The first winter tire test for 2022 is here, and it's the Auto Motor Und Sport UHP winter tire test! This year AMS tested eight patterns in 245/45 R19 using an Audi A6 test vehicle.

Test Publication:

https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/verkehr/reifen/

Test Size: 245/45 R19

Tires Tested: 8 tires

Test Categories:
5 categories (13 tests)

View Test Summary

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Test Category	Best Performer	Worst Performer	Difference
Dry (2 tests)
Dry Braking	▲ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 43.5 M	▼ Uniroyal WinterExpert: 49 M	5.5 M (11.2%)
Dry Handling	▲ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P: 120.5 Km/H	▼ Cooper Discoverer Winter: 118.6 Km/H	1.9 Km/H (1.6%)
Wet (4 tests)
Wet Braking	▲ Vredestein Wintrac Pro: 31.8 M	▼ Uniroyal WinterExpert: 39.5 M	7.7 M (19.5%)
Wet Handling	▲ Vredestein Wintrac Pro: 75.2 Km/H	▼ Uniroyal WinterExpert: 69.5 Km/H	5.7 Km/H (8.2%)
Straight Aqua	▲ Falken Eurowinter HS01: 78.9 Km/H	▼ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P: 73 Km/H	5.9 Km/H (8.1%)
Curved Aquaplaning	▲ Falken Eurowinter HS01: 2.79 m/sec2	▼ Firestone Winterhawk 4: 2.24 m/sec2	0.6 m/sec2 (24.6%)
Snow (4 tests)
Snow Braking	▲ Firestone Winterhawk 4: 24.9 M	▼ Falken Eurowinter HS01: 30 M	5.1 M (17.0%)
Snow Traction	▲ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 3.69 N	▼ Falken Eurowinter HS01: 3 N	0.7 N (23.0%)
Snow Handling	▲ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P: 52.9 Km/H	▼ Falken Eurowinter HS01: 48.2 Km/H	4.7 Km/H (9.8%)
Snow Circle	▲ Falken Eurowinter HS01: 3.13 S	▼ Firestone Winterhawk 4: 4.1 S	1.0 S (23.7%)
Comfort (1 tests)
Noise	▲ Cooper Discoverer Winter: 69.5 dB	▼ Falken Eurowinter HS01: 71.6 dB	2.1 dB (2.9%)
Value (2 tests)
Price	▲ Firestone Winterhawk 4: 196	▼ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 309	113.0 (36.6%)
Rolling Resistance	▲ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P: 7.6 kg / t	▼ Falken Eurowinter HS01: 9.9 kg / t	2.3 kg / t (23.2%)

There's almost nothing surprising about this test, it's nice when a test makes sense. At the front we have the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and Continental WinterContact TS870P (two of Tire Reviews favorite UHP Winter tires), with the wet masters Vredestein and Bridgestone following them up in third and fourth places overall.

Falken will likely be disappointed with last place, however the replacement to the HS01, the HS02, is now new to market so we expect this new tire to be vastly improved.

Read on for the full data!

Dry

Michelin winter tires always perform well in the dry, and this test was no exception with the Pilot Alpin 5 having a significant lead in dry braking over the second placed Continental, which in turn had a significant lead over the rest of the group.

Dry handling put the Continental back on top, with the Falken edging out the Michelin to second place.

Wet

The Vredestein Wintrac Pro had a 1.3 meter advantage during the wet braking test! Cooper and in particular Uniroyal struggled.

Vredestein held its lead in wet handling and Falken once again jumped up to second place, this time ahead of the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 in third.

Falken also had a large lead in the aquaplaning result.

Snow

Snow braking was led by the new Firestone WinterHawk 4, with Vredestein once again proving it's ability at slowing the test car.

Snow traction (figures in ms/2 not newtons) was led by Michelin, with Vredestein and Continental also performing well.

Continental and Michelin led the group during the snow handling testing with Falken continuing to struggle.

Environment

The Cooper Discoverer Winter claimed its first test win during external noise measuring.

Impressively the Conti had the lowest rolling resistance, with Falken once again struggling.

The Falken was however one of the cheapest tires of the test.

