2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test

Dry BrakingGoodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus: 40.2 MHankook Winter i cept evo2: 44 M
Dry HandlingToyo Snowprox S954: 121.9 Km/HKumho WinterCraft WP71: 118.5 Km/H
Wet BrakingGoodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus: 45.7 MNokian WR A4: 54.8 M
Wet HandlingGoodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus: 95.3 Km/HNankang SV2: 89.9 Km/H
Straight AquaGoodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus: 73.7 Km/HNokian WR A4: 59.9 Km/H
Snow BrakingGoodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus: 27.6 MNankang SV2: 30.8 M
Snow HandlingKumho WinterCraft WP71: 49.4 Km/HNankang SV2: 45 Km/H
NoiseNankang SV2: 70.7 dBHankook Winter i cept evo2: 75.7 dB
PriceNankang SV2: 515 Michelin Pilot Alpin 4: 960
Rolling ResistanceContinental WinterContact TS 860 S: 8.06 kg / tHankook Winter i cept evo2: 10.35 kg / t
For their third winter tyre test of 2019, Auto Bild have stepped up the fun and fitted an Audi S5 with eleven sets of 255/35 R19 ultra high performance winter tyres, and included the usual set of reference summer tyres!

Following on from a win in Auto Express, the new Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ takes its second win of 2019, once again proving to have a near flawless blend of qualities. Vredestein have also continued their run of good results with a very strong second place for the Wintrac Pro. This tyre is significantly cheaper than the premium winter tyres in the UK, so is probably the best choice if you need to save a few pounds.

Rounding out the top three is the Uniroyal MSPlus 77. This tyre was extremely strong in the snow, but relatively weak in the dry and wet. This means while the Uniroyal placed higher overall than tyres like the Continental WinterContact TS860S, the tyres with a better dry and wet performance are far more suitable for the UK climate.

As always, check out all the data below to see which blend of qualities works for your intended driving patterns and budget.

Dry

The new Goodyear tyre won the dry braking test, but was significantly behind the summer tyre. The midrange tyres from Kumho and Toyo also performed excellently.

As with dry braking, the summer tyre had a big advantage, this time with Toyo the best of the winter tyres.

Wet

The Goodyear continued its excellent braking run in the wet, being the only winter tyre to stop better than the summer tyre.

As with wet braking, the Goodyear was the only tyre to best the summer tyre over a fast lap, with Vredestein just able to match it.

Impressively, Goodyear also won the straight aquaplaning testing.

Snow

Snow braking gave Goodyear a clean sweep of braking results, with all the winter tyres vastly out performing the summer tyre.

Snow handling was very close between the top seven tyres, with Kumho coming out on top.

Environment

Continental had a big advantage in fuel use.

Nankang had the lowest external drive by noise.

The most expensive set of tyres on test was almost double the price of the cheapest set.

Results

1st: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus
  • 255/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st40.2 M100%
Dry Handling8th119.4 Km/H121.9 Km/H-2.5 Km/H97.95%
Wet Braking1st45.7 M100%
Wet Handling1st95.3 Km/H100%
Straight Aqua1st73.7 Km/H100%
Snow Braking1st27.6 M100%
Snow Handling4th48.9 Km/H49.4 Km/H-0.5 Km/H98.99%
Noise8th74.1 dB70.7 dB+3.4 dB95.41%
Price9th880 515 +365 58.52%
Rolling Resistance4th8.66 kg / t8.06 kg / t+0.6 kg / t93.07%
Exemplary driving characteristics in all weather conditions, sporty wet handling, very good grip in the snow, low rolling resistance.
Expensive.

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2nd: Vredestein Wintrac Pro

Vredestein Wintrac Pro
  • 255/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th41.8 M40.2 M+1.6 M96.17%
Dry Handling4th120.2 Km/H121.9 Km/H-1.7 Km/H98.61%
Wet Braking4th48.1 M45.7 M+2.4 M95.01%
Wet Handling2nd94.9 Km/H95.3 Km/H-0.4 Km/H99.58%
Straight Aqua2nd73.2 Km/H73.7 Km/H-0.5 Km/H99.32%
Snow Braking8th29.1 M27.6 M+1.5 M94.85%
Snow Handling2nd49.1 Km/H49.4 Km/H-0.3 Km/H99.39%
Noise7th73.7 dB70.7 dB+3 dB95.93%
Price7th760 515 +245 67.76%
Rolling Resistance10th10.32 kg / t8.06 kg / t+2.26 kg / t78.1%
Excellent performance in the snow, and on wet roads, good aquaplaning resistance, sporty steering feel, short wet braking, stable dry handling.
High rolling resistance.

