5 exemplary tyres in Auto Bild all-season test

As promised, Auto Bild has further tested the 16 tyres remaining in its 2023 all-season test following the elimination of 19 products whose combined wet and dry braking distances didn’t make the grade. The motoring publication’s test team gave five of the size 225/45 R17 tyres their highest ‘exemplary’ rating and they declared a further three ‘good’ tyres. The remaining eight products finished testing with ‘satisfactory’ or ‘conditionally recommended’ ratings.

“All-season tyres are a safe and cost-saving alternative, especially for vehicles in the small and compact car class,” stated testers Dierk Möller and Henning Klipp after being forced to travel to New Zealand to evaluate winter performance at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground in Cardrona. However, they caution motorists to choose their all-season tyres carefully – with the performance of some of the 35 tyres in mind, the testers observe that “all that glitters isn’t gold”.

Rated exemplary

Test winner – Michelin CrossClimate 2
+ Excellent driving characteristics on snow & ice, dynamic dry handling, good aquaplaning qualities, precise turn-in behaviour, very good mileage
– High purchase price

Continental AllSeasonContact 2
+ All-rounder with convincing winter qualities, dynamic handling and short braking distances on wet tracks, low drive-by noise, high mileage potential
– Tendency to understeer

Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6
+ All-round talent with good performance potential, short wet & dry braking distances, agile & safe handling in all weather conditions, good aquaplaning reserves

– High purchase price

Vredestein Quatrac
+ Wet weather specialist with dynamic handling in all conditions, good winter qualities, very good aquaplaning reserves, pleasantly quiet ride comfort
– Mileage potential just average

Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2
+ All-rounder with dynamic & safe handling on wet & dry roads, best aquaplaning safety reserves, quiet ride noise
– Elevated rolling resistance, mileage potential just average

Rated good

Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3
+ Convincingly safe driving characteristics in all weather conditions, good snow traction, very good mileage
– Extended dry braking distances, elevated drive-by noise

Kleber Quadraxer 3
+ Good performance on snowy & dry roads, safe aquaplaning characteristics, short dry braking distances
– Delayed steering response, understeer on wet roads

Eco Champion – Hankook Kinergy 4S2
+ Proven all-season tyre with reliable performance on snow & ice, crisp turn-in behaviour, very good mileage potential
– Slightly extended wet & dry braking distances

Rated satisfactory

BF Goodrich Advantage All Season
+ Good traction and short braking distances on snow, safe aquaplaning qualities, short dry braking distances
– Understeer in the wet, high purchase price, moderate mileage potential

Kumho Solus 4S HA32+
+ Good snow traction, safe wet & dry handling, low ride noise, low purchase price
– Moderate aquaplaning reserves, slightly extended wet/dry braking distances, elevated rolling resistance

Dunlop Sport All Season
+ Balanced handling on wet & dry roads, low rolling resistance, very good ride comfort
– Understeer on snowy surfaces, moderate aquaplaning properties, extended dry braking distances

Nexen N’Blue 4Season 2
+ Balanced dry handling, outstanding mileage potential, reasonable purchase price, short dry braking distances
– Moderate aquaplaning reserves, understeer in wet & snowy conditions

Firestone Multiseason 2
+ Stable handling on snowy & wet roads, low rolling resistance
– Moderate aquaplaning qualities, understeer in snowy & dry conditions, limited mileage potential

Toyo Celsius AS2
+ Good aquaplaning safety reserves, high mileage potential
– Average winter qualities, understeer on snowy & wet roads, extended wet braking distances

Rated conditionally recommendable

Ceat 4SeasonDrive +
+ Good mileage potential, low ride noise, favourable purchase price
– Limited winter capabilities with little lateral grip on snow, extended braking distances

Falken EuroAll Season AS220 Pro
+ Short wet & dry braking distances, dynamic dry handling
– Driving characteristics on snow & ice just satisfactory, delayed steering response, moderate mileage potential, increased rolling resistance