Every year ADAC perform some of the most in depth tyre tests in the world, and this years 17 inch winter tyre test is no different.
For 2023 ADAC have taken15 of the most popular winter tyres in 225/45 R17 and tested them in all the usual tests, such as dry, wet and snow performance, but also put all 15 sets through ice braking, a real world road wear test, and measured particulate matter to tell you which tyre is best for the environment.
Before you get to the final results it's important to explain how the ADAC scoring system works, as if you go to the score weighting page for this test, the calculated results will look a little different from the actual ADAC results.
To calculate their final results, ADAC score based on the German school system scoring, which rates each tyre in each test from 1 (best) to 6 (worse), and each score can be broken down with a plus or minus (eg 3+.) How these score systems are bracketed is up to ADAC and is not made public so we can't be sure exactly how they reached their conclusion, however we do know that if a tyre performs very poorly in a certain category, it gets manually deranked and can't finish in a top position. This is why the Bridgestone finishes very low in the ADAC rating (deranked because of high wear), and why the Kumho is in a different spot
Value
Wear is naturally a very important metric, but we believe value (cost per 1,000 km driven) is even more important as low wearing tyres with high purchase prices are still an expensive choice for the consumer.
ADAC don't calculate value, so we have done so using their reported purchase price and projected wear. In this metric the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 had a predicted tread life of 64,000 KM and a cost of €1.72 per 1000km. In contrast, Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 had a tread life of 36,100 KM and a cost of €4.35 per 1000km. The nearly 28,000 KM difference in tread life and the €2.63 difference in cost per 1000km are worth keeping in mind when reading the rest of the test.
We can't talk about value without considering fuel consumption which ADAC tested on a vehicle, not on a machine. The Sava Eskimo HP2 and Dunlop Winter Sport 5 both recorded 5.5 litres per 100 km, while Michelin Alpin 6 was less efficient at 5.8 litres per 100 km. The 0.3-litre difference may seem small but can add up over time, affecting the total cost of ownership.
Fuel Consumption
Spread: 0.30 l/100km (5.5%)|Avg: 5.69 l/100km
Fuel consumption in Litres per 100 km (Lower is better)
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
5.50 l/100km
Sava Eskimo HP2
5.50 l/100km
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
5.60 l/100km
Nokian WR Snowproof
5.60 l/100km
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
5.70 l/100km
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
5.70 l/100km
Kumho Winter Craft WP52
5.70 l/100km
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906
5.70 l/100km
Continental WinterContact TS 870
5.70 l/100km
Semperit Speed Grip 5
5.70 l/100km
Giti GitiWinterW2
5.70 l/100km
Apollo Aspire XP Winter
5.80 l/100km
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
5.80 l/100km
Michelin Alpin 6
5.80 l/100km
Hankook Winter I cept RS3
5.80 l/100km
Abrasion is becoming more and more important, which measures the wear of a tyre through the life and the weight of particles it ejects into the environment. This is a category Michelin always excels in, with a clear lead over the Kumho in second place. The fast wearing Bridgestone was almost twice as bad for the environment with the worse result on test.
Abrasion
Spread: 42.50 mg/km/t (75.9%)|Avg: 71.97 mg/km/t
Weight of Tyre Wear Particles Lost (mg/km/t) (Lower is better)
Michelin Alpin 6
56.00 mg/km/t
Kumho Winter Craft WP52
58.80 mg/km/t
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
64.70 mg/km/t
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
65.30 mg/km/t
Continental WinterContact TS 870
65.30 mg/km/t
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
66.70 mg/km/t
Nokian WR Snowproof
68.10 mg/km/t
Semperit Speed Grip 5
69.70 mg/km/t
Apollo Aspire XP Winter
71.00 mg/km/t
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
73.90 mg/km/t
Hankook Winter I cept RS3
74.10 mg/km/t
Sava Eskimo HP2
75.40 mg/km/t
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906
83.90 mg/km/t
Giti GitiWinterW2
88.10 mg/km/t
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
98.50 mg/km/t
Dry
The Kumho Winter Craft WP52 had the shortest dry braking distance at 42.6 meters, followed by Continental's WinterContact at 43.5 meters. Sava Eskimo HP2 lagged behind at 46.4 meters. The difference of nearly 4 meters between the best and worst performers can be significant in real-world scenarios, potentially affecting collision avoidance.
