Mild weather performance decisive in Auto Bild winter tyre test

The verdict is now out on the 20 finalists in the Auto Bild 2023 winter tyre test. While the Auto Bild test team found that most of these size 225/45 R18 tyres offered “really good performance” when snow and ice were present, the picture looked different when testing in conditions that motorists more typically encounter. They observed “surprisingly large differences in performance potential” on wet and dry roads and gave only three tyres their top ‘exemplary’ rating. One of the 20 receives a non-recommendation.

Rated exemplary

Test winner – Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
+ Top performance on ice & snow, precise handling on wet & dry roads, good mileage
– High purchase price

Eco champion – Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
+ Balanced tyres with convincing winter properties, very high mileage potential, short braking distances, good comfort
– Elevated rolling resistance

Continental WinterContact TS870 P
+ Winter talent with balanced performance in all weather conditions, dynamic wet & dry handling, short braking distances
– High purchase price

Rated good

BF Goodrich G-Force Winter2
+ Winter specialist with safe handling characteristics on wet & dry roads, good aquaplaning qualities
– Slightly extended dry braking distances

Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
+ Convincing winter properties, dynamic performance on wet surfaces, good mileage potential
– Slight understeer on dry roads

Hankook Winter i*cept evo3
+ Good winter qualities, dynamic dry handling, very good aquaplaning safety reserves
– Average mileage potential

Dunlop Winter Sport 5
+ Balanced performance on snowy & wet roads, good reserves in aquaplaning, high mileage potential
– Slightly extended dry braking distances

Vredestein Wintrac Pro
+ Convincing performance on snow & ice, good aquaplaning reserves, balanced handling on wet & dry roads
– Low mileage potential

Rated satisfactory

Barum Polaris 5
+ Affordably priced tyre with good snow performance, dynamic dry handling, high mileage potential
– Understeer on wet roads

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
+ Wet weather specialist with very good aquaplaning properties, dynamic dry handling
– Moderate lateral grip on snow, low mileage potential

Kleber Krisalp HP3
+ Top performance on snow & ice, good aquaplaning safety reserves, low ride noise
– Tendency to understeer on wet & dry roads

Uniroyal Winter Expert
+ Balanced handling on snowy & wet roads, good price-performance ratio
– Extended braking distances on dry roads

Laufenn i Fit+
+ Convincing handling characteristics on ice & snow, short wet braking distances, low drive-by noise
– Moderate lateral grip on wet & dry roads

Paxaro Inverno
+ Short snow braking distances, good aquaplaning qualities, safe dry handling, affordably priced
– Understeer in wet & snowy conditions, elevated rolling resistance

Toyo Observe S944
+ High traction & short braking distances on snow, decent comfort, good mileage potential
– Moderate lateral grip on snow & wet roads

Semperit Speed-Grip 5
+ Convincingly capable in winter conditions, good dry handling, very good mileage potential
– Little lateral grip in the wet, extended dry braking distances

Conditionally recommendable

Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro
+ Stable handling on wet & dry roads, good ride comfort
– Moderate lateral grip on snow, limited mileage potential, high rolling resistance

Debica Frigo HP2
+ Convincing winter qualities, low purchase price
– Extended wet/dry braking distances, understeer in the dry, increased rolling resistance

Viking WinTech
+ Good snow performance
– Limited wet grip, low aquaplaning safety reserves, extended dry braking distances

Not recommendable

Firestone Winter-Hawk 4
+ Balanced handling on snow and in the wet
– Strong understeer in dry conditions, extended dry braking distances, increased rolling resistance

Go green with Goodyear

In addition to finishing the Auto Bild winter 2023 tyre test as runner-up, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 gains the added distinction of receiving the publication’s ‘Green Tyre’ environmental seal for 2023/4. This is a new honour that Auto Bild bestows upon tyres that are produced and marketed in an environmentally conscious manner without sacrificing safety qualities such as wet grip or stopping distances. “For its exemplary commitment to environmentally conscious, sustainable and safe mobility, we award Goodyear’s UltraGrip Performance 3 our Environmental Seal 2023/24, congratulations!”