Test Charts / Auto Bild

2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test

Compare each discipline in the tested size. See the measured result, position and gap to the best tyre, then read the verdict for the trade-offs behind the finishing order.

Tested size: 225/50 R17
Tyres tested: 20
Disciplines: 11

Dry

Dry Braking
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	37.9 m	-5.80 m
1Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	43.7 m	Best
2Nokian WR D4	44.5 m	+0.80 m
2Continental WinterContact TS 860	44.5 m	+0.80 m
2Kumho WinterCraft WP71	44.5 m	+0.80 m
5Yokohama W drive V905	44.6 m	+0.90 m
6Firestone Winterhawk 3	44.8 m	+1.10 m
7Gislaved EuroFrost 5	44.9 m	+1.20 m
7Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1	44.9 m	+1.20 m
9Dunlop Winter Sport 5	45.1 m	+1.40 m
10Uniroyal MS Plus 77	45.2 m	+1.50 m
11Michelin Alpin 5	45.4 m	+1.70 m
11Nexen WinGuard Sport 2	45.4 m	+1.70 m
13Fulda Kristall Control HP2	45.5 m	+1.80 m
14Hankook Winter i cept evo2	45.6 m	+1.90 m
14Semperit Speed Grip 3	45.6 m	+1.90 m
14Kleber Krisalp HP3	45.6 m	+1.90 m
17Barum Polaris 3	45.7 m	+2.00 m
18BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	46 m	+2.30 m
19Sava Eskimo HP2	46.3 m	+2.60 m
20Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	46.7 m	+3.00 m

The difference between best and worst was 23.2% (8.8 m ≈ 2 Car Lengths).

Dry Handling
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	113.2 km/h	+2.40 km/h
1Continental WinterContact TS 860	110.8 km/h	Best
2Hankook Winter i cept evo2	109.7 km/h	-1.10 km/h
3Barum Polaris 3	109.6 km/h	-1.20 km/h
3Semperit Speed Grip 3	109.6 km/h	-1.20 km/h
5Nexen WinGuard Sport 2	109.5 km/h	-1.30 km/h
6Fulda Kristall Control HP2	109.4 km/h	-1.40 km/h
7Gislaved EuroFrost 5	109.3 km/h	-1.50 km/h
8Michelin Alpin 5	109.1 km/h	-1.70 km/h
8Sava Eskimo HP2	109.1 km/h	-1.70 km/h
10Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	109 km/h	-1.80 km/h
11Yokohama W drive V905	108.9 km/h	-1.90 km/h
12Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1	108.8 km/h	-2.00 km/h
13Dunlop Winter Sport 5	108.7 km/h	-2.10 km/h
14Firestone Winterhawk 3	108.6 km/h	-2.20 km/h
15Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	108.5 km/h	-2.30 km/h
16Nokian WR D4	108.3 km/h	-2.50 km/h
16Uniroyal MS Plus 77	108.3 km/h	-2.50 km/h
18Kumho WinterCraft WP71	107.3 km/h	-3.50 km/h
18Kleber Krisalp HP3	107.3 km/h	-3.50 km/h
20BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	107 km/h	-3.80 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 5.5% (6.2 Km/H).

Wet

Wet Braking
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	31 m	-1.20 m
1Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	32.2 m	Best
2Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	32.5 m	+0.30 m
3Michelin Alpin 5	33.3 m	+1.10 m
4Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1	33.4 m	+1.20 m
5Continental WinterContact TS 860	33.5 m	+1.30 m
6Dunlop Winter Sport 5	33.6 m	+1.40 m
7Nexen WinGuard Sport 2	34 m	+1.80 m
8Semperit Speed Grip 3	34.4 m	+2.20 m
9Yokohama W drive V905	34.7 m	+2.50 m
10Kumho WinterCraft WP71	34.8 m	+2.60 m
11Nokian WR D4	35 m	+2.80 m
12BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	35.1 m	+2.90 m
13Fulda Kristall Control HP2	35.5 m	+3.30 m
14Kleber Krisalp HP3	35.7 m	+3.50 m
15Barum Polaris 3	35.8 m	+3.60 m
16Hankook Winter i cept evo2	35.9 m	+3.70 m
17Uniroyal MS Plus 77	36 m	+3.80 m
18Firestone Winterhawk 3	36.3 m	+4.10 m
19Sava Eskimo HP2	36.4 m	+4.20 m
20Gislaved EuroFrost 5	36.5 m	+4.30 m

The difference between best and worst was 17.7% (5.5 m ≈ 1.2 Car Lengths).

