Tested 4 times by independent publications, the Dunlop Winter averages a finish of 6th.
2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test P6 of 12
The Dunlop Winter finished sixth and was rated good. It is the least expensive tire in the test to earn that verdict and performs well on dry roads, but its wet braking is a clear step behind the leaders.
Where the Dunlop Winter 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 | 4 | P8 of 16 | 54% | - |
| Dry Handling | 3 | P10.7 of 16 | 36% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 4 | P9.3 of 16 | 39% | - |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 1 | P12 of 16 | 27% | - |
| Wet Handling | 3 | P12.7 of 16 | 22% | - |
| Wet Circle | 2 | P12.5 of 17.5 | 29% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 4 | P10.5 of 16 | 38% | - |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 4 | P8 of 16 | 54% | - |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking | 4 | P4.5 of 15.8 | 72% | - |
| Snow Traction | 4 | P3.8 of 15.8 | 81% | 1 |
| Snow Handling | 3 | P7.3 of 15.3 | 53% | - |
| Snow Slalom | 2 | P6 of 17 | 61% | - |
| Ice | ||||
| Ice Braking | 1 | P7 of 16 | 60% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 2 | P5 of 16 | 64% | 1 |
| Noise | 4 | P5.5 of 16 | 67% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Wear | 2 | P3 of 18 | 89% | 1 |
| Value | 2 | P8 of 17.5 | 58% | - |
| Rolling Resistance | 3 | P6 of 16 | 67% | - |
| Fuel Consumption | 1 | P4 of 16 | 80% | - |
| Abrasion | 1 | P2 of 16 | 93% | - |
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Dunlop Winter. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bridgestone Blizzak 6
4 shared: 1 ahead, 3 behind
Compare with Blizzak 6 |
4 | 1 | 3 | - | 25% |
 Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
4 shared: 1 ahead, 3 behind
Compare with UltraGrip Performance 3 |
4 | 1 | 3 | - | 25% |
 Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind
|
3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind
|
3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
Drawn from 4 tests. Updated October 28, 2026.
The Dunlop Winter is strongest in a straight line on snow. It was first for snow traction and third for snow braking in the 2026 Auto Express test, while taking third for snow braking in both the 2026 ADAC and 2025 Auto Bild tests. ADAC also found safe, precise snow handling. Efficiency is another recurring positive: ADAC called it light and efficient and projected 59,300 miles? No, 59,300 km of tread life, the longest in its field. Wet roads are the recurring compromise. It was 12th of 16 for wet braking in ADAC and 11th of 13 in Auto Express, with a 31% longer stop than the best. Wet handling and straight-line aquaplaning were also often below mid-field.
There are some notable exceptions. In the 2025 Auto Bild test it finished second of 20 overall and fourth of 22 for wet braking, although its wet handling was only 17th. In 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars it was sixth of 12 and rated good, with the tester praising its dry-road performance and low rolling resistance. That dry result was unusual: Auto Express found it unexpectedly loose on the dry lap, where it was 12th of 13, and ADAC criticised vague steering. ADAC placed it eighth of 16 overall with a satisfactory rating, despite giving it the best environmental score.
third-shortest snow braking- 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2026)
third in snow braking- 2026 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2026)
the best tire in the test in snow traction- 2026 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2026)
strong snow traction- 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2026)
shines on snow-covered roads with high traction and exceptional lateral grip- 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test (2025)
It is also light and efficient- 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2026)
had low rolling resistance- 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test (2026)
Rolling resistance was solid- 2026 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2026)
The Dunlop Winter had the longest projected tread life in the test- 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2026)
safe, precise snow handling- 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2026)
shines on snow-covered roads with high traction and exceptional lateral grip- 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test (2025)
grippy with a willing balance on the wet handling circuit- 2026 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2026)
among the weakest tires in wet braking- 2026 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2026)
In the wet its braking was the longest of the tires that passed- 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2026)
weak in wet braking, ninth of the twelve winter tires- 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test (2026)
wet handling lacked grip and precision- 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2026)
among the slower tires on the wet handling course- 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test (2026)
aquaplaning resistance was below average- 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2026)
It felt unexpectedly loose on the dry lap as well- 2026 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2026)
vague steering that needed frequent corrections- 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2026)
it gave little bite on turn-in and had an eager rear- 2026 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2026)
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
The Dunlop Winter finished sixth and was rated good. It is the least expensive tire in the test to earn that verdict and performs well on dry roads, but its wet braking is a clear step behind the leaders.
The Dunlop Winter finished eighth overall. It combines good winter performance with the best tread life and environmental result in the test, but weaknesses on dry and wet roads kept its safety rating, and the overall result, to satisfactory.
The Dunlop Winter took eighth on a mixed card, winning the snow traction test but giving too much away in the wet. It needs to improve where it matters most before it can trouble the mid-field.
The Dunlop Winter proves itself as a snow specialist that combines excellent winter performance with strong value for money. It particularly shines on snow-covered roads with high traction and exceptional lateral grip, making it one of the most confident choices for severe winter conditions. The tire also performs admirably on wet surfaces, delivering short braking distances and stable handling. Its main compromise comes in dry conditions, where it requires slightly longer braking distances than some competitors, though this is typical for winter tires with aggressive snow-focused tread designs. The handling on dry pavement is still more than adequate for safe daily driving. At around €510 per set, it offers compelling value, especially for drivers in regions with regular snowfall who prioritize winter grip over ultimate dry road performance.
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