This year’s winter tire evaluation centers on the high-demand 205/55 R16 size. While many drivers risk using summer tires during the coldest months, winter-specific designs deliver optimal performance in extreme conditions. Returning to defend its title is the Continental WinterContact TS 870, the champion from the 2022 assessment. Unfortunately, Bridgestone, last year’s runner-up, cannot compete with its new Blizzak 6 due to stock shortages.
However, six formidable contenders step into the arena, several making a comeback. Among them is the Hankook i’cept RS3, which secured third place previously, alongside the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 and Vredestein Wintrac, both tied for fourth. Goodyear enters the fray with the UltraGrip Performance 3, a tire that missed the 2022 test window, and Falken showcases the Eurowinter HS02.
Additionally, Autoexpress incorporates the Goodride Snowmaster S608 into their analysis, offering a cost-effective option that maintains solid performance standards. The review also includes comparisons of summer and all-season tires from leading brands Hankook and Continental, ensuring a diverse range of choices to help you make an informed decision on the best tire for your driving requirements.
What Was Tested
Due to supply, stock, and transportation challenges in the UK, autoexpress.co.uk obtained samples directly from tire manufacturers for their evaluation. Most of the tested tires feature a speed rating of H (118 mph) and a load index of 91, with the exception of Vredestein, which opted for a load index of 94.
The assessment includes EU label ratings for fuel economy, rolling resistance (RR), and wet grip (WG), each graded from A to E (with A being the highest). Additionally, pass-by noise (N) is measured in decibels, where a lower number indicates quieter performance.
| Tire Model | Load Index / Speed Rating | Rolling Resistance (RR) | Wet Grip (WG) | Pass-by Noise (N) (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental WinterContact TS 870 | 91H | C | B | B (70) |
| Falken Eurowinter HS02 | 91H | D | B | A (69) |
| Goodride Snowmaster S608 | 91H | C | C | B (72) |
| Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 | 91H | C | B | B (70) |
| Hankook i’cept RS3 | 91H | C | B | B (72) |
| Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 | 91H | C | B | A (69) |
| Vredestein Wintrac | 94H | C | B | B (70) |
Snow
The snow tests took place at Hankook’s state-of-the-art Technotrac facility in Ivalo, Finland, situated 200 miles within the Arctic Circle. The track experienced temperatures ranging from minus 7 to minus 12 °C, creating ideal conditions to evaluate tire performance in severe winter climates.
During the evaluation, braking was measured from 35 to 10 kph (22 to 6 mph), and acceleration tests were conducted from 10 to 35 kph (6 to 22 mph). Handling was scrutinized on a 1.2 km (0.75 mile) undulating track featuring a diverse array of challenging corners. This setup was designed to assess the tires' handling precision, stability under braking, and traction when exiting turns.
Snow Braking
- Continental
- Hankook
- Goodyear
- Vredestein
- Pirelli
- Goodride
- Falken
- All-Season
- Summer
Snow Handling
- Hankook
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Pirelli
- Vredestein
- Falken
- Goodride
- All-Season
- Summer
Wet
The wet and dry assessments were carried out at Continental’s Contidrom facility near Hannover, Germany, where temperatures remained just below 7 °C, perfectly aligning with the operational range of winter tires. These conditions provided an ideal environment to evaluate the tires' performance in realistic winter driving scenarios.
Wet Braking
- Continental
- Goodyear
- Pirelli
- Hankook
- Vredestein
- Falken
- Goodride
- All-Season
- Summer
Wet Handling
- Continental
- Pirelli
- Goodyear
- Hankook
- Vredestein
- Falken
- Goodride
- All-Season
- Summer
Braking performance was measured by decelerating from 50 mph to a complete stop on a consistent asphalt rail, ensuring uniform testing conditions. Cornering ability was assessed through lap times on a 57.5-meter diameter circle, while a 1.1-mile wet handling circuit with varied corners evaluated the tires' handling precision, traction, and stability during braking.
