Auto Bild is back with another tyre test, this time featuring a “diverse mix” of all-season SUV tyres in 215/50 R18 from “established premium manufacturers to promising up-and-coming brands and budget brands.” The motoring publication evaluated the ten makes of tyre in snowy, wet and dry conditions at proving grounds in both hemispheres, and by the close of play had determined that these all-season products “do not quite match the high standard set by summer or winter tyres in this size category.” Even so, Auto Bild declared three tyres ‘exemplary’.
This trio of joint test winners are the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 and Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF 3, which “offer the best compromise in all weather conditions,” as well as the Continental AllSeasonContact 2, which “comes closest to a high-quality winter tyre but loses ground in dry conditions.” Hard luck for the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3, which the Auto Bild team found to be “excellent on snow” but disqualified from the top ‘exemplary’ rating as its braking distances on wet roads were too long.
As well as its test winners, Auto Bild rated two of the tyres as ‘good’ and gave its ‘satisfactory’ rating to a further three. Another two tyres fared less well, with one achieving a conditional recommendation. Auto Bild withheld its recommendation entirely from the other.
Rated exemplary
Joint test winner – Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6
+ All-rounder with very balanced performance in all road conditions
– Somewhat louder rolling noise
Joint test winner – Continental AllSeasonContact 2
+ Snow expert with impressive winter performance, top results even in wet conditions
– Slightly longer braking distance on dry roads
Joint test winner – Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF 3
+ Excellent compromise with strong results in all test disciplines
– No significant slip-ups in the current test
Rated good
Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3
+ Snowplough, strong performance in dry conditions
– Extended braking distance in wet conditions affected final score
Hankook Kinergy 4S 2 X
+ Aquaplaning expert with all-round ‘good’ performance, affordable price
– Slightly longer braking distances in wet & dry conditions compared to top tyres
Rated satisfactory
Giti All Season AS 2
+ Proficient winter performer with short braking distance on snow-covered roads, strong in cornering aquaplaning
– Extended wet braking distance, slightly imprecise handling in dry conditions
Kleber Quadraxer 3 SUV
+ Snow specialist with excellent lateral guidance and shortest braking distance
– Weaker in wet handling & braking as well as in dry handling
Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 SUV
+ Excellent in the rain with high aquaplaning reserves
– Overall weaker on snow, highest rolling resistance of all candidates
Conditionally recommendable
Linglong Sport Master 4S
+ Dry weather specialist with the highest permissible load capacity among the 10 tested tyres
– Longer braking distance on snow, weaker in aquaplaning
Not recommendable
Fortuna Eco Plus 2 4S
+ Bargain price with good performance on snow
– Significantly too long wet braking distances, difficult to control handling in wet conditions, uneven dry handling
