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2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
6 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Dry
  3. Wet
  4. Snow
  5. Environment
  6. Results
  7. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
  8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
  9. Uniroyal MS+ 77
  10. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
  11. Hankook Winter i cept evo2
  12. Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
  13. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
  14. Toyo Snowprox S954
  15. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
  16. Nokian WR A4
  17. Nankang SV2
  18. Reference Summer

Test Publication:
255/35 R19 12 tyres 5 categories
Images courtesy of Auto Bild Sportscars
Test Publication:
Auto Bild Sportscars
Images courtesy of Auto Bild Sportscars
Test Size: 255/35 R19
Tyres Tested: 12 tyres
Test Categories:
5 categories (10 tests)
Similar Tests
For their third winter tyre test of 2019, Auto Bild have stepped up the fun and fitted an Audi S5 with eleven sets of 255/35 R19 ultra high performance winter tyres, and included the usual set of reference summer tyres!

Following on from a win in Auto Express, the new Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ takes its second win of 2019, once again proving to have a near flawless blend of qualities. Vredestein have also continued their run of good results with a very strong second place for the Wintrac Pro. This tyre is significantly cheaper than the premium winter tyres in the UK, so is probably the best choice if you need to save a few pounds.

Rounding out the top three is the Uniroyal MSPlus 77. This tyre was extremely strong in the snow, but relatively weak in the dry and wet. This means while the Uniroyal placed higher overall than tyres like the Continental WinterContact TS860S, the tyres with a better dry and wet performance are far more suitable for the UK climate.

As always, check out all the data below to see which blend of qualities works for your intended driving patterns and budget.

Dry

The new Goodyear tyre won the dry braking test, but was significantly behind the summer tyre. The midrange tyres from Kumho and Toyo also performed excellently.

Dry Braking

Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)
  1. Reference Summer
    36.80 M
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    40.20 M
  3. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    40.70 M
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
    41.20 M
  5. Toyo Snowprox S954
    41.20 M
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    41.80 M
  7. Nokian WR A4
    41.90 M
  8. Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
    42.10 M
  9. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    42.30 M
  10. Nankang SV2
    43.00 M
  11. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    43.70 M
  12. Hankook Winter i cept evo2
    44.00 M

As with dry braking, the summer tyre had a big advantage, this time with Toyo the best of the winter tyres.

Dry Handling

Dry Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
  1. Reference Summer
    124.50 Km/H
  2. Toyo Snowprox S954
    121.90 Km/H
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
    120.70 Km/H
  4. Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
    120.50 Km/H
  5. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    120.20 Km/H
  6. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    119.70 Km/H
  7. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    119.60 Km/H
  8. Hankook Winter i cept evo2
    119.50 Km/H
  9. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    119.40 Km/H
  10. Nokian WR A4
    119.30 Km/H
  11. Nankang SV2
    118.80 Km/H
  12. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    118.50 Km/H

Wet

The Goodyear continued its excellent braking run in the wet, being the only winter tyre to stop better than the summer tyre.

Wet Braking

Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
  1. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    45.70 M
  2. Reference Summer
    46.90 M
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
    47.10 M
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo2
    47.60 M
  5. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    48.10 M
  6. Toyo Snowprox S954
    49.60 M
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
    50.00 M
  8. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    50.40 M
  9. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    51.80 M
  10. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    53.40 M
  11. Nankang SV2
    53.80 M
  12. Nokian WR A4
    54.80 M

As with wet braking, the Goodyear was the only tyre to best the summer tyre over a fast lap, with Vredestein just able to match it.

Wet Handling

Wet Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)
  1. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    95.30 Km/H
  2. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    94.90 Km/H
  3. Reference Summer
    94.90 Km/H
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo2
    93.20 Km/H
  5. Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
    92.80 Km/H
  6. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
    92.80 Km/H
  7. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    92.00 Km/H
  8. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    91.60 Km/H
  9. Toyo Snowprox S954
    91.60 Km/H
  10. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    90.60 Km/H
  11. Nokian WR A4
    90.20 Km/H
  12. Nankang SV2
    89.90 Km/H

Impressively, Goodyear also won the straight aquaplaning testing.