Dry Braking
Spread: 3.80 M (8.9%)|Avg: 44.51 M
Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Kumho Winter Craft WP52
42.60 M
Continental WinterContact TS 870
43.50 M
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
43.70 M
Nokian WR Snowproof
43.80 M
Apollo Aspire XP Winter
44.10 M
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906
44.50 M
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
44.50 M
Michelin Alpin 6
44.50 M
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
44.70 M
Hankook Winter I cept RS3
44.80 M
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
44.90 M
Semperit Speed Grip 5
45.00 M
Giti GitiWinterW2
45.30 M
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
45.30 M
Sava Eskimo HP2
46.40 M
Wet
Hankook Winter I cept RS3 led in wet braking with a distance of 34.2 meters. Sava Eskimo HP2 was at the bottom with 42.7 meters. The 8.5-meter difference between the two could be a matter of safety, especially on slippery roads.
Wet Braking
Spread: 8.50 M (24.9%)|Avg: 38.38 M
Wet braking in meters (80 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Hankook Winter I cept RS3
34.20 M
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
35.90 M
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
36.60 M
Michelin Alpin 6
36.80 M
Continental WinterContact TS 870
37.70 M
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906
38.00 M
Kumho Winter Craft WP52
38.40 M
Apollo Aspire XP Winter
38.50 M
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
38.50 M
Semperit Speed Grip 5
38.60 M
Giti GitiWinterW2
38.90 M
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
39.40 M
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
40.50 M
Nokian WR Snowproof
41.00 M
Sava Eskimo HP2
42.70 M
The Continental WinterContact TS870 had a significant lead in both straight and curved aquaplaning, with the Nokian Snowproof and Vredestein Wintrac Pro struggling in both.
Straight Aqua
Spread: 10.00 Km/H (12.3%)|Avg: 75.27 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
81.10 Km/H
Hankook Winter I cept RS3
78.70 Km/H
Semperit Speed Grip 5
78.20 Km/H
Michelin Alpin 6
77.80 Km/H
Giti GitiWinterW2
76.80 Km/H
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
76.80 Km/H
Apollo Aspire XP Winter
76.60 Km/H
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
74.10 Km/H
Kumho Winter Craft WP52
73.80 Km/H
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
73.80 Km/H
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
73.60 Km/H
Sava Eskimo HP2
72.50 Km/H
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906
72.40 Km/H
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
71.80 Km/H
Nokian WR Snowproof
71.10 Km/H
Curved Aquaplaning
Spread: 0.60 m/sec2 (18.2%)|Avg: 2.97 m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration (Higher is better)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
3.30 m/sec2
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
3.20 m/sec2
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
3.10 m/sec2
Semperit Speed Grip 5
3.10 m/sec2
Giti GitiWinterW2
3.10 m/sec2
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
3.10 m/sec2
Hankook Winter I cept RS3
3.10 m/sec2
Apollo Aspire XP Winter
3.00 m/sec2
Sava Eskimo HP2
3.00 m/sec2
Michelin Alpin 6
2.90 m/sec2
Kumho Winter Craft WP52
2.80 m/sec2
Nokian WR Snowproof
2.70 m/sec2
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
2.70 m/sec2
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
2.70 m/sec2
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906
2.70 m/sec2
Snow
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 stopped at 9.4 meters in snow braking, while Apollo Aspire XP Winter recorded 10.5 meters.
