The German automobile club ADAC has just completed what might be the most thorough winter tire test for the 2025-2026 season. With a staggering 31 models under the microscope, ranging in price from €93 to €177, the program left no stone unturned, evaluating everything from braking on sheer ice to a tire's potential mileage.
This year, ADAC went bigger than ever before. Why test the usual 10-15 models when the market is overflowing with options? As technical expert Christoph Pauly explained, both online and traditional retail are "simply bursting with offers." Manufacturers from India, China, and Taiwan are flooding the zone with unprecedented production volumes, aiming to capture the market with low prices. To put it in perspective, while a set of European premium tires in size 225/40 R18 might set you back around €680, a budget import package will tempt you for only about €400.
But as the tests conclusively proved, the price tag is a clear reflection of a tire's capabilities. The ADAC team was deeply unimpressed with the performance of 11 budget models. It's one thing for a cheap winter tire to struggle on wet roads, but it's far more alarming when it becomes a liability on snow—the very condition it's designed for. With tires like the Petlas SnowMaster 2 Sport and Nankang Winter Activa 4, the test car was "very quickly sent into a skid." The Landsail Winter Lander was described as barely able to stop. This is a sobering revelation, especially considering that every single one of these tires carries the "Alpine symbol"—the three-peak mountain snowflake that is often a legal requirement for winter driving. It seems that having the certification and actually performing safely are two very different things.
Key Braking Results Revealed
The verdict is in on safety performance. For drivers of popular cars like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, or VW Golf, braking performance is often the most critical factor.
Below, we focus on the essential dry and snow braking results from the test. While ADAC's final ranking includes other factors like aquaplaning and treadlife, these braking distances give you a clear, objective look at which tires can stop you safest in critical conditions.
Dry Braking
- Michelin
- Ceat
- Nokian
- Goodyear
- Landsail
- Continental
- Momo
- CST
- Hankook
- Apollo
- Bridgestone
- Petlas
- Uniroyal
- Dunlop
- Radar
- Kleber
- Semperit
- Star Performer
- Point S
- Imperial
- Nankang
- Tomket
- Goodride
- GT Radial
- Matador
- Firestone
- Giti
- Maxxis
- Fulda
- Syron
- Evergreen
Info! Braking distance from 100 km/h, m.
Snow Braking
- Syron
- Michelin
- Kleber
- Dunlop
- Radar
- Bridgestone
- Semperit
- Matador
- Goodyear
- Uniroyal
- Maxxis
- Hankook
- GTRadial
- Ceat
- Firestone
- Point S
- Fulda
- Evergreen
- Momo
- Apollo
- Continental
- Star Performer
- Giti
- Tomket
- Nokian
- Imperial
- Nankang
- Petlas
- Goodride
- CST
- Landsail
Info! Braking distance from 30 km/h, m.
The Pinnacle of Performance: The Top 3
Taking the crown is the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3. As you'd expect from a champion, it has no weak points. Its standout strength is its phenomenal stability on water, resisting aquaplaning like a champion. This is the most valuable trait for modern winters, which are often more wet than snowy. Add in one of the longest treadlives in the test, and you have a tire that justifies its top spot.
Quick Take
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
- This tire replaced Goodyear / UltraGrip Performance+
- Available Sizes in Line: 91
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Volkswagen Passat NMS II Facelift [2021 .. 2025]
- • Audi A5 B10 [2024 .. 2026]
- • Audi S5 B10 [2024 .. 2026]
- Year Released: 2023
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
In a very close second place is the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5. The only complaint reviewers had was about the initial manufacturing "hairs" on the tread that wear off, posing a minor environmental concern. On the road, it’s a masterpiece. Test pilots praised its "instant and precise steering response" on dry pavement, "sufficient safety reserves" in the wet, and "excellent results in all individual criteria" on winter roads.
