2018 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test

The weekly UK publication Auto Express has just published their 2018 winter tyre test! This year Auto Express have tested eight winter tyre patterns in 205/55 R16 using a VW Golf.

As Auto Express have previously asked us to keep our coverage of their tests to a minimum, below is a summary of what went on. As always, head over to the Auto Express website for the full glorious details of this excellent winter test!

The standout point from the test has to be the Michelin CrossClimate+ being one of the best tyres during the snow testing. The "summer bias" all season Michelin generally proves to be very strong in the dry, but slightly behind winter and regular all season tyres in the snow. The fact it was third overall in snow testing and was the best on test during snow braking is a real surprise.

Everything else in the test was as you'd expect. Continental win, Hankook continue to post strong results taking second place of the winter tyres, and the Goodyear UltraGrip range continues to be impressive in 2018 with a third place for the UltraGrip Performance Gen-1.

Results

The reference summer tyre was the excellent Continental Premium Contact 5

1st: Continental WinterContact TS 860

Continental WinterContact TS 860
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1257.3
  2. Dry: 198
  3. Wet: 479
  4. Snow: 388
  5. Rolling Resistance: 92.3
  6. Noise: 100
A great all round performance, particularly strong in the wet but also excellent handling in the snow. Low rolling resistance.
None mentioned.

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2nd: Michelin CrossClimate+

Michelin CrossClimate Plus
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1236
  2. Dry: 210.4
  3. Wet: 444.7
  4. Snow: 390
  5. Rolling Resistance: 91.2
  6. Noise: 99.7
Better than all the winter tyres in the dry, strong in the wet and best snow braking result on test.
None mentioned.

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3rd: Hankook Winter i cept RS2

Hankook Winter i cept RS2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1256.3
  2. Dry: 195.6
  3. Wet: 480
  4. Snow: 400
  5. Rolling Resistance: 83
  6. Noise: 97.7
Best winter tyre in the snow, excellent aquaplaning resistance, well priced.
High rolling resistance.

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4th: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1240.4
  2. Dry: 193.4
  3. Wet: 482
  4. Snow: 377
  5. Rolling Resistance: 89.6
  6. Noise: 98.4
Well balanced performance, excellent aquaplaning result.
Slightly weak dry handling, high rolling resistance.

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5th: Pirelli Cinturato Winter

Pirelli Cinturato Winter
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1230.6
  2. Dry: 191.9
  3. Wet: 474
  4. Snow: 385.4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 81.9
  6. Noise: 97.4
Strong in snow, excellent aquaplaning resistance, second place during wet handling.
Average in the dry.

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6th: Dunlop Winter Sport 5

Dunlop Winter Sport 5
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1233.7
  2. Dry: 193.2
  3. Wet: 471.7
  4. Snow: 379.5
  5. Rolling Resistance: 91.3
  6. Noise: 98
Strong wet performance, low noise.
Average in the dry.

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7th: Nokian WR D4

Nokian WR D4
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1243.6
  2. Dry: 194.9
  3. Wet: 460.6
  4. Snow: 391
  5. Rolling Resistance: 100
  6. Noise: 97.1
Lowest rolling resistance, excellent dry handling, good snow braking.
Poor wet grip.

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8th: Falken Eurowinter HS01

Falken Eurowinter HS01
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1212.7
  2. Dry: 193.8
  3. Wet: 464
  4. Snow: 382
  5. Rolling Resistance: 76.8
  6. Noise: 96.1
Good snow performance.
Weak in the wet, highest rolling resistance.

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9th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO

Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 1201.6
  2. Dry: 199.7
  3. Wet: 444.7
  4. Snow: 361.4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 98.4
  6. Noise: 97.4
Good in the dry.
Last in the snow and aquaplaning, poor wet braking.

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