Reference Winter - Test Results

Test Statistics

29

Tests Completed

13^th

Average Position

8^th

Best Result

37^th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Across 36 tests, the Reference Winter tire consistently dominates winter-specific disciplines while underperforming in dry and often wet metrics. It repeatedly tops snow braking, traction, and handling, frequently placing 1st or 2nd, confirming a strong cold-weather focus. Conversely, it is consistently last or near-last in dry braking and dry handling, and shows recurring weaknesses in wet braking, with only occasional mid-pack wet handling and aquaplaning strengths.
Overall, this tire serves as a benchmark for snow and ice performance but carries clear trade-offs in warm/dry conditions and rolling resistance. Noise is often higher than rivals, and efficiency is below average. The performance profile is highly polarized: outstanding in snow/ice, mediocre-to-poor in dry, and mixed in the wet.

Performance Strengths

Snow and Ice Performance Strong Details
• 1st place snow braking, traction and handling (multiple tests: 2025 AB All Season 225/40 R18: 1st snow braking; 2023 AB 225/45 R17: 1st in all four snow disciplines)
• Consistent 1st-2nd in snow across SUV/camper: 2025 Camper 245/45 R18 snow handling 1/10; 2023 SUV 235/65 R17: 1st snow braking/traction/handling
Aquaplaning Resistance (Straight/Curved) Moderate Details
• Top 1-3 in aquaplaning on several tests: 2023 SUV 235/65 R17 curved aquaplaning 1/12; 2021 SUV 215/65 R17 curved aquaplaning 1/12
• Frequent top-3 straight aquaplaning: 2025 AB SUV 215/55 R17 straight aqua 2/13; 2024 AB 225/50 R17 curved aqua 2/17
Snow/Ice NVH comfort aspects Minor Details
• Best noise in 2024/25 TR 235/35 R19: 71.4 dB (1/9)
• Multiple upper-tier noise results in mixed fields: 2023 AB 225/45 R17 noise 4/18; 2021 TR 205/55 R16 comfort 1/11

Performance Weaknesses

Dry Braking and Dry Handling Strong Details
• Repeated last place dry braking/handling: 2025 AB 225/40 R18 dry braking 17/17 (+29.9% from best) and dry handling 17/17; 2023 AB 225/45 R17 dry braking 18/18 (+24.4%) and handling 18/18
• Consistently bottom tier across years: 2021 AB 225/50 R17 dry braking 18/18 (+18.5%); 2018 AB 195/65 R15 dry braking 12/12 (+20.5%)
Wet Braking (overall wet grip balance) Strong Details
• Frequent lower positions: 2025 AB 225/40 R18 wet braking 16/17 (+23.5%); 2024 AB 225/50 R17 wet braking 11/17 (+20.6%); 2020 AB 205/55 R16 wet braking 16/16 (+24%)
• Despite occasional mid-pack wet handling, wet circles/braking often lag: 2024 Sports Car 225/40 R18 wet braking 12/13 (+15.9%), wet circle 11/13 (+9.6%)
Noise and Rolling Resistance Moderate Details
• High noise in many SUV tests: 2024 AB SUV 245/45 R18 noise 12/12 (+5.1%); 2023 SUV 235/65 R17 noise 11/12 (+3.6%)
• Elevated rolling resistance: 2025 Camper 245/45 R18 RR 10/11 (+17.8%); 2021 AB 225/50 R17 RR 17/18 (+30.9%); 2018 AB 195/65 R15 RR 11/12 (+34.4%)

Performance Over Time

Test History

of 11

2025 Auto Bild All Season Camper Van Tire Test

2025
Winner: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3

Strong:
Snow Braking, Snow Handling, Snow Slalom

Weak:
Dry Braking, Rolling Resistance, Curved Aquaplaning, Wet Circle

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