Quick Take
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- This tire replaced Michelin / Pilot Alpin PA4
- Available Sizes in Line: 179
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG
- • Audi A8 D5 [2018 .. 2021]
- Year Released: 2014
- Regions for sale: USA+, Canada, Europe, Russia+, Japan
Securing a well-deserved third place is the Bridgestone Blizzak 6. This tire’s moment of glory came in the wet braking test, where it beat every competitor. Whether braking on dry asphalt, snow, or ice, it delivers impeccable results. It also wins on long-term value, boasting a long potential mileage and excellent fuel efficiency.
Quick Take
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
- This tire replaced Bridgestone / Blizzak LM005
- Available Sizes in Line: 81
- Year Released: 2024
- Regions for sale: USA+, Canada, Europe, Russia+
The Strong Contenders: A Blend of Precision and Value
The middle of the top 10 is filled with excellent tires that offer a mix of performance and smart value.
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 (4th Place): A truly balanced tire with far more strengths than weaknesses. It delivers very decent performance across all conditions without the premium price tag.
Quick Take
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- This tire replaced š Dunlop / SP Winter Sport 4D
- Available Sizes in Line: 106
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Hyundai i30 N I (PD) [2017 .. 2021]
- Year Released: 2015
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330 (5th Place): A tire that slightly favors "summer" conditions. It's brilliant on dry and wet roads and perfectly safe on snow, though it doesn't offer the same sporty feel on a snowy track as the leaders. Its massive projected treadlife is a huge plus.
Quick Take
Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330
- This tire replaced Hankook / Winter i*cept evo2 W320
- Available Sizes in Line: 85
- Year Released: 2020
- Regions for sale: USA+, Canada, Europe, Russia+, South Korea
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P (6th Place): This tire shines on dry pavement with "pleasant steering responsiveness" and precise reactions. It’s perfectly competent in the wet and on snow, making it a safe, predictable, and efficient choice.
Quick Take
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
- This tire replaced Continental / WinterContact TS 850 P
- Available Sizes in Line: 183
-
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: 2021
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
The Specialists and The Value Kings
Further down the list, we find specialists that excel in specific areas and impressive budget options.
Kleber Krisalp HP3 (7th Place): A joy to drive on dry roads with quick, precise reactions. It's also a solid performer on snow, making it a great choice for drivers who face a mix of clear and white winters.
Quick Take
Kleber Krisalp HP3
- This tire replaced š Kleber / Krisalp HP2
- Available Sizes in Line: 179
- Year Released: 2016
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Nokian WR Snowproof P (8th Place): The eco-friendly choice, with top marks for low wear and fuel efficiency, though it trades off some precision in handling.
Quick Take
Nokian WR Snowproof P
Momo North Pole W-20 (9th Place): A safe and predictable tire focused on solid winter performance and low wear. It delivers strong snow traction and braking, but feels less precise on dry pavement and in deep water.
Quick Take
Momo North Pole W-20
- Year Released: 2024
- Regions for sale: Europe
Ceat WinterDrive (10th Place): This Indian import is the value champion of the test. While it lacks the sharp handling of premium brands on dry roads, it delivers genuinely praise-worthy performance on snow and ice, making it an outstanding budget pick for harsh winters.
Quick Take
Ceat WinterDrive
- Year Released: 2024
- Regions for sale: Europe
The Final Word
The ADAC test sends a powerful message: in winter tires, you truly get what you pay for. For maximum safety and all-around excellence, the top three from Goodyear, Michelin, and Bridgestone are in a league of their own. But for drivers watching their budget, strong contenders like the Dunlop and the surprising Ceat offer a compelling blend of security and value, proving that a safe winter doesn't have to break the bank. We've provided the top 10 performers here, but you can find the full ranking of all 31 models in the complete test results.
225/40 R18 Tire Fitment
The 225/40 R18 tire size is a common fit for a wide range of compact and mid-size car models.
You will typically find this size on popular vehicles such as the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Opel Astra, Škoda Octavia, Toyota Camry, and Volkswagen Golf.
To confirm the correct tire dimensions for a specific vehicle, always refer to the official documentation. The approved tire sizes can be found in the vehicle's registration document (Part 1) and its Certificate of Conformity (CoC).
