2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test

Test Publication:

235/55 R18 10 tyres 5 categories

Similar Tests

Images courtesy of Auto Zeitung

Test Publication:

https://www.autozeitung.de/reifen-test

Images courtesy of Auto Zeitung

Test Size: 235/55 R18

Tyres Tested: 10 tyres

Test Categories:
5 categories (12 tests)

Similar Tests

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

1^st

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: B/A/72
• Weight: 11.6 kgs
• Tread: 8.3-8.5 mm

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.

Dry

97.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	44 M	42.5 M	+1.5 M	96.59%
Dry Handling	2nd	63.9 s	63.4 s	+0.5 s	99.22%

Wet

99.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	50.8 M			100%
Wet Handling	4th	91.2 s	89.8 s	+1.4 s	98.46%
Wet Circle	1st	12.6 s			100%
Straight Aqua	1st	81.6 Km/H			100%

Snow

96.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	5th	28.9 M	27.9 M	+1 M	96.54%
Snow Traction	5th	2981 N	3084 N	-103 N	96.66%
Snow Handling	5th	29.9 s	29 s	+0.9 s	96.99%

Comfort

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	72 dB	70 dB	+2 dB	97.22%

Value

82.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	660	485	+175	73.48%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	7.9 kg / t	7.3 kg / t	+0.6 kg / t	92.41%

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2^nd

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: C/C/71
• Weight: 13.2 kgs
• Tread: 7.6-8.6 mm

The Michelin PA5 SUV is a snow specialist but it also offers enormously high safety margins in all conditions.

Dry

99.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	42.5 M			100%
Dry Handling	6th	64.5 s	63.4 s	+1.1 s	98.29%

Wet

96.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	54.5 M	50.8 M	+3.7 M	93.21%
Wet Handling	2nd	90.1 s	89.8 s	+0.3 s	99.67%
Wet Circle	2nd	12.7 s	12.6 s	+0.1 s	99.21%
Straight Aqua	4th	75.6 Km/H	81.6 Km/H	-6 Km/H	92.65%

Snow

98.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	9th	29.5 M	27.9 M	+1.6 M	94.58%
Snow Traction	2nd	3081 N	3084 N	-3 N	99.9%
Snow Handling	1st	29 s			100%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	70 dB			100%

Value

76.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	10th	750	485	+265	64.67%
Rolling Resistance	7th	8.2 kg / t	7.3 kg / t	+0.9 kg / t	89.02%

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3^rd

Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV

235/55 R18 104V

• EU Label: C/B/72
• Weight: 11.1 kgs
• Tread: 8.3-9.0 mm

The TS870P SUV is an excellent allrounder, safe on every surface, with the lowest rolling resistance on test.

Dry

97.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	44.3 M	42.5 M	+1.8 M	95.94%
Dry Handling	3rd	64.3 s	63.4 s	+0.9 s	98.6%

Wet

96.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	52 M	50.8 M	+1.2 M	97.69%
Wet Handling	3rd	90.2 s	89.8 s	+0.4 s	99.56%
Wet Circle	5th	12.8 s	12.6 s	+0.2 s	98.44%
Straight Aqua	8th	73.1 Km/H	81.6 Km/H	-8.5 Km/H	89.58%

Snow

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	3rd	28.2 M	27.9 M	+0.3 M	98.94%
Snow Traction	9th	2879 N	3084 N	-205 N	93.35%
Snow Handling	2nd	29.2 s	29 s	+0.2 s	99.32%

Comfort

95.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	73 dB	70 dB	+3 dB	95.89%

Value

83.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	9th	715	485	+230	67.83%
Rolling Resistance	1st	7.3 kg / t			100%

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4^th

Vredestein Wintrac Pro

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: C/C/72
• Weight: 12.3 kgs
• Tread: 7.9-8.7 mm

Strong on snow, one of the best in wet conditions, safe when dry. The price / performance champion.

