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.
Dry Performance Overview
Dry Braking (M)
Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)
Dry Handling (s)
Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
Wet Performance Overview
Wet Braking (M)
Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
Wet Handling (s)
Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
Straight Aqua (Km/H)
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
Curved Aquaplaning (m/sec2)
Remaining lateral acceleration (Higher is better)
Snow Performance Overview
Snow Braking (M)
Snow braking in meters (Lower is better)
Snow Traction (s)
Snow acceleration time (Lower is better)
Snow Handling (s)
Snow handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
Snow Circle (S)
Snow Circle Time in Seconds (Lower is better)
Comfort Performance Overview
Subj. Comfort ( Points)
Subjective Comfort Score (Higher is better)
Noise (dB)
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
Value Performance Overview
Price
Price in local currency (Lower is better)
Rolling Resistance (kg / t)
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
Overall Findings
Based on the weighted scoring from all tests, here are the overall results:
| Position | Tyre | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | 89.5% | |
| 2 | Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | 89.5% |
| 3 | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 | 89.5% |
| 4 | Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus | 88.1% |
| 5 | Hankook Winter i cept evo3 | 88% |
| 6 | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | 87.4% |
| 7 | Nokian Snowproof P | 87.2% |
| 8 | GT-Radial WinterPro2 Sport | 84.6% |
| 9 | Imperial Snowdragon UHP | 81.8% |
| 10 | Reference Summer | 73.1% |
Test Winner
Reference Summer
73.1%
Hi im having trouble finding the new Continental 870 P in my tire size 225/40/R18 but I could get the TS830 P instead, would those be close enough or would you recommend I look into other options?
I'd probably go for a more modern alternative in your size, you should have plenty of good options (TS870, T005 etc)
Alright thanks I'll keep looking!
I am having a hard time finding the best all rounder winter tyre for a heavy SUV with 235/55/20s on it.
I'm leaning towards the Hankook Icept Evo 3s as first choice followed by the Goodyear Ultragrip.
They both seem to be pretty close.
I think a lot of people go down the Bridgestone Blizzak route but its more suited for wet weather than combined.
Of course it depends on the climate and the UK suburban winters can change from wet to dry to snow and frozen snow, depending on the randomness of the weather. I'm not driving up the Alps but our roads are not gritted and when it does snow and then it becomes compacted and frozen you are stuck. Just before the time I swap back to summer tyres, the mornings are cold below 7 degrees and then warms up to about 12 degrees and this also has an influence. You go from solid to a more bouncy ride, especially at 70 mph. Town driving is not so bad.
So this is my reason for a suitable all rounded winter tyre for a car that weighs nearly two and a half tonnes.
Would you agree with the Hankooks or do you recommend anything else?
I would happily fit the Hankooks myself. Your size is rather limiting for options so I'd be happy that the hankook is made :)
I spoke to Hankook as I couldn't find any UK seller for these. Their sales guy said it had been discontinued. Not sure what to go for. Even Continentals in my size is unavailable. Maybe Bridgestone Blizzaks or dare I even say the Yokohamas which I haven't seen any tests yet for. Really wanted the Hankooks so now I am stuffed.
I'd side with the Bridgestones, they might not have the strongest snow performance in certain sizes, but they'll happily take anything the UK will throw at them and they're very good in the wet, which is most of the UK winter.
Hello, thanks for your amazingly quick reply.
Will see what I can get. Out of curiosity and I promise not to be a pain, but have you tested the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 and if you did can I ask what you thought of them? I don't see much information about them. The only think I am not sure about the Bridgestones is that a lot of reviews say that they are not great in the dry. Once again, thanks for your valuable thoughts.
If I had the data would be on this site :) I don't believe I have, sorry.
Great, clear review thanks.
I wondered if there were any plans to include an EU-certified retread winter tyre as an alternative to the Chinese benchmark for future testing, as there seems to be little reliable performance data for them. I have been looking at King Meiler, as they seem to retail winter tyres at a similar price-point to budget Chinese, and with decent environmental credentials - but clearly not much point going down that route if they don't offer superior performance.
I don't have a retread in this years tests, but I'm trying to get one for a summer test for early next year
Great information and very helpful, I'm buying winter tires for a Kona N Line this year and it needs UHP Winter tires. Overall I rated Bridgestone the highest in recent testing with Hankook a close 2nd. I'm surprised Continental didn't perform better as it's Winter Tires (VikingContact) have done very well in the European testing.
