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2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
7 min read Updated
Below are all the data points for the 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test, 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.

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
Reference Summer
Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
Nokian WR SUV 4
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
Tristar Snowpower UHP

Quick Navigation

Dry Performance Overview

Dry Braking (M)

Spread: 6.90 M (18%) | Avg: 43.97 M

Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Reference Summer with a result of 38.4 M. The difference between best and worst was 15.2%.
  1. Reference Summer
    38.4 M
  2. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    43.3 M
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    43.9 M
  4. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    44 M
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    44.1 M
  6. Nokian WR SUV 4
    44.6 M
  7. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    44.8 M
  8. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    45 M
  9. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    45.1 M
  10. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    45.2 M
  11. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    45.3 M

Dry Handling (Km/H)

Spread: 3.10 Km/H (3.2%) | Avg: 94.78 Km/H

Dry Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Reference Summer with a result of 96.8 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 3.2%.
  1. Reference Summer
    96.8 Km/H
  2. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    95.7 Km/H
  3. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    95.3 Km/H
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    95.2 Km/H
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    94.6 Km/H
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    94.5 Km/H
  7. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    94.5 Km/H
  8. Nokian WR SUV 4
    94.1 Km/H
  9. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    94.1 Km/H
  10. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    94.1 Km/H
  11. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    93.7 Km/H

Wet Performance Overview

Wet Braking (M)

Spread: 11.00 M (26.4%) | Avg: 44.25 M

Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Vredestein Wintrac Pro with a result of 41.6 M. The difference between best and worst was 20.9%.
  1. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    41.6 M
  2. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    41.9 M
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    42.5 M
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    42.7 M
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    42.7 M
  6. Reference Summer
    43.2 M
  7. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    43.6 M
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    44.1 M
  9. Nokian WR SUV 4
    45.8 M
  10. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    46.1 M
  11. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    52.6 M

Wet Handling (Km/H)

Spread: 4.80 Km/H (5.5%) | Avg: 85.83 Km/H

Wet Handling Average Speed (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV with a result of 86.9 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 5.5%.
  1. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    86.9 Km/H
  2. Reference Summer
    86.8 Km/H
  3. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    86.6 Km/H
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    86.6 Km/H
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    86.2 Km/H
  6. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    86.2 Km/H
  7. Nokian WR SUV 4
    86 Km/H
  8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    86 Km/H
  9. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    85.7 Km/H
  10. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    85 Km/H
  11. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    82.1 Km/H

Wet Circle (s)

Spread: 1.50 s (9.6%) | Avg: 16.00 s

Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Reference Summer with a result of 15.6 s. The difference between best and worst was 8.8%.
  1. Reference Summer
    15.6 s
  2. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    15.65 s
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    15.68 s
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    15.75 s
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    15.85 s
  6. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    16 s
  7. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    16 s
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    16.05 s
  9. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    16.1 s
  10. Nokian WR SUV 4
    16.2 s
  11. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    17.1 s

Straight Aqua (Km/H)

Spread: 10.50 Km/H (13.4%) | Avg: 73.94 Km/H

Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV with a result of 78.5 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 13.4%.
  1. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    78.5 Km/H
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    77.3 Km/H
  3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    75.6 Km/H
  4. Reference Summer
    75 Km/H
  5. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    74.6 Km/H
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    74.4 Km/H
  7. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    74.3 Km/H
  8. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    74 Km/H
  9. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    73 Km/H
  10. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    68.6 Km/H
  11. Nokian WR SUV 4
    68 Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning (m/sec2)

Spread: 1.57 m/sec2 (41.4%) | Avg: 3.05 m/sec2

Remaining lateral acceleration (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Reference Summer with a result of 3.79 m/sec2. The difference between best and worst was 41.4%.
  1. Reference Summer
    3.79 m/sec2
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    3.47 m/sec2
  3. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    3.3 m/sec2
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    3.17 m/sec2
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    3.16 m/sec2
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    3.11 m/sec2
  7. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    3.07 m/sec2
  8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    3.01 m/sec2
  9. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    2.96 m/sec2
  10. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    2.34 m/sec2
  11. Nokian WR SUV 4
    2.22 m/sec2

