ADAC: Van Winter Tire Test R16C 2019

Many motorists read the ADAC comparative tests in order to make an informed choice of the new tires that they are going to buy. In 2019, the experts of this German motoring club again made a through test of the performance delivered by various winter tires in two sizes.

The first test involved tires of size 185/65 R15 designed for compact vehicles; the second — tires of size 205/65 R16C, engineered to be installed on vans. The test of light truck tires that we are going to cover today, included 15 models vying for victory, relevant in the season 2019–2020.

Continental VanContact Winter - Winner Recommended

N/A 31

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · 2015 · Light Truck / SUV - Commercial

Verdict:
The Continental tires demonstrated their strong sides on wet and dry pavements, while on snow their braking performance was not as efficient. Because of its proneness to wear, the VanContact Winter model is recommended to be installed on cars with small to average year’s mileage.
Wet Performance Dry Performance Fuel Consumption

Northern America · Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

3
Pirelli Carrier Winter

N/A 27

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · 2014 · Light Truck / SUV - Light Truck/SUV Studless Ice & Snow

Verdict:
The Pirelli model is more oriented on dry pavement and optimization of fuel consumption, while its lateral grip on wet pavement is weaker than that of its rivals.
Treadwear Fuel Consumption Dry Performance

Northern America · Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

3.3
Michelin Agilis Alpin

81 20

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · 2009 · Light Truck / SUV - Commercial

Verdict:
In addition to its dependable grip on winter surfaces, the Michelin model pleasantly surprised everyone with its high resistance to wear, yet, at the same time, its performance on drive pavement definitely falls short of that of Continental and Pirelli.
Treadwear Fuel Consumption Snow / Ice Performance

Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

3.4
Vredestein Comtrac 2 Winter

N/A 25

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · 2017 · Light Truck / SUV - Commercial

Verdict:
Relatively good in the wet. Weaknesses on snow. Quite good even on dry roads.
Treadwear Wet Performance Fuel Consumption Noise / Comfort Snow Performance

Northern America · Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

3.7
Goodyear Cargo UltraGrip 2

N/A 19

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · 2007 · Light Truck / SUV - Commercial

Verdict:
Relatively good in the wet. Weaknesses on dry and snowy roads.
Ice Performance Fuel Consumption Treadwear Dry Performance Snow Performance

Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

3.9
Falken Eurowinter Van01

N/A 22

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · 2016 · Light Truck / SUV - Light Truck/SUV Studless Ice & Snow

Verdict:
Top marks on ice. Weak on snow. Quiet interior noise.
Ice Performance Fuel Consumption Treadwear Dry Performance Snow Performance

Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

4
Bridgestone Blizzak W810

N/A 24

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · 2013 · Light Truck / SUV - Light Truck/SUV Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Relatively good on snow. Weaknesses on dry and wet roads as well as during wear.
Fuel Consumption Snow Performance Wet Performance Dry Performance

Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

4.1
Kumho Winter Portran CW51

N/A 19

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · 2015 · Light Truck / SUV - Commercial

Verdict:
Weak on a dry road. Slightly high wear.
Fuel Consumption Wet Performance Dry Performance

Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

4.1
Matador MPS530 Sibir Snow Van

72 19

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · 2013 · Light Truck / SUV - Commercial

Verdict:
Relatively good on snow. Weak on dry roads. Relatively high fuel consumption.
Snow Performance Dry Performance Noise / Comfort

Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

4.1
Uniroyal Snow Max 2

68 12

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · Light Truck / SUV - Commercial

Verdict:
Top grade on snow. Weak on a dry road. Slightly higher fuel consumption and wear.
Snow Performance Dry Performance Noise / Comfort

Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

4.2
Yokohama W.Drive WY01

N/A 13

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · 2011 · Light Truck / SUV - Commercial

Verdict:
Quietest tire in the test. Weak in the wet.
Ice Performance Fuel Consumption Noise / Comfort Treadwear Wet Performance

Northern America · Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

4.2
Sava Trenta M+S

N/A 14

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · Light Truck / SUV - Commercial

Verdict:
Relatively good in the wet. Very weak on snow. Weakness even on dry roads.
Treadwear Wet Performance Dry Performance Fuel Consumption Snow Performance

Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

4.7
BFGoodrich Activan Winter

N/A 12

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · 2008 · Light Truck / SUV - Commercial

Verdict:
Top marks on ice and during wear. Very weak on wet. Low fuel consumption.
Treadwear Fuel Consumption Ice Performance Wet Performance Dry Performance

Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

4.9
Goodride SW612

N/A 17

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · Light Truck / SUV - Commercial

Verdict:
Top marks on ice and fuel consumption. Very weak on snow.
Ice Performance Fuel Consumption Dry Performance Snow Performance

Eastern Asia · Northern America · Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

4.9
Maxxis Vansmart Snow WL2

N/A 25

Light Truck / SUV · Winter · 2017 · Light Truck / SUV - Commercial

Verdict:
Relatively good on dry and wet roads. Very weak on snow.
Ice Performance Wet Performance Dry Performance Treadwear Fuel Consumption Snow Performance

Europe · Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Test Score:

5