Test Publication:
225/45 R18
9 tyres
5 categories
Images courtesy of Sport Auto
Test Publication:
Images courtesy of Sport Auto
Test Size:
225/45 R18
Tyres Tested:
9 tyres
The 2020 Sport Auto all season tyre test has covered seven of the best all season tyres in 225/45 18, using a new BMW 3 Series.
Most of the tyres on test were also included in the 2020 Tyre Reviews all season tyre test, however as Sport Auto used a different size and vehicle, this test still makes for interesting reading!
Sport Auto found the Bridgestone WeatherControl A005 to be an excellent tyre in the dry and wet, and even with its mid pack performance in the snow, crowned it best in test, a little ahead of the Michelin CrossClimate+, which performed better in the wet than it did in our test.
One interesting piece of information Sport Auto shared was the summer and winter reference tyres used. Usually these remain anonymous, but in this test it was the Bridgestone Turanza T005 and the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005. This is especially interesting as the LM005 is winning most of the 2020 winter tests, so seeing how one of the best winter tyres compares to some of the best all season tyres is a great insight into the different balance between the all season and winter tyres.
Dry
It will be no surprise to regular readers of the site that the summer tyre had a significant advantage in the dry, stopping the BMW a full 3 meters ahead of the best all season tyre, which for a change wasn't the Michelin CrossClimate+!
- Reference Summer
- Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
- Bridgestone Weather Control A005
- Michelin CrossClimate Plus
- Continental AllSeasonContact
- Vredestein Quatrac Pro
- Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210
- Reference Winter
- BFGoodrich g Grip All Season 2
The summer tyre retained its advantage in during dry handling tests, while the Bridgestone WeatherControl A005 jumped ahead of the rest of the all season tyres.
- Reference Summer
- Bridgestone Weather Control A005
- Vredestein Quatrac Pro
- Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
- Michelin CrossClimate Plus
- Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210
- Continental AllSeasonContact
- BFGoodrich g Grip All Season 2
- Reference Winter
Wet
The Bridgestone all season again proved best in the wet braking test with a significant advantage, with the winter tyre performing well.
- Bridgestone Weather Control A005
- Michelin CrossClimate Plus
- Reference Winter
- Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
- Reference Summer
- Continental AllSeasonContact
- Vredestein Quatrac Pro
- BFGoodrich g Grip All Season 2
- Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210
Surprisingly the winter tyre was best during the wet handling testing.
- Reference Winter
- Reference Summer
- Vredestein Quatrac Pro
- Michelin CrossClimate Plus
- Bridgestone Weather Control A005
- Continental AllSeasonContact
- Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
- BFGoodrich g Grip All Season 2
- Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210
The summer tyre out performed all the all season tyres during straight aquaplaning testing.
- Reference Summer
- Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
- Vredestein Quatrac Pro
- Reference Winter
- Continental AllSeasonContact
- Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210
- BFGoodrich g Grip All Season 2
- Bridgestone Weather Control A005
- Michelin CrossClimate Plus
Snow
During snow braking the BFGoodrich all season tyre surprisingly out performed the full winter tyre, with the Continental AllSeasonContact a close third.
- BFGoodrich g Grip All Season 2
- Reference Winter
- Continental AllSeasonContact
- Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210
- Bridgestone Weather Control A005
- Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
- Michelin CrossClimate Plus
- Vredestein Quatrac Pro
- Reference Summer
Snow handling kept the Winter, Continental and BFGoodrich as the top three tyres, just this time in a different order.
- Reference Winter
- Continental AllSeasonContact
- BFGoodrich g Grip All Season 2
- Michelin CrossClimate Plus
- Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210
- Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
- Vredestein Quatrac Pro
- Bridgestone Weather Control A005
- Reference Summer
Environment
As usual, the summer tyre proved to have the lowest rolling resistance.
- Reference Summer
- Michelin CrossClimate Plus
- BFGoodrich g Grip All Season 2
- Reference Winter
- Bridgestone Weather Control A005
- Continental AllSeasonContact
- Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210
- Vredestein Quatrac Pro
- Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
While all tyres were relatively close on the external pass by noise test, the testers noted humming noises from a couple of the tyres on test (see notes below)
- BFGoodrich g Grip All Season 2
- Bridgestone Weather Control A005
- Michelin CrossClimate Plus
- Vredestein Quatrac Pro
- Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
- Continental AllSeasonContact
- Reference Winter
- Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210
- Reference Summer
Results
Score weighting - Dry 30%, Wet 40%, Snow 20%, Environment 10%
Very short braking distances and safe handling int he wet, easy controllable handling in the dry.
Limited snow performance for an all season tyre.
