2021 AZ All Season Tyre Test

Test Publication:

205/55 R16 9 tyres 5 categories

Similar Tests

Test Publication:

https://www.autozeitung.de/reifen-test

Test Size: 205/55 R16

Tyres Tested: 9 tyres

Test Categories:
5 categories (15 tests)

Similar Tests

While this test doesn't have the new Michelin CrossClimate 2 or Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2, it does have the new Vredestein Quatrac, and even more interestingly, it tested at multiple temperatures. We didn't get precise temperature data, but the magazine did detail that the cooler temperature was under 10c, and the warmer temperature over 20c.

As there's a huge amount of data generated from this test, we've chosen not to database some of the different temperature tests we felt weren't important, such as aquaplaning and noise.

The other caveat is that the split temperature tests were conducted on different proving grounds, with different circuits and grip surfaces so the results aren't directly comparable.

If you'd like to see the full data, head over to the Auto Zeitung website, or there's the key data below. 

Dry

The Bridgestone WeatherControl A005 EVO led the way in the cooler dry braking test, and performed well in the warmer dry braking test. The Vredestein Quatrac also performed well at both temperatures, but the Michelin CrossClimate couldn't match its usual dry braking dominance at cooler temperatures, finishing sixth overall. Normal service resumed for the Michelin as the temperature increased, where it led the group.

Nokian, Goodyear and Falken performed poorly at both temperatures.

On average, Goodyear and Michelin performed best in the two dry handling tests, with Vredestein also posting a consistent result. Once again, the Nokian SeasonProof struggled at both temperatures.

Wet

Wet braking was led by Bridgestone, which had a significant lead in the cooler temperatures. Michelin, Continental and Vredestein again did well.

Wet handling closely matched wet braking, other then the Falken Euroall Season AS210 having a surprise result, winning the wet handling at warmer temperatures when it was nearly last in the cooler temperatures.

The new Vredestein Quatrac led the wet in the straight aquaplaning test, with Hankook and Bridgestone also performing very well.

Snow

Snow testing was only performed at one temperature.

As we've seen before, the winter specialists Nokian performed well in snow braking, matching the Continental and slightly ahead of the Falken.

Hankook led the way in snow handling, with Nokian second and three tyres tied for third place overall.

Continental and Nokian also led the way in snow traction, confirming these are the best choice for snow driving.

Environment

All nine sets of tyres were separated by just 3 dB in the external noise test.

The Nokian SeasonProof led the group in fuel use, with a very low rolling resistance.

Maxxis, Hankook and Falken were the cheapest tyres on test, with Michelin and Continental the most expensive.

Results

1^st

Continental AllSeasonContact

205/55 R16 91H

• EU Label: C/B/72
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 8.5 kgs
• Tread: 8 mm

Test victory for the Continental AllSeasonContact. The German all-rounder convinced on snow, wet and dry surfaces.

Dry

96.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking - Cool	5th	39.7 M	38 M	+1.7 M	95.72%
Dry Braking	7th	42 M	39.2 M	+2.8 M	93.33%
Dry Handling - Cool	5th	77.2 s	76.6 s	+0.6 s	99.22%
Dry Handling	5th	69.7 s	69.2 s	+0.5 s	99.28%

Wet

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	54.9 M	54.6 M	+0.3 M	99.45%
Wet Braking - Cool	5th	59.7 M	53.4 M	+6.3 M	89.45%
Wet Handling - Cool	5th	91.5 s	90.3 s	+1.2 s	98.69%
Wet Handling	2nd	65.1 s	64.9 s	+0.2 s	99.69%
Straight Aqua	4th	76.2 Km/H	77.2 Km/H	-1 Km/H	98.7%

Snow

99.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	1st	32 M			100%
Snow Traction	1st	2240 N			100%
Snow Handling	3rd	30.4 s	30 s	+0.4 s	98.68%

Comfort

98.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	71 dB	70 dB	+1 dB	98.59%

Value

86.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	310	240	+70	77.42%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	7.9 kg / t	7.5 kg / t	+0.4 kg / t	94.94%

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £113.99 Results Table Test Charts

1^st

Vredestein Quatrac

205/55 R16 91H

• EU Label: C/B/70
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 8.1 kgs
• Tread: 7.6 mm

With top results in the wet and dry, the new Vredestein Quatrac wins the test. Safe on snow, very good value for money.

