The 2021 Auto Bild Sportscars winter tire test has tested twelve of the best winter tires in 245/40 R18 size using a Mercedes C Class, AND have included a summer and all season tire as reference.

This is exceptionally useful for those of us wondering whether to fit winter or all season tires for the bigger while size, and for a change Auto Bild named the all season tire used, it's the Vredestein Quatrac Pro. 

There are however some drawbacks to the single reference tire. The Quatrac Pro is an older patter now, and certainly not the best all season tire on the market anymore. This means while it was good in the dry, it didn't beat all the winter tires as you'd expect (the Michelin CrossClimate 2 certainly would have), it struggled in the wet, and if you'd expected it to come last in a group of winter tires in the snow tests, you're also in for a surprise.

Sadly Auto Bild didn't name the summer reference tire, but this was unusually good in aquaplaning, and one of the best in the dry and wet.

There were also some nice synergies between this test and the Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test, with the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and Hankook Winter Icept Evo 3 performing amongst the best in both tests, and the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 being the wet specialist of the group.

Dry

As in the Tire Reviews test, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was the best in both dry tests, beating even the all season tire, but still significantly weaker than the summer reference which was nearly four meters ahead.

The order of results was also the same in dry handling, with the reference summer tire leading Michelin and the all season Vredestein Quatrac Pro, with the Toyo SnowProx S954 in fourth.

Wet

Wet braking retained the summer tires advantage, but this time the gap was closer at two meters shorter stopping distance. The difference between the best and worst winter tire was fifteen meters from 100kph (62mph) which is a vast difference.

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 managed to edge out the summer tire around the wet handling lap.

The summer tire regained its lead to be the best in straight aquaplaning, leading the best winter tire by quite a margin.

Snow

Snow braking once again had the BF Goodrich gForce Winter being the best winter tire on snow, leading the consistent Hankook Winter Icept evo 3 and Dunlop WinterSport 5.

BFGoodrich continued its advantage during the snow traction test.

Snow handling rounded out the trio of wins for BFGoodrich, while the Nankang SV2 and Toyo Snowprox S954 continued to perform poorly in all snow tests.

Environment

The BFGoodrich was also the quietest tire on test, with the Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 following closely. In this test, every winter and all season tire were quieter than the summer tire.

The Bridgestone had the lowest rolling resistance on test, beating the summer tire. The all season tire finished midpack.

There was a difference of 270 euros between the cheapest and most expensive tires, and as always, the cheapest were amongst the worst performing on test.

