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2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Tested and written by Jonathan Benson
8 min read Updated
Below are all the data points for the 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP 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.

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Hankook Winter i cept evo3
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Superia Bluewin UHP2

Quick Navigation

Dry Performance Overview

Dry Braking (M)

Spread: 1.30 M (3.1%) | Avg: 42.38 M

Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: All the tyres in the dry braking test finished less than 3% apart.
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    41.7 M
  2. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    42 M
  3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    42.1 M
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    42.6 M
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    42.9 M
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    43 M

Dry Handling (s)

Spread: 2.44 s (4.7%) | Avg: 53.25 s

Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 with a result of 52.46 s. The difference between best and worst was 4.4%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    52.46 s
  2. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    52.87 s
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    53.01 s
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    53.09 s
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    53.18 s
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    54.9 s

Subj. Dry Handling ( Points)

Spread: 0.50 Points (5%) | Avg: 9.63 Points

Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 with a result of 10 Points. The difference between best and worst was 5%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    10 Points
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    9.8 Points
  3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    9.5 Points
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    9.5 Points
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    9.5 Points
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    9.5 Points

Wet Performance Overview

Wet Braking (M)

Spread: 5.80 M (21%) | Avg: 30.82 M

Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 with a result of 27.6 M. The difference between best and worst was 17.4%.
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    27.6 M
  2. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    30.5 M
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    30.5 M
  4. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    31.3 M
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    31.6 M
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    33.4 M

Wet Braking - Cool (M)

Spread: 3.20 M (10.4%) | Avg: 32.20 M

Wet braking at cooler temperature in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 with a result of 30.7 M. The difference between best and worst was 9.4%.
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    30.7 M
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    31.2 M
  3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    31.6 M
  4. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    32.9 M
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    32.9 M
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    33.9 M

Wet Braking - Worn (M)

Spread: 9.50 M (29.1%) | Avg: 35.47 M

Wet braking at Low Tread Depth (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 with a result of 32.7 M. The difference between best and worst was 22.5%.
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    32.7 M
  2. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    32.9 M
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    33.2 M
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    34.6 M
  5. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    37.2 M
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    42.2 M

Wet Handling (s)

Spread: 7.20 s (8.5%) | Avg: 86.98 s

Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 with a result of 84.77 s. The difference between best and worst was 7.8%.
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    84.77 s
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    85.01 s
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    85.73 s
  4. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    86.57 s
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    87.85 s
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    91.97 s

Subj. Wet Handling ( Points)

Spread: 5.00 Points (50%) | Avg: 8.75 Points

Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 with a result of 10 Points. The difference between best and worst was 50%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    10 Points
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    10 Points
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    9.5 Points
  4. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    9 Points
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    9 Points
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    5 Points

Wet Circle (s)

Spread: 0.62 s (5.2%) | Avg: 12.12 s

Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 with a result of 11.81 s. The difference between best and worst was 5%.
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    11.81 s
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    12.02 s
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    12.05 s
  4. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    12.09 s
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    12.32 s
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    12.43 s

Straight Aqua (Km/H)

Spread: 12.50 Km/H (12.5%) | Avg: 93.40 Km/H

Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 with a result of 100.1 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 12.5%.
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    100.1 Km/H
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    94.9 Km/H
  3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    92.8 Km/H
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    92.6 Km/H
  5. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    92.4 Km/H
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    87.6 Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning (m/sec2)

Spread: 2.06 m/sec2 (62.8%) | Avg: 2.23 m/sec2

Remaining lateral acceleration (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 with a result of 3.28 m/sec2. The difference between best and worst was 62.8%.
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    3.28 m/sec2
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    2.37 m/sec2
  3. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    2.32 m/sec2
  4. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    2.3 m/sec2
  5. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    1.87 m/sec2
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    1.22 m/sec2

Snow Performance Overview

Snow Braking (M)

Spread: 0.50 M (3.1%) | Avg: 16.19 M

Snow braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: All the tyres in the snow braking test finished less than 3% apart.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    15.93 M
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    16.11 M
  3. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    16.11 M
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    16.21 M
  5. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    16.36 M
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    16.43 M

Snow Traction (s)

