Test Charts / Auto Bild

2018 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: 195/65 R15
Tyres tested: 20
Disciplines: 11

Dry

Dry Braking
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	39.5 m	-4.30 m
RefReference All Season	42.2 m	-1.60 m
1Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	43.8 m	Best
2Nokian WR D4	44.5 m	+0.70 m
3Vredestein Snowtrac 5	44.8 m	+1.00 m
4Debica Frigo HP2	44.9 m	+1.10 m
5Kleber Krisalp HP3	45 m	+1.20 m
6Falken Eurowinter HS01	45.3 m	+1.50 m
7Michelin Alpin 5	45.5 m	+1.70 m
8Continental WinterContact TS 860	45.6 m	+1.80 m
8Fulda Kristall Control HP2	45.6 m	+1.80 m
8Dunlop Winter Sport 5	45.6 m	+1.80 m
11Pirelli Cinturato Winter	45.7 m	+1.90 m
12Hankook Winter i cept RS2	45.8 m	+2.00 m
13Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	46.2 m	+2.40 m
14Goodyear UltraGrip 9	46.3 m	+2.50 m
14Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	46.3 m	+2.50 m
16Firestone Winterhawk 3	46.6 m	+2.80 m
17Barum Polaris 3	47.1 m	+3.30 m
17Semperit Master Grip 2	47.1 m	+3.30 m
17Gislaved Euro Frost 6	47.1 m	+3.30 m
20Uniroyal MS Plus 77	47.2 m	+3.40 m

The difference between best and worst was 19.5% (7.7 m ≈ 1.7 Car Lengths).

Dry Handling
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	109.9 km/h	+2.30 km/h
RefReference All Season	107.7 km/h	+0.10 km/h
1Hankook Winter i cept RS2	107.6 km/h	Best
2Gislaved Euro Frost 6	106.6 km/h	-1.00 km/h
3Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	106.5 km/h	-1.10 km/h
3Vredestein Snowtrac 5	106.5 km/h	-1.10 km/h
5Michelin Alpin 5	106.4 km/h	-1.20 km/h
5Dunlop Winter Sport 5	106.4 km/h	-1.20 km/h
5Falken Eurowinter HS01	106.4 km/h	-1.20 km/h
8Goodyear UltraGrip 9	106.3 km/h	-1.30 km/h
9Barum Polaris 3	106.2 km/h	-1.40 km/h
9Fulda Kristall Control HP2	106.2 km/h	-1.40 km/h
11Kleber Krisalp HP3	106.1 km/h	-1.50 km/h
12Continental WinterContact TS 860	106 km/h	-1.60 km/h
12Debica Frigo HP2	106 km/h	-1.60 km/h
14Nokian WR D4	105.7 km/h	-1.90 km/h
15Firestone Winterhawk 3	105.6 km/h	-2.00 km/h
15Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	105.6 km/h	-2.00 km/h
17Pirelli Cinturato Winter	105.2 km/h	-2.40 km/h
18Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	105.1 km/h	-2.50 km/h
18Uniroyal MS Plus 77	105.1 km/h	-2.50 km/h
20Semperit Master Grip 2	104.8 km/h	-2.80 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 4.6% (5.1 Km/H).

Wet

Wet Braking
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	34.3 m	Best
2Continental WinterContact TS 860	34.5 m	+0.20 m
3Dunlop Winter Sport 5	34.8 m	+0.50 m
3Fulda Kristall Control HP2	34.8 m	+0.50 m
RefReference All Season	34.9 m	+0.60 m
5Hankook Winter i cept RS2	34.9 m	+0.60 m
6Goodyear UltraGrip 9	35.5 m	+1.20 m
RefReference Summer	35.9 m	+1.60 m
7Kleber Krisalp HP3	35.9 m	+1.60 m
7Semperit Master Grip 2	35.9 m	+1.60 m
7Pirelli Cinturato Winter	35.9 m	+1.60 m
10Uniroyal MS Plus 77	36.1 m	+1.80 m
11Falken Eurowinter HS01	36.2 m	+1.90 m
12Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	36.6 m	+2.30 m
12Debica Frigo HP2	36.6 m	+2.30 m
12Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	36.6 m	+2.30 m
15Barum Polaris 3	36.7 m	+2.40 m
16Gislaved Euro Frost 6	37 m	+2.70 m
17Michelin Alpin 5	37.1 m	+2.80 m
18Nokian WR D4	37.3 m	+3.00 m
19Vredestein Snowtrac 5	38 m	+3.70 m
20Firestone Winterhawk 3	38.2 m	+3.90 m

The difference between best and worst was 11.4% (3.9 m ≈ 0.9 Car Lengths).

