.7 | 160 | 41.7 | 16.23 | 48.0 | 9.8 | 94.9 | 82 | 1,171 | 37.1 | 12.5 | 92.7 | 9.4 | 70.5 | 97.8 | 7.94 | 100.0 | |
StrengthsThe lowest rolling resistance in the test, rated among the most comfortable tires and fourth in the snow slalom. One of the quieter tires in the pass-by noise test. ConsiderationsFloated earlier than every ranked tire except the Nexen in straight-line aquaplaning, and below mid-field for wet braking, the wet circle and dry braking. The most expensive set in the test. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry95.68 × 20% = 19.14 Wet94.94 × 35% = 33.23 Snow92.73 × 30% = 27.82 Comfort97.76 × 5% = 4.89 Rolling Resistance100 × 10% = 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8= | 11 | 94.11 | 150 | 50.0 | 94.0 | 156 | 41.9 | 16.06 | 50.5 | 11.5 | 97.2 | 83 | 1,145 | 36.7 | 12.2 | 91.2 | 8.8 | 71.8 | 93.7 | 8.59 | 92.4 | |
StrengthsFourth in straight-line aquaplaning and on the wet handling course, and fifth in curved aquaplaning, with mid-field wet braking and rolling resistance. ConsiderationsThe second-longest dry braking of the winter tires and the second slowest on the dry handling course. In the lower half of the field on snow, with less traction than all but the Toyo among the ranked tires. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry93.99 × 20% = 18.8 Wet97.24 × 35% = 34.03 Snow91.18 × 30% = 27.35 Comfort93.75 × 5% = 4.69 Rolling Resistance92.43 × 10% = 9.24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | 10 | 94.12 | 144 | 50.3 | 95.9 | 166 | 41.0 | 16.02 | 50.1 | 10.8 | 94.6 | 83 | 1,151 | 36.7 | 11.8 | 90.8 | 8.6 | 71.9 | 92.6 | 7.98 | 99.5 | |
StrengthsThe second-lowest rolling resistance in the test, fourth of the winter tires on the wet circle and joint fifth for straight-line aquaplaning, with sixth place in curved aquaplaning. ConsiderationsLonger wet braking than all but the Maxxis and Nexen among the ranked tires, and near the bottom on the wet handling course. Below mid-field across the snow tests, with one of the weakest slalom results. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry95.93 × 20% = 19.19 Wet94.65 × 35% = 33.13 Snow90.75 × 30% = 27.23 Comfort92.64 × 5% = 4.63 Rolling Resistance99.5 × 10% = 9.95 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12= | 12 | 92.98 | 140 | 50.5 | 97.4 | 157 | 41.3 | 16.23 | 51.1 | 12.1 | 96.7 | 89 | 1,093 | 33.1 | 11.9 | 85.6 | 8.6 | 73.4 | 91.7 | 8.46 | 93.9 | |
StrengthsThird in straight-line aquaplaning and joint second in curved aquaplaning, with the third-shortest dry braking of the winter tires, joint fourth in dry handling and the fifth-lowest rolling resistance. ConsiderationsThe last of the ranked tires for snow braking, snow traction and snow handling, and behind Auto Bild's all-season reference on all three. The loudest tire in the pass-by noise test. Its snow handling grade earned it Auto Bild's safety penalty. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry97.42 × 20% = 19.48 Wet96.73 × 35% = 33.86 Snow85.58 × 30% = 25.68 Comfort91.66 × 5% = 4.58 Rolling Resistance93.85 × 10% = 9.39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12= | 13 | 91.74 | 142 | 50.4 | 96.6 | 166 | 40.3 | 16.40 | 49.8 | 9.5 | 92.7 | 79 | 1,148 | 35.4 | 11.8 | 90.8 | 9.0 | 72.4 | 94.4 | 9.89 | 80.3 | |
StrengthsJoint second-best snow braking and the cheapest set in the test, with mid-field dry braking and dry handling. ConsiderationsThe slowest of the ranked tires on the wet handling course and the wet circle, with the second-longest wet braking. The weakest snow slalom and the second slowest snow handling of the ranked tires, and the highest rolling resistance in the test. Its wet handling grade earned it Auto Bild's safety penalty. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry96.63 × 20% = 19.33 Wet92.65 × 35% = 32.43 Snow90.78 × 30% = 27.23 Comfort94.39 × 5% = 4.72 Rolling Resistance80.28 × 10% = 8.03 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | 14 | 91.70 | 154 | 50.2 | 92.9 | 175 | 41.4 | 16.31 | 43.0 | 5.6 | 89.3 | 81 | 1,174 | 37.3 | 12.3 | 92.8 | 7.8 | 68.8 | 90.6 | 8.36 | 95.0 | |
