Auto Bild Sportscars has tested twelve winter tires in 225/45 R18, the size the two test cars, a BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé and a BMW M240i, wear from the factory, and one also found on cars such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S. The snow tests were run at Bridgestone's winter proving ground in Vidsel, Sweden, and the wet and dry tests at Bridgestone's test site in Aprilia, Italy. Set prices range from 320 to 760 euros, and a premium summer tire was run alongside on wet and dry roads as a reference.

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 won. It was the best tire on snow in every test except the slalom, and on dry roads it was the shortest-stopping winter tire and shared the fastest handling, but it is also the most expensive set here. The Bridgestone Blizzak 6 and Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished second and third, and all three earned Auto Bild's top "exemplary" verdict. The standout single result belongs to the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3, which shared fourth place with the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P: it stopped shorter in the wet than the summer reference, the only winter tire to do so. At the other end, the cheapest tire, the Leao Winter Defender UHP, finished last with the longest wet braking distance and the slowest wet handling in the test.

Test setup & methodology

The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.

Recorded test conditions

Dry Braking: 62.1 → 0.0 mph
Wet Braking: 62.1 → 0.0 mph
Snow Braking: 31.1 → 0.0 mph

Auto Bild's scoring includes a safety rule: when a tire grades poorly in a safety-relevant test, a penalty is added to its overall grade. Six tires were marked down this way, the Nokian for its wet handling, the Hankook, Falken and Leao for their wet braking, the Nexen for straight-line aquaplaning and the Maxxis on snow. That is why the Nokian Snowproof 3P, among the better tires on snow, finished seventh, and why the Hankook, which resisted aquaplaning better than any other tire, finished eighth. The summer reference was run only on wet and dry roads. It braked 18 feet shorter than the best winter tire in the dry and was fastest on both handling courses, but in the wet the Pirelli out-braked it, and eight of the twelve winter tires held on longer before aquaplaning in a straight line. This is our summary of the headline findings; for every grade, the full scoring and Auto Bild's methodology, see the original test.

Snow

On snow the Michelin stopped shortest, with the Bridgestone next and the Goodyear, Hankook and Pirelli tied for third. The spread from first to last was just over 7 feet, with the Maxxis needing the most room.

Snow Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	82 ft	Best	0 mph
2Bridgestone Blizzak 6	83 ft	+1 ft	7 mph
3Hankook Winter i cept evo3	84 ft	+2 ft	12 mph
3Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	84 ft	+2 ft	12 mph
3Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	84 ft	+2 ft	12 mph
6Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	85 ft	+3 ft	13 mph
6Nokian Snowproof 3P	85 ft	+3 ft	13 mph
8Nexen Winguard Sport 3	86 ft	+4 ft	16 mph
9Dunlop Winter	86 ft	+4 ft	17 mph
10Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	88 ft	+6 ft	20 mph
10Leao Winter Defender UHP	88 ft	+6 ft	20 mph
12Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	89 ft	+7 ft	22 mph

The difference between best and worst was 8.4% (7 ft ≈ 0.5 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 would still be travelling at 22 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.

The Michelin also found the most traction, ahead of the Bridgestone and Goodyear. The Continental, strong elsewhere, was only tenth of twelve here, and the Maxxis was again last.

Snow Traction
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	607 lbf	Best
2Bridgestone Blizzak 6	598 lbf	-9 lbf
3Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	590 lbf	-17 lbf
4Nokian Snowproof 3P	589 lbf	-18 lbf
5Dunlop Winter	589 lbf	-18 lbf
6Hankook Winter i cept evo3	587 lbf	-20 lbf
7Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	587 lbf	-20 lbf
8Nexen Winguard Sport 3	585 lbf	-22 lbf
9Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	583 lbf	-24 lbf
10Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	580 lbf	-27 lbf
11Leao Winter Defender UHP	579 lbf	-28 lbf
12Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	572 lbf	-35 lbf

The difference between best and worst was 5.8% (35 lbf).

The Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear and Nokian were almost inseparable at the front on the snow handling course. The cheap Leao was eighth, quicker than the Pirelli, Nexen, Maxxis and Falken, and the Falken was the slowest.

Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	41.3 mph	Best
2Bridgestone Blizzak 6	41.2 mph	-0.1 mph
3Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	41.1 mph	-0.2 mph
4Nokian Snowproof 3P	41.1 mph	-0.2 mph
5Hankook Winter i cept evo3	40.8 mph	-0.5 mph
6Dunlop Winter	40.8 mph	-0.5 mph
7Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	40.6 mph	-0.7 mph
8Leao Winter Defender UHP	40.2 mph	-1.1 mph
9Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	40.1 mph	-1.2 mph
10Nexen Winguard Sport 3	40.0 mph	-1.3 mph
11Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	39.6 mph	-1.7 mph
12Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	39.5 mph	-1.8 mph

The difference between best and worst was 4.4% (1.8 mph).

The Bridgestone held the most lateral grip in the snow slalom, the one snow test the Michelin did not win, with the Goodyear and Continental next. The Maxxis finished last for the third time on snow.

Snow Slalom
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak 6	13.8 ft/s²	Best
2Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	13.8 ft/s²	0.0 ft/s²
3Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	13.7 ft/s²	-0.1 ft/s²
4Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	13.7 ft/s²	-0.1 ft/s²
5Nokian Snowproof 3P	13.5 ft/s²	-0.3 ft/s²
6Hankook Winter i cept evo3	13.2 ft/s²	-0.6 ft/s²
7Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	13.1 ft/s²	-0.7 ft/s²
8Dunlop Winter	13.1 ft/s²	-0.7 ft/s²
9Nexen Winguard Sport 3	13.0 ft/s²	-0.8 ft/s²
10Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	12.7 ft/s²	-1.1 ft/s²
10Leao Winter Defender UHP	12.7 ft/s²	-1.1 ft/s²
12Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	12.2 ft/s²	-1.6 ft/s²

The difference between best and worst was 11.6% (1.6 ft/s²).

Wet

The Pirelli stopped shortest of all in the wet, fractionally ahead of the summer reference, and the Nexen was the next best winter tire. The Continental and Bridgestone were joint third of the winter tires, while the winning Michelin was only seventh of the twelve. The Hankook, Falken and Leao were well adrift, and the Leao needed 60 feet more than the Pirelli to stop.

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	162 ft	Best	0 mph
RefReference Summer	162 ft	0 ft	5 mph
2Nexen Winguard Sport 3	166 ft	+4 ft	13 mph
3Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	171 ft	+9 ft	18 mph
3Bridgestone Blizzak 6	171 ft	+9 ft	18 mph
5Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	171 ft	+9 ft	19 mph
6Nokian Snowproof 3P	171 ft	+9 ft	19 mph
7Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	173 ft	+11 ft	21 mph
8Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	184 ft	+22 ft	28 mph
9Dunlop Winter	186 ft	+24 ft	29 mph
10Hankook Winter i cept evo3	199 ft	+37 ft	35 mph
11Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	214 ft	+52 ft	40 mph
12Leao Winter Defender UHP	222 ft	+60 ft	42 mph

The difference between best and worst was 37.3% (60 ft ≈ 4.1 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Leao Winter Defender UHP would still be travelling at 42 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.

The summer reference was fastest round the wet handling course, with the Bridgestone the quickest winter tire, followed by the Michelin and Continental. The Nokian was second-slowest, and the Leao was the slowest by a wide margin.

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	45.0 mph	+0.8 mph
1Bridgestone Blizzak 6	44.2 mph	Best
2Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	43.7 mph	-0.5 mph
2Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	43.7 mph	-0.5 mph
4Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	43.6 mph	-0.6 mph
5Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	43.2 mph	-1.0 mph
6Nexen Winguard Sport 3	43.1 mph	-1.1 mph
7Hankook Winter i cept evo3	43.0 mph	-1.2 mph
8Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	42.9 mph	-1.3 mph
9Dunlop Winter	42.8 mph	-1.4 mph
10Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	42.5 mph	-1.7 mph
11Nokian Snowproof 3P	42.1 mph	-2.1 mph
12Leao Winter Defender UHP	39.8 mph	-4.4 mph

The difference between best and worst was 11.7% (5.2 mph).

The Hankook resisted straight-line aquaplaning longest, with the Maxxis second, and both kept going well after the summer reference had started to float. The Continental joined the Leao, Nexen and Falken below the summer reference, and those last three were well behind the rest.

