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2019 Winter Tyre Test Market Overview

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
18 min read Updated
Below are all the data points for the 2019 Winter Tyre Test Market Overview, displaying how each tyre performed across all test categories. The spider chart below provides a complete overview of performance, where one hundred percent represents the best performance in each category. The larger the area covered by each tyre's plot, the better its overall performance.
How to read these charts: For each test category, data is presented relative to the best performing tire. The direction indicates whether lower or higher values are better - pay close attention to this when interpreting results.

Performance Overview

This radar chart shows relative performance across all test categories, with 100% representing the best performance in each category. Reference tires may have gaps where data is not available.

Apollo Aspire XP Winter
Fortuna Winter Max A1
Cooper Weather Master SA2 Plus
Sava Eskimo HP2
Debica Frigo HP2
Giti GitiWinterW1
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
Semperit Speed Grip 3
General Altimax Winter 3
Gislaved Euro Frost 6
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
Kenda Wintergen 2 KR501
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
Michelin Alpin 6
Barum Polaris 5
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Laufenn I FIT
Dayton DW 510 Evo
Viking Wintech
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Nokian WR Snowproof
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus
Seiberling Seilberling Winter
Mabor Winter Jet 3
Tyfoon Eurosnow II
Blacklion Snow Pioneer BW56
Sailun Iceblazer Alpine Evo
King-Meiler Winter Tact WT84
Duraturn Mozzo Winter
Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow
Maxxis Arctictrekker WP05
Continental WinterContact TS 860
Kleber Krisalp HP3
Hankook Winter i cept RS2
Kumho WinterCraft WP71
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
Avon WV7
Imperial Snowdragon 3
Toyo Snowprox S954
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
Firestone Winterhawk 3
Falken Eurowinter HS01
Uniroyal MS Plus 77

Quick Navigation

Wet Performance Overview

Wet Braking (M)

Spread: 10.20 M (34.9%) | Avg: 33.66 M

Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 with a result of 29.2 M. The difference between best and worst was 25.9%.
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    29.2 M
  2. Michelin Alpin 6
    30.4 M
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus
    30.6 M
  4. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    30.8 M
  5. Apollo Aspire XP Winter
    31.2 M
  6. Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
    31.3 M
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    31.5 M
  8. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    31.5 M
  9. Semperit Speed Grip 3
    31.6 M
  10. Cooper Weather Master SA2 Plus
    31.9 M
  11. Hankook Winter i cept RS2
    32 M
  12. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    32 M
  13. Nokian WR Snowproof
    32.2 M
  14. Kleber Krisalp HP3
    32.2 M
  15. Avon WV7
    32.4 M
  16. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    32.5 M
  17. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    32.8 M
  18. Dunlop Winter Sport 5
    32.9 M
  19. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    33 M
  20. Dayton DW 510 Evo
    33.4 M
  21. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    33.5 M
  22. Sava Eskimo HP2
    33.6 M
  23. Barum Polaris 5
    33.9 M
  24. Imperial Snowdragon 3
    33.9 M
  25. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    33.9 M
  26. Toyo Snowprox S954
    34 M
  27. Debica Frigo HP2
    34.2 M
  28. Maxxis Arctictrekker WP05
    34.2 M
  29. Firestone Winterhawk 3
    34.2 M
  30. Seiberling Seilberling Winter
    34.3 M
  31. Mabor Winter Jet 3
    34.7 M
  32. Tyfoon Eurosnow II
    34.8 M
  33. Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow
    34.8 M
  34. General Altimax Winter 3
    34.9 M
  35. Gislaved Euro Frost 6
    35.1 M
  36. Kenda Wintergen 2 KR501
    35.3 M
  37. Giti GitiWinterW1
    35.6 M
  38. Viking Wintech
    35.8 M
  39. Blacklion Snow Pioneer BW56
    36.7 M
  40. Sailun Iceblazer Alpine Evo
    36.8 M
  41. Fortuna Winter Max A1
    36.9 M
  42. King-Meiler Winter Tact WT84
    37.4 M
  43. Duraturn Mozzo Winter
    37.6 M
  44. Laufenn I FIT
    39.4 M

