2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test

The 2021 Auto Zeitung SUV winter tyre test has tested ten suv winter tyres in 235/55 R18 size using a VW Tiguan crossover SUV.

As this is a smaller test when compared to other winter tyre tests we'll keep the introduction short. All ten sets of tyres were placed through the usual blend of dry, wet and snow testing, plus rolling resistance and noise.

In this test the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 wins another test with the best wet performance of the group, and the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 placed second with the best snow performance, two things we've seen plenty of times in previous tests.

Tyre Updates

Like nearly all winter tests, Auto Zeitung bought and tested the tyres at the end of the winter before publication, IE January 2021 for publication for the winter of 2021, and since then several of the tyres on test have received updates:

Continental update from DOT 3320: new mix, improved wear. TS870P also now available.

Falken changed mixture DOT 0721 for updated Label values according to the new regulation:D/B/72. 

The new Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + SUV was introduced in May 2021 replacing the tyre in this test.

Hankook update from DOT 1521: new tread compound for improved wet grip,more precise handling by changing the sidewall structure. 

Bridgestone, Firestone,Michelin, Nokian,Pirelli, Vredestein - No changes   

Dry

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV led dry braking, with the Vredestein Wintrac Pro and Nokian WRSUV 4 in second and third places.

Strangely the best tyres in dry braking were midpack at best during the dry handling test, with the Pirelli Scorpion Winter jumping up the order to finish half a second ahead of the second placed Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.

Wet

The Bridgestone performed well during wet braking, but the Vredestein Wintrac Pro was again close to the top and this time the aging Continental Wintercontact TSS850P finished in third.

Vredestein and Michelin again performed well in wet handling, with Continental claiming third.

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 had the highest aquaplaning resistance by quite a margin.

Snow

Vredestein once again stopped the test vehicle effectively, winning snow braking.

Hankook took their first test win during snow traction with the Hankook Winter I Cept EVO 3 SUV with Michelin in a very close second place.

Snow handling was conducted on a short indoor track.

Environment

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was significantly quieter than the next best tyre, the Firestone WinterHawk 4.

Continental had the lowest fuel use of the group, with the Falken trailing the pack by a margin.

The Falken balanced out some of the fuel costs by being the cheapest tyre on test, with the Michelin the most expensive.

Results

1st: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: B/A/72
  • Weight: 11.6kgs
  • Tread: 8.3-8.5mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th44 M42.5 M+1.5 M96.59%
Dry Handling2nd63.9 s63.4 s+0.5 s99.22%
Wet Braking1st50.8 M100%
Wet Handling4th91.2 s89.8 s+1.4 s98.46%
Wet Circle1st12.6 s100%
Straight Aqua1st81.6 Km/H100%
Snow Braking5th28.9 M27.9 M+1 M96.54%
Snow Traction5th2981 N3084 N-103 N96.66%
Snow Handling5th29.9 s29 s+0.9 s96.99%
Noise3rd72 dB70 dB+2 dB97.22%
Price8th660 485 +175 73.48%
Rolling Resistance3rd7.9 kg / t7.3 kg / t+0.6 kg / t92.41%
Another test victory for the Bridgestone LM005. The wet qualities are currently unbeatable, it's has very good dry performance and is good on snow.

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2nd: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: C/C/71
  • Weight: 13.2kgs
  • Tread: 7.6-8.6mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st42.5 M100%
Dry Handling6th64.5 s63.4 s+1.1 s98.29%
Wet Braking5th54.5 M50.8 M+3.7 M93.21%
Wet Handling2nd90.1 s89.8 s+0.3 s99.67%
Wet Circle2nd12.7 s12.6 s+0.1 s99.21%
Straight Aqua4th75.6 Km/H81.6 Km/H-6 Km/H92.65%
Snow Braking9th29.5 M27.9 M+1.6 M94.58%
Snow Traction2nd3081 N3084 N-3 N99.9%
Snow Handling1st29 s100%
Noise1st70 dB100%
Price10th750 485 +265 64.67%
Rolling Resistance7th8.2 kg / t7.3 kg / t+0.9 kg / t89.02%
The Michelin PA5 SUV is a snow specialist but it also offers enormously high safety margins in all conditions.

