The 2021 Auto Zeitung SUV winter tire test has tested ten suv winter tires in 235/55 R18 size using a VW Tiguan crossover SUV.

As this is a smaller test when compared to other winter tire tests we'll keep the introduction short. All ten sets of tires were placed through the usual blend of dry, wet and snow testing, plus rolling resistance and noise.

In this test the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 wins another test with the best wet performance of the group, and the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 placed second with the best snow performance, two things we've seen plenty of times in previous tests.

Tire Updates

Like nearly all winter tests, Auto Zeitung bought and tested the tires at the end of the winter before publication, IE January 2021 for publication for the winter of 2021, and since then several of the tires on test have received updates:

Continental update from DOT 3320: new mix, improved wear. TS870P also now available.

Falken changed mixture DOT 0721 for updated Label values according to the new regulation:D/B/72. 

The new Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + SUV was introduced in May 2021 replacing the tire in this test.

Hankook update from DOT 1521: new tread compound for improved wet grip,more precise handling by changing the sidewall structure. 

Bridgestone, Firestone,Michelin, Nokian,Pirelli, Vredestein - No changes   

Dry

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV led dry braking, with the Vredestein Wintrac Pro and Nokian WRSUV 4 in second and third places.

Strangely the best tires in dry braking were midpack at best during the dry handling test, with the Pirelli Scorpion Winter jumping up the order to finish half a second ahead of the second placed Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.

Wet

The Bridgestone performed well during wet braking, but the Vredestein Wintrac Pro was again close to the top and this time the aging Continental Wintercontact TSS850P finished in third.

Vredestein and Michelin again performed well in wet handling, with Continental claiming third.

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 had the highest aquaplaning resistance by quite a margin.

Snow

Vredestein once again stopped the test vehicle effectively, winning snow braking.

Hankook took their first test win during snow traction with the Hankook Winter I Cept EVO 3 SUV with Michelin in a very close second place.

Snow handling was conducted on a short indoor track.

Environment

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was significantly quieter than the next best tire, the Firestone WinterHawk 4.

Continental had the lowest fuel use of the group, with the Falken trailing the pack by a margin.

The Falken balanced out some of the fuel costs by being the cheapest tire on test, with the Michelin the most expensive.