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Hankook Winter i cept evo3	49.3 mph	Best
2Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	48.6 mph	-0.7 mph
3Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	48.1 mph	-1.2 mph
4Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	48.0 mph	-1.3 mph
5Bridgestone Blizzak 6	47.2 mph	-2.1 mph
6Dunlop Winter	46.8 mph	-2.5 mph
7Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	46.7 mph	-2.6 mph
8Nokian Snowproof 3P	46.5 mph	-2.8 mph
RefReference Summer	46.1 mph	-3.2 mph
9Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	45.3 mph	-4.0 mph
10Leao Winter Defender UHP	42.2 mph	-7.1 mph
11Nexen Winguard Sport 3	41.9 mph	-7.4 mph
12Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	41.6 mph	-7.7 mph

The difference between best and worst was 15.6% (7.7 mph).

The Hankook and Maxxis were also the two best in curved aquaplaning, with the Michelin third. The Nexen kept the least lateral grip, behind the Falken and Leao.

Curved Aquaplaning
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Hankook Winter i cept evo3	10.0 ft/s²	Best
2Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	8.9 ft/s²	-1.1 ft/s²
3Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	8.7 ft/s²	-1.3 ft/s²
4Dunlop Winter	8.6 ft/s²	-1.4 ft/s²
RefReference Summer	8.5 ft/s²	-1.5 ft/s²
5Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	8.5 ft/s²	-1.5 ft/s²
6Bridgestone Blizzak 6	8.4 ft/s²	-1.6 ft/s²
7Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	8.0 ft/s²	-2.0 ft/s²
7Nokian Snowproof 3P	8.0 ft/s²	-2.0 ft/s²
9Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	7.8 ft/s²	-2.2 ft/s²
10Leao Winter Defender UHP	7.2 ft/s²	-2.8 ft/s²
11Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	6.8 ft/s²	-3.2 ft/s²
12Nexen Winguard Sport 3	6.1 ft/s²	-3.9 ft/s²

The difference between best and worst was 39% (3.9 ft/s²).

Dry

Every winter tire was a long way behind the summer reference under dry braking. The Michelin was the best of them, with the Continental and Pirelli next, and the Nexen needed the most room.

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
RefReference Summer	116 ft	-18 ft	0 mph
1Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	134 ft	Best	0 mph
2Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	137 ft	+3 ft	12 mph
3Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	138 ft	+4 ft	14 mph
4Dunlop Winter	138 ft	+4 ft	14 mph
5Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	139 ft	+5 ft	16 mph
5Bridgestone Blizzak 6	139 ft	+5 ft	16 mph
5Nokian Snowproof 3P	139 ft	+5 ft	16 mph
8Leao Winter Defender UHP	140 ft	+6 ft	17 mph
9Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	142 ft	+8 ft	19 mph
10Hankook Winter i cept evo3	142 ft	+8 ft	20 mph
11Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	143 ft	+9 ft	20 mph
12Nexen Winguard Sport 3	146 ft	+12 ft	23 mph

The difference between best and worst was 25.7% (30 ft ≈ 2 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Nexen Winguard Sport 3 would still be travelling at 23 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.

The Michelin and Bridgestone shared the highest dry handling speed of the winter tires, with the Continental a fraction behind. The Nokian was the slowest, behind even the Leao.

Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	62.9 mph	+1.5 mph
1Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	61.4 mph	Best
1Bridgestone Blizzak 6	61.4 mph	Best
3Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	61.3 mph	-0.1 mph
4Dunlop Winter	61.1 mph	-0.3 mph
5Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	60.8 mph	-0.6 mph
6Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	60.5 mph	-0.9 mph
7Hankook Winter i cept evo3	60.3 mph	-1.1 mph
7Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	60.3 mph	-1.1 mph
9Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	59.8 mph	-1.6 mph
10Nexen Winguard Sport 3	59.8 mph	-1.6 mph
11Leao Winter Defender UHP	59.7 mph	-1.7 mph
12Nokian Snowproof 3P	59.5 mph	-1.9 mph

The difference between best and worst was 5.5% (3.4 mph).

Comfort

On the pass-by noise measurement at 50 mph the Nexen was the quietest tire, with the Nokian and Michelin next. The Hankook was the loudest by a clear margin.

Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Nexen Winguard Sport 3	69 dB	Best
2Nokian Snowproof 3P	69.7 dB	+0.70 dB
3Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	70.2 dB	+1.20 dB
4Dunlop Winter	70.6 dB	+1.60 dB
5Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	70.7 dB	+1.70 dB
5Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	70.7 dB	+1.70 dB
RefReference Summer	70.9 dB	+1.90 dB
7Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	71 dB	+2.00 dB
8Leao Winter Defender UHP	71.1 dB	+2.10 dB
8Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	71.1 dB	+2.10 dB
10Bridgestone Blizzak 6	71.3 dB	+2.30 dB
11Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	71.6 dB	+2.60 dB
12Hankook Winter i cept evo3	73.6 dB	+4.60 dB

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

Ride comfort is the one dry-road score Auto Bild rates by feel rather than by measurement. The Michelin, Continental and Goodyear were judged the most comfortable, and the Leao the least.

Subj. Comfort
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	9.6 Points	Best
1Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	9.6 Points	Best
1Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	9.6 Points	Best
4Hankook Winter i cept evo3	9 Points	-0.60 Points
4Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	9 Points	-0.60 Points
4Bridgestone Blizzak 6	9 Points	-0.60 Points
4Nexen Winguard Sport 3	9 Points	-0.60 Points
8Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	8.8 Points	-0.80 Points
9Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
9Dunlop Winter	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
9Nokian Snowproof 3P	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
12Leao Winter Defender UHP	8.2 Points	-1.40 Points

The difference between best and worst was 14.6% (1.4 Points).

Value

The Continental had the lowest rolling resistance, ahead of the Nokian, with the Pirelli and Nexen sharing third. The winning Michelin was among the highest, level with the Leao, and the Hankook rolled with the most resistance. There was no wear test, so there is no cost-per-distance comparison, but the set prices are listed in the results table.

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
1Continental WinterContact TS 870 P	7.5 kg/t	Best	$0
2Nokian Snowproof 3P	7.8 kg/t	+0.30 kg/t	$12
3Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	8.1 kg/t	+0.60 kg/t	$24
3Nexen Winguard Sport 3	8.1 kg/t	+0.60 kg/t	$24
5Dunlop Winter	8.2 kg/t	+0.70 kg/t	$27
RefReference Summer	8.3 kg/t	+0.80 kg/t	$31
6Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	8.3 kg/t	+0.80 kg/t	$31
7Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro	8.4 kg/t	+0.90 kg/t	$35
7Bridgestone Blizzak 6	8.4 kg/t	+0.90 kg/t	$35
9Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	8.5 kg/t	+1.00 kg/t	$39
10Michelin Pilot Alpin 5	8.6 kg/t	+1.10 kg/t	$43
10Leao Winter Defender UHP	8.6 kg/t	+1.10 kg/t	$43
12Hankook Winter i cept evo3	9.3 kg/t	+1.80 kg/t	$71

The difference between best and worst was 24% (1.8 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 uses about 20 gal ($71) more fuel than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.

Adjust the assumptions

Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.

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.

Results

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is the winner and the strongest tire on snow, and it also leads the winter tires in dry braking, but it is the most expensive set and only mid-field for wet braking. The Bridgestone Blizzak 6 is close to the Michelin on snow and the quickest winter tire round the wet handling course, and the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is close behind on snow. The Continental and Pirelli share fourth, the Continental for its dry performance and low rolling resistance, the Pirelli for the best wet braking in the test. The Dunlop Winter is the least expensive tire rated good. Every tire below it carries a safety penalty, and Auto Bild advises against the Falken and the Leao, whose wet braking distances were the two longest in the test. For Auto Bild's full results and scoring, read the original test.

Auto Bild Sportscars Test Winner / Exemplary Testsieger / vorbildlich

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is the overall test winner and rated exemplary, with the best snow performance in the test and the strongest dry braking of the winter tires. Its price and middling wet braking are the only real drawbacks.

