ADAC: Winter Tire Test R16 2024
ADAC's 2023 Winter Tire Test provides an insightful and detailed analysis of 16 winter tire models for small SUVs and lower mid-range cars. This comprehensive review focuses on the 205/60 R16 size tires with H speed class, suitable for both lower and middle class vehicles. Emphasizing driving safety and environmental balance, the test results range from seven tires being highly recommended to two receiving poor ratings due to significant safety deficits. The review highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each model in various conditions - dry, wet, and snowy roads. It offers specific recommendations based on driving needs, such as the best tires for motorway travel or winter road conditions.
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Dunlop Winter Sport 5 - Winner Recommended82 57Verdict:Wet Handling Snow Acceleration Dry Handling Snow Performance Durability Wet Braking Wet Performance Snow Braking Dry Performance Treadwear Dry Braking Snow Handling Noise
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 emerges as a formidable contender in tire performance, demonstrating exceptional control and safety on dry roads, particularly during critical maneuvers like evasive actions and high-speed braking. Its proficiency extends to wet conditions, where it excels in handling and braking, ensuring precise steering. In snowy and icy conditions, the tire continues to impress with above-average performance in braking, acceleration, and handling. The environmental impact is also a highlight, with the tire scoring well in terms of predicted mileage, low abrasion, and fuel efficiency.
Europe · Russia+Test Score:2.2 -
Michelin Alpin 6 Recommended85 53Verdict:Wet Braking Fuel Consumption Ice Braking Dry Handling Snow Handling Treadwear Dry Braking Dry Performance Durability Noise (Average) Lateral Aquaplaning
The Michelin Alpin 6, earning a 'Good' rating, exhibits strong performance on dry roads, offering precise steering and ample safety margins at high speeds. Its dry braking is slightly above average. In wet conditions, it excels in braking distance but shows some limitations in lateral aquaplaning, narrowly missing a top rating in handling. Despite this, it maintains overall safety and control. In winter conditions, the tire performs well, with good handling and braking on ice, though its snow braking is slightly below average. The Alpin 6 also stands out in environmental aspects, boasting above-average wear mileage, low abrasion, and efficient fuel consumption due to its lightweight design. Noise levels are average.
USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · JapanTest Score:2.2 -
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ Recommended86 51Verdict:Aquaplaning Efficiency (Best in Test) Durability Wet Braking Wet Performance Snow Braking Ice Braking Treadwear Dry Performance (Safe Driving Characteristics) Dry Handling (Slight Weaknesses in Precision)
The Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ excels in wet conditions with superior braking and handling, and impressive aquaplaning resistance. On dry roads, it offers good safety during evasive maneuvers despite slight precision issues. In winter scenarios, it boasts exceptional ice braking and above-average snow traction. Environmentally, it stands out for its high predicted mileage and best-in-test efficiency rating.
Europe · Russia+Test Score:2.3 -
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 Recommended87 54Verdict:Wet Performance (Top Rating) Efficiency Driving Safety (Top Rating) Dry Performance Comfort Treadwear (Below-Average Mileage)
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 stands out for its strong performance in wet conditions, significantly outperforming its competitors, and for its effective braking on dry pavement. In winter conditions, it maintains a commendable performance level. However, the tire shows room for improvement in dry handling, with less precision in steering response. Additionally, it exhibits a longer braking distance on ice, and concerns are noted regarding its tread life and particulate emissions.
Canada · Europe · Russia+Test Score:2.4 -
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P Recommended90 55Verdict:Aquaplaning Wet Braking Treadwear (Good Predicted Mileage) Dry Braking (Above-Average) Dry Performance (Safe Properties) Snow Handling Wet Performance (Absolutely Safe Properties) Dry Handling (Slight Weaknesses in Precision)
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P demonstrates solid performance across various conditions, with safe driving characteristics on both dry and wet roads. Despite some precision issues on dry surfaces, it excels in safety during sudden maneuvers and has notably better-than-average dry braking. On wet roads, it impresses with short braking distances, effective aquaplaning resistance, and easy, secure handling. While its performance in winter conditions is average in braking and traction, it offers considerable safety reserves and precise control.
Europe · Russia+Test Score:2.4 -
Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 W462 Recommended85 38Verdict:Snow Performance (Absolutely Safe Properties) Wet Performance (Safe Properties) Wet Braking Efficiency (Low Weight and Low Fuel Consumption) Snow Braking Ice Braking Dry Braking Dry Performance (Safe Properties) Snow Handling Treadwear (Below Average Predicted Mileage) Dry Handling (Slight Weaknesses in Precision)
The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 performs commendably across various road conditions, securing a good rating on dry roads due to its safety in sudden maneuvers and strong braking performance, despite some precision limitations. In wet conditions, it excels in braking and lateral aquaplaning, with reliable handling but falls short in lateral aquaplaning. On winter roads, it impresses with second-best test results, showcasing above-average braking and acceleration, and excellent snow handling. However, it falls short in environmental balance due to below-average predicted mileage, despite its good ratings in abrasion and efficiency.
Europe · China · South KoreaTest Score:2.4 -
Firestone Winterhawk 4 Recommended69 42Verdict:Economy (Efficiency) Snow Performance Wet Performance Weight Lateral Aquaplaning Dry Braking Treadwear Dry Handling Particulate Emissions
The Firestone Winterhawk 4 demonstrates robust performance in various conditions. It excels in wet performance, especially in resisting lateral aquaplaning, and offers solid braking on dry pavement with minor issues in informativeness. In winter conditions, it maintains good driving performance, although the braking distance on ice is notably longer. The tire is also lightweight and economical. However, its disadvantages include less effective dry handling, reduced tread life, and increased particulate emissions, indicating a lower resistance to wear.