Dry

98.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	42.9 M	42.5 M	+0.4 M	99.07%
Dry Handling	8th	64.7 s	63.4 s	+1.3 s	97.99%

Wet

97.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	51.3 M	50.8 M	+0.5 M	99.03%
Wet Handling	1st	89.8 s			100%
Wet Circle	5th	12.8 s	12.6 s	+0.2 s	98.44%
Straight Aqua	6th	74.9 Km/H	81.6 Km/H	-6.7 Km/H	91.79%

Snow

98.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	1st	27.9 M			100%
Snow Traction	3rd	3035 N	3084 N	-49 N	98.41%
Snow Handling	8th	30 s	29 s	+1 s	96.67%

Comfort

95.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	73 dB	70 dB	+3 dB	95.89%

Value

87.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	5th	560	485	+75	86.61%
Rolling Resistance	7th	8.2 kg / t	7.3 kg / t	+0.9 kg / t	89.02%

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5^th

Firestone Winterhawk 4

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: C/B/71
• Weight: 11.3 kgs
• Tread: 8.1-8.5 mm

Good results in the snow and wet, however only average in the dry.

Dry

96.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	10th	44.7 M	42.5 M	+2.2 M	95.08%
Dry Handling	9th	64.9 s	63.4 s	+1.5 s	97.69%

Wet

96%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	54.6 M	50.8 M	+3.8 M	93.04%
Wet Handling	6th	92 s	89.8 s	+2.2 s	97.61%
Wet Circle	8th	12.9 s	12.6 s	+0.3 s	97.67%
Straight Aqua	2nd	78 Km/H	81.6 Km/H	-3.6 Km/H	95.59%

Snow

97.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	6th	29 M	27.9 M	+1.1 M	96.21%
Snow Traction	4th	3017 N	3084 N	-67 N	97.83%
Snow Handling	2nd	29.2 s	29 s	+0.2 s	99.32%

Comfort

98.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	2nd	71 dB	70 dB	+1 dB	98.59%

Value

90.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	3rd	540	485	+55	89.81%
Rolling Resistance	5th	8 kg / t	7.3 kg / t	+0.7 kg / t	91.25%

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6^th

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen 1

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: C/B/69
• Weight: 13.4 kgs
• Tread: 8.0-8.1 mm

The Goodyear was only middle in all three conditions however as it is a rounded performance it's still worth recommending.

Dry

97.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	43.6 M	42.5 M	+1.1 M	97.48%
Dry Handling	6th	64.5 s	63.4 s	+1.1 s	98.29%

Wet

95.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	55 M	50.8 M	+4.2 M	92.36%
Wet Handling	5th	91.9 s	89.8 s	+2.1 s	97.71%
Wet Circle	2nd	12.7 s	12.6 s	+0.1 s	99.21%
Straight Aqua	5th	75.2 Km/H	81.6 Km/H	-6.4 Km/H	92.16%

Snow

95.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	10th	29.8 M	27.9 M	+1.9 M	93.62%
Snow Traction	6th	2964 N	3084 N	-120 N	96.11%
Snow Handling	5th	29.9 s	29 s	+0.9 s	96.99%

Comfort

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	72 dB	70 dB	+2 dB	97.22%

Value

82.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	7th	655	485	+170	74.05%
Rolling Resistance	5th	8 kg / t	7.3 kg / t	+0.7 kg / t	91.25%

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7^th

Nokian WR SUV 4

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: C/B/72
• Weight: 13.1 kgs
• Tread: 7.9-8.4 mm

The WRSUV 4 has very good snow braking and good in the dry, but weaker in the wet with low aquaplaning resistance.