I'd like to see the Braking Testing to be to a full stop, perhaps there's a reason for the measurement to be 5km/h, my guess is because it's not as realistic from higher speeds. How often do you need to go from 120km/h to a full stop?
The videos especially are very thorough and enjoyable to watch. Also, I'm not sure why Pirelli Sottozero 3 Winter was not included but I have lots of testing results on them and they are very good in the UHP Winter segment.
No testing measures to 0 as there's too much variance from the abs systems in the final part of braking. Some publications like autobild calculate down to 0 but I find that misleading so I present the actual data.
Winter Tyres size 225/45 R17
Seeking Best Fuel efficiency A rating for wet grip and 70db or lower on noise.
Not sure which ones meet that criteria or better for Fuel.
I previously used Kleber transalp 3 Tyres which had excellent wet grip .
Thanks
Rolling resistance and noise levels are available from the data from this test, you just need to cross reference them to make your pick.
Hi,
Is there a chart to be able to see this data more simply and or any suggestions of options you can offer?
The charts are on this very page and in the video.
Hello, I can't decide what tires to buy for my car, please help michelin Michelin PILOT ALPIN PA4 or GoodYear UltraGrip Performance + size is 245/45 r18 car is bmw f10 530d xdrvie greetings
I'd probably take the Michelin of these two
In the video you say that this winter test was carried out on the same track and at the same time as the all season tyre test. If that's correct why the differences in Reference Summer Tires performance are so large between these tests?
e.g. Wet Braking here and Wet Braking (cool) in all season test. Similar conditions, so I would expect similar performance for summer tire.
Here the result of Reference Summer Tire is 29.52 and in All Season test 35.28.
Why there is such a big difference? Is the tire size difference the factor affecting performance that much?
How can I compare the performance of winter tires to all season tires, which makes more sense than to summer tires?
My memory might be fading but I'm fairly sure they were different tyre sizes and different reference tyres between the tests. This year I've tested them in the same size at the same place, however even then you're testing on different days so the results can vary quite a lot.
Maybe You can test e.g. top 3 all season tires along with top 3 winter or summer tires to show how much better (or maybe similar) these perform in specific weather conditions?
Would be interesting to add an ice portion for this testing so it can be compared to the Nordic compounds. I.e. Michelin X-Ice Snow vs PA5 and Continental VikingContact 7 vs TS870P in the same conditions and speeds.
That would certainly help with purchasing and deciding what is best suited for the end customer.
I've always been curious to see how a performance winter would compare to a severe winter compound.
Keep up the great comparisons and videos on YouTube, they are a great help and very informative.
I've actually done something similar, check out this video :)
https://www.tyrereviews.com...
I did not like the Hankook as they have failed under areas that are very warm (like extreme heat areas). Tires were not able to handle the heat on the road, cause for it to blow out.
How did you find the Michelin PA4 vs the PA5. With the PA4 being an aysmmetric design, I felt it was very agile and not like a traditional winter tyre as well as amazing in the snow. Would the non asymmetric design change that?
I've not compared them on the same car so I couldn't tell you, sorry. I would be surprised if Michelin made anything worse for the PA5 though.
I have a w204 C250 (Mercedes) RWD with 225/45/17 it's very twitchy in the snow and wet. I work about 40 miles away down the motorway, with some quite bad B roads in between.
I have looked at a lot of your reviews and have picked out these but open to suggestions:
Hankook i*cept evo²
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
Dunlop 5
Goodyear Ultra Performance Plus
I live in the north of england, and have been hit hard with snow and it is impossible to drive (Currently using all season) which are rubbish so am working from home.
Which would you suggest for some backroads, and mainly motorway driving?
Thank you
What all seasons are you using?
Your short list is great, but obviously I'd throw in something from Conti and Michelin for consideration
accelera phi (came with the car) never realised how lethal they were until the weather came! - They're advertised as all season, but they're rubbish summers in essence.
I have looked at Conti & Michelin but the price for 4x works out about £200 extra.
Whats your opinion on the Hankook rs2? In tests, they seem to come out quite good (I can get them £90 a tyre new) so that's one I'm heavily considering too over the others as it's £360 for the fullset.
Just like to add - I don't really floor it anywhere, take it steady as it's mostly long distances i cover.
The Phi is a (bad) summer tyre for sure! The RS2 looks to be awesome, but I've not driven on it yet. I trust the tests its done well in though
Thank you very much - I will stick with the RS2's as they do seem to have really good ratings in general and for £90 a pop - it's well worth the savings if it's just a tad worse off.
