2010 AMS Winter Tire Test

In 2010 Auto Motor Und Sport [AMS] visited Sweden to test ten 205/55 r16 winter tires. On test were the usual mix of premium and mid range tires, including the TireReviews favourite Nokian WRG2.

Winning the test was the Goodyear UltraGrip 7+, thanks to an extremely strong snow performance which was only equaled by the mid-range brand Fulda (who incidentally are owned by Goodyear). The new Michelin Aplin A4 and the Continental TS830 rounded out the top 3 with extremely strong dry and wet scores which make the tires more appealing to climates like the UK where the roads see little snow but plenty of freezing mornings in both dry and damp conditions.

While the the Nokian WRG2 only placed 8th, it also verified its suitability for UK type climates by winning the wet section of the test with comments of sporty handling. Unfortunately its snow performance was the worst of the test, but it would vastly outperform a normal summer tire should adverse conditions present themselves.

Here are the full results with breakdown scores and comments.

Click here to view Results as a single table and adjust the score weighting based on your own driving needs!

1st: Goodyear UltraGrip 7+
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 264 Dry: 86 Wet: 83 Snow: 95 Very good handling, good traction and short braking distances on snow, balanced properties in wet and dry, quiet Slightly increased rolling resistance Read Reviews
2nd: Michelin Alpin A4
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 259 Dry: 90 Wet: 92 Snow: 77 Good handling and excellent braking performance on wet roads, good handling characteristics on dry roads, low rolling resistance Snow performance wasn't group leading Read Reviews
3rd: Continental WinterContact TS830
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 257 Dry: 93 Wet: 94 Snow: 70 Good handling and short braking distances on snow, very good wetness characteristics, good aquaplaning resistance Limited snow traction Read Reviews
4th: Fulda Kristall Control HP
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 244 Dry: 79 Wet: 67 Snow: 98 Excellent handling, great braking power and very good traction on snow, good aquaplaning Only average driving characteristics and a relatively long stopping distances on wet roads Read Reviews
5th: Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 242 Dry: 81 Wet: 86 Snow: 75 Very good handling characteristics and short braking distances in dry, good ride comfort, good wet performances Average snow performance Read Reviews
6th: Pirelli Sottozero Serie II
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 234 Dry: 87 Wet: 83 Snow: 64 Good handling characteristics and short braking distances on dry roads, very good wetness characteristics, low rolling resistance Moderate traction and longer stopping distance on snow Read Reviews
7th: Vredestein Snowtrac 3
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 233 Dry: 82 Wet: 82 Snow: 69 Good handling and braking performance in dry, good wet performances, comfortable Average snow scores, increased rolling resistance Read Reviews
8th: Nokian WRG2
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 232 Dry: 86 Wet: 98 Snow: 48 Very good handling characteristics and short braking distances on wet roads, good properties in dry Average cornering, traction and braking on snow Read Reviews
9th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM32
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 221 Dry: 85 Wet: 75 Snow: 61 Good handling and braking performance on dry roads, wet satisfactory properties, good comfort Average snow scores Read Reviews
10th: Kumho IZen KW23
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 196 Dry: 78 Wet: 66 Snow: 52 Good handling and braking performance in dry conditions Traction and braking on snow poor, long braking distance in wet conditions Read Reviews