Snow Braking
Spread: 1.10 M (11.7%)|Avg: 9.91 M
Snow braking in meters (30 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
9.40 M
Continental WinterContact TS 870
9.50 M
Hankook Winter I cept RS3
9.50 M
Sava Eskimo HP2
9.50 M
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
9.60 M
Giti GitiWinterW2
9.70 M
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
9.90 M
Michelin Alpin 6
10.00 M
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
10.10 M
Semperit Speed Grip 5
10.10 M
Kumho Winter Craft WP52
10.10 M
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
10.20 M
Nokian WR Snowproof
10.30 M
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906
10.30 M
Apollo Aspire XP Winter
10.50 M
The Dunlop was back at the front for snow traction testing
Snow Traction
Spread: 28.60 N (11.1%)|Avg: 244.02 N
Pulling Force in Newtons (Higher is better)
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
258.20 N
Sava Eskimo HP2
257.30 N
Continental WinterContact TS 870
252.00 N
Michelin Alpin 6
251.30 N
Hankook Winter I cept RS3
251.10 N
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
249.70 N
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
249.70 N
Giti GitiWinterW2
243.80 N
Kumho Winter Craft WP52
242.80 N
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
237.10 N
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906
236.40 N
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
236.00 N
Apollo Aspire XP Winter
232.80 N
Semperit Speed Grip 5
232.50 N
Nokian WR Snowproof
229.60 N
Ice
The Continental WinterContact TS870 drew with the Vredestein Wintrac Pro, having the best ice braking distances.
Ice Braking
Spread: 2.60 M (13.3%)|Avg: 20.36 M
Ice braking in meters (20 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
19.50 M
Continental WinterContact TS 870
19.50 M
Michelin Alpin 6
19.70 M
Kumho Winter Craft WP52
19.70 M
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
19.80 M
Sava Eskimo HP2
19.90 M
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plu
20.10 M
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
20.20 M
Hankook Winter I cept RS3
20.40 M
Apollo Aspire XP Winter
20.60 M
Nokian WR Snowproof
20.80 M
Semperit Speed Grip 5
20.80 M
Giti GitiWinterW2
21.00 M
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906
21.30 M
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
22.10 M
Comfort
The Kumho WinterCraft WP52 had the quietest passby noise.
Precise and safe properties on dry roads, absolutely safe properties on wet roads, absolutely safe properties on winter roads, high predicted mileage.
No particular weaknesses.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 tyre offers strong performance across the board. On dry roads, it provides good steering feedback, precision, and safety reserves, along with above-average braking. In wet conditions, it excels in all sub-criteria, including short braking distances and good aquaplaning behavior. On winter roads, it performs slightly above average in braking and traction, with good handling and large safety reserves. Environmentally, it has a very good predicted mileage, good wear, and scores well in efficiency due to its low weight and fuel consumption. Overall, it has a clearly good environmental performance.
Precise and safe properties at the limit on dry roads, overall still safe properties on wet roads, very high predicted mileage, low weight, low fuel consumption.
Slight weaknesses in aquaplaning transverse behavior, slight weaknesses in wet handling.
The MICHELIN ALPIN 6 tyre performs well on dry roads, offering good steering feedback and safety reserves. It has an average braking distance but still secures a good rating. In wet conditions, it excels in braking but falls short in transverse aquaplaning and handling, requiring better force distribution for a higher rating. On winter roads, it performs slightly below average in braking but above average in traction, with good handling and ice braking. Environmentally, it stands out for its above-average predicted mileage, low wear, and impressive efficiency due to low tyre weight and fuel consumption. Overall, it has a strong environmental performance.
Safe driving characteristics on dry roads, still good properties on wet roads, very high predicted mileage, low abrasion, good efficiency.
Slightly longer braking distances on wet roads.
The GOODYEAR UltraGrip Performance+ tyre offers good steering feedback and safety reserves on dry roads, with an average braking distance earning it a good rating. On wet roads, it performs well in aquaplaning and handling, securing a good overall rating despite narrowly missing a good mark in braking distance. In winter conditions, it shows above-average performance in braking and traction, and excels in snow handling and ice braking. Environmentally, the tyre is rated well for its very good predicted mileage, good wear, and low fuel consumption, despite its above-average weight. Overall, it achieves a good environmental rating.
Precise and safe properties at the limit on dry roads, very safe on winter roads, very high predicted mileage, low weight, low fuel consumption.
Slight weaknesses on wet roads.
The DUNLOP WINTER SPORT 5 tyre provides good steering feedback and safety reserves during critical driving maneuvers. Its braking performance is rated as good. On wet roads, it performs well in aquaplaning but only achieves satisfactory results in braking and handling, lacking the precision for a higher rating. In winter conditions, it excels in braking, traction, and particularly in snow handling, where it receives a very good rating. Environmentally, the tyre performs well due to its high predicted mileage, low wear, low weight, and low fuel consumption, securing it a good overall rating.
Still good properties on winter roads, good predicted mileage, low abrasion, low fuel consumption.
