The surprise this year is Pirelli have finally produced a strong winter tire, with the updated Sottozero 3 winning the test thanks to a strong snow and wet performance. The excellent Continental WinterContact TS850 has been relegated to an unusual second, with the new Goodyear Ultragrip Performance rounding out the top three.
As proven countless times, budget tires just don't work in the wet, with the Rockstone S210 Ice+ being regarded as dangerous, despite a good snow performance. With wet braking from 100km/h over 20 metres longer than the best in test, this is one to avoid for the wet UK winters...
Results
1st: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 | |
| A top class winter tire with excellent handling and short braking on snowy and wet roads. Comfortable steering feel, good safety margins when aquaplaning, low rolling resistance Slightly longer dry braking distances Read Reviews Buy from £156.38 |
2nd: Continental WinterContact TS 850 | |
| A strong winter tire with good road handling in all weather conditions. Stable cornering and short braking distance in snowy and dry conditions. Fuel Efficient rolling resistance, optimal comfort Slightly louder than the best in the test Read Reviews |
3rd: Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance | |
| A convincing all-rounder with good winter properties. Balanced handling with safe and good steering response on wet and dry roads. Very quiet Only average snow handling Read Reviews |
4th: Michelin Alpin A4 | |
| Top handling qualities on snowy slopes. Good steering precision and short braking distances on dry roads and snowy slopes. Pleasant ride comfort, with a low rolling resistance Average in the wet Read Reviews |
5th: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D | |
| Excellent traction and shortest braking distances on snow. Stable running with safe driving characteristics on wet roads, smooth ride Slight oversteer on dry roads Read Reviews |
6th: Nokian WR D3 | |
| Dynamic sporty handling qualities with precise steering on dry roads, short dry braking distances. Balanced safe driving in the wet. Low rolling resistance Reduced cornering and driving balance on snow Read Reviews |
7th: Toyo Snowprox S953 | |
| Best safety margins when aquaplaning. Stable cornering and safe handling qualities on dry roads. Good comfort Average winter properties. Delayed steering response and driving behavior on wet and snowy roads Read Reviews |
8th: Hankook Winter i cept evo | |
| Short braking distances and stable handling on snowy roads. Good ride comfort, quiet pass-by noise Delayed steering response and driving behavior in wet and dry conditions, slightly longer wet braking distances Read Reviews |
9th: Rockstone Ice plus s210 | |
| Stable running and short braking distances on snow, low rolling resistance Very limited capability with low aquaplaning resistance, long braking distances on dry and wet roads and inharmonious understeering handling Read Reviews |
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