Wet Handling
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	77.5 km/h	+1.70 km/h
1Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	75.8 km/h	Best
2Michelin Alpin 5	74.9 km/h	-0.90 km/h
3Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	74.7 km/h	-1.10 km/h
4Continental WinterContact TS 860	74.6 km/h	-1.20 km/h
5Dunlop Winter Sport 5	74.2 km/h	-1.60 km/h
6Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1	74.1 km/h	-1.70 km/h
7Nokian WR D4	73.6 km/h	-2.20 km/h
7Semperit Speed Grip 3	73.6 km/h	-2.20 km/h
9Yokohama W drive V905	73.5 km/h	-2.30 km/h
10Kleber Krisalp HP3	72.8 km/h	-3.00 km/h
11Nexen WinGuard Sport 2	72.6 km/h	-3.20 km/h
12BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	72.3 km/h	-3.50 km/h
13Firestone Winterhawk 3	72.2 km/h	-3.60 km/h
14Kumho WinterCraft WP71	72.1 km/h	-3.70 km/h
15Uniroyal MS Plus 77	71.9 km/h	-3.90 km/h
16Fulda Kristall Control HP2	71.3 km/h	-4.50 km/h
16Gislaved EuroFrost 5	71.3 km/h	-4.50 km/h
18Barum Polaris 3	71.2 km/h	-4.60 km/h
19Sava Eskimo HP2	71.1 km/h	-4.70 km/h
20Hankook Winter i cept evo2	70.6 km/h	-5.20 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 8.9% (6.9 Km/H).

Straight Aqua
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	93.3 km/h	Best
2Kleber Krisalp HP3	90.9 km/h	-2.40 km/h
3Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	90.7 km/h	-2.60 km/h
RefReference Summer	90.5 km/h	-2.80 km/h
4Fulda Kristall Control HP2	90.5 km/h	-2.80 km/h
5Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	88.9 km/h	-4.40 km/h
6Michelin Alpin 5	88.7 km/h	-4.60 km/h
7Gislaved EuroFrost 5	88.3 km/h	-5.00 km/h
8Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1	88.1 km/h	-5.20 km/h
9Nokian WR D4	87.8 km/h	-5.50 km/h
10Hankook Winter i cept evo2	87.5 km/h	-5.80 km/h
10Continental WinterContact TS 860	87.5 km/h	-5.80 km/h
10Uniroyal MS Plus 77	87.5 km/h	-5.80 km/h
13Dunlop Winter Sport 5	86.8 km/h	-6.50 km/h
14Semperit Speed Grip 3	86.5 km/h	-6.80 km/h
15Firestone Winterhawk 3	86.1 km/h	-7.20 km/h
16Nexen WinGuard Sport 2	85.5 km/h	-7.80 km/h
17Barum Polaris 3	85.4 km/h	-7.90 km/h
18Sava Eskimo HP2	85 km/h	-8.30 km/h
19Kumho WinterCraft WP71	84.8 km/h	-8.50 km/h
20Yokohama W drive V905	84.6 km/h	-8.70 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 9.3% (8.7 Km/H).

Snow

Snow Braking
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	25.9 m	Best
2Kleber Krisalp HP3	26.7 m	+0.80 m
3Sava Eskimo HP2	27.2 m	+1.30 m
4Semperit Speed Grip 3	27.4 m	+1.50 m
5Continental WinterContact TS 860	27.5 m	+1.60 m
6Barum Polaris 3	27.6 m	+1.70 m
6Dunlop Winter Sport 5	27.6 m	+1.70 m
8Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1	27.7 m	+1.80 m
8Nokian WR D4	27.7 m	+1.80 m
10Firestone Winterhawk 3	27.9 m	+2.00 m
11Gislaved EuroFrost 5	28 m	+2.10 m
12Fulda Kristall Control HP2	28.1 m	+2.20 m
12Uniroyal MS Plus 77	28.1 m	+2.20 m
14Yokohama W drive V905	28.3 m	+2.40 m
14Nexen WinGuard Sport 2	28.3 m	+2.40 m
16Hankook Winter i cept evo2	28.6 m	+2.70 m
17Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	28.7 m	+2.80 m
17Michelin Alpin 5	28.7 m	+2.80 m
19Kumho WinterCraft WP71	29.2 m	+3.30 m
20Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	29.8 m	+3.90 m
RefReference Summer	60.7 m	+34.80 m

The difference between best and worst was 134.4% (34.8 m ≈ 7.7 Car Lengths).

