Auto Bild has tested 14 winter tyres in 205/55 R16, one of the best-selling tyre sizes in Germany and a common fitment on compact cars such as the VW Golf, Opel Astra, Ford Focus, Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon. Every tyre was run on the same VW Golf, with snow tests at the Plantskolan Proving Ground in Älvsbyn, northern Sweden, wet and dry measurements at ATP Papenburg and handling tests at TRIWO Pferdsfeld in Germany. Set prices run from 260 to 470 euros, Auto Bild deliberately left out the cheapest no-name tyres, and a summer tyre and an all-season tyre were run alongside as references outside the classification.

The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 wins on the strength of its wet results: it had the shortest wet braking, the fastest wet handling of the winter tyres, and it resisted straight-line aquaplaning longest. Behind it, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6, Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3, Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 and Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ share second place on identical grades, and all five earn Auto Bild's top "exemplary" verdict. The Kumho, the second cheapest set in the test, had the best snow braking and traction, while the Dunlop Winter led the snow handling and slalom tests. At the other end, the Maxxis, Toyo and Nexen were all marked down for a weak result in a safety-relevant test, and the Toyo fell behind the all-season reference on snow braking, traction and handling.

Test setup & methodology

The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.

Recorded test conditions

Dry Braking: 100 → 0 km/h
Wet Braking: 100 → 0 km/h
Snow Braking: 50 → 0 km/h

Auto Bild grades snow, wet and dry as three chapters that each count for a third of the overall grade, and tyres on the same overall grade share a place. When a tyre grades 2.5 or worse in a safety-relevant test, a quarter of its worst such grade is added to its overall result. The Maxxis, Toyo and Nexen all carry that penalty, which opens a wide gap between them and the 11 tyres above. All 14 tyres passed Auto Bild's high-speed test. Neither reference tyre is named. This is our summary of the headline results; for every grade, the full weighting and Auto Bild's methodology, see the original test.

Snow

The Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ stopped shortest on snow, 0.7 metres ahead of the Bridgestone, Dunlop and Maxxis, which shared second place. Thirteen of the 14 winter tyres finished within 1.9 metres of each other. The Toyo Observe EWS1 needed 3.8 metres more than the Kumho and stopped behind the all-season reference, and the summer reference needed well over twice the Kumho's distance. The Kumho's result is a contrast with Auto Bild's 245/45 R19 winter test this season, where the WP52+ was 17th of 20 for snow braking.

Snow Braking
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	23.3 m	Best	0 km/h
2Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	24 m	+0.70 m	22 km/h
2Bridgestone Blizzak 6	24 m	+0.70 m	22 km/h
2Dunlop Winter	24 m	+0.70 m	22 km/h
5Hankook Winter I cept RS3	24.1 m	+0.80 m	24 km/h
6Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	24.3 m	+1.00 m	26 km/h
7Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	24.7 m	+1.40 m	31 km/h
8Nexen Winguard Sport 3	24.8 m	+1.50 m	32 km/h
9Vredestein Wintrac	24.9 m	+1.60 m	33 km/h
9Michelin Alpin 7	24.9 m	+1.60 m	33 km/h
11Semperit Speed Grip 5	25.2 m	+1.90 m	36 km/h
11Falken EUROWINTER HS02	25.2 m	+1.90 m	36 km/h
11Nokian Snowproof 2	25.2 m	+1.90 m	36 km/h
RefReference All Season	26.1 m	+2.80 m	43 km/h
14Toyo Observe EWS1	27.1 m	+3.80 m	49 km/h
RefReference Summer	57.2 m	+33.90 m	100 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 145.5% (33.9 m ≈ 7.5 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Toyo Observe EWS1 would still be travelling at 49 km/h when the Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

The Kumho also found the most traction, ahead of the Pirelli, with the Hankook and Bridgestone level in third. The Toyo again had the least of the winter tyres, less than the all-season reference, and the summer reference managed well under half the traction of the Kumho.

Snow Traction
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	5457.5 N	Best
2Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	5377 N	-80.50 N
3Hankook Winter I cept RS3	5361.2 N	-96.30 N
3Bridgestone Blizzak 6	5361.2 N	-96.30 N
5Dunlop Winter	5329.8 N	-127.70 N
6Vredestein Wintrac	5253 N	-204.50 N
7Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	5222.9 N	-234.60 N
8Nexen Winguard Sport 3	5222 N	-235.50 N
9Michelin Alpin 7	5208 N	-249.50 N
10Falken EUROWINTER HS02	5121 N	-336.50 N
11Nokian Snowproof 2	5120.2 N	-337.30 N
12Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	5105.9 N	-351.60 N
13Semperit Speed Grip 5	5091.6 N	-365.90 N
RefReference All Season	4926.5 N	-531.00 N
14Toyo Observe EWS1	4860.8 N	-596.70 N
RefReference Summer	2062 N	-3,395.50 N

The difference between best and worst was 62.2% (3,395.5 N).

The Dunlop Winter was fastest on the snow handling course, ahead of the Kumho and Goodyear. The Toyo was the slowest tyre in this test, slower than the all-season reference, and this is the grade behind its safety penalty. There is no snow handling result for the summer reference. The Toyo's snow results are in line with its record: it was also last of the ranked tyres for snow braking in Auto Bild's 2025 winter test and second last in the 2026 ADAC test in 225/50 R17.