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
245/45 R19 102V EU Label: C/B/72 Weight: 11.51kgs Tread: 7.9mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 43.5 M 100% Dry Handling 3rd 119.6 Km/H 120.5 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.25% Wet Braking 4th 34.6 M 31.8 M +2.8 M 91.91% Wet Handling 5th 73.1 Km/H 75.2 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.21% Straight Aqua 5th 74.9 Km/H 78.9 Km/H -4 Km/H 94.93% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 2.48 m/sec2 2.79 m/sec2 -0.31 m/sec2 88.89% Snow Braking 3rd 25.7 M 24.9 M +0.8 M 96.89% Snow Traction 1st 3.69 N 100% Snow Handling 2nd 52.5 Km/H 52.9 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.24% Snow Circle 7th 4.08 S 3.13 S +0.95 S 76.72% Noise 2nd 69.8 dB 69.5 dB +0.3 dB 99.57% Price 8th 309 196 +113 63.43% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.1 kg / t 7.6 kg / t +0.5 kg / t 93.83% Excellent driving dynamics with direct steering response, high level of grip and the best balance on snow. Shortest braking distances, high cornering stability and great steering precision on dry roads. Deficits when braking in the wet, low aquaplaning resistance, faintly audible noise when cornering. Very Good. Read Reviews
1st: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
245/45 R19 102V EU Label: C/B/71 Weight: 10.81kgs Tread: 8.6mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 44.2 M 43.5 M +0.7 M 98.42% Dry Handling 1st 120.5 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 6th 35.4 M 31.8 M +3.6 M 89.83% Wet Handling 4th 73.8 Km/H 75.2 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.14% Straight Aqua 8th 73 Km/H 78.9 Km/H -5.9 Km/H 92.52% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 2.76 m/sec2 2.79 m/sec2 -0.03 m/sec2 98.92% Snow Braking 3rd 25.7 M 24.9 M +0.8 M 96.89% Snow Traction 3rd 3.59 N 3.69 N -0.1 N 97.29% Snow Handling 1st 52.9 Km/H 100% Snow Circle 4th 3.81 S 3.13 S +0.68 S 82.15% Noise 6th 70.6 dB 69.5 dB +1.1 dB 98.44% Price 7th 270 196 +74 72.59% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.6 kg / t 100% Despite small deficits in cornering grip, very easy to control handling on snow with wide reserves. Balanced in the wet, short braking distances, neutral and precise grip on dry roads. Comparatively weak on wet roads with limited braking, low aquaplaning resistance and reduced grip in curves. Very Good. Read Reviews
3rd: Vredestein Wintrac Pro
245/45 R19 102W EU Label: D/B/72 Weight: 12.46kgs Tread: 8.6mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 47.3 M 43.5 M +3.8 M 91.97% Dry Handling 7th 118.7 Km/H 120.5 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 98.51% Wet Braking 1st 31.8 M 100% Wet Handling 1st 75.2 Km/H 100% Straight Aqua 4th 75.1 Km/H 78.9 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 95.18% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 2.64 m/sec2 2.79 m/sec2 -0.15 m/sec2 94.62% Snow Braking 2nd 25.4 M 24.9 M +0.5 M 98.03% Snow Traction 2nd 3.62 N 3.69 N -0.07 N 98.1% Snow Handling 7th 50.8 Km/H 52.9 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 96.03% Snow Circle 4th 3.81 S 3.13 S +0.68 S 82.15% Noise 2nd 69.8 dB 69.5 dB +0.3 dB 99.57% Price 5th 223 196 +27 87.89% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.9 kg / t 7.6 kg / t +0.3 kg / t 96.2% Very good traction and braking on snow. Quite balanced wet properties, safe lane changes. Unexpectedly low lateral grip on snow. Limited controllability in the wet at the limit of grip. Long dry braking with sensitive handling and lower grip during dry handling. Disturbing noise when cornering. Very Good. Read Reviews
4th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
