2025 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 195/55 R16

Die Reifentester, the test team of Dirk Vincken and Joachim Fischer, tested eight all season tyres in 195/55 R16, a size many small cars wear from the factory. The test cars were a VW Polo, Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza. The summer tests were run at Bridgestone's European proving ground at Aprilia near Rome, and the snow tests at Nokian's White Hell facility near Ivalo in Finnish Lapland.

The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 won, and it was the only tyre rated very good overall. It stopped shortest in the dry by more than two metres, won both aquaplaning tests and shared the best snow handling score with the Michelin. Its weakest result was fifth place in dry handling. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 was second, with the best winter result of the eight, and the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 was third, with the shortest wet braking, the strongest snow traction and the lowest rolling resistance.

Die Reifentester publish grades rather than total points. The overall grades put the Pirelli alone at the top, five tyres on good, and the Hankook and Falken on satisfactory. To separate the five good tyres we used the test's own summer and winter grades, which are weighted 75 and 25 per cent. The Michelin is second on its very good winter grade and the Continental third, while the Bridgestone, Goodyear and Vredestein share fourth. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was the test's reference tyre. That only means it was the 100 per cent baseline for the percentage figures, and it was graded like the rest. Handling, comfort and noise are the testers' scored assessments, shown here out of 10. Braking, aquaplaning, traction and rolling resistance are measured.

Dry

Dry braking from 100 km/h is usually where all season tyres give away the most, and the Pirelli stood apart from the field. It stopped in 38.35 metres, with the Michelin and Bridgestone next and almost level with each other. The Falken needed 45.06 metres, the longest in the test. For context, Die Reifentester also had a summer tyre in 225/45 R17 on an Opel Astra on track at the same time, and it averaged around 36 metres.

The Michelin was the only tyre rated very good in dry handling, with a balanced, sporty feel and willing turn-in. The other seven were all rated good and were closely spaced. The Falken and Hankook were next, both keen to turn in, while the Vredestein and Bridgestone were the least precise. All of the testing was done between 15 and 20°C. The testers point out that all season tyres tend to go greasy in fast corners above about 25°C.

Wet

Wet braking from 80 km/h went to the Continental at 34.18 metres, with the Goodyear, Pirelli and Bridgestone within two metres of it. The Vredestein, Hankook and Michelin were grouped together about three metres behind the Continental, and the Falken was longest at 38.30 metres.

The Goodyear scored highest for wet handling, steering accurately and staying stable under braking with a calm rear end. The Pirelli was second and the Vredestein and Bridgestone followed. The Michelin scored lowest, and the testers found it and the Falken could not settle between understeer and oversteer, with the rear tending to come round on a lift.

The Pirelli won both aquaplaning tests. In a straight line it held on to 86.9 km/h, a clear margin over the Hankook, Goodyear and Bridgestone, which were almost level with each other. On the curve the Goodyear and Hankook were closest to it. The Continental was last in both tests.

The curved aquaplaning figure is the highest cornering speed the car could hold through 7 mm of standing water.

Snow

The snow tests were run on hard-packed snow. Snow braking from 50 km/h was close: the Michelin stopped shortest, and the next six were all within 1.2 metres of it. The Vredestein was longest.

Snow traction was measured as the average pulling force while accelerating to 35 km/h. The Continental led clearly, with the Pirelli and Michelin almost level behind it. The Falken and Hankook were last, and close together.

No tyre was rated very good for snow handling. The Michelin and Pirelli shared the top score, with good lateral grip and a predictable balance. The Goodyear was a little behind them on traction, and the Continental and Vredestein were close behind the Goodyear. The Bridgestone was lower again. The Falken and Hankook were last, and the testers felt neither gave the driver enough confidence.

Comfort

The Falken was the most comfortable tyre and the quietest. The Vredestein was just behind it in both tests, and the Pirelli matched the Vredestein for comfort. The Continental and Hankook were the noisiest and the least comfortable, with more drumming and vibration on rough roads.

Rolling Resistance

The Continental had the lowest rolling resistance by a clear margin, followed by the Michelin. The Falken was highest, with the Goodyear second highest. In the high-speed test every tyre completed its speed rating.

Results

The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is a clear winner. It was the only tyre without a weak area, and it was clearly best at dry braking, the test that still separates all season tyres from summer tyres. The rest of the field split by priorities. The Michelin had the best winter result, and the Continental had the best snow traction as well as the shortest wet braking. The Bridgestone and Goodyear were better in summer conditions than in winter. The Vredestein was a quiet, comfortable all-rounder. The Hankook and Falken fell behind on snow. The full charts, including residual speeds and each tyre's percentage against the Goodyear reference, are in Die Reifentester's original test.

