Tire Tests

While technically this is the second tire test of the 2026 summer tire testing season, I always think of the AutoBild mega test as the true start to the summer tire test season. It's our first opportunity to see how 50 tires available in 245/45 R19 do in a massive dry and wet braking test!

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is a customer favourite - it's test-winning, long-lasting, and one of the best all-round UHP tires you can buy. So adding a low rolling resistance "Energy" version was always going to be tricky. Historically, energy-focused performance tires have meant giving up a noticeable chunk of wet grip. The question is whether Michelin has managed to close that gap.

The data here comes from two test programmes, both commissioned by Michelin. Performance testing was carried out by TÜV SÜD at TRIWO Pferdsfeld in August 2025 (Report Nr. 713379856-S32-01), covering wet braking, dry braking, wet handling, and rolling resistance. Tread wear testing was conducted by DEKRA in Narbonne, France, during September and October 2025 (Report CPA MARK25H). Both used a Tesla Model Y (RWD, 75 kWh, 2,080 kg) and a tire size of 255/40 R20 101Y XL.

The ACE Auto Club Europa has published the first summer tire test of 2026, kicking off this year's test season. Ten tires in the 225/40 R18 size were tested across wet and dry braking, aquaplaning resistance, handling on both surfaces, rolling resistance, and exterior noise.

The 2025 evo tire test evaluated nine ultra-high performance tires in the 235/35 R19 size. The field comprised eight premium brand offerings alongside one budget and used an AWD BMW 135i X-Drive.

Three of the most popular all-terrain tires on the market go head-to-head in a comprehensive on-road, off-road, and winter comparison. Despite sharing the same LT 275/65R18 Load Range E sizing and severe snow rating, the BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3, Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent Enlighten, and Cooper Discoverer Stronghold A/T each target distinctly different buyers — and our testing confirms just how different they really are.

German publication Sportauto has published its winter tire test for 2025, evaluating six winter tires in the 275/35 R19 size designed for high-performance BMW M vehicles. The test also included one all-season tire, the Vredestein Quatrac Pro+, which was assessed outside the main competition as a reference point. 

Auto Bild SportsCars published their second all-season tire test in October, evaluating ten tires in the 215/50 R 18 size. The test included products ranging from established premium manufacturers such as Continental, Pirelli, and Goodyear through to budget offerings from Linglong and Fortuna. All testing was conducted using a VW T-Roc R equipped with a 300 PS turbocharged engine and 4Motion all-wheel drive. 

Polish automotive publication Motor tested seven all-season tires in size 215/55 R17 for issue 48/2025. The lineup included two premium tires from Michelin and Continental, three mid-segment options from Nokian Tires, Vredestein, and Yokohama, and two budget choices from Polish brand Dębica and Chinese manufacturer Sunny. 

The most interesting result is Nokian Tires' new Seasonproof 2 taking overall victory despite being a mid-segment tire competing against premium products. It scored maximum points in wet conditions, winning every wet test category. The testers noted this as evidence that mid-segment tires are now a real threat to premium products in the rankings.

This test was conducted by TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH between January and February 2025 (report number 713351940-PM), testing five premium all-season tires in size 205/55 R16 94V XL. The test was commissioned by Nokian Tires as part of their Premium Tire Mark certification for the Seasonproof 2, with the Nokian tire compared against the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6, Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3, Michelin CrossClimate 2, and Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF 3. While TÜV SÜD is a fully independent testing organization with a strong reputation for objectivity, it is important to note that this test was requested and paid for by Nokian Tires.

For this test I have taken five of the most popular snow-rated all-terrain tires in LT 265/70 R17 and tested them in snow and ice to find out which one is best for the upcoming winter!

In order to give you the complete picture, each tire has been tested and rated in snow handling, snow circle, snow traction and braking, and ice traction and braking!

