Top Picks for Safe Driving in Compact Cars
ADAC’s latest winter tire test zeroes in on what matters: finding the best tires for compact cars. Models like the VW Golf, Opel Astra, and Toyota Corolla need more than just decent tires—they need exceptional grip and control, whether you’re navigating icy roads or cruising on dry pavement.
This isn’t just about surviving the season. It’s about owning it. ADAC’s rigorous tests push each tire to its limits, replicating real-world challenges to see which ones deliver. The result? A shortlist of top performers that keep you steady and secure in any weather.
2024-2025 Test Results for 205/55 R 16H Tires
The infographic below presents a detailed overview of the test results for the 205/55 R 16 H models. Explore the data to see how each tire compares and find the best option for your needs.
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The tire rating system uses a precise scale to reflect performance. A score between 0.6 and 1.5 indicates excellent results, while 1.6 to 2.5 signifies good performance. Scores ranging from 2.6 to 3.5 are considered satisfactory, with 3.6 to 4.5 being adequate. Ratings between 4.6 and 5.5 indicate poor performance. Final tire evaluation was conducted based on these ratings.Top Performers: Continental, Goodyear, and Michelin
Continental, Goodyear, and Michelin have set the bar high with their latest winter tire models, each earning a 'Good' rating from ADAC. These tires meet the demands of modern drivers, providing excellent performance across all road conditions without compromising on longevity.
Leading the pack, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 excelled in overall safety, scoring an impressive 1.8 in ADAC’s tests. Its superior grip on wet and wintry roads made it the standout performer, leaving other contenders behind. This tire not only ensures top-notch handling and braking in adverse conditions but also sets a new standard for safety.
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Continental WinterContact TS 870
Michelin’s Alpin 6 also received high marks, particularly for its environmental performance. While it didn’t quite match Continental’s prowess on the road, it boasted the longest projected lifespan of all tested models—53,200 kilometers—paired with the lowest wear rate. This makes it a cost-effective and environmentally conscious choice, ideal for drivers seeking durability without sacrificing safety.
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Michelin Alpin 6
Rounding out the top three, Goodyear’s UltraGrip Performance 3 offers a well-rounded package. It balances safety and eco-friendliness, providing reliable handling in various conditions while maintaining a reasonable wear rate and fuel efficiency. With these qualities, it holds its place among the best, making it a solid recommendation for drivers prioritizing a mix of performance and sustainability.
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Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
M+S Tires No Longer Compliant
Starting October 1, 2024, older winter and all-season tires marked solely with the "M+S" symbol will no longer be considered suitable for winter conditions in Germany. Only tires featuring the "Alpine" symbol—a stylized mountain peak with a snowflake—will be officially recognized as winter-capable. Drivers caught using M+S tires on snow or ice could face a fine of €75 and one point on their driving record in Flensburg. The sale of M+S winter tires has been discontinued in Germany since January 2018, and ADAC strongly recommends replacing them regardless. ADAC tests have shown that winter performance declines noticeably after six years, with replacement advised no later than eight years from the manufacturing date.Four More Tires Worth Considering
Among the tested models, four additional tires received strong recommendations. The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 and Dunlop Winter Sport 5 achieved a score of 2.6, while the Nokian Snowproof 2 and Falken Eurowinter HS02 followed closely with a 2.8 rating, placing them comfortably in the upper tier of the "Satisfactory" category on ADAC’s scale (2.6 to 3.5). Each tire demonstrates distinct advantages:
The Falken model excels on dry roads but lacks the same capability in winter conditions.
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Falken Eurowinter HS02
The Hankook tire handles ice and snow effectively but struggles in wet environments.
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Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 W462
The Dunlop tire performs exceptionally in snowy conditions but is merely average on dry surfaces.
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Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Nokian tire maintains a well-rounded performance, though without any standout attributes.
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Nokian Snowproof 2
While these models may not dominate the rankings, they remain strong contenders in the competitive landscape.
The Bottom Line: Winrun's Wet Road Performance Raises Concerns
Five models lag significantly behind the seven top-rated tires in ADAC’s latest test for the compact class. At the very bottom, the Winrun Winter-max A1 WR22 presented a stark contrast in performance. While it showed decent results on snow and dry surfaces, its grip on wet roads was alarmingly poor. During cornering, the tire displayed early understeer or oversteer, making the vehicle’s handling unpredictable. Even more concerning, during wet braking from 80 km/h, the car equipped with Winrun tires still traveled at nearly 30 km/h when models like Goodyear and Pirelli had already come to a complete stop. This lack of braking efficiency can pose serious safety risks, leading to the tire’s final rating of 5.5—deemed inadequate by ADAC.
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2, despite its excellent wet braking performance, did not receive a recommendation due to its shortcomings on dry roads, resulting in a downgraded overall score of 3.9. The tire’s lack of steering precision and feedback meant drivers had to make frequent adjustments to maintain a steady cornering line. It’s a missed opportunity, as it scored 1.7 for its winter capabilities.
Similarly, the Vredestein Wintrac demonstrated decent performance in snowy conditions but fell short on dry surfaces, resulting in an unbalanced overall performance. The Zeetex WH 1000 struggled across all test categories, and the GT Radial WinterPro 2 Evo failed to earn a recommendation as well, showing no standout performance in any specific area.
You can find more detailed results and in-depth descriptions of the tested models on the test page. This will provide you with a comprehensive overview and help you make an informed choice.