Wet Handling
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Continental WinterContact TS 860	72.8 km/h	Best
2Pirelli Cinturato Winter	72.5 km/h	-0.30 km/h
RefReference Summer	72.3 km/h	-0.50 km/h
3Hankook Winter i cept RS2	72.2 km/h	-0.60 km/h
4Uniroyal MS Plus 77	72.1 km/h	-0.70 km/h
4Dunlop Winter Sport 5	72.1 km/h	-0.70 km/h
4Semperit Master Grip 2	72.1 km/h	-0.70 km/h
RefReference All Season	71.9 km/h	-0.90 km/h
7Goodyear UltraGrip 9	71.8 km/h	-1.00 km/h
8Michelin Alpin 5	71.5 km/h	-1.30 km/h
9Kleber Krisalp HP3	71.4 km/h	-1.40 km/h
10Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	71.1 km/h	-1.70 km/h
10Fulda Kristall Control HP2	71.1 km/h	-1.70 km/h
12Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	70.9 km/h	-1.90 km/h
13Falken Eurowinter HS01	70.5 km/h	-2.30 km/h
13Vredestein Snowtrac 5	70.5 km/h	-2.30 km/h
15Debica Frigo HP2	70.2 km/h	-2.60 km/h
16Nokian WR D4	69.7 km/h	-3.10 km/h
17Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	69.6 km/h	-3.20 km/h
18Barum Polaris 3	69.5 km/h	-3.30 km/h
19Gislaved Euro Frost 6	69.3 km/h	-3.50 km/h
20Firestone Winterhawk 3	67.5 km/h	-5.30 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 7.3% (5.3 Km/H).

Straight Aqua
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Falken Eurowinter HS01	88.3 km/h	Best
2Continental WinterContact TS 860	86.4 km/h	-1.90 km/h
3Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	84.8 km/h	-3.50 km/h
4Michelin Alpin 5	83.8 km/h	-4.50 km/h
RefReference Summer	83.6 km/h	-4.70 km/h
5Uniroyal MS Plus 77	83.5 km/h	-4.80 km/h
5Pirelli Cinturato Winter	83.5 km/h	-4.80 km/h
7Goodyear UltraGrip 9	83.3 km/h	-5.00 km/h
8Fulda Kristall Control HP2	81.3 km/h	-7.00 km/h
9Hankook Winter i cept RS2	81 km/h	-7.30 km/h
10Kleber Krisalp HP3	80.6 km/h	-7.70 km/h
10Dunlop Winter Sport 5	80.6 km/h	-7.70 km/h
12Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	80.3 km/h	-8.00 km/h
RefReference All Season	79.6 km/h	-8.70 km/h
13Semperit Master Grip 2	79.5 km/h	-8.80 km/h
14Vredestein Snowtrac 5	79.4 km/h	-8.90 km/h
15Firestone Winterhawk 3	79.2 km/h	-9.10 km/h
16Nokian WR D4	76.8 km/h	-11.50 km/h
17Debica Frigo HP2	76.4 km/h	-11.90 km/h
18Barum Polaris 3	75.6 km/h	-12.70 km/h
19Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	75.2 km/h	-13.10 km/h
20Gislaved Euro Frost 6	75.1 km/h	-13.20 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 14.9% (13.2 Km/H).

Snow

Snow Braking
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Goodyear UltraGrip 9	27 m	Best
2Kleber Krisalp HP3	27.1 m	+0.10 m
3Pirelli Cinturato Winter	27.4 m	+0.40 m
3Semperit Master Grip 2	27.4 m	+0.40 m
5Fulda Kristall Control HP2	27.6 m	+0.60 m
5Continental WinterContact TS 860	27.6 m	+0.60 m
5Nokian WR D4	27.6 m	+0.60 m
8Hankook Winter i cept RS2	27.7 m	+0.70 m
9Barum Polaris 3	27.8 m	+0.80 m
9Firestone Winterhawk 3	27.8 m	+0.80 m
11Vredestein Snowtrac 5	27.9 m	+0.90 m
11Uniroyal MS Plus 77	27.9 m	+0.90 m
13Falken Eurowinter HS01	28 m	+1.00 m
14Dunlop Winter Sport 5	28.1 m	+1.10 m
14Debica Frigo HP2	28.1 m	+1.10 m
14Gislaved Euro Frost 6	28.1 m	+1.10 m
17Michelin Alpin 5	28.4 m	+1.40 m
18Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	28.6 m	+1.60 m
RefReference All Season	29.5 m	+2.50 m
19Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	29.5 m	+2.50 m
20Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	29.8 m	+2.80 m
RefReference Summer	43.2 m	+16.20 m

The difference between best and worst was 60% (16.2 m ≈ 3.6 Car Lengths).