Do you have a donate or paetron? I didn't use an affiliate with you, as couldn't see them. So happy to donate/support you elsewhere.
I don't, thanks for the offer though. If you want to help, just share the site / channel anywhere you can :)
I have a set of 4 MICHELIN ALPIN TYRES 205/55 R16 on steel rims that I used on my VW Golf SV. My new car is a VW Polo R Line TSI with 215/45R17 wheels/tyres. My question is can I fit the Michelin Alpin tyres on the smaller wheels to my POLO? I am assuming that the base POLOs will use smaller wheels/tyres.
What are your thoughts, thank you.
The overall size will be slightly bigger, I can't actually recommend on this subject as there's lots of variables with vehicles so many best to ask vw or an owners forum
Thanks for the reply, ill try the VW Forum and see if anything there.
The results of this test should give you some ideas :) Hankook and Bridgestone also great options
Hey Jonathan What's your thought on this: the generic Alpin 5 has a class E fuel consumption (labelled E, B, 68) whereas the homologated Alpin 5 N0 has got a class D fuel consumption (labelled D, B, 68). What do you think would happen when putting such a N0 homologated tire on an Audi A3 Sportback instead of the generic Alpin 5... would it keep the N0 classification values nonetheless, would it level itself to the values generated by the generic Alpin 5 or would it worsen the performance, i.e. generate below generic type value levels? Thanks for your insight and reflections!
Too difficult to answer, but I definitely wouldn't go with the N0 tyre. Depending on the size you might be fitting the front or rear tyre of a car with a totally different weight distribution. Plus in the real world, label scores aren't super accurate.
I have had both the Guislaved NordFrost and Nokian Haakapilliittta, and would heartily recommend either one. Unless you are in very severe conditions, studs are not required with either tire. I live in the snow belt of Ontario, Canada and my 1990 Volvo 240 Estate, a lovely rear wheel drive beastie, just simply get through everything. I am reduced to having the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice And Snow, because it is the only tire sold here in a 195/75R14 size. Such is life with an old car.
Have you looked in the homologation paper of your brave car for possibly alternative tyre size(s)? Ideally in 15'.
I have 15 inch Volvo wheels from a 240 GLT/TURBO for summer. I was reluctant to buy 15 inch steel wheels as I plan not to need another set of winter tires when these wear out. I am planning to move to Belize where winter will be but a distant, bitter memory.
Is there a major supply problem in the UK for winters this year? I've been trying to buy since the end of August, but none of the online retailers have any of the latest leading contenders. Is this likely to change anytime soon?
If they're not in now I'd guess they're not coming in. UK retailers would have had to place direct orders months ago and likely due to little demand last year everyone was too conservative.
I just got the Continental TS870 from mytyres.co.uk. Came from Germany took 7 days from order.
Let me know how you get on with them!
What is your opinion on Pirelli's brand new Cinturato Winter 2?
Not managed to test it yet sadly, but it's from the same cut as the SF2 so in theory it could be very good!
Good summary, Jon - thanks.
Is there any interest / thoughts about doing a comparison of the same tyre in radically different sizes? i.e 16 > 18 > 20, to see how consistent the scoring is? How much can I read into the 18" scoring, when I'm needing 20" version of the same tyre? Ta.
I've done 16, 17 and 18", the issue is you're unlikely to find the same tyre in 16" and 20"!
Great work, as always. I am slightly confused, please help me out:
- I drive a 2016 Skoda Octavia 1.8 TSI; FWD and real bad wheel hop, I suppose you are familiar with it since you drive an Octavia RS
- my winter wheels are 16" because larger sizes would not allow the use of chains
- current (and OEM) wheels are 205/55/R16
- I would go for a UHP winter tyre to help with traction and let me enjoy what the engine offers
- however, both the Michelin Pilot Alpin 6 and the Continental TS870P are available in 16" but only in 205/60, not 55
This means an increase of height ratio of more than 3%
I can't find reliable information as to why they went with this choice, or whether it is safe to change sizes?
What are you thoughts? Thank you
I wouldn't rush to change the tyre size, there's probably very little difference if any between a PA5 and Alpin 6 in terms of cold weather traction.
Sadly wheel hop is a fact of powerful fwd cars without very expensive suspension setups! A 16" winter tyre should slide more than hop though :)
If Conti then for 16' and very common touring size 205/55/R16 go for Continental TS870 or TS860. On snow you will be better off.