Weaknesses in driving comfort on dry roads and in behavior at the limit, slight weaknesses on wet roads.
The VREDESTEIN WINTRAC PRO tyre exhibits satisfactory steering feedback and precision on dry roads, requiring occasional corrections during turns and corners. It tends to oversteer during dynamic maneuvers, and its braking distance is average but rated as good. In wet conditions, it excels in braking but scores only satisfactory in aquaplaning and handling. While it offers sufficient safety reserves, it lacks the precision for a higher rating. On winter roads, it receives good ratings for braking on snow and ice, as well as for snow traction and handling, although it could improve in precision. Environmentally, the tyre performs well with good predicted mileage and wear. Despite its slightly above-average weight, its low fuel consumption earns it a good efficiency rating.
Still safe properties on dry roads, still good performance on wet roads, very high predicted mileage, low abrasion.
Slight weaknesses in precision on dry roads, slight weaknesses in wet handling, slight weaknesses on wintry roads.
The SEMPERIT SPEED-GRIP 5 tyre shows minor weaknesses in steering precision on dry roads but maintains good safety reserves and an average braking distance, earning it a good rating for dry conditions. On wet roads, it also secures a good rating for braking and aquaplaning but falls short in handling due to early tendencies to understeer. Its performance on winter roads is less than ideal, missing a good rating due to shortcomings in ice braking, snow traction, and handling. The tyre tends to understeer or oversteer early, affecting precise control. Environmentally, the tyre receives a good rating; its predicted mileage is very good and wear is also rated as good. Although it narrowly misses a good rating for weight, its low fuel consumption secures it a good efficiency rating.
Safe properties on wet roads, safe properties on winter roads, low weight, low fuel consumption.
Slight weaknesses in precision and behavior at the limit on dry roads.
The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 tyre exhibits minor weaknesses on dry roads, particularly in steering precision and driving safety, with a tendency to oversteer during sudden maneuvers. However, its braking distance is rated as good. On wet roads, the tyre performs well across all metrics, including precise handling and good safety reserves. It also ranks third in winter road performance, excelling in braking and acceleration on snow and offering precise and safe handling. Its ice braking performance is average. Environmentally, the tyre scores well with good predicted mileage and wear. Its efficiency is also commendable due to its low weight and fuel consumption.
Safe properties on dry roads, good performance on wet roads.
Slight weaknesses in precision on dry roads, slight weaknesses in wet handling, slight weaknesses on wintry roads, below average mileage, slightly higher abrasion.
The Giti GitiWinter W2 tyre shows minor weaknesses in steering precision on dry roads but maintains good safety reserves and braking distance, earning it a good rating for dry conditions. On wet roads, it also secures a good rating for braking and aquaplaning but falls short in handling due to early tendencies to understeer. Its performance on winter roads is less than ideal, missing a good rating due to shortcomings in ice braking, snow traction, and handling. The tyre tends to understeer or oversteer early, affecting precise control. Environmentally, the tyre receives only a satisfactory rating; its predicted mileage and wear are below average. Despite good fuel consumption, its efficiency is compromised by its weight, also earning a satisfactory rating.
Good properties on winter roads, highest predicted mileage in the test, low abrasion, low fuel consumption.
Weaknesses in driving comfort and behavior at the limit on dry roads, slight weaknesses on wet roads, very high tire weight.
The Kumho WINTERCRAFT WP52 tyre provides only satisfactory steering feedback and precision on dry roads, requiring occasional corrections due to its elastic response. It tends to oversteer during dynamic maneuvers, but its above-average braking distance earns it a good grade. On wet roads, the tyre excels in braking and longitudinal aquaplaning but falls short in lateral aquaplaning and handling. On winter roads, it performs well, particularly in snow and ice braking, and offers good controllability in handling. However, it narrowly misses a good rating in snow traction. Environmentally, the tyre has the highest predicted mileage in the test and good abrasion ratings but falls short in efficiency due to its above-average weight, despite good fuel consumption.
Overall safe properties on wet roads, high predicted mileage and low abrasion, low fuel consumption.
Slight weaknesses in precision and behavior at the limit on dry roads, slight weaknesses in wet handling, higher tire weight.
