2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test

Test Publication:

235/55 R18 11 tyres 5 categories

Similar Tests

Test Publication:

https://www.autobild.de/ratgeber/reifen/

Test Size: 235/55 R18

Tyres Tested: 11 tyres

Test Categories:
5 categories (14 tests)

Similar Tests

As in the Tyre Reviews winter tyre test, there was a tie for first place with the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV tying for the win.

Both tyres had slightly different approaches to grip, the Goodyear the more balanced tyre, only winning the wet handling test but scoring well in nearly all other tests, where as the Michelin won every snow test but performed relatively poorly in the wet testing.

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 performed well again, it's a tyre that seems to perform well in all tests with its only real weakness the worst dry braking on test, and the Vredestein Wintrac Pro placed fourth with an excellent wet braking and snow grip result.

Dry

While the VW Tiguan test vehicle isn't the heaviest SUV on test, the summer tyre had a significant lead in dry braking, with the Michelin, Goodyear and surprisingly the budget Tristar being the best of the winter tyres.

The summer tyre also led the way in dry handling, with the Tristar the best of the winter tyres. In Tyre Reviews own testing we've seen budget winter tyres perform well in the dry then perform poorly in the wet and snow tests.

Wet

Wet braking had the Tristar performing as expected, with nearly 12 meters between the best and worst winter tyres from 100 kph! The summer tyre was mid pack, the test temperature was unknown.

Wet handling was led by Goodyear, with the summer tyre this time placing second overall.

The Falken HS01 SUV performed well in the straight aquaplaning test.

Snow

Shockingly the summer tyre didn't perform in the snow braking testing, taking twice as long to stop the test vehicle than even the worst winter tyre, which was again the budget which took 5 meters longer to stop the V Tiguan SUV than the Michelin.

The traction test showed a similar story to snow braking.

Michelin rounded out its excellent snow performance with another win.

Environment

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV was also the quietest winter tyre on test, with five of the winter tyres proving to be quieter than the reference summer tyre.

The summer tyre had the lowest rolling resistance on test, narrowly beating the Continental.

There was over 100% difference between the cheapest and most expensive winter tyres on test, however as usual with tyres, you get what you pay for as the most expensive tyres on test were also the best.

Results

1^st

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: C/B/70
• 3PMSF: no

New winter profile with the best driving characteristics in the snow and on wet roads, precise steering, dynamic wet handling, short wet braking.

Average comfort.

Dry

92.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	43.9 M	38.4 M	+5.5 M	87.47%
Dry Handling	8th	94.1 Km/H	96.8 Km/H	-2.7 Km/H	97.21%

Wet

94.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	42.5 M	41.6 M	+0.9 M	97.88%
Wet Handling	1st	86.9 Km/H			100%
Wet Circle	4th	15.75 s	15.6 s	+0.15 s	99.05%
Straight Aqua	6th	74.4 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-4.1 Km/H	94.78%
Curved Aquaplaning	6th	3.11 m/sec2	3.79 m/sec2	-0.68 m/sec2	82.06%

Snow

95.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	4th	26.2 M	25.3 M	+0.9 M	96.56%
Snow Traction	4th	2638 N	2845 N	-207 N	92.72%
Snow Handling	7th	51.6 Km/H	54 Km/H	-2.4 Km/H	95.56%
Snow Slalom	2nd	4.04 m/sec2	4.16 m/sec2	-0.12 m/sec2	97.12%

Comfort

99%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	2nd	69.4 dB	68.7 dB	+0.7 dB	98.99%

Value

63.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	735	330	+405	44.9%
Rolling Resistance	6th	8.03 kg / t	6.55 kg / t	+1.48 kg / t	81.57%

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1^st

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: C/C/71
• 3PMSF: no

The winter king with the best driving performance in snow and ice, stable wet and dry handling, good aquaplaning resistance, low noise.

Expensive.