TS870P or 860S or 850P are top notch models for sport, high class and super sport cars...
In 205/55R16, there is also the Conti TS860S, but only in runflat flavor.
I'm around the same spot of indecisiveness myself.
I drive a 156 2.5 V6, very enjoyable with its summer 17" Michelin PS4 tires. But the actual winter wheels with TS860 feel quite sluggish for mild winters with mostly cold wet weather and only rare snow.
So as you, I don't know if I should stick with 16", either with the runflat TS860S or the Vredestein Wintrac, or even the TS870 or Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.
Or go up a size (215/ or 225/45R17), so UHP 4S like the Vredestein Quatrac Pro becomes available.
Price wise, the Vredestein options are the cheapest, and the Conti ones the more expensive.
That's a hard call…
Yep, it is ;)
Thanks Jon for your reply! (I wasn't expecting you were still around… :D)
Will you personnally go for runflat TS860S or another "regular" winter tire?
I've also heard your recommandation for the use of 4S in mild winters area like UK or coastal France. Do you think there would be a great difference between 4S and UHP (dry and wet biased) winter? There is very few data about this.
I'm spending a lot of time on this because of a baby on board. So I'm looking for max safety, and if possible, best feeling when she's not aboard.
Honestly I don't know what I'd do! Good arguments for each.
You can see the difference between summer and all season in my all season test, check it out.
For ultimate safety definitely ditch the runflats.
Thanks for your input. :)
If I go 4S, it would be only for winter, I will stay with summer tyres for summer. ;)
Are the runflat tyres that bad overall?
I'll re-read all the tests to help make my mind. Is there any way to have a clue about the summer and winter tyres references in your 4S tests? :D
Runflats are pretty bad. Unfortunately I can't share the specific references for this one, but check out the 2020 all season test as those references are named :)
Great reviews! I have one question. Are the same results with the wider winter tire, for example 255x35x18. Thank man.
Where it's very close there's likely to be some small variations but the overall theme should stand
I have to admit that I don’t like the LM005. As long this tire is new, it’s fine, but with ongoing wear it deteriorates dramatically. Last year it won beneath every review, so this review hits reality very well. A winter tire which is only good in the wet, is not worth to be sold as winter tire. I could drive a allwheather with advantage in dry conditions.
When tested in wear, it's usually one of the worst of the group, eg https://www.tyrereviews.com...
Have the LT variant on my work truck. They are horrible on snow and ice.
where is the "low temperature" dry braking test? isn't that the most important of all winter-tyre features?
Temperature has very little effect on dry braking tests due to the heat generated by full abs stops in the dry, however these were performed at low temperatures, it even notes "Testing at 3c" in the first line of the dry section.
3c? thats nothing. Tire changes alot down to -40c like we get up here
Do you often get -40c and dry roads?
Well, the roads are definitively not wet at -40c but they are often covered in compacted snow or groved ice. But a bare roadsurface is not uncommon. Most popular brands up here are Nokian and Conti with studs.
I assume you're somewhere very north such as Ivalo?!
Hey guys, does someone tried Kleber Krisalp HP3 on 225/40/18? I drove this tyre on 205/55/16 and i can say it was really good tyre with low noise and awesome traction on snow but i am not sure whether they will perform the same way on the bigger size.
See the page on this site, plenty of tests in different sizes. Usually the performance translates through sizes pretty well
hey guys, what do you think about Kleber Krisalp HP3 tyre? what do you think how good or bad would it score? I'm reading some reviews and the tyre is really good on snow, considering the price.
Let me know your thoughts
I only know what's on this site! It did come third in the auto bild full winter test, it should be on the site tomorrow so come back (11th Oct)
Thanks for your reply!
Kleber Krisalp HP3 are in tests in the top (overall and snow), usually best price for value. Their only backside is the test in the wet, where they are usually weaker (harder compound but that's better for their very good longevity).
Have you tested the Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice2?
How does it compare to VikingContact 7 or Hakkapeliitta R3?
I have not, I hopefully will next year. I'll be putting some test data on the site next week which includes that tyre though :)
When will you do a winter tyre test with a loaded van
That's a bit too niche for me, but you can find commercial / van tyre tests on the site!
What’s the difference between Continental TS870 and TS870p? Which one would you choose in 225/45/R17 for Golf mk6 GTI?
P is the performance version of the tyre so geared to be slightly more sporty and fit larger wheel sizes
It seems TS870P is not available in size 225/45 R17, only TS870. Can you confirm?