Snow Handling
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Dunlop Winter	62.9 km/h	Best
2Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	61.9 km/h	-1.00 km/h
3Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	61.8 km/h	-1.10 km/h
4Vredestein Wintrac	61.3 km/h	-1.60 km/h
5Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	61.1 km/h	-1.80 km/h
6Nexen Winguard Sport 3	60.1 km/h	-2.80 km/h
7Michelin Alpin 7	59.7 km/h	-3.20 km/h
8Hankook Winter I cept RS3	59.6 km/h	-3.30 km/h
9Falken EUROWINTER HS02	59.3 km/h	-3.60 km/h
10Semperit Speed Grip 5	59.1 km/h	-3.80 km/h
11Nokian Snowproof 2	59 km/h	-3.90 km/h
12Bridgestone Blizzak 6	58.9 km/h	-4.00 km/h
13Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	57 km/h	-5.90 km/h
RefReference All Season	56.4 km/h	-6.50 km/h
14Toyo Observe EWS1	53.3 km/h	-9.60 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 15.3% (9.6 Km/H).

The Dunlop was also the clear best in the slalom, with a bigger lead over the second-placed Kumho than the gap from the Kumho back to the Maxxis in 14th. Both reference tyres were behind every winter tyre.

Snow Slalom
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Dunlop Winter	4.41 m/sec2	Best
2Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	3.89 m/sec2	-0.52 m/sec2
3Hankook Winter I cept RS3	3.84 m/sec2	-0.57 m/sec2
4Michelin Alpin 7	3.8 m/sec2	-0.61 m/sec2
5Falken EUROWINTER HS02	3.78 m/sec2	-0.63 m/sec2
6Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	3.77 m/sec2	-0.64 m/sec2
7Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	3.76 m/sec2	-0.65 m/sec2
8Nexen Winguard Sport 3	3.75 m/sec2	-0.66 m/sec2
9Vredestein Wintrac	3.74 m/sec2	-0.67 m/sec2
10Semperit Speed Grip 5	3.71 m/sec2	-0.70 m/sec2
11Bridgestone Blizzak 6	3.66 m/sec2	-0.75 m/sec2
12Toyo Observe EWS1	3.62 m/sec2	-0.79 m/sec2
13Nokian Snowproof 2	3.61 m/sec2	-0.80 m/sec2
14Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	3.59 m/sec2	-0.82 m/sec2
RefReference All Season	3.34 m/sec2	-1.07 m/sec2
RefReference Summer	2.19 m/sec2	-2.22 m/sec2

The difference between best and worst was 50.3% (2.22 m/sec2).

Wet

The summer reference stopped shortest in the wet, but the Pirelli was the best of the winter tyres, ahead of the Kumho and Falken. The Nexen Winguard Sport 3 needed 7 metres more than the Pirelli, the longest distance in the test, and the Nokian and Maxxis also stopped behind the all-season reference.

Wet Braking
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
RefReference Summer	42.2 m	-4.10 m	0 km/h
1Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	46.3 m	Best	0 km/h
2Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	46.7 m	+0.40 m	12 km/h
3Falken EUROWINTER HS02	46.9 m	+0.60 m	15 km/h
4Vredestein Wintrac	47.2 m	+0.90 m	18 km/h
5Hankook Winter I cept RS3	47.4 m	+1.10 m	20 km/h
6Semperit Speed Grip 5	47.6 m	+1.30 m	21 km/h
6Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	47.6 m	+1.30 m	21 km/h
8Bridgestone Blizzak 6	47.8 m	+1.50 m	23 km/h
9Toyo Observe EWS1	48 m	+1.70 m	24 km/h
10Michelin Alpin 7	48.7 m	+2.40 m	29 km/h
11Dunlop Winter	49.3 m	+3.00 m	32 km/h
RefReference All Season	49.7 m	+3.40 m	34 km/h
12Nokian Snowproof 2	50.5 m	+4.20 m	37 km/h
13Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	50.7 m	+4.40 m	38 km/h
14Nexen Winguard Sport 3	53.3 m	+7.00 m	47 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 26.3% (11.1 m ≈ 2.5 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Nexen Winguard Sport 3 would still be travelling at 47 km/h when the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

The summer reference was quickest on the wet handling course, with the Pirelli close behind and the Bridgestone and Falken sharing the next best speed. The Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 was the slowest tyre, the result behind its safety penalty, with the Dunlop and Nokian next. The all-season reference was faster than ten of the winter tyres.

Wet Handling
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	68.4 km/h	+0.40 km/h
1Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	68 km/h	Best
2Falken EUROWINTER HS02	67.8 km/h	-0.20 km/h
2Bridgestone Blizzak 6	67.8 km/h	-0.20 km/h
4Semperit Speed Grip 5	67.5 km/h	-0.50 km/h
RefReference All Season	67.4 km/h	-0.60 km/h
5Hankook Winter I cept RS3	67.2 km/h	-0.80 km/h
6Michelin Alpin 7	67.1 km/h	-0.90 km/h
7Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	67 km/h	-1.00 km/h
8Vredestein Wintrac	66.9 km/h	-1.10 km/h
9Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	66.6 km/h	-1.40 km/h
9Nexen Winguard Sport 3	66.6 km/h	-1.40 km/h
11Toyo Observe EWS1	66.5 km/h	-1.50 km/h
12Nokian Snowproof 2	66 km/h	-2.00 km/h
13Dunlop Winter	65.6 km/h	-2.40 km/h
14Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	64.8 km/h	-3.20 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 5.3% (3.6 Km/H).

