Motor: Winter Tire Test R16 2020

The Polish magazine tested winter tires suitable for such cars as Audi A3, Ford Focus, Renault Megane, Skoda Octavia, etc.
Despite all the difficulties having to do with the coronavirus pandemic, Poland’s Motor magazine conducted its annual winter tire test, which this time around was organized in collaboration with Slovakia’s Autozurnal. The snow tests were carried out early this year in the Swiss Alps, while the asphalt performance of the tires was evaluated at a test facility in Germany.
The 2020 test involved five premium-class tire products from such brands as Bridgestone and Nokian; in addition, the experts tested the economy-class tires from the Polish brand Debica (currently owned by Goodyear) and Imperial (currently owned by the Belgian trade company Deldo). The mid-price segment was represented by the brand Maxxis, about which the Motor noted that it is primarily popular with the cyclists, but is now rapidly developing its automotive branch.

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 - Winner Recommended

88 56

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Well-deserved victory in the test. Outstanding results on wet and dry pavement. Good results on snow. The highest level of driving safety. Low rolling resistance.
Straight Aquaplaning Wet Braking Dry Handling Dry Braking Fuel Efficiency Lateral Stability Wet Handling Lateral Aquaplaning

Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

245.6
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ Recommended

86 51

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Very good results on snow. Good results on asphalt. Well-balanced performance. Rather attractive price.
Straight Aquaplaning Wet Braking Snow Handling Lateral Stability Slalom Wet Handling Snow Traction Lateral Aquaplaning Comfort Snow Braking

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

242.2
Michelin Alpin 6 Recommended

85 55

· Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Outstanding performance on snow. Good performance on asphalt. Predictable behavior in any conditions. High level of driving safety. Low noise emission. Great riding comfort.
Noise Wet Braking Snow Handling Wet Handling Slalom Snow Traction Comfort Snow Braking

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · Japan

Test Score:

238.1
Dunlop Winter Sport 5

82 57

· Winter · 2015 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Well-balanced performance. Crisp steering response in any conditions.
Fuel Efficiency Lateral Stability Lateral Aquaplaning

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

235
Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6

70 43

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
The tire’s good performance proves successful development of this Asian tire maker. The quietest tire on test. Overpriced.
Noise Straight Aquaplaning Comfort Fuel Efficiency

Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

234.9
Nokian WR Snowproof

68 44

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Good results on snow and dry pavement. Poor results on wet pavement. A disappointing result for the tires of the Finnish brand.
Fuel Efficiency Dry Handling Dry Braking Noise Wet Braking

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

230.3
Debica Frigo HP2

74 31

· Winter · 2016 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Very good results on snow. Low price. Poor performance on asphalt.
Snow Traction Slalom Snow Braking Snow Handling Noise Dry Handling Dry Braking Lateral Stability Comfort

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

228.9
Imperial Snowdragon UHP

N/A 16

· Winter · 2012 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Low price (less than half the price of premium tires). Good handling response and braking performance on dry pavement. Almost unacceptable performance on snow and wet pavement.
Dry Handling Dry Braking Straight Aquaplaning Wet Braking Snow Handling Wet Handling Slalom Snow Traction Lateral Aquaplaning Snow Braking

Test Score:

221.8