Dry

92.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	43.3 M	38.4 M	+4.9 M	88.68%
Dry Handling	8th	94.1 Km/H	96.8 Km/H	-2.7 Km/H	97.21%

Wet

91.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	10th	46.1 M	41.6 M	+4.5 M	90.24%
Wet Handling	10th	85 Km/H	86.9 Km/H	-1.9 Km/H	97.81%
Wet Circle	9th	16.1 s	15.6 s	+0.5 s	96.89%
Straight Aqua	5th	74.6 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-3.9 Km/H	95.03%
Curved Aquaplaning	9th	2.96 m/sec2	3.79 m/sec2	-0.83 m/sec2	78.1%

Snow

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	1st	25.3 M			100%
Snow Traction	1st	2845 N			100%
Snow Handling	1st	54 Km/H			100%
Snow Slalom	1st	4.16 m/sec2			100%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	68.7 dB			100%

Value

61.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	10th	795	330	+465	41.51%
Rolling Resistance	5th	8.02 kg / t	6.55 kg / t	+1.47 kg / t	81.67%

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3^rd

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: B/A/72
• 3PMSF: no

Premium tyres iwth excellent driving in all weathers, best safety reserves for aquaplaning, precise wet and dry handling.

Slightly extended braking distances.

Dry

91.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	11th	45.3 M	38.4 M	+6.9 M	84.77%
Dry Handling	4th	95.2 Km/H	96.8 Km/H	-1.6 Km/H	98.35%

Wet

97.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	42.7 M	41.6 M	+1.1 M	97.42%
Wet Handling	3rd	86.6 Km/H	86.9 Km/H	-0.3 Km/H	99.65%
Wet Circle	3rd	15.68 s	15.6 s	+0.08 s	99.49%
Straight Aqua	2nd	77.3 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-1.2 Km/H	98.47%
Curved Aquaplaning	2nd	3.47 m/sec2	3.79 m/sec2	-0.32 m/sec2	91.56%

Snow

95.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	2nd	25.9 M	25.3 M	+0.6 M	97.68%
Snow Traction	2nd	2698 N	2845 N	-147 N	94.83%
Snow Handling	6th	51.7 Km/H	54 Km/H	-2.3 Km/H	95.74%
Snow Slalom	3rd	3.93 m/sec2	4.16 m/sec2	-0.23 m/sec2	94.47%

Comfort

98.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	70 dB	68.7 dB	+1.3 dB	98.14%

Value

71.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	7th	655	330	+325	50.38%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	7.11 kg / t	6.55 kg / t	+0.56 kg / t	92.12%

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4^th

Vredestein Wintrac Pro

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: C/B/72
• 3PMSF: no

Winter specialist with good driving on wet and snowy roads, short snow and wet braking, high aquaplaning safety, low price.

Slightly extended dry braking.

Dry

91.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	44.8 M	38.4 M	+6.4 M	85.71%
Dry Handling	6th	94.5 Km/H	96.8 Km/H	-2.3 Km/H	97.62%

Wet

94.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	41.6 M			100%
Wet Handling	7th	86 Km/H	86.9 Km/H	-0.9 Km/H	98.96%
Wet Circle	6th	16 s	15.6 s	+0.4 s	97.5%
Straight Aqua	3rd	75.6 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-2.9 Km/H	96.31%
Curved Aquaplaning	8th	3.01 m/sec2	3.79 m/sec2	-0.78 m/sec2	79.42%

Snow

95.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	3rd	26 M	25.3 M	+0.7 M	97.31%
Snow Traction	3rd	2668 N	2845 N	-177 N	93.78%
Snow Handling	2nd	53.1 Km/H	54 Km/H	-0.9 Km/H	98.33%
Snow Slalom	5th	3.89 m/sec2	4.16 m/sec2	-0.27 m/sec2	93.51%

Comfort

98.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	70 dB	68.7 dB	+1.3 dB	98.14%

Value

66.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	6th	595	330	+265	55.46%
Rolling Resistance	8th	8.51 kg / t	6.55 kg / t	+1.96 kg / t	76.97%

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5^th

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: C/B/72
• 3PMSF: no

All round talent with convincing winter qualities, stable wet and dry handling, fuel saving rolling resistance.

Slightly extended dry braking distances, high price.

Dry

91.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	10th	45.2 M	38.4 M	+6.8 M	84.96%
Dry Handling	5th	94.6 Km/H	96.8 Km/H	-2.2 Km/H	97.73%

Wet

93.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	44.1 M	41.6 M	+2.5 M	94.33%
Wet Handling	5th	86.2 Km/H	86.9 Km/H	-0.7 Km/H	99.19%
Wet Circle	8th	16.05 s	15.6 s	+0.45 s	97.2%
Straight Aqua	9th	73 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-5.5 Km/H	92.99%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	3.16 m/sec2	3.79 m/sec2	-0.63 m/sec2	83.38%

Snow

93.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	7th	27.2 M	25.3 M	+1.9 M	93.01%
Snow Traction	6th	2580 N	2845 N	-265 N	90.69%
Snow Handling	3rd	52.1 Km/H	54 Km/H	-1.9 Km/H	96.48%
Snow Slalom	4th	3.91 m/sec2	4.16 m/sec2	-0.25 m/sec2	93.99%

Comfort

95.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	10th	72 dB	68.7 dB	+3.3 dB	95.42%

Value

69%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	9th	785	330	+455	42.04%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	6.83 kg / t	6.55 kg / t	+0.28 kg / t	95.9%

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5^th

Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: C/B/72
• 3PMSF: no

High performance in all weather conditions, short snow and wet braking distances, stable wet and dry handling.

