Auto Bild Allrad tests winter SUV tyres

According to Auto Bild Allrad, winter tyres continue to improve in regards to their performance – but are also becoming pricier. The specialist SUV and 4×4 publication thus asks whether these products are worth buying. In order to provide an answer, it tested ten premium, value and budget tyres in size 235/55 R18. What Auto Bild Allrad found is that it is still possible to get “good performance at a fair price” when buying winter tyres. It rated the two best-scoring performers as ‘exemplary’ products and named them this year’s joint winners.

Rated Exemplary

Test winner – Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV
+ New winter pattern with top driving characteristics of snowy and wet surfaces, precise turn-in, dynamic wet handling, short stopping distances in the wet.
– Ride comfort only average.

Test winner – Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
+ King of the winter with top driving performance on snow & ice, stable wet and dry handling, good aquaplaning safety reserves, quite tyre-road noise.
– Priced at a very high level.

Rated Good

Bridgestone Blizzak LM 005
+ Premium tyre with outstanding driving performance in all weather conditions, top aquaplaning safety reserves, precise wet and dry handling.
– Slightly lengthy dry stopping distance.

Vredestein Wintrac Pro
+ Winter specialist with good driving performance on wet & snowy roads, short snow and wet stopping distances, high aquaplaning safety, affordably priced.
– Slightly lengthy dry stopping distance.

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
+ All-round talent with convincing winter qualities, stable wet & dry handling, low rolling resistance.
– Slightly lengthy dry stopping distance, high purchase price.

Hankook Winter i*cept evo 3 X
+ High performance potential in all weather conditions, short snow & wet stopping distances, stable wet & dry handling.
– Moderate ride comfort, elevated rolling resistance.

Rated Satisfactory

Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
+ High levels of grip in the wet, dynamic wet & dry handling, short wet stopping distances, affordably priced.
– Moderate lateral control & understeer on snow, slightly lengthy dry stopping distance.

Nokian WR SUV 4
+ Good traction & short stopping distances on snow, stable dry handling, quiet tyre-road noise.
– Moderate reserves when aquaplaning, slightly lengthy dry stopping distance, average comfort.

Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
+Good performance on snowy & wet surfaces, high aquaplaning safety, affordably priced.
– Understeer, delayed steering response, slightly lengthy dry stopping distance.

Rated Not Recommendable

Tristar Snowpower UHP
+ Stable dry handling, very low price.
– Only satisfactory snow suitability, low levels of grip on wet surfaces, low aquaplaning safety reserves, dangerously lengthy wet stopping distances.