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Leao Winter Defender UHP

Ultra High Performance Winter Winter rated Tested by Tyre Reviews · 2

The Leao Winter Defender UHP is a low-priced winter tyre with occasional dry braking and rolling-resistance advantages. Repeatedly weak wet braking and handling, below-par snow grip and comfort compromises make its overall test record poor.

The quick answer

Owners say No owner reviews yet. Review this tyre
Tests say 19th average finish across 4 independent tests Latest: P12 of 12 · 2026 See every test
Strengths & weaknesses Value, Dry Comfort, Snow Relative to its rivals across every test we hold

Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tyre - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated October 2026.

  • 4professional tests
  • 38sizes available
Leao Winter Defender UHP 3 photos

Tyre Reviews Score

Leao Winter Defender UHP

3.2/10

Better than 11% of winter tyres

  • Medium Confidence
  • 4 tests
Scores of the 278 winter tyres we have tested

How this score is built

Better than Weight
Independent tests4 tests · 3 publications · 2023-2026 11% 100%
Owner reviewsNo owner reviews yet – 0%
Combined 11% 3.2

A fixed curve turns the combined figure into the 0 to 10 score, so roughly the top 10% of a group score 9 or more.

Category by category

How it compares with other winter tyres in each area, and how much each area counts. 50 is the middle of the group.

Category Better than Weight Tests
WetBraking, handling and aquaplaning in the wet 24% 30% 4
SnowBraking, traction and handling on snow 15% 23% 3
IceBraking, traction and handling on ice Not tested, counted as average 18% –
DryBraking and handling on dry roads 26% 17% 3
ValueWear, efficiency and cost 47% 6% 3
ComfortNoise and ride comfort 21% 5% 3

By discipline

The same results grouped by what the tyre was doing. They are not counted a second time.

BrakingEvery braking test, on any surface 27% 4
TractionEvery traction test, on any surface 18% 3
HandlingEvery handling test, on any surface 6% 3

Confidence

  1. Limited
  2. Medium
  3. High

Its own test results decide 86% of the test figure. The other 14% is the average for its group, and it shrinks as more tests arrive.

High needs at least 3 tests, with its own results deciding 90% or more. Medium needs 2 tests and 70%. Anything less is Limited: expect the number to move as tests arrive.

The tests behind it

  1. 2026 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild Sportscars · 225/45 R18 P12 / 12
  2. 2026 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 Sets Auto Bild · 245/45 R19 P44 / 50
  3. 2023 2023 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test Tyre Reviews · 235/60 R18 P9 / 9
  4. 2023 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test Tyre Reviews · 225/45 R18 P11 / 11
All Tests
View Test Results

Tested 4 times by independent publications, the Leao Winter Defender UHP averages a finish of 19th.

4 Tests
0 Test Wins
19th Average
9th Best
44th Worst
Finishing position in each test1stLast20232026

Finishing position in each test

The latest test

2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test P12 of 12

The Leao Winter Defender UHP finished last and was rated sufficient, and Auto Bild advises against it. The price saving does not make up for how poorly it stops and handles in the wet.

Weak: Dry Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Handling, Snow Traction, Subj. Comfort Winner: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

YearTestResultAward
20262026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre TestAuto Bild Sportscars · 225/45 R18P12 / 12
20262026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 SetsAuto Bild · 245/45 R19P44 / 50
20232023 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre TestTyre Reviews · 235/60 R18P9 / 9Tested by Tyre Reviews
20232023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre TestTyre Reviews · 225/45 R18P11 / 11Tested by Tyre Reviews

On the full record: Record by disciplineHead-to-head recordEvery published verdict

Videos

The Best SUV Winter Tire? Nokian, Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone, Pirelli & More Tested!

The Best SUV Winter Tire? Nokian, Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone, Pirelli & More Tested!

Best 11 Winter Tires for 2023/24 - Tested and Rated

Best 11 Winter Tires for 2023/24 - Tested and Rated

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Rim Protection
None

No rim protector. The sidewall sits flush with the wheel, so a kerb strike goes straight into the rim.

Assessed by eye on the tyres we tested, in the sizes listed. No manufacturer publishes rim protection as a specification, so treat this as a guide rather than a measurement.
Dimensions & Label Scores
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Size Range38 sizes available

185-315Width35-60Profile15-20Rim82-111 H-VLoad/Speed Index2014First On Market

EU LabelAcross 38 sizes - the grade depends on the size you buy.

Noise

71-75dB

3PMSF on every size

Popular sizes185/55 R15195/50 R15195/55 R15195/55 R16225/60 R16225/55 R16
Frequently Asked Questions
How good is the Leao Winter Defender UHP in the wet?
Across the 4 wet-braking tests it has featured in, the Leao Winter Defender UHP stops 22.6% longer than premium rivals, 14.9% longer than mid-range rivals and 22.3% longer than budget rivals. It has a Tyre Reviews wet score of 24/100.
How good is the Leao Winter Defender UHP in the dry?
Across the 3 dry-braking tests it has featured in, the Leao Winter Defender UHP stops 2.7% longer than premium rivals, 0.1% shorter than mid-range rivals and 20.9% longer than budget rivals. It has a Tyre Reviews dry score of 26/100.
How good is the Leao Winter Defender UHP in the snow?
Across the 3 snow-braking tests it has featured in, the Leao Winter Defender UHP stops 5.4% longer than premium rivals and 6.4% longer than mid-range rivals. Across the 3 snow-traction tests, it is 4.9% worse than premium rivals and 6.8% worse than mid-range rivals. It has a Tyre Reviews snow score of 15/100.
How fuel efficient is the Leao Winter Defender UHP?
Across the 3 tests measuring rolling resistance, the Leao Winter Defender UHP's rolling resistance is 2.5% higher than premium rivals, 1.6% lower than mid-range rivals and 3.6% higher than budget rivals.
What is the Leao Winter Defender UHP's EU tyre label rating?
Across its range, the Leao Winter Defender UHP most commonly carries EU label ratings of D for fuel efficiency, C for wet grip and 72 dB for noise.
More questions about the Leao Winter Defender UHP (2)
Does the Leao Winter Defender UHP have a rim protector?
No. The Leao Winter Defender UHP has no rim protector: the sidewall sits flush with the wheel, so a kerb strike goes straight into the rim. Measured in 225/45 R18. No manufacturer publishes rim protection as a specification; this is assessed by eye when the tyres are mounted for our own testing. 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test
What sizes does the Leao Winter Defender UHP come in?
The Leao Winter Defender UHP is available in 38 sizes, ranging from 185-315/35-60 R15-20.
Owner Questions
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