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Test source Auto Motor Und Sport

2010 AMS Winter Tyre Test

Overall test winnerGoodyear UltraGrip 7+

In 2010 Auto Motor Und Sport [AMS] visited Sweden to test ten 205/55 r16 winter tyres. On test were the usual mix of premium and mid range tyres, including the TyreReviews favourite Nokian WRG2. Read more...

Tyres tested
10
Tested size
205/55 r16

At a glance

Tyre shortlist

10 Tyres tested

Published finishing positions, with the strengths and considerations from this test. Owner reviews cover other sizes and driving conditions.

1st

Goodyear UltraGrip 7+

+Very good handling, good traction and short braking distances on snow, balanced properties in wet and dry, quiet

−Slightly increased rolling resistance

2nd

Michelin Alpin A4

+Good handling and excellent braking performance on wet roads, good handling characteristics on dry roads, low rolling resistance

−Snow performance wasn't group leading

Read full verdict
3rd

Continental WinterContact TS830

+Good handling and short braking distances on snow, very good wetness characteristics, good aquaplaning resistance

−Limited snow traction

Read full verdict
4th

Fulda Kristall Control HP

+Excellent handling, great braking power and very good traction on snow, good aquaplaning

−Only average driving characteristics and a relatively long stopping distances on wet roads

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5th

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D

+Very good handling characteristics and short braking distances in dry, good ride comfort, good wet performances

−Average snow performance

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6th

Pirelli Sottozero Serie II

+Good handling characteristics and short braking distances on dry roads, very good wetness characteristics, low rolling resistance

−Moderate traction and longer stopping distance on snow

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7th

Vredestein Snowtrac 3

+Good handling and braking performance in dry, good wet performances, comfortable

−Average snow scores, increased rolling resistance

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8th

Nokian WRG2

+Very good handling characteristics and short braking distances on wet roads, good properties in dry

−Average cornering, traction and braking on snow

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9th

Bridgestone Blizzak LM32

+Good handling and braking performance on dry roads, wet satisfactory properties, good comfort

−Average snow scores

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10th

Kumho IZen KW23

+Good handling and braking performance in dry conditions

−Traction and braking on snow poor, long braking distance in wet conditions

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Tyre shortlist

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2010 AMS Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 r16

The full test

The evidence behind the verdict

2010 AMS Winter Tyre Test

In 2010 Auto Motor Und Sport [AMS] visited Sweden to test ten 205/55 r16 winter tyres. On test were the usual mix of premium and mid range tyres, including the TyreReviews favourite Nokian WRG2.

Winning the test was the Goodyear UltraGrip 7+, thanks to an extremely strong snow performance which was only equaled by the mid-range brand Fulda (who incidentally are owned by Goodyear). The new Michelin Aplin A4 and the Continental TS830 rounded out the top 3 with extremely strong dry and wet scores which make the tyres more appealing to climates like the UK where the roads see little snow but plenty of freezing mornings in both dry and damp conditions.

While the the Nokian WRG2 only placed 8th, it also verified its suitability for UK type climates by winning the wet section of the test with comments of sporty handling. Unfortunately its snow performance was the worst of the test, but it would vastly outperform a normal summer tyre should adverse conditions present themselves.

Here are the full results with breakdown scores and comments.

1st

Goodyear UltraGrip 7+

205/55 r16
Goodyear UltraGrip 7+
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
2nd

Michelin Alpin A4

205/55 r16
Michelin Alpin A4
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
3rd

Continental WinterContact TS830

205/55 r16
Continental WinterContact TS830
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
4th

Fulda Kristall Control HP

205/55 r16
Fulda Kristall Control HP
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
5th

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D

205/55 r16
Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
6th

Pirelli Sottozero Serie II

205/55 r16
Pirelli Sottozero Serie II
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
7th

Vredestein Snowtrac 3

205/55 r16
Vredestein Snowtrac 3
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
8th

Nokian WRG2

205/55 r16
Nokian WRG2
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
9th

Bridgestone Blizzak LM32

205/55 r16
Bridgestone Blizzak LM32
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—
10th

Kumho IZen KW23

205/55 r16
Kumho IZen KW23
All discipline results (3)
Test%
Dry—
Wet—
Snow—

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