The Apollo ASPIRE XP WINTER tyre shows minor weaknesses on dry roads, particularly in steering precision and driving safety, with a tendency to oversteer during sudden maneuvers. However, its braking distance is rated as good. On wet roads, the tyre performs well in braking and aquaplaning, but lacks precision in handling. Its performance on winter roads is satisfactory, doing well in snow braking but falling short in snow traction, ice braking, and snow handling. Handling is imprecise, with early tendencies to understeer or oversteer, although some reserves are available. Environmentally, the tyre narrowly misses a good rating; it has good predicted mileage and abrasion, but its efficiency is only satisfactory due to its above-average weight, despite good fuel consumption.
Good predicted mileage, low abrasion, low fuel consumption.
Weaknesses in driving comfort and behavior at the limit on dry roads, weaknesses on wet roads, weaknesses on winter roads.
The Nokian Tyres WR Snowproof offers only satisfactory steering feedback and precision on dry roads, requiring occasional corrections due to its elastic response. It tends to oversteer during dynamic evasive maneuvers or lane changes, and its limit behavior is also rated as just satisfactory. However, its braking distance is slightly above average, earning it a good rating. On wet roads, the tyre's performance is unconvincing, resulting in an overall satisfactory rating. Whether in braking tests or aquaplaning behavior, its performance is below average. The tyre tends to understeer or oversteer early in corners, showing imprecision and limited reserves. Overall, its handling receives an insufficient rating. On winter roads, it also earns a satisfactory rating, although it secures a good note for snow braking. Its snow traction, ice braking, and snow handling are all rated as satisfactory. The vehicle's handling is not very precise, and it tends to understeer or oversteer early, offering limited reserves. Regarding environmental impact, the tyre receives a good rating for its predicted mileage and wear. Its efficiency is also rated as good, mainly due to low fuel consumption, although its weight receives a satisfactory rating.
Good properties on wet roads, good properties on winter roads, high predicted mileage, low abrasion, low weight, low fuel consumption.
Significant weaknesses in driving comfort and weaknesses in behavior at the limit on dry roads.
The PIRELLI CINTURATO WINTER 2 tyre exhibits clear weaknesses on dry roads, particularly in steering response and driving safety, with tendencies to oversteer and delayed stabilization. However, its braking distance is good. On wet roads, the tyre performs well in braking and aquaplaning but lacks precision in handling. Its performance on winter roads is good, particularly in braking on snow and ice, and it offers good controllability in handling. It narrowly misses a good rating in snow traction. Environmentally, the tyre scores well in predicted mileage, wear, and efficiency, with both its weight and fuel consumption at good levels.
Safe properties on wet roads, low fuel consumption.
Weaknesses in precision and slight weaknesses in behavior at the limit on dry roads, weaknesses on winter roads, second lowest predicted mileage in the test, slightly increased abrasion, higher tire weight.
The YOKOHAMA BluEarth*WINTER V906 tyre has notable weaknesses on dry roads, including imprecise steering feedback and a tendency to oversteer during sudden maneuvers. Its braking distance, however, is rated as good. On wet roads, the tyre performs well in braking and handling but falls short in aquaplaning with a below-average rating. Its performance on winter roads is satisfactory; it does well in snow braking but struggles with traction, ice braking, and snow handling. Handling is imprecise, and the tyre tends to understeer or oversteer early, offering limited reserves. Environmentally, the tyre receives a good grade, but its predicted mileage and wear are only satisfactory.
Safe properties on winter roads, high predicted mileage, low abrasion, very low weight, lowest fuel consumption in the test.
Weak in terms of precision on dry roads, weaknesses in driving behavior at the limit on dry roads, weaknesses on wet roads.
The Sava eskimo hp2 tyre exhibits only satisfactory performance on dry and wet roads, requiring frequent steering corrections and showing tendencies to oversteer during dynamic maneuvers. Its braking distance is below average. On wet roads, it performs well only in aquaplaning but is otherwise just satisfactory. Handling is also merely adequate, with early understeer and imprecise cornering. However, the tyre excels on winter roads, achieving above-average results in braking, acceleration, and snow handling. Environmentally, the eskimo hp2 performs well, with good predicted mileage and wear, and it ranks highest in efficiency due to low weight and fuel consumption.