Results

1st: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
235/55 R18 104H EU Label: B/A/72 Weight: 11.6kgs Tread: 8.3-8.5mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 44 M 42.5 M +1.5 M 96.59% Dry Handling 2nd 63.9 s 63.4 s +0.5 s 99.22% Wet Braking 1st 50.8 M 100% Wet Handling 4th 91.2 s 89.8 s +1.4 s 98.46% Wet Circle 1st 12.6 s 100% Straight Aqua 1st 81.6 Km/H 100% Snow Braking 5th 28.9 M 27.9 M +1 M 96.54% Snow Traction 5th 2981 N 3084 N -103 N 96.66% Snow Handling 5th 29.9 s 29 s +0.9 s 96.99% Noise 3rd 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 8th 660 485 +175 73.48% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.9 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 92.41% Another test victory for the Bridgestone LM005. The wet qualities are currently unbeatable, it's has very good dry performance and is good on snow. Read Reviews
2nd: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
235/55 R18 104H EU Label: C/C/71 Weight: 13.2kgs Tread: 7.6-8.6mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 42.5 M 100% Dry Handling 6th 64.5 s 63.4 s +1.1 s 98.29% Wet Braking 5th 54.5 M 50.8 M +3.7 M 93.21% Wet Handling 2nd 90.1 s 89.8 s +0.3 s 99.67% Wet Circle 2nd 12.7 s 12.6 s +0.1 s 99.21% Straight Aqua 4th 75.6 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -6 Km/H 92.65% Snow Braking 9th 29.5 M 27.9 M +1.6 M 94.58% Snow Traction 2nd 3081 N 3084 N -3 N 99.9% Snow Handling 1st 29 s 100% Noise 1st 70 dB 100% Price 10th 750 485 +265 64.67% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.2 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.9 kg / t 89.02% The Michelin PA5 SUV is a snow specialist but it also offers enormously high safety margins in all conditions. Read Reviews
3rd: Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV
235/55 R18 104V EU Label: C/B/72 Weight: 11.1kgs Tread: 8.3-9.0mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 44.3 M 42.5 M +1.8 M 95.94% Dry Handling 3rd 64.3 s 63.4 s +0.9 s 98.6% Wet Braking 3rd 52 M 50.8 M +1.2 M 97.69% Wet Handling 3rd 90.2 s 89.8 s +0.4 s 99.56% Wet Circle 5th 12.8 s 12.6 s +0.2 s 98.44% Straight Aqua 8th 73.1 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -8.5 Km/H 89.58% Snow Braking 3rd 28.2 M 27.9 M +0.3 M 98.94% Snow Traction 9th 2879 N 3084 N -205 N 93.35% Snow Handling 2nd 29.2 s 29 s +0.2 s 99.32% Noise 7th 73 dB 70 dB +3 dB 95.89% Price 9th 715 485 +230 67.83% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.3 kg / t 100% The TS870P SUV is an excellent allrounder, safe on every surface, with the lowest rolling resistance on test. Read Reviews
4th: Vredestein Wintrac Pro
235/55 R18 104H EU Label: C/C/72 Weight: 12.3kgs Tread: 7.9-8.7mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 42.9 M 42.5 M +0.4 M 99.07% Dry Handling 8th 64.7 s 63.4 s +1.3 s 97.99% Wet Braking 2nd 51.3 M 50.8 M +0.5 M 99.03% Wet Handling 1st 89.8 s 100% Wet Circle 5th 12.8 s 12.6 s +0.2 s 98.44% Straight Aqua 6th 74.9 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -6.7 Km/H 91.79% Snow Braking 1st 27.9 M 100% Snow Traction 3rd 3035 N 3084 N -49 N 98.41% Snow Handling 8th 30 s 29 s +1 s 96.67% Noise 7th 73 dB 70 dB +3 dB 95.89% Price 5th 560 485 +75 86.61% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.2 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.9 kg / t 89.02% Strong on snow, one of the best in wet conditions, safe when dry. The price / performance champion. Read Reviews
5th: Firestone Winterhawk 4
235/55 R18 104H EU Label: C/B/71 Weight: 11.3kgs Tread: 8.1-8.5mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 44.7 M 42.5 M +2.2 M 95.08% Dry Handling 9th 64.9 s 63.4 s +1.5 s 97.69% Wet Braking 6th 54.6 M 50.8 M +3.8 M 93.04% Wet Handling 6th 92 s 89.8 s +2.2 s 97.61% Wet Circle 8th 12.9 s 12.6 s +0.3 s 97.67% Straight Aqua 2nd 78 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 95.59% Snow Braking 6th 29 M 27.9 M +1.1 M 96.21% Snow Traction 4th 3017 N 3084 N -67 N 97.83% Snow Handling 2nd 29.2 s 29 s +0.2 s 99.32% Noise 2nd 71 dB 70 dB +1 dB 98.59% Price 3rd 540 485 +55 89.81% Rolling Resistance 5th 8 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.7 kg / t 91.25% Good results in the snow and wet, however only average in the dry. Read Reviews
6th: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen 1
