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Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D Test Results

Tested 2011 to 2014 9 publications

Tested 33 times by independent publications, the Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D has taken 4 test wins with an average finish of 4th.

  • 33Independent tests
  • 4Test wins
  • 17Podium finishes
  • 4thAverage finish
  • 72%Field beaten on average
  • 9Publications
Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D

33 tests, 2011 to 2014

0%50%100%2011201220132014Average 72%2011 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test (2011): P4 of 14, Beat 77% of the field2011 Winter Tire Buying Guide (2011): P2 of 5, Beat 75% of the field2011 ACE Winter Tire Test (2011): P4 of 8, Beat 57% of the field2011 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2011): P3 of 12, Beat 82% of the field2011 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2011): P2 of 9, Beat 75% of the field2011 EVO Winter Tire Test (2011): P6 of 10, Beat 44% of the field2011 European Winter Tire Test - 195/65 R15 (2011): P4 of 14, Beat 77% of the field2011 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2011): P1 of 7, Beat 100% of the field2011 Sport Auto Performance Winter Tire Test (2011): P2 of 5, Beat 75% of the field2011 AMS Winter Tire Test (2011): P5 of 14, Beat 69% of the field2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tire Braking Test (2012): P8 of 43, Beat 83% of the field2012 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test (2012): P4 of 8, Beat 57% of the field2012 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2012): P1 of 9, Beat 100% of the field2012 European Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2012): P3 of 16, Beat 87% of the field2012 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2012): P3 of 8, Beat 71% of the field2012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Test (2012): P6 of 15, Beat 64% of the field2012 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tire Test (2012): P4 of 6, Beat 40% of the field2012 Auto Bild SUV and 4x4 Winter Tire Test (2012): P3 of 7, Beat 67% of the field2012 EVO Winter Tire Test (2012): P3 of 9, Beat 75% of the field2012 Sport Auto Winter Sports Tire Test (2012): P5 of 8, Beat 43% of the field2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17 (2013): P7 of 15, Beat 57% of the field2013 AMS Sports Winter Tire Test (2013): P3 of 8, Beat 71% of the field2013 Winter Tire Overview - Braking (2013): P8 of 50, Beat 86% of the field2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tire Test (2013): P5 of 9, Beat 50% of the field2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Shootout (2013): P9 of 15, Beat 43% of the field2013 Auto Bild SUV / 4x4 Winter Tire Test (2013): P1 of 10, Beat 100% of the field2014 50 Winter Tire Braking Overview (2014): P3 of 49, Beat 96% of the field2014 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2014): P1 of 16, Beat 100% of the field2014 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 195/65 R15 (2014): P3 of 14, Beat 85% of the field2014 AMS Winter Tire Test (2014): P3 of 10, Beat 78% of the field2014 AZ Winter Tire Test (2014): P5 of 11, Beat 60% of the field2014 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2014): P6 of 10, Beat 44% of the field2014 Autobild SUV / 4x4 Winter Tire Test (2014): P2 of 9, Beat 88% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 72%

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Michelin Alpin A4 25 shared: 14 ahead, 11 behind 25 14 11 - 56%
Nokian WR D3 23 shared: 15 ahead, 8 behind 23 15 8 - 65%
Continental WinterContact TS 850 17 shared: 2 ahead, 15 behind 17 2 15 - 12%
Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 16 shared: 13 ahead, 3 behind 16 13 3 - 81%
Semperit Speed Grip 2 15 shared: 8 ahead, 7 behind 15 8 7 - 53%
Goodyear UltraGrip 8 14 shared: 5 ahead, 9 behind 14 5 9 - 36%
Hankook Winter i cept RS 13 shared: 12 ahead, 1 behind 13 12 1 - 92%
Bridgestone Blizzak LM32 13 shared: 8 ahead, 5 behind 13 8 5 - 62%
Fulda Kristall Control HP 11 shared: 11 ahead, 0 behind 11 11 0 - 100%
Toyo Snowprox S953 9 shared: 9 ahead, 0 behind 9 9 0 - 100%
Vredestein Snowtrac 3 9 shared: 9 ahead, 0 behind 9 9 0 - 100%
Continental WinterContact TS 830 P 8 shared: 4 ahead, 4 behind 8 4 4 - 50%
Kleber Krisalp HP2 7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind 7 7 0 - 100%
Pirelli Sottozero Serie II 7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind 7 7 0 - 100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance 7 shared: 2 ahead, 5 behind 7 2 5 - 29%
Nankang SV2 6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind 6 6 0 - 100%
GT Radial Champiro Winterpro 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
Sava eskimo hp 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
Westlake SW 608 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%

Against its own line

The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.

Tire Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D Predecessor 11 5 2nd 83%
Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D This tire 33 4 4th 72%
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 Successor 52 8 5th 72%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 33 tests. Updated October 15, 2025.

