The ADAC, the respected German Automobile Club, has unveiled its premier tire performance evaluation for 2023, diving deep into winter tires of size 225/45 R17. These tires are ideally tailored for compact and mid-sized cars, including popular models like the Volkswagen Golf and Opel Astra. The comprehensive testing regimen spanned various terrains from icy patches to wet asphalt.
Evolving Scoring Metrics: Safety Meets Sustainability
While the ADAC has long prioritized driving safety, weighting it at 70% in their evaluations, they’ve introduced an updated scoring methodology this year. Tire durability and tire performance still reign supreme. Yet, there’s a renewed emphasis on environmental consciousness. A hefty 30% of the scoring now considers the tire’s ecological footprint, evaluating aspects like lifespan, weight, and particulate emissions from tread wear.
Top Performers: Best Tire Brands Revealed
Out of the 16 tires put to the test:
- Continental WinterContact TS 870 clinched the top spot, merging unparalleled tire safety features with eco-friendliness. It’s particularly commendable during wet conditions and wintry terrains.
- Michelin Alpin 6 and Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ trailed closely, showcasing almost identical outcomes. However, Michelin edged ahead in the eco-rating due to its impressive durability, boasting a projected mileage of 61,000 km against Goodyear’s 54,400 km.
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5 also secured a «Good» rating, though it displayed minor vulnerabilities on wet asphalt.
Ivalo, Finland: Venue for the Winter Tire Test © ADAC
In the Middle: The Good, The Bad, and The Satisfactory
While the aforementioned brands exemplified tire excellence, 11 others rendered a «Satisfactory» performance. Notably, Nokian WR Snowproof, Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2, and Sava Eskimo HP2 excelled on dry terrains. Their performance, however, dwindled on wet terrains, with Pirelli showing decreased tire performance in snowy conditions.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 stood out for its impeccable grip on wet terrains but faltered on icy terrains. With the highest wear, their estimated mileage was a mere 36,100 km. Contrastingly, Kumho tires, renowned for their wear resistance, projected an impressive 64,000 km, even surpassing Michelin.
Beware the Bottom: Tires to Think Twice About
The Kormoran Snow tires, affiliated with Michelin, unfortunately, found themselves at the bottom of the ranking. Despite their commendable snow performance, their prowess faltered on both dry and wet terrains, making them less favorable in varied conditions.
Results
1. Continental / WinterContact TS 870
Quick Take
Continental WinterContact TS 870
- This tire replaced Continental / WinterContact TS 860
- Available Sizes in Line: 93
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Ford Explorer VI (U625) Facelift [2022 .. 2024]
- • Ford Fiesta VII Facelift [2022 .. 2024]
- • Ford Focus IV (C519) Facelift [2022 .. 2024]
- • Ford Mustang VI (S550) Facelift [2018 .. 2024]
- • Ford Puma II (J2K) [2019 .. 2024]
- Year Released: 2020
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
- Rating: Good
- Pros
- Excellence on dry pavement
- Impressive wet conditions handling
- Stellar winter conditions performance
- Remarkable durability
- Overview: The Continental showcases superior safety, excelling in aquaplaning resistance and ensuring swift halts. Its durability, combined with low weight and fuel efficiency, reinforces its standing without any significant drawbacks.
2. Goodyear / UltraGrip Performance+
Quick Take
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
- Rating: Good
- Pros
- Strong dry pavement performance
- Exceptional durability
- Low particulate emissions
- Fuel efficiency
- Cons
- Slightly extended wet braking
- Overview: Goodyears shine across terrains, with a minor hiccup in wet braking. Their extended life and fuel-saving attribute add to their allure.
3. Michelin / Alpin 6
Quick Take
Michelin Alpin 6
- Rating: Good
- Pros
- Superior dry pavement traction
- Extended life
- Efficient ice braking
- Resource conservation
- Lightweight
- Fuel economy
- Cons
- Wet performance nuances
- Overview: Michelin tires guarantee excellent dry surface handling. Wet conditions reveal a grip inconsistency, and there's minor aquaplaning resistance in corners. Yet, their durability, weight, and winter braking on ice underscore their merit.
4. Dunlop / Winter Sport 5
Quick Take
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- Rating: Good
- Pros
- Dry pavement proficiency
- Noteworthy winter conditions performance
- Longevity
- Weight benefits
- Economic fuel consumption
- Cons
- Compromised wet performance
- Overview: Dunlops exhibit commendable dry terrain management and impressive ice braking. Their wet performance might need some tweaks, but their overall winter conditions efficacy, coupled with longevity and fuel economy, keeps them in good stead.
5. Hankook / Winter i*cept RS3 W462
Quick Take
Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 W462
- Rating: Satisfactory
- Pros
- Wet pavement adeptness
- Winter conditions proficiency
- Lightweight benefits
- Fuel efficiency
- Cons
- Limited dry performance
- Challenging wet conditions handling
- Overview: Hankook tires excel in wet and snowy conditions, but their dry pavement dynamics need refining. Their overall wear resistance and fuel efficiency are praiseworthy.
