The 2023 Sport Auto winter tyre test has tested ten uhp winter tyres using and Audi S3.

Why do you only see nine in the results below? The Kumho WinterCraft WP 52 was part of the tyre test but was eventually disqualified due to specific issues. While it showed moderate performance on snow and impressive braking capabilities on wet surfaces, it had a tendency to quickly lose grip in curves. The test tyres provided by the manufacturer demonstrated strong grip and a neutral, active behavior in wet conditions, along with very short braking distances on dry surfaces. However, the tyres displayed a lack of grip and steering precision on snow, and were sensitive to puddles in curves, leading to aquaplaning. The tyre was disqualified from the test due to significant deficits in the properties of the currently available tyres with the latest manufacturing dates in comparison to the tested product. These discrepancies between the provided test tyres and the commercially available products ultimately led to the tyre's disqualification.

Dry

The Continental and Michelin tires demonstrate impressive capabilities. Both brands don't specialize in comfort, and the TS 870 P from Continental somewhat lacks braking connection with the leading group. However, the German tyre excels in all other dry criteria, providing the most feedback through the steering wheel and the highest safety reserves for spontaneous evasive maneuvers at highway speeds. Both Goodyear and Hankook also deliver consistently good to very good dry performance. In contrast, Bridgestone and Vredestein respond more sluggishly to steering commands.

Wet

In wet conditions, Bridgestone shines with its consistently foolproof handling, creating an illusion of driving on a dry track. The new tyre from Goodyear and Vredestein's Wintrac Pro also perform strongly, though they struggle with lateral aquaplaning, as do Michelin, Falken, and Pirelli. Hankook's Winter icept evo3 stands out for its water drainage capabilities, while the excluded Kumho tyre is notably quick in wet conditions. While safety is paramount in these tests, efficiency also plays a crucial role. The laboratory tests for rolling resistance reveal that the Bridgestone Blizzak LM 005 successfully combines excellent wet grip with low rolling resistance, making it the test winner. Close behind are the very balanced Goodyear, the snow-reliable dry king Michelin, and the efficient, grippy Continental.

Snow

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stands out as extremely fast and safe, leading the pack, followed by Bridgestone (highest subjective rating, but only satisfactory lateral support objectively), Continental (very balanced), and the new Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 (best traction). Notably, all four profiles decelerate almost equally strong and harmonize well with the Audi's ABS system.

In the midfield, Pirelli (fast and safe driving, but weaknesses in deceleration), Vredestein (consistently good performance), and Hankook (prompt, safe handling, but objectively weaker lateral support) are found. Falken and Giti show less compatibility with snow, with the new Falken Eurowinter HS 02 Pro falling so clearly behind in the direct handling comparison that it is downgraded by one grade in this chapter.

Comfort

The Michelin had the lowest external noise, with the Hankook proving to be quite a noisy tyre.

Value

The Giti and Falken were the cheapest to buy, whereas the Michelin was the most expensive.

As seen in other tests this year, the Continental and Bridgsetone had the lowest rolling resistance of the group.