Straight Aqua

Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    73.70 Km/H
  2. Reference Summer
    73.40 Km/H
  3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    73.20 Km/H
  4. Toyo Snowprox S954
    72.60 Km/H
  5. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    72.20 Km/H
  6. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    71.80 Km/H
  7. Nankang SV2
    71.30 Km/H
  8. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    69.10 Km/H
  9. Hankook Winter i cept evo2
    68.50 Km/H
  10. Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
    68.50 Km/H
  11. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
    66.10 Km/H
  12. Nokian WR A4
    59.90 Km/H

Snow

Snow braking gave Goodyear a clean sweep of braking results, with all the winter tyres vastly out performing the summer tyre.

Snow Braking

Snow braking in meters (Lower is better)
  1. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    27.60 M
  2. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    28.00 M
  3. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    28.00 M
  4. Nokian WR A4
    28.50 M
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo2
    28.60 M
  6. Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
    28.80 M
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
    28.90 M
  8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    29.10 M
  9. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    29.40 M
  10. Toyo Snowprox S954
    30.50 M
  11. Nankang SV2
    30.80 M
  12. Reference Summer
    77.90 M

Snow handling was very close between the top seven tyres, with Kumho coming out on top.

Snow Handling

Snow handling average speed (Higher is better)
  1. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    49.40 Km/H
  2. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    49.10 Km/H
  3. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    49.00 Km/H
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    48.90 Km/H
  5. Nokian WR A4
    48.70 Km/H
  6. Hankook Winter i cept evo2
    48.70 Km/H
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
    48.40 Km/H
  8. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    47.60 Km/H
  9. Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
    47.40 Km/H
  10. Toyo Snowprox S954
    46.50 Km/H
  11. Nankang SV2
    45.00 Km/H

Environment

Continental had a big advantage in fuel use.

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
    8.06 kg / t
  2. Nankang SV2
    8.50 kg / t
  3. Nokian WR A4
    8.50 kg / t
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    8.66 kg / t
  5. Reference Summer
    8.80 kg / t
  6. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    9.02 kg / t
  7. Toyo Snowprox S954
    9.25 kg / t
  8. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    9.35 kg / t
  9. Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
    9.39 kg / t
  10. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    9.99 kg / t
  11. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    10.32 kg / t
  12. Hankook Winter i cept evo2
    10.35 kg / t

Nankang had the lowest external drive by noise.

Noise

External noise in dB (Lower is better)
  1. Nankang SV2
    70.70 dB
  2. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    71.10 dB
  3. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    72.00 dB
  4. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    72.20 dB
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
    72.50 dB
  6. Reference Summer
    72.60 dB
  7. Toyo Snowprox S954
    73.50 dB
  8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    73.70 dB
  9. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    74.10 dB
  10. Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
    74.90 dB
  11. Nokian WR A4
    75.00 dB
  12. Hankook Winter i cept evo2
    75.70 dB

The most expensive set of tyres on test was almost double the price of the cheapest set.

Price

Price in local currency (Lower is better)
  1. Nankang SV2
    515.00
  2. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    535.00
  3. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    605.00
  4. Toyo Snowprox S954
    650.00
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo2
    685.00
  6. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    700.00
  7. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    760.00
  8. Nokian WR A4
    780.00
  9. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
    880.00
  10. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
    935.00
  11. Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
    960.00

Results

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 40.2 M 36.8 M +3.4 M 91.54%
Dry Handling 9th 119.4 Km/H 124.5 Km/H -5.1 Km/H 95.9%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 45.7 M 100%
Wet Handling 1st 95.3 Km/H 100%
Straight Aqua 1st 73.7 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 1st 27.6 M 100%
Snow Handling 4th 48.9 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 98.99%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 9th 74.1 dB 70.7 dB +3.4 dB 95.41%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 9th 880 515 +365 58.52%
Rolling Resistance 4th 8.66 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 93.07%
2nd