Dry

98.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	43.3 M	42.5 M	+0.8 M	98.15%
Dry Handling	4th	64.4 s	63.4 s	+1 s	98.45%

Wet

93.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	54 M	50.8 M	+3.2 M	94.07%
Wet Handling	7th	92.4 s	89.8 s	+2.6 s	97.19%
Wet Circle	5th	12.8 s	12.6 s	+0.2 s	98.44%
Straight Aqua	10th	69.6 Km/H	81.6 Km/H	-12 Km/H	85.29%

Snow

97.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	2nd	28.1 M	27.9 M	+0.2 M	99.29%
Snow Traction	7th	2955 N	3084 N	-129 N	95.82%
Snow Handling	5th	29.9 s	29 s	+0.9 s	96.99%

Comfort

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	72 dB	70 dB	+2 dB	97.22%

Value

90.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4th	545	485	+60	88.99%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	7.9 kg / t	7.3 kg / t	+0.6 kg / t	92.41%

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8^th

Pirelli Scorpion Winter

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: C/B/69
• Weight: 12.7 kgs
• Tread: 7.8-8.4 mm

The Pirelli Scorpion Winter is very good in the dry but weaker in the wet and snow, with high rolling resistance.

Dry

98.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	43.6 M	42.5 M	+1.1 M	97.48%
Dry Handling	1st	63.4 s			100%

Wet

92.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	58.2 M	50.8 M	+7.4 M	87.29%
Wet Handling	8th	93.3 s	89.8 s	+3.5 s	96.25%
Wet Circle	2nd	12.7 s	12.6 s	+0.1 s	99.21%
Straight Aqua	9th	72.2 Km/H	81.6 Km/H	-9.4 Km/H	88.48%

Snow

95.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	8th	29.3 M	27.9 M	+1.4 M	95.22%
Snow Traction	8th	2921 N	3084 N	-163 N	94.71%
Snow Handling	9th	30.1 s	29 s	+1.1 s	96.35%

Comfort

95.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	73 dB	70 dB	+3 dB	95.89%

Value

83%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	6th	605	485	+120	80.17%
Rolling Resistance	9th	8.5 kg / t	7.3 kg / t	+1.2 kg / t	85.88%

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9^th

Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X

235/55 R18 104V

• EU Label: C/B/72
• Weight: 12.7 kgs
• Tread: 8.0-8.2 mm

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.

Dry

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	44.3 M	42.5 M	+1.8 M	95.94%
Dry Handling	4th	64.4 s	63.4 s	+1 s	98.45%

Wet

90.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	10th	60.7 M	50.8 M	+9.9 M	83.69%
Wet Handling	10th	96.2 s	89.8 s	+6.4 s	93.35%
Wet Circle	10th	13.4 s	12.6 s	+0.8 s	94.03%
Straight Aqua	7th	73.3 Km/H	81.6 Km/H	-8.3 Km/H	89.83%

Snow

98.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	4th	28.3 M	27.9 M	+0.4 M	98.59%
Snow Traction	1st	3084 N			100%
Snow Handling	4th	29.6 s	29 s	+0.6 s	97.97%

Comfort

95.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	73 dB	70 dB	+3 dB	95.89%

Value

94%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	520	485	+35	93.27%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	7.7 kg / t	7.3 kg / t	+0.4 kg / t	94.81%

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10^th

Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV

235/55 R18 104V

• EU Label: D/B/72
• Weight: 14.6 kgs
• Tread: 8.8-9.6 mm

On snow and in the dry the Falken HS01 offered very little grip. Highest rolling resistance on test.

Dry

96.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	9th	44.6 M	42.5 M	+2.1 M	95.29%
Dry Handling	10th	65.1 s	63.4 s	+1.7 s	97.39%

Wet

92.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	9th	60 M	50.8 M	+9.2 M	84.67%
Wet Handling	9th	93.5 s	89.8 s	+3.7 s	96.04%
Wet Circle	9th	13.3 s	12.6 s	+0.7 s	94.74%
Straight Aqua	3rd	77.9 Km/H	81.6 Km/H	-3.7 Km/H	95.47%

Snow

94.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	7th	29.1 M	27.9 M	+1.2 M	95.88%
Snow Traction	10th	2823 N	3084 N	-261 N	91.54%
Snow Handling	9th	30.1 s	29 s	+1.1 s	96.35%

Comfort

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	72 dB	70 dB	+2 dB	97.22%

Value

89.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	1st	485			100%
Rolling Resistance	10th	9.3 kg / t	7.3 kg / t	+2 kg / t	78.49%

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