Continuing on from the 42 tire winter tires shootout, Auto Bild carried the top 15 tires across to the more in-depth group tests. Qualifying for this ultimate winter shoot out were tires from each of the six premium manufacturers, along with eight midrange brands and one brand we consider a high end budget (Maxxis).
As usual, the fifteen tires were put through sixteen tests, designed to test all aspects of the tires performance in the snow, on wet and dry roads, as well as wear, fuel consumption and comfort being rated.
The All Season Angle
Perhaps most interestingly for our UK readers, was the inclusion of the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons in all the tests. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons is one of the strongest all season tires on the market, and won the latest all season tire test by Auto Bild. Instead of focusing on all season tires in this write up, we've written a separate piece - all season tires, how do they stack up.Premium Performance
Somewhat unsurprisingly the winner of this group test was the new Continental Winter Contact TS850, as it continued its flawless run in the magazine group tests. Praised for a flawless winter performance, strong in the wet and combined with low rolling resistance it was the clear winner, with only its cost counting against it.Full Results
1st: Continental WinterContact TS 850 | |
| Best in all winter disciplines, good aquaplaning resistance, low rolling resistance, high comfort Cost Exemplary Read Reviews |
2nd: Bridgestone Blizzak LM32 | |
| Balanced handling and short braking distances in all weather conditions, high mileage, good comfort Slightly increased rolling resistance Exemplary Read Reviews |
3rd: Michelin Alpin A4 | |
| Convincing handling on wet and dry conditions, good steering precision, good mileage, low rolling resistance Cost Exemplary Read Reviews |
4th: Hankook Winter i cept RS | |
| Safe handling with good lateral grip on wet and snowy surfaces Slightly understeering driving behaviour on wet track Recommended Read Reviews |
5th: Semperit Speed Grip 2 | |
| Dynamic handling in wet and snowy, short wet braking distances, good aquaplaning resistance, quiet Understeer on a dry track, low mileage Recommended Read Reviews |
6th: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D | |
| Top results on snow, precise steering response, good ride comfort, low rolling resistance Moderate grip in the wet, low mileage Recommended Read Reviews Buy from £109.48 |
7th: Goodyear UltraGrip 8 | |
| Balanced snow qualities, good aquaplaning resistance, precise steering response, pleasant comfort Increased rolling resistance, high cost Recommended Read Reviews |
8th: Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 | |
| Agile handling with excellent cornering on wet track, low rolling resistance Moderate mileage, high cost Recommended Read Reviews |
9th: Nokian WR D3 | |
| Exemplary handling with more stable cornering on snow and dry conditions, quiet Reduced mileage Recommended Read Reviews |
10th: Fulda Kristall Control HP | |
| Balanced safe handling and short braking distances on snow-covered slopes, good value for money Understeering driving behaviour on wet track, moderate comfort Recommended Read Reviews |
11th: Falken Eurowinter HS449 | |
| Stable handling characteristics and short braking distances on wet roads Limited winter qualities, low mileage , increased fuel consumption Fair Read Reviews |
12th: Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO | |
| Balanced handling on wet and dry roads, good value for money Prolonged wet and dry braking distances, moderate comfort, high rolling resistance Satisfactory Read Reviews |
13th: Kleber Krisalp HP2 | |
| Best value for money, high mileage, low rolling resistance Moderate Winter Properties, slightly increased understeer in the wet, high pass-by noise Fair Read Reviews |
14th: Uniroyal MS plus 66 | |
| Stable handling on snow, good aquaplaning resistance Unstable handling on wet roads, moderate comfort, poor mileage Fair Read Reviews |
15th: Maxxis MA PW Presa Snow | |
| Short stopping distances and dynamic handling on snow Weaknesses in driving performance and long braking distances on wet, moderate comfort, low mileage Conditionally recommendable Read Reviews |