To test this, Auto Bild took six of the sportiest winter tyres in 225/40 R18 and put them through the usual selection of tough tests. On test were three tyres we recommended in this years winter tyre buying guide, two of which had yet to be tested at the time of writing, so we're relived to see them finishing in the top three positions!
The Results
The new performance winter tyre from Goodyear, the Goodyear Ultragrip 8 Performance (which replaced the Goodyear Ultragrip Performance 2) narrowly beat the new Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 for the top spot thanks to a broader all round performance, with the mid ranged Nokian WR A3 following closely in third, slightly behind the Michelin on the snow and comfort scores, but with a very strong dry weather performance.Dunlop lost out slightly, ending in fourth place with the WinterSport 4D. This way largely thanks to slightly weaker wet braking than the top three, while Pirelli finished in fifth place due to an average performance in both the dry and wet.
The budget Nankang Snow SV2 was the only tyre to be not recommended. While it performed reasonably in the dry, its wet performance suffered with imbalanced handling and a lack of grip, especially during wet braking and the snow tests.
Winter tires of the highest class with the best grip and excellent traction on snow-covered slopes, balanced safe handling qualities in all weather conditions, good directional stability and steering response, low road noise
None
Exemplary
Total: 42
Dry
7
Wet
6
Snow
8
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
9
Wwinter tire with excellent performance on snow, stable handling qualities in both wet and dry conditions, precise steering response and good feedback, short wet braking distances, good ride comfort
None
Exemplary
Total: 41
Dry
6
Wet
6
Snow
9
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
6
Good handling on snowy, wet and dry roads, stable cornering and precise steering response, short wet and dry braking distances , low fuel consumption
Average comfort
Exemplary
Total: 40
Dry
7
Wet
6
Snow
8
Comfort
4
Rolling Resistance
9
Noise
6
Short stopping distances and stable running on snow, high safety reserves with aquaplaning, dynamic wet handling, low road noise
Slightly prolonged wet and dry braking distances
Satisfactory
Total: 42
Dry
6
Wet
6
Snow
7
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
9
Winter professional with impressive driving on snowy path, good aquaplaning properties
Slightly prolonged wet and dry braking distances, tendency to understeer on wet track, increased rolling resistance
Satisfactory
Total: 34
Dry
5
Wet
5
Snow
8
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
5
Noise
6
Stable handling in dry conditions, quiet pass-by noise
Poor understeering handling on wet and snow-covered track, dangerously extended braking distances on wet roads, poor comfort
Not recommended
Total: 30
Dry
6
Wet
3
Snow
4
Comfort
3
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
8
here is an issue, accoding to their websites, and several dealers I have now called, your first 2 place contenders are useless to me.
I drive a 2013 Genesis coupe R-spec, although I am running stock OEM 2012 18" rims for the winter.
I need 225/45 18' Front, 245/45 18" Rear.
According to both these brands, they don't make tires that fit my car. What use is a great tire if it doesn't fit anyone with decent tire/rim sizes ? You might want to consider that in your evaluation.
From memory, the Continental TS830P is made in both those sizes, and is an excellent winter tyre, might be worth checking out.
As for test sizes, unfortunately the magazines have to go for the most popular sizes. 225/40 R18 is the biggest selling 18" size by a long margin, 225/45 R18 is a relatively small volume tyre even in summer sizes, the winter tyre market must be tiny!
Interesting how the driven axle changes the performance of a tyre, if you compare the Auto Bild performance test against this one.
The Nokian generally scores about the same but the Dunlop & Pirelli fair a lot worse.
Different size and vehicle type are obviously a factor but it's a bit surprising how the first and second place tyres in the FWD performance test suddenly become very average in the RWD sports test.
Tyre size is another factor, there's 3 auto bild tests now in the 3 major sizes and everyone is slightly different!