Straight Aquaplaning
- Hankook
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Pirelli
- Vredestein
- Falken
- Goodride
- All-Season
- Summer
Curved Aquaplaning
- Hankook
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Pirelli
- Vredestein
- Falken
- Goodride
- All-Season
- Summer
Aquaplaning resistance was a critical aspect of the evaluation. In straight-line aquaplaning tests, the speed at which a tire traveling through 9 mm of water began to slip by 15% compared to a dry wheel was recorded. Additionally, during curved aquaplaning tests, each tire was driven through a curve flooded with 5 mm of water at speeds ranging from 37 to 56 mph. The average residual lateral acceleration was then calculated to determine the tires' ability to maintain grip and control under wet conditions.
Wet Circle
- Continental
- Goodyear
- Hankook
- Falken
- Pirelli
- Vredestein
- Goodride
- All-Season
- Summer
Dry Performance
Braking distances were measured from 62 mph (100 km/h) to a complete stop, providing precise data on each tire's stopping efficiency on dry surfaces.
Handling performance was evaluated through lap times recorded on a one-mile section of the dry handling circuit. This assessment focused on handling balance, grip, transient stability, and traction, ensuring each tire delivers optimal performance under various driving conditions.
Dry Braking
- Falken
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Pirelli
- Vredestein
- Hankook
- Goodride
- All-Season
- Summer
Dry Handling
- Continental
- Goodyear
- Pirelli
- Falken
- Hankook
- Vredestein
- Goodride
- All-Season
- Summer
Noise
Sound levels inside the cabin were measured during coast-down tests conducted from 100 kph (62 mph) on three different surfaces, ranging from smooth to coarse. The final noise rating was determined by averaging these measurements.
Cabin Noise
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Pirelli
- Falken
- Hankook
- Goodride
- Vredestein
- All-Season
- Summer
Fuel Economy
Rolling resistance was evaluated to determine the energy required to turn a loaded tire. Lower rolling resistance signifies better fuel economy, with a four to five percent change in rolling resistance equivalent to approximately a one percent shift in fuel consumption.
Rolling Resistance
- Goodyear
- Hankook
- Vredestein
- Continental
- Goodride
- Pirelli
- Falken
- All-Season
- Summer
Prices
Tire prices were sourced from the online retailer Blackcircles, reflecting the cost for a fitted tire. For models not available through Blackcircles, an average price from other reputable retailers was used.
Price
- Goodride
- Hankook
- Goodyear
- Falken
- Vredestein
- Pirelli
- Continental
- All-Season
- Summer
Info! Price per tire in euros.
Determining the Winner
Each test category's results are standardized into percentages, with the highest-performing tire assigned a score of 100 percent. The overall evaluation allocates 50 percent to wet performance, 20 percent to snow, and another 20 percent to dry conditions, emphasizing handling and braking capabilities. The remaining 10 percent is distributed among the additional assessments, ensuring a comprehensive and balanced determination of the top tire.
Results
1st Place: Continental / WinterContact TS 870
Quick Take
Continental WinterContact TS 870
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 delivered exceptional performance across all test categories. It dominated snow and wet conditions, excelling in braking, traction, and handling. In wet conditions, it led the field in braking and cornering, with great stability and precision on the flooded circuit. Even in aquaplaning tests, it secured top positions, showing its superior traction and control.
On dry surfaces, it maintained its edge, lapping fastest around the track with excellent grip and balance. While its rolling resistance was slightly behind, this didn't diminish its overall performance. Once again, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 proves itself as the top choice for winter driving.
2nd Place: Goodyear / UltraGrip Performance 3
Quick Take
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 earned a well-deserved second place, with consistently strong results across all categories. While it didn’t claim first in handling or grip, it secured multiple second-place finishes and never dropped below third. Its standout feature was having the lowest rolling resistance, making it the most fuel-efficient tire, and the quietest in terms of cabin noise.
In snowy conditions, it was just a fraction of a second behind the leader in lap time and performed nearly as well in braking and traction. It handled confidently, recovering quickly from slides with solid grip. In the wet, it continued to impress, placing second in braking and cornering tests, and performing strongly in aquaplaning assessments.
