2012 Auto Bild SUV and 4x4 Winter Tyre Test

While it's true that SUVs, 4x4s and four wheel drive vehicles can offer improved traction in the snow over their two wheel drive counterparts, they sadly don't offer any advantages under braking and steering, meaning if you want to keep mobile in all conditions, winter tyres can help.

This year Auto Bild tested seven different tyres in 235/55 R17, fitted to an Audi A6 All Road. Below are the results.

The Results

1st: Continental WinterContact TS 830 P

Continental WinterContact TS 830 P
  • 235/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 39
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 8
  5. Comfort: 7
  6. Rolling Resistance: 7
  7. Noise: 5
Very good on snow, very well balanced and strong in the wet and dry
Expensive, slightly increased noise
Exemplary

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2nd: Pirelli Scorpion Winter

Pirelli Scorpion Winter
  • 235/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 40
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 8
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 8
  7. Noise: 6
Very good on snow, low rolling resistance, good in the wet and dry
Average comfort
Ideal

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3rd: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D

Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
  • 235/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 37
  2. Dry: 5
  3. Wet: 5
  4. Snow: 9
  5. Comfort: 7
  6. Rolling Resistance: 5
  7. Noise: 6
Very good on snow, high resistance to aquaplaning, good lateral grip in the wet
Expensive, average rolling resistance, average in the wet
Good

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4th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM80

Bridgestone Blizzak LM80
  • 235/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 42
  2. Dry: 7
  3. Wet: 5
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 8
  6. Rolling Resistance: 9
  7. Noise: 7
Very quiet winter tyres, short braking distance on snow, low rolling resistance
Average aquaplaning, poor cornering on snow, average wet braking
Good

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5th: Nokian WR A3

Nokian WR A3
  • 235/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 35
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 5
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 5
  6. Rolling Resistance: 7
  7. Noise: 6
Very good in the dry, short braking distance on dry roads, low price
Reduced lateral grip in snow, average wet braking
Good

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6th: Cooper Discoverer MS Sport

Cooper Discoverer MS Sport
  • 235/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 21
  2. Dry: 4
  3. Wet: 2
  4. Snow: 4
  5. Comfort: 4
  6. Rolling Resistance: 4
  7. Noise: 3
Reasonably good price, good in aquaplaning tests, acceptable stopping distance in dry conditions
Long wet braking distance, moderate snow and wet performance, high noise and rolling resistance
Poor

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7th: Marangoni Meteo HP SUV

Marangoni Meteo HP SUV
  • 235/55 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 25
  2. Dry: 3
  3. Wet: 2
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 5
  6. Rolling Resistance: 3
  7. Noise: 6
Cheap, good on snow, quiet and comfortable enough for winter tires
Long braking distance on wet and dry, little grip in wet cornering, high rolling resistance
Not recommended

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