Uncovering the Best Winter Tires for Compact SUVs
ADAC has put 16 new winter tire models under the microscope to identify the best options for compact SUVs like the VW T-Roc and lower mid-range cars. The test results are eye-opening, showing which tires excel across different conditions and which fall short.
It’s not just about snow and ice. While winter performance is important, most of your driving during the colder months will be on dry or wet roads. That’s why ADAC doesn’t settle for testing only in typical winter conditions. They look for tires that offer outstanding safety and control no matter what the weather throws your way. The goal is clear: find the tire that delivers top performance in every scenario, so you can drive confidently and safely all season long.
The tested tire size, 215/55 R 17 V, fits a wide range of lower mid-range and mid-range cars and is commonly found on compact SUVs. From the Audi Q2 to the Hyundai Kona, Kia Niro, Opel Insignia, Seat Ateca, Škoda Superb, Toyota Yaris Cross, VW T-Roc (test vehicle), and VW Touran, this size covers a broad spectrum.
The roster for this test included:
- Semperit / Speed-Grip 5
- Pirelli / Cinturato Winter 2
- Vredestein / Wintrac Pro
- Kumho / WinterCraft WP52
- Firestone / Winterhawk 4
- Triangle / WinterX TW401
- Dunlop / Winter Sport 5
- Maxxis / Premitra Snow WP6
- Kenda / Wintergen 2 KR501
- Davanti / Wintoura+
- Goodyear / UltraGrip Performance 3
- Giti / GitiWinter W2
- Hankook / Winter i*cept RS3 W462
- Yokohama / BluEarth*Winter V906
- Continental / WinterContact TS 870 P
- Viking / WinTech
Not Just About Snow: Why Winter Tires Need to Perform on All Surfaces
Take the Kenda Wintergen 2 KR501 as an example. While it excels on snow, offering good grip, solid braking, and traction with plenty of safety margins at the limit, things change drastically on dry roads. The tire feels unstable, requiring frequent corrections in corners and showing a tendency to oversteer during quick maneuvers. Long braking distances further highlight its shortcomings.
The situation doesn’t improve on wet roads. During emergency braking from 80 km/h, the Kenda came to a halt only after 41.1 meters. To put that into perspective, the best performer in the test, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2, stopped in just 34.2 meters. As a result, ADAC rated the Kenda as “inadequate” (see brake distance chart below).
Snow Braking
- Kenda
- Triangle
- Dunlop
- Goodyear
- Vredestein
- Hankook
- Pirelli
- Firestone
- Maxxis
- Semperit
- Kumho
- Continental
- Yokohama
- Giti
- Viking
- Davanti
Info! Braking distance from 30 to 0 km/h.
Ice Braking
- Pirelli
- Continental
- Vredestein
- Dunlop
- Firestone
- Kumho
- Giti
- Semperit
- Goodyear
- Viking
- Hankook
- Yokohama
- Maxxis
- Triangle
- Kenda
- Davanti
Info! Braking distance from 20 to 0 km/h.
Similar issues arise with the Triangle WinterX TW401. It handles winter conditions decently but struggles on wet roads, placing it alongside the Davanti Wintoura+ at the bottom of the rankings. ADAC strongly advises against all three tires due to their poor performance in critical safety areas.
Wet Braking
- Pirelli
- Firestone
- Continental
- Dunlop
- Yokohama
- Vredestein
- Goodyear
- Semperit
- Hankook
- Kumho
- Giti
- Viking
- Maxxis
- Kenda
- Triangle
- Davanti
Info! Braking distance from 80 to 0 km/h.
Dry Braking
- Kumho
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Pirelli
- Vredestein
- Yokohama
- Davanti
- Dunlop
- Triangle
- Hankook
- Semperit
- Giti
- Viking
- Kenda
- Maxxis
- Firestone
Info! Braking distance from 100 to 0 km/h.
M+S Tires No Longer Meet the Standard
Starting October 1, 2024, older winter and all-season tires marked only with the M+S symbol will no longer be approved for use in snowy or icy conditions. Only tires displaying the “Alpine” symbol—a stylized mountain peak with a snowflake—will be recognized as suitable for winter driving.
Driving with M+S tires in snow could cost you: a €75 fine and a point on your license in Flensburg. M+S winter tires haven’t been sold in Germany since January 2018 and, according to ADAC, should be replaced anyway. Their winter performance significantly decreases after six years, and they should be changed after no more than eight years for optimal safety.
Test Results for 215/55 R17V
The infographic below provides a detailed look at how each tire performed in the test. Check out the ratings for each model to see which ones stand out in various conditions.
Info!
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: Three Tires Rated “Good” for 2024-2025
There are some standout results in this year’s test. Three tires earned a “good” rating, proving they can handle diverse conditions with ease. Leading the pack is the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3, closely followed by the Dunlop Winter Sport 5. Both models show exceptional balance, delivering strong performance on dry, wet, and wintry roads, earning them a solid 2.1 for safety.
Quick Take
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
Goodyear takes the top spot with an overall score of 2.0, thanks to its impressive environmental performance, which accounts for 30% of the total rating. The tire boasts an outstanding predicted lifespan rated as “very good” and a “good” score for wear. It’s also lighter than most competitors, weighing over 10% less than the test average—an impressive achievement that helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Quick Take
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
In third place is the Vredestein Wintrac Pro, scoring 2.4. While it shines in winter conditions, it falls slightly behind the top two when it comes to performance on dry and wet roads and environmental impact. However, it remains a strong contender for those prioritizing winter-specific capabilities.
Quick Take
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
Solid Mid-Range Choices: Reliable Options for the Road
The mid-range options are worth a look as well. With overall scores ranging from 2.6 (Semperit Speed-Grip 5 and Hankook Winter i*cept RS3) to 3.3 (Firestone Winterhawk 4), seven tires earned an “acceptable” rating from ADAC, making them viable alternatives. Among these is the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, a dependable choice with no major drawbacks. Choosing between these tires comes down to personal preference and specific driving needs.
Quick Take
Semperit Speed-Grip 5
All of the mid-range tires offer good winter performance, though some, like the GitiWinter W2 (scoring 3.1), have minor compromises. Together with the Yokohama BluEarth-Winter V906 and Firestone Winterhawk 4, these models receive a “satisfactory” rating in both safety and environmental impact, providing a balanced option for drivers who don’t demand top-tier performance in every category.
Quick Take
Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 W462
“Adequate” But Not Recommended: Tires to Avoid
At the bottom of the rankings are three models that didn’t score beyond “adequate”: the Viking WinTech (3.6), Kumho WinterCraft WP52 (3.6), and Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 (3.7). All three underperformed on dry roads, which significantly impacted their overall ratings. Despite their promising lifespan projections, these tires fail to make up for their safety shortcomings. As a result, ADAC does not recommend them for purchase.
When choosing tires, it’s important to recognize that safety and environmental performance can vary greatly between models. Decisions shouldn’t be based solely on price but should consider how well the tire suits your driving needs. For those who depend heavily on their vehicle and cover significant mileage each year, it’s advisable to opt for tires that score “good” in both safety and environmental impact.
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.
