Test Publication:
255/35 R19
12 tyres
5 categories
Images courtesy of Auto Bild Sportscars
Test Publication:
Images courtesy of Auto Bild Sportscars
Test Size:
255/35 R19
Tyres Tested:
12 tyres
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.
- Reference Summer
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
- Kumho WinterCraft WP71
- Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
- Toyo Snowprox S954
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Nokian WR A4
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
- Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
- Nankang SV2
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Hankook Winter i cept evo2
As with dry braking, the summer tyre had a big advantage, this time with Toyo the best of the winter tyres.
- Reference Summer
- Toyo Snowprox S954
- Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
- Hankook Winter i cept evo2
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
- Nokian WR A4
- Nankang SV2
- Kumho WinterCraft WP71
Wet
The Goodyear continued its excellent braking run in the wet, being the only winter tyre to stop better than the summer tyre.
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
- Reference Summer
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
- Hankook Winter i cept evo2
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Toyo Snowprox S954
- Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Kumho WinterCraft WP71
- Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
- Nankang SV2
- Nokian WR A4
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.
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Reference Summer
- Hankook Winter i cept evo2
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
- Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
- Toyo Snowprox S954
- Kumho WinterCraft WP71
- Nokian WR A4
- Nankang SV2
Impressively, Goodyear also won the straight aquaplaning testing.
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
- Reference Summer
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Toyo Snowprox S954
- Kumho WinterCraft WP71
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Nankang SV2
- Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
- Hankook Winter i cept evo2
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
- Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
- Nokian WR A4
Snow
Snow braking gave Goodyear a clean sweep of braking results, with all the winter tyres vastly out performing the summer tyre.
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Kumho WinterCraft WP71
- Nokian WR A4
- Hankook Winter i cept evo2
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
- Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
- Toyo Snowprox S954
- Nankang SV2
- Reference Summer
Snow handling was very close between the top seven tyres, with Kumho coming out on top.
- Kumho WinterCraft WP71
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
- Nokian WR A4
- Hankook Winter i cept evo2
- Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
- Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
- Toyo Snowprox S954
- Nankang SV2
Environment
Continental had a big advantage in fuel use.
- Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
- Nankang SV2
- Nokian WR A4
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
- Reference Summer
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Toyo Snowprox S954
- Kumho WinterCraft WP71
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
- Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Hankook Winter i cept evo2
Nankang had the lowest external drive by noise.
- Nankang SV2
- Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
- Kumho WinterCraft WP71
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
- Reference Summer
- Toyo Snowprox S954
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
- Nokian WR A4
- Hankook Winter i cept evo2
The most expensive set of tyres on test was almost double the price of the cheapest set.
- Nankang SV2
- Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
- Kumho WinterCraft WP71
- Toyo Snowprox S954
- Hankook Winter i cept evo2
- Uniroyal MS Plus 77
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Nokian WR A4
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
- Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
Results
Exemplary driving characteristics in all weather conditions, sporty wet handling, very good grip in the snow, low rolling resistance.
Expensive.
| 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% |
Excellent performance in the snow, and on wet roads, good aquaplaning resistance, sporty steering feel, short wet braking, stable dry handling.
High rolling resistance.
| 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% |
Excellent in the snow, high aquaplaning resistance, safe dry handling balance.
Long wet and dry braking, average comfort.
| 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% |
Sporty dry handling, precise steering, good feedback, low rolling resistance.
Slightly long wet braking, average comfort, expensive.
| 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% |
A well balanced winter tyre with safe wet and dry handling, short wet braking distances.
Slightly long dry braking, high rolling resistance, average comfort.
| 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% |
Stable safe handling on wet and dry roads, precise steering, good feedback, short snow braking.
Understeer in the snow, average comfort, expensive.
| 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% |
Sporty driving qualities in the snow, short dry braking distances, low noise.
Understeer in the dry and wet, long wet braking.
| 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% |
High aquaplaning resistance, stable wet handling, good steering in the dry.
Average grip on snow, long wet braking distances.
| 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% |
Short snow braking, stable dry handling, good comfort, low price.
Average grip with understeer on snow, very long wet braking, high rolling resistance.
| 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% |
Balance snow performance.
Low wet grip, low aquaplaning resistance, long wet braking, understeer in the dry and wet.
| 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% |
Low rolling resistance, low price.
Very low wet grip, long wet braking, slow steering response with understeer in the dry and wet.
| 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% |
| 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% |