Vredestein Wintrac Pro

255/35 R19
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 41.8 M 36.8 M +5 M 88.04%
Dry Handling 5th 120.2 Km/H 124.5 Km/H -4.3 Km/H 96.55%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 5th 48.1 M 45.7 M +2.4 M 95.01%
Wet Handling 2nd 94.9 Km/H 95.3 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.58%
Straight Aqua 3rd 73.2 Km/H 73.7 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.32%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 8th 29.1 M 27.6 M +1.5 M 94.85%
Snow Handling 2nd 49.1 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.39%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 8th 73.7 dB 70.7 dB +3 dB 95.93%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 7th 760 515 +245 67.76%
Rolling Resistance 11th 10.32 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +2.26 kg / t 78.1%
3rd

Uniroyal MS+ 77

255/35 R19
Uniroyal MS Plus 77
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 11th 43.7 M 36.8 M +6.9 M 84.21%
Dry Handling 6th 119.7 Km/H 124.5 Km/H -4.8 Km/H 96.14%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 8th 50.4 M 45.7 M +4.7 M 90.67%
Wet Handling 7th 92 Km/H 95.3 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 96.54%
Straight Aqua 6th 71.8 Km/H 73.7 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 97.42%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 2nd 28 M 27.6 M +0.4 M 98.57%
Snow Handling 3rd 49 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.19%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 4th 72.2 dB 70.7 dB +1.5 dB 97.92%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 6th 700 515 +185 73.57%
Rolling Resistance 6th 9.02 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +0.96 kg / t 89.36%
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 41.2 M 36.8 M +4.4 M 89.32%
Dry Handling 3rd 120.7 Km/H 124.5 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 96.95%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 7th 50 M 45.7 M +4.3 M 91.4%
Wet Handling 5th 92.8 Km/H 95.3 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 97.38%
Straight Aqua 11th 66.1 Km/H 73.7 Km/H -7.6 Km/H 89.69%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 7th 28.9 M 27.6 M +1.3 M 95.5%
Snow Handling 7th 48.4 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -1 Km/H 97.98%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 5th 72.5 dB 70.7 dB +1.8 dB 97.52%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 10th 935 515 +420 55.08%
Rolling Resistance 1st 8.06 kg / t 100%
Hankook Winter i cept evo2
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 12th 44 M 36.8 M +7.2 M 83.64%
Dry Handling 8th 119.5 Km/H 124.5 Km/H -5 Km/H 95.98%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 47.6 M 45.7 M +1.9 M 96.01%
Wet Handling 4th 93.2 Km/H 95.3 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.8%
Straight Aqua 9th 68.5 Km/H 73.7 Km/H -5.2 Km/H 92.94%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 5th 28.6 M 27.6 M +1 M 96.5%
Snow Handling 5th 48.7 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 98.58%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 12th 75.7 dB 70.7 dB +5 dB 93.39%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 5th 685 515 +170 75.18%
Rolling Resistance 12th 10.35 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +2.29 kg / t 77.87%
6th

Michelin Pilot Alpin 4

255/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 42.1 M 36.8 M +5.3 M 87.41%
Dry Handling 4th 120.5 Km/H 124.5 Km/H -4 Km/H 96.79%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 47.1 M 45.7 M +1.4 M 97.03%
Wet Handling 5th 92.8 Km/H 95.3 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 97.38%
Straight Aqua 9th 68.5 Km/H 73.7 Km/H -5.2 Km/H 92.94%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 6th 28.8 M 27.6 M +1.2 M 95.83%
Snow Handling 9th 47.4 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -2 Km/H 95.95%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 10th 74.9 dB 70.7 dB +4.2 dB 94.39%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 11th 960 515 +445 53.65%
Rolling Resistance 9th 9.39 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +1.33 kg / t 85.84%
7th

Kumho WinterCraft WP71

255/35 R19
Kumho WinterCraft WP71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 40.7 M 36.8 M +3.9 M 90.42%
Dry Handling 12th 118.5 Km/H 124.5 Km/H -6 Km/H 95.18%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 9th 51.8 M 45.7 M +6.1 M 88.22%
Wet Handling 10th 90.6 Km/H 95.3 Km/H -4.7 Km/H 95.07%
Straight Aqua 5th 72.2 Km/H 73.7 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 97.96%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 2nd 28 M 27.6 M +0.4 M 98.57%
Snow Handling 1st 49.4 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 3rd 72 dB 70.7 dB +1.3 dB 98.19%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 3rd 605 515 +90 85.12%
Rolling Resistance 8th 9.35 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +1.29 kg / t 86.2%
8th

