The Polish magazine tested winter tires suitable for such cars as Audi A3, Ford Focus, Renault Megane, Skoda Octavia, etc.
List of models tested:
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Debica Frigo HP2
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- Goodyear UltraGrip 9+
- Imperial Snowdragon UHP
- Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
- Michelin Alpin 6
- Nokian WR Snowproof
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.
Snow
Snow braking: The first discipline was won by Goodyear and Debica, while the performance of the Imperial tires was described as «on the verge of acceptable».
Snow acceleration: The first three tires showed a very good result, while the Imperial model demonstrated very weak snow traction.
Snow traction: The Debica tires again demonstrate quite decent performance, their traction almost coming close to that of the Michelin model. On snow, the Imperial tires proved to be totally useless.
Snow handling: The Debica tires become the leaders in terms of the lap time, but the Goodyear model scores the best subjective ratings. As for the Imperial tires, they easily go into a skid, which affected the final score.
Wet surface
Wet braking: After seven braking sessions on a surface with a 1mm layer of water, the victory was scored by the Bridgestone tires, while in the case of the Nokian model it constitutes 35 km/h.
Lateral stability on wet pavement: On the circular track, the best lateral grip was demonstrated by the Bridgestone and Goodyear models, while Debica, which proved very effective on snow, had prominent issues on wet pavement
Wet handling: The Bridgestone came first again, while Debica and Nokian showed average performance, yet their safety margin is still sufficient.
Straight hydroplaning resistance: The Bridgestone tires again did not leave their rivals a single chance; the Goodyear and Maxxis models also showed decent straight hydroplaning resistance, which cannot be said about the Imperial tires.
Lateral hydroplaning resistance: The Goodyear model scores first place with a close lead over the Dunlop tires from the same manufacturer.
Dry surface
Dry braking: The Imperial tire finally reached its finest hour, and in this discipline it was second only to Bridgestone, which took first place. Last place was scored by the Debica model, which cannot boast any balanced performance at all.
Handling on dry pavement: The Imperial tire continues to lead, but the difference between the first and fifth results was less than half a second, which can be considered a difference within the margin of error. At the same time, the Debica models had prominent issues on dry pavement.
Noise: The quietest tire on test turned out to be the Maxxis model, the last place being scored by the Debica tires, which start making a loud noise as the car picks up speed.
Comfort: Comfort-wise, the best tire was the Michelin model, followed by Goodyear and Maxxis. The test experts took into consideration not just the tires’ ability to absorb the shock from road inequalities, but also their road holding ability and cabin noise.
Environment: The difference in fuel consumption between the Bridgestone and Maxxis models constituted 0.21l/100km
Result summary
Test Results
1st place: Bridgestone / Blizzak LM005
Quick Take
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- This tire replaced Bridgestone / Blizzak LM001 Evo
- Available Sizes in Line: 224
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Audi e-tron [2019 .. 2023]
- • Volkswagen T-Cross I (C11) [2018 .. 2023]
- • Audi A3 8Y [2020 .. 2023]
- • Mercedes-Benz C-Class Br205 [2015 .. 2021]
- • Volkswagen Caddy V [2020 .. 2023]
- • Lamborghini Reventon [2007 .. 2009]
- • Audi Q4 e-tron FZ [2022 .. 2024]
- • BMW X7 G07 [2018 .. 2022]
- • Lamborghini Revuelto [2023 .. 2024]
- Year Released: 2019
- Regions for sale: Canada, Europe, Russia+
- 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
2nd place: Goodyear / UltraGrip 9+
Quick Take
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+
- This tire replaced 🏁 Goodyear / UltraGrip 9
- Available Sizes in Line: 55
- Year Released: 2019
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
- Very good results on snow
- Good results on asphalt
- Well-balanced performance
- Rather attractive price
3rd place: Michelin / Alpin 6
Quick Take
Michelin Alpin 6
- This tire replaced Michelin / Alpin 5
- Available Sizes in Line: 73
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Ford Puma II (J2K) [2019 .. 2023]
- Year Released: 2018
- Regions for sale: USA+, Canada, Europe, Russia+, Japan
- Outstanding performance on snow
- Good performance on asphalt
- Predictable behavior in any conditions
- High level of driving safety
- Low noise emission
- Great riding comfort
4th place: Dunlop / Winter Sport 5
Quick Take
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- This tire replaced Dunlop / SP Winter Sport 4D
- Available Sizes in Line: 106
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Hyundai i30 N I (PD) [2017 .. 2021]
- Year Released: 2015
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
- Well-balanced performance
- Crisp steering response in any conditions
5th place: Maxxis / Premitra Snow WP6
Quick Take
Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
- Available Sizes in Line: 47
- Year Released: 2019
- Regions for sale: Canada, Europe, Russia+
- The tire’s good performance proves successful development of this Asian tire maker
- The quietest tire on test
- Overpriced
6th place: Nokian / WR Snowproof
Quick Take
Nokian WR Snowproof
- This tire has been replaced by Nokian / Snowproof 2
- Available Sizes in Line: 59
-
Original Equipment (OE) tires
for:
- • Ford Puma II (J2K) [2019 .. 2023]
- • Ford Focus IV (C519) [2018 .. 2023]
- • Ford Focus Active IV [2018 .. 2023]
- Year Released: 2019
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
- Good results on snow and dry pavement
- Poor results on wet pavement
- A disappointing result for the tires of the Finnish brand
7th place: Debica / Frigo HP2
Quick Take
Debica Frigo HP2
- This tire replaced 🏁 Debica / Frigo HP
- Available Sizes in Line: 26
- Year Released: 2016
- Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
- Very good results on snow
- Low price
- Poor performance on asphalt
8th place: Imperial / Snowdragon UHP
Quick Take
Imperial Snowdragon UHP
- Available Sizes in Line: 14
- Year Released: 2012
- Regions of sales: unknown
- 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
