2021 AZ All Season Tyre Test

Dry Braking - CoolBridgestone Weather Control A005 EVO: 38 MNokian SeasonProof: 41.6 M
Dry BrakingMichelin CrossClimate Plus: 39.2 MFalken EUROALL SEASON AS210: 42.1 M
Dry Handling - CoolGoodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 76.6 sNokian SeasonProof: 78.1 s
Dry HandlingVredestein Quatrac: 69.2 sNokian SeasonProof: 70.5 s
Wet BrakingGoodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 54.6 MNokian SeasonProof: 58.9 M
Wet Braking - CoolBridgestone Weather Control A005 EVO: 53.4 MFalken EUROALL SEASON AS210: 65.5 M
Wet Handling - CoolVredestein Quatrac: 90.3 sHankook Kinergy 4S2: 94.4 s
Wet HandlingFalken EUROALL SEASON AS210: 64.9 sMichelin CrossClimate Plus: 68 s
Straight AquaVredestein Quatrac: 77.2 Km/HGoodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 71.4 Km/H
Snow BrakingNokian SeasonProof: 32 MMaxxis Premitra All Season AP3: 33.9 M
Snow TractionContinental AllSeasonContact: 2240 NMaxxis Premitra All Season AP3: 2059 N
Snow HandlingHankook Kinergy 4S2: 30 sBridgestone Weather Control A005 EVO: 31.8 s
NoiseBridgestone Weather Control A005 EVO: 70 dBFalken EUROALL SEASON AS210: 72 dB
PriceMaxxis Premitra All Season AP3: 240 Michelin CrossClimate Plus: 315
Rolling ResistanceNokian SeasonProof: 7.5 kg / tMaxxis Premitra All Season AP3: 9.2 kg / t
The 2021 Auto Zeitung all season tyre test tested nine all season tyres in the popular 205/55 R16 size.

While this test doesn't have the new Michelin CrossClimate 2 or Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2, it does have the new Vredestein Quatrac, and even more interestingly, it tested at multiple temperatures. We didn't get precise temperature data, but the magazine did detail that the cooler temperature was under 10c, and the warmer temperature over 20c.

As there's a huge amount of data generated from this test, we've chosen not to database some of the different temperature tests we felt weren't important, such as aquaplaning and noise.

The other caveat is that the split temperature tests were conducted on different proving grounds, with different circuits and grip surfaces so the results aren't directly comparable.

If you'd like to see the full data, head over to the Auto Zeitung website, or there's the key data below. 

Dry

The Bridgestone WeatherControl A005 EVO led the way in the cooler dry braking test, and performed well in the warmer dry braking test. The Vredestein Quatrac also performed well at both temperatures, but the Michelin CrossClimate couldn't match its usual dry braking dominance at cooler temperatures, finishing sixth overall. Normal service resumed for the Michelin as the temperature increased, where it led the group.

Nokian, Goodyear and Falken performed poorly at both temperatures.

On average, Goodyear and Michelin performed best in the two dry handling tests, with Vredestein also posting a consistent result. Once again, the Nokian SeasonProof struggled at both temperatures.

Wet

Wet braking was led by Bridgestone, which had a significant lead in the cooler temperatures. Michelin, Continental and Vredestein again did well.

Wet handling closely matched wet braking, other then the Falken Euroall Season AS210 having a surprise result, winning the wet handling at warmer temperatures when it was nearly last in the cooler temperatures.

The new Vredestein Quatrac led the wet in the straight aquaplaning test, with Hankook and Bridgestone also performing very well.

Snow

Snow testing was only performed at one temperature.

As we've seen before, the winter specialists Nokian performed well in snow braking, matching the Continental and slightly ahead of the Falken.

Hankook led the way in snow handling, with Nokian second and three tyres tied for third place overall.

Continental and Nokian also led the way in snow traction, confirming these are the best choice for snow driving.

Environment

All nine sets of tyres were separated by just 3 dB in the external noise test.

The Nokian SeasonProof led the group in fuel use, with a very low rolling resistance.