Spread: 0.87 s (11%) | Avg: 8.26 s

Snow acceleration time (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 with a result of 7.93 s. The difference between best and worst was 9.9%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    7.93 s
  2. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    7.94 s
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    8.2 s
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    8.34 s
  5. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    8.36 s
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    8.8 s

Snow Handling (s)

Spread: 2.80 s (3.5%) | Avg: 80.69 s

Snow handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 with a result of 79.76 s. The difference between best and worst was 3.4%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    79.76 s
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    80 s
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    80.32 s
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    80.48 s
  5. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    81.04 s
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    82.56 s

Subj. Snow Handling ( Points)

Spread: 1.00 Points (10%) | Avg: 9.45 Points

Subjective Snow Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 with a result of 10 Points. The difference between best and worst was 10%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    10 Points
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    9.8 Points
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    9.5 Points
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    9.2 Points
  5. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    9.2 Points
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    9 Points

Snow Slalom (m/sec2)

Spread: 0.03 m/sec2 (7.4%) | Avg: 0.34 m/sec2

Lateral acceleration (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 with a result of 0.352 m/sec2. The difference between best and worst was 7.4%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    0.352 m/sec2
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    0.348 m/sec2
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    0.344 m/sec2
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    0.342 m/sec2
  5. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    0.342 m/sec2
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    0.326 m/sec2

Comfort Performance Overview

Subj. Comfort ( Points)

Spread: 0.75 Points (7.5%) | Avg: 9.54 Points

Subjective Comfort Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental WinterContact TS 870 P with a result of 10 Points. The difference between best and worst was 7.5%.
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    10 Points
  2. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    9.75 Points
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    9.75 Points
  4. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    9.25 Points
  5. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    9.25 Points
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    9.25 Points

Noise (dB)

Spread: 3.80 dB (5.3%) | Avg: 72.93 dB

External noise in dB (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Superia Bluewin UHP2 with a result of 71.3 dB. The difference between best and worst was 5.1%.
  1. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    71.3 dB
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    72 dB
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    72.4 dB
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    73.1 dB
  5. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    73.7 dB
  6. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    75.1 dB

Value Performance Overview

Wear (KM)

Spread: 14820.00 KM (47.1%) | Avg: 24526.67 KM

Predicted tread life in KM (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 with a result of 31460 KM. The difference between best and worst was 47.1%.
  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    31460 KM
  2. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    30160 KM
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    26000 KM
  4. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    25480 KM
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    17420 KM
  6. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    16640 KM

Value (Price/1000)

Spread: 8.22 Price/1000 (196.2%) | Avg: 7.67 Price/1000

Euros/1000km based on cost/wear (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Superia Bluewin UHP2 with a result of 4.19 Price/1000. The difference between best and worst was 66.2%.
  1. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    4.19 Price/1000
  2. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    5.71 Price/1000
  3. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    7.29 Price/1000
  4. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    7.83 Price/1000
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    8.58 Price/1000
  6. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    12.41 Price/1000

Price

Spread: 176.73 (253.4%) | Avg: 185.73

Price in local currency (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Superia Bluewin UHP2. The difference between best and worst was 71.7%.
  1. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    69.73
  2. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    172.34
  3. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    185.85
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    216.22
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    223.8
  6. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    246.46

Rolling Resistance (kg / t)

Spread: 1.46 kg / t (18.6%) | Avg: 8.36 kg / t

Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Hankook Winter i cept evo3 with a result of 7.84 kg / t. The difference between best and worst was 15.7%.
  1. Hankook Winter i cept evo3
    7.84 kg / t
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    7.97 kg / t
  3. Superia Bluewin UHP2
    8.02 kg / t
  4. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    8.45 kg / t
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    8.58 kg / t
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    9.3 kg / t

Overall Findings

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

Position Tyre Score
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P 96%
2 Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 95.9%
3 Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 95.6%
4 Vredestein Wintrac Pro 95.1%
5 Hankook Winter i cept evo3 94.5%
6 Superia Bluewin UHP2 90.2%

Test Winner

Superia Bluewin UHP2
Superia Bluewin UHP2

90.2%

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Discussion

11 comments
  1. Grzegorz archived

    I'm trying to decide between Vredestein Wintrac Pro and Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus for a UHP sporty feel.winyer tyre. If I understand correctly UG P+ are more "sporty" than UG P3, is that correct? In the size that I need (225/50R17), P3 are rated C in wet grip while P+ are rated B. How would you compare the Wintrac Pro to UG P+ in terms od subjective handling? Tyres will be used on RX-8 in south of Poland, so I expect some snow and a lot of melting slush.