Dry

98.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking - Cool	3rd	38.9 M	38 M	+0.9 M	97.69%
Dry Braking	4th	40.1 M	39.2 M	+0.9 M	97.76%
Dry Handling - Cool	4th	77.1 s	76.6 s	+0.5 s	99.35%
Dry Handling	1st	69.2 s			100%

Wet

98.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	55.7 M	54.6 M	+1.1 M	98.03%
Wet Braking - Cool	3rd	56.8 M	53.4 M	+3.4 M	94.01%
Wet Handling - Cool	1st	90.3 s			100%
Wet Handling	4th	65.6 s	64.9 s	+0.7 s	98.93%
Straight Aqua	1st	77.2 Km/H			100%

Snow

97.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	4th	32.8 M	32 M	+0.8 M	97.56%
Snow Traction	5th	2152 N	2240 N	-88 N	96.07%
Snow Handling	3rd	30.4 s	30 s	+0.4 s	98.68%

Comfort

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	72 dB	70 dB	+2 dB	97.22%

Value

93.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4th	260	240	+20	92.31%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	7.9 kg / t	7.5 kg / t	+0.4 kg / t	94.94%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

3^rd

Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3

205/55 R16 91V

• EU Label: C/B/70
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 8.2 kgs
• Tread: 7.1 mm

Strong in the wet and dry, safe in the snow, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 is highly recommended, and particularly efficient with fuel.

Dry

96.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking - Cool	7th	41 M	38 M	+3 M	92.68%
Dry Braking	7th	42 M	39.2 M	+2.8 M	93.33%
Dry Handling - Cool	1st	76.6 s			100%
Dry Handling	3rd	69.4 s	69.2 s	+0.2 s	99.71%

Wet

96.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	54.6 M			100%
Wet Braking - Cool	4th	59.2 M	53.4 M	+5.8 M	90.2%
Wet Handling - Cool	2nd	90.5 s	90.3 s	+0.2 s	99.78%
Wet Handling	3rd	65.5 s	64.9 s	+0.6 s	99.08%
Straight Aqua	9th	71.4 Km/H	77.2 Km/H	-5.8 Km/H	92.49%

Snow

96.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	8th	33.2 M	32 M	+1.2 M	96.39%
Snow Traction	3rd	2159 N	2240 N	-81 N	96.38%
Snow Handling	6th	30.6 s	30 s	+0.6 s	98.04%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	70 dB			100%

Value

89.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	7th	295	240	+55	81.36%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	7.7 kg / t	7.5 kg / t	+0.2 kg / t	97.4%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

4^th

Michelin CrossClimate+

205/55 R16 91H

• EU Label: C/B/69
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 8.7 kgs
• Tread: 7.1 mm

Consistently good results for the highly recommendable Michelin CrossClimate+, when it's wet or dry. Reliable on snowy roads.

Dry

98.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking - Cool	6th	39.8 M	38 M	+1.8 M	95.48%
Dry Braking	1st	39.2 M			100%
Dry Handling - Cool	2nd	76.9 s	76.6 s	+0.3 s	99.61%
Dry Handling	2nd	69.3 s	69.2 s	+0.1 s	99.86%

Wet

96.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	55.1 M	54.6 M	+0.5 M	99.09%
Wet Braking - Cool	2nd	56.3 M	53.4 M	+2.9 M	94.85%
Wet Handling - Cool	4th	90.6 s	90.3 s	+0.3 s	99.67%
Wet Handling	9th	68 s	64.9 s	+3.1 s	95.44%
Straight Aqua	8th	73 Km/H	77.2 Km/H	-4.2 Km/H	94.56%

