2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test
The Semperit Speed-Grip 5 shares 12th place with a 'good' verdict. Good aquaplaning resistance is offset by long dry braking and modest wet grip.
Tested 15 times by independent publications, the Semperit Speed Grip 5 has taken 1 test wins with an average finish of 10th. Its strongest discipline is Straight Aqua, beating 79% of the field across 9 tests; its weakest is Snow Traction, at 28% across 9 tests.
2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test P12 of 20
The Semperit Speed-Grip 5 shares 12th place with a 'good' verdict. Good aquaplaning resistance is offset by long dry braking and modest wet grip.
Where the Semperit Speed Grip 5 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 | 9 | P13.4 of 20.2 | 37% | - |
| Dry Handling | 6 | P8.2 of 20.2 | 65% | - |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 1 | P2 of 9 | 88% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 14 | P11.4 of 32.1 | 57% | - |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 2 | P7.5 of 23.5 | 67% | - |
| Wet Handling | 6 | P14.5 of 20 | 28% | - |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 1 | P6 of 9 | 38% | - |
| Wet Circle | 6 | P13.5 of 23.5 | 42% | - |
| Straight Aqua Strong | 9 | P5.1 of 20.2 | 79% | - |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 8 | P6.3 of 18.9 | 74% | 2 |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking | 14 | P10.6 of 24.2 | 56% | 1 |
| Snow Traction Weak | 9 | P14.6 of 20.2 | 28% | - |
| Snow Handling | 6 | P11 of 19.3 | 43% | - |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 1 | P5 of 9 | 50% | - |
| Snow Slalom | 5 | P10.6 of 22.4 | 55% | - |
| Ice | ||||
| Ice Braking | 3 | P12.3 of 20.7 | 42% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 3 | P11.3 of 16.3 | 38% | - |
| Noise | 8 | P14.4 of 20.8 | 35% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Wear | 8 | P10.6 of 20.3 | 53% | - |
| Value | 6 | P7.7 of 19.2 | 64% | 1 |
| Rolling Resistance | 6 | P6.8 of 19.2 | 68% | - |
| Fuel Consumption | 2 | P10.5 of 23 | 61% | - |
| Abrasion | 3 | P9.3 of 20.7 | 59% | - |
Overall finishing position against the tyres that have most often shared a test with the Semperit Speed Grip 5. Only tyres tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 11 | 2 | - | 85% | |
| 12 | 6 | 6 | - | 50% | |
| 11 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 40% | |
| 11 | 3 | 8 | - | 27% | |
| 10 | 10 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 10 | 1 | 9 | - | 10% | |
| 10 | 1 | 9 | - | 10% | |
| 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 100% | |
| 9 | 8 | 1 | - | 89% | |
| 9 | 4 | 5 | - | 44% | |
| 9 | 2 | 7 | - | 22% | |
| 8 | 6 | 2 | - | 75% | |
| 7 | 3 | 4 | - | 43% | |
| 7 | 3 | 4 | - | 43% | |
| 7 | 2 | 5 | - | 29% | |
| 7 | 1 | 6 | - | 14% | |
| 7 | 0 | 7 | - | 0% | |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 6 | 4 | 2 | - | 67% | |
| 6 | 4 | 2 | - | 67% |
The same record for the tyre it replaced and the tyre that replaced it.
| Tyre | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semperit Speed Grip 3 Predecessor | 11 | 0 | 8th | 65% |
| Semperit Speed Grip 5 This tyre | 15 | 1 | 10th | 64% |
Drawn from 14 tests. Updated October 28, 2026.
The Semperit Speed Grip 5 is most consistently strong on aquaplaning resistance and efficiency. In ADAC's 2024 17 inch winter test it was first for curved aquaplaning and second in a straight line; Tyre Reviews' 2022/23 test also placed it second for curved aquaplaning and third for rolling resistance. It won ADAC's 2022 185/65 R15 test with a particularly recommended verdict, although that unusually complete performance contrasts with more mixed results elsewhere. Auto Bild placed it third of 20 in 2024, with joint-best snow braking and the lowest cost per kilometre.
Grip and wear are less consistent. Auto Bild's 2025 full test placed it 11th of 20, with weak snow cornering, low comfort and the highest measured noise. Its projected mileage was 17th of 20 there, unusually poor against second of 20 in Auto Bild's 2023 test and repeated earlier praise for longevity. ADAC's 2025 test also found low mileage and imprecise dry steering, a recurring criticism in its earlier tests. Wet handling has ranged from good ADAC verdicts to seventh of nine with Tyre Reviews in 2022/23. Snow braking likewise ranges from the front in 2024 to near the back in Auto Bild's 2025 full test, so strong winter grip is not assured across sizes.
