Auto Motor und Sport: Winter Tire Test R16 2021

In its new test, the Auto Motor und Sport magazine compared tires in size 195/55 R16, designed for such compact cars as Volkswagen Polo, Kia Rio, Skoda Fabia, and similar ones. The list of competitors included ten models: the winners of the last year’s test Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 and BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2, the inexpensive Falken Eurowinter HS01, Goodyear UltraGrip 9+, and GT Radial WinterPro2, and the time-tested Michelin Alpin 6, Pirelli Cinturato Winter (which has already been replaced by Cinturato Winter 2), Toyo Observe S944, and Vredestein Wintrac. For the Vredestein model, this test became a debut, just as it was for the new Continental model named WinterContact TS 870.

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 - Winner Recommended

87 54

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Short braking distances and good handling on snow. Very good grip, short braking distances and high lateral stability on wet roads.
Negative: Relatively long braking distances on dry roads.
Verdict: Very good.
Wet Braking Lateral Aquaplaning Rolling Resistance Dry Handling Dry Braking Snow Braking Snow Traction Lateral Stability (Snow / Wet) Wet Handling

Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

8.7
Continental WinterContact TS 870 Recommended

91 61

· Winter · 2020 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Good handling on snow. Safe behavior on wet and dry surfaces. Low rolling resistance. Low noise level.
Negative: Relatively low lateral stability on wet surfaces. Relatively long braking distances on dry roads.
Verdict: Very good.
Wet Braking Noise Lateral Stability (Snow) Lateral Aquaplaning Dry Handling Rolling Resistance Snow Braking Snow Handling Straight Aquaplaning Snow Traction

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

8.2
Vredestein Wintrac Recommended

82 40

· Winter · 2020 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Good lateral stability on wet surfaces. Short braking distances on dry surfaces. Good value for money. High traction and short braking distances on wet roads.
Negative: Low resistance to aquaplaning. Reduced comfort level.
Verdict: Very good.
Wet Braking Noise Lateral Stability (Snow) Dry Braking Snow Braking Snow Traction Wet Handling Lateral Aquaplaning

USA+ · Canada · Europe

Test Score:

8.1
BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2

79 39

· Winter · 2016 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Excellent snow performance. Good dry performance with relatively long braking distances.
Negative: Poor wet performance. High rolling resistance.
Verdict: Good.
Lateral Stability (Snow) Dry Handling Snow Braking Snow Handling Snow Traction Rolling Resistance

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

7.8
Michelin Alpin 6

85 53

· Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Good grip and very short braking distances on dry, cold surfaces. Good lateral stability on wet surfaces.
Negative: Relatively long braking distances on snow and wet roads. Reduced comfort level.
Verdict: Good.
Dry Handling Lateral Stability (Wet) Dry Braking

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · Japan

Test Score:

7.7
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+

86 51

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: High lateral stability and good handling on snow and wet roads.
Negative: Relatively poor braking performance in all conditions. Increased noise level.
Verdict: Good.
Wet Handling Lateral Stability (Snow) Lateral Aquaplaning Rolling Resistance Snow Traction

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

7.5
Pirelli Cinturato Winter

77 49

· Winter · 2016 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Short braking distances and high traction on snow.
Negative: Relatively poor snow lateral stability. Long braking distances and poor lateral stability on wet roads.
Verdict: Good.
Straight Aquaplaning Noise Lateral Stability (Snow) Lateral Aquaplaning Snow Braking Snow Traction

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

7.5
Falken Eurowinter HS01

73 41

· Winter · 2016 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Short braking distances and good lateral stability on snow. Acceptable performance on wet roads. Good comfort level. Attractive price. Negative: Indistinct steering response and poor traction. Very high rolling resistance.
Verdict: Good.
Wet Braking Straight Aquaplaning Noise Lateral Stability (Snow) Snow Braking Snow Handling Rolling Resistance

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

7.1
GT Radial WinterPro2

67 29

· Winter · 2017 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Good lateral stability on dry and wet surfaces. Good comfort level.
Negative: Poor snow performance. Poor behavior on wet surfaces. Low resistance to aquaplaning.
Verdict: Good.
Wet Braking Noise Dry Handling Lateral Stability (Wet) Dry Braking Lateral Aquaplaning

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

7.1
Toyo Observe S944

68 40

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Good grip and excellent lateral stability on dry surfaces.
Negative: Poor braking, especially in snow. Very low performance on snow.
Verdict: Satisfactory.
Dry Braking Wet Handling Noise Dry Handling Lateral Stability (Snow) Snow Handling Snow Traction

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

6.9