Limited on snow but safest tyre for cold and wet roads.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
3rd |
40 M |
36.6 M |
+3.4 M |
91.5% |
| Dry Handling |
2nd |
122.3 Km/H |
123.9 Km/H |
-1.6 Km/H |
98.71% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
1st |
30.2 M |
|
|
100% |
| Wet Handling |
4th |
72.2 Km/H |
74.1 Km/H |
-1.9 Km/H |
97.44% |
| Straight Aqua |
8th |
91.3 Km/H |
99.6 Km/H |
-8.3 Km/H |
91.67% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
5th |
31.4 M |
26.1 M |
+5.3 M |
83.12% |
| Snow Handling |
8th |
42.4 Km/H |
46.4 Km/H |
-4 Km/H |
91.38% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Noise |
2nd |
71.5 dB |
70.8 dB |
+0.7 dB |
99.02% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Rolling Resistance |
4th |
8.3 kg / t |
7.5 kg / t |
+0.8 kg / t |
90.36% |
Good performance in the wet, strong in the dry.
Sensitive to slipping so not recommended for vehicles without ESP. Average aquaplaning protection. Humming noise when cornering.
The Michelin was well balanced under all conditions.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
4th |
40.3 M |
36.6 M |
+3.7 M |
90.82% |
| Dry Handling |
5th |
120.3 Km/H |
123.9 Km/H |
-3.6 Km/H |
97.09% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
2nd |
31.1 M |
30.2 M |
+0.9 M |
97.11% |
| Wet Handling |
4th |
72.2 Km/H |
74.1 Km/H |
-1.9 Km/H |
97.44% |
| Straight Aqua |
9th |
90.2 Km/H |
99.6 Km/H |
-9.4 Km/H |
90.56% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
7th |
31.8 M |
26.1 M |
+5.7 M |
82.08% |
| Snow Handling |
4th |
45 Km/H |
46.4 Km/H |
-1.4 Km/H |
96.98% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Noise |
3rd |
71.6 dB |
70.8 dB |
+0.8 dB |
98.88% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Rolling Resistance |
2nd |
7.8 kg / t |
7.5 kg / t |
+0.3 kg / t |
96.15% |
Good cornering grip int he snow, neutral safe handling with high aquaplaning safety, stable under lane change.
Longer braking distances in the dry and wet with a slight oversteer balance in fast corners.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
5th |
41.9 M |
36.6 M |
+5.3 M |
87.35% |
| Dry Handling |
7th |
119.6 Km/H |
123.9 Km/H |
-4.3 Km/H |
96.53% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
6th |
32.5 M |
30.2 M |
+2.3 M |
92.92% |
| Wet Handling |
6th |
71.7 Km/H |
74.1 Km/H |
-2.4 Km/H |
96.76% |
| Straight Aqua |
5th |
93.8 Km/H |
99.6 Km/H |
-5.8 Km/H |
94.18% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
3rd |
28.6 M |
26.1 M |
+2.5 M |
91.26% |
| Snow Handling |
2nd |
45.7 Km/H |
46.4 Km/H |
-0.7 Km/H |
98.49% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Noise |
6th |
71.8 dB |
70.8 dB |
+1 dB |
98.61% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Rolling Resistance |
6th |
8.7 kg / t |
7.5 kg / t |
+1.2 kg / t |
86.21% |
Well balanced, good wet performance, good aquaplaning resistance.
Unbalanced snow grip, long wet braking distances, humming noise.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
2nd |
39.6 M |
36.6 M |
+3 M |
92.42% |
| Dry Handling |
3rd |
120.5 Km/H |
123.9 Km/H |
-3.4 Km/H |
97.26% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
4th |
32.1 M |
30.2 M |
+1.9 M |
94.08% |
| Wet Handling |
6th |
71.7 Km/H |
74.1 Km/H |
-2.4 Km/H |
96.76% |
| Straight Aqua |
2nd |
97.2 Km/H |
99.6 Km/H |
-2.4 Km/H |
97.59% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
6th |
31.7 M |
26.1 M |
+5.6 M |
82.33% |
| Snow Handling |
6th |
43.8 Km/H |
46.4 Km/H |
-2.6 Km/H |
94.4% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Noise |
3rd |
71.6 dB |
70.8 dB |
+0.8 dB |
98.88% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Rolling Resistance |
8th |
9.3 kg / t |
7.5 kg / t |
+1.8 kg / t |
80.65% |
Good grip in the dry and wet, good levels of comfort.
