Auto Bild Sportscars: Winter Tire Test R18 2020

Auto Bild Sportscars: Winter Tire Test R18

In the new test conducted by Auto Bild Sportscars, five tires at once were rated as «Exemplary».
In the days leading up to the new season, the German magazine Auto Bild Sportscars announced the results of its fresh test of winter tires in size 225/40 R18; the test car was a Volkswagen Golf GTI.

  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 - Winner Recommended
    Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    88 56
    · Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    Positive: sporty, dynamic handling on snow and wet roads, high steering precision and good feedback, very good winter properties.
    Negative: average comfort.

    Snow Traction   Wet Handling   Steering Precision   Snow Handling   Comfort  
    Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  2. Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330 Recommended
    Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330
    90 44
    · Winter · 2020 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    Positive: exemplary driving characteristics on wet and snowy roads, top aquaplaning safety, precise handling, low price.
    Negative: average comfort.

    Aquaplaning   Steering Precision   Snow Handling   Wet Handling   Price   Comfort  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · South Korea South Korea
  3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 Recommended
    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    93 44
    · Winter · 2014 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    Positive: Premium winter tires with a high level of performance in all weather conditions, harmonious steering behavior, low rolling resistance.
    Negative: high price.

    Steering Precision   Snow Braking   Rolling Resistance   Snow Handling   Price  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Japan Japan
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ Recommended
    Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
    88 55
    · Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    Positive: convincing all-round tires with dynamic handling qualities, precise steering behavior, good comfort, fair price.
    Negative: slightly longer dry braking distances.

    Steering Precision   Comfort   Snow Handling   Wet Handling   Price   Dry Braking  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · China China
  5. Vredestein Wintrac Pro Recommended
    Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    82 46
    · Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    Positive: good snow quality, dynamic handling and stable cornering on wet and dry slopes, short braking distances.
    Negative: increased rolling resistance.

    Dry Handling   Snow Braking   Snow Handling   Wet Handling   Rolling Resistance  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  6. Falken Eurowinter HS01
    Falken Eurowinter HS01
    73 41
    · Winter · 2016 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    Positive: convincing driving characteristics on snowy and wet roads, low rolling noise.
    Negative: understeering driving behavior on dry roads.

    Noise   Wet Handling   Snow Handling   Steering Precision  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  7. Continental ContiWinterContact TS 850
    Continental ContiWinterContact TS 850
    80 42
    · Winter · 2012 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    Positive: dynamic wet handling, good winter qualities, short snow and wet braking distances.
    Negative: only small safety reserves with aquaplaning, high price level.

    Snow Braking   Wet Handling   Wet Braking   Snow Handling   Aquaplaning   Price  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · South Korea South Korea
  8. BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2
    BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2
    79 39
    · Winter · 2016 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    Positive: very good snow performance, low rolling noise, low rolling resistance.
    Negative: understeering wet and dry handling, extended wet braking distances.

    Noise   Snow Braking   Rolling Resistance   Snow Handling   Wet Handling   Wet Braking   Dry Handling  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  9. Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
    Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
    70 43
    · Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    Positive: good winter properties , high aquaplaning safety, good price-performance ratio.
    Negative: limited lateral guidance and longer braking distances on wet slopes.

    Snow Braking   Aquaplaning   Snow Handling   Lateral Stability   Wet Braking  
    Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  10. Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
    Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
    81 59
    · Winter · 2014 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    Positive: short braking distances on snowy and wet slopes, fair price.
    Negative: understeering wet and dry handling, moderate traction on snow.

    Snow Braking   Wet Braking   Price   Snow Traction   Wet Braking   Dry Handling  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia
  11. Toyo Observe S944
    Toyo Observe S944
    69 42
    · Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    Positive: stable driving characteristics on snow, low rolling resistance, dynamic dry handling.
    Negative: moderate wet grip, understeering wet handling, extended wet braking distances.

    Snow Traction   Rolling Resistance   Dry Handling   Wet Handling   Wet Braking  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  12. Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    Kumho WinterCraft WP71
    64 28
    · Winter · 2016 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow
    Verdict:

    Positive: best wet / aquaplaning qualities.
    Negative: limited lateral guidance and delayed steering response on snow, moderate ride comfort, increased rolling resistance.

    Wet Handling   Aquaplaning   Wet Braking   Steering Precision   Rolling Resistance   Comfort   Lateral Stability  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · North Africa North Africa
Year
2020
Tire Test Original Link
Visit Website
Tire Size
225/40R18
Season
Winter
Auto Type
Passenger
List Type
Professional Tire Test
Region
Europe
Date added
Nov 30, 2020
Date updated
Feb 15, 2021

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