Data Explorer / Auto Bild Sportscars
2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test
- Tested size
- 225/45 R18
- Tires tested
- 12
- Disciplines
- 13
- Test vehicle
- BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé and BMW M240i
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| ft ↓ | mph ↑ | ft ↓ | mph ↑ | mph ↑ | ft/s² ↑ | ft ↓ | lbf ↑ | mph ↑ | ft/s² ↑ | Points ↑ | dB ↓ | kg/t ↓ | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 96.99 | 134 | 61.4 | 100.0 | 173 | 43.7 | 48.1 | 8.7 | 95.4 | 82 | 607 | 41.3 | 13.7 | 99.7 | 9.6 | 70.2 | 99.1 | 8.6 | 87.2 | |
StrengthsThe Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was the best tire on snow, stopping shortest, finding the most traction and setting the highest speed on the handling course. On dry roads it was the shortest-stopping winter tire and shared the fastest handling, it was among the best in both aquaplaning tests, and it was one of the quieter tires on the pass-by noise test. It was also rated among the most comfortable. ConsiderationsThe Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is the most expensive tire in the test. Its wet braking was only mid-field among the winter tires, it was fourth in the snow slalom, and its rolling resistance was among the highest. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry100 × 20% = 20 Wet95.41 × 35% = 33.39 Snow99.73 × 30% = 29.92 Comfort99.15 × 5% = 4.96 Rolling Resistance87.21 × 10% = 8.72 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 3 | 96.67 | 139 | 61.4 | 98.0 | 171 | 44.2 | 47.2 | 8.4 | 95.9 | 83 | 598 | 41.2 | 13.8 | 99.4 | 9.0 | 71.3 | 95.3 | 8.4 | 89.3 | |
StrengthsThe Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was second only to the Michelin in snow braking, traction and handling, and had the most grip of all in the snow slalom. It was the fastest winter tire on the wet handling course, shared the fastest dry handling with the Michelin, and was among the better winter tires in wet braking. ConsiderationsThe Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was only mid-field in dry braking and in both aquaplaning tests, and it was one of the louder tires on the pass-by noise test. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry98 × 20% = 19.6 Wet95.9 × 35% = 33.57 Snow99.37 × 30% = 29.81 Comfort95.26 × 5% = 4.76 Rolling Resistance89.29 × 10% = 8.93 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 4 | 96.44 | 139 | 60.5 | 97.2 | 171 | 43.6 | 48.0 | 8.5 | 95.6 | 84 | 590 | 41.1 | 13.8 | 98.5 | 9.6 | 70.7 | 98.8 | 8.3 | 90.4 | |
StrengthsThe Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was one of the best tires on snow: third for traction and handling, second in the slalom and joint third in braking. It was among the faster winter tires on the wet handling course, strong in straight-line aquaplaning, and rated joint most comfortable. ConsiderationsThe Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was weaker on dry roads than the two tires ahead of it, mid-field in dry braking and sixth of the twelve winter tires in dry handling. It was fifth of the winter tires in wet braking. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry97.24 × 20% = 19.45 Wet95.58 × 35% = 33.45 Snow98.52 × 30% = 29.56 Comfort98.8 × 5% = 4.94 Rolling Resistance90.36 × 10% = 9.04 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4= | 1 | 97.06 | 137 | 61.3 | 98.9 | 171 | 43.7 | 45.3 | 7.8 | 94.5 | 85 | 580 | 40.6 | 13.7 | 97.6 | 9.6 | 70.7 | 98.8 | 7.5 | 100.0 | |
StrengthsThe Continental WinterContact TS 870 P had the lowest rolling resistance in the test. On dry roads it was second only to the Michelin in braking among the winter tires and a fraction off the fastest handling, and it shared the second-fastest wet handling of the winter tires. It was also third in the snow slalom and rated among the most comfortable. ConsiderationsThe Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was tenth of twelve for snow traction and only mid-field in snow braking and handling. It was also among the weaker tires in both aquaplaning tests, floating earlier than the summer reference in a straight line. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry98.87 × 20% = 19.77 Wet94.5 × 35% = 33.07 Snow97.58 × 30% = 29.27 Comfort98.8 × 5% = 4.94 Rolling Resistance100 × 10% = 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4= | 5 | 96.41 | 138 | 60.8 | 98.1 | 162 | 43.2 | 46.7 | 8.0 | 96.7 | 84 | 587 | 40.1 | 13.1 | 96.6 | 8.8 | 71.1 | 94.4 | 8.1 | 92.6 | |