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3rd: Uniroyal MS+ 77

Uniroyal MS Plus 77
  • 255/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking10th43.7 M40.2 M+3.5 M91.99%
Dry Handling5th119.7 Km/H121.9 Km/H-2.2 Km/H98.2%
Wet Braking7th50.4 M45.7 M+4.7 M90.67%
Wet Handling6th92 Km/H95.3 Km/H-3.3 Km/H96.54%
Straight Aqua5th71.8 Km/H73.7 Km/H-1.9 Km/H97.42%
Snow Braking2nd28 M27.6 M+0.4 M98.57%
Snow Handling3rd49 Km/H49.4 Km/H-0.4 Km/H99.19%
Noise4th72.2 dB70.7 dB+1.5 dB97.92%
Price6th700 515 +185 73.57%
Rolling Resistance5th9.02 kg / t8.06 kg / t+0.96 kg / t89.36%
Excellent in the snow, high aquaplaning resistance, safe dry handling balance.
Long wet and dry braking, average comfort.

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4th: Continental WinterContact TS 860 S

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
  • 255/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd41.2 M40.2 M+1 M97.57%
Dry Handling2nd120.7 Km/H121.9 Km/H-1.2 Km/H99.02%
Wet Braking6th50 M45.7 M+4.3 M91.4%
Wet Handling4th92.8 Km/H95.3 Km/H-2.5 Km/H97.38%
Straight Aqua10th66.1 Km/H73.7 Km/H-7.6 Km/H89.69%
Snow Braking7th28.9 M27.6 M+1.3 M95.5%
Snow Handling7th48.4 Km/H49.4 Km/H-1 Km/H97.98%
Noise5th72.5 dB70.7 dB+1.8 dB97.52%
Price10th935 515 +420 55.08%
Rolling Resistance1st8.06 kg / t100%
Sporty dry handling, precise steering, good feedback, low rolling resistance.
Slightly long wet braking, average comfort, expensive.

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5th: Hankook Winter i cept evo2

Hankook Winter i cept evo2
  • 255/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking11th44 M40.2 M+3.8 M91.36%
Dry Handling7th119.5 Km/H121.9 Km/H-2.4 Km/H98.03%
Wet Braking3rd47.6 M45.7 M+1.9 M96.01%
Wet Handling3rd93.2 Km/H95.3 Km/H-2.1 Km/H97.8%
Straight Aqua8th68.5 Km/H73.7 Km/H-5.2 Km/H92.94%
Snow Braking5th28.6 M27.6 M+1 M96.5%
Snow Handling5th48.7 Km/H49.4 Km/H-0.7 Km/H98.58%
Noise11th75.7 dB70.7 dB+5 dB93.39%
Price5th685 515 +170 75.18%
Rolling Resistance11th10.35 kg / t8.06 kg / t+2.29 kg / t77.87%
A well balanced winter tyre with safe wet and dry handling, short wet braking distances.
Slightly long dry braking, high rolling resistance, average comfort.

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6th: Michelin Pilot Alpin 4

Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
  • 255/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking7th42.1 M40.2 M+1.9 M95.49%
Dry Handling3rd120.5 Km/H121.9 Km/H-1.4 Km/H98.85%
Wet Braking2nd47.1 M45.7 M+1.4 M97.03%
Wet Handling4th92.8 Km/H95.3 Km/H-2.5 Km/H97.38%
Straight Aqua8th68.5 Km/H73.7 Km/H-5.2 Km/H92.94%
Snow Braking6th28.8 M27.6 M+1.2 M95.83%
Snow Handling9th47.4 Km/H49.4 Km/H-2 Km/H95.95%
Noise9th74.9 dB70.7 dB+4.2 dB94.39%
Price11th960 515 +445 53.65%
Rolling Resistance8th9.39 kg / t8.06 kg / t+1.33 kg / t85.84%
Stable safe handling on wet and dry roads, precise steering, good feedback, short snow braking.
Understeer in the snow, average comfort, expensive.