On the wet circle the summer reference lapped fastest again, and the Bridgestone was the best of the winter tyres, ahead of the Goodyear and Falken. The Maxxis, Dunlop and Nexen were the slowest.

Wet Circle
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	15.4 s	-0.33 s
1Bridgestone Blizzak 6	15.73 s	Best
2Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	15.81 s	+0.08 s
3Falken EUROWINTER HS02	15.92 s	+0.19 s
RefReference All Season	15.99 s	+0.26 s
4Nokian Snowproof 2	16.02 s	+0.29 s
5Hankook Winter I cept RS3	16.05 s	+0.32 s
5Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	16.05 s	+0.32 s
7Semperit Speed Grip 5	16.06 s	+0.33 s
8Vredestein Wintrac	16.1 s	+0.37 s
9Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	16.21 s	+0.48 s
10Michelin Alpin 7	16.23 s	+0.50 s
10Toyo Observe EWS1	16.23 s	+0.50 s
12Nexen Winguard Sport 3	16.31 s	+0.58 s
13Dunlop Winter	16.34 s	+0.61 s
14Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	16.4 s	+0.67 s

The difference between best and worst was 6.5% (1 s).

The Pirelli resisted straight-line aquaplaning longest, ahead of the Hankook and Toyo, and 12 of the winter tyres held on longer than the summer reference. The Michelin Alpin 7 was the second weakest of the winter tyres, and the Nexen floated far earlier than anything else, behind even the all-season reference; this is the grade that sets the size of its safety penalty.

Straight Aqua
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	84.9 km/h	Best
2Hankook Winter I cept RS3	83.5 km/h	-1.40 km/h
3Toyo Observe EWS1	82.3 km/h	-2.60 km/h
4Semperit Speed Grip 5	81.2 km/h	-3.70 km/h
5Nokian Snowproof 2	80.6 km/h	-4.30 km/h
5Dunlop Winter	80.6 km/h	-4.30 km/h
7Bridgestone Blizzak 6	80.4 km/h	-4.50 km/h
8Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	80.3 km/h	-4.60 km/h
9Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	80.1 km/h	-4.80 km/h
10Falken EUROWINTER HS02	80 km/h	-4.90 km/h
11Vredestein Wintrac	79.6 km/h	-5.30 km/h
11Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	79.6 km/h	-5.30 km/h
RefReference Summer	78 km/h	-6.90 km/h
13Michelin Alpin 7	77.2 km/h	-7.70 km/h
RefReference All Season	74 km/h	-10.90 km/h
14Nexen Winguard Sport 3	69.2 km/h	-15.70 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 18.5% (15.7 Km/H).

The Hankook kept the most lateral grip in curved aquaplaning, with the Pirelli, Kumho and Toyo sharing second, all four ahead of the summer reference. The Nexen was last again, by a wide margin.

Curved Aquaplaning
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Hankook Winter I cept RS3	4 m/sec2	Best
2Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	3.7 m/sec2	-0.30 m/sec2
2Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	3.7 m/sec2	-0.30 m/sec2
2Toyo Observe EWS1	3.7 m/sec2	-0.30 m/sec2
RefReference Summer	3.6 m/sec2	-0.40 m/sec2
5Semperit Speed Grip 5	3.5 m/sec2	-0.50 m/sec2
6Nokian Snowproof 2	3.3 m/sec2	-0.70 m/sec2
7Bridgestone Blizzak 6	3.1 m/sec2	-0.90 m/sec2
8Falken EUROWINTER HS02	3 m/sec2	-1.00 m/sec2
8Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	3 m/sec2	-1.00 m/sec2
8Michelin Alpin 7	3 m/sec2	-1.00 m/sec2
11Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	2.9 m/sec2	-1.10 m/sec2
11Dunlop Winter	2.9 m/sec2	-1.10 m/sec2
RefReference All Season	2.8 m/sec2	-1.20 m/sec2
13Vredestein Wintrac	2.8 m/sec2	-1.20 m/sec2
14Nexen Winguard Sport 3	1.7 m/sec2	-2.30 m/sec2

The difference between best and worst was 57.5% (2.3 m/sec2).

Dry

On dry roads the summer reference stopped 6 metres shorter than the best winter tyre, the Goodyear, which was a clear metre ahead of the Falken. The all-season reference stopped shorter than the other 12 winter tyres. The Semperit and Nexen needed the most room. The Pirelli had the third-longest stop of the winter tyres, which is out of character for it: in its seven other tests on our site the Cinturato Winter 3 has been in the top four for dry braking every time, including second of nine in our own 2026/27 winter tyre test.