Would TS870 still be a good choice for GTI from your point of view?
The 870 is still a great tyre. I'm not entirely sure what performance winter tyres will be available in 17"
Interersting, thank you for work but where is Michelin alpin 6 ?
This is the PILOT Alpin 5, which is the latest generation for the larger wheel size. The Alpin 6 is smaller sizes.
Ah yes sorry :)
Great review as ever. Conti seems to be the go-to for most European drivers. Still preferring an All-Season for UK winter?
For where I am, and my driving pattern, yes, but I'm north London and don't drive / commute that much in the UK :)
When you're saying you use All seasons instead of dedicated Winters in the UK, are you using them all year or switching to Summer UHP tyres in the summer?
I'm running PS4S's on a Fiesta ST, currently and looking for something to run in UK winter but now confused after your video if I should buy full 'winters' or all seasons to run as a winter tyre?
Any advice much appreciated.
I run them as winter tyres, so I switch to summers in the summer
I believe it would be nice to include a reference all season tyre in summer and winter tyre tests as the reference summers and winters usually show how bad they are in the other's environment (exagerated a bit), but an all season which is considered by buyers to get instead of both other types should show how much of a compromise that is under circumstances which favour a more specialised tyre.
All season tyres are like the intermediates in F1. They have a range in which they are the best choice (where summers aren't enough but winters are too much, which covers many wintry conditions nowadays in central Europe). We could compare the results in this year's all season and winter tyre tests as the circumstances were pretty much the same, but I feel like the size difference wouldn't make it as "apples to apples".
Otherwise a great content as usual, keep it up!
I have plans for next year which will certainly help show the differences between the two :)
Naming the exact reference tire or tires would be a great step towards greater transparency
I usually do, I couldn't this year but I will certainly in the future
I agree that a comparison between those on test here and the top 2 or 3 all season tyres would be well worth it, at least to show what they can do on the snow in comparison to more than one 'reference' winter tyre. And also on both this size of tyre (popular with 'Sport' models of many C-sector cars) and the most popular tyre for the same size of car, the 205/55 R16.
Great test as always!
How about cabin noise? Winter tyres tend to produce annoying sounds. Which tyres were the quietest?
Sadly we didn't measure internal noise this time due to time, just external.
Great work :)
To bad this is a size with tyres which aren´t available for me.
If the prices are corrct the GT Radial is to expensive for the performance.
The only tyre which surprised me was the Hankook. Hankook proved in the last years they can also make good winter tyres.
The tyres are feeling a lot like Continental products now, which is no real surprise as I believe Hankook setup r&d right next door to Conti in Germany then borrowed some of their engineers!
Why should Conti help the competitors? Maybe Hankook send spies ;)
Hankook show since years a good progress from mid quality to almost(?) Premium quality. My first Hankook tyres I bought 1991, All Season but even Hankook Germany don´t know which tyres this could be ;) . I don´t have photos of it, but it looked like the 1st Goodyear Vector
Long time ago some ppl think Kumho is the next Hankook, but actually I don´t believe it. And Toyo, which had long time ago some very good tyres, didn´t manage to make a good tyre since more than 10 years.
Oh they didn't help, Hankook offered a lot of engineers more money to move across. A very normal way for businesses to buy big jumps in technology, and it seems to have worked
Ah, OK, I wondered about "borrows".
I love your Youtube videos and the fact that you are doing what you are most passionate about for living which allows you to put all you have to produce the best content possible while having fun doing it. No cheap content to get rating up for Youtube or warring about sponsorship and who to please with.
The fact that you tested these tires at the same time as the All Sean / All Weather tires allows people to see just how much differences there are between the premium All Season vs the premium Winter tires in all weather conditions. It was a surprise to me that the tire with the lowest tread depth (Michelin) has all the best snow performance especially they usually have a tradition of long lasting tread wear and good performance even at low depth of tread at the end of its life. Well done and thank you for the hard/fun work review.
It surprised me too, as tread depth is often useful for snow performance! Michelin obviously know what they're doing :)
Michelin works since the 1st Alpin on it. IIRC Michelin is one of the manufacturers which cut the slats (correct english word for german "Lamellen"?) to the ground while many other manufacturers don´t do that. My Yokohama V905 a good example for these other manufacturers, the tyres get awful with more than 5mm tread in the snow. Michelin let TÜV Süd test it, the Alpin 6 was the best tyre with very low tread, the worst was Bridgestone LM001 Evo