Snow Performance Overview

Snow Braking (M)

Spread: 7.70 M (32.1%) | Avg: 25.49 M

Snow braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Kleber Krisalp HP3 with a result of 24 M. The difference between best and worst was 24.3%.
  1. Kleber Krisalp HP3
    24 M
  2. Sava Eskimo HP2
    24.1 M
  3. Debica Frigo HP2
    24.1 M
  4. BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
    24.2 M
  5. Dunlop Winter Sport 5
    24.3 M
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus
    24.3 M
  7. Semperit Speed Grip 3
    24.3 M
  8. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    24.3 M
  9. Continental WinterContact TS 860
    24.5 M
  10. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    24.6 M
  11. Uniroyal MS Plus 77
    24.6 M
  12. Nokian WR Snowproof
    24.6 M
  13. Michelin Alpin 6
    24.7 M
  14. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
    24.7 M
  15. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    24.8 M
  16. Maxxis Arctictrekker WP05
    24.8 M
  17. Hankook Winter i cept RS2
    24.9 M
  18. Barum Polaris 5
    25 M
  19. Apollo Aspire XP Winter
    25.1 M
  20. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    25.2 M
  21. Firestone Winterhawk 3
    25.5 M
  22. Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
    26 M
  23. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    26.1 M
  24. Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
    26.4 M
  25. Toyo Snowprox S954
    26.7 M
  26. Avon WV7
    27 M
  27. Seiberling Seilberling Winter
    27.3 M
  28. Cooper Weather Master SA2 Plus
    28.3 M
  29. Dayton DW 510 Evo
    28.7 M
  30. Imperial Snowdragon 3
    31.7 M

Overall Findings

Based on the weighted scoring from all tests, here are the overall results:

Position Tyre Score
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 0%
2 Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus 0%
3 Michelin Alpin 6 0%
4 Semperit Speed Grip 3 0%
5 Continental WinterContact TS 860 0%
6 Vredestein Wintrac Pro 0%
7 BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 0%
8 Kleber Krisalp HP3 0%
9 Apollo Aspire XP Winter 0%
10 Kumho WinterCraft WP71 0%
11 Nokian WR Snowproof 0%
12 Hankook Winter i cept RS2 0%
13 Dunlop Winter Sport 5 0%
14 Uniroyal MS Plus 77 0%
15 Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 0%
16 Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 0%
17 Sava Eskimo HP2 0%
18 Fulda Kristall Control HP2 0%
19 Debica Frigo HP2 0%
20 Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905 0%
21 Barum Polaris 5 0%
22 Maxxis Arctictrekker WP05 0%
23 Avon WV7 0%
24 Firestone Winterhawk 3 0%
25 Falken Eurowinter HS01 0%
26 Cooper Weather Master SA2 Plus 0%
27 Toyo Snowprox S954 0%
28 Seiberling Seilberling Winter 0%
29 Dayton DW 510 Evo 0%
30 Imperial Snowdragon 3 0%
31 Mabor Winter Jet 3 0%
32 Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow 0%
33 Tyfoon Eurosnow II 0%
34 General Altimax Winter 3 0%
35 Gislaved Euro Frost 6 0%
36 Kenda Wintergen 2 KR501 0%
37 Giti GitiWinterW1 0%
38 Viking Wintech 0%
39 Blacklion Snow Pioneer BW56 0%
40 Fortuna Winter Max A1 0%
41 Sailun Iceblazer Alpine Evo 0%
42 King-Meiler Winter Tact WT84 0%
43 Duraturn Mozzo Winter 0%
44 Laufenn I FIT 0%

Discussion

16 comments
  1. Hristijan Curukoski archived

    Hello, thank you very much for your excellent reviews which we all find very helpful. I'm looking at winter tyres nowadays within ~100 Euros budget.. Based on your reviews i narrow my choices between: Hankook i*cept evo2 as first choice and Kleber HP3 as second. Im also considering Good year Ultr Grip perf. and Nokian Snowproof but they will be a bit more expensive at around 140 euros per tyre (I would be happy to spend more if the differences are huge). I live in south-east Europe (Macedonia) where the winters are not that cold and without much snow. I really like to hear you options on the choices that i've made or maybe i should consider another tyer.
    The car is Volvo s80 and dimensions are 225 /55/16

    #5358
    1. TyreReviews Hristijan Curukoski archived

      If you don't get much snow I would use a tyre like the Michelin CrossClimate as a winter tyre.