1^st

Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3

195/55 R16 91V XL

The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was the clear test winner and the only tyre rated very good overall. It was very strong in summer conditions and good throughout the winter tests, and it was the most balanced tyre in the field. It is easy to recommend for year-round use.

Dry98.8%

Wet97.6%

Snow97.1%

Comfort97.5%

Rolling Resistance88.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (12)

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 / 8	38.35 m	Best in this discipline
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	5th / 8	7.6 Points	-0.60 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	3rd / 8	35.35 m	+1.17 m
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	2nd / 8	8.1 Points	-0.30 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better	1st / 8	86.9 km/h	Best in this discipline
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	1st / 8	70.5 m/sec2	Best in this discipline
Snow BrakingLower is better	2nd / 8	25.7 m	+0.70 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	2nd / 8	2276 N	-99.00 N
Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better	1st / 8	7.6 Points	Best in this discipline
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	2nd / 8	8 Points	-0.10 Points
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	3rd / 8	7.8 Points	-0.30 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	4th / 8	7.6 kg/t	+0.90 kg/t

Origin

Romania

Weight

5.98 kgs

Tread

7.0 mm

Price

128.00

2^nd

Michelin CrossClimate 2

195/55 R16 91V XL

Die Reifentester Good gut

The Michelin CrossClimate 2 finished second, and it was the best choice here for drivers who see real snow. It was consistently good in summer and winter conditions, held back only by its wet handling, wet braking and aquaplaning.

Dry95.5%

Wet88.7%

Snow98.2%

Comfort95.1%

Rolling Resistance93.1%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (12)

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 / 8	40.54 m	+2.19 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	1st / 8	8.2 Points	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	6th / 8	37.56 m	+3.38 m
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	8th / 8	7 Points	-1.40 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better	6th / 8	77.4 km/h	-9.50 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	6th / 8	59.6 m/sec2	-10.90 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	1st / 8	25 m	Best in this discipline
Snow TractionHigher is better	3rd / 8	2266 N	-109.00 N
Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better	1st / 8	7.6 Points	Best in this discipline
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	4th / 8	7.7 Points	-0.40 Points
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	4th / 8	7.7 Points	-0.40 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	2nd / 8	7.2 kg/t	+0.50 kg/t

Origin

Italy

Weight

6.32 kgs

Tread

7.0 mm

Price

130.00

3^rd

Continental AllSeasonContact 2

195/55 R16 91V XL

Die Reifentester Good gut

The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 finished third. It leans towards winter. It is a strong wet braker with excellent snow traction and low rolling resistance, but it gave ground in the dry, in aquaplaning and on comfort. It suits drivers who rate winter grip above summer sharpness.

Dry90.6%

Wet93.4%

Snow97.9%

Comfort88.3%

Rolling Resistance100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (12)

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 / 8	42.67 m	+4.32 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	4th / 8	7.7 Points	-0.50 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	1st / 8	34.18 m	Best in this discipline
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	6th / 8	7.3 Points	-1.10 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better	8th / 8	75.2 km/h	-11.70 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	8th / 8	56.7 m/sec2	-13.80 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	3rd / 8	25.8 m	+0.80 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	1st / 8	2375 N	Best in this discipline
Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better	4th / 8	7.2 Points	-0.40 Points
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	7th / 8	7.2 Points	-0.90 Points
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	8th / 8	7.1 Points	-1.00 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	1st / 8	6.7 kg/t	Best in this discipline

Origin

Romania

Weight

6.24 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

Price

131.00

Joint 4^th

Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6

195/55 R16 91V XL

Die Reifentester Good gut

The Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 shared fourth place. It was rated good overall, with summer results ahead of its winter ones. It is a sound choice for spring, summer, autumn and mild winters.

Dry93.6%

Wet93.6%

Snow92.6%

Comfort92.6%

Rolling Resistance87%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (12)

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 / 8	40.69 m	+2.34 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	8th / 8	7.4 Points	-0.80 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	4th / 8	35.88 m	+1.70 m
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	4th / 8	7.8 Points	-0.60 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better	4th / 8	80.6 km/h	-6.30 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	4th / 8	62.4 m/sec2	-8.10 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	6th / 8	26.2 m	+1.20 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	5th / 8	2137 N	-238.00 N
Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better	6th / 8	6.9 Points	-0.70 Points
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	6th / 8	7.5 Points	-0.60 Points
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	6th / 8	7.5 Points	-0.60 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	5th / 8	7.7 kg/t	+1.00 kg/t

Origin

Spain

Weight

6.18 kgs

Tread

7.0 mm

Price

113.00

Joint 4^th

Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3

195/55 R16 91V XL

The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 shared fourth place. It was rated good overall and was among the best tyres in the wet, but it was less convincing in winter. It is a summer-leaning all season tyre with excellent wet handling.