    #9609
    1. TyreReviews Grzegorz archived

      I'm not sure what I'd go with. The Wintrac still tests very well sometimes, I thought the UGP3 replaces the P+ but I'd have to check and can't at the moment (on a flight)

      #9616
  2. Midnight archived

    Since these tires are UHP, why were the speed ratings of these tires left out of the comparison? Continental's 830P winter tires are designed for UHP vehicles--not the 870P's that were tested. The Vredestein tires tested were the correct tires for UHP vehicles with a "W" speed rating. All the others limited out at "V".

    The clear winner here is the Vredestein for true UHP performance.

    Another tire that should have been tested is the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905. It has a "W" rating.

    #9368
    1. TyreReviews Midnight archived

      Speed ratings can be found in the results section.

      The TS830P has been replaced twice, first by the TS850S and now the TS870P.

      #9369
      1. Midnight TyreReviews archived

        The ContiWinterContact TS 830 P is listed right now on Continental's website, so it has not been replaced. This series is listed as factory fit for Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and Rolls-Royce. The 830P is described on Conitental's website as a "performance winter tire for high performance cars", and is their only winter tire described in those terms.

        The 870P is a very good tire, but not one for a UHP category. High performance yes, but not ultra high performance.

        #9371
        1. Midnight Midnight archived

          By the way, I don't want to sound too critical--just discerning. I am grateful the UHP winter comparison review was made as Tire Reviews is the only site with so much depth in their tire reviews. Please keep it up! I am also grateful that you responded to my initial comment.

          Also, I was wrong about Continental's winter tires maxing out with a speed rating of V. For some reason, many of their winter tire models range from T to W, and it varies with the specific size you need. Very odd. The winter tires that fit my BMW have a V rating in the 830P series. I went with Vredestein this winter because of the W rating that fit my BMW 750ix. The Vredestein tires are excellent for Pacific NW winters.

          #9372
          1. TyreReviews Midnight archived

            TS850P launch - specifically states it replaces the 830P
            https://www.pressebox.com/p...

            TS870P launch - replaces 850P
            https://www.continental.com...

            The 830P only still exists for sale due to old OE programs still being used. They will be working on replacement with the newer models. OE programs can be very behind the latest pattern due to the time and costs involved in OE programs.

            #9373
            1. pecata TyreReviews archived

              You are right. 830P are still offered in Audi dealerships and when they put VIN number of your car computer is showing 830P and that's all they offer :)

              870P is a first non-asymmetric Conti sport tyre from many years.
              830P, 850P, 860S = asymmetric

              #9386
  3. B.A archived

    Great review but I had some questions about the wear data.
    Living in a Nordic country I, and everybody around me, use winter tyres every year. Never have I seen a tyre, even a cheap Chinese one, to last less than 20 000km. And we're talking about best of the best tyres in the world here, surely they must last way longer than the projected numbers in this review.
    My last tyres which I replaced after 4 seasons due to rubber getting hard and loss of grip drove over 23 000 and still had 6mm of tread left. I had 5 year old Hankook IZ2 on my previous car with over 30 000 and they were still superb and at around 5mm of tread.
    The wear data feels slightly off. Or your testing regimen was very hard on tyres. Usually, driving style in winter conditions is calm and grandfatherly which helps with the longevity of the tyres as well.
    Also, Nordic countries have a legal winter tyre tread limit of 3mm. Going down to 1.6 is dangerous and illegal. However I'm sure in Central-European countries that don't mandate winter tyres the tyres can be worn down to 1.6.

    #9230
    1. TyreReviews B.A archived

      You are getting a LOT of miles out of nordic winters. Even Michelin will only warrant the X-Ice Snow to 30k in the US, and that's the best of the bunch in wear, and that's also down to 1.6mm!

      #9236
  4. Piotr archived

    Why no Pirelli P Zero Winter? :(

    #9228