Dry Braking
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
RefReference Summer	34.9 m	-6.00 m	0 km/h
1Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	40.9 m	Best	0 km/h
2Falken EUROWINTER HS02	41.9 m	+1.00 m	20 km/h
RefReference All Season	42.7 m	+1.80 m	27 km/h
3Toyo Observe EWS1	42.8 m	+1.90 m	27 km/h
4Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	42.9 m	+2.00 m	28 km/h
5Bridgestone Blizzak 6	43 m	+2.10 m	29 km/h
6Dunlop Winter	43.2 m	+2.30 m	30 km/h
7Hankook Winter I cept RS3	43.3 m	+2.40 m	31 km/h
8Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	43.4 m	+2.50 m	31 km/h
9Nokian Snowproof 2	44 m	+3.10 m	35 km/h
10Michelin Alpin 7	44.3 m	+3.40 m	36 km/h
11Vredestein Wintrac	44.6 m	+3.70 m	37 km/h
12Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	44.7 m	+3.80 m	38 km/h
13Semperit Speed Grip 5	45.6 m	+4.70 m	42 km/h
14Nexen Winguard Sport 3	46.9 m	+6.00 m	46 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 34.4% (12 m ≈ 2.7 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Nexen Winguard Sport 3 would still be travelling at 46 km/h when the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

The summer reference was also fastest on the dry handling course, and the Pirelli was the quickest winter tyre, ahead of the Bridgestone and Vredestein. The all-season reference was faster than every other winter tyre. The Dunlop was the slowest, though the spread across the winter tyres was small.

Dry Handling
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
RefReference Summer	82.6 km/h	+0.70 km/h
1Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	81.9 km/h	Best
2Bridgestone Blizzak 6	81.7 km/h	-0.20 km/h
3Vredestein Wintrac	81.6 km/h	-0.30 km/h
RefReference All Season	81.5 km/h	-0.40 km/h
4Falken EUROWINTER HS02	81.3 km/h	-0.60 km/h
4Toyo Observe EWS1	81.3 km/h	-0.60 km/h
6Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	81.1 km/h	-0.80 km/h
6Michelin Alpin 7	81.1 km/h	-0.80 km/h
8Nokian Snowproof 2	81 km/h	-0.90 km/h
9Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	80.9 km/h	-1.00 km/h
10Hankook Winter I cept RS3	80.8 km/h	-1.10 km/h
10Nexen Winguard Sport 3	80.8 km/h	-1.10 km/h
12Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	80.6 km/h	-1.30 km/h
13Semperit Speed Grip 5	80.5 km/h	-1.40 km/h
14Dunlop Winter	80.4 km/h	-1.50 km/h

All the tyres in the Dry Handling test finished less than 3% apart.

Comfort

The Nexen was the quietest tyre in the pass-by noise test at 80 km/h, ahead of the Kumho and Pirelli, and the Toyo was the loudest, behind both reference tyres.

Noise
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Nexen Winguard Sport 3	68.8 dB	Best
2Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	69.9 dB	+1.10 dB
3Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	70.1 dB	+1.30 dB
4Vredestein Wintrac	70.3 dB	+1.50 dB
5Michelin Alpin 7	70.5 dB	+1.70 dB
6Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	71.1 dB	+2.30 dB
7Dunlop Winter	71.2 dB	+2.40 dB
8Falken EUROWINTER HS02	71.3 dB	+2.50 dB
9Semperit Speed Grip 5	71.8 dB	+3.00 dB
10Nokian Snowproof 2	71.9 dB	+3.10 dB
11Hankook Winter I cept RS3	72.3 dB	+3.50 dB
12Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	72.4 dB	+3.60 dB
13Bridgestone Blizzak 6	72.6 dB	+3.80 dB
RefReference Summer	72.7 dB	+3.90 dB
RefReference All Season	72.9 dB	+4.10 dB
14Toyo Observe EWS1	73.4 dB	+4.60 dB

The difference between best and worst was 6.7% (4.6 dB).

Ride comfort is the only score here that Auto Bild grades without a measured figure. The Bridgestone was rated the most comfortable, ahead of the Goodyear, Hankook and Michelin, and the Nexen the least comfortable.

Subj. Comfort
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak 6	9.6 Points	Best
2Hankook Winter I cept RS3	9.4 Points	-0.20 Points
2Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	9.4 Points	-0.20 Points
2Michelin Alpin 7	9.4 Points	-0.20 Points
5Vredestein Wintrac	9 Points	-0.60 Points
5Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	9 Points	-0.60 Points
5Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	9 Points	-0.60 Points
5Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	9 Points	-0.60 Points
9Semperit Speed Grip 5	8.8 Points	-0.80 Points
10Nokian Snowproof 2	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
10Dunlop Winter	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
10Toyo Observe EWS1	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
13Falken EUROWINTER HS02	8.4 Points	-1.20 Points
14Nexen Winguard Sport 3	7.8 Points	-1.80 Points

The difference between best and worst was 18.8% (1.8 Points).

Efficiency

The Michelin had the lowest rolling resistance, just ahead of the Nokian, while the Falken and Maxxis were well behind the rest. No rolling resistance figure is given for the reference tyres.

