Nokian WR D3 - Test Results

Test Statistics

32

Tests Completed

6^th

Average Position

1^st

Best Result

17^th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Nokian WR D3 - Official Image

The Nokian WR D3 delivers consistently strong winter performance with notable strengths on snow and dry roads, punctuated by multiple podiums and an outright win. Across 30 winter tests it averages 5.9th, frequently finishing top 3-5 in broader European magazine tests, and often praised for snow traction and dry handling/braking. Wet performance is more variable, occasionally limiting overall results, and there are a few mid-pack and lower-mid outcomes in larger comparison fields.
Overall, the WR D3 shows a balanced, winter-focused tuning: excellent snow capability and confident dry-road behavior, with efficiency in larger braking overviews, but with periodic wet compromises that depress some standings. Awards and repeated podiums support a positive aggregate standing.

Performance Strengths

Snow Performance Strong Details
• Best performance on snow in 2012 Auto Zeitung (2/8 overall)
• 2011 Sport Auto: leading snow performance noted (1/5 overall)
• 2013 ADAC 185/60 R15: 5/17 with ADAC noting strong winter traits
• 2015 ADAC 205/55 R16: 4/19 in a snow-weighted test set
Dry Braking and Handling Strong Details
• 2013 AMS Sports: convincingly winning dry braking and handling (4/8 overall)
• 2013 Auto Bild Top 15: continued dry road dominance (5/15 overall)
• 2011 Sport Auto: best dry handling on test (1/5 overall)
• 2014 Auto Bild 225/50 R17: 4/16 overall in a balanced matrix including strong dry
Overall Consistency/Awards Strong Details
• 2011 Sport Auto overall victory (1/5)
• 2014 Auto Express: 2/10 overall
• 2014 AZ: 3/11 overall
• 2015 Auto Express: 3/8 overall
• 2015 ADAC 205/55 R16: 4/19 overall
Performance in Large-Field Braking Overviews Moderate Details
• 2014 Auto Bild 50 Tyre Braking Overview: 7/48
• 2013 Auto Bild Braking Overview: 12/50
• 2012 Auto Bild 42 Tyre Braking: 13/43

Performance Weaknesses

Wet Performance Moderate Details
• 2011 Sport Auto: drops points in wet despite overall win
• 2014 AMS: 6/10 overall with wet sensitivity implied
• 2015 Auto Bild Top 18: 10/18 overall in wet/snow blended focus
SUV/4x4 Application Minor Details
• 2013 Auto Bild SUV 215/65 R16: 7/10 overall
• 2013 Auto Bild Sports 225/50 R17: 6/9 overall
Result Variability in Mixed Conditions Moderate Details
• 2011 ACE 205/55 R16: 6/8 overall
• 2011 Auto Bild 225/45 R17: 8/12 overall
• 2012 Auto Bild Top 15: 9/15 overall

Performance Over Time

Test History

3

of 8

2015 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test

2015
Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1

Good on snow, not as good as the best in the wet and dry

10

of 18

2015 Auto Bild Top 18 Winter Tyre Test

2015
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

4

of 19

2015 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 205/55 R16

2015
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

17

of 51

2015 Winter Tyre Market Overview

2015
Winner: Dunlop Winter Response 2

2

of 10

2014 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test

2014
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

Top performer on snow and in dry conditions in the cold, but not the cheapest to run

3

of 11

2014 AZ Winter Tyre Test

2014
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

The strengths of the Nokian WR D3 show up on wet and dry surfaces

6

of 10

2014 AMS Winter Tyre Test

2014
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

4

of 16

2014 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test

2014
Winner: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D

7

of 48

2014 50 Winter Tyre Braking Overview

2014
Winner: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

2

of 8

2013 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test

2013
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

A very balance result ensures the Finnish winter pro Nokian WR D3 second place in this test

7

of 10

2013 Auto Bild SUV / 4x4 Winter Tyre Test

2013
Winner: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D

3

of 9

2013 Winter Tyre Buying Guide

2013
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

5

of 15

2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tyre Shootout

2013
Winner: Michelin Alpin A4

Recommended

6

of 9

2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test

2013
Winner: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

12

of 50

2013 Winter Tyre Overview - Braking

2013
Winner: Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3

4

of 8

2013 AMS Sports Winter Tyre Test

2013
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

Particularly recommended

5

of 17

2013 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/60 R15

2013
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

Good

6

of 15

2013 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/45 R17

2013
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

Satisfactory

5

of 9

2013 ACE Winter Tyre Test

2013
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

Recommended

6

of 9

2012 EVO Winter Tyre Test

2012
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

9

of 15

2012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tyre Test

2012
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

Recommended

4

of 8

2012 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test

2012
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

3

of 3

2012 Winter Tyre Buying Guide

2012
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

5

of 16

2012 European Tyre Test - 205/55 R16

2012
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

2

of 8

2012 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test

2012
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

With the top snow performance, the Nokian secures second overall

13

of 43

2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tyre Braking Test

2012
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

4

of 14

2011 AMS Winter Tyre Test

2011
Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip 8

1

of 5

2011 Sport Auto Performance Winter Tyre Test

2011

The Finnish brand Nokian clearly show their snow expertise by winning the snow and dry tests, combining two key qualities of a winter tyres. When wet, the D3 score slightly weakens due to poor "on ...

7

of 14

2011 European Winter Tyre Test - 195/65 R15

2011
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS830

Good on snow, best on dry roads

8

of 12

2011 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test

2011
Winner: Michelin Alpin A4

6

of 8

2011 ACE Winter Tyre Test

2011
Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip 8

As with most Nokians aimed at the European market, the Nokian WR D3 scores well in the wet and dry tests but is a little let down by its snow handling. Top marks in subjective dry handling indicate...

3

of 14

2011 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test

2011
Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip 8

Excellent handling on snow and good overall handling characteristics leave the Nokian WR D3 in a strong 3rd.