Dry90.3%

Wet96.7%

Snow93.6%

Comfort93.8%

Rolling Resistance81.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (12)

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 / 8	42.58 m	+4.23 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	6th / 8	7.5 Points	-0.70 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	2nd / 8	35.31 m	+1.13 m
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	1st / 8	8.4 Points	Best in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better	3rd / 8	80.8 km/h	-6.10 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	2nd / 8	68.2 m/sec2	-2.30 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	6th / 8	26.2 m	+1.20 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	4th / 8	2154 N	-221.00 N
Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better	3rd / 8	7.3 Points	-0.30 Points
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	5th / 8	7.6 Points	-0.50 Points
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	5th / 8	7.6 Points	-0.50 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	7th / 8	8.2 kg/t	+1.50 kg/t

Origin

France

Weight

6.34 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

Price

131.00

Joint 4^th

Vredestein Quatrac

195/55 R16 91V XL

Die Reifentester Good gut

The Vredestein Quatrac shared fourth place with a good overall rating. It was balanced and refined rather than outstanding anywhere, and it suits drivers who mostly see wet and dry roads and value a quiet ride.

Dry89.8%

Wet90%

Snow91.8%

Comfort98.8%

Rolling Resistance89.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (12)

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 / 8	42.89 m	+4.54 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	6th / 8	7.5 Points	-0.70 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	5th / 8	37.4 m	+3.22 m
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	3rd / 8	7.9 Points	-0.50 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better	7th / 8	77.1 km/h	-9.80 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	7th / 8	57.2 m/sec2	-13.30 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	8th / 8	26.8 m	+1.80 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	6th / 8	2114 N	-261.00 N
Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better	4th / 8	7.2 Points	-0.40 Points
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	2nd / 8	8 Points	-0.10 Points
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	2nd / 8	8 Points	-0.10 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	3rd / 8	7.5 kg/t	+0.80 kg/t

Origin

Hungary

Weight

6.32 kgs

Tread

7.5 mm

Price

110.00

7^th

Hankook Kinergy 4S2

195/55 R16 91H XL

The Hankook Kinergy 4S2 finished seventh, rated satisfactory overall. Its summer results were good, but its weak winter results pulled it down. It is better suited to drivers who rarely see snow.

Dry93.1%

Wet91.4%

Snow90.9%

Comfort88.3%

Rolling Resistance82.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (12)

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	4th / 8	41.4 m	+3.05 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	3rd / 8	7.8 Points	-0.40 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	6th / 8	37.56 m	+3.38 m
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	5th / 8	7.4 Points	-1.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better	2nd / 8	81 km/h	-5.90 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	3rd / 8	67 m/sec2	-3.50 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	5th / 8	26.1 m	+1.10 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	8th / 8	2072 N	-303.00 N
Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better	8th / 8	6.4 Points	-1.20 Points
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	8th / 8	7.1 Points	-1.00 Points
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	7th / 8	7.2 Points	-0.90 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	6th / 8	8.1 kg/t	+1.40 kg/t

Origin

South Korea

Weight

6.54 kgs

Tread

7.0 mm

Price

108.00

8^th

Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210

195/55 R16 91V XL

The Falken Euroall Season AS210 finished last, rated satisfactory overall. It was comfortable and quiet, and good in dry handling, but its braking, rolling resistance and snow results put it behind the rest of the field.

Dry87%

Wet88.6%

Snow91.5%

Comfort100%

Rolling Resistance74.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (12)

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 / 8	45.06 m	+6.71 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	2nd / 8	7.9 Points	-0.30 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	8th / 8	38.3 m	+4.12 m
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better	7th / 8	7.2 Points	-1.20 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better	5th / 8	78.9 km/h	-8.00 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	5th / 8	61.1 m/sec2	-9.40 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	4th / 8	26 m	+1.00 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	7th / 8	2077 N	-298.00 N
Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better	7th / 8	6.6 Points	-1.00 Points
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	1st / 8	8.1 Points	Best in this discipline
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	1st / 8	8.1 Points	Best in this discipline
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	8th / 8	9 kg/t	+2.30 kg/t

Origin

Turkey

Weight

7.24 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

Price

105.00