Maxxis, Hankook and Falken were the cheapest tyres on test, with Michelin and Continental the most expensive.

Results

1st: Continental AllSeasonContact

Continental AllSeasonContact
  • 205/55 R16 91H
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • Weight: 8.5kgs
  • Tread: 8mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking - Cool5th39.7 M38 M+1.7 M95.72%
Dry Braking7th42 M39.2 M+2.8 M93.33%
Dry Handling - Cool5th77.2 s76.6 s+0.6 s99.22%
Dry Handling5th69.7 s69.2 s+0.5 s99.28%
Wet Braking3rd54.9 M54.6 M+0.3 M99.45%
Wet Braking - Cool5th59.7 M53.4 M+6.3 M89.45%
Wet Handling - Cool5th91.5 s90.3 s+1.2 s98.69%
Wet Handling2nd65.1 s64.9 s+0.2 s99.69%
Straight Aqua4th76.2 Km/H77.2 Km/H-1 Km/H98.7%
Snow Braking1st32 M100%
Snow Traction1st2240 N100%
Snow Handling3rd30.4 s30 s+0.4 s98.68%
Noise4th71 dB70 dB+1 dB98.59%
Price8th310 240 +70 77.42%
Rolling Resistance3rd7.9 kg / t7.5 kg / t+0.4 kg / t94.94%
Test victory for the Continental AllSeasonContact. The German all-rounder convinced on snow, wet and dry surfaces.

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1st: Vredestein Quatrac

Vredestein Quatrac
  • 205/55 R16 91H
  • EU Label: C/B/70
  • Weight: 8.1kgs
  • Tread: 7.6mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking - Cool3rd38.9 M38 M+0.9 M97.69%
Dry Braking4th40.1 M39.2 M+0.9 M97.76%
Dry Handling - Cool4th77.1 s76.6 s+0.5 s99.35%
Dry Handling1st69.2 s100%
Wet Braking6th55.7 M54.6 M+1.1 M98.03%
Wet Braking - Cool3rd56.8 M53.4 M+3.4 M94.01%
Wet Handling - Cool1st90.3 s100%
Wet Handling4th65.6 s64.9 s+0.7 s98.93%
Straight Aqua1st77.2 Km/H100%
Snow Braking4th32.8 M32 M+0.8 M97.56%
Snow Traction5th2152 N2240 N-88 N96.07%
Snow Handling3rd30.4 s30 s+0.4 s98.68%
Noise7th72 dB70 dB+2 dB97.22%
Price4th260 240 +20 92.31%
Rolling Resistance3rd7.9 kg / t7.5 kg / t+0.4 kg / t94.94%
With top results in the wet and dry, the new Vredestein Quatrac wins the test. Safe on snow, very good value for money.

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3rd: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3

Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
  • 205/55 R16 91V
  • EU Label: C/B/70
  • Weight: 8.2kgs
  • Tread: 7.1mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking - Cool7th41 M38 M+3 M92.68%
Dry Braking7th42 M39.2 M+2.8 M93.33%
Dry Handling - Cool1st76.6 s100%
Dry Handling3rd69.4 s69.2 s+0.2 s99.71%
Wet Braking1st54.6 M100%
Wet Braking - Cool4th59.2 M53.4 M+5.8 M90.2%
Wet Handling - Cool2nd90.5 s90.3 s+0.2 s99.78%
Wet Handling3rd65.5 s64.9 s+0.6 s99.08%
Straight Aqua9th71.4 Km/H77.2 Km/H-5.8 Km/H92.49%
Snow Braking8th33.2 M32 M+1.2 M96.39%
Snow Traction3rd2159 N2240 N-81 N96.38%
Snow Handling6th30.6 s30 s+0.6 s98.04%
Noise1st70 dB100%
Price7th295 240 +55 81.36%
Rolling Resistance2nd7.7 kg / t7.5 kg / t+0.2 kg / t97.4%
Strong in the wet and dry, safe in the snow, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 is highly recommended, and particularly efficient with fuel.

