2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test

Auto Express has returned to 205/55 R16 for its 2026 winter tyre test, the size it last used for winter tyres in 2024 and still the biggest seller in the UK. Eleven tyres were bought on the open market through an independent German wholesaler. The snow work was done at Hankook's proving ground at Ivalo in Finland, inside the Arctic Circle, at air temperatures between -11°C and -9°C, with the wet and dry testing at Continental's Contidrom in Germany. An all-season tyre and a summer tyre were run alongside the field as references.

The Continental WinterContact TS 870 won, which Auto Express say is its third victory in this size and its fifth in their winter tests since 2021. It topped all three of the wet tests that carry the most weight, straight-line braking, the wet circle and the handling lap, and it was also the quietest tyre in the cabin. The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 finished two tenths of a point behind it in second, the Hankook i'cept RS3 W462 took third, and the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 and Michelin Alpin 7 tied for fourth.

Three results sit awkwardly against the rest of the field. The Falken Eurowinter HS02 recorded the shortest dry braking distance of any winter tyre here and was third quickest around the wet handling circuit, yet finished tenth of eleven in all three snow tests. That is not a one-off: the same pattern shows up in the 2024 ADAC 16 inch winter test in this same size, where it was eleventh of twelve on snow braking, and in the 2025 AMS test, where it was last of ten. The Bridgestone did the reverse, sharing the fastest dry handling lap while stopping last of the whole field in dry braking, and that one is out of character. Its dry braking sits in the upper half of the order in the 2024 Auto Bild winter test and in most of the other tests it has appeared in, so this looks like a soft result rather than a trait. The third is the budget Minerva Frostrack HP, last overall by a wide margin, which was third in dry braking and shared the fastest dry lap while finishing last of the winter tyres in every snow and wet test on the card.

The two reference tyres are worth reading closely. The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 scored higher than the winner on Auto Express's own overall percentage, stopped shorter than every winter tyre in both wet and dry braking, and would have run mid-field on the snow lap and in snow traction, though nearer the back in snow braking. The summer Continental PremiumContact 7 also out-braked every winter tyre in the wet, at a track temperature only a couple of degrees above the 7°C at which winter compounds are usually said to take over, which is a useful reminder that the crossover point is about temperature and not about the calendar. On snow it was in a different category, needing more than twice the distance of the best winter tyre to stop. Neither is included in the ranking.

A note on the numbers below. Auto Express do not publish raw measurements, only each tyre's result as a percentage of the best in that test, so the figures in these charts are built from estimated bests. The percentage difference between the tyres is exact in every case; what is estimated is the absolute number the scale starts from. This test is better anchored than most. Auto Express state the winning snow braking distance of 18.7 metres and the winning dry braking distance of 43.3 metres outright, and the individual tyre reports quote enough absolute gaps to fix wet braking at 33 metres and the snow lap to within a tenth or two. The Continental PremiumContact 7 also ran in the 2026 Auto Express summer test in this same size on the same circuits, so its measurements there set the scale here for wet cornering, both aquaplaning tests, dry handling, cabin noise and rolling resistance. Snow traction is the one figure with no anchor at all and is our own estimate. Because our scoring works on percentages none of this affects the score weighting calculator on the results tab, but it seemed important to share.

The full test, including Auto Express's own driver commentary on every tyre, is on the Auto Express website.

Snow

Snow braking was measured from 40 km/h down to 5 km/h. The Hankook stopped shortest, with the Bridgestone, Dunlop, Michelin and Continental effectively inseparable behind it. Just 1.3 metres covers the entire winter field, so the interesting part is not the order at the front but which tyres drop out of the back of it: the Falken and the Minerva. The summer reference needed 42.2 metres, more than twice the winning distance.

Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact, and the scale is anchored on the 18.7 metres they state for the winning tyre.

Snow traction is the time taken to accelerate from 5 km/h to 40 km/h. The Dunlop was quickest, taking its only outright win of the test, with the Hankook, Michelin and Goodyear covered by a few hundredths behind it. The name to note is the Continental: the overall winner placed ninth of the eleven winter tyres, and this is comfortably its weakest result anywhere on the card.

Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact, but this is the one test in the programme with no absolute figure quoted anywhere, so treat the times themselves as indicative only.

The snow handling lap assesses grip, turn-in, balance and traction, plus stability and recovery from slip. The Goodyear was fastest, with the Hankook and Pirelli tied just behind and the Continental fourth. The Linglong is the surprise here, sixth and ahead of the Bridgestone, while the Falken and the Minerva were both adrift at the back.

Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact; the scale they sit on is calculated from four separate lap-time gaps quoted in the Auto Express text, which agree with each other closely.

Wet

Straight-line wet braking from 80 km/h carries more weight than any other single test in the programme, and the Continental won it, stopping in 33 metres against the 33.9 metres of the second-placed Hankook. The Minerva needed 39.5 metres, which is several car lengths further down the road from the same speed. Both reference tyres stopped shorter than every winter tyre in the test.

Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact, and the scale is pinned by four separate absolute figures quoted in the Auto Express text.

The wet handling circuit rewards grip, traction, composure under braking and predictable breakaway. The Continental and the Pirelli tied for the fastest lap, the Falken was third, and the Hankook could only manage seventh despite its strong braking and aquaplaning results. The Minerva was a long way off, several seconds a lap slower than anything else.

Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact; the scale is estimated from the lap-time gaps in the Auto Express text and is the one figure here that does not agree with the summer test's scale, so treat the absolute times as indicative.

Wet cornering was timed on a 57.5 metres diameter wetted circle. The Continental led again, with the Pirelli and Goodyear close behind, and the Minerva last. This is a tight test in which the whole field sits within about a second.

Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact; the scale comes from the reference tyre's measurement in the 2026 Auto Express summer test.

Straight-line aquaplaning is the speed at which a tyre running through 9mm of standing water reaches 15 per cent slip. The Pirelli was best, with the Hankook and Goodyear behind it, and the Continental fourth. The Linglong and the Minerva were both well off the pace, and the Minerva by a long way.

Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact; the scale comes from the reference tyre's measurement in the 2026 Auto Express summer test.

Curved aquaplaning is the average residual lateral acceleration through a bend flooded to 5mm, driven between 60 km/h and 90 km/h. The Goodyear won it, with the Pirelli, Hankook and Bridgestone close behind. The Minerva's result is the worst of the test by a very wide margin, at roughly half the grip of the leaders.

Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact; the scale comes from the reference tyre's measurement in the 2026 Auto Express summer test.

Dry

Dry braking was measured from 100 km/h to a standstill. The Falken stopped shortest at 43.3 metres, with the Pirelli just behind it, and the Bridgestone was last of the whole field at 45.7 metres. Only 2.4 metres covers the eleven winter tyres, and the budget Minerva was third. For context, the all-season reference stopped in 38.8 metres and the summer reference in 36 metres.

Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact, and the scale is anchored on the 43.3 metres Auto Express state for the winning tyre.

The dry handling lap is a one-mile section mixing fast and slow corners. The Bridgestone and the Minerva tied for the fastest time, with the Hankook and Continental next, and the Goodyear was the slowest of the winter tyres. Eight tenths of a second covers the entire winter field, so this test does very little to separate them.

Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact; the scale comes from the reference tyre's measurement in the 2026 Auto Express summer test.

Comfort

Rather than use the drive-by figure printed on the EU label, Auto Express measure the noise heard inside the car, averaging coastdown readings from 100 km/h across three surfaces from smooth to coarse. The Continental was quietest, with the Falken, Bridgestone and Linglong tied behind it and the Hankook last. Less than a decibel separates the whole winter field, so this is not a test that decides anything.

Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact; the scale comes from the reference tyre's measurement in the 2026 Auto Express summer test.

Value

Rolling resistance was measured to the industry standard rather than read off the label. The Michelin was clear of everything else, by the largest single margin anywhere in this test, and the Bridgestone was second. At the other end the Linglong was the least economical tyre in the test, and the three cheapest tyres in the field turn out to be the three least economical ones as well, so the low ticket price is partly bought back at the pump.

Derived data. Auto Express publish percentages, not measurements. The gaps between these tyres are exact; the scale comes from the reference tyre's measurement in the 2026 Auto Express summer test, and it lines up with the declared EU rolling resistance grade for twelve of the thirteen tyres.

Results

Under a point and a half separates first from seventh, so the top of this field is decided by very small margins and no tyre wins everything. What the spread does show is where each maker has put its effort: the Continental and the Pirelli chase wet performance, the Hankook and the Dunlop chase snow, the Falken has been set up around dry braking and wet handling at the cost of everything cold, and the cheapest tyres save money in the places that matter most. The Minerva at the bottom is the clearest warning of the lot, since two tyres that comfortably outperform it cost the same or less.

1^st

Continental WinterContact TS 870

205/55 R16 91H

Auto Express Test Winner

The Continental WinterContact TS 870 won this test, taking the honours in this size for the third time. It did it by being the best wet tyre in the field by a clear margin while giving away very little anywhere else, and its priorities suit UK winters, where cold and rain are far more common than snow.

