2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test

Dry BrakingHankook Winter i cept RS2: 45.8 MKing-Meiler Winter Tact WT81: 50.1 M
Subj. Dry HandlingToyo Snowprox S954: 10 PointsGoodride SW608: 3 Points
Wet BrakingBridgestone Blizzak LM005: 50.9 MKing-Meiler Winter Tact WT81: 67.3 M
Subj. Wet HandlingContinental WinterContact TS 860: 10 PointsToyo Snowprox S954: 1 Points
Straight AquaHankook Winter i cept RS2: 85.2 Km/HKing-Meiler Winter Tact WT81: 67.1 Km/H
Snow BrakingDunlop Winter Sport 5: 25.7 MToyo Snowprox S954: 27.3 M
Snow TractionGoodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus: 2193 NGoodride SW608: 2039 N
Subj. Snow HandlingBridgestone Blizzak LM005: 10 PointsKing-Meiler Winter Tact WT81: 1 Points
Subj. ComfortGoodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus: 10 PointsKing-Meiler Winter Tact WT81: 1 Points
PriceKing-Meiler Winter Tact WT81: 170 Michelin Alpin 6: 380
Rolling ResistanceFulda Kristall Control HP2: 8.06 kg / tMaxxis Premitra Snow WP6: 9.42 kg / t
The 2020 Auto Zeitung has tested fourteen winter tyres in 205/55 R16, including new winter tyres from Bridgestone, Goodyear and Maxxis, as well as a low cost retreaded tyre.

While all the tyres were tested in the dry, wet and snow, sadly Auto Zeitung didn't include any handling data, instead just providing subjective feel scoring. They do a really good job of talking about how the tyres performed in their full article, so we encourage you to head over to AutoZeitung.com and check out the full test where you can also see data such as slalom speeds which we've not included.

Overall, the results confirm the trend we're seeing in 2020, with the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 taking a dominating win, largely thanks to it's incredible wet performance which saw it stopping 3.4 meters ahead of the second best tyre in wet braking!

The should-have-been-replaced-by-now Continental WinterContact TS860 finished a solid second, with the Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ taking third, matching the excellent performances of the larger Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+.

Dry

Dry braking was won by Hankook, showing an impressive advantage over the next best Bridgestone.

Subjectively, the testers liked the feel of the Toyo, which was also the fastest tyre through the dry slalom.

Wet

The Bridgestone had a huge advantage during wet braking, stopping the test Golf 3.4 meters ahead of the second best Continental. While the Toyo struggled, it was still nearly 7 meters ahead of the retreaded winter tyre.

Subjective wet handling had a similar order to wet braking, highlighting the advantage of having grip when driving quickly...

Hankook and Bridgestone scored best during the aquaplaning testing, which is even more impressive when you consider the braking performance of the tyres.

Snow

While the Fulda tyre struggled in the dry and wet, it was impressive during snow braking, finishing joint top with the aging Dunlop WinterSport 5.

Bridgestone rounded out its impressive performance by scoring the best during subjective snow handling.

The snow traction test was won by Goodyear.

Environment

The snow expert Fulda had the lowest rolling resistance on test.

The best tyres on test overall are also some of the best during subjective comfort testing.

Results

1st: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd46.5 M45.8 M+0.7 M98.49%
Subj. Dry Handling2nd9 Points10 Points-1 Points90%
Wet Braking1st50.9 M100%
Subj. Wet Handling2nd9 Points10 Points-1 Points90%
Straight Aqua2nd82.8 Km/H85.2 Km/H-2.4 Km/H97.18%
Snow Braking4th26 M25.7 M+0.3 M98.85%
Snow Traction2nd2175 N2193 N-18 N99.18%
Subj. Snow Handling1st10 Points100%
Subj. Comfort3rd9 Points10 Points-1 Points90%
Price12th340 170 +170 50%
Rolling Resistance4th8.4 kg / t8.06 kg / t+0.34 kg / t95.95%
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2nd: Continental WinterContact TS 860

Continental WinterContact TS 860
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking11th48.7 M45.8 M+2.9 M94.05%
Subj. Dry Handling7th6 Points10 Points-4 Points60%
Wet Braking2nd54.3 M50.9 M+3.4 M93.74%
Subj. Wet Handling1st10 Points100%
Straight Aqua5th80.2 Km/H85.2 Km/H-5 Km/H94.13%
Snow Braking3rd25.9 M25.7 M+0.2 M99.23%
Snow Traction6th2146 N2193 N-47 N97.86%
Subj. Snow Handling2nd9 Points10 Points-1 Points90%
Subj. Comfort3rd9 Points10 Points-1 Points90%
Price12th340 170 +170 50%
Rolling Resistance5th8.47 kg / t8.06 kg / t+0.41 kg / t95.16%
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3rd: Goodyear UltraGrip 9+

Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Plus
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: C/B/69
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th48.4 M45.8 M+2.6 M94.63%
Subj. Dry Handling3rd8 Points10 Points-2 Points80%
Wet Braking5th55.4 M50.9 M+4.5 M91.88%
Subj. Wet Handling5th5 Points10 Points-5 Points50%
Straight Aqua3rd82.3 Km/H85.2 Km/H-2.9 Km/H96.6%
Snow Braking6th26.1 M25.7 M+0.4 M98.47%
Snow Traction1st2193 N100%
Subj. Snow Handling2nd9 Points10 Points-1 Points90%
Subj. Comfort1st10 Points100%
Price10th320 170 +150 53.13%
Rolling Resistance3rd8.26 kg / t8.06 kg / t+0.2 kg / t97.58%
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4th: Hankook Winter i cept RS2

Hankook Winter i cept RS2
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: E/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st45.8 M100%
Subj. Dry Handling3rd8 Points10 Points-2 Points80%
Wet Braking4th55.1 M50.9 M+4.2 M92.38%
Subj. Wet Handling5th5 Points10 Points-5 Points50%
Straight Aqua1st85.2 Km/H100%
Snow Braking4th26 M25.7 M+0.3 M98.85%
Snow Traction3rd2171 N2193 N-22 N99%
Subj. Snow Handling7th6 Points10 Points-4 Points60%
Subj. Comfort3rd9 Points10 Points-1 Points90%
Price5th280 170 +110 60.71%
Rolling Resistance10th9.12 kg / t8.06 kg / t+1.06 kg / t88.38%
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5th: Michelin Alpin 6

Michelin Alpin 6
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: C/B/69
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th47.5 M45.8 M+1.7 M96.42%
Subj. Dry Handling9th5 Points10 Points-5 Points50%
Wet Braking3rd54.4 M50.9 M+3.5 M93.57%
Subj. Wet Handling3rd8 Points10 Points-2 Points80%
Straight Aqua10th76.5 Km/H85.2 Km/H-8.7 Km/H89.79%
Snow Braking8th26.2 M25.7 M+0.5 M98.09%
Snow Traction5th2152 N2193 N-41 N98.13%
Subj. Snow Handling6th7 Points10 Points-3 Points70%
Subj. Comfort1st10 Points100%
Price14th380 170 +210 44.74%
Rolling Resistance6th8.48 kg / t8.06 kg / t+0.42 kg / t95.05%
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6th: Dunlop Winter Sport 5

Dunlop Winter Sport 5
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: C/B/69
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking12th48.8 M45.8 M+3 M93.85%
Subj. Dry Handling6th7 Points10 Points-3 Points70%
Wet Braking7th55.5 M50.9 M+4.6 M91.71%
Subj. Wet Handling5th5 Points10 Points-5 Points50%
Straight Aqua9th76.7 Km/H85.2 Km/H-8.5 Km/H90.02%
Snow Braking1st25.7 M100%
Snow Traction9th2132 N2193 N-61 N97.22%
Subj. Snow Handling4th8 Points10 Points-2 Points80%
Subj. Comfort3rd9 Points10 Points-1 Points90%
Price11th330 170 +160 51.52%
Rolling Resistance2nd8.17 kg / t8.06 kg / t+0.11 kg / t98.65%
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7th: Pirelli Cinturato Winter

Pirelli Cinturato Winter
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: E/B/69
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking9th48.3 M45.8 M+2.5 M94.82%
Subj. Dry Handling12th4 Points10 Points-6 Points40%
Wet Braking8th56.9 M50.9 M+6 M89.46%
Subj. Wet Handling8th4 Points10 Points-6 Points40%
Straight Aqua4th82 Km/H85.2 Km/H-3.2 Km/H96.24%
Snow Braking9th26.3 M25.7 M+0.6 M97.72%
Snow Traction4th2170 N2193 N-23 N98.95%
Subj. Snow Handling4th8 Points10 Points-2 Points80%
Subj. Comfort11th5 Points10 Points-5 Points50%
Price7th300 170 +130 56.67%
Rolling Resistance9th8.88 kg / t8.06 kg / t+0.82 kg / t90.77%
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8th: Falken Eurowinter HS01

Falken Eurowinter HS01
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: E/B/70
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th47.2 M45.8 M+1.4 M97.03%
Subj. Dry Handling3rd8 Points10 Points-2 Points80%
Wet Braking9th57.1 M50.9 M+6.2 M89.14%
Subj. Wet Handling9th3 Points10 Points-7 Points30%
Straight Aqua7th79.3 Km/H85.2 Km/H-5.9 Km/H93.08%
Snow Braking10th26.5 M25.7 M+0.8 M96.98%
Snow Traction12th2078 N2193 N-115 N94.76%
Subj. Snow Handling9th4 Points10 Points-6 Points40%
Subj. Comfort9th6 Points10 Points-4 Points60%
Price5th280 170 +110 60.71%
Rolling Resistance11th9.21 kg / t8.06 kg / t+1.15 kg / t87.51%
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8th: Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6

Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: E/B/70
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th47.7 M45.8 M+1.9 M96.02%
Subj. Dry Handling7th6 Points10 Points-4 Points60%
Wet Braking5th55.4 M50.9 M+4.5 M91.88%
Subj. Wet Handling4th6 Points10 Points-4 Points60%
Straight Aqua6th79.9 Km/H85.2 Km/H-5.3 Km/H93.78%
Snow Braking10th26.5 M25.7 M+0.8 M96.98%
Snow Traction7th2144 N2193 N-49 N97.77%
Subj. Snow Handling11th2 Points10 Points-8 Points20%
Subj. Comfort8th7 Points10 Points-3 Points70%
Price7th300 170 +130 56.67%
Rolling Resistance14th9.42 kg / t8.06 kg / t+1.36 kg / t85.56%
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10th: Fulda Kristall Control HP2

Fulda Kristall Control HP2
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: C/B/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking13th50.1 M45.8 M+4.3 M91.42%
Subj. Dry Handling12th4 Points10 Points-6 Points40%
Wet Braking10th58.2 M50.9 M+7.3 M87.46%
Subj. Wet Handling12th1 Points10 Points-9 Points10%
Straight Aqua11th75 Km/H85.2 Km/H-10.2 Km/H88.03%
Snow Braking1st25.7 M100%
Snow Traction10th2123 N2193 N-70 N96.81%
Subj. Snow Handling8th5 Points10 Points-5 Points50%
Subj. Comfort9th6 Points10 Points-4 Points60%
Price7th300 170 +130 56.67%
Rolling Resistance1st8.06 kg / t100%
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11th: Nexen Winguard Snow G3

Nexen Winguard Snow G3
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: E/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd46.7 M45.8 M+0.9 M98.07%
Subj. Dry Handling9th5 Points10 Points-5 Points50%
Wet Braking12th59.1 M50.9 M+8.2 M86.13%
Subj. Wet Handling10th2 Points10 Points-8 Points20%
Straight Aqua12th71.8 Km/H85.2 Km/H-13.4 Km/H84.27%
Snow Braking10th26.5 M25.7 M+0.8 M96.98%
Snow Traction8th2138 N2193 N-55 N97.49%
Subj. Snow Handling10th3 Points10 Points-7 Points30%
Subj. Comfort7th8 Points10 Points-2 Points80%
Price3rd220 170 +50 77.27%
Rolling Resistance8th8.81 kg / t8.06 kg / t+0.75 kg / t91.49%
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12th: Toyo Snowprox S954

Toyo Snowprox S954
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: E/B/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th47.8 M45.8 M+2 M95.82%
Subj. Dry Handling1st10 Points100%
Wet Braking13th61.5 M50.9 M+10.6 M82.76%
Subj. Wet Handling12th1 Points10 Points-9 Points10%
Straight Aqua8th77.2 Km/H85.2 Km/H-8 Km/H90.61%
Snow Braking14th27.3 M25.7 M+1.6 M94.14%
Snow Traction13th2067 N2193 N-126 N94.25%
Subj. Snow Handling13th1 Points10 Points-9 Points10%
Subj. Comfort13th4 Points10 Points-6 Points40%
Price4th230 170 +60 73.91%
Rolling Resistance13th9.41 kg / t8.06 kg / t+1.35 kg / t85.65%
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13th: Goodride SW608

Goodride SW608
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: C/C/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th47.8 M45.8 M+2 M95.82%
Subj. Dry Handling14th3 Points10 Points-7 Points30%
Wet Braking11th58.6 M50.9 M+7.7 M86.86%
Subj. Wet Handling10th2 Points10 Points-8 Points20%
Straight Aqua13th71.1 Km/H85.2 Km/H-14.1 Km/H83.45%
Snow Braking6th26.1 M25.7 M+0.4 M98.47%
Snow Traction14th2039 N2193 N-154 N92.98%
Subj. Snow Handling11th2 Points10 Points-8 Points20%
Subj. Comfort11th5 Points10 Points-5 Points50%
Price2nd200 170 +30 85%
Rolling Resistance7th8.74 kg / t8.06 kg / t+0.68 kg / t92.22%
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14th: King Meiler Winter Tact WT81

King-Meiler Winter Tact WT81
  • 205/55 R16
  • EU Label: E/C/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking13th50.1 M45.8 M+4.3 M91.42%
Subj. Dry Handling9th5 Points10 Points-5 Points50%
Wet Braking14th67.3 M50.9 M+16.4 M75.63%
Subj. Wet Handling12th1 Points10 Points-9 Points10%
Straight Aqua14th67.1 Km/H85.2 Km/H-18.1 Km/H78.76%
Snow Braking13th27 M25.7 M+1.3 M95.19%
Snow Traction11th2087 N2193 N-106 N95.17%
Subj. Snow Handling13th1 Points10 Points-9 Points10%
Subj. Comfort14th1 Points10 Points-9 Points10%
Price1st170 100%
Rolling Resistance12th9.22 kg / t8.06 kg / t+1.16 kg / t87.42%
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