Snow Handling
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Goodyear UltraGrip 9	52.8 km/h	Best
2Nokian WR D4	52.7 km/h	-0.10 km/h
3Pirelli Cinturato Winter	52.6 km/h	-0.20 km/h
4Kleber Krisalp HP3	52.3 km/h	-0.50 km/h
5Hankook Winter i cept RS2	52.2 km/h	-0.60 km/h
6Barum Polaris 3	52 km/h	-0.80 km/h
6Semperit Master Grip 2	52 km/h	-0.80 km/h
8Continental WinterContact TS 860	51.9 km/h	-0.90 km/h
9Uniroyal MS Plus 77	51.8 km/h	-1.00 km/h
9Firestone Winterhawk 3	51.8 km/h	-1.00 km/h
11Vredestein Snowtrac 5	51.7 km/h	-1.10 km/h
12Falken Eurowinter HS01	51.6 km/h	-1.20 km/h
12Fulda Kristall Control HP2	51.6 km/h	-1.20 km/h
14Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	51.5 km/h	-1.30 km/h
14Dunlop Winter Sport 5	51.5 km/h	-1.30 km/h
16Gislaved Euro Frost 6	51.4 km/h	-1.40 km/h
17Debica Frigo HP2	51 km/h	-1.80 km/h
18Michelin Alpin 5	50.6 km/h	-2.20 km/h
19Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	50.4 km/h	-2.40 km/h
20Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	50.2 km/h	-2.60 km/h
RefReference All Season	50.1 km/h	-2.70 km/h
RefReference Summer	27.6 km/h	-25.20 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 47.7% (25.2 Km/H).

Comfort

Noise
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	64.8 dB	Best
1Kleber Krisalp HP3	64.8 dB	Best
3Pirelli Cinturato Winter	65.6 dB	+0.80 dB
3Fulda Kristall Control HP2	65.6 dB	+0.80 dB
3Semperit Master Grip 2	65.6 dB	+0.80 dB
RefReference All Season	65.7 dB	+0.90 dB
6Debica Frigo HP2	66 dB	+1.20 dB
7Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	66.2 dB	+1.40 dB
8Continental WinterContact TS 860	66.3 dB	+1.50 dB
8Falken Eurowinter HS01	66.3 dB	+1.50 dB
10Dunlop Winter Sport 5	66.4 dB	+1.60 dB
10Nokian WR D4	66.4 dB	+1.60 dB
12Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	66.5 dB	+1.70 dB
13Firestone Winterhawk 3	67.3 dB	+2.50 dB
14Goodyear UltraGrip 9	67.4 dB	+2.60 dB
14Gislaved Euro Frost 6	67.4 dB	+2.60 dB
16Vredestein Snowtrac 5	67.7 dB	+2.90 dB
17Hankook Winter i cept RS2	67.8 dB	+3.00 dB
RefReference Summer	67.8 dB	+3.00 dB
18Barum Polaris 3	68.2 dB	+3.40 dB
18Michelin Alpin 5	68.2 dB	+3.40 dB
20Uniroyal MS Plus 77	68.4 dB	+3.60 dB

The difference between best and worst was 5.6% (3.6 dB).

Value

Wear
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin Alpin 5	72,450 KM	Best
2Hankook Winter i cept RS2	59,850 KM	-12,600 KM
RefReference All Season	52,200 KM	-20,250 KM
3Dunlop Winter Sport 5	51,750 KM	-20,700 KM
4Goodyear UltraGrip 9	48,600 KM	-23,850 KM
5Nokian WR D4	47,700 KM	-24,750 KM
6Continental WinterContact TS 860	47,250 KM	-25,200 KM
7Semperit Master Grip 2	45,900 KM	-26,550 KM
8Firestone Winterhawk 3	45,000 KM	-27,450 KM
9Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	43,650 KM	-28,800 KM
9Uniroyal MS Plus 77	43,650 KM	-28,800 KM
11Fulda Kristall Control HP2	42,750 KM	-29,700 KM
12Debica Frigo HP2	41,400 KM	-31,050 KM
12Kleber Krisalp HP3	41,400 KM	-31,050 KM
14Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	40,500 KM	-31,950 KM
14Falken Eurowinter HS01	40,500 KM	-31,950 KM
16Barum Polaris 3	39,150 KM	-33,300 KM
17Gislaved Euro Frost 6	37,800 KM	-34,650 KM
18Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	34,200 KM	-38,250 KM
19Vredestein Snowtrac 5	33,300 KM	-39,150 KM
20Pirelli Cinturato Winter	28,800 KM	-43,650 KM

The difference between best and worst was 60.2% (43,650 KM).