Dry98.5%

Wet99.5%

Snow97.2%

Comfort100%

Rolling Resistance90.2%

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	4th / 11	44.5 m	+1.20 m
Dry HandlingLower is better	4th / 11	57.53 s	+0.23 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	1st / 11	33 m	Best in this discipline
Wet HandlingLower is better	1st / 11	87.5 s	Best in this discipline
Wet CircleLower is better	1st / 11	12.1 s	Best in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better	4th / 11	82.7 km/h	-2.90 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	5th / 11	3.38 m/sec2	-0.12 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	5th / 11	18.97 m	+0.27 m
Snow TractionLower is better	9th / 11	6.37 s	+0.37 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	4th / 11	86.87 s	+0.87 s
NoiseLower is better	1st / 11	67.4 dB	Best in this discipline
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	3rd / 11	8.2 kg/t	+0.80 kg/t

EU Label

C/B/70

Price

135.00

2^nd

Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3

205/55 R16 91H

The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 finished second and came very close to the winner. It is a genuinely strong wet tyre with dry pace to match, and only its mid-field snow braking keeps it off the top step.

Dry98.7%

Wet98.9%

Snow97.9%

Comfort99.7%

Rolling Resistance89.6%

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 / 11	44 m	+0.70 m
Dry HandlingLower is better	8th / 11	57.88 s	+0.58 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	3rd / 11	33.99 m	+0.99 m
Wet HandlingLower is better	1st / 11	87.5 s	Best in this discipline
Wet CircleLower is better	2nd / 11	12.17 s	+0.07 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	1st / 11	85.6 km/h	Best in this discipline
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	2nd / 11	3.46 m/sec2	-0.04 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	7th / 11	19.26 m	+0.56 m
Snow TractionLower is better	5th / 11	6.19 s	+0.19 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	2nd / 11	86.43 s	+0.43 s
NoiseLower is better	5th / 11	67.6 dB	+0.20 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	4th / 11	8.26 kg/t	+0.86 kg/t

EU Label

C/B/69

Price

132.00

3^rd

Hankook Winter I cept RS3

205/55 R16 91H

The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 took third and is the pick of the field if snow matters most, pairing the best snow braking with solid wet and dry results. Refinement and economy are what hold it back.

Dry98.3%

Wet97.6%

Snow99.7%

Comfort98.8%

Rolling Resistance88.3%

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	5th / 11	44.78 m	+1.48 m
Dry HandlingLower is better	3rd / 11	57.41 s	+0.11 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	2nd / 11	33.92 m	+0.92 m
Wet HandlingLower is better	7th / 11	89.19 s	+1.69 s
Wet CircleLower is better	7th / 11	12.46 s	+0.36 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	2nd / 11	84.2 km/h	-1.40 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	3rd / 11	3.43 m/sec2	-0.07 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	1st / 11	18.7 m	Best in this discipline
Snow TractionLower is better	2nd / 11	6.03 s	+0.03 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	2nd / 11	86.43 s	+0.43 s
NoiseLower is better	11th / 11	68.2 dB	+0.80 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	7th / 11	8.38 kg/t	+0.98 kg/t

EU Label

C/B/72

Price

115.00

Joint 4^th

Bridgestone Blizzak 6

205/55 R16 91H

The Bridgestone Blizzak 6 shared fourth place and is a genuine all-rounder, strong in the snow and the wet with excellent economy. Its dry braking is the one result that stands out for the wrong reason.

Dry97.4%

Wet96.8%

Snow98.1%

Comfort99.9%

Rolling Resistance94.3%

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	11th / 11	45.72 m	+2.42 m
Dry HandlingLower is better	1st / 11	57.3 s	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	6th / 11	34.81 m	+1.81 m
Wet HandlingLower is better	5th / 11	88.83 s	+1.33 s
Wet CircleLower is better	4th / 11	12.37 s	+0.27 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	6th / 11	80 km/h	-5.60 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	4th / 11	3.41 m/sec2	-0.09 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	2nd / 11	18.78 m	+0.08 m
Snow TractionLower is better	6th / 11	6.21 s	+0.21 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	7th / 11	87.49 s	+1.49 s
NoiseLower is better	2nd / 11	67.5 dB	+0.10 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	2nd / 11	7.85 kg/t	+0.45 kg/t

EU Label

C/B/70

Price

108.00

Joint 4^th

Michelin Alpin 7

205/55 R16 94H XL

The Michelin Alpin 7 shared fourth place on a card with no real gaps, and its economy advantage over the rest of the field is the largest single margin anywhere in this test. That makes it a strong choice for high-mileage winter driving.