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4th: Michelin CrossClimate+

Michelin CrossClimate Plus
  • 205/55 R16 91H
  • EU Label: C/B/69
  • Weight: 8.7kgs
  • Tread: 7.1mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking - Cool6th39.8 M38 M+1.8 M95.48%
Dry Braking1st39.2 M100%
Dry Handling - Cool2nd76.9 s76.6 s+0.3 s99.61%
Dry Handling2nd69.3 s69.2 s+0.1 s99.86%
Wet Braking4th55.1 M54.6 M+0.5 M99.09%
Wet Braking - Cool2nd56.3 M53.4 M+2.9 M94.85%
Wet Handling - Cool4th90.6 s90.3 s+0.3 s99.67%
Wet Handling9th68 s64.9 s+3.1 s95.44%
Straight Aqua8th73 Km/H77.2 Km/H-4.2 Km/H94.56%
Snow Braking4th32.8 M32 M+0.8 M97.56%
Snow Traction7th2114 N2240 N-126 N94.38%
Snow Handling7th30.7 s30 s+0.7 s97.72%
Noise1st70 dB100%
Price9th315 240 +75 76.19%
Rolling Resistance6th8.4 kg / t7.5 kg / t+0.9 kg / t89.29%
Consistently good results for the highly recommendable Michelin CrossClimate+, when it's wet or dry. Reliable on snowy roads.

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5th: Bridgestone Weather Control A005 EVO

Bridgestone Weather Control A005 EVO
  • 205/55 R16 94V
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • Weight: 8.7kgs
  • Tread: 7.8mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking - Cool1st38 M100%
Dry Braking2nd39.4 M39.2 M+0.2 M99.49%
Dry Handling - Cool6th77.3 s76.6 s+0.7 s99.09%
Dry Handling5th69.7 s69.2 s+0.5 s99.28%
Wet Braking2nd54.7 M54.6 M+0.1 M99.82%
Wet Braking - Cool1st53.4 M100%
Wet Handling - Cool2nd90.5 s90.3 s+0.2 s99.78%
Wet Handling7th66.6 s64.9 s+1.7 s97.45%
Straight Aqua3rd76.4 Km/H77.2 Km/H-0.8 Km/H98.96%
Snow Braking7th33.1 M32 M+1.1 M96.68%
Snow Traction8th2083 N2240 N-157 N92.99%
Snow Handling9th31.8 s30 s+1.8 s94.34%
Noise1st70 dB100%
Price6th290 240 +50 82.76%
Rolling Resistance5th8.3 kg / t7.5 kg / t+0.8 kg / t90.36%
Whether cold or warm: The Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo is ideal wet and dry conditions. In the snow, however only average grip

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5th: Hankook Kinergy 4S2

Hankook Kinergy 4S2
  • 205/55 R16 94H
  • EU Label: C/B/69
  • Weight: 9kgs
  • Tread: 7.7mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking - Cool2nd38.2 M38 M+0.2 M99.48%
Dry Braking5th40.2 M39.2 M+1 M97.51%
Dry Handling - Cool3rd77 s76.6 s+0.4 s99.48%
Dry Handling8th69.8 s69.2 s+0.6 s99.14%
Wet Braking7th56.4 M54.6 M+1.8 M96.81%
Wet Braking - Cool7th63.6 M53.4 M+10.2 M83.96%
Wet Handling - Cool9th94.4 s90.3 s+4.1 s95.66%
Wet Handling5th65.9 s64.9 s+1 s98.48%
Straight Aqua2nd76.6 Km/H77.2 Km/H-0.6 Km/H99.22%
Snow Braking6th33 M32 M+1 M96.97%
Snow Traction3rd2159 N2240 N-81 N96.38%
Snow Handling1st30 s100%
Noise4th71 dB70 dB+1 dB98.59%
Price2nd250 240 +10 96%
Rolling Resistance7th8.7 kg / t7.5 kg / t+1.2 kg / t86.21%
Very safe on snow and dry roads, when it's warm, and even when wet and cold.