6. Semperit / Speed-Grip 5
Quick Take
Semperit Speed-Grip 5
- Rating: Satisfactory
- Pros
- Efficient braking on dry and wet pavements
- Admirable durability
- Reduced harmful particulate emissions
- Cons
- Dry surface handling concerns
- Limited winter performance
- Overview: Semperit shines in braking but faces challenges in handling, especially on snow. Their extended lifespan and eco-friendly attributes add value.
7. Vredestein / Wintrac Pro
Quick Take
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Rating: Satisfactory
- Pros
- Exceptional winter conditions performance
- Extended life
- Low particulate emissions
- Fuel economy
- Cons
- Dry pavement challenges
- Wet performance nuances
- Overview: Vredestein tires demand regular directional adjustments on dry terrains. They showcase their prowess in snowy conditions, with impressive snow and ice braking. However, their noise levels might be a deterrent for some.
8. Giti / GitiWinter W2
Quick Take
Giti GitiWinter W2
- Rating: Satisfactory
- Pros
- Reliable braking on dry and wet pavement.
- Effective snow braking.
Cons:
- Imprecise dry handling.
- Unpredictable wet handling.
- Underwhelming snow handling.
- Less than average tire life.
- Overview: Giti Winter W2 gives commendable braking performance across different terrains but falls short in terms of handling, especially on wet roads and snow. Their wear resistance also leaves much to be desired.
9. Kumho / WinterCraft WP52
Quick Take
Kumho WinterCraft WP52
- Rating: Satisfactory
- Pros
- Durable and long-lasting.
- Minimal particulate emissions.
- Enhanced fuel economy.
Cons:
- Challenges in dry and wet performance.
- Noticeably heavy.
- Overview: Kumho WinterCraft WP52 boasts great longevity and is eco-friendly, but they can be a handful on wet and dry surfaces, often necessitating continuous steering corrections.
10. Apollo / Aspire XP Winter
Quick Take
Apollo Aspire XP Winter
- Rating: Satisfactory
- Pros
- Consistent dry and wet braking.
- Reliable life and fuel economy.
Cons:
- Lackluster handling on both dry and wet surfaces.
- Compromised winter performance.
- Slightly heavy in weight.
- Overview: Apollo Aspire XP Winter provides adequate braking, but their handling and winter traction are areas where they could use improvement.
11. Nokian / WR Snowproof
Quick Take
Nokian WR Snowproof
- Rating: Satisfactory
- Pros
- Noteworthy life.
- Environmentally friendly with reduced particulate emissions.
- Fuel-efficient.
Cons:
- Poor performance on dry and wet roads.
- Less than impressive winter capabilities.
- Overview: While Nokian WR Snowproof has an edge in durability and economy, their lackluster performance across various terrains might make you think twice.
12. Pirelli / Cinturato Winter 2
Quick Take
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- Rating: Satisfactory
- Pros
- Good wet and winter traction.
- Impressive tire life and fuel efficiency.
- Lightweight.
Cons:
- Inconsistent dry performance.
- Overview: The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 stands out in wet and snowy conditions but stumbles a bit on dry terrains, with a lack of prompt steering responsiveness.
13. Sava / Eskimo HP2
Quick Take
Sava Eskimo HP2
- Rating: Satisfactory
- Pros
- Commendable winter traction.
- Durable with excellent fuel efficiency.
Cons:
- Inadequate dry and wet performance.
- Overview: Sava Eskimo HP2 shines in winter conditions, but their underwhelming performance on asphalt might be a point of contention for some.
14. Yokohama / BluEarth*Winter V906
Quick Take
Yokohama BluEarth*Winter V906
- Rating: Satisfactory
- Pros
- Effective wet performance.
- Fuel-efficient.
Cons:
- Compromised dry and winter traction.
- Reduced tire life.
- Overview: Yokohama BluEarth*Winter V906 offers a decent performance on wet surfaces, but they fall behind when it comes to dry and snowy conditions, with a notable reduced tire durability.
15. Bridgestone / Blizzak LM005
Quick Take
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Rating: Satisfactory
- Pros
- Reliable performance on both dry and wet pavements.
- Good fuel economy.
Cons:
- Struggles in winter conditions.
- Reduced wear resistance, leading to faster deterioration.
- Environmental concerns with higher particulate emissions.
- Slightly on the heavier side.
- Overview: The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 makes a solid case for itself on dry and wet roads with commendable handling and resistance against aquaplaning. However, its winter performance is a chink in its armor, struggling with consistent handling in snowy conditions. The reduced wear resistance might also be a concern for those looking for a long-term investment.
16. Kormoran / Snow
Quick Take
Kormoran Snow
- Rating: Satisfactory
- Pros
- Excels in winter conditions, providing exceptional traction and control.
- Durable with good longevity.
- Environment-friendly with reduced particulate emissions.
- Promotes fuel economy.
Cons:
- Falls short on dry pavements, leading to compromised braking.
- Poor handling on wet surfaces, which can be a safety concern.
- Overview: The Kormoran Snow, as the name suggests, truly shines in snowy conditions, ensuring a firm grip and prompt braking. However, it's a different story altogether on dry and wet roads. The tire’s inadequate performance on these terrains, especially in terms of handling and braking, raises red flags about its versatility and safety.
Arm yourself with this comprehensive tire buying guide to make an informed decision that caters to both your safety and performance needs this winter season.
