Test Charts / Auto Bild
2020 Auto Bild Performance 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
- 245/45 R18
- Tyres tested
- 20
- Disciplines
- 12
Read the measurements, not just the rank
Lower is better for braking distances and lap times; higher is better for subjective scores and aquaplaning speed. Bars start at zero. Read the gap alongside the position: adjacent tyres can be separated by very different margins.
Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tyres does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.
Focus on your tyres
Select tyres to highlight them throughout the charts.
Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tyres does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.
Dry
2Dry Braking
Dry braking in meters
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
37.2 m | -4.70 m |
| 41.9 m | Best | |
| 43.7 m | +1.80 m | |
| 43.7 m | +1.80 m | |
| 43.9 m | +2.00 m | |
| 43.9 m | +2.00 m | |
| 43.9 m | +2.00 m | |
| 44.1 m | +2.20 m | |
| 44.2 m | +2.30 m | |
| 44.3 m | +2.40 m | |
| 44.4 m | +2.50 m | |
| 44.4 m | +2.50 m | |
| 44.7 m | +2.80 m | |
| 45.2 m | +3.30 m | |
| 45.2 m | +3.30 m | |
| 45.3 m | +3.40 m | |
| 45.6 m | +3.70 m | |
| 45.7 m | +3.80 m | |
| 45.9 m | +4.00 m | |
| 46.1 m | +4.20 m | |
| 46.5 m | +4.60 m |
The difference between best and worst was 25% (9.3 m ≈ 2.1 Car Lengths).
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
110.9 km/h | +0.30 km/h |
| 110.6 km/h | Best | |
| 110.5 km/h | -0.10 km/h | |
| 110.4 km/h | -0.20 km/h | |
| 110.4 km/h | -0.20 km/h | |
| 110.1 km/h | -0.50 km/h | |
| 110 km/h | -0.60 km/h | |
| 109.9 km/h | -0.70 km/h | |
| 109.7 km/h | -0.90 km/h | |
| 109.6 km/h | -1.00 km/h | |
| 109.5 km/h | -1.10 km/h | |
| 109.5 km/h | -1.10 km/h | |
| 109.3 km/h | -1.30 km/h | |
| 108.7 km/h | -1.90 km/h | |
| 108.4 km/h | -2.20 km/h | |
| 108.2 km/h | -2.40 km/h | |
| 108 km/h | -2.60 km/h | |
| 107 km/h | -3.60 km/h | |
| 106.8 km/h | -3.80 km/h | |
| 106.5 km/h | -4.10 km/h | |
| 106.3 km/h | -4.30 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 4.1% (4.6 Km/H).
Wet
3Wet Braking
Wet braking in meters
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 47.3 m | Best | |
| 48.1 m | +0.80 m | |
RefReference Summer |
49.1 m | +1.80 m |
| 49.7 m | +2.40 m | |
| 49.9 m | +2.60 m | |
| 50.5 m | +3.20 m | |
| 51.9 m | +4.60 m | |
| 53.3 m | +6.00 m | |
| 53.4 m | +6.10 m | |
| 53.7 m | +6.40 m | |
| 53.7 m | +6.40 m | |
| 54 m | +6.70 m | |
| 54 m | +6.70 m | |
| 54.9 m | +7.60 m | |
| 55 m | +7.70 m | |
| 55 m | +7.70 m | |
| 55 m | +7.70 m | |
| 55 m | +7.70 m | |
| 56.2 m | +8.90 m | |
| 56.6 m | +9.30 m | |
| 56.7 m | +9.40 m |
The difference between best and worst was 19.9% (9.4 m ≈ 2.1 Car Lengths).
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 74.4 km/h | Best | |
| 74.4 km/h | Best | |
| 74.3 km/h | -0.10 km/h | |
RefReference Summer |
74.1 km/h | -0.30 km/h |
| 73.9 km/h | -0.50 km/h | |
| 73.7 km/h | -0.70 km/h | |
| 73.2 km/h | -1.20 km/h | |
| 72.8 km/h | -1.60 km/h | |
| 72.6 km/h | -1.80 km/h | |
| 72.6 km/h | -1.80 km/h | |
| 72 km/h | -2.40 km/h | |
| 72 km/h | -2.40 km/h | |
| 71.7 km/h | -2.70 km/h | |
| 71.7 km/h | -2.70 km/h | |
| 71.4 km/h | -3.00 km/h | |
| 71.3 km/h | -3.10 km/h | |
| 71.3 km/h | -3.10 km/h | |
| 70.5 km/h | -3.90 km/h | |
| 70.1 km/h | -4.30 km/h | |
| 70 km/h | -4.40 km/h | |
| 69.6 km/h | -4.80 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 6.5% (4.8 Km/H).
