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2023 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Tested and written by Jonathan Benson
9 min read Updated
Below are all the data points for the 2023 Tyre Reviews 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.

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
Leao Winter Defender UHP
Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV

Quick Navigation

Dry Performance Overview

Dry Braking (M)

Spread: 2.73 M (6.6%) | Avg: 42.79 M

Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Leao Winter Defender UHP with a result of 41.45 M. The difference between best and worst was 6.2%.
  1. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    41.45 M
  2. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    41.52 M
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    42.15 M
  4. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    42.63 M
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    42.93 M
  6. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    43.02 M
  7. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    43.46 M
  8. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    43.75 M
  9. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    44.18 M

Dry Handling (s)

Spread: 1.25 s (1.9%) | Avg: 66.62 s

Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: All the tyres in the dry handling test finished less than 3% apart.
  1. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    66.11 s
  2. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    66.27 s
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    66.28 s
  4. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    66.37 s
  5. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    66.61 s
  6. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    66.63 s
  7. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    66.88 s
  8. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    67.11 s
  9. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    67.36 s

Subj. Dry Handling ( Points)

Spread: 12.00 Points (12%) | Avg: 95.22 Points

Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X with a result of 100 Points. The difference between best and worst was 12%.
  1. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    100 Points
  2. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    100 Points
  3. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    100 Points
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    95 Points
  5. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    95 Points
  6. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    95 Points
  7. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    92 Points
  8. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    92 Points
  9. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    88 Points

Wet Performance Overview

Wet Braking (M)

Spread: 2.25 M (6.8%) | Avg: 33.84 M

Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV with a result of 32.86 M. The difference between best and worst was 6.4%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    32.86 M
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    33.03 M
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    33.06 M
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    33.32 M
  5. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    33.64 M
  6. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    34.11 M
  7. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    34.64 M
  8. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    34.75 M
  9. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    35.11 M

Wet Handling (s)

Spread: 3.03 s (4.1%) | Avg: 74.00 s

Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2 with a result of 73.11 s. The difference between best and worst was 4%.
  1. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    73.11 s
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    73.33 s
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    73.45 s
  4. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    73.55 s
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    73.85 s
  6. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    73.9 s
  7. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    74.13 s
  8. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    74.56 s
  9. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    76.14 s

Subj. Wet Handling ( Points)

Spread: 20.00 Points (20%) | Avg: 94.11 Points

Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV with a result of 100 Points. The difference between best and worst was 20%.
  1. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    100 Points
  2. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    100 Points
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    95 Points
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    95 Points
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    95 Points
  6. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    95 Points
  7. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    95 Points
  8. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    92 Points
  9. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    80 Points

Straight Aqua (Km/H)

Spread: 5.80 Km/H (6.4%) | Avg: 86.86 Km/H

Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV with a result of 90.7 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 6.4%.
  1. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    90.7 Km/H
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    88.7 Km/H
  3. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    88.3 Km/H
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    86.6 Km/H
  5. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    86.1 Km/H
  6. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    85.8 Km/H
  7. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    85.3 Km/H
  8. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    85.3 Km/H
  9. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    84.9 Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning (m/sec2)

Spread: 0.90 m/sec2 (20.9%) | Avg: 3.76 m/sec2

Remaining lateral acceleration (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV with a result of 4.3 m/sec2. The difference between best and worst was 20.9%.
  1. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    4.3 m/sec2
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    4.08 m/sec2
  3. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    4 m/sec2
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    3.73 m/sec2
  5. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    3.64 m/sec2
  6. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    3.63 m/sec2
  7. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    3.6 m/sec2
  8. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    3.42 m/sec2
  9. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    3.4 m/sec2

Snow Performance Overview

Snow Braking (M)

Spread: 3.54 M (22.2%) | Avg: 16.50 M

Snow braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X with a result of 15.92 M. The difference between best and worst was 18.2%.
  1. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    15.92 M
  2. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    15.97 M
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    16.06 M
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    16.13 M
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    16.21 M
  6. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    16.23 M
  7. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    16.24 M
  8. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    16.31 M
  9. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    19.46 M

Snow Traction (s)

Spread: 0.98 s (27.8%) | Avg: 3.72 s

Snow acceleration time (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV with a result of 3.53 s. The difference between best and worst was 21.7%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    3.53 s
  2. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    3.54 s
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    3.56 s
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    3.62 s
  5. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    3.65 s
  6. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    3.67 s
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    3.68 s
  8. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    3.76 s
  9. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    4.51 s

Snow Handling (s)

Spread: 7.65 s (8.6%) | Avg: 92.76 s

Snow handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV with a result of 88.65 s. The difference between best and worst was 7.9%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    88.65 s
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    90.85 s
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    91.9 s
  4. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    92.05 s
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    92.35 s
  6. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    93.25 s
  7. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    94.6 s
  8. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    94.9 s
  9. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    96.3 s

Subj. Snow Handling ( Points)

Spread: 20.00 Points (20%) | Avg: 93.00 Points

Subjective Snow Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV with a result of 100 Points. The difference between best and worst was 20%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    100 Points
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    95 Points
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    95 Points
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    95 Points
  5. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    95 Points
  6. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    95 Points
  7. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    92 Points
  8. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    90 Points
  9. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    80 Points

Comfort Performance Overview

Subj. Comfort ( Points)

