2012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tyre Test

Continuing on from the 42 tyre winter tyres shootout, Auto Bild carried the top 15 tyres across to the more in-depth group tests. Qualifying for this ultimate winter shoot out were tyres from each of the six premium manufacturers, along with eight midrange brands and one brand we consider a high end budget (Maxxis).

As usual, the fifteen tyres were put through sixteen tests, designed to test all aspects of the tyres performance in the snow, on wet and dry roads, as well as wear, fuel consumption and comfort being rated.

The All Season Angle

Perhaps most interestingly for our UK readers, was the inclusion of the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons in all the tests. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons is one of the strongest all season tyres on the market, and won the latest all season tyre test by Auto Bild. Instead of focusing on all season tyres in this write up, we've written a separate piece - all season tyres, how do they stack up.

Premium Performance

Somewhat unsurprisingly the winner of this group test was the new Continental Winter Contact TS850, as it continued its flawless run in the magazine group tests. Praised for a flawless winter performance, strong in the wet and combined with low rolling resistance it was the clear winner, with only its cost counting against it.

Full Results

1st: Continental WinterContact TS 850

Continental WinterContact TS 850
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 51
  2. Dry: 7
  3. Wet: 7
  4. Snow: 9
  5. Comfort: 7
  6. Rolling Resistance: 9
  7. Noise: 6
  8. Cost: 6
Best in all winter disciplines, good aquaplaning resistance, low rolling resistance, high comfort
Cost
Exemplary

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2nd: Bridgestone Blizzak LM32

Bridgestone Blizzak LM32
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 44
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 7
  4. Snow: 7
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 5
  7. Noise: 8
  8. Cost: 5
Balanced handling and short braking distances in all weather conditions, high mileage, good comfort
Slightly increased rolling resistance
Exemplary

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3rd: Michelin Alpin A4

Michelin Alpin A4
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 45
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 7
  7. Noise: 6
  8. Cost: 8
Convincing handling on wet and dry conditions, good steering precision, good mileage, low rolling resistance
Cost
Exemplary

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4th: Hankook Winter i cept RS

Hankook Winter i cept RS
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 41
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 5
  4. Snow: 7
  5. Comfort: 5
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 6
  8. Cost: 6
Safe handling with good lateral grip on wet and snowy surfaces
Slightly understeering driving behaviour on wet track
Recommended

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5th: Semperit Speed Grip 2

Semperit Speed Grip 2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 41
  2. Dry: 5
  3. Wet: 8
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 5
  6. Rolling Resistance: 5
  7. Noise: 8
  8. Cost: 4
Dynamic handling in wet and snowy, short wet braking distances, good aquaplaning resistance, quiet
Understeer on a dry track, low mileage
Recommended

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6th: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D

Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 46
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 7
  5. Comfort: 8
  6. Rolling Resistance: 8
  7. Noise: 7
  8. Cost: 4
Top results on snow, precise steering response, good ride comfort, low rolling resistance
Moderate grip in the wet, low mileage
Recommended

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7th: Goodyear UltraGrip 8

Goodyear UltraGrip 8
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 39
  2. Dry: 5
  3. Wet: 7
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 7
  6. Rolling Resistance: 3
  7. Noise: 6
  8. Cost: 5
Balanced snow qualities, good aquaplaning resistance, precise steering response, pleasant comfort
Increased rolling resistance, high cost
Recommended

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8th: Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3

Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 41
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 7
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 5
  6. Rolling Resistance: 7
  7. Noise: 6
  8. Cost: 4
Agile handling with excellent cornering on wet track, low rolling resistance
Moderate mileage, high cost
Recommended

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9th: Nokian WR D3

Nokian WR D3
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 43
  2. Dry: 7
  3. Wet: 5
  4. Snow: 7
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 7
  7. Noise: 7
  8. Cost: 4
Exemplary handling with more stable cornering on snow and dry conditions, quiet
Reduced mileage
Recommended

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10th: Fulda Kristall Control HP

Fulda Kristall Control HP
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 40
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 5
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 5
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 6
  8. Cost: 6
Balanced safe handling and short braking distances on snow-covered slopes, good value for money
Understeering driving behaviour on wet track, moderate comfort
Recommended

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11th: Falken Eurowinter HS449

Falken Eurowinter HS449
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 38
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 7
  4. Snow: 4
  5. Comfort: 4
  6. Rolling Resistance: 4
  7. Noise: 8
  8. Cost: 5
Stable handling characteristics and short braking distances on wet roads
Limited winter qualities, low mileage , increased fuel consumption
Fair

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12th: Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO

Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 35
  2. Dry: 5
  3. Wet: 5
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 4
  6. Rolling Resistance: 2
  7. Noise: 7
  8. Cost: 6
Balanced handling on wet and dry roads, good value for money
Prolonged wet and dry braking distances, moderate comfort, high rolling resistance
Satisfactory

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13th: Kleber Krisalp HP2

Kleber Krisalp HP2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 41
  2. Dry: 5
  3. Wet: 5
  4. Snow: 4
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 9
  7. Noise: 3
  8. Cost: 9
Best value for money, high mileage, low rolling resistance
Moderate Winter Properties, slightly increased understeer in the wet, high pass-by noise
Fair

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14th: Uniroyal MS plus 66

Uniroyal MS plus 66
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 31
  2. Dry: 5
  3. Wet: 5
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 4
  6. Rolling Resistance: 3
  7. Noise: 5
  8. Cost: 3
Stable handling on snow, good aquaplaning resistance
Unstable handling on wet roads, moderate comfort, poor mileage
Fair

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15th: Maxxis MA PW Presa Snow

Maxxis MA PW Presa Snow
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 39
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 2
  4. Snow: 7
  5. Comfort: 2
  6. Rolling Resistance: 7
  7. Noise: 9
  8. Cost: 6
Short stopping distances and dynamic handling on snow
Weaknesses in driving performance and long braking distances on wet, moderate comfort, low mileage
Conditionally recommendable

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