The most recent Auto Bild Sportscars test involves winter tyre in the size 235/35 R19, which the publication’s test team fitted on a BMW M135i to assess their performance across a range of conditions. The results were encouraging in one respect, reflecting significant progress in winter tyre technology, particularly in snow and ice performance. But testing also highlighted that some tyre makers still battle with winter tyre performance in wet and dry conditions.
Winter tyres have come a long way in the last five years, and this latest Auto Bild Sportscars comparative evaluation confirms that modern tyres are reliable companions on snow and ice. Improving performance stems from advancements in tyre technology, with the trend towards wider tread surfaces contributing significantly to enhanced grip on snow and ice. A broader contact patch provides more rubber on the road, delivering better traction. Furthermore, the increased number of sipes boosts grip levels on snowy and icy surfaces, making modern winter tyres more effective than ever in harsh winter conditions.
Wet & dry trade-off
However, the very qualities that make winter tyres excel on snow can compromise their performance in wet and dry conditions. Auto Bild Sportscars found that extended braking distances and decreased stability continues to be an issue on dry and wet roads. A prime example is the Autogreen Snow Chaser 2 AW08, which delivered surprising results. Although it performed admirably on snow, even outpacing premium tyres like the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 in snow handling and braking, its performance on wet roads was a disaster. The Autogreen tyre required a shocking 30 metres more stopping distance in wet conditions from 100 km/h than the best-performing tyre, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.
On dry roads, the story is similarly concerning. The Autogreen tyre needed an additional ten metres to come to a stop compared to a summer tyre, which could be catastrophic in real-world driving scenarios like traffic jams or emergency stops.
Top performers
While cheaper tyres like the Autogreen struggled to find balance, premium brands like Michelin, Goodyear, Continental, and Dunlop showcased their ability to provide well-rounded performance in all conditions. The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 secured the top spot in the test and gained praise from Auto Bild Sportscars’ tyre testers for its excellent snow and ice performance. However, the Michelin tyre’s high price and only mid-range performance in curve aquaplaning prevented it from nabbing an entirely untarnished victory.
Runner-up was the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3. Finishing in second place, the Goodyear tyre offered a balanced performance but had some weaknesses in snow braking. Despite this, it outperformed Michelin in wet conditions and was commended for its overall capability. The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P rounded out the podium, showing excellent overall performance, though, like the Michelin and Goodyear, the Auto Bild Sportscars noted its premium price tag.
A surprise contender, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 took fourth place. Despite being an older model, it delivered strong results across all conditions and has earned its place as a reliable winter tyre.
A trio of good tyres
Auto Bild Sportscars rated three further tyres as ‘good’ in spite of minor issues.
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 performed well in wet conditions, offering good handling and braking performance, and was also a reliable and precise performer on snowy roads. However, Auto Bild Sportscars marked down the Bridgestone tyre for its dry braking performance.
Sixth place was secured by the Hankook Winter i*Cept evo3, which delivered good wet and dry performance, including short wet braking distance and aquaplaning resistance. The Hankook tyre was also affordably priced, but it was held back by its winter performance, including a tendency to understeer.
The Vredestein Wintrac Pro excels in snowy conditions, with stable handling and high traction, and offers solid performance in wet conditions, but it has some drawbacks in dry handling and fuel efficiency due to its rolling resistance.
Rated satisfactory
The Auto Bild Sportscars testers considered the Ceat WinterDrive Sport an affordable winter tyre with good snow traction and decent dry handling, albeit with significant limitations in wet conditions and aquaplaning resistance.
No all-rounders amongst budget brands
While competence in snow and ice is now a given for almost all modern winter tyres, the challenge lies in balancing this with good wet and dry performance. As the test results show, the budget brands struggled to offer the full package. Though such tyres may shine in one area, they tend to falter in critical wet and dry tests – conditions that are encountered for most of the winter season.
Indeed, Auto Bild Sportscars acknowledges that the Radar Dimax Alpine performs very well in winter conditions, especially in regard to snow traction. The Radar tyre also offered good braking performance in dry conditions and a quiet ride. On the other side of the equation, the Dimax Alpine offers limited safety on wet roads, where it struggles with handling and braking. This makes it a less reliable choice in rainy or wet conditions. Rolling resistance was high, too. Auto Bild Sportscars gave the tyre only a conditional recommendation.
When looking solely at winter performance, the affordably priced Autogreen Snow Chaser 2 AW08 appears a good buy. The tyre dominates in snow conditions, excelling in both handling and braking on snowy roads. It outperforms even premium competitors in these areas, offering excellent traction and control in winter environments. But when driving in the rain, the Autogreen tyre delivers potentially dangerous performance, including the aforementioned braking distance that is over 30 metres longer than the best competitors when braking from 100 km/h. The tyre also fares poorly in the dry, exhibiting long braking distances and limited handling capabilities.
Snow performance isn’t everything
The Auto Bild Sportscars tyre test confirms the improvements in snow and ice performance that even budget winter tyres have achieved in recent years. However, for most drivers, winter is less about now and more a mix of wet, slushy, and dry roads. This is where true all-rounders stand out. While premium brands have mastered this balance, budget manufacturers still have a long way to go in providing reliable performance across all winter conditions.
For those looking for the best combination of safety, performance, and reliability, Auto Bild Sportscars’ recommendation is clear: stick with trusted names like Michelin, Goodyear, Continental, and Dunlop. All demonstrated a strong balance between snow, wet, and dry performance, making them the safer choice for drivers who need reliable tyres across a range of winter road conditions, proving themselves as tyres that can handle everything winter throws at them.
How the tyres performed:
Rated exemplary
Test winner: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
+ Excellent winter grip, dynamic handling characteristics in all winter conditions, high traction on snow, very precise steering feel, good lateral guidance.
– Only mid-level performance in wet curve aquaplaning.
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
+ Winter expert with excellent solutions for all road conditions, outstanding snow and wet performance, safe dry handling.
– Slight weakness in dry braking.
Continental WinterContact TS 870P
+ Very convincing winter tyre, reliable on long distances, especially on snow and wet roads, among the best in snow performance, good wet braking, very good aquaplaning behavior.
– Relatively high price.
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
+ Particularly impressive in wet disciplines, also performs well in summer characteristics, safe in the middle field, good value tyre in the “exemplary” category.
– Slightly elevated rolling resistance.
Rated good
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
+ Best in wet conditions, excellent braking performance, safe lateral guidance, stable wet performance.
– Weakness in dry performance.
Hankook Winter i*cept evo 3
+ Balanced performance on dry and wet roads, excellent price-performance ratio, safe dry and snow handling.
– Noticeable winter weaknesses, increased rolling resistance.
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
+ Excellent winter tyre with a good balance between dry, snow, and wet conditions, good lateral guidance on snow.
– Slightly delayed steering response, increased rolling resistance.
Rated satisfactory
Ceat WinterDrive
+ Good price-performance ratio, safe winter tyre with acceptable snow and wet grip, good braking on snow.
– Average dry braking performance, slightly increased rolling resistance, reduced lateral guidance on wet roads.
Conditionally recommended
Radar Dimax Alpine
+ Safe snow braking and adequate traction, acceptable wet and dry braking performance.
– Significant dry weaknesses, delayed steering response, noticeable deficits in wet performance.
Not recommended
Autogreen Snow Chaser 2
+ Very low price.
– Very long braking distance on snow and ice, weak lateral guidance on snow, noticeable deficits in wet grip, more than 30 meters longer dry braking distance.