Spread: 8.00 Points (8%) | Avg: 95.22 Points

Subjective Comfort Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV with a result of 100 Points. The difference between best and worst was 8%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    100 Points
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    98 Points
  3. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    98 Points
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    95 Points
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    95 Points
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    95 Points
  7. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    92 Points
  8. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    92 Points
  9. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    92 Points

Subj. Noise ( Points)

Spread: 10.00 Points (10%) | Avg: 95.33 Points

Subjective in car noise levels (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV with a result of 100 Points. The difference between best and worst was 10%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    100 Points
  2. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    100 Points
  3. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    98 Points
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    95 Points
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    95 Points
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    95 Points
  7. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    95 Points
  8. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    90 Points
  9. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    90 Points

Noise (dB)

Spread: 5.70 dB (8.3%) | Avg: 71.22 dB

External noise in dB (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV with a result of 68.9 dB. The difference between best and worst was 7.6%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    68.9 dB
  2. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    70 dB
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    70.5 dB
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    70.8 dB
  5. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    70.9 dB
  6. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    71.1 dB
  7. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    72 dB
  8. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    72.2 dB
  9. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    74.6 dB

Value Performance Overview

Price

Spread: 72.50 (73.2%) | Avg: 142.83

Price in local currency (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Leao Winter Defender UHP. The difference between best and worst was 42.3%.
  1. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    98.99
  2. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    106.39
  3. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    128.79
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    138.29
  5. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    157.69
  6. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    160.39
  7. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    161.19
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    162.29
  9. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    171.49

Rolling Resistance (kg / t)

Spread: 1.98 kg / t (30.5%) | Avg: 7.86 kg / t

Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental WinterContact TS 870 P with a result of 6.493 kg / t. The difference between best and worst was 23.4%.
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    6.493 kg / t
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    7.248 kg / t
  3. Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
    7.459 kg / t
  4. Leao Winter Defender UHP
    7.772 kg / t
  5. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    8.186 kg / t
  6. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    8.221 kg / t
  7. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    8.43 kg / t
  8. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV
    8.467 kg / t
  9. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV
    8.476 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 97.9%
2 Continental WinterContact TS 870 P 97.7%
3 Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X 97.1%
4 Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 97.1%
5 Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2 96.2%
6 Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV 96.1%
7 Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus SUV 95.8%
8 Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 SUV 94.7%
9 Leao Winter Defender UHP 91.4%

Test Winner

Leao Winter Defender UHP
Leao Winter Defender UHP

91.4%

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Discussion

11 comments
  1. Jordi archived

    Hello,
    One quick question: is there a big difference between Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV and Michelin Alpine 7? When I put my wheel size 225 60 R18 100H to look for winter tyres (for my RAV4 PHEV 2,000kg weight) I got both options. But always I see in your reviews for winter tyres testing Michelin Pilot Alpin but never Michelin Alpine (cars or SUV). Is there a lot difference Pilot Alpine versus just Alpine? Thanks.

    #10388
    1. TyreReviews Jordi archived

      Pilot Alpin is the more sporty winter tyre line, the regular alpin is more comfort / touring bias. The SUV marking probably doesn't make much difference.

      #10394
  2. Ib Olesen archived

    Hi,
    Why do they make the same Alpin 5 tyres for SUV and non-SUV?

    What is the differens? It's as if non-SUV tyres score better. Take a look:

    SUV
    https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Michelin/Pilot-Alpin-5-SUV.htm

    Non-SUV
    https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Michelin/Pilot-Alpin-5.htm

    I bought Michelin Pilot Alpin SUV 245-50-19 ZP for my BMW iX3 because it is proved by BMW to iX3, but I think it makes a special noise which BMW says it is because it is a run-flat tyre. But I can also see that the rolling resistance is less on this run-flat compared to the Alpin 5 SUV as a non-run-flat tyre.

    I think I will replace the Alpin tyre with TS870 P on iX3. How will I experience the difference in terms of noise?

    #9823
    1. TyreReviews Ib Olesen archived

      Generally it's for marketing reasons and the only differences are the size and the sidewall

      #9824
      1. Ib Olesen TyreReviews archived

        Thanks :-)

        Are there any experiences in therms of noise between TS 870 P and the run-flat-tire Alpin 5 SUV ZP?

        #9828
  3. René Devilee archived

    Great test Jonathan! I have a question that I can't get answered properly. I have just bought a Volvo XC90 T8 and want to put it on winter tires as we often drive to Sweden. Volvo puts 275 - 45-R20 tires on 20" inc rims. I actually want 245 or 255 tires on these 9-20 rims. Not for the price, but for the idea that a narrower tire has more grip in snow. What do you have for advice for me. Thanks!

    #9209
  4. Dóminiq Peschken archived

    Awesome test yet again Jonathan! Question; is there a (big) difference in fitting these suv tyres, as opposed to the non SUV variant? (with a high enough load rating of course) Thanks!

    #9145
    1. TyreReviews Dóminiq Peschken archived

      It really does vary. If you can find them in the same specs (size, speed and load rating) they might actually be the same tyre, just different sidewalls, or they might be quite different!

      #9146
      1. Falcon TyreReviews archived

        Width of a tire matters as you cannot mount a snow chain on all tire dimensions. You have to check the owner's manual and/or homologation data to find out the limits. In my case I had to move from 275/50/20 summer to 265/55/19 winter because this was the max size that snow chains were allowed. With all 20, 21 and bigger rims this would not have worked. Also for the same car make a winter higher side wall makes more sense as you protect the rim itself in case of driving in more harsh conditions iced ruts etc.

        #10434