2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test

Dry BrakingMichelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 43.3 MBridgestone Blizzak LM005: 45.3 M
Dry HandlingTristar Snowpower UHP: 95.7 Km/HFalken Eurowinter HS01 SUV: 93.7 Km/H
Wet BrakingVredestein Wintrac Pro: 41.6 MTristar Snowpower UHP: 52.6 M
Wet HandlingGoodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV: 86.9 Km/HTristar Snowpower UHP: 82.1 Km/H
Wet CircleToyo Snowprox S954 SUV: 15.65 sTristar Snowpower UHP: 17.1 s
Straight AquaFalken Eurowinter HS01 SUV: 78.5 Km/HNokian WR SUV 4: 68 Km/H
Curved AquaplaningBridgestone Blizzak LM005: 3.47 m/sec2Nokian WR SUV 4: 2.22 m/sec2
Snow BrakingMichelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 25.3 MTristar Snowpower UHP: 30.8 M
Snow TractionMichelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 2845 NTristar Snowpower UHP: 2322 N
Snow HandlingMichelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 54 Km/HTristar Snowpower UHP: 48.6 Km/H
Snow SlalomMichelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 4.16 m/sec2Tristar Snowpower UHP: 3.14 m/sec2
NoiseMichelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 68.7 dBHankook Winter i cept evo 3 X: 72.9 dB
PriceTristar Snowpower UHP: 330 Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 795
Rolling ResistanceContinental WinterContact TS 850 P: 6.83 kg / tHankook Winter i cept evo 3 X: 8.96 kg / t
The 2022 Auto Bild Allrad SUV tyre test tested ten SUV / 4x4 winter tyres in the popular 235/55 R18 size, and included a reference summer tyre.

As in the Tyre Reviews winter tyre test, there was a tie for first place with the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV tying for the win.

Both tyres had slightly different approaches to grip, the Goodyear the more balanced tyre, only winning the wet handling test but scoring well in nearly all other tests, where as the Michelin won every snow test but performed relatively poorly in the wet testing.

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 performed well again, it's a tyre that seems to perform well in all tests with its only real weakness the worst dry braking on test, and the Vredestein Wintrac Pro placed fourth with an excellent wet braking and snow grip result.

Dry

While the VW Tiguan test vehicle isn't the heaviest SUV on test, the summer tyre had a significant lead in dry braking, with the Michelin, Goodyear and surprisingly the budget Tristar being the best of the winter tyres.

The summer tyre also led the way in dry handling, with the Tristar the best of the winter tyres. In Tyre Reviews own testing we've seen budget winter tyres perform well in the dry then perform poorly in the wet and snow tests.

Wet

Wet braking had the Tristar performing as expected, with nearly 12 meters between the best and worst winter tyres from 100 kph! The summer tyre was mid pack, the test temperature was unknown.

Wet handling was led by Goodyear, with the summer tyre this time placing second overall.

The Falken HS01 SUV performed well in the straight aquaplaning test.

Snow

Shockingly the summer tyre didn't perform in the snow braking testing, taking twice as long to stop the test vehicle than even the worst winter tyre, which was again the budget which took 5 meters longer to stop the V Tiguan SUV than the Michelin.

The traction test showed a similar story to snow braking.

Michelin rounded out its excellent snow performance with another win.

Environment

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV was also the quietest winter tyre on test, with five of the winter tyres proving to be quieter than the reference summer tyre.

The summer tyre had the lowest rolling resistance on test, narrowly beating the Continental.

There was over 100% difference between the cheapest and most expensive winter tyres on test, however as usual with tyres, you get what you pay for as the most expensive tyres on test were also the best.