StrengthsThe quietest tire in the pass-by noise test, with the fourth-lowest rolling resistance and mid-field snow results, including sixth on the snow handling course. ConsiderationsThe last of the ranked tires for wet braking, dry braking, straight-line aquaplaning and curved aquaplaning, the two aquaplaning results by a wide margin. Rated the least comfortable tire. Its aquaplaning grade sets the size of Auto Bild's safety penalty. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry92.94 × 20% = 18.59 Wet89.28 × 35% = 31.25 Snow92.8 × 30% = 27.84 Comfort90.63 × 5% = 4.53 Rolling Resistance94.98 × 10% = 9.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref |
Reference All Season
|
— | — | 140 | 50.6 | 97.6 | 163 | 41.9 | 15.99 | 46.0 | 9.2 | 94.3 | 86 | 1,108 | 35.0 | 11.0 | 86.5 | — | 72.9 | — | — | — |
Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry97.65 × 20% = 19.53 Wet94.31 × 35% = 33.01 Snow86.54 × 30% = 25.96 Comfort— Rolling Resistance— | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref |
Reference Summer
|
— | — | 115 | 51.3 | 109.0 | 138 | 42.5 | 15.40 | 48.5 | 11.8 | 102.3 | 188 | 464 | — | 7.2 | — | — | 72.7 | — | — | — |
Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry109.02 × 20% = 21.8 Wet102.32 × 35% = 35.81 Snow— Comfort— Rolling Resistance— | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Leading with these priorities
Kumho WinterCraft WP52+
These are calculated scenarios, not new test awards. The published verdict may reflect judgement, close results and factors outside this calculation.
Not ranked: a measurement needed for these weights is missing. Missing results are not treated as zero or redistributed.
Reference tires provide context only. They do not set the benchmark and cannot win the personalised ranking.
Weighting vs real impact
What decides this ranking
The weighting is how much each category counts. The real impact is how much of the difference between the tires it creates: a discipline in which every tire performed about the same barely changes the order, however much it counts.
No weighting is recorded for this test, so the weighting here starts from Tire Reviews’ season defaults, not from the test’s own scoring.
- Dry Weighting 20% Real impact 12%
- Wet Weighting 35% Real impact 34%
- Snow Weighting 30% Real impact 34%
- Comfort Weighting 5% Real impact 8%
- Rolling Resistance Weighting 10% Real impact 11%
- Curved Aquaplaning counts for 2.5% of the score but creates 14% of the difference between the tires, because their results in it were far apart.
- Dry Handling counts for 10% of the score but creates only 2% of the difference, because most tires performed about the same in it.
Every discipline 14
| Discipline | Weighting | Real impact |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 10% | 11% |
| Dry Handling | 10% | 2% |
| Wet Braking | 10.2% | 12% |
| Wet Handling | 10.2% | 4% |
| Wet Circle | 9.8% | 4% |
| Straight Aqua | 2.5% | 1% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 2.5% | 14% |
| Snow Braking | 6.9% | 9% |
| Snow Traction | 8.1% | 11% |
| Snow Handling | 8.1% | 9% |
| Snow Slalom | 6.9% | 6% |
| Subj. Comfort | 2.5% | 6% |
| Noise | 2.5% | 2% |
| Rolling Resistance | 10% | 11% |
How it is worked out: each discipline’s weighting is multiplied by the spread of its results (the gap across the middle half of the tires, as a percentage of the best result), then shared out so that all the disciplines add up to 100%. It estimates what separates the tires; it is not a second set of weights, and it follows the weights you set.
How your ranking is calculated
Each discipline is scored against the best non-reference tire in the full test field: best ÷ result × 100 when lower is better, or result ÷ best × 100 when higher is better. Discipline scores are rounded to two decimal places, then combined using your weights.
Within-category weights divide that category’s share of the overall score. A 50% wet category and 40% wet-braking share give wet braking 20% of the total. A weight is a scoring priority, not a measure of its actual effect on the ranking: the performance gaps matter too. What decides this ranking ↑
Published joint positions are preserved separately. Calculated positions tie only when their underlying scores match; two displayed scores can look equal after rounding.
A zero weight excludes that category or discipline. At least one active discipline is required, and the disciplines in every active category must have a positive total.
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