Dunlop Winter Sport 5 - Test Results

Test Statistics

51

Tests Completed

5th

Average Position

1st

Best Result

16th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Dunlop Winter Sport 5 delivers consistently strong winter-focused performance with standout snow and aquaplaning capability, frequently finishing near the front in ADAC and Auto Bild tests despite its age. It excels on snow (multiple 1st places for snow braking/traction/handling) and shows very good aquaplaning resistance, with competitive wet braking in some tests and above-average wear and fuel efficiency in ADAC evaluations. However, it has persistent weaknesses in dry braking/handling and cabin noise, and occasionally trails the best in wet braking. Overall results average 4.9/51 tests with several overall wins and podiums, reflecting a balanced but snow-biased tire.

Key strengths are repeated best-in-class snow performance and aquaplaning stability, plus efficient rolling/wear metrics in ADAC testing. Key weaknesses are long dry braking distances and higher noise, with some variability in wet braking versus newer rivals.

Performance Strengths

Snow Performance Strong
• 1st place snow traction and snow slalom in 2024 Auto Bild (2570 N; 3.31 m/s²)
• 1st place snow braking and 2nd traction in 2024 ADAC 16" (9.9 m; 235 N)
• 1st place snow braking and traction in 2023 ADAC 17" (9.4 m; 258.2 N)
• 1st place snow handling in 2020 Auto Bild Performance (61.5 km/h)
• 1st place snow braking in 2020 AZ (25.7 m) and 2018 Auto Bild UHP (25.1 m)
Aquaplaning Resistance Strong
• 1st place curved aquaplaning in 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars (3.69 m/s²)
• 2nd straight aquaplaning in 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars (89.2 km/h)
• Top-3 curved aquaplaning in 2024 ADAC 17" (3/16) and 2024 ADAC 16" (2/12)
• 3rd straight aquaplaning in 2020 Auto Bild SUV (76.8 km/h)
Overall Test Results and Awards Strong
• Overall 1st in 2023 ADAC 16"
• Overall 1st in 2017 ADAC 215/65 R16
• Overall 1st in 2016 ADAC 225/45 R17
• Overall 1st in 2015 Auto Bild Performance 225/40 R18
• Overall 2nd in 2024 ADAC 17"
Wear and Efficiency Moderate
• Wear 3/16 (54300 km) in 2024 ADAC 17"
• Wear 4/12 (48700 km) and best fuel consumption (5.1 l/100km) in 2024 ADAC 16"
• Wear 3/16 (47700 km) in 2023 ADAC 16"
• Rolling resistance top-tier: 1/15 fuel consumption in 2023 ADAC 17"; RR 4/20 in 2020 Auto Bild Performance
Wet Performance (selected sub-tests) Moderate
• 1st wet braking on concrete in 2024 ADAC 17"
• Top-5 wet handling/circle in 2021 Auto Bild (5th WH; 3rd circle)
• Top-10 wet braking in large fields (7/57 in 2022 AB shootout)

Performance Weaknesses

Dry Braking and Handling Strong
• 6/11 dry braking (+16.4%) and 6/11 dry handling in 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars
• 20/23 dry braking (+19.2%) in 2024 Auto Bild
• 16/22 dry braking (+21.2%) in 2023 Auto Bild
• Repeated lower-tier dry results in 2020 Auto Bild SUV (worst dry braking 11/11) and 2018/2019 Auto Bild UHP tests
Noise/Comfort Strong
• 10/11 noise in 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars (72.4 dB)
• 20/23 noise in 2024 Auto Bild (72.5 dB)
• 21/22 noise in 2023 Auto Bild (74.1 dB)
• Noisiest 73 dB in 2024 ADAC 16"
Wet Braking Variability Moderate
• 16/23 wet braking (+10.6%) in 2024 Auto Bild
• 19/22 wet braking (+14.9%) in 2023 Auto Bild
• Mid-pack wet braking 15/55 in 2024 AB shootout (+8.1%) and 18/54 in 2023 (+15%)
Straight Aquaplaning (in some sizes) Minor
• 19/23 straight aquaplaning (+8.3%) in 2024 Auto Bild
• 15/22 in 2021 Auto Bild (+9.6%)
• 13/16 in 2023 ADAC 16" (+9.2%)
Value/Pricing Minor
• Value 18/20 in 2020 Auto Bild Performance (high price per 1000 km)
• Value 20/20 in 2021 Auto Bild; Price 17/20 (high)

Performance Over Time

Test History

of 11

2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test

2024
Winner: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Strong:
Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua, Wet Braking

Weak:
Noise