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3rd: Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV

Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV
  • 235/55 R18 104V
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • Weight: 11.1kgs
  • Tread: 8.3-9.0mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th44.3 M42.5 M+1.8 M95.94%
Dry Handling3rd64.3 s63.4 s+0.9 s98.6%
Wet Braking3rd52 M50.8 M+1.2 M97.69%
Wet Handling3rd90.2 s89.8 s+0.4 s99.56%
Wet Circle5th12.8 s12.6 s+0.2 s98.44%
Straight Aqua8th73.1 Km/H81.6 Km/H-8.5 Km/H89.58%
Snow Braking3rd28.2 M27.9 M+0.3 M98.94%
Snow Traction9th2879 N3084 N-205 N93.35%
Snow Handling2nd29.2 s29 s+0.2 s99.32%
Noise7th73 dB70 dB+3 dB95.89%
Price9th715 485 +230 67.83%
Rolling Resistance1st7.3 kg / t100%
The TS870P SUV is an excellent allrounder, safe on every surface, with the lowest rolling resistance on test.

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4th: Vredestein Wintrac Pro

Vredestein Wintrac Pro
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: C/C/72
  • Weight: 12.3kgs
  • Tread: 7.9-8.7mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd42.9 M42.5 M+0.4 M99.07%
Dry Handling8th64.7 s63.4 s+1.3 s97.99%
Wet Braking2nd51.3 M50.8 M+0.5 M99.03%
Wet Handling1st89.8 s100%
Wet Circle5th12.8 s12.6 s+0.2 s98.44%
Straight Aqua6th74.9 Km/H81.6 Km/H-6.7 Km/H91.79%
Snow Braking1st27.9 M100%
Snow Traction3rd3035 N3084 N-49 N98.41%
Snow Handling8th30 s29 s+1 s96.67%
Noise7th73 dB70 dB+3 dB95.89%
Price5th560 485 +75 86.61%
Rolling Resistance7th8.2 kg / t7.3 kg / t+0.9 kg / t89.02%
Strong on snow, one of the best in wet conditions, safe when dry. The price / performance champion.

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5th: Firestone Winterhawk 4

Firestone Winterhawk 4
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: C/B/71
  • Weight: 11.3kgs
  • Tread: 8.1-8.5mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th44.7 M42.5 M+2.2 M95.08%
Dry Handling9th64.9 s63.4 s+1.5 s97.69%
Wet Braking6th54.6 M50.8 M+3.8 M93.04%
Wet Handling6th92 s89.8 s+2.2 s97.61%
Wet Circle8th12.9 s12.6 s+0.3 s97.67%
Straight Aqua2nd78 Km/H81.6 Km/H-3.6 Km/H95.59%
Snow Braking6th29 M27.9 M+1.1 M96.21%
Snow Traction4th3017 N3084 N-67 N97.83%
Snow Handling2nd29.2 s29 s+0.2 s99.32%
Noise2nd71 dB70 dB+1 dB98.59%
Price3rd540 485 +55 89.81%
Rolling Resistance5th8 kg / t7.3 kg / t+0.7 kg / t91.25%
Good results in the snow and wet, however only average in the dry.

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6th: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen 1

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen 1
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: C/B/69
  • Weight: 13.4kgs
  • Tread: 8.0-8.1mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th43.6 M42.5 M+1.1 M97.48%
Dry Handling6th64.5 s63.4 s+1.1 s98.29%
Wet Braking7th55 M50.8 M+4.2 M92.36%
Wet Handling5th91.9 s89.8 s+2.1 s97.71%
Wet Circle2nd12.7 s12.6 s+0.1 s99.21%
Straight Aqua5th75.2 Km/H81.6 Km/H-6.4 Km/H92.16%
Snow Braking10th29.8 M27.9 M+1.9 M93.62%
Snow Traction6th2964 N3084 N-120 N96.11%
Snow Handling5th29.9 s29 s+0.9 s96.99%
Noise3rd72 dB70 dB+2 dB97.22%
Price7th655 485 +170 74.05%
Rolling Resistance5th8 kg / t7.3 kg / t+0.7 kg / t91.25%
The Goodyear was only middle in all three conditions however as it is a rounded performance it's still worth recommending.