Snow Handling
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Barum Polaris 3	52.6 km/h	Best
2BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	52.3 km/h	-0.30 km/h
3Fulda Kristall Control HP2	52.2 km/h	-0.40 km/h
3Continental WinterContact TS 860	52.2 km/h	-0.40 km/h
5Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1	52 km/h	-0.60 km/h
6Sava Eskimo HP2	51.9 km/h	-0.70 km/h
7Kleber Krisalp HP3	51.7 km/h	-0.90 km/h
8Dunlop Winter Sport 5	51.6 km/h	-1.00 km/h
9Nexen WinGuard Sport 2	51.4 km/h	-1.20 km/h
10Michelin Alpin 5	51.2 km/h	-1.40 km/h
11Semperit Speed Grip 3	51.1 km/h	-1.50 km/h
12Gislaved EuroFrost 5	50.9 km/h	-1.70 km/h
12Nokian WR D4	50.9 km/h	-1.70 km/h
12Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	50.9 km/h	-1.70 km/h
15Kumho WinterCraft WP71	50.7 km/h	-1.90 km/h
16Yokohama W drive V905	50.6 km/h	-2.00 km/h
17Firestone Winterhawk 3	50.4 km/h	-2.20 km/h
18Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	50.2 km/h	-2.40 km/h
19Hankook Winter i cept evo2	50 km/h	-2.60 km/h
20Uniroyal MS Plus 77	49.7 km/h	-2.90 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 5.5% (2.9 Km/H).

Comfort

Noise
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	70.9 dB	Best
2Nexen WinGuard Sport 2	71.8 dB	+0.90 dB
3Kleber Krisalp HP3	71.9 dB	+1.00 dB
3BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	71.9 dB	+1.00 dB
5Firestone Winterhawk 3	72.2 dB	+1.30 dB
5Michelin Alpin 5	72.2 dB	+1.30 dB
5Kumho WinterCraft WP71	72.2 dB	+1.30 dB
8Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1	72.4 dB	+1.50 dB
9Nokian WR D4	72.7 dB	+1.80 dB
10Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	72.8 dB	+1.90 dB
10Semperit Speed Grip 3	72.8 dB	+1.90 dB
12Continental WinterContact TS 860	73 dB	+2.10 dB
12Dunlop Winter Sport 5	73 dB	+2.10 dB
14Barum Polaris 3	73.1 dB	+2.20 dB
15Hankook Winter i cept evo2	73.5 dB	+2.60 dB
15Sava Eskimo HP2	73.5 dB	+2.60 dB
15Uniroyal MS Plus 77	73.5 dB	+2.60 dB
18Yokohama W drive V905	73.7 dB	+2.80 dB
19Gislaved EuroFrost 5	73.9 dB	+3.00 dB
20Fulda Kristall Control HP2	74 dB	+3.10 dB
RefReference Summer	75.3 dB	+4.40 dB

The difference between best and worst was 6.2% (4.4 dB).

Value

Wear
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Nexen WinGuard Sport 2	48,375 KM	Best
2Fulda Kristall Control HP2	47,625 KM	-750 KM
3Michelin Alpin 5	44,250 KM	-4,125 KM
3Sava Eskimo HP2	44,250 KM	-4,125 KM
5Kumho WinterCraft WP71	42,375 KM	-6,000 KM
6Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	40,125 KM	-8,250 KM
7BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	38,625 KM	-9,750 KM
8Uniroyal MS Plus 77	37,500 KM	-10,875 KM
8Gislaved EuroFrost 5	37,500 KM	-10,875 KM
8Barum Polaris 3	37,500 KM	-10,875 KM
11Kleber Krisalp HP3	36,375 KM	-12,000 KM
12Dunlop Winter Sport 5	35,250 KM	-13,125 KM
13Hankook Winter i cept evo2	34,875 KM	-13,500 KM
13Firestone Winterhawk 3	34,875 KM	-13,500 KM
15Continental WinterContact TS 860	34,500 KM	-13,875 KM
16Semperit Speed Grip 3	33,375 KM	-15,000 KM
17Yokohama W drive V905	32,625 KM	-15,750 KM
18Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1	32,250 KM	-16,125 KM
19Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	29,625 KM	-18,750 KM
20Nokian WR D4	28,875 KM	-19,500 KM

The difference between best and worst was 40.3% (19,500 KM).