Strong understeer and low grip on snow.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
6th |
42.7 M |
36.6 M |
+6.1 M |
85.71% |
| Dry Handling |
3rd |
120.5 Km/H |
123.9 Km/H |
-3.4 Km/H |
97.26% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
7th |
33 M |
30.2 M |
+2.8 M |
91.52% |
| Wet Handling |
3rd |
72.3 Km/H |
74.1 Km/H |
-1.8 Km/H |
97.57% |
| Straight Aqua |
3rd |
95.8 Km/H |
99.6 Km/H |
-3.8 Km/H |
96.18% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
8th |
32.6 M |
26.1 M |
+6.5 M |
80.06% |
| Snow Handling |
7th |
43 Km/H |
46.4 Km/H |
-3.4 Km/H |
92.67% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Noise |
3rd |
71.6 dB |
70.8 dB |
+0.8 dB |
98.88% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Rolling Resistance |
8th |
9.3 kg / t |
7.5 kg / t |
+1.8 kg / t |
80.65% |
Very short braking distances and high levels of grip on snow.
Poor dry and wet braking.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
8th |
43.8 M |
36.6 M |
+7.2 M |
83.56% |
| Dry Handling |
8th |
119.2 Km/H |
123.9 Km/H |
-4.7 Km/H |
96.21% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
8th |
34.2 M |
30.2 M |
+4 M |
88.3% |
| Wet Handling |
8th |
69.5 Km/H |
74.1 Km/H |
-4.6 Km/H |
93.79% |
| Straight Aqua |
7th |
91.8 Km/H |
99.6 Km/H |
-7.8 Km/H |
92.17% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
1st |
26.1 M |
|
|
100% |
| Snow Handling |
2nd |
45.7 Km/H |
46.4 Km/H |
-0.7 Km/H |
98.49% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Noise |
1st |
70.8 dB |
|
|
100% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Rolling Resistance |
3rd |
8.2 kg / t |
7.5 kg / t |
+0.7 kg / t |
91.46% |
Acceptable performance on snow and dry roads.
Longer wet braking and poor wet handling with oversteer balance.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
7th |
42.9 M |
36.6 M |
+6.3 M |
85.31% |
| Dry Handling |
5th |
120.3 Km/H |
123.9 Km/H |
-3.6 Km/H |
97.09% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
9th |
35.3 M |
30.2 M |
+5.1 M |
85.55% |
| Wet Handling |
9th |
68.7 Km/H |
74.1 Km/H |
-5.4 Km/H |
92.71% |
| Straight Aqua |
6th |
92.3 Km/H |
99.6 Km/H |
-7.3 Km/H |
92.67% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
4th |
29.9 M |
26.1 M |
+3.8 M |
87.29% |
| Snow Handling |
5th |
44.9 Km/H |
46.4 Km/H |
-1.5 Km/H |
96.77% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Noise |
8th |
73 dB |
70.8 dB |
+2.2 dB |
96.99% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Rolling Resistance |
7th |
8.9 kg / t |
7.5 kg / t |
+1.4 kg / t |
84.27% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
1st |
36.6 M |
|
|
100% |
| Dry Handling |
1st |
123.9 Km/H |
|
|
100% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
5th |
32.2 M |
30.2 M |
+2 M |
93.79% |
| Wet Handling |
2nd |
73.2 Km/H |
74.1 Km/H |
-0.9 Km/H |
98.79% |
| Straight Aqua |
1st |
99.6 Km/H |
|
|
100% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
9th |
50.2 M |
26.1 M |
+24.1 M |
51.99% |
| Snow Handling |
9th |
17 Km/H |
46.4 Km/H |
-29.4 Km/H |
36.64% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Noise |
9th |
73.9 dB |
70.8 dB |
+3.1 dB |
95.81% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Rolling Resistance |
1st |
7.5 kg / t |
|
|
100% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
8th |
43.8 M |
36.6 M |
+7.2 M |
83.56% |
| Dry Handling |
9th |
118.6 Km/H |
123.9 Km/H |
-5.3 Km/H |
95.72% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
3rd |
31.7 M |
30.2 M |
+1.5 M |
95.27% |
| Wet Handling |
1st |
74.1 Km/H |
|
|
100% |
| Straight Aqua |
4th |
94.7 Km/H |
99.6 Km/H |
-4.9 Km/H |
95.08% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
2nd |
27.3 M |
26.1 M |
+1.2 M |
95.6% |
| Snow Handling |
1st |
46.4 Km/H |
|
|
100% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Noise |
7th |
71.9 dB |
70.8 dB |
+1.1 dB |
98.47% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Rolling Resistance |
4th |
8.3 kg / t |
7.5 kg / t |
+0.8 kg / t |
90.36% |