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7th: Nokian WR SUV 4

Nokian WR SUV 4
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • Weight: 13.1kgs
  • Tread: 7.9-8.4mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd43.3 M42.5 M+0.8 M98.15%
Dry Handling4th64.4 s63.4 s+1 s98.45%
Wet Braking4th54 M50.8 M+3.2 M94.07%
Wet Handling7th92.4 s89.8 s+2.6 s97.19%
Wet Circle5th12.8 s12.6 s+0.2 s98.44%
Straight Aqua10th69.6 Km/H81.6 Km/H-12 Km/H85.29%
Snow Braking2nd28.1 M27.9 M+0.2 M99.29%
Snow Traction7th2955 N3084 N-129 N95.82%
Snow Handling5th29.9 s29 s+0.9 s96.99%
Noise3rd72 dB70 dB+2 dB97.22%
Price4th545 485 +60 88.99%
Rolling Resistance3rd7.9 kg / t7.3 kg / t+0.6 kg / t92.41%
The WRSUV 4 has very good snow braking and good in the dry, but weaker in the wet with low aquaplaning resistance.

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8th: Pirelli Scorpion Winter

Pirelli Scorpion Winter
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: C/B/69
  • Weight: 12.7kgs
  • Tread: 7.8-8.4mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th43.6 M42.5 M+1.1 M97.48%
Dry Handling1st63.4 s100%
Wet Braking8th58.2 M50.8 M+7.4 M87.29%
Wet Handling8th93.3 s89.8 s+3.5 s96.25%
Wet Circle2nd12.7 s12.6 s+0.1 s99.21%
Straight Aqua9th72.2 Km/H81.6 Km/H-9.4 Km/H88.48%
Snow Braking8th29.3 M27.9 M+1.4 M95.22%
Snow Traction8th2921 N3084 N-163 N94.71%
Snow Handling9th30.1 s29 s+1.1 s96.35%
Noise7th73 dB70 dB+3 dB95.89%
Price6th605 485 +120 80.17%
Rolling Resistance9th8.5 kg / t7.3 kg / t+1.2 kg / t85.88%
The Pirelli Scorpion Winter is very good in the dry but weaker in the wet and snow, with high rolling resistance.

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9th: Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X

Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
  • 235/55 R18 104V
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • Weight: 12.7kgs
  • Tread: 8.0-8.2mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th44.3 M42.5 M+1.8 M95.94%
Dry Handling4th64.4 s63.4 s+1 s98.45%
Wet Braking10th60.7 M50.8 M+9.9 M83.69%
Wet Handling10th96.2 s89.8 s+6.4 s93.35%
Wet Circle10th13.4 s12.6 s+0.8 s94.03%
Straight Aqua7th73.3 Km/H81.6 Km/H-8.3 Km/H89.83%
Snow Braking4th28.3 M27.9 M+0.4 M98.59%
Snow Traction1st3084 N100%
Snow Handling4th29.6 s29 s+0.6 s97.97%
Noise7th73 dB70 dB+3 dB95.89%
Price2nd520 485 +35 93.27%
Rolling Resistance2nd7.7 kg / t7.3 kg / t+0.4 kg / t94.81%
The Winter Icept Evo3 X is safe on snow with excellent traction and reliable in the dry however it is very weak in the wet.

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10th: Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV

Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
  • 235/55 R18 104V
  • EU Label: D/B/72
  • Weight: 14.6kgs
  • Tread: 8.8-9.6mm
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking9th44.6 M42.5 M+2.1 M95.29%
Dry Handling10th65.1 s63.4 s+1.7 s97.39%
Wet Braking9th60 M50.8 M+9.2 M84.67%
Wet Handling9th93.5 s89.8 s+3.7 s96.04%
Wet Circle9th13.3 s12.6 s+0.7 s94.74%
Straight Aqua3rd77.9 Km/H81.6 Km/H-3.7 Km/H95.47%
Snow Braking7th29.1 M27.9 M+1.2 M95.88%
Snow Traction10th2823 N3084 N-261 N91.54%
Snow Handling9th30.1 s29 s+1.1 s96.35%
Noise3rd72 dB70 dB+2 dB97.22%
Price1st485 100%
Rolling Resistance10th9.3 kg / t7.3 kg / t+2 kg / t78.49%
On snow and in the dry the Falken HS01 offered very little grip. Highest rolling resistance on test.

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