Average comfort, high rolling resistance.

Dry

92.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	44.1 M	38.4 M	+5.7 M	87.07%
Dry Handling	6th	94.5 Km/H	96.8 Km/H	-2.3 Km/H	97.62%

Wet

94.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	42.7 M	41.6 M	+1.1 M	97.42%
Wet Handling	5th	86.2 Km/H	86.9 Km/H	-0.7 Km/H	99.19%
Wet Circle	5th	15.85 s	15.6 s	+0.25 s	98.42%
Straight Aqua	8th	74 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-4.5 Km/H	94.27%
Curved Aquaplaning	4th	3.17 m/sec2	3.79 m/sec2	-0.62 m/sec2	83.64%

Snow

93.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	5th	26.5 M	25.3 M	+1.2 M	95.47%
Snow Traction	6th	2580 N	2845 N	-265 N	90.69%
Snow Handling	3rd	52.1 Km/H	54 Km/H	-1.9 Km/H	96.48%
Snow Slalom	7th	3.78 m/sec2	4.16 m/sec2	-0.38 m/sec2	90.87%

Comfort

94.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	11th	72.9 dB	68.7 dB	+4.2 dB	94.24%

Value

66.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4th	550	330	+220	60%
Rolling Resistance	11th	8.96 kg / t	6.55 kg / t	+2.41 kg / t	73.1%

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7^th

Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: D/C/72
• 3PMSF: no

High grip in the wet and dry, short wet braking distances, low price.

Average grip with understeer in the snow, slightly extended dry braking distances.

Dry

91.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	9th	45.1 M	38.4 M	+6.7 M	85.14%
Dry Handling	3rd	95.3 Km/H	96.8 Km/H	-1.5 Km/H	98.45%

Wet

94.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	43.6 M	41.6 M	+2 M	95.41%
Wet Handling	3rd	86.6 Km/H	86.9 Km/H	-0.3 Km/H	99.65%
Wet Circle	2nd	15.65 s	15.6 s	+0.05 s	99.68%
Straight Aqua	7th	74.3 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-4.2 Km/H	94.65%
Curved Aquaplaning	7th	3.07 m/sec2	3.79 m/sec2	-0.72 m/sec2	81%

Snow

86.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	9th	29.7 M	25.3 M	+4.4 M	85.19%
Snow Traction	9th	2455 N	2845 N	-390 N	86.29%
Snow Handling	9th	50.1 Km/H	54 Km/H	-3.9 Km/H	92.78%
Snow Slalom	9th	3.36 m/sec2	4.16 m/sec2	-0.8 m/sec2	80.77%

Comfort

96.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	71.5 dB	68.7 dB	+2.8 dB	96.08%

Value

69.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	500	330	+170	66%
Rolling Resistance	10th	8.88 kg / t	6.55 kg / t	+2.33 kg / t	73.76%

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8^th

Nokian WR SUV 4

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: C/B/72
• 3PMSF: no

Good traction and short braking distances on snow, stable dry handling, low noise.

Average aquaplaning resistance, long dry braking, average comfort.

Dry

91.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	44.6 M	38.4 M	+6.2 M	86.1%
Dry Handling	8th	94.1 Km/H	96.8 Km/H	-2.7 Km/H	97.21%

Wet

86.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	9th	45.8 M	41.6 M	+4.2 M	90.83%
Wet Handling	7th	86 Km/H	86.9 Km/H	-0.9 Km/H	98.96%
Wet Circle	10th	16.2 s	15.6 s	+0.6 s	96.3%
Straight Aqua	11th	68 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-10.5 Km/H	86.62%
Curved Aquaplaning	11th	2.22 m/sec2	3.79 m/sec2	-1.57 m/sec2	58.58%

Snow

90.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	8th	27.6 M	25.3 M	+2.3 M	91.67%
Snow Traction	8th	2507 N	2845 N	-338 N	88.12%
Snow Handling	8th	51 Km/H	54 Km/H	-3 Km/H	94.44%
Snow Slalom	8th	3.71 m/sec2	4.16 m/sec2	-0.45 m/sec2	89.18%

Comfort

96.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	5th	71 dB	68.7 dB	+2.3 dB	96.76%

Value

72.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	5th	580	330	+250	56.9%
Rolling Resistance	4th	7.43 kg / t	6.55 kg / t	+0.88 kg / t	88.16%

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9^th

Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: D/B/72
• 3PMSF: no

Goof performance on snow and in the wet, high aquaplaning resistance, low price.