AUTO BILD Sportscars conducted a comprehensive all-season tire test in their December 2025 issue, testing 10 all season tires in 225/45 R18. This dimension is commonly fitted to performance-oriented volume models such as the BMW M240i, Mercedes CLA 45 S AMG, and Alfa Romeo Giulia. The test covered products across a wide price range, from budget offerings at €340 per set to premium options at €740 per set. 

For 2025 Tire Rack have tested a bunch of extreme performance summer tires, eg 200 treadwear track tires on their new M2 in 275/35 R18.

Tire Rack split this test into multiple parts, doing some testing at their smaller test facility and also going to a big track to do a fastest lap and average lap time test.

Tire Rack published their latest all-terrain tire test in October 2025, testing nine different tires from three types of all-terrain categories. The test looked at one On-Road All-Terrain tire, four Off-Road All-Terrain tires, and four Rugged All-Terrain tires, checking how each performs on normal roads where most people drive.

As this is currently the only public test data available for the new Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3, I thought it would be useful to share it. But please understand the following:

This test was conducted by TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH between February and March 2025, testing five premium winter tires in size 225/45 R17 94V XL. The test was commissioned by Pirelli as part of their final product benchmarking for the Cinturato Winter 3, with the Pirelli tire compared against the Bridgestone Blizzak 6, Continental WinterContact TS 870, Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3, and Michelin Alpin 7. While TÜV SÜD is a fully independent testing organization with a strong reputation for objectivity, it is important to note that this test was requested and paid for by Pirelli.

Swedish automotive magazine Vi Bilägare has conducted a test of eight Nordic friction tires (studless winter tires) in dimension 235/60 R18, a popular size for vehicles like the Volvo XC60 which served as the test vehicle. The test comprised 13 separate testing rounds across four different surfaces: ice, snow, wet asphalt, and dry asphalt. 

Wybór Kierowców has published a test of 6 all-season tires in size 215/55 R17. The test included two budget segment tires, three mid-range tires, and one premium tire. 

Teknikens Värld tested 20 winter tires in size 235/45 R18, comprising nine studded, eight Nordic friction (studless), and three Central European friction tires. One studded tire was disqualified for regulatory violations, leaving 19 in the final rankings. Testing used a Volvo V60 T6 plug-in hybrid across multiple locations in Sweden, covering braking, handling, aquaplaning, emergency maneuvers, comfort, and fuel efficiency.

For the 2025/26 Tire Reviews Nordic Studless Winter Tire Test, I have tested five friction winter tires plus two reference sets (a studded tire and a Central European winter tire) across 21 tests in 6 categories: snow, ice, wet, dry, comfort/noise, and rolling resistance. If you drive in regions with frequent snow and ice, this is the group test you need. All these tires are available to buy in North America and Europe!

Auto Zeitung has conducted a comprehensive winter tire test in size 245/45 R19, evaluating ten current winter tires across snow, wet, and dry conditions, with additional laboratory analysis for durability and environmental impact. The test field includes five premium tires (Bridgestone Blizzak 6 Enliten, Continental WinterContact TS 870P, Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3, Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, and Pirelli P Zero Winter 2), two mid range segment tires (Vredestein Wintrac Pro+ and Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906), and three budget options from Chinese manufacturers (Linglong Sport Master Winter, Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6, and Triangle EffeXWinter TW421). Testing was conducted at Goodyear's facilities for winter conditions and Continental's proving grounds for wet and dry tests, with laboratory durability analysis performed at both Pirelli and Continental facilities. The test vehicle was a BMW 520d Touring.

For its 2025 winter tire test, German publication Auto Bild Sportscars evaluated twelve winter tires in the popular SUV size of 235/50 R 19. The test also included a reference summer tire and an all-season tire to provide broader context. All tires were fitted to an Audi Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI quattro with 245 PS. The cold weather tests on snow and ice were conducted in Vidsel, Sweden , while the wet and dry performance evaluations took place at Bridgestone's test facility in Aprilia, Italy.