Test Charts / Auto Bild

2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test

Compare each discipline in the tested size. See the measured result, position and gap to the best tyre, then read the verdict for the trade-offs behind the finishing order.

Tested size: 205/55 R16
Tyres tested: 14
Disciplines: 14
Test vehicle: VW Golf

Dry

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.

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.

Wet

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.

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).

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).

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).

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).

Snow

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.

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).

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).

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).

Comfort

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).

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).

Value

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. These calculators use the full test field, independently of your tyre selection above.

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.