Data Explorer / AvD
2026 AvD Winter Tire Test
- Tested size
- 225/45 R17
- Tires tested
- 15
- Disciplines
- 6
- Test vehicle
- Audi A3
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| ft ↓ | ft ↓ | ft ↓ | miles ↑ | Price/1000 ↓ | kg/t ↓ | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 96.36 | 137 | 99.5 | 151 | 100.0 | 82 | 96.0 | 27,447 | 12.68 | 8.59 | 77.4 | |
StrengthsThe Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 was the best tire in the test on wet roads. It stopped shortest in the wet by a clear margin, was second only to the Toyo for dry braking, earned AvD's top aquaplaning score and was rated the best tire in the dry as well. On snow it was safe and well balanced, with good grip and steering response, and its predicted tread life was the fourth longest in the test. ConsiderationsThe Pirelli was mid-field for snow braking, and several cheaper tires stopped shorter on snow. Its rolling resistance was only average, and as one of the more expensive tires here it was among the most costly to run per kilometer despite its good tread life. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry99.52 × 21% = 20.9 Wet100 × 37% = 37 Snow96.02 × 32% = 30.73 Value77.39 × 10% = 7.74 | |||||||||||||
| 2 | 2 | 95.96 | 142 | 95.6 | 156 | 97.1 | 81 | 97.2 | 34,172 | 11.64 | 7.92 | 88.8 | |
StrengthsThe Michelin Alpin 7 was the best of the premium tires on snow, sharing the best premium snow braking result with the Goodyear and placing third in AvD's snow scoring behind only the two budget tires. It had the longest predicted tread life in the test, the second lowest rolling resistance and the best economy and environment score by a wide margin, which made it the cheapest premium tire to run per kilometer alongside the Goodyear. It stopped well in the wet and AvD rated it quiet and comfortable. ConsiderationsThe Michelin was only mid-field for dry braking, and its wet handling scores trailed the best tires in the test. It was also the most expensive set of tires in the test to buy. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry95.62 × 21% = 20.08 Wet97.05 × 37% = 35.91 Snow97.18 × 32% = 31.1 Value88.78 × 10% = 8.88 | |||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 95.61 | 139 | 98.1 | 157 | 96.2 | 81 | 97.2 | 32,249 | 11.66 | 8.89 | 83.0 | |
StrengthsThe Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 shared the best premium snow braking result with the Michelin and was rated second only to the Pirelli in the wet, with AvD praising its controllable wet handling. Its predicted tread life was the second longest in the test, which gave it one of the lowest running costs of the premium tires, and AvD rated it quiet and comfortable. ConsiderationsThe Goodyear was mid-field for dry braking and its dry scores overall were behind the best tires. Its rolling resistance was slightly above the test average, and AvD marked it down for the low certification of its production in the environment chapter. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry98.11 × 21% = 20.6 Wet96.24 × 37% = 35.61 Snow97.18 × 32% = 31.1 Value83.04 × 10% = 8.3 | |||||||||||||
| 4 | 4 | 94.85 | 139 | 98.1 | 155 | 97.5 | 83 | 95.6 | 26,495 | 14.19 | 8.23 | 75.9 | |
StrengthsThe Continental WinterContact TS 870 was among the strongest tires on tarmac, sharing the second shortest wet braking distance with the Toyo, with the second best dry score in AvD's table, and AvD rated it third best in the wet. It had the third lowest rolling resistance, and AvD praised its precise steering, ride comfort and low noise. It had no real weakness on snow. ConsiderationsThe Continental was mid-field for snow braking and not among the best for dry braking. Its tread life was good but not among the best, and with one of the highest prices in the test it was the most expensive tire here to run per kilometer. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry98.11 × 21% = 20.6 Wet97.46 × 37% = 36.06 Snow95.63 × 32% = 30.6 Value75.89 × 10% = 7.59 | |||||||||||||
| 5 | 6 | 94.38 | 143 | 95.4 | 157 | 96.2 | 83 | 95.6 | 26,129 | 12.60 | 7.32 | 81.4 | |
StrengthsThe Bridgestone Blizzak 6 had the lowest rolling resistance in the test by a clear margin and was also the lightest tire, which helped it to the third best economy and environment score. AvD rated it the best tire on the dry handling course, it stopped well in the wet, and it was safe and predictable on snow with good traction and grip. ConsiderationsThe Bridgestone was mid-field for snow braking and in the lower half of the field for dry braking, and AvD rated its aquaplaning resistance only mid-field. Its tread life was good rather than outstanding, and it was among the more expensive tires to run per kilometer. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry95.4 × 21% = 20.03 Wet96.24 × 37% = 35.61 Snow95.63 × 32% = 30.6 Value81.39 × 10% = 8.14 | |||||||||||||