StrengthsThe Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 stopped shortest of all in the wet, the only winter tire to out-brake the summer reference. It was also the third-best winter tire in dry braking, joint third in snow braking, and had low rolling resistance. ConsiderationsThe Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 was ninth of twelve on the snow handling course and only mid-field for snow traction, the slalom and both aquaplaning tests. It was in the louder half of the field on the pass-by noise test. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry98.12 × 20% = 19.62 Wet96.66 × 35% = 33.83 Snow96.59 × 30% = 28.98 Comfort94.36 × 5% = 4.72 Rolling Resistance92.59 × 10% = 9.26 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 7 | 94.48 | 138 | 61.1 | 98.2 | 186 | 42.8 | 46.8 | 8.6 | 91.6 | 86 | 589 | 40.8 | 13.1 | 96.5 | 8.6 | 70.6 | 93.7 | 8.2 | 91.5 | |
StrengthsThe Dunlop Winter was strong on dry roads, fourth of the winter tires in both dry braking and dry handling. It was among the better tires in both aquaplaning tests and had low rolling resistance and low pass-by noise. On snow it was mid-field, with its best result fifth for traction. ConsiderationsThe Dunlop Winter was weak in wet braking, ninth of the twelve winter tires, and among the slower tires on the wet handling course. Its snow braking was also in the bottom half. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry98.2 × 20% = 19.64 Wet91.6 × 35% = 32.06 Snow96.51 × 30% = 28.95 Comfort93.66 × 5% = 4.68 Rolling Resistance91.46 × 10% = 9.15 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 6 | 95.66 | 139 | 59.5 | 96.4 | 171 | 42.1 | 46.5 | 8.0 | 93.4 | 85 | 589 | 41.1 | 13.5 | 97.9 | 8.6 | 69.7 | 94.3 | 7.8 | 96.2 | |
StrengthsThe Nokian Snowproof 3P was among the better tires on snow, fourth for traction and handling and fifth in the slalom. It had the second-lowest rolling resistance and was the second-quietest tire on the noise test, and its wet braking was mid-field among the winter tires. ConsiderationsThe Nokian Snowproof 3P was the slowest tire of all on the dry handling course and second-slowest on the wet handling course, ahead only of the Leao. Its wet handling result earned it a safety penalty from Auto Bild, and it was only mid-field in both aquaplaning tests. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry96.43 × 20% = 19.29 Wet93.4 × 35% = 32.69 Snow97.86 × 30% = 29.36 Comfort94.29 × 5% = 4.71 Rolling Resistance96.15 × 10% = 9.62 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 9 | 93.13 | 142 | 60.3 | 96.1 | 199 | 43.0 | 49.3 | 10.0 | 91.4 | 84 | 587 | 40.8 | 13.2 | 97.2 | 9.0 | 73.6 | 93.8 | 9.3 | 80.7 | |
StrengthsThe Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 resisted aquaplaning better than any other tire, both in a straight line and in a curve. It was also solid on snow, joint third in braking and in the top half for handling, and rated among the more comfortable tires. ConsiderationsThe Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 needed much longer than the leaders to stop in the wet, with only the Falken and Leao worse, which earned it a safety penalty. It was the loudest tire on the noise test, had the highest rolling resistance, and was in the bottom half for dry braking. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry96.15 × 20% = 19.23 Wet91.42 × 35% = 32 Snow97.17 × 30% = 29.15 Comfort93.75 × 5% = 4.69 Rolling Resistance80.65 × 10% = 8.07 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 8 | 94.15 | 146 | 59.8 | 94.5 | 166 | 43.1 | 41.9 | 6.1 | 92.5 | 86 | 585 | 40.0 | 13.0 | 95.9 | 9.0 | 69.0 | 96.9 | 8.1 | 92.6 | |
StrengthsThe Nexen Winguard Sport 3 was the quietest tire on the pass-by noise test and had low rolling resistance. Its wet braking was the second-best of the winter tires, beaten only by the Pirelli, and it was mid-field on the wet handling course. ConsiderationsThe Nexen Winguard Sport 3 had the least grip in curved aquaplaning and was among the first to float in a straight line, which earned it a safety penalty. It also had the longest dry braking distance in the test, was among the slower tires in dry handling, and was in the lower half of the field on snow. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry94.53 × 20% = 18.91 Wet92.54 × 35% = 32.39 Snow95.85 × 30% = 28.76 Comfort96.88 × 5% = 4.84 Rolling Resistance92.59 × 10% = 9.26 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | 10 | 92.81 | 143 | 59.8 | 95.6 | 184 | 42.5 | 48.6 | 8.9 | 92.4 | 89 | 572 | 39.6 | 12.2 | 92.9 | 8.6 | 71.6 | 93.0 | 8.5 | 88.2 | |
