For their third winter tyre test of 2019, Auto Bild have stepped up the fun and fitted an Audi S5 with eleven sets of 255/35 R19 ultra high performance winter tyres, and included the usual set of reference summer tyres!
Following on from a win in Auto Express, the new Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ takes its second win of 2019, once again proving to have a near flawless blend of qualities. Vredestein have also continued their run of good results with a very strong second place for the Wintrac Pro. This tyre is significantly cheaper than the premium winter tyres in the UK, so is probably the best choice if you need to save a few pounds.
Rounding out the top three is the Uniroyal MSPlus 77. This tyre was extremely strong in the snow, but relatively weak in the dry and wet. This means while the Uniroyal placed higher overall than tyres like the Continental WinterContact TS860S, the tyres with a better dry and wet performance are far more suitable for the UK climate.
As always, check out all the data below to see which blend of qualities works for your intended driving patterns and budget.
Dry
The new Goodyear tyre won the dry braking test, but was significantly behind the summer tyre. The midrange tyres from Kumho and Toyo also performed excellently.
Dry Braking
Dry braking in meters
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
36.8 m | -3.40 m |
| 40.2 m | Best | |
| 40.7 m | +0.50 m | |
| 41.2 m | +1.00 m | |
| 41.2 m | +1.00 m | |
| 41.8 m | +1.60 m | |
| 41.9 m | +1.70 m | |
| 42.1 m | +1.90 m | |
| 42.3 m | +2.10 m | |
| 43 m | +2.80 m | |
| 43.7 m | +3.50 m | |
| 44 m | +3.80 m |
The difference between best and worst was 19.6% (7.2 m ≈ 1.6 Car Lengths).
As with dry braking, the summer tyre had a big advantage, this time with Toyo the best of the winter tyres.
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
124.5 km/h | +2.60 km/h |
| 121.9 km/h | Best | |
| 120.7 km/h | -1.20 km/h | |
| 120.5 km/h | -1.40 km/h | |
| 120.2 km/h | -1.70 km/h | |
| 119.7 km/h | -2.20 km/h | |
| 119.6 km/h | -2.30 km/h | |
| 119.5 km/h | -2.40 km/h | |
| 119.4 km/h | -2.50 km/h | |
| 119.3 km/h | -2.60 km/h | |
| 118.8 km/h | -3.10 km/h | |
| 118.5 km/h | -3.40 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 4.8% (6 Km/H).
Wet
The Goodyear continued its excellent braking run in the wet, being the only winter tyre to stop better than the summer tyre.
Wet Braking
Wet braking in meters
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 45.7 m | Best | |
RefReference Summer |
46.9 m | +1.20 m |
| 47.1 m | +1.40 m | |
| 47.6 m | +1.90 m | |
| 48.1 m | +2.40 m | |
| 49.6 m | +3.90 m | |
| 50 m | +4.30 m | |
| 50.4 m | +4.70 m | |
| 51.8 m | +6.10 m | |
| 53.4 m | +7.70 m | |
| 53.8 m | +8.10 m | |
| 54.8 m | +9.10 m |
The difference between best and worst was 19.9% (9.1 m ≈ 2 Car Lengths).
As with wet braking, the Goodyear was the only tyre to best the summer tyre over a fast lap, with Vredestein just able to match it.
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 95.3 km/h | Best | |
RefReference Summer |
94.9 km/h | -0.40 km/h |
| 94.9 km/h | -0.40 km/h | |
| 93.2 km/h | -2.10 km/h | |
| 92.8 km/h | -2.50 km/h | |
| 92.8 km/h | -2.50 km/h | |
| 92 km/h | -3.30 km/h | |
| 91.6 km/h | -3.70 km/h | |
| 91.6 km/h | -3.70 km/h | |
| 90.6 km/h | -4.70 km/h | |
| 90.2 km/h | -5.10 km/h | |
| 89.9 km/h | -5.40 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 5.7% (5.4 Km/H).
Impressively, Goodyear also won the straight aquaplaning testing.
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in Km/H
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 73.7 km/h | Best | |
RefReference Summer |
73.4 km/h | -0.30 km/h |
| 73.2 km/h | -0.50 km/h | |
| 72.6 km/h | -1.10 km/h | |
| 72.2 km/h | -1.50 km/h | |
| 71.8 km/h | -1.90 km/h | |
| 71.3 km/h | -2.40 km/h | |
| 69.1 km/h | -4.60 km/h | |
| 68.5 km/h | -5.20 km/h | |
| 68.5 km/h | -5.20 km/h | |
| 66.1 km/h | -7.60 km/h | |
| 59.9 km/h | -13.80 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 18.7% (13.8 Km/H).
Snow
Snow braking gave Goodyear a clean sweep of braking results, with all the winter tyres vastly out performing the summer tyre.
