Winter tyres may account for less than one per cent of retail tyre sales in the UK, but that hasn’t stopped Auto Express from examining seven products in the run-up to the colder part of the year. For its 2024 winter tyre test, the publication focused on the popular 205/55 R16 size, a common fitment for cars such as the VW Golf Mk7 it used for the testing.
The Auto Express team tested the Continental WinterContact TS 870, Falken Eurowinter HS02, Goodride Snowmaster S608, Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3, Hankook i’cept RS3, Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 and Vredestein Wintrac for their snow, wet, and dry handling, braking performance, rolling resistance, comfort, and value, providing a comprehensive overview of each tyre’s capabilities in a range of winter conditions. It awarded points for performance in wet (50% of the total), snow (20%) and dry (20%) conditions, as well as for rolling resistance, comfort and price (10%).
The publication also planned to bring the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 into the test group, however a lack of stock prevented this. Present but not officially scored were an all-season and a summer tyre, which Auto Express tested alongside the seven winter models to provide insights into their comparative performance.
How the tyres performed
1) Test winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870
+ Exceptional in all conditions, leading in wet and snow braking, and fastest in dry handling. Superb precision, grip, and poise in wet conditions.
– Only fourth in rolling resistance. Slightly behind in deep-water aquaplaning.
A WhatTyre Highly Recommended Winter Tyre for 2024, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 once again proved itself as the standout performer in Auto Express testing, retaining its top spot from the 2022 comparative evaluation of this tyre size. The WinterContact TS 870 dominated across all key areas, particularly in wet and snow conditions. It excelled in snow, leading both braking and traction categories, although it required some effort to bring out its best during handling on snowy surfaces. However, in the wet, the TS 870 was unbeatable, claiming the top spots in braking, wet circle, and handling tests. Its outstanding grip, precision, and stability made the Continental tyre a formidable contender in the wet, and it continued to impress in aquaplaning resistance tests, finishing second in curved aquaplaning and third in straight-line resistance. On dry roads, the Continental also performed well, securing the fastest lap time and third place in dry braking. The only area where the Continental fell slightly short was in rolling resistance, where it finished fourth. Despite this, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 demonstrated an “unmatched level of ability in all conditions” and remains a top choice for winter driving, according to Auto Express.
2) Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
+ Consistently excellent across snow, wet, and dry conditions, with top scores in snow traction and second in wet braking. Best rolling resistance and quiet cabin noise.
– Didn’t win any individual categories. Slightly off the lead in snow braking and handling.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 took second place, showing remarkable consistency across all the tested conditions. While not topping any single handling or grip category, it consistently placed within the top three, and importantly, it delivered the lowest rolling resistance and was thus the most fuel-efficient tyre in the test. In snow, the Goodyear tyre was competitive, finishing just a fraction of a second behind the leader in braking and traction. It was particularly well-behaved on the snow circuit, delivering strong cornering grip and stable handling, with quick recovery from slides. In wet conditions, the UltraGrip Performance 3 shone, finishing a close second in wet braking, just half a metre behind the leader, and showing excellent cornering grip. Its wet handling was also exemplary, providing the feeling that “the track was wider” on the Goodyear, highlighting its stability and control. In the dry, the tyre continued to perform strongly, finishing second in both braking and handling tests. This consistent performance across all conditions earned the UltraGrip Performance 3 a solid second place overall, with Auto Express praising it as a “consistently excellent tyre that delivers great performance in all conditions.”
3) Hankook i’cept RS3
+ Strong in snow, setting the pace in snow handling. Best in deep-water aquaplaning and efficient in rolling resistance.
– Below average in dry braking and handling. Lacked grip and precision compared to top competitors in the wet.
Finishing in third place was the Hankook i’cept RS3, which stood out for its impressive performance in snow and wet conditions, although it was less competitive in the dry. The Hankook tyre performed exceptionally on snow, setting the fastest lap time on the snow handling circuit with strong grip, traction, and cornering. It also took second place in snow braking and third in snow traction. Its performance in aquaplaning tests was particularly noteworthy, where it led both deep-water resistance categories. However, in the wet, it was more of a middle performer, finishing third in wet circle tests and fourth in braking. Its weakest area was dry braking, where it took nearly 2.5 metres longer to stop compared to the leader, and it was similarly outpaced in dry handling. Despite these shortcomings, Auto Express praised the Hankook as a “great snow tyre” that remains effective in the wet and “fair in the dry,” with the added benefit of being economical.
4) Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
+ Strong in both wet and dry handling, with good traction and cornering. Competitive lap times and impressive comfort.
– Midfield in snow braking and traction. High rolling resistance.
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 delivered a solid all-round performance, although it didn’t lead in any particular area. It performed best in handling, finishing second in both wet and dry handling tests, and was fourth on the snow circuit. The tyre was competitive in snow braking and traction but didn’t excel compared to the top performers. In the wet, it was strong in braking, finishing third, but struggled slightly in aquaplaning resistance, where it ranked around the middle. The Auto Express test team also praised the Pirelli tyre for its “calm poise” on dry handling circuits, offering great grip and composure. However, its high rolling resistance meant it was not the most economical tyre in the test. While it didn’t top any of the categories, Auto Express described the Cinturato Winter 2 as a “solid all-rounder” with good handling characteristics and a refined drive.
5) Vredestein Wintrac
+ Improved snow performance with competitive snow braking and traction. Decent handling balance and predictability.
– Weaker performance in wet and dry, especially compared to previous years. Noisiest tyre in the test.
The Vredestein Wintrac showed improvement in snow performance compared to the 2022 size 205/55 R16 test, placing fourth in both snow braking and traction. However, its gains in snow came at the expense of its wet and dry performance, where it lagged behind the premium brands. On snow, the Vredestein handled responsively, although it lacked the sharp turn-in of the top contenders. In wet and dry conditions, its braking and handling results were middling, finishing in the middle of the pack for aquaplaning resistance. Although the tyre was the noisiest according to test results, it was still reasonably comfortable to drive. Auto Express noted that the Vredestein had “improved performance in the snow,” though it lost some ground in wet and dry conditions.
6) Falken Eurowinter HS02
+ Excellent dry braking performance and good handling. Competitive in dry tests.
– Poor snow and wet performance, struggling in braking and aquaplaning resistance. Weak overall wet and snow handling.
The Falken Eurowinter HS02 struggled in snow and wet conditions but performed well in the dry, leading the field in dry braking. However, its snow performance was disappointing, as it ranked near the bottom in both braking and traction tests, with a loose, imprecise handling feel. Wet performance wasn’t much better, with the Falken trailing the field in aquaplaning resistance and delivering only average results in wet braking and handling. Despite its strong dry braking, the Falken’s “decent dry-weather performance” wasn’t enough to compensate for its shortcomings in snow and wet conditions, areas where winter tyres are expected to excel.
7) Goodride Snowmaster SW608
+ Cheapest tyre tested, with fair snow performance and good cabin noise levels.
– Weak in wet and dry braking and handling, with the poorest aquaplaning resistance. Poor grip and slow lap times.
Lastly, the Goodride Snowmaster SW608 from ZC Rubber performed as expected for its price. While it was an improvement over a summer tyre in snow, its overall performance was significantly below that of the premium brands. In snow, it ranked sixth in braking and traction and was the slowest around the handling course. The Goodride’s wet and dry test results were particularly concerning, finishing at the bottom in almost every category, including braking and handling. It took nearly three metres longer to stop in the wet than the next best tyre and struggled with poor grip and traction. Although it was quiet and relatively fuel-efficient, the Snowmaster showed that “you get what you pay for” when it comes to winter tyres, making it an unsuitable choice for harsh conditions.
All-season tyres an attractive alternative
As part of its 2024 winter tyre test, Auto Express included the all-season Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 and the Continental PremiumContact 7 summer tyre to highlight how their performance compares to dedicated winter tyres.
The Goodyear all-season tyre demonstrated strong versatility, outperforming the winter tyres in both wet and dry conditions at around 7°C, particularly in wet braking, where it stopped 1.5 metres sooner than the best winter option. It also handled cold, dry conditions well, posting results that would have rivalled the test-winning Continental WinterContact TS 870. However, its snow performance lagged behind, ranking fifth, and in much colder conditions, winter tyres would likely have the upper hand.
By contrast, the Continental PremiumContact 7 summer tyre struggled significantly in snow, barely managing to navigate the handling circuit due to its lack of traction and grip. This highlights why many UK drivers, who often rely on summer tyres year-round, face difficulties in snowy conditions. However, in cool but dry or wet conditions, the summer tyre delivered outstanding braking performance, stopping 5.5 metres shorter than the winter tyres in the wet and 7.2 metres sooner in the dry. Despite these strengths, its poor snow performance underlines the limitations of summer tyres in severe winter conditions.