Dry100%

Wet95.4%

Snow99.7%

Comfort99.1%

Rolling Resistance87.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	1^st / 12	134 ft	Best in this discipline
Dry HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 12	61.4 mph	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	7^th / 12	173 ft	+11 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 12	43.7 mph	-0.5 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	3^rd / 12	48.1 mph	-1.2 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	3^rd / 12	8.7 ft/s²	-1.3 ft/s²
Snow BrakingLower is better	1^st / 12	82 ft	Best in this discipline
Snow TractionHigher is better	1^st / 12	607 lbf	Best in this discipline
Snow HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 12	41.3 mph	Best in this discipline
Snow SlalomHigher is better	4^th / 12	13.7 ft/s²	-0.1 ft/s²
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	1^st / 12	9.6 Points	Best in this discipline
NoiseLower is better	3^rd / 12	70.2 dB	+1.20 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	10^th / 12	8.6 kg/t	+1.10 kg/t

EU Label: D/B/68
Price: 760.00

Auto Bild Sportscars Exemplary vorbildlich

The Bridgestone Blizzak 6 finished second and was rated exemplary. It is close to the Michelin on snow, the quickest winter tire in the wet handling test, and has no serious weakness anywhere in the test.

Dry98%

Wet95.9%

Snow99.4%

Comfort95.3%

Rolling Resistance89.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	5^th / 12	139 ft	+5 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 12	61.4 mph	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 12	171 ft	+9 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 12	44.2 mph	Best in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better	5^th / 12	47.2 mph	-2.1 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	6^th / 12	8.4 ft/s²	-1.6 ft/s²
Snow BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 12	83 ft	+1 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better	2^nd / 12	598 lbf	-9 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 12	41.2 mph	-0.1 mph
Snow SlalomHigher is better	1^st / 12	13.8 ft/s²	Best in this discipline
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	4^th / 12	9 Points	-0.60 Points
NoiseLower is better	10^th / 12	71.3 dB	+2.30 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	7^th / 12	8.4 kg/t	+0.90 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/70
Price: 630.00

Auto Bild Sportscars Exemplary vorbildlich

The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished third and was rated exemplary. It is one of the strongest tires on snow and competitive in the wet, with its dry handling a step behind the Michelin and Bridgestone.

Dry97.2%

Wet95.6%

Snow98.5%

Comfort98.8%

Rolling Resistance90.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	5^th / 12	139 ft	+5 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 12	60.5 mph	-0.9 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	5^th / 12	171 ft	+9 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	4^th / 12	43.6 mph	-0.6 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	4^th / 12	48.0 mph	-1.3 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	5^th / 12	8.5 ft/s²	-1.5 ft/s²
Snow BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 12	84 ft	+2 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better	3^rd / 12	590 lbf	-17 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 12	41.1 mph	-0.2 mph
Snow SlalomHigher is better	2^nd / 12	13.8 ft/s²	0.0 ft/s²
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	1^st / 12	9.6 Points	Best in this discipline
NoiseLower is better	5^th / 12	70.7 dB	+1.70 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	6^th / 12	8.3 kg/t	+0.80 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/71
Price: 690.00

Auto Bild Sportscars Good gut

The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P shared fourth place and was rated good. It is one of the best winter tires on dry roads and good in the wet, but weaker for snow traction and aquaplaning.

Dry98.9%

Wet94.5%

Snow97.6%

Comfort98.8%

Rolling Resistance100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 12	137 ft	+3 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 12	61.3 mph	-0.1 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 12	171 ft	+9 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 12	43.7 mph	-0.5 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	9^th / 12	45.3 mph	-4.0 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	9^th / 12	7.8 ft/s²	-2.2 ft/s²
Snow BrakingLower is better	6^th / 12	85 ft	+3 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better	10^th / 12	580 lbf	-27 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better	7^th / 12	40.6 mph	-0.7 mph
Snow SlalomHigher is better	3^rd / 12	13.7 ft/s²	-0.1 ft/s²
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	1^st / 12	9.6 Points	Best in this discipline
NoiseLower is better	5^th / 12	70.7 dB	+1.70 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	1^st / 12	7.5 kg/t	Best in this discipline

EU Label: C/B/71
Price: 700.00

Auto Bild Sportscars Good gut

The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 shared fourth place and was rated good. It is the pick for wet braking and solid on dry roads, with snow handling its weakest point.

