2015 Auto Express All Season Tyre Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingPirelli Cinturato AllSeason
Dry BrakingGoodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2
Wet HandlingNokian WeatherProof
WearNokian WeatherProof
Rolling ResistanceGoodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2
Snow HandlingBridgestone A001
2015 has been called the year of the all season tyre, and Auto Express have just confirmed it with their first ever all season tyre test.

Testing six all season tyres, and a class winning summer and winter tyre, Auto Express put all eight tyres through fourteen tests covering the snow, wet, dry abilities of the tyre, and included noise, rolling resistance and price too.

All Season, Summer or Winter

While full commentary of each tyres ability is below, we thought it is important to compare the summer and winter tyres against the best of the all season.

Traditionally all season tyres are simply winter tyres with a slight snow compromise in favour of wet performance. In previous tests this has been highlighted by the Continental WinterContact TS850 actually being a better "all season tyre" than all season tyres, due to its remarkable blend of dry, wet and snow performance.

This year the all season game has moved on, with the first and second placed all season tyres actually beating the Continental winter tyre in snow braking, traction and handling! Furthermore, at the tested temperature (7c) the Goodyear all season tyre beat both the summer and winter tyre in wet handling and braking. The gap however remains in the dry, with the best dry braking all season tyre (Pirelli) stopping over five meters (10%) from 62 mph behind the summer Dunlop, and the benchmark Nokian all season tyre over 15% behind.

So the gap between all season and summer tyres still exist in the dry at 7c, which means the summer / winter combination is still the safest way of year round motoring. The gap is however closer than ever, and with the new Michelin CrossClimate missing from the test which promises an even stronger dry performance, the latest generation of all season tyres are now a real option for year round motoring on smaller cars in wheel sizes 17 inches and below.

Full Result

1st: Nokian WeatherProof

Nokian WeatherProof
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1179.4
  2. Dry: 193.6
  3. Wet: 291.2
  4. Snow: 400
  5. Rolling Resistance: 96
  6. Noise: 98.6
  7. Overall: 100
The new Nokian Weatherproof had a clean sweep in the snow tests, winning the snow traction, braking, circle and handling, even beating the Continental winter tyre. The Nokian also managed to be the best in both aquaplaning tests, and scored second in wet braking. The compromise is made in wet and dry handling and dry braking, where the Nokian could only manage fourth, fifth and sixth respectively, but it was never more than 5% away from the best on test.

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2nd: Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2

Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1181
  2. Dry: 196
  3. Wet: 300
  4. Snow: 386.9
  5. Rolling Resistance: 100
  6. Noise: 99.3
  7. Overall: 98.8
The second generation of the multi test-winning Goodyear Vector 4Season focused on improving the wet ability of the tyre, and judging by this test they've been successful. The Goodyear won the wet tests, beating even the summer tyre in wet braking, handling and on the wet circle, came close to the best in the dry, and was second overall in the snow. When combined with the best rolling resistance and second quietest ride, the Goodyear might actually be the best all season tyre for the UK, where wet roads are more of an issue than snow.

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3rd: Vredestein Quatrac 5

Vredestein Quatrac 5
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1156.6
  2. Dry: 199
  3. Wet: 288.5
  4. Snow: 376.7
  5. Rolling Resistance: 96
  6. Noise: 99.2
  7. Overall: 97.2
The Vredestein Quatrac range is one of the better known all season tyre ranges in the UK, and the Quatrac 5 builds on the excellent base of the Quatrac 3. A win in the dry handling test (but still beaten by the summer tyre) and second in dry braking and rolling resistance were the stand out results for the Vredestein, but a strong mid pack performance in the wet and snow tests resulted in a third place overall. Weak in aquaplaning, losing both tests and a long way back in the curved test.

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4th: Maxxis All Season AP2

Maxxis All Season AP2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1121.1
  2. Dry: 196.9
  3. Wet: 273.3
  4. Snow: 370.3
  5. Rolling Resistance: 87
  6. Noise: 98.2
  7. Overall: 95.4
As the cheapest tyre on test, Maxxis can be proud of their fourth place, finishing just 5% behind the winner overall. Seeming focusing on snow and dry during development, the Maxxis falls behind in the wet, finishing last in all the shallow water tests. It's better news in the dry and snow where the Maxxis gets close to the best, finishing third in dry braking, and second in the snow circle.

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5th: Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason

Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1123.7
  2. Dry: 199.7
  3. Wet: 295
  4. Snow: 339.4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 96
  6. Noise: 98.9
  7. Overall: 94.7
When developing the Pirelli Cinturato All Season, Pirelli concentrated on dry and wet performance, and this test highlights exactly that. Finishing no more than 5% away from the best in the dry and wet tests, the Pirelli wins dry braking and finishes just 0.3% behind the Vredestein in dry handling. Sadly, the snow performance doesn't make the Pirelli a well rounded tyre, and it finishes only in front of the Bridgestone in snow traction and circle, and last overall in snow handling and braking. It's worth noting these snow scores are still way ahead of the summer tyre, so the Pirelli shouldn't be discounted as an excellent year round tyre for the south of the UK.

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6th: Bridgestone A001

Bridgestone A001
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1089.9
  2. Dry: 192.5
  3. Wet: 277.8
  4. Snow: 344.5
  5. Rolling Resistance: 81.8
  6. Noise: 100
  7. Overall: 93.3
As the first all season tyre to prioritise wet and dry grip over snow at launch in 2013, the Bridgestone A001 was a good option for the UK climate. Sadly, this was over three years ago, and the competition has moved the game on. Finishing last overall in the snow, and near last in the wet and dry handling tests, the A001 only managed to well in the cabin noise and aquaplaning tests. Had the test included wear we expect the Bridgestone will have scored well in this category.

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Our results exclude the aquaplaning scores, so don't forget to pick up Auto Express issue 1,387 for the full results or check out the website at autoexpress.co.uk


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