Snow Performance Overview

Snow Braking (M)

Spread: 37.90 M (149.8%) | Avg: 30.45 M

Snow braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV with a result of 25.3 M. The difference between best and worst was 60%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    25.3 M
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    25.9 M
  3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    26 M
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    26.2 M
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    26.5 M
  6. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    26.6 M
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    27.2 M
  8. Nokian WR SUV 4
    27.6 M
  9. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    29.7 M
  10. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    30.8 M
  11. Reference Summer
    63.2 M

Snow Traction (N)

Spread: 2355.00 N (82.8%) | Avg: 2397.55 N

Pulling Force in Newtons (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV with a result of 2845 N. The difference between best and worst was 82.8%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    2845 N
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    2698 N
  3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    2668 N
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    2638 N
  5. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    2590 N
  6. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    2580 N
  7. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    2580 N
  8. Nokian WR SUV 4
    2507 N
  9. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    2455 N
  10. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    2322 N
  11. Reference Summer
    490 N

Snow Handling (Km/H)

Spread: 5.40 Km/H (10%) | Avg: 51.64 Km/H

Snow handling average speed (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV with a result of 54 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 10%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    54 Km/H
  2. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    53.1 Km/H
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    52.1 Km/H
  4. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    52.1 Km/H
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    52.1 Km/H
  6. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    51.7 Km/H
  7. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    51.6 Km/H
  8. Nokian WR SUV 4
    51 Km/H
  9. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    50.1 Km/H
  10. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    48.6 Km/H

Snow Slalom (m/sec2)

Spread: 2.60 m/sec2 (62.5%) | Avg: 3.58 m/sec2

Lateral acceleration (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV with a result of 4.16 m/sec2. The difference between best and worst was 62.5%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    4.16 m/sec2
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    4.04 m/sec2
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    3.93 m/sec2
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    3.91 m/sec2
  5. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    3.89 m/sec2
  6. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    3.86 m/sec2
  7. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    3.78 m/sec2
  8. Nokian WR SUV 4
    3.71 m/sec2
  9. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    3.36 m/sec2
  10. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    3.14 m/sec2
  11. Reference Summer
    1.56 m/sec2

Comfort Performance Overview

Noise (dB)

Spread: 4.20 dB (6.1%) | Avg: 70.95 dB

External noise in dB (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV with a result of 68.7 dB. The difference between best and worst was 5.8%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    68.7 dB
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    69.4 dB
  3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    70 dB
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    70 dB
  5. Nokian WR SUV 4
    71 dB
  6. Reference Summer
    71.4 dB
  7. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    71.5 dB
  8. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    71.6 dB
  9. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    71.9 dB
  10. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    72 dB
  11. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    72.9 dB

Value Performance Overview

Price

Spread: 465.00 (140.9%) | Avg: 604.50

Price in local currency (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Tristar Snowpower UHP. The difference between best and worst was 58.5%.
  1. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    330
  2. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    500
  3. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    520
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    550
  5. Nokian WR SUV 4
    580
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    595
  7. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    655
  8. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    735
  9. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    785
  10. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    795

Rolling Resistance (kg / t)

Spread: 2.41 kg / t (36.8%) | Avg: 7.91 kg / t

Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Reference Summer with a result of 6.55 kg / t. The difference between best and worst was 26.9%.
  1. Reference Summer
    6.55 kg / t
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    6.83 kg / t
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    7.11 kg / t
  4. Nokian WR SUV 4
    7.43 kg / t
  5. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    8.02 kg / t
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    8.03 kg / t
  7. Tristar Snowpower UHP
    8.09 kg / t
  8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    8.51 kg / t
  9. Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
    8.59 kg / t
  10. Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
    8.88 kg / t
  11. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    8.96 kg / t

Overall Findings

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

Position Tyre Score
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV 0%
2 Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV 0%
3 Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 0%
4 Vredestein Wintrac Pro 0%
5 Continental WinterContact TS 850 P 0%
6 Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X 0%
7 Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV 0%
8 Nokian WR SUV 4 0%
9 Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV 0%
10 Tristar Snowpower UHP 0%
11 Reference Summer 0%

Discussion

15 comments
  1. Bob archived

    What you think of the WR SUV 4 vs the CrossClimate 2 in 0degC to 12degC, which performs better for wet and dry braking? How much difference in performance are we talking here?