Snow Braking
Snow braking in meters
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 27.6 m | Best | |
| 28 m | +0.40 m | |
| 28 m | +0.40 m | |
| 28.5 m | +0.90 m | |
| 28.6 m | +1.00 m | |
| 28.8 m | +1.20 m | |
| 28.9 m | +1.30 m | |
| 29.1 m | +1.50 m | |
| 29.4 m | +1.80 m | |
| 30.5 m | +2.90 m | |
| 30.8 m | +3.20 m | |
RefReference Summer |
77.9 m | +50.30 m |
The difference between best and worst was 182.2% (50.3 m ≈ 11.2 Car Lengths).
Snow handling was very close between the top seven tyres, with Kumho coming out on top.
Snow Handling
Snow handling average speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 49.4 km/h | Best | |
| 49.1 km/h | -0.30 km/h | |
| 49 km/h | -0.40 km/h | |
| 48.9 km/h | -0.50 km/h | |
| 48.7 km/h | -0.70 km/h | |
| 48.7 km/h | -0.70 km/h | |
| 48.4 km/h | -1.00 km/h | |
| 47.6 km/h | -1.80 km/h | |
| 47.4 km/h | -2.00 km/h | |
| 46.5 km/h | -2.90 km/h | |
| 45 km/h | -4.40 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 8.9% (4.4 Km/H).
Environment
Continental had a big advantage in fuel use.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.06 kg/t | Best | £0 | |
| 8.5 kg/t | +0.44 kg/t | £24 | |
| 8.5 kg/t | +0.44 kg/t | £24 | |
| 8.66 kg/t | +0.60 kg/t | £33 | |
RefReference Summer |
8.8 kg/t | +0.74 kg/t | £40 |
| 9.02 kg/t | +0.96 kg/t | £53 | |
| 9.25 kg/t | +1.19 kg/t | £65 | |
| 9.35 kg/t | +1.29 kg/t | £71 | |
| 9.39 kg/t | +1.33 kg/t | £73 | |
| 9.99 kg/t | +1.93 kg/t | £106 | |
| 10.32 kg/t | +2.26 kg/t | £124 | |
| 10.35 kg/t | +2.29 kg/t | £125 |
The difference between best and worst was 28.4% (2.29 kg / t). Over 19,000 km a year at £1.45/L, the Hankook Winter i cept evo2 uses about 86 L (£125) more fuel than the Continental WinterContact TS 860 S.
Adjust the assumptions
Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.
Nankang had the lowest external drive by noise.
Noise
External noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 70.7 dB | Best | |
| 71.1 dB | +0.40 dB | |
| 72 dB | +1.30 dB | |
| 72.2 dB | +1.50 dB | |
| 72.5 dB | +1.80 dB | |
RefReference Summer |
72.6 dB | +1.90 dB |
| 73.5 dB | +2.80 dB | |
| 73.7 dB | +3.00 dB | |
| 74.1 dB | +3.40 dB | |
| 74.9 dB | +4.20 dB | |
| 75 dB | +4.30 dB | |
| 75.7 dB | +5.00 dB |
The difference between best and worst was 7.1% (5 dB).
The most expensive set of tyres on test was almost double the price of the cheapest set.
Results
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
255/35 R19Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 1st / 11 | 40.2 m | Best in this discipline |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 8th / 11 | 119.4 km/h | -2.50 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 1st / 11 | 45.7 m | Best in this discipline |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 11 | 95.3 km/h | Best in this discipline |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 1st / 11 | 73.7 km/h | Best in this discipline |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 1st / 11 | 27.6 m | Best in this discipline |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 11 | 48.9 km/h | -0.50 km/h |
| NoiseLower is better | 8th / 11 | 74.1 dB | +3.40 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 4th / 11 | 8.66 kg/t | +0.60 kg/t |
- Price
- 880.00
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
255/35 R19Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 5th / 11 | 41.8 m | +1.60 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 11 | 120.2 km/h | -1.70 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 4th / 11 | 48.1 m | +2.40 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 11 | 94.9 km/h | -0.40 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 2nd / 11 | 73.2 km/h | -0.50 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 8th / 11 | 29.1 m | +1.50 m |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 11 | 49.1 km/h | -0.30 km/h |
| NoiseLower is better | 7th / 11 | 73.7 dB | +3.00 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 10th / 11 | 10.32 kg/t | +2.26 kg/t |
- Price
- 760.00
Uniroyal MS+ 77
255/35 R19Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 10th / 11 | 43.7 m | +3.50 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 5th / 11 | 119.7 km/h | -2.20 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 7th / 11 | 50.4 m | +4.70 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 11 | 92 km/h | -3.30 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 5th / 11 | 71.8 km/h | -1.90 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 11 | 28 m | +0.40 m |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 11 | 49 km/h | -0.40 km/h |
| NoiseLower is better | 4th / 11 | 72.2 dB | +1.50 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 5th / 11 | 9.02 kg/t | +0.96 kg/t |
- Price
- 700.00
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
255/35 R19Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 11 | 41.2 m | +1.00 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 11 | 120.7 km/h | -1.20 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 6th / 11 | 50 m | +4.30 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 11 | 92.8 km/h | -2.50 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 10th / 11 | 66.1 km/h | -7.60 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 7th / 11 | 28.9 m | +1.30 m |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 11 | 48.4 km/h | -1.00 km/h |
| NoiseLower is better | 5th / 11 | 72.5 dB | +1.80 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 1st / 11 | 8.06 kg/t | Best in this discipline |