Results

1st: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
245/40 R18 97V EU Label: C/B/72 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 43.9 M 41.4 M +2.5 M 94.31% Dry Handling 6th 101 Km/H 102.9 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 98.15% Wet Braking 2nd 49.7 M 49 M +0.7 M 98.59% Wet Handling 3rd 71.9 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.63% Wet Circle 5th 12.65 s 12.41 s +0.24 s 98.1% Straight Aqua 3rd 97.4 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.9% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 4.22 m/sec2 100% Snow Braking 2nd 31.7 M 30.7 M +1 M 96.85% Snow Traction 3rd 2800 N 2975 N -175 N 94.12% Snow Handling 2nd 44.6 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.78% Snow Slalom 5th 3.73 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.16 m/sec2 95.89% Noise 11th 74.7 dB 72.4 dB +2.3 dB 96.92% Price 4th 495 430 +65 86.87% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.74 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.83 kg / t 90.5% Excellent performance in the snow and rain, good aquaplaning resistance, dynamic handling and short braking distances on snowy and wet roads, very good value for money. None mentioned. Read Reviews
1st: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
245/40 R18 97V EU Label: D/B/70 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 41.4 M 100% Dry Handling 1st 102.9 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 3rd 49.8 M 49 M +0.8 M 98.39% Wet Handling 2nd 72 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.77% Wet Circle 4th 12.57 s 12.41 s +0.16 s 98.73% Straight Aqua 1st 97.5 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 3.82 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.4 m/sec2 90.52% Snow Braking 5th 32 M 30.7 M +1.3 M 95.94% Snow Traction 8th 2687 N 2975 N -288 N 90.32% Snow Handling 3rd 44.3 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.11% Snow Slalom 1st 3.89 m/sec2 100% Noise 3rd 72.8 dB 72.4 dB +0.4 dB 99.45% Price 12th 700 430 +270 61.43% Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.43 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.52 kg / t 93.83% An excellent winter tire with exemplary driving properties in all weather conditions, precise steering behavior, short braking distances. Expensive. Read Reviews
3rd: Vredestein Wintrac Pro
245/40 R18 97V EU Label: D/B/72 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 43.2 M 41.4 M +1.8 M 95.83% Dry Handling 8th 100.8 Km/H 102.9 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.96% Wet Braking 6th 51 M 49 M +2 M 96.08% Wet Handling 5th 71.7 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.35% Wet Circle 6th 12.67 s 12.41 s +0.26 s 97.95% Straight Aqua 4th 97.2 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.69% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 4.04 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.18 m/sec2 95.73% Snow Braking 8th 32.3 M 30.7 M +1.6 M 95.05% Snow Traction 6th 2705 N 2975 N -270 N 90.92% Snow Handling 5th 44 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 98.43% Snow Slalom 3rd 3.81 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.08 m/sec2 97.94% Noise 10th 74.6 dB 72.4 dB +2.2 dB 97.05% Price 6th 535 430 +105 80.37% Rolling Resistance 12th 9.38 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +1.47 kg / t 84.33% Convincing all-round talent with very good winter and wet qualities, stable wet and dry handling, low price level. Average ride comfort. Read Reviews
4th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
245/40 R18 97V EU Label: C/A/72 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 43.1 M 41.4 M +1.7 M 96.06% Dry Handling 4th 101.6 Km/H 102.9 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.74% Wet Braking 1st 49 M 100% Wet Handling 1st 72.9 Km/H 100% Wet Circle 1st 12.41 s 100% Straight Aqua 13th 90.8 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -6.7 Km/H 93.13% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 3.73 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.49 m/sec2 88.39% Snow Braking 7th 32.2 M 30.7 M +1.5 M 95.34% Snow Traction 7th 2688 N 2975 N -287 N 90.35% Snow Handling 8th 43 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 96.2% Snow Slalom 6th 3.72 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.17 m/sec2 95.63% Noise 6th 73.4 dB 72.4 dB +1 dB 98.64% Price 11th 615 430 +185 69.92% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.91 kg / t 100% Snow professional with convincing performance on wet and dry surfaces, short wet braking distances, precise wet and dry handling. Moderate aquaplaning properties. Read Reviews
5th: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