| 6 | 5 | 94.81 | 137 | 99.3 | 157 | 96.0 | 83 | 95.6 | 24,124 | 9.40 | 9.03 | 78.2 | |
StrengthsThe Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus had the third shortest dry braking distance in the test, ahead of every premium tire except the Pirelli, and was in the upper half of the field for wet braking. AvD found it agile and quick on snow with good traction, and it was one of the cheaper tires in the test. ConsiderationsThe Kumho was mid-field for snow braking, and AvD scored its aquaplaning resistance, especially in curves, among the weaker results in the test. Its rolling resistance was above the test average, its tread life was average, and it lost points for the long transport distance from the factory. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry99.28 × 21% = 20.85 Wet96.04 × 37% = 35.53 Snow95.63 × 32% = 30.6 Value78.22 × 10% = 7.82 | |||||||||||||
| 7 | 9 | 93.74 | 144 | 94.8 | 160 | 94.5 | 83 | 95.3 | 28,410 | 9.62 | 8.53 | 84.0 | |
StrengthsThe Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 had the third longest predicted tread life in the test, ahead of the Pirelli, and the fourth lowest rolling resistance. AvD rated its aquaplaning resistance among the best, and found it neutral and easy to control on snow with good traction. ConsiderationsThe Hankook was in the lower half of the field for all three braking tests, and its dry score was the lowest of any tire that AvD recommended. Its handling scores in the wet were also behind the best tires. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry94.75 × 21% = 19.9 Wet94.47 × 37% = 34.95 Snow95.26 × 32% = 30.48 Value84.05 × 10% = 8.4 | |||||||||||||
| 8 | 10 | 93.20 | 140 | 97.4 | 168 | 90.2 | 81 | 98.0 | 23,715 | 8.52 | 9.04 | 80.1 | |
StrengthsThe Nexen Winguard Sport 3 had the third shortest snow braking distance in the test, ahead of every premium tire, and AvD found it easy to control on snow with good traction. It was the most comfortable tire in AvD's scoring and shared the best pass-by noise score, it was one of the lightest tires, and its low price made it the second cheapest tire to run per kilometer. ConsiderationsThe Nexen's wet braking was a clear step behind the main pack, and AvD found it short of lateral grip in wet corners, giving it one of the lowest wet scores of the tires it recommended. Its rolling resistance was above the test average and its tread life was only average. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry97.42 × 21% = 20.46 Wet90.22 × 37% = 33.38 Snow97.97 × 32% = 31.35 Value80.12 × 10% = 8.01 | |||||||||||||
| 9 | 7 | 93.88 | 142 | 95.6 | 159 | 95.1 | 82 | 96.0 | 21,422 | 7.98 | 9.12 | 79.1 | |
StrengthsThe Linglong Sport Master Winter was the cheapest tire in the test to run per kilometer and was named AvD's price-performance winner. It had no safety-relevant weakness, with mid-field braking on snow, in the wet and in the dry, and AvD rated it among the quickest tires on the dry handling course. ConsiderationsThe Linglong's overall grip level was below the leading tires, and AvD found it prone to understeer in tight wet corners. Its predicted tread life was among the shortest of the recommended tires, its rolling resistance was above the test average, and AvD rated its ride comfort among the weaker results. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry95.62 × 21% = 20.08 Wet95.05 × 37% = 35.17 Snow96.02 × 32% = 30.73 Value79.09 × 10% = 7.91 | |||||||||||||
| 10 | 11 | 92.63 | 144 | 94.5 | 162 | 93.5 | 83 | 95.3 | 22,352 | 8.90 | 9.23 | 77.0 | |
StrengthsThe Giti GitiWinter W2 was good on snow, where AvD scored it level with the Continental and Bridgestone and praised its handling, balance and traction. AvD rated its aquaplaning resistance good, and its low price made it one of the cheaper tires to run per kilometer. ConsiderationsThe Giti was weak in the wet, with braking in the lower half of the field and an understeering wet handling result low enough to trigger AvD's safety downgrade. It was among the longest stopping tires in the dry, had the second highest rolling resistance in the test and its tread life was below average. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry94.53 × 21% = 19.85 Wet93.51 × 37% = 34.6 Snow95.26 × 32% = 30.48 Value76.96 × 10% = 7.7 | |||||||||||||
| 11 | 12 | 92.63 | 138 | 98.8 | 160 | 94.5 | 85 | 93.4 | 21,784 | 11.84 | 9.24 | 70.3 | |