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tyre	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
1Michelin Alpin 7	7.94 kg/t	Best	£0
2Nokian Snowproof 2	7.98 kg/t	+0.04 kg/t	£2
3Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	8.34 kg/t	+0.40 kg/t	£22
4Nexen Winguard Sport 3	8.36 kg/t	+0.42 kg/t	£23
5Toyo Observe EWS1	8.46 kg/t	+0.52 kg/t	£29
6Vredestein Wintrac	8.5 kg/t	+0.56 kg/t	£31
7Semperit Speed Grip 5	8.59 kg/t	+0.65 kg/t	£36
8Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	8.62 kg/t	+0.68 kg/t	£38
9Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	8.64 kg/t	+0.70 kg/t	£39
10Hankook Winter I cept RS3	8.7 kg/t	+0.76 kg/t	£42
11Bridgestone Blizzak 6	8.74 kg/t	+0.80 kg/t	£44
12Dunlop Winter	8.77 kg/t	+0.83 kg/t	£46
13Falken EUROWINTER HS02	9.49 kg/t	+1.55 kg/t	£86
14Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	9.89 kg/t	+1.95 kg/t	£108

The difference between best and worst was 24.6% (1.95 kg / t). Over 19,000 km a year at £1.45/L, the Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 uses about 75 L (£108) more fuel than the Michelin Alpin 7.

Adjust the assumptions

Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.

Petrol/Diesel Electric

Annual Mileage

19,000 km

km (L)

miles (US gal)

Fuel Price

£1.45/L

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Set my vehicle consumption

Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tyre age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

Results

The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 wins with its wet results and dry handling, despite dry braking well below its usual standard. The four tyres sharing second place get there in different ways: the Kumho through its snow braking and traction and short stops on wet and dry roads, the Goodyear with the shortest dry braking, the Hankook with the best aquaplaning grip in corners, and the Bridgestone with its wet circle and handling results and the best comfort. The Dunlop Winter is the best tyre here for snow handling, but its wet and dry handling hold it back to a share of eighth. The Maxxis, Toyo and Nexen each carry a safety penalty, the Maxxis for its wet handling, the Toyo for its snow handling and the Nexen for its aquaplaning. For the full grades and Auto Bild's scoring, read the original test.

Auto Bild Test Winner / Exemplary Testsieger / vorbildlich

The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 is Auto Bild's test winner, alone in first place ahead of four tyres sharing second. It earned the win in the wet, where it led three of the five tests, and backed that up with the fastest dry handling of any winter tyre and a steady result on snow. The long dry braking is out of character for this tyre, which has been among the shortest stoppers on dry roads in its other tests.

Dry95.8%

Wet98.9%

Snow94.2%

Comfort96%

Rolling Resistance92.1%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	12^th / 14	44.7 m	+3.80 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 14	81.9 km/h	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	1^st / 14	46.3 m	Best in this discipline
Wet HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 14	68 km/h	Best in this discipline
Wet CircleLower is better	5^th / 14	16.05 s	+0.32 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	1^st / 14	84.9 km/h	Best in this discipline
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	2^nd / 14	3.7 m/sec2	-0.30 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	7^th / 14	24.7 m	+1.40 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	2^nd / 14	5377 N	-80.50 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	5^th / 14	61.1 km/h	-1.80 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	6^th / 14	3.77 m/sec2	-0.64 m/sec2
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	5^th / 14	9 Points	-0.60 Points
NoiseLower is better	3^rd / 14	70.1 dB	+1.30 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	8^th / 14	8.62 kg/t	+0.68 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/72
Price: 440.00

Auto Bild Exemplary vorbildlich

The Bridgestone Blizzak 6 shares second place with the Goodyear, Hankook and Kumho and earns Auto Bild's top verdict. Its strengths are handling on wet and dry roads, where it is among the best in the test, and the best ride comfort. Snow handling and the slalom are its weak spots, though it brakes and pulls away well on snow.

Dry97.4%

Wet97.1%

Snow93.2%

Comfort97.4%

Rolling Resistance90.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	5^th / 14	43 m	+2.10 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 14	81.7 km/h	-0.20 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	8^th / 14	47.8 m	+1.50 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 14	67.8 km/h	-0.20 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	1^st / 14	15.73 s	Best in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better	7^th / 14	80.4 km/h	-4.50 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	7^th / 14	3.1 m/sec2	-0.90 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 14	24 m	+0.70 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	3^rd / 14	5361.2 N	-96.30 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	12^th / 14	58.9 km/h	-4.00 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	11^th / 14	3.66 m/sec2	-0.75 m/sec2
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	1^st / 14	9.6 Points	Best in this discipline
NoiseLower is better	13^th / 14	72.6 dB	+3.80 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	11^th / 14	8.74 kg/t	+0.80 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/70
Price: 400.00

Auto Bild Exemplary vorbildlich

The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is one of four tyres sharing second place, rated exemplary. It is the dry braking specialist of the group and well balanced on snow, while its handling on dry roads and its wet results are more ordinary.

Dry99.2%

Wet96.5%

Snow94%

Comfort97.3%

Rolling Resistance95.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	1^st / 14	40.9 m	Best in this discipline
Dry HandlingHigher is better	12^th / 14	80.6 km/h	-1.30 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	6^th / 14	47.6 m	+1.30 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	7^th / 14	67 km/h	-1.00 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	2^nd / 14	15.81 s	+0.08 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	8^th / 14	80.3 km/h	-4.60 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	8^th / 14	3 m/sec2	-1.00 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	6^th / 14	24.3 m	+1.00 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	7^th / 14	5222.9 N	-234.60 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 14	61.8 km/h	-1.10 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	7^th / 14	3.76 m/sec2	-0.65 m/sec2
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	2^nd / 14	9.4 Points	-0.20 Points
NoiseLower is better	6^th / 14	71.1 dB	+2.30 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	3^rd / 14	8.34 kg/t	+0.40 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/70
Price: 410.00

Auto Bild Exemplary vorbildlich

The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 shares second place and is rated exemplary, at a lower price than the Bridgestone and Goodyear it shares that place with. It is the aquaplaning specialist of the test and solid on snow, with its dry handling the weakest part of its result.