245/40 R18 97V EU Label: C/B/72 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 43.6 M 41.4 M +2.2 M 94.95% Dry Handling 12th 99.3 Km/H 102.9 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 96.5% Wet Braking 9th 52.4 M 49 M +3.4 M 93.51% Wet Handling 7th 70.3 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 96.43% Wet Circle 8th 12.73 s 12.41 s +0.32 s 97.49% Straight Aqua 14th 90.4 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -7.1 Km/H 92.72% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 3.84 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.38 m/sec2 91% Snow Braking 3rd 31.8 M 30.7 M +1.1 M 96.54% Snow Traction 2nd 2824 N 2975 N -151 N 94.92% Snow Handling 4th 44.1 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 98.66% Snow Slalom 7th 3.71 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.18 m/sec2 95.37% Noise 13th 75.4 dB 72.4 dB +3 dB 96.02% Price 9th 590 430 +160 72.88% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.51 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 92.95% Excellent performance in the snow, short wet and dry braking distances, pleasant comfort, low rolling resistance. Understeer in the dry. Read Reviews    Buy from £153.14
5th: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
245/40 R18 97V EU Label: D/C/72 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 43.5 M 41.4 M +2.1 M 95.17% Dry Handling 13th 99 Km/H 102.9 Km/H -3.9 Km/H 96.21% Wet Braking 8th 52.1 M 49 M +3.1 M 94.05% Wet Handling 10th 69.9 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -3 Km/H 95.88% Wet Circle 7th 12.7 s 12.41 s +0.29 s 97.72% Straight Aqua 9th 94.1 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 96.51% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 3.92 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.3 m/sec2 92.89% Snow Braking 6th 32.1 M 30.7 M +1.4 M 95.64% Snow Traction 4th 2789 N 2975 N -186 N 93.75% Snow Handling 5th 44 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 98.43% Snow Slalom 8th 3.66 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.23 m/sec2 94.09% Noise 12th 75.1 dB 72.4 dB +2.7 dB 96.4% Price 9th 590 430 +160 72.88% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.46 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.55 kg / t 93.5% Winter specialist with sporty driving qualities on snow, good aquaplaning qualities, low rolling resistance. Understeer in the dry. Read Reviews    Buy from £148.99
7th: Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
245/40 R18 97V EU Label: C/A/72 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 13th 44.6 M 41.4 M +3.2 M 92.83% Dry Handling 7th 100.9 Km/H 102.9 Km/H -2 Km/H 98.06% Wet Braking 4th 50.2 M 49 M +1.2 M 97.61% Wet Handling 3rd 71.9 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.63% Wet Circle 2nd 12.44 s 12.41 s +0.03 s 99.76% Straight Aqua 10th 93.6 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -3.9 Km/H 96% Curved Aquaplaning 11th 3.62 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.6 m/sec2 85.78% Snow Braking 9th 32.7 M 30.7 M +2 M 93.88% Snow Traction 5th 2727 N 2975 N -248 N 91.66% Snow Handling 9th 42.7 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -2 Km/H 95.53% Snow Slalom 9th 3.46 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.43 m/sec2 88.95% Noise 8th 73.9 dB 72.4 dB +1.5 dB 97.97% Price 12th 700 430 +270 61.43% Rolling Resistance 9th 8.91 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +1 kg / t 88.78% Balanced winter tires with safe driving characteristics in all weather conditions, dynamic wet handling, short wet braking distances. Long dry and snow braking. Read Reviews
8th: BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
245/40 R18 97V EU Label: C/B/69 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 44 M 41.4 M +2.6 M 94.09% Dry Handling 11th 99.7 Km/H 102.9 Km/H -3.2 Km/H 96.89% Wet Braking 11th 55.5 M 49 M +6.5 M 88.29% Wet Handling 11th 69.2 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 94.92% Wet Circle 11th 13.05 s 12.41 s +0.64 s 95.1% Straight Aqua 1st 97.5 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 9th 3.68 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.54 m/sec2 87.2% Snow Braking 1st 30.7 M 100% Snow Traction 1st 2975 N 100% Snow Handling 1st 44.7 Km/H 100% Snow Slalom 2nd 3.85 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.04 m/sec2 98.97% Noise 1st 72.4 dB 100% Price 8th 560 430 +130 76.79% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.58 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.67 kg / t 92.19% Winter king with the best driving properties on snow, quiet pass-by noise. Average wet grip, long wet braking. Read Reviews
9th: Falken Eurowinter HS01
245/40 R18 97V EU Label: E/B/72 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 43.9 M 41.4 M +2.5 M 94.31% Dry Handling 9th 100.1 Km/H 102.9 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 97.28% Wet Braking 7th 51.4 M 49 M +2.4 M 95.33% Wet Handling 12th 68.2 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -4.7 Km/H 93.55% Wet Circle 12th 13.23 s 12.41 s +0.82 s 93.8% Straight Aqua 6th 96.6 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.08% Curved Aquaplaning 10th 3.63 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.59 m/sec2 86.02% Snow Braking 4th 31.9 M 30.7 M +1.2 M 96.24% Snow Traction 9th 2684 N 2975 N -291 N 90.22% Snow Handling 7th 43.7 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -1 Km/H 97.76% Snow Slalom 4th 3.79 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.1 m/sec2 97.43% Noise 9th 74.3 dB 72.4 dB +1.9 dB 97.44% Price 3rd 475 430 +45 90.53% Rolling Resistance 13th 10.22 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +2.31 kg / t 77.4% Convincing driving characteristics on ice and snow, good aquaplaning resistance. Understeering handling and slow steering response in the wet. Read Reviews    Buy from £130.25
