Test Charts / Auto Bild Sportscars

2026 Auto Bild Sportscars 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: 225/45 R18
Tires tested: 12
Disciplines: 13
Test vehicle: BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé and BMW M240i

Dry

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.

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).

Wet

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.

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).

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).

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).

Snow

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.

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).

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).

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).

Comfort

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).

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).

Value

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. 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.