Tyre Reviews: Winter Tire Test R18 2021

In this tyre test tyrereviews experts take nine of the best performance winter tyres in the popular 225/40 R18 size and test them in the dry, wet and of course snow to see what the best winter tyre is for the 2021/22 autumn and winter.
These are not nordic / extreme winter tires as found in the northern parts of North America. 225/40 R18 is a popular winter tyre size for vehicles such as the Audi A3 / A4, VW Golf GTI / R, BMW 1 Series and 3 Series, and many other vehicles with this wheel size.

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P - Winner Recommended

88 48

· Winter · 2021 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: A winter tyre with no real weaknesses. Excellent in all conditions and all tests.
Negative: Slightly slow steering.
Rolling Resistance Dry Braking Snow Circle Snow Braking Wet Braking Snow Handling Straight Aquaplaning Comfort Noise

Europe · Russia+
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 Recommended

93 44

· Winter · 2014 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Significant lead in the dry and snow tests, best straight aquaplaning resistance, low external noise, low rolling resistance.
Negative: Average wet performance with extended wet braking and poor curved aquaplaning resistance, high purchase price.
Rolling Resistance Dry Braking Snow Traction Snow Circle Snow Braking Snow Handling Straight Aquaplaning Noise Dry Handling Lateral Aquaplaning Price

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · Japan
Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330 Recommended

90 44

· Winter · 2020 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Short dry braking, very good performance in all wet tests including aquaplaning and the best subjectively around the wet handling lap, very good grip in all snow tests.
Negative: Sightly reduced dry handling performance, high external noise, high rolling resistance.
Wet Handling Dry Braking Snow Traction Snow Circle Wet Braking Snow Handling Lateral Aquaplaning Noise Rolling Resistance Dry Handling

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · South Korea
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

88 56

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: By far the best performance in wet braking and wet handling, good dry handling, excellent curved aquaplaning resistance, lowest rolling resistance on test.
Negative: Long dry braking, poor grip in the snow with very low snow traction.
Wet Handling Rolling Resistance Wet Braking Lateral Aquaplaning Dry Handling Snow Traction Dry Braking Comfort

Canada · Europe · Russia+
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+

88 55

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Good grip in the wet with high aquaplaning resistance, excellent grip in the snow.
Negative: Slow dry handling lap, high external noise, high rolling resistance.
Wet Handling Snow Traction Lateral Aquaplaning Snow Handling Straight Aquaplaning Comfort Noise Dry Handling Rolling Resistance

Europe · Russia+ · China
Dunlop Winter Sport 5

82 57

· Winter · 2015 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Consistent performance in most tests with good aquaplaning resistance, good traction in the snow.
Negative: Slow dry handling lap, high external noise, high rolling resistance.
Snow Traction Straight Aquaplaning Comfort Noise Dry Handling Rolling Resistance

Europe · Russia+
Nokian WR Snowproof P

67 38

· Winter · 2020 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Very good in the dry, good snow traction and snow circle, lowest noise on test, low rolling resistance.
Negative: Weak grip in the wet tests with the lowest aquaplaning resistance on test.
Rolling Resistance Snow Circle Snow Braking Noise Dry Handling Straight Aquaplaning Lateral Aquaplaning

Europe · Russia+
GT Radial WinterPro2 Sport

N/A 23

· Winter · 2020 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Reasonable dry performance, well priced.
Negative: Long wet braking, weak aquaplaning resistance, reduced grip in all snow tests, high rolling resistance.
Price Rolling Resistance Snow Circle Snow Braking Wet Braking Snow Handling Straight Aquaplaning

Europe · Russia+
Imperial Snowdragon UHP

N/A 16

· Winter · 2012 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Good dry handling, low external noise, cheap purchase price.
Negative: Extremely long braking in all conditions, low grip in the wet with weak aquaplaning resistance, significantly reduced grip in the snow, high rolling resistance.
Noise Dry Handling Price Wet Handling Dry Braking Snow Traction Snow Braking Wet Braking Snow Handling Lateral Aquaplaning