On dry surfaces, the Goodyear maintained its form, coming second in braking and matching that result on the handling circuit. This tire offers a great blend of performance, efficiency, and refinement across all conditions.
3rd Place: Hankook / Winter i*cept RS3 W462
Quick Take
Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 W462
The Hankook i’cept RS3 secured a solid third place, excelling in snow with strong grip and precise handling. It led the snow circuit, demonstrating great traction and responsiveness, and came in a close second in snow braking. In wet conditions, it topped both deep-water aquaplaning tests, outpacing its rivals. It ranked third on the wet circle and fourth in wet braking, showing solid stability and predictability on the handling track.
While it wasn’t as sharp in the dry, finishing sixth in braking and fifth in handling, it remained competitive, just half a second behind the leader. Its performance, particularly in snow and wet conditions, combined with excellent fuel efficiency, makes it a strong contender overall.
4th Place: Pirelli / Cinturato Winter 2
Quick Take
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 earned its fourth-place finish with strong performances in both wet and dry handling, securing second-fastest times in both. On snow, it delivered a solid fourth-place result, just half a second behind the leader. Though it was middle of the pack in snow braking and traction, its balanced handling and predictable responses made it competitive.
In wet braking, it took third place, staying close to the top, and excelled in curved aquaplaning, though it was average in deeper water. On dry surfaces, it was fourth in braking, combining great grip with a smooth, composed ride, and performed well around the circuit. The Pirelli also ranked third in cabin noise but fell short in fuel economy due to high rolling resistance. Despite not leading in any category, it proved to be a reliable and enjoyable tire to drive.
5th Place: Vredestein / Wintrac
Quick Take
Vredestein Wintrac
The Vredestein Wintrac, launched in 2020, has improved its snow performance since the last test, moving up in snow braking and traction to secure 4 place in both categories. Its handling on snow also saw improvement, finishing fifth and staying within a second of the fastest tire, though it struggled with turn-in at lower speeds.
However, these gains in snow were offset by a slight decline in wet and dry conditions compared to its previous results. It ranked fourth and fifth in dry and wet braking, with the top six tires closely matched in these tests. It also placed fifth in both aquaplaning tests and on the wet handling circuit, delivering solid feel and steering despite the results not fully reflecting its performance. On dry roads, it lacked the necessary grip to stay competitive, finishing sixth.
The Wintrac was also the noisiest tire tested, though it wasn’t unrefined, and remained reasonably economical. Overall, while it’s a solid winter tire, it still falls short of the more well-rounded competitors.
6th Place: Falken / Eurowinter HS02
Quick Take
Falken Eurowinter HS02
The Falken Eurowinter HS02 performed well in dry conditions, taking the top spot in dry braking and finishing fourth in handling. However, inconsistent results elsewhere held it back, leaving it in sixth place overall.
In snowy conditions, it struggled, coming last in both braking and acceleration, and only managing sixth on the handling circuit, where it felt loose and difficult to control. Its performance improved slightly in the wet, placing fourth on the wet circle and fifth in braking and handling, though it was still off the pace in the aquaplaning tests.
While its dry braking was impressive, leading the field, the Falken's high rolling resistance was a trade-off. Overall, it delivered in dry conditions but fell short in the wet and snow, where a winter tire needs to excel.
7th Place: Goodride / SW608
Quick Take
Goodride SW608
The Goodride Snowmaster SW608, despite its budget-friendly price, struggled throughout the tests and finished last. While it performed better than a summer tire in snow, placing sixth in both braking and acceleration, it was slowest on the snow handling circuit, hampered by weak grip and unresponsive steering.
Its biggest shortcomings were in wet conditions. In wet braking, it took nearly three meters longer to stop than the next slowest tire, and it lacked traction on the wet handling circuit, finishing last. It was also at the bottom in both aquaplaning tests. In dry conditions, the Goodride required almost four meters more to stop compared to the best-performing tire.
Its only decent results came in cabin noise and fuel economy, but overall, the Goodride Snowmaster SW608 proved that price reflects performance, especially when it comes to critical wet-weather safety.