Dry98.1%

Wet96.7%

Snow96.6%

Comfort94.4%

Rolling Resistance92.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 12	138 ft	+4 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	5^th / 12	60.8 mph	-0.6 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	1^st / 12	162 ft	Best in this discipline
Wet HandlingHigher is better	5^th / 12	43.2 mph	-1.0 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	7^th / 12	46.7 mph	-2.6 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	7^th / 12	8.0 ft/s²	-2.0 ft/s²
Snow BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 12	84 ft	+2 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better	7^th / 12	587 lbf	-20 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better	9^th / 12	40.1 mph	-1.2 mph
Snow SlalomHigher is better	7^th / 12	13.1 ft/s²	-0.7 ft/s²
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	8^th / 12	8.8 Points	-0.80 Points
NoiseLower is better	8^th / 12	71.1 dB	+2.10 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	3^rd / 12	8.1 kg/t	+0.60 kg/t

EU Label: C/A/72
Price: 680.00

Auto Bild Sportscars Good gut

The Dunlop Winter finished sixth and was rated good. It is the least expensive tire in the test to earn that verdict and performs well on dry roads, but its wet braking is a clear step behind the leaders.

Dry98.2%

Wet91.6%

Snow96.5%

Comfort93.7%

Rolling Resistance91.5%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	4^th / 12	138 ft	+4 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	4^th / 12	61.1 mph	-0.3 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	9^th / 12	186 ft	+24 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	9^th / 12	42.8 mph	-1.4 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	6^th / 12	46.8 mph	-2.5 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	4^th / 12	8.6 ft/s²	-1.4 ft/s²
Snow BrakingLower is better	9^th / 12	86 ft	+4 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better	5^th / 12	589 lbf	-18 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 12	40.8 mph	-0.5 mph
Snow SlalomHigher is better	8^th / 12	13.1 ft/s²	-0.7 ft/s²
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	9^th / 12	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	4^th / 12	70.6 dB	+1.60 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	5^th / 12	8.2 kg/t	+0.70 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/71
Price: 560.00

Auto Bild Sportscars Good gut

The Nokian Snowproof 3P finished seventh and was rated good. It works well on snow and is quiet with low rolling resistance, but its handling on wet and dry roads holds it back.

Dry96.4%

Wet93.4%

Snow97.9%

Comfort94.3%

Rolling Resistance96.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	5^th / 12	139 ft	+5 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	12^th / 12	59.5 mph	-1.9 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	6^th / 12	171 ft	+9 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	11^th / 12	42.1 mph	-2.1 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	8^th / 12	46.5 mph	-2.8 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	7^th / 12	8.0 ft/s²	-2.0 ft/s²
Snow BrakingLower is better	6^th / 12	85 ft	+3 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better	4^th / 12	589 lbf	-18 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better	4^th / 12	41.1 mph	-0.2 mph
Snow SlalomHigher is better	5^th / 12	13.5 ft/s²	-0.3 ft/s²
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	9^th / 12	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	2^nd / 12	69.7 dB	+0.70 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	2^nd / 12	7.8 kg/t	+0.30 kg/t

EU Label: B/B/72
Price: 620.00

The Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 finished eighth and was rated satisfactory. It is the best tire in the test for aquaplaning and good on snow, but long wet braking, high noise and high rolling resistance count against it.

Dry96.1%

Wet91.4%

Snow97.2%

Comfort93.8%

Rolling Resistance80.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	10^th / 12	142 ft	+8 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	7^th / 12	60.3 mph	-1.1 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	10^th / 12	199 ft	+37 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	7^th / 12	43.0 mph	-1.2 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	1^st / 12	49.3 mph	Best in this discipline
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	1^st / 12	10.0 ft/s²	Best in this discipline
Snow BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 12	84 ft	+2 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better	6^th / 12	587 lbf	-20 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better	5^th / 12	40.8 mph	-0.5 mph
Snow SlalomHigher is better	6^th / 12	13.2 ft/s²	-0.6 ft/s²
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	4^th / 12	9 Points	-0.60 Points
NoiseLower is better	12^th / 12	73.6 dB	+4.60 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	12^th / 12	9.3 kg/t	+1.80 kg/t

EU Label: D/B/72
Price: 520.00

The Nexen Winguard Sport 3 finished ninth and was rated satisfactory. It is quiet and stops well in the wet, but its aquaplaning resistance and dry braking are among the weakest in the field.