      #5361
      1. Hristijan Curukoski TyreReviews archived

        The Michelin CrossClimate is really expensive here (200euros).
        At the end, i think I'll get the GoodYear UGP+.
        Thanks again!

        #5365
  2. Duncan archived

    Hello, Thanks for all the excellent reviews. I've got a BMW Z4 which now has Michelin PS 4S tyres thanks to your advice. They're a massive improvement on the "moderate cost" Hankooks it had before.
    Now I'm looking at winter wheels and tyres. I live near the South Downs so not much snow but when there is the BMW is appalling as you'd guess with rear wheel drive and a lot of power. It's got 19 inch wheels. From what I've read the Vredstein Wintrack Pros look like a good option for me. I'm just not sure whether to get 18 or 19 inch wheels for them. The standard car has 225/35 and 255/30 front/rear. Some people seem to get 18 inch wheels with the same width all round.
    I'd be really grateful for your expert guidance !

    Cheers

    Duncan

    #5355
    1. TyreReviews Duncan archived

      Good choice of tyres, and if you don't mind buying another set of wheels, and 18s fit over the brakes, I'd probably head down that route for extra comfort as the roads fall apart. Just be sure to let your insurance company know.

      #5356
      1. Duncan TyreReviews archived

        Thanks for the reply. I'd forgotten about the insurance so thanks for that too. Reading forums I've got the impression that the cost of new wheels is evened out with the convenience of being able to swap them yourself and not having to pay for a swap twice a year at a garage.
        One final thought. In the 2019 winter performance tyres test, the winter tyres seem to not do as well as the summer ones in wet road tests etc. I thought they were supposed to be better. Does this mean they don't test them in the colder temperatures they are designed for?

        #5359
        1. TyreReviews Duncan archived

          It means braking is hard for siped tyres, though summer and a good winter are usually close

          #5360
          1. Duncan TyreReviews archived

            Sorry to drone on.
            So siping helps traction in snow but doesn't help wet braking or handling according to the 19 inch winter tyre review. So I guess the winter tyres would be even worse if they weren't a softer compound for lower temperatures? I wonder if this reduced wet performance is actually that noticeable?? If it is would an all season tyre be a better bet and still be able to keep me mobile if it snows occasionally?
            Thank you for help.

            #5363
            1. TyreReviews Duncan archived

              The Michelin CrossClimate is a much better "winter" tyre for most of the UK as it has less dry compromise.

              #5364
              1. Duncan TyreReviews archived

                Ok then I'll get them after all and stick with Michelin too. The CC video was very convincing.
                Thanks for all your help.
                Keep the good work up!

                #5366
  3. Kruno archived

    Also I was considering Vredestain Wintrac Pro, would that be smart choice?

    #5264
    1. Scour Kruno archived

      The Wintrac had some good test results, especially in wet condition. Also one of the better tyres in dry.

      In snow it´s somewhere in the middle, Auto Zeitung wrote it was the fastest tyre in snow but hard to handle

      #5308
  4. Kruno archived

    Hi, I am buying next month new winter tyres; 19 inch; for FWD car, do you have any information on Pilot Alpin 5 and Conti 860 S; which one would you recommend?
    Will there be any tests in following weeks including those two?

    #5263
    1. Scour Kruno archived

      Auto Bild Sportcars tested the old Michelin PA4, so no info about the PA5. Size was 255/35R19.

      Best overall tyre was the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance +, followed by Vredestein Wintrac Pro, Uniroyal MS plus 77, Conti TS 860S

      #5309
      1. TyreReviews Scour archived

        This test will be on the site next week :)

        #5311