The 2024 Auto Bild AllRad SUV winter tyre test tested twelve of the popular SUV winter tyres in 245/45 R18.
Dry Braking | ▲Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 40.7 M | ▼Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6: 43.3 M |
Dry Handling | ▲Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 106.4 Km/H | ▼Giti GitiWinterW2: 104 Km/H |
Wet Braking | ▲Continental WinterContact TS 870 P: 31 M | ▼Imperial ICE PlusS210: 42.9 M |
Wet Handling | ▲Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3: 85.7 Km/H | ▼Imperial ICE PlusS210: 76.7 Km/H |
Wet Circle | ▲Bridgestone Blizzak 6: 15.8 s | ▼Imperial ICE PlusS210: 17.02 s |
Straight Aqua | ▲Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6: 81.2 Km/H | ▼Imperial ICE PlusS210: 68.9 Km/H |
Curved Aquaplaning | ▲Hankook Winter i cept evo3: 3.1 m/sec2 | ▼Kumho Winter Craft WP52: 2.35 m/sec2 |
Snow Braking | ▲Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 20.5 M | ▼Imperial ICE PlusS210: 26.7 M |
Snow Traction | ▲Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 2880 N | ▼Imperial ICE PlusS210: 2136 N |
Snow Handling | ▲Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 65 Km/H | ▼Imperial ICE PlusS210: 58 Km/H |
Noise | ▲Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 72.8 dB | ▼Hankook Winter i cept evo3: 74.6 dB |
Rolling Resistance | ▲Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3: 7.21 kg / t | ▼Imperial ICE PlusS210: 8.54 kg / t |
Dry
In dry braking, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 performed best among the winter tyres, stopping in 40.7 meters. The worst performer was the Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6, taking 43.3 meters to stop - a difference of 2.6 meters. Notably, the reference summer tyre outperformed all winter tyres, stopping in just 35.5 meters, demonstrating the superior dry performance of summer compounds.
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 again led the winter tyres in dry handling with an average speed of 106.4 km/h, while the Giti GitiWinterW2 was slowest at 104 km/h - a 2.4 km/h difference. The reference summer tyre was fastest at 107 km/h, showing its advantage in dry conditions. The Michelin's strong performance in both dry tests highlights its well-rounded capabilities.
Wet
In wet braking, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P stopped in 31 meters, while the Imperial ICE PlusS210 took 42.9 meters - a substantial 11.9 meter difference. The reference summer tyre outperformed all winter tyres, stopping in just 27.4 meters, emphasizing summer tyres' advantage in wet conditions above freezing temperatures.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 led in wet handling with an average speed of 85.7 km/h, while the Imperial ICE PlusS210 was slowest at 76.7 km/h - a 9 km/h difference. The reference summer tyre was fastest at 89 km/h. The Imperial's poor performance in both wet tests indicates a significant weakness in wet conditions.
The Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 achieved the highest float speed of 81.2 km/h, while the Imperial ICE PlusS210 was lowest at 68.9 km/h - a 12.3 km/h difference. Interestingly, the reference summer tyre (82 km/h) only slightly outperformed the best winter tyre in this test.
Snow
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped in 20.5 meters on snow, while the Imperial ICE PlusS210 took 26.7 meters - a 6.2 meter difference. As expected, the reference summer tyre performed poorly, taking 54.4 meters to stop, highlighting the crucial need for winter tyres in snowy conditions.
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 generated 2880 N of traction force, while the Imperial ICE PlusS210 managed only 2136 N - a significant 744 N difference. The reference summer tyre produced just 365 N, demonstrating its ineffectiveness in snow.
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 achieved an average speed of 65 km/h, while the Imperial ICE PlusS210 managed only 58 km/h - a 7 km/h difference. The reference summer tyre was drastically slower at 32 km/h, further emphasizing winter tyres' superiority in snowy conditions.
Comfort
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was quietest at 72.8 dB, while the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was loudest at 74.6 dB - a 1.8 dB difference. The reference summer tyre produced 73.7 dB, falling in the middle of the winter tyre range.
Value
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 had the lowest rolling resistance at 7.21 kg/t, while the Imperial ICE PlusS210 had the highest at 8.54 kg/t - a 1.33 kg/t difference. The reference summer tyre's resistance was 7.52 kg/t, showing that some winter tyres can match or even exceed summer tyres in this aspect.
Results
1st: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Exemplary premium tyre with top performance on snow and wet surfaces, sporty and responsive handling, short braking distances in all weather conditions, low rolling resistance. Higher price point. Excellent. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Top-tier tyre with excellent driving characteristics on snowy and wet roads, good safety reserves for aquaplaning, short braking distances, low rolling resistance. Higher price point. Excellent. Read Reviews Buy from £184.57 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Outstanding qualities in snow and ice, dynamic performance with safe driving characteristics in wet and dry conditions, short braking distances, good rolling comfort, low rolling resistance. Slightly higher price point. Excellent. Read Reviews Buy from £183.54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th: Bridgestone Blizzak 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Good and safe driving characteristics in snow and ice, sporty handling with convincing grip and short braking distances on wet surfaces, low rolling resistance, good rolling comfort. Slightly higher price point. Excellent. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th: Hankook Winter i cept evo3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Convincingly good driving characteristics on snowy roads, very good safety reserves for aquaplaning, short braking distances in all weather conditions, low rolling resistance, pleasantly fair price. Increased road noise. Excellent. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th: Vredestein Wintrac Pro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sporty dynamic driving characteristics and short braking distances on snow and ice, balanced handling on wet and dry roads. Moderate resistance to aquaplaning, slightly longer wet braking distance. Good. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7th: Kumho Winter Craft WP52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Convincingly good driving characteristics on snowy roads, safe handling with short braking distances on wet and dry surfaces, low road noise. Average aquaplaning resistance. Good. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8th: Giti GitiWinterW2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Good traction and lateral guidance on snowy roads, very good safety reserves for aquaplaning, pleasantly low road noise. Slightly delayed steering response, increased rolling resistance. Good. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9th: Pirelli P Zero Winter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Well-balanced good winter performance, good grip and sporty handling in wet conditions, low road noise, good rolling comfort. Limited safety reserves for aquaplaning, slightly longer braking distances. Satisfactory. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10th: Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dynamic handling on wet and dry roads, short dry braking distances, low road noise, good rolling comfort. Average winter performance, limited safety reserves for aquaplaning. Satisfactory. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11th: Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Good traction and short braking distances on snowy roads, low road noise, very good safety reserves for aquaplaning. Significantly delayed steering response, limited lateral guidance, longer braking distances in wet conditions. Satisfactory. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12th: Imperial ICE+S210 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Safe driving behavior on dry roads, good comfort, quiet rolling noise. Severely limited winter performance, poor grip and unsafe handling on wet surfaces, low safety reserves for aquaplaning. Not recommended. Read Reviews |