Menu

Nokian WR A4 Test Results

Tested 2017 to 2020 5 publications

Tested 6 times by independent publications, the Nokian WR A4 averages a finish of 9th. Its strongest discipline is Snow Braking, beating 39% of the field across 5 tests; its weakest is Wet Braking, at 33% across 5 tests.

  • 6Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 0Podium finishes
  • 9thAverage finish
  • 35%Field beaten on average
  • 5Publications
Nokian WR A4

6 tests, 2017 to 2020

0%50%100%201720192020Average 35%2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tire Test (2017): P5 of 10, Beat 33% of the field2017 235/55 R17 SUV Winter Tire Test (2017): P5 of 8, Beat 43% of the field2017 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test (2017): P7 of 10, Beat 33% of the field2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tire Test (2019): P10 of 11, Beat 10% of the field2020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking Test (2020): P12 of 51, Beat 77% of the field2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2020): P16 of 20, Beat 16% 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 35%

Record by discipline

Where the Nokian WR A4 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 P5.3 of 13.3 71% 1
Dry Handling 4 P5.5 of 13.3 67% 1
Wet
Wet Braking Weak 5 P10.6 of 20.4 33% -
Wet Handling 4 P11 of 13.3 15% -
Straight Aqua 3 P13.7 of 14.3 3% -
Snow
Snow Braking Strong 5 P11 of 16.6 39% -
Snow Traction 1 P11 of 21 50% -
Snow Handling 4 P10.3 of 13 26% -
Comfort
Noise 3 P7 of 14.3 52% -
Value
Wear 1 P17 of 20 16% -
Value 1 P13 of 20 37% -
Rolling Resistance 3 P2 of 14 93% 1

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Nokian WR A4. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Cooper Weather Master SA2+ 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 5 shared: 2 ahead, 2 behind 5 2 2 1 50%
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
Toyo Snowprox S954 3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind 3 2 1 - 67%
Kumho WinterCraft WP71 3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind 3 2 1 - 67%
Fulda Kristall Control HP2 3 shared: 1 ahead, 1 behind 3 1 1 1 50%
Hankook Winter i cept evo2 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%
Uniroyal MS+ 77 3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind 3 0 3 - 0%
Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind 3 0 3 - 0%
Semperit Speed Grip 3 3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind 3 0 3 - 0%
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ 3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind 3 0 3 - 0%
Vredestein Wintrac Pro 3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind 3 0 3 - 0%

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
Nokian WR A3 Predecessor 7 0 4th 37%
Nokian WR A4 This tire 6 0 9th 35%
Nokian Snowproof P Successor 7 0 10th 39%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 6 tests. Updated October 29, 2026.

The Nokian WR A4 combines consistently low rolling resistance with recurring wet-weather weaknesses in winter tests. Rolling resistance was first of ten in the 2017 AMS test, second in the 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test and third of 20 in the 2020 Auto Bild full test. Wet handling, braking and aquaplaning resistance repeatedly drew criticism. AMS placed wet handling and aquaplaning last in 2017; the 2019 Sportscars test placed wet braking and aquaplaning last. The 2020 full test again criticised wet grip and finished it 16th of 20 overall.

The two 2017 performance tests were unusually strong in the dry beside the later results: AMS ranked dry braking and handling first, and Sport Auto ranked both second. Later dry results were nearer midfield or weaker. Snow performance is mixed despite favorable comments: Sport Auto placed snow braking fourth of ten in 2017, while AMS unusually placed it last that year. Snow handling was weak in three comparisons, including 19th of 21 in 2020 despite that test's snow praise. Sport Auto gave Conditionally recommended and AMS Recommended with restrictions in 2017; ACE recommended it after fifth of eight. Noise also varied, so its quieter results do not establish a consistent refinement advantage.

Performance Strengths

  • Rolling resistance Strong in 1 of 4 tests
    Details
    • First of ten, 2017 AMS test
    • Second in 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test and third of 20 in 2020 Auto Bild full test
  • Dry braking Minor
    Details
    • First of ten, 2017 AMS test, and second of ten, 2017 Sport Auto test
    • Nearer midfield in 2019 and 2020 Auto Bild tests, making the 2017 strength unusual
  • Dry handling Minor
    Details
    • First of ten, 2017 AMS test, and second of ten, 2017 Sport Auto test
    • Tenth of 12 in 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test, contrasting with the unusually strong 2017 results
  • Snow traction Strong in 2 of 4 tests
    Details
  • Dry grip Strong in 2 of 4 tests
    Details

Performance Weaknesses

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Nokian WR A4 (4 tests) and 21 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 2 of 4 tests 8 praise, 1 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry grip strength in 2 of 4 tests 6 praise, 0 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Road noise strength in 1 of 4 tests 4 praise, 1 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Wet grip weakness in 3 of 4 tests 7 praise, 0 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Wet handling weakness in 3 of 4 tests 4 praise, 0 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Behavior at the limit weakness in 2 of 4 tests 3 praise, 1 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Snow handling weakness in 1 of 4 tests 4 praise, 1 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry handling weakness in 1 of 4 tests 4 praise, 0 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire

  • High-speed stability no test mentions it 3 praise, 1 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 6

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

2020 2 tests
2019 1 test
P10 of 11 Beat 10% of the field

2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tire Test

Auto Bild Sportscars 255/35 R19

StrongRolling Resistance WeakWet BrakingWet HandlingStraight AquaNoise WinnerGoodyear UltraGrip Performance+

2017 3 tests
P7 of 10 Beat 33% of the field

2017 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test

Sport Auto 225/40 R18

Conditionally recommended

StrongDry BrakingDry Handling WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850 P

P5 of 10 Beat 33% of the field

2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tire Test

Auto Motor Und Sport 225/40 R18

Recommended with restrictions

StrongDry BrakingDry HandlingRolling Resistance WeakWet BrakingWet HandlingStraight AquaSnow BrakingSnow Handling WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850 P

Back to the Nokian WR A4 overview

Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Nokian tires

Overview

Rate your tires

My tires

Saved in this browser on this site. No account needed. Clearing browser data removes your choices.

Vehicle and size

Check the size, load and speed ratings on your vehicle. Saving a size does not confirm fitment.

Saved tires

Save tires from a tire page, test or comparison to keep them here.

Select 2–8 saved tires. Ranked comparisons require at least two shared tests.