Dry97.7%

Wet96.7%

Snow99%

Comfort99%

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 / 11	44.92 m	+1.62 m
Dry HandlingLower is better	8th / 11	57.88 s	+0.58 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	4th / 11	34.38 m	+1.38 m
Wet HandlingLower is better	5th / 11	88.83 s	+1.33 s
Wet CircleLower is better	5th / 11	12.42 s	+0.32 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	5th / 11	80.8 km/h	-4.80 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	7th / 11	3.21 m/sec2	-0.29 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	4th / 11	18.91 m	+0.21 m
Snow TractionLower is better	3rd / 11	6.05 s	+0.05 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	5th / 11	86.96 s	+0.96 s
NoiseLower is better	10th / 11	68.1 dB	+0.70 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	1st / 11	7.4 kg/t	Best in this discipline

EU Label

C/B/71

Price

152.00

6^th

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

205/55 R16 94V XL

The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 took sixth with its priorities in the right places, being at its best in the snow and the deep water. Weak dry handling and mid-field wet braking are what separate it from the top five.

Dry97.4%

Wet97.7%

Snow99.1%

Comfort99.7%

Rolling Resistance87.6%

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 / 11	45.01 m	+1.71 m
Dry HandlingLower is better	11th / 11	58.11 s	+0.81 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	7th / 11	34.99 m	+1.99 m
Wet HandlingLower is better	4th / 11	88.56 s	+1.06 s
Wet CircleLower is better	3rd / 11	12.19 s	+0.09 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	3rd / 11	83.9 km/h	-1.70 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	1st / 11	3.5 m/sec2	Best in this discipline
Snow BrakingLower is better	6th / 11	19.04 m	+0.34 m
Snow TractionLower is better	4th / 11	6.06 s	+0.06 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	1st / 11	86 s	Best in this discipline
NoiseLower is better	5th / 11	67.6 dB	+0.20 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	8th / 11	8.45 kg/t	+1.05 kg/t

EU Label

C/B/70

Price

138.00

7^th

Falken EUROWINTER HS02

205/55 R16 91H

The Falken Eurowinter HS02 finished seventh with a distinctly wet and dry biased result. It is a competent tyre for a mild winter, but it gives away too much on snow to be an obvious first choice.

Dry99.8%

Wet96.5%

Snow94.2%

Comfort99.9%

Rolling Resistance88.7%

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	1st / 11	43.3 m	Best in this discipline
Dry HandlingLower is better	5th / 11	57.59 s	+0.29 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	5th / 11	34.48 m	+1.48 m
Wet HandlingLower is better	3rd / 11	88.21 s	+0.71 s
Wet CircleLower is better	6th / 11	12.44 s	+0.34 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	7th / 11	78.5 km/h	-7.10 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	9th / 11	3.16 m/sec2	-0.34 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	10th / 11	19.83 m	+1.13 m
Snow TractionLower is better	10th / 11	6.55 s	+0.55 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	10th / 11	88.93 s	+2.93 s
NoiseLower is better	2nd / 11	67.5 dB	+0.10 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	6th / 11	8.34 kg/t	+0.94 kg/t

EU Label

D/B/69

Price

105.00

8^th

Dunlop Winter

205/55 R16 91H

The Dunlop Winter took eighth on a mixed card, winning the snow traction test but giving too much away in the wet. It needs to improve where it matters most before it can trouble the mid-field.

Dry97.6%

Wet94.5%

Snow99%

Comfort99.3%

Rolling Resistance89.1%

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	7th / 11	45.01 m	+1.71 m
Dry HandlingLower is better	10th / 11	57.94 s	+0.64 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	9th / 11	35.91 m	+2.91 m
Wet HandlingLower is better	9th / 11	90.77 s	+3.27 s
Wet CircleLower is better	8th / 11	12.58 s	+0.48 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	9th / 11	77.6 km/h	-8.00 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	6th / 11	3.3 m/sec2	-0.20 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	3rd / 11	18.83 m	+0.13 m
Snow TractionLower is better	1st / 11	6 s	Best in this discipline
Snow HandlingLower is better	8th / 11	88.02 s	+2.02 s
NoiseLower is better	8th / 11	67.9 dB	+0.50 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	5th / 11	8.31 kg/t	+0.91 kg/t

EU Label

C/C/71

Price

119.00

9^th

Linglong Sport Master Winter

205/55 R16 94V XL

The Linglong Sport Master Winter finished ninth, a step back from its showing in this test a year ago. Snow performance is respectable for the money, but the deep-water results and the economy are hard to overlook.

