All round performance
The winner of this test, the Vredestein Quatrac 3 proved to be an extremely flexible and well balanced tyre. Not the strongest in the dry or on snow, its high average score, excellent dynamic properties and group leading wet performance gave it the top spot overall.Closely following the Vredestein was the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons. Again, its real strength was managing to score well in every category, with testers commenting it was a tyre with "no drawbacks".
The Hankook Optimo 4S rounded out the top 3, only let down by the comparatively harsh ride it provided when directly compared to the leading two tyres.
Also worth noting is the Bridgestone A001 in 5th place. Commended for the shortest braking distance in the wet and its high steering precision, the A001 was only let down by a comparatively weak snow performance. Given the overall UK climate, this could be another great tyre if you like a sporty feel and good wet grip.
The rest of the tyres prove that while cheaper tyres can be good at one thing, they often have to sacrifice in other areas where the premium tyres do not. A great example of this is the Nankang NK88 having the best snow performance, yet being a liability in the wet and the Federal SS657 having good dry performance, but totally failing on snow and ice.
Bench-marked
Perhaps the most useful element of the Auto Bild test was the inclusion of a winter and summer tyre, which allowed us to benchmark overall braking distances.While the best of the all season tyres might not be able to match the summer tyre in the dry, or quite beat the winter tyre in the snow, it shows if you're only going to run one tyre year round, the all season tyre will give you the overall shortest braking distance.
The chart however, still clearly proves it pays to be on the right tyre for the right time of year.
The Results:
Please note: As always the overall results are weighted in favour of snow and wet performance. Please place less importance on the "total" score, and more on each of the category scores
- 3PMSF: no
Multi talented and balanced in all areas. Precise steering and excellent handling characteristics on wet roads. High safety reserves in aquaplanining, short braking distances on snow.
Slightly Noisey.
Total: 41
Dry
7
Wet
8
Snow
8
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
5
- 3PMSF: no
Top class all season tyre with no drawbacks. High traction and short braking distances on snow. Dynamic handling with superior steering precision and good feedback. Exemplary in all weather.
None mentioned.
Total: 46
Dry
7
Wet
7
Snow
8
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
10
- 3PMSF: no
Good all round tyre with short braking distances and cornering stability on snow. Best aquaplaning result, direct dry handling, low rolling resistance.
Average comfort.
Total: 43
Dry
7
Wet
7
Snow
8
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
9
Noise
7
- 3PMSF: no
Sporty and dynamic driving characteristics with great traction and cornering stability on snow and dry slopes. Good dry braking.
A little understeer in the wet, moderate aquaplaning resistance.
Total: 47
Dry
8
Wet
5
Snow
9
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
10
- 3PMSF: no
The rain specialist - good handling, high steering precision and shortest braking distances on wet roads. Good aquaplaning resistance.
Slightly let down by its snow performance, increased cornering noise.
Total: 37
Dry
6
Wet
7
Snow
6
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
5
- 3PMSF: no
Dynamic safe handling, good steering, short braking on snow. Good ride comfort.
Only average driving characteristics on wet and dry roads.
Total: 39
Dry
5
Wet
3
Snow
10
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
8
- 3PMSF: no
Dynamic safe handling, good steering, short braking on snow. Good ride comfort and rolling resistance.
Long braking distances in wet conditions.
Total: 42
Dry
6
Wet
4
Snow
7
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
7
- 3PMSF: no
Perfect handling on snow, low rolling resistance.
Poor steering response, bad handling and extremely long braking distances on wet roads. Reduced ride comfort.
Total: 37
Dry
5
Wet
2
Snow
10
Comfort
4
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
6
- 3PMSF: no
Low rolling resistance.
Lack of grip in the wet, poor wet braking, strong understeer, poor handling, bad aquaplaning result, especially in curved sections.
Total: 34
Dry
7
Wet
1
Snow
6
Comfort
3
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
7
- 3PMSF: no
Good dry braking.
In spite of M+S marking the tyre fails on snow an dice. Long stopping distances on wet roads, unbalanced handling.
Total: 29.1
Dry
7
Wet
3
Snow
0.1
Comfort
3
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
10