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in Km/H
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
93.7 km/h | +2.40 km/h |
| 91.3 km/h | Best | |
| 89.8 km/h | -1.50 km/h | |
| 89.7 km/h | -1.60 km/h | |
| 89.6 km/h | -1.70 km/h | |
| 88.6 km/h | -2.70 km/h | |
| 88.5 km/h | -2.80 km/h | |
| 88.5 km/h | -2.80 km/h | |
| 88.1 km/h | -3.20 km/h | |
| 87.7 km/h | -3.60 km/h | |
| 87.7 km/h | -3.60 km/h | |
| 87.6 km/h | -3.70 km/h | |
| 87.5 km/h | -3.80 km/h | |
| 87.2 km/h | -4.10 km/h | |
| 86.1 km/h | -5.20 km/h | |
| 86 km/h | -5.30 km/h | |
| 85.1 km/h | -6.20 km/h | |
| 84 km/h | -7.30 km/h | |
| 83.8 km/h | -7.50 km/h | |
| 83 km/h | -8.30 km/h | |
| 81.9 km/h | -9.40 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 12.6% (11.8 Km/H).
Snow
3Snow Braking
Snow braking in meters
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 24.3 m | Best | |
| 24.5 m | +0.20 m | |
| 24.5 m | +0.20 m | |
| 24.6 m | +0.30 m | |
| 24.6 m | +0.30 m | |
| 24.7 m | +0.40 m | |
| 24.8 m | +0.50 m | |
| 24.8 m | +0.50 m | |
| 24.9 m | +0.60 m | |
| 24.9 m | +0.60 m | |
| 25 m | +0.70 m | |
| 25 m | +0.70 m | |
| 25 m | +0.70 m | |
| 25.2 m | +0.90 m | |
| 25.3 m | +1.00 m | |
| 25.4 m | +1.10 m | |
| 25.5 m | +1.20 m | |
| 25.8 m | +1.50 m | |
| 26 m | +1.70 m | |
| 26.1 m | +1.80 m | |
RefReference Summer |
51.2 m | +26.90 m |
The difference between best and worst was 110.7% (26.9 m ≈ 6 Car Lengths).
Snow Traction
Pulling Force in Newtons
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 3098 N | Best | |
| 3029 N | -69.00 N | |
| 3012 N | -86.00 N | |
| 3006 N | -92.00 N | |
| 3005 N | -93.00 N | |
| 2990 N | -108.00 N | |
| 2942 N | -156.00 N | |
| 2926 N | -172.00 N | |
| 2909 N | -189.00 N | |
| 2890 N | -208.00 N | |
| 2883 N | -215.00 N | |
| 2876 N | -222.00 N | |
| 2874 N | -224.00 N | |
| 2869 N | -229.00 N | |
| 2854 N | -244.00 N | |
| 2834 N | -264.00 N | |
| 2827 N | -271.00 N | |
| 2825 N | -273.00 N | |
| 2777 N | -321.00 N | |
| 2294 N | -804.00 N | |
RefReference Summer |
420 N | -2,678.00 N |
The difference between best and worst was 86.4% (2,678 N).
Snow Handling
Snow handling average speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 61.5 km/h | Best | |
| 61.3 km/h | -0.20 km/h | |
| 61.2 km/h | -0.30 km/h | |
| 60.8 km/h | -0.70 km/h | |
| 60.8 km/h | -0.70 km/h | |
| 60.7 km/h | -0.80 km/h | |
| 60.7 km/h | -0.80 km/h | |
| 60.6 km/h | -0.90 km/h | |
| 60.2 km/h | -1.30 km/h | |
| 60.2 km/h | -1.30 km/h | |
| 60 km/h | -1.50 km/h | |
| 59.9 km/h | -1.60 km/h | |
| 59.9 km/h | -1.60 km/h | |
| 59.8 km/h | -1.70 km/h | |
| 59.8 km/h | -1.70 km/h | |
| 59.7 km/h | -1.80 km/h | |
| 59.6 km/h | -1.90 km/h | |
| 59.5 km/h | -2.00 km/h | |
| 59.3 km/h | -2.20 km/h | |
| 57.4 km/h | -4.10 km/h | |
RefReference Summer |
38.1 km/h | -23.40 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 38% (23.4 Km/H).
Comfort
1Noise
External noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 69.7 dB | Best | |
| 69.7 dB | Best | |
| 70.1 dB | +0.40 dB | |
RefReference Summer |
70.4 dB | +0.70 dB |
| 70.6 dB | +0.90 dB | |
| 70.7 dB | +1.00 dB | |
| 71.1 dB | +1.40 dB | |
| 71.1 dB | +1.40 dB | |
| 71.2 dB | +1.50 dB | |
| 71.3 dB | +1.60 dB | |
| 71.4 dB | +1.70 dB | |
| 71.7 dB | +2.00 dB | |
| 72.1 dB | +2.40 dB | |
| 72.7 dB | +3.00 dB | |
| 72.7 dB | +3.00 dB | |
| 72.8 dB | +3.10 dB | |
| 72.8 dB | +3.10 dB | |
| 74.2 dB | +4.50 dB | |
| 74.2 dB | +4.50 dB | |
| 74.7 dB | +5.00 dB | |
| 74.8 dB | +5.10 dB |
The difference between best and worst was 7.3% (5.1 dB).
