P10 of 11
Beat 10% of the field
2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test
Not recommended.
Austone SP 901 Test Results
Tested 2022 to 2023
3 publications
Tested 4 times by independent publications, the Austone SP 901 averages a finish of 26th.
- 4Independent tests
- 0Test wins
- 0Podium finishes
- 26thAverage finish
- 18%Field beaten on average
- 3Publications
4 tests, 2022 to 2023
- Test win
- Second
- Third
- Average 18%
Record by discipline
Where the Austone SP 901 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 2 | P8 of 14 | 41% | - |
| Dry Handling | 1 | P12 of 12 | 0% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 4 | P27.3 of 34.8 | 14% | - |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 1 | P16 of 16 | 0% | - |
| Wet Handling | 1 | P12 of 12 | 0% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 2 | P14 of 14 | 0% | - |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 2 | P14 of 14 | 0% | - |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking | 3 | P5.3 of 19.7 | 84% | 1 |
| Snow Traction | 2 | P5.5 of 14 | 63% | - |
| Snow Handling | 1 | P1 of 11 | 100% | 1 |
| Snow Slalom | 1 | P1 of 12 | 100% | 1 |
| Ice | ||||
| Ice Braking | 1 | P15 of 16 | 7% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Noise | 2 | P3.5 of 14 | 77% | 1 |
| Value | ||||
| Wear | 1 | P12 of 16 | 27% | - |
| Rolling Resistance | 1 | P5 of 12 | 64% | - |
| Fuel Consumption | 1 | P16 of 16 | 0% | - |
| Abrasion | 1 | P6 of 16 | 67% | - |
Head-to-head record
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Austone SP 901. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind
|
4 | 0 | 4 | - | 0% |
 Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind
|
4 | 0 | 4 | - | 0% |
 Lassa Snoways 4
3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind
|
3 | 1 | 2 | - | 33% |
 Kumho Winter Craft WP52
3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind
|
3 | 1 | 2 | - | 33% |
 Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind
|
3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
 BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind
|
3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
 Kleber Krisalp HP3
3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind
|
3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
 Fulda Kristall Control HP2
3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind
|
3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
 Barum Polaris 5
3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind
|
3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
 Hankook Winter i cept evo3
3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind
|
3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
 Dunlop Winter Sport 5
3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind
|
3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
 Uniroyal WinterExpert
3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind
|
3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
 Firestone Winterhawk 4
3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind
|
3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
 Vredestein Wintrac Pro
3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind
|
3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
Performance Analysis
Drawn from 4 tests. Updated October 29, 2026.
The Austone SP 901 combines some strong snow results with repeated wet-road weaknesses. In the 2023 ADAC 16-inch winter test it was last of 16 overall, despite 1st-place snow braking and 4th-place snow traction. Wet braking was last on both surfaces, 29.5% and 23.9% behind the best, and both aquaplaning disciplines were last. The 2023 Auto Bild Sportscars test also found last-place wet braking, handling and aquaplaning, with deficits of 29.8% in wet braking and 45.8% in curved aquaplaning. It finished 10th of 11 overall and was Not Recommended, despite 2nd-place snow braking and 1st-place snow handling.
Auto Bild’s larger 2023 braking comparison was an unusual better result, at 24th of 54 overall, with wet braking 28th of 54, 19.7% behind, and snow braking 13th of 31, 5.9% behind. That does not overturn the wider wet concern, including 53rd of 57 in wet braking in 2022, 33.8% behind. Both detailed 2023 verdicts criticised vague steering and unbalanced behavior away from snow. Dry braking was inconsistent too, at 5th of 16 for ADAC but 11th of 12 for Sportscars. ADAC’s lowest noise measurement and precise snow-handling praise are positives, but fuel consumption was last and projected mileage only 12th of 16. These results do not establish a balanced winter performance.
Performance Strengths
-
Snow braking
Strong
in 1 of 2 tests
Details
- 1st of 16, 2023 ADAC 16-inch winter test.