Europe · Russia+Test Score:2.5 -
Fulda Kristall Control HP269 37Verdict:Ice Braking Wet Performance Economy Snow Braking Weight Treadwear Dry Performance Particulate Emissions Snow Handling Wet Braking Wet Handling
The Fulda Kristall Control HP2 tires excel in performance on dry pavement, showcasing strong braking capabilities on both snow and ice. They are also noted for their durability, with a very high treadlife, and are lightweight and economical, reducing fuel consumption. In terms of environmental impact, they have low particulate emissions. However, these tires underperform in wet conditions, characterized by long braking distances, poor handling, and reduced grip. Similarly, while they exhibit effective snow braking, their overall handling in snowy conditions is not as impressive.
Europe · Russia+Test Score:2.6 -
BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 279 39Verdict:Treadwear Dry Braking Particulate Emissions Economy Dry Handling Wet Handling
The BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 tires excel in braking performance on dry pavement and stand out for their long tread life and low particulate emissions, highlighting their durability and environmental friendliness. These tires are also economical, making them a cost-effective choice. However, they fall short in dry handling due to less informative feedback. In wet conditions, they are susceptible to understeer and oversteer, affecting their overall wet handling performance. Despite these drawbacks, they provide good handling in snowy conditions.
Europe · Russia+Test Score:2.6 -
Kleber Krisalp HP380 52Verdict:Snow Performance Economy Straight Aquaplaning Wet Braking Dry Braking Dry Handling Wet Handling Lateral Aquaplaning
The Kleber Krisalp HP3 showcases strong braking performance on both dry and wet pavement and exhibits commendable resistance to straight aquaplaning. These tires are also economical and perform effectively in winter conditions. However, they display shortcomings in handling on both dry and wet surfaces, lacking balance. Additionally, their resistance to lateral aquaplaning, especially in cornering scenarios, is limited. While they are efficient in winter settings, their braking distance on ice is notably longer.
Europe · Russia+Test Score:2.8 -
Falken Eurowinter HS02N/A 28Verdict:Economy Straight Aquaplaning Wet Braking Dry Performance Treadwear Snow Handling Wet Handling Lateral Aquaplaning
The Falken Eurowinter HS02 tires excel in dry performance, offering high braking efficiency on wet pavement and effective resistance to straight aquaplaning. They are also noted for their long tread life and economical value. However, their handling on wet surfaces is not as proficient, despite the strong braking performance. These tires struggle with lateral aquaplaning and exhibit suboptimal handling in winter conditions, although they do benefit from a relatively short braking distance on ice.
EuropeTest Score:3 -
Barum Polaris 565 37Verdict:Treadwear Particulate Emissions Weight Rolling Resistance Wet Performance Dry Handling Snow Performance Lateral Aquaplaning
The Barum Polaris 5 tires offer significant benefits in terms of resource efficiency, low particulate emissions, lightweight design, and overall economy, including very low rolling resistance that positively impacts fuel consumption. However, their performance on dry pavement is compromised, with inadequate handling and only average braking, leading to a tendency for the vehicle to deviate from its intended path. In wet conditions, both handling and braking performances are subpar, and while they show good resistance to straight aquaplaning, their performance in cornering aquaplaning is lacking. Additionally, in winter conditions, these tires exhibit relatively weak grip.
Europe · Russia+Test Score:3.1 -
Vredestein Wintrac82 40Verdict:Snow Performance Wet Braking Straight Aquaplaning Economy Weight Treadwear Particulate Emissions Dry Performance Wet Handling Lateral Aquaplaning
The Vredestein Wintrac tires excel in winter conditions, providing excellent performance on snow and ice with good handling and short braking distances, although traction on snow is slightly reduced. On wet pavement, they demonstrate strong braking capabilities but have shortcomings in handling. In dry conditions, their grip is less effective, impacting overall tire behavior. These tires also stand out for their resistance to straight aquaplaning, long life, low particulate emissions, lightweight design, and economical value. However, they struggle with lateral aquaplaning resistance.
USA+ · Canada · EuropeTest Score:3.1 -
Uniroyal WinterExpert59 32Verdict:Economy Snow Performance Weight Wet Performance Dry Performance
The Uniroyal WinterExpert tires show commendable performance in winter conditions, effectively handling snow and ice. They are also notable for their lightweight design and economical aspects. However, their performance on dry pavement is less than ideal, with grip and handling needing improvement. Similarly, in wet conditions, these tires also fall short in terms of grip and handling, indicating a need for enhancements in these areas.
EuropeTest Score:3.2 -
Lassa Snoways 4N/A 23Verdict:Particulate Emissions Economy Wet Braking Dry Performance Treadwear Wet Handling Snow Performance Weight
The Lassa Snoways 4 tires excel in dry performance, offering commendable handling and braking qualities on dry asphalt. They also perform well in wet conditions in terms of braking, but their handling on wet surfaces is suboptimal. Despite their strengths, these tires show significant weaknesses in winter conditions, with a tendency to lose traction and experience deteriorated controllability on snow and ice. Additionally, they have a good life, low particulate emissions, and are economical. However, their weight is a notable disadvantage.
EuropeTest Score:5.2
- Year
- 2024
- Tire Test Original Link
- Visit Website
- Max Score, points
- 1
- Tire Size
- 205/60R16
- Season
- Winter
- Auto Type
- Passenger
- List Type
- Professional Tire Test
- Region
- Europe
- Date added
- Nov 10, 2023
- Date updated
- Mar 26, 2024