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7th: Kumho WinterCraft WP71

Kumho WinterCraft WP71
  • 255/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd40.7 M40.2 M+0.5 M98.77%
Dry Handling11th118.5 Km/H121.9 Km/H-3.4 Km/H97.21%
Wet Braking8th51.8 M45.7 M+6.1 M88.22%
Wet Handling9th90.6 Km/H95.3 Km/H-4.7 Km/H95.07%
Straight Aqua4th72.2 Km/H73.7 Km/H-1.5 Km/H97.96%
Snow Braking2nd28 M27.6 M+0.4 M98.57%
Snow Handling1st49.4 Km/H100%
Noise3rd72 dB70.7 dB+1.3 dB98.19%
Price3rd605 515 +90 85.12%
Rolling Resistance7th9.35 kg / t8.06 kg / t+1.29 kg / t86.2%
Sporty driving qualities in the snow, short dry braking distances, low noise.
Understeer in the dry and wet, long wet braking.

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8th: Toyo Snowprox S954

Toyo Snowprox S954
  • 255/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd41.2 M40.2 M+1 M97.57%
Dry Handling1st121.9 Km/H100%
Wet Braking5th49.6 M45.7 M+3.9 M92.14%
Wet Handling7th91.6 Km/H95.3 Km/H-3.7 Km/H96.12%
Straight Aqua3rd72.6 Km/H73.7 Km/H-1.1 Km/H98.51%
Snow Braking10th30.5 M27.6 M+2.9 M90.49%
Snow Handling10th46.5 Km/H49.4 Km/H-2.9 Km/H94.13%
Noise6th73.5 dB70.7 dB+2.8 dB96.19%
Price4th650 515 +135 79.23%
Rolling Resistance6th9.25 kg / t8.06 kg / t+1.19 kg / t87.14%
High aquaplaning resistance, stable wet handling, good steering in the dry.
Average grip on snow, long wet braking distances.

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9th: Nexen WinGuard Sport 2

Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
  • 255/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking8th42.3 M40.2 M+2.1 M95.04%
Dry Handling6th119.6 Km/H121.9 Km/H-2.3 Km/H98.11%
Wet Braking9th53.4 M45.7 M+7.7 M85.58%
Wet Handling7th91.6 Km/H95.3 Km/H-3.7 Km/H96.12%
Straight Aqua7th69.1 Km/H73.7 Km/H-4.6 Km/H93.76%
Snow Braking9th29.4 M27.6 M+1.8 M93.88%
Snow Handling8th47.6 Km/H49.4 Km/H-1.8 Km/H96.36%
Noise2nd71.1 dB70.7 dB+0.4 dB99.44%
Price2nd535 515 +20 96.26%
Rolling Resistance9th9.99 kg / t8.06 kg / t+1.93 kg / t80.68%
Short snow braking, stable dry handling, good comfort, low price.
Average grip with understeer on snow, very long wet braking, high rolling resistance.

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10th: Nokian WR A4

Nokian WR A4
  • 255/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th41.9 M40.2 M+1.7 M95.94%
Dry Handling9th119.3 Km/H121.9 Km/H-2.6 Km/H97.87%
Wet Braking11th54.8 M45.7 M+9.1 M83.39%
Wet Handling10th90.2 Km/H95.3 Km/H-5.1 Km/H94.65%
Straight Aqua11th59.9 Km/H73.7 Km/H-13.8 Km/H81.28%
Snow Braking4th28.5 M27.6 M+0.9 M96.84%
Snow Handling5th48.7 Km/H49.4 Km/H-0.7 Km/H98.58%
Noise10th75 dB70.7 dB+4.3 dB94.27%
Price8th780 515 +265 66.03%
Rolling Resistance2nd8.5 kg / t8.06 kg / t+0.44 kg / t94.82%
Balance snow performance.
Low wet grip, low aquaplaning resistance, long wet braking, understeer in the dry and wet.

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11th: Nankang SV2

Nankang SV2
  • 255/35 R19
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking9th43 M40.2 M+2.8 M93.49%
Dry Handling10th118.8 Km/H121.9 Km/H-3.1 Km/H97.46%
Wet Braking10th53.8 M45.7 M+8.1 M84.94%
Wet Handling11th89.9 Km/H95.3 Km/H-5.4 Km/H94.33%
Straight Aqua6th71.3 Km/H73.7 Km/H-2.4 Km/H96.74%
Snow Braking11th30.8 M27.6 M+3.2 M89.61%
Snow Handling11th45 Km/H49.4 Km/H-4.4 Km/H91.09%
Noise1st70.7 dB100%
Price1st515 100%
Rolling Resistance2nd8.5 kg / t8.06 kg / t+0.44 kg / t94.82%
Low rolling resistance, low price.
Very low wet grip, long wet braking, slow steering response with understeer in the dry and wet.

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