2016 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingMichelin CrossClimate
Dry BrakingMichelin CrossClimate
Wet HandlingFulda MultiControl
Rolling ResistanceGoodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2
NoiseFulda MultiControl
Snow BrakingMichelin CrossClimate
Snow HandlingKleber Quadraxer 2
Ice BrakingKleber Quadraxer 2
The 2016 Auto Bild All Season tyre test has tested ten of the latest all season tyres across the usual array of dry, wet, snow, comfort and economy tests using the industry standard VW Golf wearing 205/55 R16 sized tyres.

For the second time this year, the summer-bias Michelin CrossClimate won the test overall by dominating in the dry, having the shortest wet braking and being good enough in the snow.

The excellent Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 was awarded second place overall, and highlighted the different performance qualities the winter-bias all season tyre has. The Goodyear was stronger in the snow than the Michelin, beat the Michelin by a second during wet handling, but couldn't match the lower sipe density of the Michelin during wet braking. It was also convincingly beaten by the Michelin in the dry tests.

The top three was rounded out by the Kleber Quadraxer 2. This tyre was extremely strong in the snow, winning the snow braking test but couldn't quite match the Michelin or Goodyear in the wet or dry. Its low purchase price meant it was the best value tyre on test.

Wear

Auto Bild are one of the few magazine to test wear. The Michelin CrossClimate had the best wear characteristics on test, with a predicted 57,221 km before being on the legal limit. The excellent value of the Kleber was highlighted with a predicted 55,250 km, with the Goodyear predicted 41,403 miles.

Auto Bild found the Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason to be the highest wearing tyre on test, with a predicted 27,360 km traveled before the tyres need replacing.

Goodyear won the rolling resistance tests, but with the gap just 4% between the best and worse tyres on test, the potential fuel savings aren't huge.

Overall

The Michelin CrossClimate has again proven it's the best all season tyre option for climates where snow is an exception rather than the rule. For climates where snow and ice is a yearly guarantee, the Goodyear Vector 4Season is an excellent choice.

The scores are weighted 21% dry, 30% wet, 20% snow, 4.5% comfort, 4% fuel, 4.5% noise, 10% wear, and 6% price.

1st: Michelin CrossClimate

Michelin CrossClimate
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 58
  2. Dry: 7
  3. Wet: 7
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 7
  7. Noise: 7
  8. Wear: 10
  9. Cost: 8
Top performance on dry and wet surfaces, accurate and rapid response to the steering, low wear
Long braking distance on snow
Excellent

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2nd: Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2

Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 53
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 7
  5. Comfort: 7
  6. Rolling Resistance: 8
  7. Noise: 7
  8. Wear: 6
  9. Cost: 6
Good performance on snow, good handling and shorter braking distances on wet roads, lowest rolling resistance
Long braking distance on dry surfaces
Good

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3rd: Kleber Quadraxer 2

Kleber Quadraxer 2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 56
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 4
  4. Snow: 7
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 8
  8. Wear: 9
  9. Cost: 10
Good performance on snow, short braking distances on dry and wet roads, relatively low price
Low lateral stability on wet roads
Satisfactory

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4th: Fulda MultiControl

Fulda MultiControl
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 57
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 4
  4. Snow: 8
  5. Comfort: 8
  6. Rolling Resistance: 7
  7. Noise: 7
  8. Wear: 8
  9. Cost: 9
The best results on snow, good handling on wet and dry roads, high level of comfort, good value for money
Long braking distance on wet roads
Satisfactory

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5th: Hankook Kinergy 4S

Hankook Kinergy 4S
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 48
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 4
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 6
  8. Wear: 6
  9. Cost: 8
Precise steering response and overall good handling in the wet, good value for money
Wear in the snow, long braking in the dry
Satisfactory

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6th: Nokian WeatherProof

Nokian WeatherProof
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 47
  2. Dry: 4
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 7
  8. Wear: 6
  9. Cost: 6
Good handling on snow, high resistance to aquaplaning
long braking distances on dry and wet roads, tendency to understeer in the dry
Satisfactory

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7th: Vredestein Quatrac 5

Vredestein Quatrac 5
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 47
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 4
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 6
  8. Wear: 6
  9. Cost: 7
Balanced behavior in all conditions
Relatively weak grip on snow, long braking distances on dry roads
Satisfactory

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8th: Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason

Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 43
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 7
  8. Wear: 3
  9. Cost: 3
Good results in the snow, high resistance to aquaplaning, low noise level
Poor handling in the wet and dry, high wear
Satisfactory

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9th: Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert

Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 44
  2. Dry: 4
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 7
  8. Wear: 3
  9. Cost: 6
High lateral stability and short braking distances on snow, high resistance to aquaplaning
Poor handling and long braking distances on dry and wet roads
Satisfactory

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10th: Firestone MultiSeason

Firestone MultiSeason
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 35
  2. Dry: 3
  3. Wet: 3
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 4
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 4
  8. Wear: 3
  9. Cost: 6
Good results in the Snow
A tendency to understeer and long braking distances on dry and wet roads
Mediocre

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