Results

1st: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
225/40 R18 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 45.1 M 43.6 M +1.5 M 96.67% Dry Handling 8th 121.4 Km/H 123.7 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 98.14% Wet Braking 1st 32.3 M 100% Wet Handling 2nd 80 Km/H 80.1 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.88% Wet Circle 1st 7.41 m/s 100% Straight Aqua 4th 73.4 Km/H 76.3 Km/H -2.9 Km/H 96.2% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 2.64 m/sec2 3.25 m/sec2 -0.61 m/sec2 81.23% Snow Braking 1st 29.6 M 100% Snow Traction 7th 1.44 N 1.53 N -0.09 N 94.12% Snow Handling 1st 54.4 Km/H 100% Snow Slalom 9th 4.12 m/sec2 4.48 m/sec2 -0.36 m/sec2 91.96% Noise 3rd 71.7 dB 71.5 dB +0.2 dB 99.72% Price 6th 143 121 +22 84.62% Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.4 kg / t 8.3 kg / t +0.1 kg / t 98.81% Fast and agile on snow, easy to control. Very good grip on wet surfaces, direct, precise, and neutral handling. Lacks a bit of grip on dry surfaces compared to the top performers. King in wet conditions with talent on snow and low rolling resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £143.69
2nd: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
225/40 R18 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 44 M 43.6 M +0.4 M 99.09% Dry Handling 3rd 122.6 Km/H 123.7 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 99.11% Wet Braking 2nd 32.7 M 32.3 M +0.4 M 98.78% Wet Handling 2nd 80 Km/H 80.1 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.88% Wet Circle 4th 7.36 m/s 7.41 m/s -0.05 m/s 99.33% Straight Aqua 3rd 73.5 Km/H 76.3 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 96.33% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 2.88 m/sec2 3.25 m/sec2 -0.37 m/sec2 88.62% Snow Braking 2nd 29.7 M 29.6 M +0.1 M 99.66% Snow Traction 1st 1.53 N 100% Snow Handling 7th 54 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.26% Snow Slalom 7th 4.27 m/sec2 4.48 m/sec2 -0.21 m/sec2 95.31% Noise 1st 71.5 dB 100% Price 7th 145 121 +24 83.45% Rolling Resistance 5th 9 kg / t 8.3 kg / t +0.7 kg / t 92.22% Precise, safe, and reliable with a wide range of reserves on all three surfaces. Could respond a bit finer to unevenness. Very balanced tire; strong performance under all conditions. Read Reviews    Buy from £147.00
3rd: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
225/40 R18 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 43.6 M 100% Dry Handling 2nd 123 Km/H 123.7 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.43% Wet Braking 3rd 33.2 M 32.3 M +0.9 M 97.29% Wet Handling 6th 79.4 Km/H 80.1 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.13% Wet Circle 6th 7.35 m/s 7.41 m/s -0.06 m/s 99.19% Straight Aqua 5th 72.2 Km/H 76.3 Km/H -4.1 Km/H 94.63% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 2.46 m/sec2 3.25 m/sec2 -0.79 m/sec2 75.69% Snow Braking 4th 29.8 M 29.6 M +0.2 M 99.33% Snow Traction 2nd 1.52 N 1.53 N -0.01 N 99.35% Snow Handling 3rd 54.2 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.63% Snow Slalom 5th 4.36 m/sec2 4.48 m/sec2 -0.12 m/sec2 97.32% Noise 1st 71.5 dB 100% Price 9th 167 121 +46 72.46% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.9 kg / t 8.3 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 93.26% Clear feedback through the steering in snow. Precise, balanced wet handling. Lower aquaplaning protection in curves, a bit clumsy response to edges. Snow specialist with high dry grip. Deficiencies in aquaplaning. Read Reviews
4th: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
225/40 R18 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 44.4 M 43.6 M +0.8 M 98.2% Dry Handling 1st 123.7 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 8th 34.2 M 32.3 M +1.9 M 94.44% Wet Handling 6th 79.4 Km/H 80.1 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.13% Wet Circle 7th 7.3 m/s 7.41 m/s -0.11 m/s 98.52% Straight Aqua 7th 71 Km/H 76.3 Km/H -5.3 Km/H 93.05% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 2.77 m/sec2 3.25 m/sec2 -0.48 m/sec2 85.23% Snow Braking 2nd 29.7 M 29.6 M +0.1 M 99.66% Snow Traction 5th 1.45 N 1.53 N -0.08 N 94.77% Snow Handling 5th 54.1 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.45% Snow Slalom 3rd 4.4 m/sec2 4.48 m/sec2 -0.08 m/sec2 98.21% Noise 4th 71.8 dB 71.5 dB +0.3 dB 99.58% Price 8th 156 121 +35 77.56% Rolling Resistance 1st 8.3 kg / t 100% Safe on snow and on dry roads, as it is well balanced. Strong understeering in wet curves. Few reserves. Rolls efficiently, grippy on snow. Less grippy when the road is wet. Read Reviews    Buy from £160.82
5th: Vredestein Wintrac Pro
225/40 R18 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 44 M 43.6 M +0.4 M 99.09% Dry Handling 4th 122.2 Km/H 123.7 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 98.79% Wet Braking 3rd 33.2 M 32.3 M +0.9 M 97.29% Wet Handling 1st 80.1 Km/H 100% Wet Circle 1st 7.41 m/s 100% Straight Aqua 9th 70.1 Km/H 76.3 Km/H -6.2 Km/H 91.87% Curved Aquaplaning 9th 2.42 m/sec2 3.25 m/sec2 -0.83 m/sec2 74.46% Snow Braking 6th 30.7 M 29.6 M +1.1 M 96.42% Snow Traction 8th 1.42 N 1.53 N -0.11 N 92.81% Snow Handling 5th 54.1 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.45% Snow Slalom 6th 4.34 m/sec2 4.48 m/sec2 -0.14 m/sec2 96.88% Noise 6th 72.5 dB 71.5 dB +1 dB 98.62% Price 4th 135 121 +14 89.63% Rolling Resistance 7th 9.7 kg / t 8.3 kg / t +1.4 kg / t 85.57% High wet grip level and safe, sporty, easily controllable handling on wet surfaces. Low aquaplaning protection in wet curves. Safe in wet conditions and snow. Prone to aquaplaning early in curves. Read Reviews