Value
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best	cost per 1,000 km
1Michelin Alpin 5	4.07 Price/1000	Best	€13.31
2Hankook Winter i cept RS2	4.09 Price/1000	+0.02 Price/1000	€13.49
3Firestone Winterhawk 3	5.11 Price/1000	+1.04 Price/1000	€13.11
4Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	5.38 Price/1000	+1.31 Price/1000	€11.05
5Semperit Master Grip 2	5.45 Price/1000	+1.38 Price/1000	€12.78
RefReference All Season	5.46 Price/1000	+1.39 Price/1000	€11.31
6Falken Eurowinter HS01	5.56 Price/1000	+1.49 Price/1000	€15.14
7Dunlop Winter Sport 5	5.6 Price/1000	+1.53 Price/1000	€11.55
8Uniroyal MS Plus 77	5.61 Price/1000	+1.54 Price/1000	€13.02
9Nokian WR D4	5.66 Price/1000	+1.59 Price/1000	€7.13
10Debica Frigo HP2	5.68 Price/1000	+1.61 Price/1000	€13.51
11Goodyear UltraGrip 9	5.76 Price/1000	+1.69 Price/1000	€9.74
12Kleber Krisalp HP3	5.8 Price/1000	+1.73 Price/1000	€13.25
13Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	5.85 Price/1000	+1.78 Price/1000	€14.42
14Fulda Kristall Control HP2	5.96 Price/1000	+1.89 Price/1000	€11.77
15Barum Polaris 3	6.13 Price/1000	+2.06 Price/1000	€12.28
16Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	6.42 Price/1000	+2.35 Price/1000	€13.31
17Gislaved Euro Frost 6	6.48 Price/1000	+2.41 Price/1000	€14.14
18Continental WinterContact TS 860	6.77 Price/1000	+2.70 Price/1000	€12.24
19Vredestein Snowtrac 5	8.11 Price/1000	+4.04 Price/1000	€15.79
20Pirelli Cinturato Winter	9.99 Price/1000	+5.92 Price/1000	€19.96

The difference between best and worst was 145.5% (5.92 Price/1000). Over 40,000 km the cheapest tyre to own (Nokian WR D4) works out €513 cheaper than the most expensive (Pirelli Cinturato Winter).

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 2018 test; financing costs are excluded.

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
1Nokian WR D4	6.96 kg/t	Best	£0
2Goodyear UltraGrip 9	7.63 kg/t	+0.67 kg/t	£42
3Continental WinterContact TS 860	8.01 kg/t	+1.05 kg/t	£67
4Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO	8.03 kg/t	+1.07 kg/t	£68
5Fulda Kristall Control HP2	8.06 kg/t	+1.10 kg/t	£70
6Barum Polaris 3	8.11 kg/t	+1.15 kg/t	£73
RefReference All Season	8.15 kg/t	+1.19 kg/t	£75
7Dunlop Winter Sport 5	8.17 kg/t	+1.21 kg/t	£77
8Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905	8.32 kg/t	+1.36 kg/t	£86
9Vredestein Snowtrac 5	8.43 kg/t	+1.47 kg/t	£93
10Kleber Krisalp HP3	8.48 kg/t	+1.52 kg/t	£96
RefReference Summer	8.48 kg/t	+1.52 kg/t	£96
11Semperit Master Grip 2	8.49 kg/t	+1.53 kg/t	£97
11Uniroyal MS Plus 77	8.49 kg/t	+1.53 kg/t	£97
11Gislaved Euro Frost 6	8.49 kg/t	+1.53 kg/t	£97
14Debica Frigo HP2	8.58 kg/t	+1.62 kg/t	£103
15Firestone Winterhawk 3	8.66 kg/t	+1.70 kg/t	£108
16Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow	8.68 kg/t	+1.72 kg/t	£109
17Pirelli Cinturato Winter	8.88 kg/t	+1.92 kg/t	£122
18Falken Eurowinter HS01	9.03 kg/t	+2.07 kg/t	£131
19Hankook Winter i cept RS2	9.13 kg/t	+2.17 kg/t	£137
20Michelin Alpin 5	9.14 kg/t	+2.18 kg/t	£138

The difference between best and worst was 31.3% (2.18 kg / t). Over 19,000 km a year at £1.45/L, the Michelin Alpin 5 uses about 95 L (£138) more fuel than the Nokian WR D4.

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.

Tyre shortlist →Read the test →

More tyre tests