StrengthsThe Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 was second only to the Hankook in both aquaplaning tests. It is also the second-cheapest tire in the test. ConsiderationsThe Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 was the weakest tire on snow, last in braking, traction and the slalom and second-slowest on the handling course, which earned it a safety penalty. It was also among the weaker tires for wet and dry braking and handling, and one of the louder tires on the noise test. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry95.63 × 20% = 19.13 Wet92.41 × 35% = 32.34 Snow92.89 × 30% = 27.87 Comfort92.98 × 5% = 4.65 Rolling Resistance88.24 × 10% = 8.82 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | 11 | 90.82 | 142 | 60.3 | 96.3 | 214 | 42.9 | 41.6 | 6.8 | 84.3 | 88 | 583 | 39.5 | 12.7 | 94.5 | 9.0 | 71.0 | 95.5 | 8.4 | 89.3 | |
StrengthsThe Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro was rated among the more comfortable tires, and on the wet handling course it was not far behind several of the premium tires. Its dry handling and pass-by noise were mid-field. ConsiderationsThe Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro had the second-longest wet braking distance, which earned it a safety penalty, and it was the first tire to float in straight-line aquaplaning and second-worst in curved aquaplaning. On snow it was the slowest on the handling course and in the bottom three for braking and the slalom. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry96.26 × 20% = 19.25 Wet84.31 × 35% = 29.51 Snow94.52 × 30% = 28.36 Comfort95.47 × 5% = 4.77 Rolling Resistance89.29 × 10% = 8.93 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | 12 | 89.31 | 140 | 59.7 | 96.3 | 222 | 39.8 | 42.2 | 7.2 | 80.9 | 88 | 579 | 40.2 | 12.7 | 94.8 | 8.2 | 71.1 | 91.2 | 8.6 | 87.2 | |
StrengthsThe Leao Winter Defender UHP is the cheapest tire in the test. It was mid-field in dry braking, ahead of the Falken, Hankook, Maxxis and Nexen, and on snow it was ahead of the Maxxis in every test and quicker than the Falken on the handling course. ConsiderationsThe Leao Winter Defender UHP had the longest wet braking distance in the test and was the slowest on the wet handling course by a wide margin, which earned it the heaviest safety penalty in the test. It was also among the weakest in both aquaplaning tests, slow on the dry handling course, and rated the least comfortable. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry96.3 × 20% = 19.26 Wet80.91 × 35% = 28.32 Snow94.84 × 30% = 28.45 Comfort91.24 × 5% = 4.56 Rolling Resistance87.21 × 10% = 8.72 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref |
Reference Summer
|
— | — | 116 | 62.9 | 108.9 | 162 | 45.0 | 46.1 | 8.5 | 98.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 70.9 | — | 8.3 | 90.4 |
Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry108.89 × 20% = 21.78 Wet98.51 × 35% = 34.48 Snow— Comfort— Rolling Resistance90.36 × 10% = 9.04 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Leading with these priorities
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
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 53%
- Snow Weighting 30% Real impact 20%
- Comfort Weighting 5% Real impact 4%
- Rolling Resistance Weighting 10% Real impact 11%
- Wet Braking counts for 14% of the score but creates 31% of the difference between the tires, because their results in it were far apart.
- Wet Handling counts for 14% of the score but creates only 7% of the difference, because most tires performed about the same in it.
Every discipline 13
| Discipline | Weighting | Real impact |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 10% | 7% |
| Dry Handling | 10% | 5% |
| Wet Braking | 14% | 31% |
| Wet Handling | 14% | 7% |
| Straight Aqua | 3.5% | 6% |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 3.5% | 8% |
| Snow Braking | 6.9% | 4% |
| Snow Traction | 8.1% | 2% |
| Snow Handling | 8.1% | 5% |
| Snow Slalom | 6.9% | 9% |
| Subj. Comfort | 2.5% | 3% |
| Noise | 2.5% | 1% |
| 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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