10th: Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
245/40 R18 97V EU Label: D/B/71 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 12th 44.2 M 41.4 M +2.8 M 93.67% Dry Handling 5th 101.4 Km/H 102.9 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 98.54% Wet Braking 12th 56.7 M 49 M +7.7 M 86.42% Wet Handling 6th 70.5 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 96.71% Wet Circle 10th 12.87 s 12.41 s +0.46 s 96.43% Straight Aqua 8th 94.7 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 97.13% Curved Aquaplaning 12th 3.43 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.79 m/sec2 81.28% Snow Braking 10th 33.5 M 30.7 M +2.8 M 91.64% Snow Traction 10th 2575 N 2975 N -400 N 86.55% Snow Handling 10th 41.3 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 92.39% Snow Slalom 11th 3.27 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.62 m/sec2 84.06% Noise 2nd 72.5 dB 72.4 dB +0.1 dB 99.86% Price 1st 430 100% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.84 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.93 kg / t 89.48% Stable dry handling, low noise, low price. Long wet braking, poor snow grip. Read Reviews
11th: Toyo Snowprox S954
245/40 R18 97V EU Label: D/B/71 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 43 M 41.4 M +1.6 M 96.28% Dry Handling 3rd 101.7 Km/H 102.9 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.83% Wet Braking 5th 50.5 M 49 M +1.5 M 97.03% Wet Handling 9th 70.1 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 96.16% Wet Circle 9th 12.81 s 12.41 s +0.4 s 96.88% Straight Aqua 7th 96.1 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.56% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 3.74 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.48 m/sec2 88.63% Snow Braking 12th 35.4 M 30.7 M +4.7 M 86.72% Snow Traction 13th 2353 N 2975 N -622 N 79.09% Snow Handling 13th 39.3 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -5.4 Km/H 87.92% Snow Slalom 10th 3.29 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.6 m/sec2 84.58% Noise 6th 73.4 dB 72.4 dB +1 dB 98.64% Price 5th 525 430 +95 81.9% Rolling Resistance 11th 9.18 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +1.27 kg / t 86.17% Good aquaplaning resistance, dynamic dry handling. Poor snow grip, understeer in the wet. Read Reviews
12th: Nankang SV2
245/40 R18 97V EU Label: E/C/71 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 44 M 41.4 M +2.6 M 94.09% Dry Handling 9th 100.1 Km/H 102.9 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 97.28% Wet Braking 13th 65.4 M 49 M +16.4 M 74.92% Wet Handling 13th 62.7 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -10.2 Km/H 86.01% Wet Circle 13th 13.53 s 12.41 s +1.12 s 91.72% Straight Aqua 5th 96.8 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.28% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 3.79 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -0.43 m/sec2 89.81% Snow Braking 13th 36.9 M 30.7 M +6.2 M 83.2% Snow Traction 12th 2364 N 2975 N -611 N 79.46% Snow Handling 12th 39.9 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -4.8 Km/H 89.26% Snow Slalom 11th 3.27 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.62 m/sec2 84.06% Noise 4th 72.9 dB 72.4 dB +0.5 dB 99.31% Price 2nd 450 430 +20 95.56% Rolling Resistance 9th 8.91 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +1 kg / t 88.78% Good aquaplaning resistance. Limited grip on ice and snow, dangerously long wet braking distances, severe understeer in the wet. Read Reviews
13th: Vredestein Quatrac Pro
245/40 R18 97Y EU Label: D/B/71 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 41.9 M 41.4 M +0.5 M 98.81% Dry Handling 2nd 102.5 Km/H 102.9 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.61% Wet Braking 10th 52.6 M 49 M +3.6 M 93.16% Wet Handling 7th 70.3 Km/H 72.9 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 96.43% Wet Circle 3rd 12.51 s 12.41 s +0.1 s 99.2% Straight Aqua 11th 92.5 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -5 Km/H 94.87% Curved Aquaplaning 13th 3.13 m/sec2 4.22 m/sec2 -1.09 m/sec2 74.17% Snow Braking 11th 34.7 M 30.7 M +4 M 88.47% Snow Traction 11th 2419 N 2975 N -556 N 81.31% Snow Handling 11th 40.7 Km/H 44.7 Km/H -4 Km/H 91.05% Snow Slalom 13th 3.26 m/sec2 3.89 m/sec2 -0.63 m/sec2 83.8% Noise 5th 73.3 dB 72.4 dB +0.9 dB 98.77% Price 6th 535 430 +105 80.37% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.73 kg / t 7.91 kg / t +0.82 kg / t 90.61% Dynamic handling and short braking distances on dry slopes, precise steering. Limited snow performance, low aquaplaning resistance. Read Reviews