Slow steering response in the dry, long dry braking.

Dry

91.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	45 M	38.4 M	+6.6 M	85.33%
Dry Handling	11th	93.7 Km/H	96.8 Km/H	-3.1 Km/H	96.8%

Wet

96.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	41.9 M	41.6 M	+0.3 M	99.28%
Wet Handling	9th	85.7 Km/H	86.9 Km/H	-1.2 Km/H	98.62%
Wet Circle	6th	16 s	15.6 s	+0.4 s	97.5%
Straight Aqua	1st	78.5 Km/H			100%
Curved Aquaplaning	3rd	3.3 m/sec2	3.79 m/sec2	-0.49 m/sec2	87.07%

Snow

93.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	6th	26.6 M	25.3 M	+1.3 M	95.11%
Snow Traction	5th	2590 N	2845 N	-255 N	91.04%
Snow Handling	3rd	52.1 Km/H	54 Km/H	-1.9 Km/H	96.48%
Snow Slalom	6th	3.86 m/sec2	4.16 m/sec2	-0.3 m/sec2	92.79%

Comfort

96%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	8th	71.6 dB	68.7 dB	+2.9 dB	95.95%

Value

69.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	3rd	520	330	+190	63.46%
Rolling Resistance	9th	8.59 kg / t	6.55 kg / t	+2.04 kg / t	76.25%

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10^th

Tristar Snowpower UHP

235/55 R18 104H

• EU Label: C/C/72
• 3PMSF: no

Stable dry handling, very low price.

Average snow performance, low grip in the wet, low aquaplaning resistance, dangerously long wet braking.

Dry

93.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	44 M	38.4 M	+5.6 M	87.27%
Dry Handling	2nd	95.7 Km/H	96.8 Km/H	-1.1 Km/H	98.86%

Wet

82.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	11th	52.6 M	41.6 M	+11 M	79.09%
Wet Handling	11th	82.1 Km/H	86.9 Km/H	-4.8 Km/H	94.48%
Wet Circle	11th	17.1 s	15.6 s	+1.5 s	91.23%
Straight Aqua	10th	68.6 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-9.9 Km/H	87.39%
Curved Aquaplaning	10th	2.34 m/sec2	3.79 m/sec2	-1.45 m/sec2	61.74%

Snow

82.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	10th	30.8 M	25.3 M	+5.5 M	82.14%
Snow Traction	10th	2322 N	2845 N	-523 N	81.62%
Snow Handling	10th	48.6 Km/H	54 Km/H	-5.4 Km/H	90%
Snow Slalom	10th	3.14 m/sec2	4.16 m/sec2	-1.02 m/sec2	75.48%

Comfort

95.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	9th	71.9 dB	68.7 dB	+3.2 dB	95.55%

Value

90.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	1st	330			100%
Rolling Resistance	7th	8.09 kg / t	6.55 kg / t	+1.54 kg / t	80.96%

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11^th

Reference Summer

235/55 R18

• 3PMSF: no

Dry

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	38.4 M			100%
Dry Handling	1st	96.8 Km/H			100%

Wet

98.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	43.2 M	41.6 M	+1.6 M	96.3%
Wet Handling	2nd	86.8 Km/H	86.9 Km/H	-0.1 Km/H	99.88%
Wet Circle	1st	15.6 s			100%
Straight Aqua	4th	75 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-3.5 Km/H	95.54%
Curved Aquaplaning	1st	3.79 m/sec2			100%

Snow

31.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	11th	63.2 M	25.3 M	+37.9 M	40.03%
Snow Traction	11th	490 N	2845 N	-2355 N	17.22%
Snow Slalom	11th	1.56 m/sec2	4.16 m/sec2	-2.6 m/sec2	37.5%

Comfort

96.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	6th	71.4 dB	68.7 dB	+2.7 dB	96.22%

Value

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	1st	6.55 kg / t			100%

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