Dry94.5%

Wet92.5%

Snow95.9%

Comfort96.9%

Rolling Resistance92.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	12^th / 12	146 ft	+12 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	10^th / 12	59.8 mph	-1.6 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 12	166 ft	+4 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 12	43.1 mph	-1.1 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	11^th / 12	41.9 mph	-7.4 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	12^th / 12	6.1 ft/s²	-3.9 ft/s²
Snow BrakingLower is better	8^th / 12	86 ft	+4 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better	8^th / 12	585 lbf	-22 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better	10^th / 12	40.0 mph	-1.3 mph
Snow SlalomHigher is better	9^th / 12	13.0 ft/s²	-0.8 ft/s²
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	4^th / 12	9 Points	-0.60 Points
NoiseLower is better	1^st / 12	69 dB	Best in this discipline
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	3^rd / 12	8.1 kg/t	+0.60 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/72
Price: 470.00

The Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 finished tenth and was rated satisfactory. Its aquaplaning resistance is a real strength, but it is the weakest tire on snow in this test.

Dry95.6%

Wet92.4%

Snow92.9%

Comfort93%

Rolling Resistance88.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	11^th / 12	143 ft	+9 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	9^th / 12	59.8 mph	-1.6 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	8^th / 12	184 ft	+22 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	10^th / 12	42.5 mph	-1.7 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	2^nd / 12	48.6 mph	-0.7 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	2^nd / 12	8.9 ft/s²	-1.1 ft/s²
Snow BrakingLower is better	12^th / 12	89 ft	+7 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better	12^th / 12	572 lbf	-35 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better	11^th / 12	39.6 mph	-1.7 mph
Snow SlalomHigher is better	12^th / 12	12.2 ft/s²	-1.6 ft/s²
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	9^th / 12	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	11^th / 12	71.6 dB	+2.60 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	9^th / 12	8.5 kg/t	+1.00 kg/t

EU Label: D/B/70
Price: 400.00

The Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro finished eleventh and was rated satisfactory, but Auto Bild advises against it. Its long wet braking and early aquaplaning are serious weaknesses for a winter tire.

Dry96.3%

Wet84.3%

Snow94.5%

Comfort95.5%

Rolling Resistance89.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	9^th / 12	142 ft	+8 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	7^th / 12	60.3 mph	-1.1 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	11^th / 12	214 ft	+52 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	8^th / 12	42.9 mph	-1.3 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	12^th / 12	41.6 mph	-7.7 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	11^th / 12	6.8 ft/s²	-3.2 ft/s²
Snow BrakingLower is better	10^th / 12	88 ft	+6 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better	9^th / 12	583 lbf	-24 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better	12^th / 12	39.5 mph	-1.8 mph
Snow SlalomHigher is better	10^th / 12	12.7 ft/s²	-1.1 ft/s²
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	4^th / 12	9 Points	-0.60 Points
NoiseLower is better	7^th / 12	71 dB	+2.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	7^th / 12	8.4 kg/t	+0.90 kg/t

EU Label: D/B/70
Price: 490.00

The Leao Winter Defender UHP finished last and was rated sufficient, and Auto Bild advises against it. The price saving does not make up for how poorly it stops and handles in the wet.

Dry96.3%

Wet80.9%

Snow94.8%

Comfort91.2%

Rolling Resistance87.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	8^th / 12	140 ft	+6 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	11^th / 12	59.7 mph	-1.7 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	12^th / 12	222 ft	+60 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	12^th / 12	39.8 mph	-4.4 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	10^th / 12	42.2 mph	-7.1 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	10^th / 12	7.2 ft/s²	-2.8 ft/s²
Snow BrakingLower is better	10^th / 12	88 ft	+6 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better	11^th / 12	579 lbf	-28 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better	8^th / 12	40.2 mph	-1.1 mph
Snow SlalomHigher is better	10^th / 12	12.7 ft/s²	-1.1 ft/s²
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	12^th / 12	8.2 Points	-1.40 Points
NoiseLower is better	8^th / 12	71.1 dB	+2.10 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	10^th / 12	8.6 kg/t	+1.10 kg/t

EU Label: D/C/72
Price: 320.00

The summer reference tire was run outside the classification as a benchmark on wet and dry roads. It shows how much grip a winter tire gives away in the dry, and how close the best winter tires now come to it in the wet.

All discipline results (8)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Result
Dry BrakingLower is better	116 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	62.9 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	162 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	45.0 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	46.1 mph
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	8.5 ft/s²
NoiseLower is better	70.9 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	8.3 kg/t

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The evidence behind the verdict

Test setup & methodology

Recorded test conditions

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