Results

1st: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: C/B/70
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd43.9 M43.3 M+0.6 M98.63%
Dry Handling7th94.1 Km/H95.7 Km/H-1.6 Km/H98.33%
Wet Braking3rd42.5 M41.6 M+0.9 M97.88%
Wet Handling1st86.9 Km/H100%
Wet Circle3rd15.75 s15.65 s+0.1 s99.37%
Straight Aqua5th74.4 Km/H78.5 Km/H-4.1 Km/H94.78%
Curved Aquaplaning5th3.11 m/sec23.47 m/sec2-0.36 m/sec289.63%
Snow Braking4th26.2 M25.3 M+0.9 M96.56%
Snow Traction4th2638 N2845 N-207 N92.72%
Snow Handling7th51.6 Km/H54 Km/H-2.4 Km/H95.56%
Snow Slalom2nd4.04 m/sec24.16 m/sec2-0.12 m/sec297.12%
Noise2nd69.4 dB68.7 dB+0.7 dB98.99%
Price8th735 330 +405 44.9%
Rolling Resistance5th8.03 kg / t6.83 kg / t+1.2 kg / t85.06%
New winter profile with the best driving characteristics in the snow and on wet roads, precise steering, dynamic wet handling, short wet braking.
Average comfort.

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1st: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: C/C/71
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st43.3 M100%
Dry Handling7th94.1 Km/H95.7 Km/H-1.6 Km/H98.33%
Wet Braking9th46.1 M41.6 M+4.5 M90.24%
Wet Handling9th85 Km/H86.9 Km/H-1.9 Km/H97.81%
Wet Circle8th16.1 s15.65 s+0.45 s97.2%
Straight Aqua4th74.6 Km/H78.5 Km/H-3.9 Km/H95.03%
Curved Aquaplaning8th2.96 m/sec23.47 m/sec2-0.51 m/sec285.3%
Snow Braking1st25.3 M100%
Snow Traction1st2845 N100%
Snow Handling1st54 Km/H100%
Snow Slalom1st4.16 m/sec2100%
Noise1st68.7 dB100%
Price10th795 330 +465 41.51%
Rolling Resistance4th8.02 kg / t6.83 kg / t+1.19 kg / t85.16%
The winter king with the best driving performance in snow and ice, stable wet and dry handling, good aquaplaning resistance, low noise.
Expensive.

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3rd: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: B/A/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th45.3 M43.3 M+2 M95.58%
Dry Handling3rd95.2 Km/H95.7 Km/H-0.5 Km/H99.48%
Wet Braking4th42.7 M41.6 M+1.1 M97.42%
Wet Handling2nd86.6 Km/H86.9 Km/H-0.3 Km/H99.65%
Wet Circle2nd15.68 s15.65 s+0.03 s99.81%
Straight Aqua2nd77.3 Km/H78.5 Km/H-1.2 Km/H98.47%
Curved Aquaplaning1st3.47 m/sec2100%
Snow Braking2nd25.9 M25.3 M+0.6 M97.68%
Snow Traction2nd2698 N2845 N-147 N94.83%
Snow Handling6th51.7 Km/H54 Km/H-2.3 Km/H95.74%
Snow Slalom3rd3.93 m/sec24.16 m/sec2-0.23 m/sec294.47%
Noise3rd70 dB68.7 dB+1.3 dB98.14%
Price7th655 330 +325 50.38%
Rolling Resistance2nd7.11 kg / t6.83 kg / t+0.28 kg / t96.06%
Premium tyres iwth excellent driving in all weathers, best safety reserves for aquaplaning, precise wet and dry handling.
Slightly extended braking distances.

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4th: Vredestein Wintrac Pro

Vredestein Wintrac Pro
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th44.8 M43.3 M+1.5 M96.65%
Dry Handling5th94.5 Km/H95.7 Km/H-1.2 Km/H98.75%
Wet Braking1st41.6 M100%
Wet Handling6th86 Km/H86.9 Km/H-0.9 Km/H98.96%
Wet Circle5th16 s15.65 s+0.35 s97.81%
Straight Aqua3rd75.6 Km/H78.5 Km/H-2.9 Km/H96.31%
Curved Aquaplaning7th3.01 m/sec23.47 m/sec2-0.46 m/sec286.74%
Snow Braking3rd26 M25.3 M+0.7 M97.31%
Snow Traction3rd2668 N2845 N-177 N93.78%
Snow Handling2nd53.1 Km/H54 Km/H-0.9 Km/H98.33%
Snow Slalom5th3.89 m/sec24.16 m/sec2-0.27 m/sec293.51%
Noise3rd70 dB68.7 dB+1.3 dB98.14%
Price6th595 330 +265 55.46%
Rolling Resistance7th8.51 kg / t6.83 kg / t+1.68 kg / t80.26%
Winter specialist with good driving on wet and snowy roads, short snow and wet braking, high aquaplaning safety, low price.
Slightly extended dry braking.