Value
3Wear
Predicted tread life in KM
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 47,970 KM | Best | |
| 44,690 KM | -3,280 KM | |
| 44,280 KM | -3,690 KM | |
| 43,460 KM | -4,510 KM | |
| 43,050 KM | -4,920 KM | |
| 43,050 KM | -4,920 KM | |
| 42,640 KM | -5,330 KM | |
| 42,230 KM | -5,740 KM | |
| 41,820 KM | -6,150 KM | |
| 40,590 KM | -7,380 KM | |
| 40,180 KM | -7,790 KM | |
| 40,180 KM | -7,790 KM | |
| 39,770 KM | -8,200 KM | |
| 39,770 KM | -8,200 KM | |
| 39,360 KM | -8,610 KM | |
| 39,360 KM | -8,610 KM | |
| 37,310 KM | -10,660 KM | |
| 35,260 KM | -12,710 KM | |
| 33,620 KM | -14,350 KM | |
| 29,930 KM | -18,040 KM |
The difference between best and worst was 37.6% (18,040 KM).
Value
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | cost per 1,000 km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.41 Price/1000 | Best | €17.94 | |
| 11.12 Price/1000 | +0.71 Price/1000 | €18.07 | |
| 11.18 Price/1000 | +0.77 Price/1000 | €18.85 | |
| 11.6 Price/1000 | +1.19 Price/1000 | €15.99 | |
| 11.69 Price/1000 | +1.28 Price/1000 | €20.64 | |
| 11.77 Price/1000 | +1.36 Price/1000 | €19.76 | |
| 12.08 Price/1000 | +1.67 Price/1000 | €18.38 | |
| 12.08 Price/1000 | +1.67 Price/1000 | €20.24 | |
| 12.83 Price/1000 | +2.42 Price/1000 | €18.41 | |
| 12.99 Price/1000 | +2.58 Price/1000 | €20.23 | |
| 13.33 Price/1000 | +2.92 Price/1000 | €21.32 | |
| 13.55 Price/1000 | +3.14 Price/1000 | €18.62 | |
| 13.8 Price/1000 | +3.39 Price/1000 | €17.46 | |
| 14.56 Price/1000 | +4.15 Price/1000 | €23.52 | |
| 14.68 Price/1000 | +4.27 Price/1000 | €17.94 | |
| 14.72 Price/1000 | +4.31 Price/1000 | €21.66 | |
| 14.73 Price/1000 | +4.32 Price/1000 | €21.32 | |
| 14.77 Price/1000 | +4.36 Price/1000 | €18.84 | |
| 15.22 Price/1000 | +4.81 Price/1000 | €20.55 | |
| 16.22 Price/1000 | +5.81 Price/1000 | €17.98 |
The difference between best and worst was 55.8% (5.81 Price/1000). Over 40,000 km the cheapest tyre to own (Fulda Kristall Control HP2) works out €301 cheaper than the most expensive (Vredestein Wintrac Pro).
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 2020 test; financing costs are excluded.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.95 kg/t | Best | £0 | |
| 7.35 kg/t | +0.40 kg/t | £25 | |
| 7.42 kg/t | +0.47 kg/t | £30 | |
| 7.59 kg/t | +0.64 kg/t | £41 | |
| 7.67 kg/t | +0.72 kg/t | £46 | |
| 7.83 kg/t | +0.88 kg/t | £56 | |
| 7.95 kg/t | +1.00 kg/t | £63 | |
| 7.97 kg/t | +1.02 kg/t | £65 | |
| 8.18 kg/t | +1.23 kg/t | £78 | |
| 8.23 kg/t | +1.28 kg/t | £81 | |
| 8.26 kg/t | +1.31 kg/t | £83 | |
| 8.34 kg/t | +1.39 kg/t | £88 | |
| 8.44 kg/t | +1.49 kg/t | £95 | |
| 8.5 kg/t | +1.55 kg/t | £98 | |
| 8.52 kg/t | +1.57 kg/t | £100 | |
| 8.53 kg/t | +1.58 kg/t | £100 | |
| 8.59 kg/t | +1.64 kg/t | £104 | |
| 8.67 kg/t | +1.72 kg/t | £109 | |
| 8.69 kg/t | +1.74 kg/t | £110 | |
| 8.85 kg/t | +1.90 kg/t | £121 |
The difference between best and worst was 27.3% (1.9 kg / t). Over 19,000 km a year at £1.45/L, the Vredestein Wintrac Pro uses about 83 L (£121) more fuel than the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3.
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.
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