Tyre test: Auto Bild crowns Michelin & Pirelli its winter monarchs

The tyre boffins at Auto Bild have been busy of late, evaluating no fewer than 56 products for their 2022 winter test. After looking at the size 255/55 R17 tyres’ braking performance in wet and snowy conditions, Auto Bild selected the 20 with the shortest average stopping distances and subjected these to further testing on dry, wet and snow-covered surfaces and also examined their comfort, noise, mileage and rolling resistance. The motoring publication declared two tyres joint test winners and gave five products – including three from the Goodyear family – the highest ‘exemplary’ rating.

Test winners – exemplary

Michelin Alpin 6
+ Convincing driving performance in all conditions, precise turn-in ability, sporty & dynamic handling, high mileage potential.
– High purchase price.

Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
+ Convincing all-round talent with very good mileage potential and highly economic, precise driving behaviour on wet surfaces, good aquaplaning characteristics.
– Average comfort.

Rated exemplary

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance +
+ Top performance on snowy surfaces, balanced driving characteristics on wet and dry roads, very economic.
– Average comfort.

Dunlop Winter Sport 5
+ Stable driving characteristics on wet & dry surfaces, good traction and precise handling on snow, good mileage potential.
– High purchase price.

Cooper Discoverer Winter
+ Affordable tyre with balanced performance characteristics, convincing surefootedness on snow, stable dry handling, short dry braking distances.

– Average comfort.

Rated good

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
+ Convincing handling qualities on wet and dry surfaces, precise turn-in, short wet & dry braking distances.
– Moderate mileage potential, loud exterior noise.

Hankook Winter i*cept RS 3
+ New design with balanced driving characteristics, dynamic wet & dry handling, good aquaplaning reserves.
– Moderate mileage potential, average comfort.

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
+ Top winter tyre with excellent driving dynamics in all conditions, low rolling resistance.
– Limited mileage potential and operating economy.

BFGoodrich G-Force Winter2
+ Snow expert with very good driving qualities on packed snow surfaces, good aquaplaning reserves, quiet and comfortable.
– Slightly lengthy wet braking distance, high purchase price.

Semperit Speed-Grip 5
+ Short braking distances & precise handling on ice & snow, very good aquaplaning qualities, low rolling resistance.
– Moderate wet grip, extended wet & dry braking distances.

Kleber Krisalp HP3
+ Convincing qualities on ice & snow, good aquaplaning safety reserves, affordably priced.
– Extended wet braking distances, understeer in the wet & dry.

Vredestein Wintrac Pro
+ Safe driving characteristics in all conditions, short snow & dry braking distances.
– Extended wet braking distances, moderate mileage potential & operating economy.

Falken Eurowinter HS01
+ Short braking distances on snow, very good aquaplaning safety reserves, stable dry handling.
– Moderate lateral control on snowy & wet surfaces, elevated rolling resistance.

Nexen Winguard Sport 2
+ Good traction & short braking distances on snow, stable wet & dry handling.
– Understeer on snow, limited mileage potential, elevated rolling resistance.

Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
+ Balanced winter characteristics, safe aquaplaning behaviour, affordably priced.
– Slightly lengthened wet & dry braking distances, low mileage potential, elevated rolling resistance.

Rated satisfactory

Firestone Winterhawk 4
+ Convincing snow qualities, quiet external noise, very good mileage potential.
– Just satisfactory qualities in dry conditions, extended braking distances in the wet & dry, moderate driving comfort.

Eco champion: Kumho Wintercraft WP52
+ Dynamic dry handling, high mileage potential, highly economic.
– Limited grip levels in the wet, strong understeer in the wet, low aquaplaning reserves.

Nokian WR Snowproof P
+ Dynamic dry handling, low external noise, good mileage potential.
– Moderate lateral control & understeer on snow, limited aquaplaning qualities.

Fulda Kristall Control HP 2
+ Short braking distances on snow, good operating economy with high mileage potential.
– Marked understeer in all conditions, extended wet & dry braking distances.

Uniroyal Winter Expert
+ Convincing winter qualities, low rolling resistance.
– Delayed steering response, strong understeer in the wet & dry, extended wet & dry braking distances.