Dry96.6%

Wet98.3%

Snow94.4%

Comfort96.5%

Rolling Resistance91.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	7^th / 14	43.3 m	+2.40 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	10^th / 14	80.8 km/h	-1.10 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	5^th / 14	47.4 m	+1.10 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	5^th / 14	67.2 km/h	-0.80 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	5^th / 14	16.05 s	+0.32 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	2^nd / 14	83.5 km/h	-1.40 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	1^st / 14	4 m/sec2	Best in this discipline
Snow BrakingLower is better	5^th / 14	24.1 m	+0.80 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	3^rd / 14	5361.2 N	-96.30 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	8^th / 14	59.6 km/h	-3.30 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	3^rd / 14	3.84 m/sec2	-0.57 m/sec2
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	2^nd / 14	9.4 Points	-0.20 Points
NoiseLower is better	11^th / 14	72.3 dB	+3.50 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	10^th / 14	8.7 kg/t	+0.76 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/72
Price: 340.00

Auto Bild Exemplary vorbildlich

The Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ shares second place and is rated exemplary, with the best snow results of the top group and the shortest snow stop of any tyre. Strong braking on snow, wet and dry roads and a low price make it one of the standout tyres of this test.

Dry97.1%

Wet97.4%

Snow96.9%

Comfort96.1%

Rolling Resistance91.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	4^th / 14	42.9 m	+2.00 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	9^th / 14	80.9 km/h	-1.00 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 14	46.7 m	+0.40 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	9^th / 14	66.6 km/h	-1.40 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	9^th / 14	16.21 s	+0.48 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	11^th / 14	79.6 km/h	-5.30 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	2^nd / 14	3.7 m/sec2	-0.30 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	1^st / 14	23.3 m	Best in this discipline
Snow TractionHigher is better	1^st / 14	5457.5 N	Best in this discipline
Snow HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 14	61.9 km/h	-1.00 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	2^nd / 14	3.89 m/sec2	-0.52 m/sec2
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	5^th / 14	9 Points	-0.60 Points
NoiseLower is better	2^nd / 14	69.9 dB	+1.10 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	9^th / 14	8.64 kg/t	+0.70 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/72
Price: 310.00

Auto Bild Good gut

The Falken Eurowinter HS02 shares sixth place with the Vredestein and is rated good. It is a strong braker on wet and dry roads and quick in the wet handling tests, but its snow results are the weaker part of its performance.

Dry98.4%

Wet97.1%

Snow91.8%

Comfort92%

Rolling Resistance83.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	2^nd / 14	41.9 m	+1.00 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	4^th / 14	81.3 km/h	-0.60 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 14	46.9 m	+0.60 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 14	67.8 km/h	-0.20 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	3^rd / 14	15.92 s	+0.19 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	10^th / 14	80 km/h	-4.90 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	8^th / 14	3 m/sec2	-1.00 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	11^th / 14	25.2 m	+1.90 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	10^th / 14	5121 N	-336.50 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	9^th / 14	59.3 km/h	-3.60 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	5^th / 14	3.78 m/sec2	-0.63 m/sec2
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	13^th / 14	8.4 Points	-1.20 Points
NoiseLower is better	8^th / 14	71.3 dB	+2.50 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	13^th / 14	9.49 kg/t	+1.55 kg/t

EU Label: D/B/69
Price: 350.00

Auto Bild Good gut

The Vredestein Wintrac shares sixth place and is rated good. It is a balanced tyre with good handling on snow and dry roads and strong wet braking, held back by its dry braking and its aquaplaning results.

Dry95.7%

Wet95.8%

Snow93.3%

Comfort95.8%

Rolling Resistance93.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	11^th / 14	44.6 m	+3.70 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 14	81.6 km/h	-0.30 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	4^th / 14	47.2 m	+0.90 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	8^th / 14	66.9 km/h	-1.10 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	8^th / 14	16.1 s	+0.37 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	11^th / 14	79.6 km/h	-5.30 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	13^th / 14	2.8 m/sec2	-1.20 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	9^th / 14	24.9 m	+1.60 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	6^th / 14	5253 N	-204.50 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	4^th / 14	61.3 km/h	-1.60 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	9^th / 14	3.74 m/sec2	-0.67 m/sec2
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	5^th / 14	9 Points	-0.60 Points
NoiseLower is better	4^th / 14	70.3 dB	+1.50 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	6^th / 14	8.5 kg/t	+0.56 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/70
Price: 340.00

Auto Bild Good gut

The Dunlop Winter shares eighth place with the Michelin and Semperit and is rated good. It is the best tyre in the test for snow handling, but its handling and braking in the wet and its dry handling keep it out of the top group.