6th: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
225/40 R18 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 44 M 43.6 M +0.4 M 99.09% Dry Handling 5th 122.1 Km/H 123.7 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.71% Wet Braking 7th 34.1 M 32.3 M +1.8 M 94.72% Wet Handling 9th 78.1 Km/H 80.1 Km/H -2 Km/H 97.5% Wet Circle 9th 7.25 m/s 7.41 m/s -0.16 m/s 97.84% Straight Aqua 2nd 74.1 Km/H 76.3 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 97.12% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 3.25 m/sec2 100% Snow Braking 5th 30.5 M 29.6 M +0.9 M 97.05% Snow Traction 5th 1.45 N 1.53 N -0.08 N 94.77% Snow Handling 2nd 54.3 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.82% Snow Slalom 8th 4.15 m/sec2 4.48 m/sec2 -0.33 m/sec2 92.63% Noise 9th 74.2 dB 71.5 dB +2.7 dB 96.36% Price 3rd 134 121 +13 90.3% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.9 kg / t 8.3 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 93.26% High safety reserves on snow, good aquaplaning precaution. Strong understeering with high sensitivity to load changes, less balanced in wet handling, highest pass-by noise. Good on snow, high aquaplaning protection. Too unbalanced in wet conditions. Read Reviews
7th: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
225/40 R18 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 44.1 M 43.6 M +0.5 M 98.87% Dry Handling 9th 120.9 Km/H 123.7 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 97.74% Wet Braking 6th 33.6 M 32.3 M +1.3 M 96.13% Wet Handling 8th 79.2 Km/H 80.1 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.88% Wet Circle 8th 7.28 m/s 7.41 m/s -0.13 m/s 98.25% Straight Aqua 6th 71.6 Km/H 76.3 Km/H -4.7 Km/H 93.84% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.54 m/sec2 3.25 m/sec2 -0.71 m/sec2 78.15% Snow Braking 8th 31 M 29.6 M +1.4 M 95.48% Snow Traction 3rd 1.49 N 1.53 N -0.04 N 97.39% Snow Handling 3rd 54.2 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.63% Snow Slalom 1st 4.48 m/sec2 100% Noise 7th 72.7 dB 71.5 dB +1.2 dB 98.35% Price 5th 139 121 +18 87.05% Rolling Resistance 5th 9 kg / t 8.3 kg / t +0.7 kg / t 92.22% Safe driving behavior in winter, good grip level in wet curves. Sluggish steering response and shallow reserves on wet surfaces, sensitive to puddles in curves, sluggish on dry surfaces. Safe snow handling, prone to aquaplaning, sluggish in dry conditions. Read Reviews    Buy from £150.85
8th: Giti GitiWinterW2
225/40 R18 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 45.7 M 43.6 M +2.1 M 95.4% Dry Handling 6th 122 Km/H 123.7 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.63% Wet Braking 9th 34.3 M 32.3 M +2 M 94.17% Wet Handling 2nd 80 Km/H 80.1 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.88% Wet Circle 4th 7.36 m/s 7.41 m/s -0.05 m/s 99.33% Straight Aqua 1st 76.3 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 2.92 m/sec2 3.25 m/sec2 -0.33 m/sec2 89.85% Snow Braking 7th 30.9 M 29.6 M +1.3 M 95.79% Snow Traction 9th 1.41 N 1.53 N -0.12 N 92.16% Snow Handling 8th 52.5 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 96.51% Snow Slalom 4th 4.39 m/sec2 4.48 m/sec2 -0.09 m/sec2 97.99% Noise 4th 71.8 dB 71.5 dB +0.3 dB 99.58% Price 1st 121 100% Rolling Resistance 9th 9.9 kg / t 8.3 kg / t +1.6 kg / t 83.84% Apart from the weak braking performance, strong and safe as well as sporty wet performance. Moderate interlocking on snow, long braking distance on dry surfaces. Long wet/dry braking distances, good aquaplaning safety. Read Reviews
9th: Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
225/40 R18 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 43.7 M 43.6 M +0.1 M 99.77% Dry Handling 7th 121.8 Km/H 123.7 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 98.46% Wet Braking 3rd 33.2 M 32.3 M +0.9 M 97.29% Wet Handling 5th 79.6 Km/H 80.1 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.38% Wet Circle 3rd 7.38 m/s 7.41 m/s -0.03 m/s 99.6% Straight Aqua 8th 70.5 Km/H 76.3 Km/H -5.8 Km/H 92.4% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 2.46 m/sec2 3.25 m/sec2 -0.79 m/sec2 75.69% Snow Braking 8th 31 M 29.6 M +1.4 M 95.48% Snow Traction 4th 1.46 N 1.53 N -0.07 N 95.42% Snow Handling 9th 51.7 Km/H 54.4 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 95.04% Snow Slalom 2nd 4.43 m/sec2 4.48 m/sec2 -0.05 m/sec2 98.88% Noise 8th 73 dB 71.5 dB +1.5 dB 97.95% Price 1st 121 100% Rolling Resistance 8th 9.8 kg / t 8.3 kg / t +1.5 kg / t 84.69% Neutral to understeering in wet conditions. Subjectively very low grip level on snow. Neutral to understeering and low aquaplaning protection in wet curves. Few reserves. Very sluggish snow handling, good wet grip, high rolling resistance. Read Reviews