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5th: Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X

Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th44.1 M43.3 M+0.8 M98.19%
Dry Handling5th94.5 Km/H95.7 Km/H-1.2 Km/H98.75%
Wet Braking4th42.7 M41.6 M+1.1 M97.42%
Wet Handling4th86.2 Km/H86.9 Km/H-0.7 Km/H99.19%
Wet Circle4th15.85 s15.65 s+0.2 s98.74%
Straight Aqua7th74 Km/H78.5 Km/H-4.5 Km/H94.27%
Curved Aquaplaning3rd3.17 m/sec23.47 m/sec2-0.3 m/sec291.35%
Snow Braking5th26.5 M25.3 M+1.2 M95.47%
Snow Traction6th2580 N2845 N-265 N90.69%
Snow Handling3rd52.1 Km/H54 Km/H-1.9 Km/H96.48%
Snow Slalom7th3.78 m/sec24.16 m/sec2-0.38 m/sec290.87%
Noise10th72.9 dB68.7 dB+4.2 dB94.24%
Price4th550 330 +220 60%
Rolling Resistance10th8.96 kg / t6.83 kg / t+2.13 kg / t76.23%
High performance in all weather conditions, short snow and wet braking distances, stable wet and dry handling.
Average comfort, high rolling resistance.

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5th: Continental WinterContact TS 850 P

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking9th45.2 M43.3 M+1.9 M95.8%
Dry Handling4th94.6 Km/H95.7 Km/H-1.1 Km/H98.85%
Wet Braking7th44.1 M41.6 M+2.5 M94.33%
Wet Handling4th86.2 Km/H86.9 Km/H-0.7 Km/H99.19%
Wet Circle7th16.05 s15.65 s+0.4 s97.51%
Straight Aqua8th73 Km/H78.5 Km/H-5.5 Km/H92.99%
Curved Aquaplaning4th3.16 m/sec23.47 m/sec2-0.31 m/sec291.07%
Snow Braking7th27.2 M25.3 M+1.9 M93.01%
Snow Traction6th2580 N2845 N-265 N90.69%
Snow Handling3rd52.1 Km/H54 Km/H-1.9 Km/H96.48%
Snow Slalom4th3.91 m/sec24.16 m/sec2-0.25 m/sec293.99%
Noise9th72 dB68.7 dB+3.3 dB95.42%
Price9th785 330 +455 42.04%
Rolling Resistance1st6.83 kg / t100%
All round talent with convincing winter qualities, stable wet and dry handling, fuel saving rolling resistance.
Slightly extended dry braking distances, high price.

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7th: Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV

Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: D/C/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th45.1 M43.3 M+1.8 M96.01%
Dry Handling2nd95.3 Km/H95.7 Km/H-0.4 Km/H99.58%
Wet Braking6th43.6 M41.6 M+2 M95.41%
Wet Handling2nd86.6 Km/H86.9 Km/H-0.3 Km/H99.65%
Wet Circle1st15.65 s100%
Straight Aqua6th74.3 Km/H78.5 Km/H-4.2 Km/H94.65%
Curved Aquaplaning6th3.07 m/sec23.47 m/sec2-0.4 m/sec288.47%
Snow Braking9th29.7 M25.3 M+4.4 M85.19%
Snow Traction9th2455 N2845 N-390 N86.29%
Snow Handling9th50.1 Km/H54 Km/H-3.9 Km/H92.78%
Snow Slalom9th3.36 m/sec24.16 m/sec2-0.8 m/sec280.77%
Noise6th71.5 dB68.7 dB+2.8 dB96.08%
Price2nd500 330 +170 66%
Rolling Resistance9th8.88 kg / t6.83 kg / t+2.05 kg / t76.91%
High grip in the wet and dry, short wet braking distances, low price.
Average grip with understeer in the snow, slightly extended dry braking distances.