235/55 R18 104H EU Label: C/B/69 Weight: 13.4kgs Tread: 8.0-8.1mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 43.6 M 42.5 M +1.1 M 97.48% Dry Handling 6th 64.5 s 63.4 s +1.1 s 98.29% Wet Braking 7th 55 M 50.8 M +4.2 M 92.36% Wet Handling 5th 91.9 s 89.8 s +2.1 s 97.71% Wet Circle 2nd 12.7 s 12.6 s +0.1 s 99.21% Straight Aqua 5th 75.2 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -6.4 Km/H 92.16% Snow Braking 10th 29.8 M 27.9 M +1.9 M 93.62% Snow Traction 6th 2964 N 3084 N -120 N 96.11% Snow Handling 5th 29.9 s 29 s +0.9 s 96.99% Noise 3rd 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 7th 655 485 +170 74.05% Rolling Resistance 5th 8 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.7 kg / t 91.25% The Goodyear was only middle in all three conditions however as it is a rounded performance it's still worth recommending. Read Reviews
7th: Nokian WR SUV 4
235/55 R18 104H EU Label: C/B/72 Weight: 13.1kgs Tread: 7.9-8.4mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 43.3 M 42.5 M +0.8 M 98.15% Dry Handling 4th 64.4 s 63.4 s +1 s 98.45% Wet Braking 4th 54 M 50.8 M +3.2 M 94.07% Wet Handling 7th 92.4 s 89.8 s +2.6 s 97.19% Wet Circle 5th 12.8 s 12.6 s +0.2 s 98.44% Straight Aqua 10th 69.6 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -12 Km/H 85.29% Snow Braking 2nd 28.1 M 27.9 M +0.2 M 99.29% Snow Traction 7th 2955 N 3084 N -129 N 95.82% Snow Handling 5th 29.9 s 29 s +0.9 s 96.99% Noise 3rd 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 4th 545 485 +60 88.99% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.9 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 92.41% The WRSUV 4 has very good snow braking and good in the dry, but weaker in the wet with low aquaplaning resistance. Read Reviews
8th: Pirelli Scorpion Winter
235/55 R18 104H EU Label: C/B/69 Weight: 12.7kgs Tread: 7.8-8.4mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 43.6 M 42.5 M +1.1 M 97.48% Dry Handling 1st 63.4 s 100% Wet Braking 8th 58.2 M 50.8 M +7.4 M 87.29% Wet Handling 8th 93.3 s 89.8 s +3.5 s 96.25% Wet Circle 2nd 12.7 s 12.6 s +0.1 s 99.21% Straight Aqua 9th 72.2 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -9.4 Km/H 88.48% Snow Braking 8th 29.3 M 27.9 M +1.4 M 95.22% Snow Traction 8th 2921 N 3084 N -163 N 94.71% Snow Handling 9th 30.1 s 29 s +1.1 s 96.35% Noise 7th 73 dB 70 dB +3 dB 95.89% Price 6th 605 485 +120 80.17% Rolling Resistance 9th 8.5 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +1.2 kg / t 85.88% The Pirelli Scorpion Winter is very good in the dry but weaker in the wet and snow, with high rolling resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £187.78
9th: Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
235/55 R18 104V EU Label: C/B/72 Weight: 12.7kgs Tread: 8.0-8.2mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 44.3 M 42.5 M +1.8 M 95.94% Dry Handling 4th 64.4 s 63.4 s +1 s 98.45% Wet Braking 10th 60.7 M 50.8 M +9.9 M 83.69% Wet Handling 10th 96.2 s 89.8 s +6.4 s 93.35% Wet Circle 10th 13.4 s 12.6 s +0.8 s 94.03% Straight Aqua 7th 73.3 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -8.3 Km/H 89.83% Snow Braking 4th 28.3 M 27.9 M +0.4 M 98.59% Snow Traction 1st 3084 N 100% Snow Handling 4th 29.6 s 29 s +0.6 s 97.97% Noise 7th 73 dB 70 dB +3 dB 95.89% Price 2nd 520 485 +35 93.27% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.7 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.4 kg / t 94.81% The Winter Icept Evo3 X is safe on snow with excellent traction and reliable in the dry however it is very weak in the wet. Read Reviews
10th: Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
235/55 R18 104V EU Label: D/B/72 Weight: 14.6kgs Tread: 8.8-9.6mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 44.6 M 42.5 M +2.1 M 95.29% Dry Handling 10th 65.1 s 63.4 s +1.7 s 97.39% Wet Braking 9th 60 M 50.8 M +9.2 M 84.67% Wet Handling 9th 93.5 s 89.8 s +3.7 s 96.04% Wet Circle 9th 13.3 s 12.6 s +0.7 s 94.74% Straight Aqua 3rd 77.9 Km/H 81.6 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 95.47% Snow Braking 7th 29.1 M 27.9 M +1.2 M 95.88% Snow Traction 10th 2823 N 3084 N -261 N 91.54% Snow Handling 9th 30.1 s 29 s +1.1 s 96.35% Noise 3rd 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 1st 485 100% Rolling Resistance 10th 9.3 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +2 kg / t 78.49% On snow and in the dry the Falken HS01 offered very little grip. Highest rolling resistance on test. Read Reviews