Nokian WR A4 Test Results
Tested 6 times by independent publications, the Nokian WR A4 averages a finish of 9th. Its strongest discipline is Snow Braking, beating 39% of the field across 5 tests; its weakest is Wet Braking, at 33% across 5 tests.
- 6Independent tests
- 0Test wins
- 0Podium finishes
- 9thAverage finish
- 35%Field beaten on average
- 5Publications
6 tests, 2017 to 2020
- Test win
- Second
- Third
- Average 35%
Record by discipline
Where the Nokian WR A4 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tyres. Field beaten is the share of the other tyres it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 4 | P5.3 of 13.3 | 71% | 1 |
| Dry Handling | 4 | P5.5 of 13.3 | 67% | 1 |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking Weak | 5 | P10.6 of 20.4 | 33% | - |
| Wet Handling | 4 | P11 of 13.3 | 15% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 3 | P13.7 of 14.3 | 3% | - |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking Strong | 5 | P11 of 16.6 | 39% | - |
| Snow Traction | 1 | P11 of 21 | 50% | - |
| Snow Handling | 4 | P10.3 of 13 | 26% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Noise | 3 | P7 of 14.3 | 52% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Wear | 1 | P17 of 20 | 16% | - |
| Value | 1 | P13 of 20 | 37% | - |
| Rolling Resistance | 3 | P2 of 14 | 93% | 1 |
Head-to-head record
Overall finishing position against the tyres that have most often shared a test with the Nokian WR A4. Only tyres tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 50% | |
| 4 | 0 | 4 | - | 0% | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% | |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 50% | |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | - | 33% | |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | - | 33% | |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% | |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% | |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% | |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% | |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
Against its own line
The same record for the tyre it replaced and the tyre that replaced it.
| Tyre | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nokian WR A3 Predecessor | 7 | 0 | 4th | 37% |
| Nokian WR A4 This tyre | 6 | 0 | 9th | 35% |
| Nokian Snowproof P Successor | 7 | 0 | 10th | 39% |
Performance Analysis
Drawn from 6 tests. Updated October 29, 2026.
The Nokian WR A4 combines consistently low rolling resistance with recurring wet-weather weaknesses in winter tests. Rolling resistance was first of ten in the 2017 AMS test, second in the 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test and third of 20 in the 2020 Auto Bild full test. Wet handling, braking and aquaplaning resistance repeatedly drew criticism. AMS placed wet handling and aquaplaning last in 2017; the 2019 Sportscars test placed wet braking and aquaplaning last. The 2020 full test again criticised wet grip and finished it 16th of 20 overall.
The two 2017 performance tests were unusually strong in the dry beside the later results: AMS ranked dry braking and handling first, and Sport Auto ranked both second. Later dry results were nearer midfield or weaker. Snow performance is mixed despite favourable comments: Sport Auto placed snow braking fourth of ten in 2017, while AMS unusually placed it last that year. Snow handling was weak in three comparisons, including 19th of 21 in 2020 despite that test's snow praise. Sport Auto gave Conditionally recommended and AMS Recommended with restrictions in 2017; ACE recommended it after fifth of eight. Noise also varied, so its quieter results do not establish a consistent refinement advantage.
Performance Strengths
-
Rolling resistance
Strong
in 1 of 4 tests
Details
- First of ten, 2017 AMS test
- Second in 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test and third of 20 in 2020 Auto Bild full test
very low rolling resistance
- 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test (2017)
-
Dry braking
Minor
Details
- First of ten, 2017 AMS test, and second of ten, 2017 Sport Auto test
- Nearer midfield in 2019 and 2020 Auto Bild tests, making the 2017 strength unusual
-
Dry handling
Minor
Details
- First of ten, 2017 AMS test, and second of ten, 2017 Sport Auto test
- Tenth of 12 in 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test, contrasting with the unusually strong 2017 results
-
Snow traction
Strong
in 2 of 4 tests
Details
Good snow qualities, good value
- 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test (2020)Balance snow performance
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (2019)
-
Dry grip
Strong
in 2 of 4 tests
Details
Excellent grip on dry surfaces
- 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test (2017)Very good in the dry with good grip and precise steering
- 2017 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test (2017)
Performance Weaknesses
-
Wet handling
Strong
in 3 of 4 tests
Details
- Tenth of ten and unstable behaviour criticised, 2017 AMS test
- Eighth of ten with oversteer criticised, 2017 Sport Auto test
- Eleventh of 12, 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test
understeer in the dry and wet
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (2019)Unstable in the wet with high levels of oversteer
- 2017 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test (2017)- 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test (2017)
-
Wet braking
Strong
in 2 of 4 tests
Details
- Ninth of ten, 11.5% longer than best, 2017 AMS test
- Twelfth of 12, 19.9% longer than best, 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test
- Twelfth of 21, 14.2% longer than best, 2020 Auto Bild full test
long wet braking
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (2019)long braking distance on wet surfaces
- 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test (2017)
-
Aquaplaning resistance
Strong
in 1 of 4 tests
Details
- Tenth of ten, 2017 AMS test
- Twelfth of 12, 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test
- Nineteenth of 21, 2020 Auto Bild full test
low aquaplaning resistance
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (2019)
-
Snow handling
Moderate
in 1 of 4 tests
Details
- Ninth of ten with understeer criticised, 2017 AMS test
- Eighth of ten, 2017 Sport Auto test
- Nineteenth of 21 in 2020 Auto Bild full test, despite favourable snow comments
Low lateral stability and understeer on snow
- 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test (2017)
-
Wet grip
Strong
in 3 of 4 tests
Details
Low levels of grip in the wet
- 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test (2020)Low wet grip
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (2019)Weak grip, unstable behavior and a long braking distance on wet surfaces
- 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test (2017)
-
Behaviour at the limit
Strong
in 2 of 4 tests
Details
understeer in the dry and wet
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (2019)Unstable in the wet with high levels of oversteer
- 2017 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test (2017)
Do owners agree with the tests?
Every tester write-up on the Nokian WR A4 (4 tests) and 21 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Where owners and testers agree
- Snow traction strength in 2 of 4 tests 8 praise, 1 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
- Dry grip strength in 2 of 4 tests 6 praise, 0 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
- Road noise strength in 1 of 4 tests 4 praise, 1 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
Where they disagree
- Wet grip weakness in 3 of 4 tests 7 praise, 0 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
- Wet handling weakness in 3 of 4 tests 4 praise, 0 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
- Behaviour at the limit weakness in 2 of 4 tests 3 praise, 1 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
- Snow handling weakness in 1 of 4 tests 4 praise, 1 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
- Dry handling weakness in 1 of 4 tests 4 praise, 0 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
Raised by owners, not by any test of this tyre
- High-speed stability no test mentions it 3 praise, 1 criticise of 21 reviews · Read those reviews
Every test, newest first 6
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
2017 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test
Conditionally recommended
2017 235/55 R17 SUV Winter Tyre Test
Recommended.
2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test
Recommended with restrictions
Back to the Nokian WR A4 overview
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