    #7975
    1. TyreReviews Bob archived

      Good question. I'd side with the Michelin in the dry for sure, not sure on the wet though

      #7976
  2. Andy Race archived

    Bought a second set of alloys for our F25 BMW X3 35D which have size 245 50 R18 tyres. After a set of winter tyres, not a great choice in this size it seems, or not a great choice of tyres that are in stock anyhow. Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 and Goodyear Ultragrip appear to be out of stock everywhere. I don't want star marked or run flats as I don't want to really pay £200 a tyre, and I hate runflats. I keep looking at the Vredestein Wintrac Pro as they look to perform well and are at a decent price point. Just can't find much info on how well they wear ? Are they up there with Michelin and Goodyear in this respect or is this something that's not been tested. Would you recommend this tyre? Thanks.

    #7517
    1. TyreReviews Andy Race archived

      They won't have been wear tested in SUV sizes, but I Think it was in the main autobild test this year (Might have been the new wintrac)

      #7519
      1. Andy Race TyreReviews archived

        Thank you for replying. It seems the Goodyear Ultragrip Performance+ is back in stock at Camskill, though they are £150/set more expensive than the Vredestein Wintrac Pro. Worth the premium?

        #7522
        1. TyreReviews Andy Race archived

          That depends what test you believe... :)

          #7524
          1. Andy Race TyreReviews archived

            You're not making this easy for me are you ? X-D

            #7526
            1. TyreReviews Andy Race archived

              Because I don't know what I'd do either!

              #7527
              1. Andy Race TyreReviews archived

                Decided to go with the Goodyear Ultragrip Performance+. Doesn't seem to be up with the best in the dry tests but I wonder if that's anything to do with the fact it has over 9mm of tread depth when new? Would have been nice to get hold of a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin 5's but not available in 245 50 18. The older Alpin 4 is, but seemingly out of stock everywhere. Looking forward to trying out the Goodyears anyhow. Thanks

                #7626
                1. TyreReviews Andy Race archived

                  The extra starting tread depth will certainly cause issues in dry tests! They're still a great tyre, let me know how you get on with them! :)

                  #7629
                  1. Andy Race TyreReviews archived

                    I would have loved to but I was contacted by the supplier who told me the Goodyears were out of stock! Doh! Premium winter tyres in this size are like rocking horse shit at the moment but I've managed to get hold of the Vredestein Wintrac Pros and getting them fitted tomorrow. Judging on the latest Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test posted I'm confident I'll be pleased. As it happens, the supplier was Camskill and whilst on the phone to them they said the Vreds were far better than the Goodyears...not that I'd take much notice of a tyre suppliers opinion.

                    #7691
  3. Pedro Neves archived

    How can most of the tires have shorter braking distances in the wet than in the dry from the initial same speed (100 Km/h)? Shouldn't the wet braking distances be from 80 Km/h?

    #7405
    1. TyreReviews Pedro Neves archived

      You're right, it's odd results, but it's how it's printed.

      The summer tyre and Michelin were shorter in the dry, everything else looks rather strange!

      #7407
      1. Pedro Neves TyreReviews archived

        Maybe they'll correct it in next month's edition. Or maybe they just used a very slippery road for the dry braking test...

        #7408
        1. TyreReviews Pedro Neves archived

          I've never heard of a low mu dry braking lane, but I've asked the question to see what's up as it makes no sense!

          I would guess wet was done from 80 and it's a typo.

          #7409