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8th: Nokian WR SUV 4

Nokian WR SUV 4
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th44.6 M43.3 M+1.3 M97.09%
Dry Handling7th94.1 Km/H95.7 Km/H-1.6 Km/H98.33%
Wet Braking8th45.8 M41.6 M+4.2 M90.83%
Wet Handling6th86 Km/H86.9 Km/H-0.9 Km/H98.96%
Wet Circle9th16.2 s15.65 s+0.55 s96.6%
Straight Aqua10th68 Km/H78.5 Km/H-10.5 Km/H86.62%
Curved Aquaplaning10th2.22 m/sec23.47 m/sec2-1.25 m/sec263.98%
Snow Braking8th27.6 M25.3 M+2.3 M91.67%
Snow Traction8th2507 N2845 N-338 N88.12%
Snow Handling8th51 Km/H54 Km/H-3 Km/H94.44%
Snow Slalom8th3.71 m/sec24.16 m/sec2-0.45 m/sec289.18%
Noise5th71 dB68.7 dB+2.3 dB96.76%
Price5th580 330 +250 56.9%
Rolling Resistance3rd7.43 kg / t6.83 kg / t+0.6 kg / t91.92%
Good traction and short braking distances on snow, stable dry handling, low noise.
Average aquaplaning resistance, long dry braking, average comfort.

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9th: Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV

Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: D/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th45 M43.3 M+1.7 M96.22%
Dry Handling10th93.7 Km/H95.7 Km/H-2 Km/H97.91%
Wet Braking2nd41.9 M41.6 M+0.3 M99.28%
Wet Handling8th85.7 Km/H86.9 Km/H-1.2 Km/H98.62%
Wet Circle5th16 s15.65 s+0.35 s97.81%
Straight Aqua1st78.5 Km/H100%
Curved Aquaplaning2nd3.3 m/sec23.47 m/sec2-0.17 m/sec295.1%
Snow Braking6th26.6 M25.3 M+1.3 M95.11%
Snow Traction5th2590 N2845 N-255 N91.04%
Snow Handling3rd52.1 Km/H54 Km/H-1.9 Km/H96.48%
Snow Slalom6th3.86 m/sec24.16 m/sec2-0.3 m/sec292.79%
Noise7th71.6 dB68.7 dB+2.9 dB95.95%
Price3rd520 330 +190 63.46%
Rolling Resistance8th8.59 kg / t6.83 kg / t+1.76 kg / t79.51%
Goof performance on snow and in the wet, high aquaplaning resistance, low price.
Slow steering response in the dry, long dry braking.

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10th: Tristar Snowpower UHP

Tristar Snowpower UHP
  • 235/55 R18 104H
  • EU Label: C/C/72
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd44 M43.3 M+0.7 M98.41%
Dry Handling1st95.7 Km/H100%
Wet Braking10th52.6 M41.6 M+11 M79.09%
Wet Handling10th82.1 Km/H86.9 Km/H-4.8 Km/H94.48%
Wet Circle10th17.1 s15.65 s+1.45 s91.52%
Straight Aqua9th68.6 Km/H78.5 Km/H-9.9 Km/H87.39%
Curved Aquaplaning9th2.34 m/sec23.47 m/sec2-1.13 m/sec267.44%
Snow Braking10th30.8 M25.3 M+5.5 M82.14%
Snow Traction10th2322 N2845 N-523 N81.62%
Snow Handling10th48.6 Km/H54 Km/H-5.4 Km/H90%
Snow Slalom10th3.14 m/sec24.16 m/sec2-1.02 m/sec275.48%
Noise8th71.9 dB68.7 dB+3.2 dB95.55%
Price1st330 100%
Rolling Resistance6th8.09 kg / t6.83 kg / t+1.26 kg / t84.43%
Stable dry handling, very low price.
Average snow performance, low grip in the wet, low aquaplaning resistance, dangerously long wet braking.

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