Tested 52 times by independent publications, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 has taken 8 test wins with an average finish of 5th. Its strongest discipline is Snow Braking, beating 75% of the field across 26 tests; its weakest is Noise, at 21% across 18 tests.
52Independent tests
8Test wins
21Podium finishes
5thAverage finish
72%Field beaten on average
11Publications
Advertisement
52 tests, 2015 to 2025
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 achieves good ratings in both driving safety and environmental performance, resulting in a good overall score. For driving safety, while the tire could provide slightly better steering feel, responsiveness, and precision on dry roads, it maintains good performance limits allowing stable and safe obstacle avoidance with good braking distances from 62 mph. On wet surfaces, it earns good ratings for braking performance and handling with good safety reserves and precise control over test courses, though it only achieves satisfactory results in both longitudinal and lateral aquaplaning resistance, albeit narrowly missing better scores. In winter conditions, the Winter Sport 5 receives good ratings with effective braking distances on snow and ice, good traction performance, and just barely achieves a good rating for snow handling by adequately combining longitudinal and lateral forces while providing sufficient reserves for largely precise handling course navigation. Regarding environmental impact, this German-manufactured tire earns good ratings due to its high predicted mileage and low tire wear, while also scoring well for efficiency thanks to its low weight and fuel consumption.
Strong: Wet Circle ·Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
Record by discipline
Where the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 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.
Record by discipline
Discipline
Tests
Avg finish
Field beaten
Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking
20
P11.4 of 17.3
35%
-
Dry Handling
14
P11.1 of 17.3
38%
-
Subj. Dry Handling
1
P6 of 14
62%
-
Wet
Wet Braking
26
P9.8 of 25.1
58%
-
Wet Braking - Concrete
4
P6.8 of 18.8
67%
1
Wet Handling
14
P6.9 of 17.2
65%
-
Subj. Wet Handling
1
P5 of 14
69%
-
Wet Circle
6
P6.5 of 22.2
70%
-
Straight Aqua
20
P10.4 of 17.3
44%
-
Curved Aquaplaning
11
P5.7 of 16.6
72%
1
Snow
Snow Braking Strong
26
P6.1 of 20.6
75%
8
Snow Traction
15
P5.3 of 17.3
75%
3
Snow Handling
14
P6.2 of 16.6
69%
3
Subj. Snow Handling
1
P4 of 14
77%
-
Snow Circle
2
P7.5 of 10.5
32%
-
Snow Slalom
4
P6 of 20.5
72%
1
Ice
Ice Braking
5
P7.4 of 18
62%
-
Comfort
Subj. Comfort
2
P2 of 12
92%
1
Noise Weak
18
P14.2 of 17.5
21%
-
Value
Wear
13
P6.9 of 19.3
68%
-
Value
9
P12.8 of 19.6
38%
-
Rolling Resistance
15
P6.1 of 16.7
66%
-
Fuel Consumption
4
P4 of 18.5
86%
2
Abrasion
5
P7.8 of 18
63%
-
Head-to-head record
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Dunlop Winter Sport 5. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 delivers consistently strong winter-focused performance with standout snow traction/braking and very competitive wet grip/ aquaplaning safety, often translating into top overall results despite its age. Multiple ADAC and Auto Bild test wins/podiums (e.g., ADAC 2023 16" overall winner; ADAC 2021 17" tie for 1st; ADAC 2022 SUV 1st; Auto Bild 2018 overall 1st) underline a well-balanced profile supported by good wear and low fuel consumption in several sizes.
Its main weaknesses are mediocre-to-poor dry braking/handling and elevated external noise, plus only mid-pack ice braking. Across many recent tests it ranks bottom-third for dry stopping and near the rear for noise, which caps its overall scores in sportier sizes. Nevertheless, strong snow and competent wet performance, with frequent aquaplaning strengths and decent efficiency, make it a reliable, safe winter choice.
Performance Strengths
Snow PerformanceStrongDetails
1st place snow braking and 1st snow traction in 2024 ADAC 16" (205/55 R16)
1st place snow braking and 1st snow traction in 2023 ADAC 17" (225/45 R17)
Best snow traction (2570 N) and 1st snow slalom in 2024 Auto Bild (205/55 R16)
1st snow braking in 2020 Auto Bild SUV (225/55 R17) and 1st snow handling
1st snow braking in 2018 Auto Bild UHP (245/45 R18); 1st snow braking in 2021 Auto Bild (205/55 R16)
Every tester write-up on the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 (39 tests) and 39 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Where owners and testers agree
AspectTestersOwners
Snow traction strength in 27 of 39 tests 22 praise, 0 criticise of 39 reviews · Read those reviews
Rolling resistance strength in 20 of 39 tests 4 praise, 0 criticise of 39 reviews · Read those reviews
Wet grip strength in 12 of 39 tests 13 praise, 4 criticise of 39 reviews · Read those reviews
Tread life strength in 9 of 39 tests 14 praise, 1 criticise of 39 reviews · Read those reviews
Aquaplaning resistance strength in 12 of 39 tests 4 praise, 0 criticise of 39 reviews · Read those reviews
Snow handling strength in 11 of 39 tests 5 praise, 1 criticise of 39 reviews · Read those reviews
Where they disagree
AspectTestersOwners
High-speed stability strength in 2 of 39 tests 0 praise, 4 criticise of 39 reviews · Read those reviews
Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire
AspectTestersOwners
Sidewall stiffnessno test mentions it 1 praise, 4 criticise of 39 reviews · Read those reviews
Warm-weather behaviorno test mentions it 0 praise, 5 criticise of 39 reviews · Read those reviews
Flagged by testers, not mentioned by owners
AspectTestersOwners
Wet handling strength in 11 of 39 testsno owner mentions it
Every test, newest first 52
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
No tests match these filters. Clear a filter to see more.