Dry96.4%

Wet93.9%

Snow98.7%

Comfort93.1%

Rolling Resistance90.5%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	6^th / 14	43.2 m	+2.30 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	14^th / 14	80.4 km/h	-1.50 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	11^th / 14	49.3 m	+3.00 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	13^th / 14	65.6 km/h	-2.40 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	13^th / 14	16.34 s	+0.61 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	5^th / 14	80.6 km/h	-4.30 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	11^th / 14	2.9 m/sec2	-1.10 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 14	24 m	+0.70 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	5^th / 14	5329.8 N	-127.70 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 14	62.9 km/h	Best in this discipline
Snow SlalomHigher is better	1^st / 14	4.41 m/sec2	Best in this discipline
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	10^th / 14	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	7^th / 14	71.2 dB	+2.40 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	12^th / 14	8.77 kg/t	+0.83 kg/t

EU Label: C/C/71
Price: 330.00

Auto Bild Good gut

The Michelin Alpin 7 shares eighth place and is rated good. It is the most efficient tyre here and comfortable, with mid-field snow results, but its aquaplaning resistance and its braking on wet and dry roads are the weaker areas, and it is the dearest set.

Dry95.7%

Wet94.9%

Snow92.7%

Comfort97.8%

Rolling Resistance100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	10^th / 14	44.3 m	+3.40 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 14	81.1 km/h	-0.80 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	10^th / 14	48.7 m	+2.40 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 14	67.1 km/h	-0.90 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	10^th / 14	16.23 s	+0.50 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	13^th / 14	77.2 km/h	-7.70 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	8^th / 14	3 m/sec2	-1.00 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	9^th / 14	24.9 m	+1.60 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	9^th / 14	5208 N	-249.50 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	7^th / 14	59.7 km/h	-3.20 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	4^th / 14	3.8 m/sec2	-0.61 m/sec2
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	2^nd / 14	9.4 Points	-0.20 Points
NoiseLower is better	5^th / 14	70.5 dB	+1.70 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	1^st / 14	7.94 kg/t	Best in this discipline

EU Label: C/B/71
Price: 470.00

Auto Bild Good gut

The Semperit Speed-Grip 5 shares eighth place and is rated good. Its strengths are in the wet, particularly aquaplaning and wet handling, while its dry results and its snow traction are near the bottom of the field.

Dry94%

Wet97.2%

Snow91.2%

Comfort93.7%

Rolling Resistance92.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	13^th / 14	45.6 m	+4.70 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	13^th / 14	80.5 km/h	-1.40 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	6^th / 14	47.6 m	+1.30 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	4^th / 14	67.5 km/h	-0.50 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	7^th / 14	16.06 s	+0.33 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	4^th / 14	81.2 km/h	-3.70 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	5^th / 14	3.5 m/sec2	-0.50 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	11^th / 14	25.2 m	+1.90 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	13^th / 14	5091.6 N	-365.90 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	10^th / 14	59.1 km/h	-3.80 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	10^th / 14	3.71 m/sec2	-0.70 m/sec2
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	9^th / 14	8.8 Points	-0.80 Points
NoiseLower is better	9^th / 14	71.8 dB	+3.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	7^th / 14	8.59 kg/t	+0.65 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/72
Price: 340.00

Auto Bild Good gut

The Nokian Snowproof 2 finishes 11th and is rated good. It is efficient and decent in some of the wet tests, but its wet braking and handling and its snow results sit in the lower part of the field.

Dry95.9%

Wet94.6%

Snow90.8%

Comfort92.6%

Rolling Resistance99.5%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	9^th / 14	44 m	+3.10 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	8^th / 14	81 km/h	-0.90 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	12^th / 14	50.5 m	+4.20 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	12^th / 14	66 km/h	-2.00 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	4^th / 14	16.02 s	+0.29 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	5^th / 14	80.6 km/h	-4.30 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	6^th / 14	3.3 m/sec2	-0.70 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	11^th / 14	25.2 m	+1.90 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	11^th / 14	5120.2 N	-337.30 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	11^th / 14	59 km/h	-3.90 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	13^th / 14	3.61 m/sec2	-0.80 m/sec2
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	10^th / 14	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	10^th / 14	71.9 dB	+3.10 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	2^nd / 14	7.98 kg/t	+0.04 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/69
Price: 340.00

Auto Bild Good gut

The Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 shares 12th place with the Toyo and is rated good, but a safety penalty for its wet handling pulls its overall grade well down. It stops well on snow and is the cheapest set here, but its wet handling and braking are among the weakest in the test.

Dry96.6%

Wet92.7%

Snow90.8%

Comfort94.4%

Rolling Resistance80.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	8^th / 14	43.4 m	+2.50 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 14	81.1 km/h	-0.80 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	13^th / 14	50.7 m	+4.40 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	14^th / 14	64.8 km/h	-3.20 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	14^th / 14	16.4 s	+0.67 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	9^th / 14	80.1 km/h	-4.80 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	11^th / 14	2.9 m/sec2	-1.10 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 14	24 m	+0.70 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	12^th / 14	5105.9 N	-351.60 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	13^th / 14	57 km/h	-5.90 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	14^th / 14	3.59 m/sec2	-0.82 m/sec2
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	5^th / 14	9 Points	-0.60 Points
NoiseLower is better	12^th / 14	72.4 dB	+3.60 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	14^th / 14	9.89 kg/t	+1.95 kg/t

EU Label: D/B/70
Price: 260.00

Auto Bild Good gut

The Toyo Observe EWS1 shares 12th place and is rated good, with a safety penalty for its snow handling. It is good at resisting aquaplaning and brakes well on dry roads, but on snow it falls behind the all-season reference, in line with its other recent winter tests.