Across 33 winter tests, the Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D delivers consistently strong, well-balanced performance with an average finish of 3.9 and multiple overall wins. It regularly excels in performance-oriented and SUV categories, with frequent top-three results in comprehensive comparative tests and strong braking shootouts. While generally competitive in all conditions, a few mid-pack finishes in mainstream sizes and seasons indicate occasional variability versus the very best rivals.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

  • Result Variability in Mainstream Sizes Moderate
    Details
    • 6th/10 in 2014 Auto Express (205/55 R16)
    • 5th/11 in 2014 Auto Zeitung (205/55 R16)
    • 9th/15 in 2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Shootout (195/65 R15)
    • 7th/15 in 2013 ADAC (225/45 R17)
  • Wet/Aquaplaning Sensitivity (occasional) Minor
    Details
    • 2013 AMS commentary highlights rival (Pirelli) excelled wet with Dunlop 3rd overall; Dunlop "worked well in all conditions" but not class-leading in wet
    • Mid-pack outcomes where wet often differentiates: 2011 EVO 6/10; 2012 Auto Zeitung 4/8
  • Upper-size Sport Tests Variability Minor
    Details
    • 4th/6 in 2012 Auto Bild Sports Winter Test (225/40 R18)
    • 5th/8 in 2012 Sport Auto Winter Sports Test (225/40 R18)
  • Tread life Moderate in 2 of 28 tests
    Details

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D (28 tests) and 36 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Snow traction strength in 12 of 28 tests 17 praise, 2 criticise of 36 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Road noise strength in 4 of 28 tests 14 praise, 3 criticise of 36 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Wet grip strength in 5 of 28 tests 13 praise, 1 criticise of 36 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Ride comfort strength in 7 of 28 tests 9 praise, 1 criticise of 36 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Snow braking strength in 5 of 28 tests 3 praise, 1 criticise of 36 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry grip strength in 3 of 28 tests 12 praise, 0 criticise of 36 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Ice grip weakness in 1 of 28 tests 5 praise, 2 criticise of 36 reviews · Read those reviews

Flagged by testers, not mentioned by owners

  • Wet braking strength in 5 of 28 tests no owner mentions it

Every test, newest first 33

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2014 7 tests
P6 of 10 Beat 44% of the field

2014 Auto Express Winter Tire Test

Auto Express 205/55 R16

Secure and safe, although rivals have the edge over this tire in most tests

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

P5 of 11 Beat 60% of the field

2014 AZ Winter Tire Test

Auto Zeitung 205/55 R16

Dunlop Winter Sport 4D performed well, apart from in snow braking

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

P3 of 10 Beat 78% of the field

2014 AMS Winter Tire Test

Auto Motor Und Sport 205/55 R16

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

2013 6 tests
P3 of 8 Beat 71% of the field

2013 AMS Sports Winter Tire Test

Auto Motor Und Sport 225/50 R17

Particularly recommended

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

2012 10 tests
P4 of 8 Beat 57% of the field

2012 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test

Auto Zeitung 205/55 R16

A sporty agile tire with excellent resuilts in all tests, bar aquaplaning

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

2011 10 tests
P2 of 5 Beat 75% of the field

2011 Sport Auto Performance Winter Tire Test

Sport Auto 225/45 R17

The Dunlop Winter Sport 4D is the winter tire to have on any terrain. Characterised by good ride, the Dunlop narrowly missed out on the test win due to slightly poor dry braking.

WinnerNokian WR D3

P6 of 10 Beat 44% of the field

2011 EVO Winter Tire Test

EVO 225/45 R17

Extremely strong in the dry and snow (pre-production tire used)

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 830 P

P2 of 9 Beat 75% of the field

2011 Auto Express Winter Tire Test

Auto Express 225/45 R17

Pre production version tested, but if the production version is anything like the tire tested this will be a very good all round option.

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 830 P

P4 of 8 Beat 57% of the field

2011 ACE Winter Tire Test

ACE 205/55 r16

The new Dunlop Winter Sport 4D places a strong 4th, only slightly let down by its curved aquaplaning properties

WinnerGoodyear UltraGrip 8

P2 of 5 Beat 75% of the field

2011 Winter Tire Buying Guide

Tire Reviews 205/55 r16

Like the Goodyear, the Dunlop Winter Sport 3D was one of the leading winter tires last year, winning 4 of the 6 winter tire tests in 2010! This year, Dunlop have released a new version, the Dunlop Winter Sport 4D which promises to offer its predecessors excellent sporty characteristics along with slightly improved grip all round.

WinnerGoodyear UltraGrip 8

P4 of 14 Beat 77% of the field

2011 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test

Auto Zeitung 205/55 r16

The new Dunlop Winter Sport 4d runs well under all conditions and is always safe and sporty.

WinnerGoodyear UltraGrip 8

Back to the Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D overview

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