Auto Bild: Winter Tire Test R18 2020

Auto Bild: Winter Tire Test R18

As an all-rounder, winter tires have to ensure safety in really any weather. Does the driving pleasure fall by the wayside? AUTO BILD has tested twelve tires in the size 225/40 R18 on a 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 slopes, high steering precision and good feedback, very good winter properties.
    Negative: average comfort.
    Verdict: exemplary (test winner).

    Steering Response   Snow Braking   Snow Handling   Wet 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 slopes, top aquaplaning safety, precise handling, affordable price.
    Negative: average comfort.
    Verdict: exemplary.

    Aquaplaning   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 profile with a high level of performance in all weather conditions, harmonious steering behavior, low rolling resistance.
    Negative: high price.
    Verdict: exemplary.

    Rolling Resistance   Snow / Wet / Dry Performance   Steering Response   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-rounder with dynamic handling qualities, precise steering behavior, good comfort, fair price.
    Negative: slightly longer dry braking distances.
    Verdict: exemplary.

    Snow / Wet / Dry Handling   Steering Response   Price   Comfort   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 lateral guidance on wet and dry slopes, short braking distances.
    Negative: increased rolling resistance.
    Verdict: exemplary.

    Lateral Stability   Snow Braking   Dry 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 slopes, low rolling noise.
    Negative: understeering driving behavior on dry roads.
    Verdict: good.

    Snow Handling   Wet Handling   Noise   Dry Handling  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
    79 43
    · Winter · 2014 · 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.
    Verdict: good.

    Snow Braking   Wet Handling   Wet Braking   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 noise, low rolling resistance.
    Negative: understeering wet and dry handling, extended wet braking distances.
    Verdict: satisfactory.

    Snow Performance   Rolling Resistance   Noise   Dry Handling   Wet Handling   Wet Braking  
    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.
    Verdict: satisfactory.

    Snow Performance   Aquaplaning   Price / Performance Ratio   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.
    Verdict: satisfactory.

    Price   Snow Braking   Wet Braking   Snow Tracrion   Dry Handling   Wet 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.
    Verdict: satisfactory.

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

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

    Wet Performance   Aquaplaning   Lateral Stability   Rolling Resistance   Ride Comfort   Steering Response  
    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
Oct 15, 2020
Date updated
Feb 15, 2021

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