The selection of winter tires is tremendous and confusing. Premium, budget, and medium-class tires are available for all tastes and budgets — but do they all ensure the level of safety promised by the tire makers? This question is answered in the new publication of Germany’s Auto Bild.

Having bought anonymously 53 tire sets online, Auto Bild experts indeed conducted a «large» comparative test of winter tires 2019 in the size of 225/45 R17, which is currently considered to be the best selling tire size for compact and medium sized vehicles.

During the first (elimination) round, the experts tested the tires’ wet braking performance, and on the basis of the obtained results, 23 models were eliminated, whose braking distances turned out to be the longest of all.

Then the remaining thirty tires were tested for snow braking performance. After which it became clear, which of the models were making it into the final round of the competition. Thus, out 53 models, only twenty reached the final, coming at a price ranging from 160 to 500+ Euros.

In the final, the Auto Bild test team also evaluated the contestants in a number of disciplines on wet and dry pavement, as well as on snow. To determine the winner, the experts were also considering the economic factors, such as expected mileage, price/quality ratio, and rolling resistance.

List of models tested in the final round:

• Apollo Aspire XP Winter — debutante in the comparative tests
• BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2
• Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 — a new model of winter season 2019/2020
• Continental WinterContact TS 860
• Debica Frigo HP2
• Dunlop Winter Sport 5
• Fulda Kristall Control HP2
• Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ — a new model of the season 2019/2020
• Hankook Winter i*cept RS² W429
• Kleber Krisalp HP3
• Kumho WinterCraft WP71
• Michelin Alpin 6 — last year’s new model, a test debutante
• Nexen Winguard Sport 2
• Nokian WR Snowproof — a new model of the season 2019/2020
• Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
• Sava Eskimo HP2
• Semperit Speed-Grip 3
• Uniroyal MS Plus 77
• Vredestein Wintrac Pro
• Yokohama BluEarth*Winter V905

Test Disciplines

Snow Pavement

Wet Pavement

Dry pavement

Rankings

As was expected, the winners pedestal is dominated by premium brands. However, this does not mean that the test did not bring us any surprises. India’s Apollo Vredestein, for example, got in 2019 not one but two things to take pride in — two of its products got an «exemplary» ranking. But… First things first.

225/45 R17 Winter Tire Test Summary. Auto Bild, 2019. Places 1 to 10. Click to enlarge.

225/45 R17 Winter Tire Test Summary. Auto Bild, 2019. Places 11 to 20. Click to enlarge.

Verdicts

This is just «exemplary»

So, the winner of the Auto Bild test 2019 is Continental WinterContact TS860, which won the second prize in last year’s test. «The best driving performance in any weather conditions» brought this tire a well-deserved victory. The experts particularly noted the crisp steering response, great lateral stability, fuel efficiency, high expected mileage, and low rolling resistance.

Continental WinterContact TS860 Source: AutoBild

In last year’s test, Continental WinterContact TS860 got from us the title of «the best European tire 2018». In 2019, this model stands every chance of keeping this title.

The second place was scored by Goodyear with its «new» winter tires UltraGrip Performance+, noted for «exemplary performance on wet and snowy roads». The pilots said that they delivered crisp steering response, dynamic handling, and efficient braking on wet and snowy surfaces. In addition, these tires are characterized by high resistance to wear.

UltraGrip Performance+ Source: AutoBild

For the most expensive model on test, Michelin Alpin 6, this test was only the second in its entire career. The Auto Bild test brought the French tire maker the third place, the title of «Eco Master» and the status of «exemplary winter tires with a great grip on snow and wet pavement». Along with good hydroplaning resistance and high steering precision, these tires also ensure comfortable ride and have the longest expected mileage of all the tested models.

Michelin Alpin 6 Source: AutoBild

Although the model Apollo Aspire XP Winter didn’t make it to the winners’ pedestal, it was still able to get positive feedback from the testers, coupled with the title of «Eco Master». In addition to the attractive price/quality ratio, this model is characterized by «balanced performance potential» and good hydroplaning resistance. The fourth line in the final standings.

Apollo Aspire XP Winter Source: AutoBild

The fifth position was occupied by Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 that was among the leaders during the elimination round. The testers noted its great handling properties and precise steering response on wet and dry pavement. The only critical comment was addressed to the tire’s lateral stability on snow.

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 Source: AutoBild

The sixth line of the tournament bracket, and the last «exemplary» verdict was scored by Vredestein Wintrac Pro that demonstrated convincing handling properties on both wet and dry pavement, great steering response on wet surface, and stable traction on snow. However, just like in the case of Bridgestone, its lateral grip on snow was not up to the cut.

Vredestein Wintrac Pro Source: AutoBild

The «handsome» eight

The seventh line in the final standings was scored by the relatively inexpensive BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 that demonstrated great performance on snow and wet pavement, good hydroplaning resistance, little cabin noise, and long expected mileage. At the same time, the tire’s dry traction was described as average.

BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 Source: AutoBild

The Semperit Speed-Grip 3 model, described by the testers as «a convincing all-rounded talent with great winter properties», came the eighth. Its strong sides were dependable performance on wet pavement, low cabin noise, and low rolling resistance. Among the limitations of this model were relatively weak hydroplaning resistance, and a slightly increased dry braking distance.

Semperit Speed-Grip 3 Source: AutoBild

The ninth place was scored by Hankook Winter i*Cept RS2 W452, «the king of winter with the best snow performance». «His majesty» also provides great handling response on dry pavement and a decent expected mileage. The price is also far from sky-high. The less successful operational properties are average lateral stability, and insufficient steering response on wet pavement.

Hankook Winter i*Cept RS2 W452 Source: AutoBild

The tenth line of the tournament bracket was occupied by Uniroyal MS Plus 77 with stable handling response in any weather conditions, good lateral stability, and low rolling resistance, coming at an inexpensive price. At the same time, its braking distance in the dry turned out to be much too long.

Uniroyal MS Plus 77 Source: AutoBild

Nexen Winguard Sport 2 was number 11 in the final standings. At the same time, the test experts’ feedback was generally positive. They described the product of this brand as «well-balanced, with stable handling performance in any weather conditions». They particularly noted the braking distance on snow, low cabin noise, and the attractive price. The model’s limitations showed up in the rolling resistance and dry braking tests.

Nexen Winguard Sport 2 Source: AutoBild

The twelfth position in the tournament bracket was shared by two models at once — Fulda Kristall Control HP2, and the new model of winter season 2019/2020, Nokian WR Snowproof. The subsidiary brand of Goodyear’s provides «well-balanced performance» coupled with great riding comfort and low rolling resistance. At the same time, the tire’s lateral grip on wet pavement and on snow was described as somewhat average.

Fulda Kristall Control HP2 Source: AutoBild

The winter model WR Snowproof with its «nordic» tread pattern demonstrated dynamic properties on snow, pleasant riding comfort, and low rolling resistance. Its average ranking was conditioned by its relatively weak grip on wet pavement and average hydroplaning resistance. In the previous test, the AMS model showed a similar result — the last 11th place.

Yokohama BluEarth*Winter V905’s firm grip on snow, short braking distance on wet pavement, stable and safe handling response in the dry, and low rolling resistance were regretfully crossed out by its low hydroplaning resistance and understeer in the wet. As a result, only the fourteenth place in the final standings.

Yokohama BluEarth*Winter V905 Source: AutoBild

The «satisfactory» tires on test

Four winter tire models that scored places from 15th to 18th earned a «satisfactory» verdict. Kleber Krisalp HP3 turned out to be «very good on snow» with dynamic handling response and a short braking distance. The tire also ensured good hydroplaning resistance. At the same time, this model is prone to understeer, while its braking distance on dry pavement is longer than expected. The expected mileage also leaves much to be desired.

Kleber Krisalp HP3 Source: AutoBild

The tire’s high hydroplaning resistance also did not pass unnoticed, just as its being prone to understeer in wet and dry tests, as well as the braking distance on dry pavement, which was a little longer than it should have been.

Sava Eskimo HP2 was named by the test experts to be the tire that, coming at a reasonable price, ensures dynamic handling and a short braking distance on snowy roads, maintaining the optimum fuel efficiency. Its downsides included average traction in the wet and in the dry coupled with a limited mileage potential.

Sava Eskimo HP2 Source: AutoBild

A place at the bottom of the second ten was scored by Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 because of its average performance on snow, low riding comfort, and short expected mileage. These, however, could not outweigh the upsides of the model, such as effective braking on wet pavement and low rolling resistance. The eighteenth place for a «premium brand» tire.

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 Source: AutoBild

Recommended. Conditionally

This might come as a surprise but the tire from the popular brand Debica Frigo HP2, with an extremely dependable performance on snow, high riding comfort and fuel efficiency, were only able to score the nineteenth place in the overall standings. Evidently, it had some serious rivals to compete with. This model’s drawbacks were poor lateral stability and understeer on wet and dry pavement. The loud rolling noise does not add to its attractiveness either.

Debica Frigo HP2 Source: AutoBild

Strange though it may sound, what devalued the overall rating of Kumho WinterCraft WP71 was the average expected mileage and increased rolling resistance. Its braking distance on wet pavement and on snow was short, and the tire’s overall wet performance was considered to be generally safe by the test experts. In addition, these tires are characterized by low noise emission. Anyway, like it or lump it, the 20th place.

Kumho WinterCraft WP71 Source: AutoBild

Price

Conclusion

Generally speaking, looking at the overall ranking of the tires, it becomes clear that the premium-class tires have the greatest margin of safety. However, one shouldn’t discard inexpensive tires altogether. For example, the Indian Apollo Aspire XP did put out a very convincing performance. However, buying total low-budget no-name tires online, say the Auto Bild experts, is not a good idea — because it ultimately means saving up at the expense of your safety.