StrengthsThe Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro had the fourth shortest dry braking distance in the test, and AvD rated it safe and stable in the dry with good steering and aquaplaning resistance. It was the only asymmetric tire in the test, and AvD noted its low wear rate and low weight. ConsiderationsThe Falken was one of the two weakest tires on snow, with the second longest snow braking distance and the second lowest snow score, lacking grip and traction on the snow handling course. It had the highest rolling resistance in the test, its tread life was below average, and it was among the more expensive tires to run per kilometer. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry98.81 × 21% = 20.75 Wet94.47 × 37% = 34.95 Snow93.41 × 32% = 29.89 Value70.3 × 10% = 7.03 | |||||||||||||
| 12 | 8 | 93.81 | 136 | 100.0 | 155 | 97.5 | 88 | 90.3 | 23,774 | 9.28 | 8.88 | 78.6 | |
StrengthsThe Toyo Observe EWS1 had the shortest dry braking distance in the test, ahead of every premium tire, and shared the second shortest wet braking distance with the Continental. AvD rated it the fourth best tire in the wet, with the best curved aquaplaning score in the test and good straight-line aquaplaning resistance, and its low price made it one of the cheaper tires to run per kilometer. ConsiderationsThe Toyo was the weakest tire in the test on snow. It had the longest snow braking distance and the lowest snow score, with poor traction and grip, and AvD found it hard work to steer and nervous on snow. Its tread life and rolling resistance were only mid-field. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry100 × 21% = 21 Wet97.46 × 37% = 36.06 Snow90.26 × 32% = 28.88 Value78.63 × 10% = 7.86 | |||||||||||||
| 13 | 13 | 89.04 | 144 | 94.5 | 180 | 84.0 | 82 | 96.0 | 18,905 | 8.71 | 9.18 | 73.9 | |
StrengthsThe Triangle WinterX TW401 was mid-field for snow braking, and AvD rated it reasonably safe on snow with good traction. It was one of the cheapest tires in the test, which made it the third cheapest to run per kilometer despite its short tread life. ConsiderationsThe Triangle was a long way behind the main pack for wet braking and among the longest stopping tires in the dry, and AvD found its grip limited and its steering slow and vague on tarmac, with oversteer in the dry that was hard to control. Its tread life was the second shortest in the test, its rolling resistance was among the highest and it was the heaviest tire tested. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry94.53 × 21% = 19.85 Wet83.97 × 37% = 31.07 Snow96.02 × 32% = 30.73 Value73.91 × 10% = 7.39 | |||||||||||||
| 14 | 14 | 85.75 | 147 | 92.6 | 206 | 73.4 | 80 | 99.2 | 20,423 | 10.19 | 8.58 | 74.0 | |
StrengthsThe Double Coin DW300 had the second shortest snow braking distance in the test and AvD's second best snow score, ahead of every premium tire. Its rolling resistance was better than the test average. ConsiderationsThe Double Coin had the second longest wet braking distance in the test, far behind every recommended tire, and was the second longest stopping tire in the dry. AvD found its handling unbalanced and vague on wet and dry roads, with little aquaplaning resistance and poor ride comfort, and its tread life was among the shortest in the test. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry92.63 × 21% = 19.45 Wet73.41 × 37% = 27.16 Snow99.18 × 32% = 31.74 Value73.97 × 10% = 7.4 | |||||||||||||
| 15 | 15 | 85.30 | 147 | 92.4 | 210 | 72.1 | 79 | 100.0 | 17,283 | 9.35 | 8.72 | 72.0 | |
StrengthsThe Rockblade Icecruiser 1 had the shortest snow braking distance in the test and AvD's best snow score, ahead of every premium tire. It was also the cheapest tire in the test to buy. ConsiderationsThe Rockblade had the longest wet and dry braking distances in the test, with its wet braking far behind every other tire, and AvD rated it last by a wide margin in both the wet and the dry. It had the shortest predicted tread life, around half that of the longest-lasting tire, and the worst ride comfort in the test. Score contributionCategory score × of overall score Dry92.43 × 21% = 19.41 Wet72.14 × 37% = 26.69 Snow100 × 32% = 32 Value71.98 × 10% = 7.2 | |||||||||||||
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Leading with these priorities
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
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 21% Real impact 18%
- Wet Weighting 37% Real impact 40%
- Snow Weighting 32% Real impact 13%
- Value Weighting 10% Real impact 29%
- Value counts for 2.7% of the score but creates 12% of the difference between the tires, because their results in it were far apart.
- Snow Braking counts for 32% of the score but creates only 13% of the difference, because most tires performed about the same in it.
Every discipline 6
| Discipline | Weighting | Real impact |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 21% | 18% |
| Wet Braking | 37% | 40% |
| Snow Braking | 32% | 13% |
| Wear | 3.7% | 13% |
| Value | 2.7% | 12% |
| Rolling Resistance | 3.6% | 4% |
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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