Toyo Snowprox S954

255/35 R19
Toyo Snowprox S954
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 41.2 M 36.8 M +4.4 M 89.32%
Dry Handling 2nd 121.9 Km/H 124.5 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 97.91%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 6th 49.6 M 45.7 M +3.9 M 92.14%
Wet Handling 8th 91.6 Km/H 95.3 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 96.12%
Straight Aqua 4th 72.6 Km/H 73.7 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.51%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 10th 30.5 M 27.6 M +2.9 M 90.49%
Snow Handling 10th 46.5 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -2.9 Km/H 94.13%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 7th 73.5 dB 70.7 dB +2.8 dB 96.19%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 4th 650 515 +135 79.23%
Rolling Resistance 7th 9.25 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +1.19 kg / t 87.14%
9th

Nexen WinGuard Sport 2

255/35 R19
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 9th 42.3 M 36.8 M +5.5 M 87%
Dry Handling 7th 119.6 Km/H 124.5 Km/H -4.9 Km/H 96.06%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 10th 53.4 M 45.7 M +7.7 M 85.58%
Wet Handling 8th 91.6 Km/H 95.3 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 96.12%
Straight Aqua 8th 69.1 Km/H 73.7 Km/H -4.6 Km/H 93.76%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 9th 29.4 M 27.6 M +1.8 M 93.88%
Snow Handling 8th 47.6 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 96.36%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 2nd 71.1 dB 70.7 dB +0.4 dB 99.44%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 2nd 535 515 +20 96.26%
Rolling Resistance 10th 9.99 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +1.93 kg / t 80.68%
10th

Nokian WR A4

255/35 R19
Nokian WR A4
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 7th 41.9 M 36.8 M +5.1 M 87.83%
Dry Handling 10th 119.3 Km/H 124.5 Km/H -5.2 Km/H 95.82%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 12th 54.8 M 45.7 M +9.1 M 83.39%
Wet Handling 11th 90.2 Km/H 95.3 Km/H -5.1 Km/H 94.65%
Straight Aqua 12th 59.9 Km/H 73.7 Km/H -13.8 Km/H 81.28%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 4th 28.5 M 27.6 M +0.9 M 96.84%
Snow Handling 5th 48.7 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 98.58%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 11th 75 dB 70.7 dB +4.3 dB 94.27%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 8th 780 515 +265 66.03%
Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.5 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +0.44 kg / t 94.82%
11th

Nankang SV2

255/35 R19
Nankang SV2
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 10th 43 M 36.8 M +6.2 M 85.58%
Dry Handling 11th 118.8 Km/H 124.5 Km/H -5.7 Km/H 95.42%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 11th 53.8 M 45.7 M +8.1 M 84.94%
Wet Handling 12th 89.9 Km/H 95.3 Km/H -5.4 Km/H 94.33%
Straight Aqua 7th 71.3 Km/H 73.7 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 96.74%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 11th 30.8 M 27.6 M +3.2 M 89.61%
Snow Handling 11th 45 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -4.4 Km/H 91.09%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 1st 70.7 dB 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Price 1st 515 100%
Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.5 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +0.44 kg / t 94.82%
12th

Reference Summer

255/35 R19
Reference Summer
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 36.8 M 100%
Dry Handling 1st 124.5 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 46.9 M 45.7 M +1.2 M 97.44%
Wet Handling 2nd 94.9 Km/H 95.3 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.58%
Straight Aqua 2nd 73.4 Km/H 73.7 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.59%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 12th 77.9 M 27.6 M +50.3 M 35.43%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Noise 6th 72.6 dB 70.7 dB +1.9 dB 97.38%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Rolling Resistance 5th 8.8 kg / t 8.06 kg / t +0.74 kg / t 91.59%

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