Dry97.7%

Wet93.6%

Snow96.7%

Comfort99.9%

Rolling Resistance77.7%

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	9th / 11	45.1 m	+1.80 m
Dry HandlingLower is better	6th / 11	57.7 s	+0.40 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	7th / 11	34.99 m	+1.99 m
Wet HandlingLower is better	8th / 11	90.67 s	+3.17 s
Wet CircleLower is better	10th / 11	12.71 s	+0.61 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	10th / 11	73.3 km/h	-12.30 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	10th / 11	2.79 m/sec2	-0.71 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	9th / 11	19.42 m	+0.72 m
Snow TractionLower is better	7th / 11	6.31 s	+0.31 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	6th / 11	87.22 s	+1.22 s
NoiseLower is better	2nd / 11	67.5 dB	+0.10 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	11th / 11	9.52 kg/t	+2.12 kg/t

EU Label

D/A/72

Price

90.00

10^th

Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6

205/55 R16 94V XL

The Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 finished tenth and is priced accordingly. It is a reasonable budget choice if snow is the main concern, but the wet results are a real compromise.

Dry97.5%

Wet93.5%

Snow96.3%

Comfort99.1%

Rolling Resistance80.4%

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	10th / 11	45.29 m	+1.99 m
Dry HandlingLower is better	6th / 11	57.7 s	+0.40 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	10th / 11	36.71 m	+3.71 m
Wet HandlingLower is better	10th / 11	90.96 s	+3.46 s
Wet CircleLower is better	9th / 11	12.66 s	+0.56 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	8th / 11	78.1 km/h	-7.50 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	8th / 11	3.2 m/sec2	-0.30 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	8th / 11	19.32 m	+0.62 m
Snow TractionLower is better	8th / 11	6.36 s	+0.36 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	8th / 11	88.02 s	+2.02 s
NoiseLower is better	9th / 11	68 dB	+0.60 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	10th / 11	9.2 kg/t	+1.80 kg/t

EU Label

D/B/70

Price

73.00

11^th

Minerva Frostrack HP

205/55 R16 91V

The Minerva Frostrack HP finished last, and its strengths sit in exactly the wrong places for a winter tyre. Two tyres that beat it comfortably cost the same or less, so there is no value argument to fall back on.

Dry98.9%

Wet86%

Snow91.8%

Comfort99.7%

Rolling Resistance83.5%

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 / 11	44.32 m	+1.02 m
Dry HandlingLower is better	1st / 11	57.3 s	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	11th / 11	39.52 m	+6.52 m
Wet HandlingLower is better	11th / 11	95.52 s	+8.02 s
Wet CircleLower is better	11th / 11	13.02 s	+0.92 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	11th / 11	67.2 km/h	-18.40 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	11th / 11	1.84 m/sec2	-1.66 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	11th / 11	20.04 m	+1.34 m
Snow TractionLower is better	11th / 11	6.75 s	+0.75 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	11th / 11	91.98 s	+5.98 s
NoiseLower is better	5th / 11	67.6 dB	+0.20 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	9th / 11	8.86 kg/t	+1.46 kg/t

EU Label

C/C/70

Price

89.00

Reference Tyre

Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3

205/55 R16 94V XL

The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was run as a reference to show what an all-season tyre gives up to a dedicated winter tyre. On this evidence it gives up very little in these conditions, which says more about how far all-season tyres have come than about the field it was measured against.

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	Result
Dry BrakingLower is better	38.8 m
Dry HandlingLower is better	57.82 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	31.91 m
Wet HandlingLower is better	87.68 s
Wet CircleLower is better	12.36 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	80.6 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	3.19 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	19.6 m
Snow TractionLower is better	6.15 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	87.67 s
NoiseLower is better	68.2 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	8.78 kg/t

EU Label

C/A/72

Price

105.00

Reference Tyre

Continental PremiumContact 7

205/55 R16 91V

The Continental PremiumContact 7 is here as a control, not a contender, and its job is to show what running summer tyres through a cold snap actually costs. In the snow tests it is not remotely close to any winter tyre in the field.

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	Result
Dry BrakingLower is better	35.99 m
Dry HandlingLower is better	53.95 s
Wet BrakingLower is better	27.41 m
Wet HandlingLower is better	85.53 s
Wet CircleLower is better	11.52 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	76.9 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	3.31 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	42.21 m
Snow TractionLower is better	18.87 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	127.79 s
NoiseLower is better	68.4 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	8.43 kg/t

EU Label

C/A/71

Price

113.00