- Price
- 935.00
Hankook Winter i cept evo2
255/35 R19Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 11th / 11 | 44 m | +3.80 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 11 | 119.5 km/h | -2.40 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 11 | 47.6 m | +1.90 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 11 | 93.2 km/h | -2.10 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 8th / 11 | 68.5 km/h | -5.20 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 5th / 11 | 28.6 m | +1.00 m |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 5th / 11 | 48.7 km/h | -0.70 km/h |
| NoiseLower is better | 11th / 11 | 75.7 dB | +5.00 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 11th / 11 | 10.35 kg/t | +2.29 kg/t |
- Price
- 685.00
Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
255/35 R19Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 7th / 11 | 42.1 m | +1.90 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 11 | 120.5 km/h | -1.40 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 11 | 47.1 m | +1.40 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 11 | 92.8 km/h | -2.50 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 8th / 11 | 68.5 km/h | -5.20 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 6th / 11 | 28.8 m | +1.20 m |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 9th / 11 | 47.4 km/h | -2.00 km/h |
| NoiseLower is better | 9th / 11 | 74.9 dB | +4.20 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 8th / 11 | 9.39 kg/t | +1.33 kg/t |
- Price
- 960.00
Kumho WinterCraft WP71
255/35 R19Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 11 | 40.7 m | +0.50 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 11th / 11 | 118.5 km/h | -3.40 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 8th / 11 | 51.8 m | +6.10 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 9th / 11 | 90.6 km/h | -4.70 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 4th / 11 | 72.2 km/h | -1.50 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 11 | 28 m | +0.40 m |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 11 | 49.4 km/h | Best in this discipline |
| NoiseLower is better | 3rd / 11 | 72 dB | +1.30 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 7th / 11 | 9.35 kg/t | +1.29 kg/t |
- Price
- 605.00
Toyo Snowprox S954
255/35 R19Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 11 | 41.2 m | +1.00 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 11 | 121.9 km/h | Best in this discipline |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 5th / 11 | 49.6 m | +3.90 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 11 | 91.6 km/h | -3.70 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 3rd / 11 | 72.6 km/h | -1.10 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 10th / 11 | 30.5 m | +2.90 m |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 11 | 46.5 km/h | -2.90 km/h |
| NoiseLower is better | 6th / 11 | 73.5 dB | +2.80 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 6th / 11 | 9.25 kg/t | +1.19 kg/t |
- Price
- 650.00
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
255/35 R19Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 8th / 11 | 42.3 m | +2.10 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 11 | 119.6 km/h | -2.30 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 9th / 11 | 53.4 m | +7.70 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 11 | 91.6 km/h | -3.70 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 7th / 11 | 69.1 km/h | -4.60 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 9th / 11 | 29.4 m | +1.80 m |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 8th / 11 | 47.6 km/h | -1.80 km/h |
| NoiseLower is better | 2nd / 11 | 71.1 dB | +0.40 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 9th / 11 | 9.99 kg/t | +1.93 kg/t |
- Price
- 535.00
Nokian WR A4
255/35 R19Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 6th / 11 | 41.9 m | +1.70 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 9th / 11 | 119.3 km/h | -2.60 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 11th / 11 | 54.8 m | +9.10 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 11 | 90.2 km/h | -5.10 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 11th / 11 | 59.9 km/h | -13.80 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 4th / 11 | 28.5 m | +0.90 m |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 5th / 11 | 48.7 km/h | -0.70 km/h |
| NoiseLower is better | 10th / 11 | 75 dB | +4.30 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 2nd / 11 | 8.5 kg/t | +0.44 kg/t |
- Price
- 780.00
Nankang SV2
255/35 R19Category scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 9th / 11 | 43 m | +2.80 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 11 | 118.8 km/h | -3.10 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 10th / 11 | 53.8 m | +8.10 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 11th / 11 | 89.9 km/h | -5.40 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 6th / 11 | 71.3 km/h | -2.40 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 11th / 11 | 30.8 m | +3.20 m |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 11th / 11 | 45 km/h | -4.40 km/h |
| NoiseLower is better | 1st / 11 | 70.7 dB | Best in this discipline |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 2nd / 11 | 8.5 kg/t | +0.44 kg/t |
- Price
- 515.00

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