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 achieves good ratings in both driving safety and environmental performance, resulting in a good overall score. For driving safety, while the tire could provide slightly better steering feel, responsiveness, and precision on dry roads, it maintains good performance limits allowing stable and safe obstacle avoidance with good braking distances from 62 mph. On wet surfaces, it earns good ratings for braking performance and handling with good safety reserves and precise control over test courses, though it only achieves satisfactory results in both longitudinal and lateral aquaplaning resistance, albeit narrowly missing better scores. In winter conditions, the Winter Sport 5 receives good ratings with effective braking distances on snow and ice, good traction performance, and just barely achieves a good rating for snow handling by adequately combining longitudinal and lateral forces while providing sufficient reserves for largely precise handling course navigation. Regarding environmental impact, this German-manufactured tire earns good ratings due to its high predicted mileage and low tire wear, while also scoring well for efficiency thanks to its low weight and fuel consumption.
StrongWet Circle WinnerGoodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 shines in winter conditions, offering excellent performance on snow. It boasts outstanding mileage and low rolling resistance, making it an economical choice for winter driving. While it performs well overall, its slightly limited grip on wet roads is a minor drawback to consider.
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 provides good performance on dry, wet, and wintery surfaces, resulting in a good overall rating for driving safety. It offers precise steering, good braking distances, and reliable grip, particularly in snowy conditions. Although its aquaplaning performance on wet roads is only satisfactory, it excels in handling with ample safety reserves. The tire also boasts a good environmental record with a long lifespan, low abrasion, and good efficiency due to its low weight and fuel consumption.
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 tire shows mixed performance across different driving conditions. On dry roads, it struggles with precision and steering feedback, requiring frequent corrections to maintain the desired path. It also shows weaknesses in sudden evasive maneuvers and has below-average dry braking distances. Performance on wet roads is marginally good, with satisfactory results in braking and longitudinal aquaplaning, but excelling in lateral aquaplaning resistance and handling. The tire's strongest performance is on winter roads, where it achieves clearly good ratings. It offers some of the shortest braking distances on snow, above-average traction, and excellent handling with good combination of longitudinal and lateral forces. Ice braking narrowly misses a good rating. Environmentally, the Winter Sport 5 scores well, offering above-average mileage, low wear, and good efficiency due to its low weight and fuel consumption. Overall, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 excels in winter conditions and environmental performance but has notable room for improvement on dry surfaces.
The DUNLOP Winter Sport 5 demonstrates precise steering and good safety margins on dry roads, including quick stabilization after evasive maneuvers. Braking performance from 62 mph is rated as good within the test field. On wet roads, the WINTER SPORT 5 tire performs well in all sub-criteria, including above-average scores in braking and handling. However, its performance in longitudinal aquaplaning is below the average of competitors. On snowy and icy roads, the tire scores above average in braking, acceleration, and handling. Regarding environmental impact, the WINTER SPORT 5 also receives good ratings, offering high projected mileage, low wear, low weight, and decent fuel efficiency.
The DUNLOP WINTER SPORT 5 tire provides good steering feedback and safety reserves during critical driving maneuvers. Its braking performance is rated as good. On wet roads, it performs well in aquaplaning but only achieves satisfactory results in braking and handling, lacking the precision for a higher rating. In winter conditions, it excels in braking, traction, and particularly in snow handling, where it receives a very good rating. Environmentally, the tire performs well due to its high predicted mileage, low wear, low weight, and low fuel consumption, securing it a good overall rating.
The DUNLOP WINTER SPORT 5 achieves good results in all main criteria and thus secures a good overall grade and the rating "particularly recommendable".
The Dunlop WinterSport 5 placed a well deserved sixth overall. The tire was very consistent in nearly all tests with no real weaknesses other than a slightly slow dry handling lap, but unfortunately the tire didn't excel in any test either.
StrongSubj. Comfort WeakDry Handling WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 870 P
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 seems more comfortable in 17" than 16", taking third place overall. Winning snow handling, and close enough in the other snow tests, the Dunlop was also close in the dry. A quiet tire with a low rolling resistance.
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 proved to be an excellent dry weather tire, equalling second place in dry handling and dry braking. The results slipped to mid pack in the wet, and was the worst overall in the snow. Second overall in the rolling resistance test saved it from last place overall.
Kleber Krisalp HP3
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
Hankook Winter i cept RS2
Michelin Alpin 6
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
Continental WinterContact TS 860
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
Falken Eurowinter HS01
Nokian WR D4
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
Uniroyal MS+ 77
Sava Eskimo HP2
Michelin Alpin 5
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1
Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
Firestone Winterhawk 4
Pirelli Cinturato Winter
Barum Polaris 5