Dry97.4%

Wet96.7%

Snow85.6%

Comfort91.7%

Rolling Resistance93.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	3^rd / 14	42.8 m	+1.90 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	4^th / 14	81.3 km/h	-0.60 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	9^th / 14	48 m	+1.70 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	11^th / 14	66.5 km/h	-1.50 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	10^th / 14	16.23 s	+0.50 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	3^rd / 14	82.3 km/h	-2.60 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	2^nd / 14	3.7 m/sec2	-0.30 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	14^th / 14	27.1 m	+3.80 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	14^th / 14	4860.8 N	-596.70 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	14^th / 14	53.3 km/h	-9.60 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	12^th / 14	3.62 m/sec2	-0.79 m/sec2
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	10^th / 14	8.6 Points	-1.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	14^th / 14	73.4 dB	+4.60 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	5^th / 14	8.46 kg/t	+0.52 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/72
Price: 330.00

The Nexen Winguard Sport 3 finishes last and is the only tyre rated satisfactory. It is quiet and reasonable on snow, but its braking on wet and dry roads and its resistance to aquaplaning are the weakest in the test.

Dry92.9%

Wet89.3%

Snow92.8%

Comfort90.6%

Rolling Resistance95%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	14^th / 14	46.9 m	+6.00 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	10^th / 14	80.8 km/h	-1.10 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	14^th / 14	53.3 m	+7.00 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	9^th / 14	66.6 km/h	-1.40 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	12^th / 14	16.31 s	+0.58 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	14^th / 14	69.2 km/h	-15.70 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	14^th / 14	1.7 m/sec2	-2.30 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	8^th / 14	24.8 m	+1.50 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	8^th / 14	5222 N	-235.50 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 14	60.1 km/h	-2.80 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	8^th / 14	3.75 m/sec2	-0.66 m/sec2
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	14^th / 14	7.8 Points	-1.80 Points
NoiseLower is better	1^st / 14	68.8 dB	Best in this discipline
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	4^th / 14	8.36 kg/t	+0.42 kg/t

EU Label: C/B/72
Price: 330.00

The summer reference runs outside the classification. It shows what a winter tyre gives up on wet and dry roads, and how poorly a summer tyre copes once there is snow.

All discipline results (11)

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	34.9 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	82.6 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	42.2 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	68.4 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	15.4 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	78 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	3.6 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	57.2 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	2062 N
Snow SlalomHigher is better	2.19 m/sec2
NoiseLower is better	72.7 dB

The all-season reference runs outside the classification. On snow it falls short of almost every winter tyre, but on wet and dry roads it holds its own against much of 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	42.7 m
Dry HandlingHigher is better	81.5 km/h
Wet BrakingLower is better	49.7 m
Wet HandlingHigher is better	67.4 km/h
Wet CircleLower is better	15.99 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	74 km/h
Curved AquaplaningHigher is better	2.8 m/sec2
Snow BrakingLower is better	26.1 m
Snow TractionHigher is better	4926.5 N
Snow HandlingHigher is better	56.4 km/h
Snow SlalomHigher is better	3.34 m/sec2
NoiseLower is better	72.9 dB

Tyre	Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3	Bridgestone Blizzak 6	Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3	Hankook Winter I cept RS3	Kumho WinterCraft WP52+	Falken EUROWINTER HS02	Vredestein Wintrac	Dunlop Winter	Michelin Alpin 7	Semperit Speed Grip 5	Nokian Snowproof 2	Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6	Toyo Observe EWS1	Nexen Winguard Sport 3
Position	1^st	Joint 2^nd	Joint 2^nd	Joint 2^nd	Joint 2^nd	Joint 6^th	Joint 6^th	Joint 8^th	Joint 8^th	Joint 8^th	11^th	Joint 12^th	Joint 12^th	14^th
Category scores (% of best)
Dry	95.8%	97.4%	99.2%	96.6%	97.1%	98.4%	95.7%	96.4%	95.7%	94%	95.9%	96.6%	97.4%	92.9%
Wet	98.9%	97.1%	96.5%	98.3%	97.4%	97.1%	95.8%	93.9%	94.9%	97.2%	94.6%	92.7%	96.7%	89.3%
Snow	94.2%	93.2%	94%	94.4%	96.9%	91.8%	93.3%	98.7%	92.7%	91.2%	90.8%	90.8%	85.6%	92.8%
Comfort	96%	97.4%	97.3%	96.5%	96.1%	92%	95.8%	93.1%	97.8%	93.7%	92.6%	94.4%	91.7%	90.6%
Rolling Resistance	92.1%	90.9%	95.2%	91.3%	91.9%	83.7%	93.4%	90.5%	100%	92.4%	99.5%	80.3%	93.9%	95%
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The evidence behind the verdict

Test setup & methodology

Recorded test conditions

Snow

Wet

Dry

Comfort

Efficiency

Results

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