Snow

96.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	4th	32.8 M	32 M	+0.8 M	97.56%
Snow Traction	7th	2114 N	2240 N	-126 N	94.38%
Snow Handling	7th	30.7 s	30 s	+0.7 s	97.72%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	70 dB			100%

Value

82.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	9th	315	240	+75	76.19%
Rolling Resistance	6th	8.4 kg / t	7.5 kg / t	+0.9 kg / t	89.29%

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £121.99 Results Table Test Charts

5^th

Bridgestone Weather Control A005 EVO

205/55 R16 94V

• EU Label: C/A/71
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 8.7 kgs
• Tread: 7.8 mm

Whether cold or warm: The Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo is ideal wet and dry conditions. In the snow, however only average grip

Dry

99.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking - Cool	1st	38 M			100%
Dry Braking	2nd	39.4 M	39.2 M	+0.2 M	99.49%
Dry Handling - Cool	6th	77.3 s	76.6 s	+0.7 s	99.09%
Dry Handling	5th	69.7 s	69.2 s	+0.5 s	99.28%

Wet

99.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	54.7 M	54.6 M	+0.1 M	99.82%
Wet Braking - Cool	1st	53.4 M			100%
Wet Handling - Cool	2nd	90.5 s	90.3 s	+0.2 s	99.78%
Wet Handling	7th	66.6 s	64.9 s	+1.7 s	97.45%
Straight Aqua	3rd	76.4 Km/H	77.2 Km/H	-0.8 Km/H	98.96%

Snow

94.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	7th	33.1 M	32 M	+1.1 M	96.68%
Snow Traction	8th	2083 N	2240 N	-157 N	92.99%
Snow Handling	9th	31.8 s	30 s	+1.8 s	94.34%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	70 dB			100%

Value

86.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	6th	290	240	+50	82.76%
Rolling Resistance	5th	8.3 kg / t	7.5 kg / t	+0.8 kg / t	90.36%

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £104.99 Results Table Test Charts

5^th

Hankook Kinergy 4S2

205/55 R16 94H

• EU Label: C/B/69
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 9 kgs
• Tread: 7.7 mm

Very safe on snow and dry roads, when it's warm, and even when wet and cold.

Dry

98.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking - Cool	2nd	38.2 M	38 M	+0.2 M	99.48%
Dry Braking	5th	40.2 M	39.2 M	+1 M	97.51%
Dry Handling - Cool	3rd	77 s	76.6 s	+0.4 s	99.48%
Dry Handling	8th	69.8 s	69.2 s	+0.6 s	99.14%

Wet

94.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	56.4 M	54.6 M	+1.8 M	96.81%
Wet Braking - Cool	7th	63.6 M	53.4 M	+10.2 M	83.96%
Wet Handling - Cool	9th	94.4 s	90.3 s	+4.1 s	95.66%
Wet Handling	5th	65.9 s	64.9 s	+1 s	98.48%
Straight Aqua	2nd	76.6 Km/H	77.2 Km/H	-0.6 Km/H	99.22%

Snow

97.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	6th	33 M	32 M	+1 M	96.97%
Snow Traction	3rd	2159 N	2240 N	-81 N	96.38%
Snow Handling	1st	30 s			100%

Comfort

98.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	71 dB	70 dB	+1 dB	98.59%

Value

91.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	250	240	+10	96%
Rolling Resistance	7th	8.7 kg / t	7.5 kg / t	+1.2 kg / t	86.21%

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £94.99 Results Table Test Charts

7^th

Nokian SeasonProof

205/55 R16 91H

• EU Label: C/B/69
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 8 kgs
• Tread: 8.1 mm

The new Nokian SeasonProof is very strong in the snow, and has a low rolling resistance, however it's not good enough in the wet.

