2024 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test

The Continental WinterContact took first place in this year's winter tyre test, winning six individual tests and scoring podium positions in almost every other category. The tyre led snow braking and traction tests, and swept all wet testing including best-in-test braking distances and fastest times on both the wet circle and flooded circuit. In the dry, it recorded the fastest lap time and third-shortest braking distance. Its only lower score was fourth place in rolling resistance, though the margin was small. This new version builds on the success of the 2020 test winner in the same size.

The Goodyear secured second place in the winter tyre test through consistent performance, taking multiple second-place finishes and never falling below third in any test. The tyre recorded the best scores for both rolling resistance and cabin noise. On snow, it missed the fastest lap by just a tenth of a second and showed similar close results in braking and traction tests. Snow handling revealed good cornering grip and quick slide recovery. In the wet, the tyre finished second in braking - just half a metre behind the leader - while taking second and third places in curved and straight aquaplaning tests respectively. The Goodyear matched this with second-best results in both dry braking and handling circuit times.

The Hankook earned third place with strong snow performance and solid wet results. It was fastest around the snow circuit, showing good initial grip and strong traction. Snow handling revealed effective adjustability, backed by second place in braking and third in traction tests. The tyre led both straight and curved aquaplaning tests by a clear margin. In other wet tests, it placed third on the wet circle and fourth in braking, just one metre behind the best. Wet handling tests placed it fourth, where it showed predictable behavior but less initial grip than the top performers. Dry testing was its weakest area - the tyre needed 2.5m more stopping distance than the best and placed fifth in handling, though only half a second off the fastest time. The Hankook showed good stability on initial laps but became less stable with repeated use. Low rolling resistance added to its overall package.

The Pirelli finished fourth overall, matching its 2022 position, with strong handling results in both wet and dry conditions where it placed second fastest. Snow handling was competitive, finishing fourth but less than half a second off the lead time. Snow braking and traction results were mid-pack, though the tyre showed good balance and predictable responses. Wet braking saw it take third, within a metre of the best time. The tyre performed well in curved aquaplaning but was average in straight-line deep water tests. The Pirelli matched its fourth place dry braking with confident handling, showing good grip levels and stability. While recording the third-lowest cabin noise, its rolling resistance was second-highest in the test.

The Vredestein dropped one position to fifth compared to its 2020 test appearance, though with improved snow performance. Snow braking and traction now placed fourth, up from last position previously. Snow handling finished fifth, less than a second behind the leader, with good response but weak low-speed turn-in. These gains came at the cost of wet and dry performance. The tyre fell from first to fourth in dry braking and from second to fifth in wet braking, though margins were small. It placed fifth in both aquaplaning tests and wet handling, despite showing positive steering feel and safe handling balance. Dry handling finished sixth due to lower grip levels. The Vredestein recorded the highest cabin noise but decent rolling resistance scores.

The Falken placed sixth overall, with its strongest results coming in dry conditions. The tyre led dry braking by a full metre but finished fourth in dry handling, with grip dropping on second laps. Snow performance was weak, placing last in both braking and traction tests. Snow handling also finished sixth, showing loose behavior and requiring careful inputs. Wet performance was similarly modest - the tyre placed sixth in both aquaplaning tests and equal fifth in wet braking, about a metre behind the leader. It managed fourth on the wet circle but matched its fifth place in wet handling, showing adequate balance but lower grip levels. The Falken recorded the highest rolling resistance scores in the test.

The budget Goodride, priced at half the cost of premium brands, placed last in most tests. While better than non-winter tyres in snow, it placed sixth in snow tests with weak grip and steering feel. In wet testing, the gaps were significant - needing three metres more to stop than sixth place and over two seconds slower per lap. Dry braking required almost 4 metres more distance than the best. Only cabin noise scored well, with average rolling resistance results.