the second-best winter tyre in straight-line aquaplaning- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2026)
good braking, aquaplaning resistance, and handling- 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test (2024)
secures a good rating for braking and aquaplaning- 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test (2023)
very good aquaplaning qualities- 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2022)
very good aquaplaning resistance- 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test (2022)
efficiency is good thanks to low weight and fuel consumption- 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test (2025)
low rolling resistance- 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2024)
good fuel efficiency- 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test (2024)
very low fuel consumption (top mark)- 2022 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 (2022)
low rolling resistance- 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2022)
very high mileage- 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2024)
a long lifespan- 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test (2024)
very good mileage- 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2023)
low wear- 2022 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 (2022)
On dry and wet roads, it delivers balanced and predictable performance- 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test (2025)
good braking, aquaplaning resistance, and handling- 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test (2024)
Balanced, good on all surfaces, very low fuel consumption (top mark), low wear- 2022 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 (2022)
Convincing winter suitability- 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2023)
Balanced, good on all surfaces, very low fuel consumption (top mark), low wear- 2022 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 (2022)
dry braking distances are still rated as good compared to the test field- 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test (2025)
average braking distance- 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test (2023)
short braking distances- 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test (2022)
good dry handling- 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2023)
fast handing and short braking distances- 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test (2022)
Balanced, good on all surfaces, very low fuel consumption (top mark), low wear- 2022 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 (2022)
weaknesses in precision and steering feedback on dry roads- 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test (2025)
It lacks precision and feedback on dry roads, requiring steering corrections- 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test (2024)
minor weaknesses in steering precision on dry roads- 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test (2023)
It had the second-lowest snow traction- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2026)
struggles particularly with lateral grip and cornering stability- 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test (2025)
shortcomings in ice braking, snow traction, and handling- 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test (2023)
limited grip in the snow- 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test (2022)
was slow on the wet handling course and the wet circle- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2026)
Poor side guidance in wet conditions- 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2023)
falls short in handling due to early tendencies to understeer- 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test (2023)
Low grip in wet handling and braking- 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test (2022)
shared the longest dry braking of the ranked tyres- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2026)
extended dry braking distances- 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2023)
longer wet and dry braking distances- 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2022)
Slightly limited grip in wet conditions- 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2024)
Moderate wet grip- 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2022)
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
The Semperit Speed-Grip 5 shares 12th place with a 'good' verdict. Good aquaplaning resistance is offset by long dry braking and modest wet grip.
The Semperit Speed-Grip 5 presents a somewhat mixed character with strengths and weaknesses across different conditions. On dry and wet roads, it delivers balanced and predictable performance that inspires confidence in typical autumn and early spring conditions. However, it reveals its main weakness on snow, where it struggles particularly with lateral grip and cornering stability, making it less suitable for regions with consistent winter snowfall. The tyre doesn't excel in any particular area but maintains acceptable performance across most disciplines. At around €490 per set, it sits in the mid-premium price range, though the compromised snow performance makes the value proposition questionable for drivers who regularly face winter conditions. It might be best suited for urban drivers in milder climates who occasionally encounter light snow but primarily drive on cleared roads, where its decent wet and dry characteristics can shine without exposing its winter weaknesses.
The Semperit Speed-Grip 5 clearly misses good ratings on dry roads and narrowly fails on winter roads, and while it achieves good scores on wet surfaces, overall driving safety is rated as only satisfactory, with environmental performance also receiving satisfactory ratings, resulting in a satisfactory overall judgment. For driving safety, the tyre shows weaknesses in precision and steering feedback on dry roads, lacking the accuracy and directness expected for good ratings during steering input and cornering - steering corrections are needed to maintain the desired path, and during sudden evasive maneuvers the Semperit doesn't convince as the test vehicle tends to oversteer, especially when counter-steering, with sliding phases that could be shorter, resulting in overall limit behavior that isn't at a high level and is rated as only adequate, though dry braking distances are still rated as good compared to the test field. On wet surfaces, the Speed-Grip 5 achieves good ratings with good scores for braking distances, longitudinal aquaplaning behavior, and handling, though it only manages satisfactory ratings for lateral aquaplaning - overall the test vehicle can be driven safely and controllably over the course with the tyre providing sufficient limit reserves. In winter conditions, the Speed-Grip 5 narrowly misses good ratings, achieving good scores for both snow braking distances and snow traction compared to the test field, but scoring just satisfactory for ice braking and missing good handling ratings as it would need to better combine longitudinal and lateral forces, offering moderate grip levels and satisfactory limit reserves. Regarding environmental performance, this French-manufactured tyre misses good ratings due to its predicted mileage, though its tyre wear is still rated as good and efficiency is good thanks to low weight and fuel consumption.
The Semperit Speed-Grip 5 offers an impressive balance of performance and value. As Continental's second-tier brand, it provides good performance across all weather conditions, especially excelling in snowy conditions. With very high mileage and low rolling resistance, it's an economical choice that doesn't compromise much on safety, despite slightly reduced wet grip.
The Semperit Speed-Grip 5 achieves a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with good performance on wet and wintery roads but falling short on dry surfaces. It lacks precision and feedback on dry roads, requiring steering corrections and exhibiting a tendency to oversteer. However, it performs well on wet surfaces with good braking, aquaplaning resistance, and handling. On snow, it offers good braking and traction but only satisfactory handling. Its environmental performance is good, thanks to a long lifespan, low abrasion, low weight, and good fuel efficiency.
The SEMPERIT SPEED-GRIP 5 tyre shows minor weaknesses in steering precision on dry roads but maintains good safety reserves and an average braking distance, earning it a good rating for dry conditions. On wet roads, it also secures a good rating for braking and aquaplaning but falls short in handling due to early tendencies to understeer. Its performance on winter roads is less than ideal, missing a good rating due to shortcomings in ice braking, snow traction, and handling. The tyre tends to understeer or oversteer early, affecting precise control. Environmentally, the tyre receives a good rating; its predicted mileage is very good and wear is also rated as good. Although it narrowly misses a good rating for weight, its low fuel consumption secures it a good efficiency rating.
The SEMPERIT Speed-Grip 5 secured a (still) good rating in all the main tests and thus ultimately a place on the podium and the rating "particularly recommended".
The Semperit Speed Grip 5 in fifth was essentially exactly as good as the Vredestein in the dry, not as good in the wet grip tests but much better in the aquaplaning tests, a little better in the snow but it did have one of the best rolling resistances on test. I'd like to see some more wet performance from this tyre to push it further towards the best of the group.
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tyre Reviews score. All Semperit tyres