- 2nd of 12, 3.5% behind the best, 2023 Auto Bild Sportscars winter test.
- 13th of 31, 5.9% behind the best, 2023 Auto Bild braking comparison.
good results in braking and traction tests
- 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023)
-
Snow handling
Strong
in 1 of 2 tests
Details
- 1st of 11, 2023 Auto Bild Sportscars winter test.
- ADAC praised secure, precise snow handling in 2023.
It handles securely and precisely on snow, with good results in braking and traction tests
- 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023)
-
Road noise
Minor
Details
- Lowest noise measurement at 70.4 dB, 1st of 16, 2023 ADAC test.
-
Snow traction
Strong
in 1 of 2 tests
Details
good results in braking and traction tests
- 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023)
Performance Weaknesses
-
Wet braking
Strong
in 2 of 2 tests
Details
- 16th of 16 on both surfaces, 29.5% and 23.9% behind the best, 2023 ADAC test.
- 12th of 12, 29.8% behind the best, 2023 Auto Bild Sportscars test.
- 53rd of 57, 33.8% behind the best, 2022 Auto Bild winter comparison.
Its braking distance is rated as barely adequate
- 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023)dangerously long wet braking distances
- 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test (2023)
-
Aquaplaning resistance
Strong
in 1 of 2 tests
Details
- 16th of 16 in straight and curved aquaplaning, 23.7% and 46.2% behind the best, 2023 ADAC test.
- 12th of 12 in straight and curved aquaplaning, 10.1% and 45.8% behind the best, 2023 Auto Bild Sportscars test.
- 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023)
-
Wet handling
Strong
in 1 of 2 tests
Details
- 12th of 12, 12.4% behind the best, 2023 Auto Bild Sportscars test.
- ADAC criticised low wet grip and early understeer and oversteer in 2023.
performs poorly in lateral aquaplaning and handling due to low grip levels and early understeer/oversteer tendencies
- 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023)
-
Steering feel
Strong
in 2 of 2 tests
Details
- Auto Bild Sportscars criticised vague steering in 2023.
- ADAC described imprecise steering requiring constant corrections in 2023.
provides barely adequate steering feedback and is imprecise on dry roads, requiring constant corrections
- 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023)vague steering
- 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test (2023)
-
Behavior at the limit
Strong
in 2 of 2 tests
Details
- Auto Bild Sportscars criticised unbalanced driving behavior in 2023.
- ADAC described early dry-road oversteer and early wet understeer and oversteer in 2023.
It tends to oversteer early in dynamic maneuvers, earning it a barely adequate rating for limit behavior
- 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023)unbalanced driving behavior
- 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test (2023)
-
Dry grip
Strong
in 1 of 2 tests
Details
Significantly limited driving safety on wet and dry track
- 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test (2023)
-
Wet grip
Strong
in 1 of 2 tests
Details
Significantly limited driving safety on wet and dry track
- 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test (2023)
Every test, newest first 4
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
2023 3 tests
P16 of 16
Beat 0% of the field
2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test
The AUSTONE ATHENA SP-901 provides barely adequate steering feedback and is imprecise on dry roads, requiring constant corrections. It tends to oversteer early in dynamic maneuvers, earning it a barely adequate rating for limit behavior. Its braking performance on dry roads is average but rated as good. On wet roads, the tire struggles significantly. Its braking distance is rated as barely adequate, and while it earns a satisfactory rating for longitudinal aquaplaning, it performs poorly in lateral aquaplaning and handling due to low grip levels and early understeer/oversteer tendencies. On winter roads, however, the tire excels, showing the best behavior in the test. It handles securely and precisely on snow, with good results in braking and traction tests. Its ice braking performance is rated as satisfactory. Environmentally, the tire misses a good rating. Its projected lifespan is rated as satisfactory, and although its wear is rated as good, its high weight results in an adequate efficiency rating.
P24 of 54
Beat 57% of the field
2022 1 test
P52 of 56
Beat 7% of the field
Back to the Austone SP 901 overview
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