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7th: Nokian SeasonProof

Nokian SeasonProof
  • 205/55 R16 91H
  • EU Label: C/B/69
  • Weight: 8kgs
  • Tread: 8.1mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking - Cool9th41.6 M38 M+3.6 M91.35%
Dry Braking6th41.7 M39.2 M+2.5 M94%
Dry Handling - Cool9th78.1 s76.6 s+1.5 s98.08%
Dry Handling9th70.5 s69.2 s+1.3 s98.16%
Wet Braking9th58.9 M54.6 M+4.3 M92.7%
Wet Braking - Cool6th62.4 M53.4 M+9 M85.58%
Wet Handling - Cool7th93.5 s90.3 s+3.2 s96.58%
Wet Handling6th66 s64.9 s+1.1 s98.33%
Straight Aqua7th74.6 Km/H77.2 Km/H-2.6 Km/H96.63%
Snow Braking1st32 M100%
Snow Traction2nd2205 N2240 N-35 N98.44%
Snow Handling2nd30.3 s30 s+0.3 s99.01%
Noise4th71 dB70 dB+1 dB98.59%
Price4th260 240 +20 92.31%
Rolling Resistance1st7.5 kg / t100%
The new Nokian SeasonProof is very strong in the snow, and has a low rolling resistance, however it's not good enough in the wet.

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8th: Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210

Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210
  • 205/55 R16 91H
  • EU Label: C/B/69
  • Weight: 9.5kgs
  • Tread: 7.1mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking - Cool8th41.3 M38 M+3.3 M92.01%
Dry Braking9th42.1 M39.2 M+2.9 M93.11%
Dry Handling - Cool7th77.4 s76.6 s+0.8 s98.97%
Dry Handling4th69.6 s69.2 s+0.4 s99.43%
Wet Braking5th55.4 M54.6 M+0.8 M98.56%
Wet Braking - Cool9th65.5 M53.4 M+12.1 M81.53%
Wet Handling - Cool8th93.9 s90.3 s+3.6 s96.17%
Wet Handling1st64.9 s100%
Straight Aqua6th75.5 Km/H77.2 Km/H-1.7 Km/H97.8%
Snow Braking3rd32.3 M32 M+0.3 M99.07%
Snow Traction5th2152 N2240 N-88 N96.07%
Snow Handling3rd30.4 s30 s+0.4 s98.68%
Noise7th72 dB70 dB+2 dB97.22%
Price2nd250 240 +10 96%
Rolling Resistance8th8.9 kg / t7.5 kg / t+1.4 kg / t84.27%
Good results in the snow, strong when wet when warm. When the temperature drops, so does the grip of the AS210.

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9th: Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3

Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
  • 205/55 R16 91H
  • EU Label: C/C/70
  • Weight: 9kgs
  • Tread: 7.4mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking - Cool4th39.2 M38 M+1.2 M96.94%
Dry Braking3rd39.7 M39.2 M+0.5 M98.74%
Dry Handling - Cool7th77.4 s76.6 s+0.8 s98.97%
Dry Handling5th69.7 s69.2 s+0.5 s99.28%
Wet Braking8th57.9 M54.6 M+3.3 M94.3%
Wet Braking - Cool8th64.6 M53.4 M+11.2 M82.66%
Wet Handling - Cool6th93.3 s90.3 s+3 s96.78%
Wet Handling8th67 s64.9 s+2.1 s96.87%
Straight Aqua5th75.7 Km/H77.2 Km/H-1.5 Km/H98.06%
Snow Braking9th33.9 M32 M+1.9 M94.4%
Snow Traction9th2059 N2240 N-181 N91.92%
Snow Handling8th31.1 s30 s+1.1 s96.46%
Noise7th72 dB70 dB+2 dB97.22%
Price1st240 100%
Rolling Resistance9th9.2 kg / t7.5 kg / t+1.7 kg / t81.52%
Late aquaplaning and short dry braking distances, but the AP3 generally offers too little grip and has too high a rolling resistance.

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