Dry

95.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking - Cool	9th	41.6 M	38 M	+3.6 M	91.35%
Dry Braking	6th	41.7 M	39.2 M	+2.5 M	94%
Dry Handling - Cool	9th	78.1 s	76.6 s	+1.5 s	98.08%
Dry Handling	9th	70.5 s	69.2 s	+1.3 s	98.16%

Wet

94%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	9th	58.9 M	54.6 M	+4.3 M	92.7%
Wet Braking - Cool	6th	62.4 M	53.4 M	+9 M	85.58%
Wet Handling - Cool	7th	93.5 s	90.3 s	+3.2 s	96.58%
Wet Handling	6th	66 s	64.9 s	+1.1 s	98.33%
Straight Aqua	7th	74.6 Km/H	77.2 Km/H	-2.6 Km/H	96.63%

Snow

99.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	1st	32 M			100%
Snow Traction	2nd	2205 N	2240 N	-35 N	98.44%
Snow Handling	2nd	30.3 s	30 s	+0.3 s	99.01%

Comfort

98.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	71 dB	70 dB	+1 dB	98.59%

Value

96.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4th	260	240	+20	92.31%
Rolling Resistance	1st	7.5 kg / t			100%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

8^th

Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210

205/55 R16 91H

• EU Label: C/B/69
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 9.5 kgs
• Tread: 7.1 mm

Good results in the snow, strong when wet when warm. When the temperature drops, so does the grip of the AS210.

Dry

95.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking - Cool	8th	41.3 M	38 M	+3.3 M	92.01%
Dry Braking	9th	42.1 M	39.2 M	+2.9 M	93.11%
Dry Handling - Cool	7th	77.4 s	76.6 s	+0.8 s	98.97%
Dry Handling	4th	69.6 s	69.2 s	+0.4 s	99.43%

Wet

94.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	55.4 M	54.6 M	+0.8 M	98.56%
Wet Braking - Cool	9th	65.5 M	53.4 M	+12.1 M	81.53%
Wet Handling - Cool	8th	93.9 s	90.3 s	+3.6 s	96.17%
Wet Handling	1st	64.9 s			100%
Straight Aqua	6th	75.5 Km/H	77.2 Km/H	-1.7 Km/H	97.8%

Snow

97.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	3rd	32.3 M	32 M	+0.3 M	99.07%
Snow Traction	5th	2152 N	2240 N	-88 N	96.07%
Snow Handling	3rd	30.4 s	30 s	+0.4 s	98.68%

Comfort

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	72 dB	70 dB	+2 dB	97.22%

Value

90.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	250	240	+10	96%
Rolling Resistance	8th	8.9 kg / t	7.5 kg / t	+1.4 kg / t	84.27%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

9^th

Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3

205/55 R16 91H

• EU Label: C/C/70
• 3PMSF: no
• Weight: 9 kgs
• Tread: 7.4 mm

Late aquaplaning and short dry braking distances, but the AP3 generally offers too little grip and has too high a rolling resistance.

Dry

98.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking - Cool	4th	39.2 M	38 M	+1.2 M	96.94%
Dry Braking	3rd	39.7 M	39.2 M	+0.5 M	98.74%
Dry Handling - Cool	7th	77.4 s	76.6 s	+0.8 s	98.97%
Dry Handling	5th	69.7 s	69.2 s	+0.5 s	99.28%

Wet

93.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	57.9 M	54.6 M	+3.3 M	94.3%
Wet Braking - Cool	8th	64.6 M	53.4 M	+11.2 M	82.66%
Wet Handling - Cool	6th	93.3 s	90.3 s	+3 s	96.78%
Wet Handling	8th	67 s	64.9 s	+2.1 s	96.87%
Straight Aqua	5th	75.7 Km/H	77.2 Km/H	-1.5 Km/H	98.06%

Snow

94.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	9th	33.9 M	32 M	+1.9 M	94.4%
Snow Traction	9th	2059 N	2240 N	-181 N	91.92%
Snow Handling	8th	31.1 s	30 s	+1.1 s	96.46%

Comfort

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	72 dB	70 dB	+2 dB	97.22%

Value

90.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	1st	240			100%
Rolling Resistance	9th	9.2 kg / t	7.5 kg / t	+1.7 kg / t	81.52%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts