Auto Motor und Sport: Winter Tire Test R18 2025

Auto Motor und Sport: Winter Tire Test R18

In their 2024 winter tire test, Auto Motor und Sport quickly became the first to release a ranking for the upcoming winter season. This time, they focused on non-studded winter tires sized 235/55R18, commonly fitted to popular SUVs like the Audi A6 Allroad, Peugeot 308, and Toyota Rav4. Testing began in Scandinavia's snowy conditions back in February, followed by wet and dry road evaluations in Germany as soon as the winter frost had cleared.

As Timo Fleck, an Auto Motor und Sport journalist, explained, "For tire testers, winter stretches all the way into summer. The real testing season only wraps up when the heat is making everyone sweat." The process included rigorous road and lab tests for rolling resistance and durability, along with spot checks to ensure tire availability and quality matches what’s sold to consumers.

Among the tested models were newcomers like Bridgestone’s Blizzak 6, successor to the highly regarded LM005, and Continental’s WinterContact TS 870 P. Other contenders included Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro, GT Radial WinterPro 2 Sport, and Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + SUV. Hankook Winter i*cept Evo 3 X, Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV, Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV, Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2, and Vredestein Wintrac Pro completed the lineup.

Interestingly, the Kumho WinterCraft WP52 was tested but didn’t make the final ranking. After conducting selective purchases, the team discovered that the tires available in stores were outdated compared to those tested earlier in the year. Kumho confirmed that new batches with DOT 2624 were expected by mid-September, but the delayed supply left the publication wary of the difference in quality, leading to the exclusion of this model from the final results.

  1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV - Winner Recommended
    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
    91 47
    · Winter · 2018 · Light Truck / SUV - Light Truck/SUV Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    Michelin secured 1st place in the test with a score of 9.0 and an "Outstanding" rating. It provided exceptional performance on snow, delivering dynamic and safe handling. The tire also offered well-balanced behavior on both wet and dry roads, ensuring a quiet and comfortable ride. With an EU label of C/C/B and a price of €217, it is considered the best option for dynamic SUVs in the winter season. Its versatility impressed Auto Motor und Sport, though minor improvements in rolling resistance could make it even better. Despite this, it remains the top choice for winter driving, offering high performance in all conditions.

    Dry Braking   Noise   Snow Performance   Wet Braking   Rolling Resistance  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia
    Test Score:
    9
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
    90 55
    · Winter · 2021 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    The Continental tire earned 2nd place with a score of 8.7 and a "Very Good" rating. It provided easy handling and a reliable margin of safety on snowy roads, with secure performance on wet surfaces and stable cornering on dry roads. With its C/B/C EU label and priced at €250, it’s a top choice for electric vehicle owners due to its exceptionally low rolling resistance. Though it displayed a somewhat vague steering feel and increased noise, especially at high speeds on dry roads, its overall versatility and reliability make it a strong contender.

    Snow Handling   Wet Handling   Rolling Resistance   Dry Handling   Subj. Steering Response   Noise  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    8.7
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak 6
    Bridgestone Blizzak 6
    N/A 40
    · Winter · 2024 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    The Bridgestone tire earned 3rd place with a total score of 8.6 and a "Very Good" rating. It delivered short braking distances and dynamic handling with a strong safety margin, particularly on wet and snowy roads. The Bridgestone Blizzak 6 (EU label C/B/B, priced at €220) performed exceptionally well in wet conditions and took the top spot in snow braking. However, it showed longer braking distances on dry asphalt and had some instability during lane changes at high speeds, along with vague steering in dry conditions. Despite these issues, it remains a standout performer in wet and snowy conditions.

    Wet Handling   Wet Braking   Snow Braking   Steering Response   Dry Braking  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    8.6
  4. Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
    87 45
    · Winter · 2022 · Light Truck / SUV - Light Truck/SUV Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    The Pirelli tire earned 4th place with a score of 8.6 and a "Very Good" rating. It demonstrated strong traction and grip on snow-covered roads and performed well on wet surfaces with short braking distances. Priced at €220 with an EU label of C/A/B, the Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2 stands out for its balanced performance, excelling in traction, stability, and maneuverability on snow. Its hydroplaning resistance is also among the best. However, there is a slight tendency toward oversteering in fast dry cornering and higher rolling resistance, leaving some room for improvement in fuel efficiency.

    Wet Braking   Dry Braking   Snow Traction   Dry Lateral Stability   Rolling Resistance  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · China China
    Test Score:
    8.6
  5. Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 X W330A
    Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 X W330A
    84 32
    · Winter · 2020 · Light Truck / SUV - Light Truck/SUV Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    The Hankook tire earned 5th place with a score of 8.2 and a "Very Good" rating. It performed well on snow with dynamic handling and showed excellent resistance to hydroplaning on wet surfaces. On dry roads, it offered nearly sporty dynamics and good balance. Priced at €176 with an EU label of C/B/B, the Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 X stands out for its value. Minor drawbacks include slightly longer braking distances and weaker grip in wet corners, but overall, it offers impressive performance for its price.

    Wet Handling   Snow Performance   Dry Handling   Noise   Wet Braking  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · South Korea South Korea
    Test Score:
    8.2
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV
    Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV
    85 42
    · Winter · 2021 · Light Truck / SUV - Light Truck/SUV Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    The Goodyear tire earned 6th place with a score of 8.0 and a "Very Good" rating. It offered balanced handling and precise control during load changes, though it didn't stand out on snow. Priced at €198 with an EU label of C/B/B, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV provided a comfortable ride, even on bumpy roads, but its increased noise may be a concern for some drivers. Although its snow performance was well-balanced, it had slightly longer braking distances on both wet and dry surfaces, along with weaker grip in fast dry cornering. Despite these minor drawbacks, it remains a solid and well-balanced choice.

    Wet Performance   Snow Handling   Dry Handling   Noise   Wet Braking  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · China China
    Test Score:
    8
  7. GT Radial WinterPro2 Sport
    GT Radial WinterPro2 Sport
    N/A 25
    · Winter · 2020 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    The GT Radial tire earned 7th place with a score of 7.7 and a "Good" rating. It delivered decent braking and grip on wet roads and handled dry conditions with ease. Priced at €168 with an EU label of C/B/B, the GT Radial WinterPro2 Sport performed well on damp roads, offering stable braking and lateral grip. However, it struggled in deep water, showing early signs of hydroplaning, and had weak dynamics on snow, making it unsuitable for high-speed driving in snowy conditions. On dry roads, it provided solid performance, but its snow handling and braking fell short of the average results. Despite these drawbacks, it remains a reasonably balanced option for moderate winter conditions.

    Dry Handling   Wet Braking   Rolling Resistance   Snow Handling   Subj. Steering Response   Hydroplaning  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    7.7
  8. Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro
    Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro
    68 32
    · Winter · 2022 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    The Falken tire earned 8th place with a score of 7.7 and a "Good" rating. It provided decent braking and grip in both wet and dry corners, with commendable driving comfort. Priced at €180 with an EU label of C/B/B, the Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro struggled with vague steering, sensitivity to load changes, and oversteering on both snow and wet roads. While it isn't a bad or dangerous tire, it's not suited for spirited driving. On the plus side, it offers high acoustic and physical comfort, especially on rough roads, making it a reliable option for less demanding conditions.

    Comfort   Wet Braking   Dry Handling   Snow Handling   Subj. Steering Response   Rolling Resistance  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    7.7
  9. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
    85 32
    · Winter · 2023 · Light Truck / SUV - Light Truck/SUV Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    The Nokian tire earned 9th place with a score of 7.4 and a "Good" rating. It performed well on wet roads, showing solid resistance to both longitudinal and lateral hydroplaning, despite longer braking distances. Priced at €176 with an EU label of C/B/B, the Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV provided stable handling on dry roads, though with slightly reduced grip. However, its braking performance on snow was weak and unbalanced, lagging behind other competitors. While it remains a decent tire overall, it could benefit from an update, though production limitations at the company might explain some of its shortcomings.

    Wet Handling   Hydroplaning   Dry Handling   Snow Performance   Wet Braking  
    Europe Europe
    Test Score:
    7.4
  10. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    82 46
    · Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    The Vredestein Wintrac Pro tire earned 10th place with a score of 7.3 and a "Good" rating. It displayed reliable protection against hydroplaning and offered short braking distances on dry roads. Priced at €196 with an EU label of C/B/B, the Vredestein Wintrac Pro struggled with steering response, showing a lack of precision during lane changes and sluggish behavior on dry asphalt. Its braking performance on both snow and wet surfaces was also slightly longer, and it exhibited higher rolling resistance. Despite these shortcomings, it remains a solid choice for winter driving, with dependable hydroplaning resistance and dry braking performance.

    Wet Handling   Snow Performance   Dry Braking   Wet Braking   Snow Braking   Rolling Resistance  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    7.3
Year
2025
Max Score, points
10
Tire Size
235/55R18
Season
Winter
Auto Type
Light Truck / SUV / 4*4
List Type
Professional Tire Test
Region
Europe
Date added
Aug 21, 2024
Date updated
Oct 21, 2024

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