Value
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best	cost per 1,000 km
1Nexen WinGuard Sport 2	7.55 Price/1000	Best	€16.32
2Sava Eskimo HP2	7.57 Price/1000	+0.02 Price/1000	€11.87
3Fulda Kristall Control HP2	9.13 Price/1000	+1.58 Price/1000	€13.76
4Kumho WinterCraft WP71	9.2 Price/1000	+1.65 Price/1000	€13.86
5Barum Polaris 3	9.33 Price/1000	+1.78 Price/1000	€12.80
6Gislaved EuroFrost 5	9.87 Price/1000	+2.32 Price/1000	€14.27
7Uniroyal MS Plus 77	11.47 Price/1000	+3.92 Price/1000	€13.82
8Kleber Krisalp HP3	11.55 Price/1000	+4.00 Price/1000	€17.94
9BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	12.3 Price/1000	+4.75 Price/1000	€18.02
10Michelin Alpin 5	12.43 Price/1000	+4.88 Price/1000	€19.29
11Hankook Winter i cept evo2	12.47 Price/1000	+4.92 Price/1000	€18.60
12Firestone Winterhawk 3	12.62 Price/1000	+5.07 Price/1000	€20.28
13Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	12.71 Price/1000	+5.16 Price/1000	€18.54
14Yokohama W drive V905	12.72 Price/1000	+5.17 Price/1000	€20.33
15Semperit Speed Grip 3	13.78 Price/1000	+6.23 Price/1000	€18.78
16Dunlop Winter Sport 5	15.04 Price/1000	+7.49 Price/1000	€20.48
17Continental WinterContact TS 860	15.94 Price/1000	+8.39 Price/1000	€21.17
18Nokian WR D4	16.1 Price/1000	+8.55 Price/1000	€22.50
19Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1	16.59 Price/1000	+9.04 Price/1000	€22.29
20Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	16.88 Price/1000	+9.33 Price/1000	€23.52

The difference between best and worst was 123.6% (9.33 Price/1000). Over 40,000 km the cheapest tyre to own (Sava Eskimo HP2) works out €466 cheaper than the most expensive (Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3).

How this is calculated

Assumes a typical car using 8 l/100km (with rolling resistance causing 20% of fuel use), fuel at €1.65 per litre and €70 fitting per set of four. Purchase prices are from the time of the 2017 test; financing costs are excluded.

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
RefReference Summer	7.1 kg/t	-0.13 kg/t	£0
1Uniroyal MS Plus 77	7.23 kg/t	Best	£0
2Barum Polaris 3	7.53 kg/t	+0.30 kg/t	£18
3Gislaved EuroFrost 5	7.78 kg/t	+0.55 kg/t	£34
4Sava Eskimo HP2	7.83 kg/t	+0.60 kg/t	£37
5Semperit Speed Grip 3	7.88 kg/t	+0.65 kg/t	£40
6Kumho WinterCraft WP71	7.91 kg/t	+0.68 kg/t	£41
7Fulda Kristall Control HP2	7.95 kg/t	+0.72 kg/t	£44
8Continental WinterContact TS 860	7.96 kg/t	+0.73 kg/t	£45
9Dunlop Winter Sport 5	8.03 kg/t	+0.80 kg/t	£49
10Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1	8.05 kg/t	+0.82 kg/t	£50
11BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2	8.15 kg/t	+0.92 kg/t	£56
12Nokian WR D4	8.17 kg/t	+0.94 kg/t	£57
13Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	8.2 kg/t	+0.97 kg/t	£59
14Hankook Winter i cept evo2	8.21 kg/t	+0.98 kg/t	£60
15Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3	8.25 kg/t	+1.02 kg/t	£62
16Kleber Krisalp HP3	8.3 kg/t	+1.07 kg/t	£65
17Michelin Alpin 5	8.52 kg/t	+1.29 kg/t	£79
18Yokohama W drive V905	8.57 kg/t	+1.34 kg/t	£82
19Firestone Winterhawk 3	8.62 kg/t	+1.39 kg/t	£85
20Nexen WinGuard Sport 2	9.07 kg/t	+1.84 kg/t	£112

The difference between best and worst was 27.7% (1.97 kg / t). Over 19,000 km a year at £1.45/L, the Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 uses about 77 L (£112) more fuel than the Uniroyal MS Plus 77.

Adjust the assumptions

Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions. These calculators use the full test field, independently of your tyre selection above.

Petrol/Diesel Electric

Annual Mileage

19,000 km

km (L)

miles (US gal)

Fuel Price

£1.45/L

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Set my vehicle consumption

Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tyre age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

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