245/45 R19 102V EU Label: C/A/72 Weight: 11.94kgs Tread: 8.0mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 46.6 M 43.5 M +3.1 M 93.35% Dry Handling 4th 119.4 Km/H 120.5 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 99.09% Wet Braking 2nd 33.1 M 31.8 M +1.3 M 96.07% Wet Handling 3rd 73.9 Km/H 75.2 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.27% Straight Aqua 3rd 76.2 Km/H 78.9 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.58% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 2.75 m/sec2 2.79 m/sec2 -0.04 m/sec2 98.57% Snow Braking 5th 26 M 24.9 M +1.1 M 95.77% Snow Traction 5th 3.54 N 3.69 N -0.15 N 95.93% Snow Handling 4th 51.5 Km/H 52.9 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 97.35% Snow Circle 6th 3.95 S 3.13 S +0.82 S 79.24% Noise 7th 70.7 dB 69.5 dB +1.2 dB 98.3% Price 6th 257 196 +61 76.26% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.9 kg / t 7.6 kg / t +0.3 kg / t 96.2% Very balanced, reliable and easy to control on snow. Very short braking distances thanks to very good grip in the wet. Dynamic, spontaneous steering and agile on dry roads. Longer dry braking distances, oversteer balance when driving fast in the dry. Very Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £190.08
5th: Firestone Winterhawk 4
245/45 R19 102V EU Label: C/B/71 Weight: 11.92kgs Tread: 7.9mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 48.5 M 43.5 M +5 M 89.69% Dry Handling 5th 119.2 Km/H 120.5 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.92% Wet Braking 5th 34.7 M 31.8 M +2.9 M 91.64% Wet Handling 6th 72.6 Km/H 75.2 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 96.54% Straight Aqua 6th 73.2 Km/H 78.9 Km/H -5.7 Km/H 92.78% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.24 m/sec2 2.79 m/sec2 -0.55 m/sec2 80.29% Snow Braking 1st 24.9 M 100% Snow Traction 4th 3.58 N 3.69 N -0.11 N 97.02% Snow Handling 3rd 52.4 Km/H 52.9 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.05% Snow Circle 8th 4.1 S 3.13 S +0.97 S 76.34% Noise 4th 70.1 dB 69.5 dB +0.6 dB 99.14% Price 1st 196 100% Rolling Resistance 5th 8 kg / t 7.6 kg / t +0.4 kg / t 95% Easy to control with very good driving dynamics, high level of grip and generous reserves on snow. Balanced cornering dynamics dry at a reduced level. Weak braking and limited liability reserves, plus sensitive to load changes in the wet, increased risk of aquaplaning. Long braking distances even on dry tracks. Audible internal noise and low levels of comfort. Good. Read Reviews
6th: Cooper Discoverer Winter
245/45 R19 102V EU Label: C/B/71 Weight: 11.75kgs Tread: 7.9mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 45.2 M 43.5 M +1.7 M 96.24% Dry Handling 8th 118.6 Km/H 120.5 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 98.42% Wet Braking 7th 38.5 M 31.8 M +6.7 M 82.6% Wet Handling 7th 72.1 Km/H 75.2 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 95.88% Straight Aqua 2nd 76.7 Km/H 78.9 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 97.21% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 2.78 m/sec2 2.79 m/sec2 -0.01 m/sec2 99.64% Snow Braking 7th 27 M 24.9 M +2.1 M 92.22% Snow Traction 7th 3.4 N 3.69 N -0.29 N 92.14% Snow Handling 5th 51.1 Km/H 52.9 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 96.6% Snow Circle 2nd 3.23 S 3.13 S +0.1 S 96.9% Noise 1st 69.5 dB 100% Price 3rd 203 196 +7 96.55% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.7 kg / t 7.6 kg / t +1.1 kg / t 87.36% Still decent braking and traction on snow. Very quiet and quite comfortable tire. Unexpectedly low cornering on snow with respectable traction and braking grip. Poor performance with risk of oversteer in the wet and less secure balance in dry corners. High rolling resistance. Sufficient. Read Reviews
6th: Uniroyal WinterExpert
245/45 R19 102V EU Label: C/C/72 Weight: 12.46kgs Tread: 8.8mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 49 M 43.5 M +5.5 M 88.78% Dry Handling 5th 119.2 Km/H 120.5 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.92% Wet Braking 8th 39.5 M 31.8 M +7.7 M 80.51% Wet Handling 8th 69.5 Km/H 75.2 Km/H -5.7 Km/H 92.42% Straight Aqua 6th 73.2 Km/H 78.9 Km/H -5.7 Km/H 92.78% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 2.7 m/sec2 2.79 m/sec2 -0.09 m/sec2 96.77% Snow Braking 6th 26.4 M 24.9 M +1.5 M 94.32% Snow Traction 6th 3.49 N 3.69 N -0.2 N 94.58% Snow Handling 6th 51 Km/H 52.9 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 96.41% Snow Circle 3rd 3.72 S 3.13 S +0.59 S 84.14% Noise 5th 70.5 dB 69.5 dB +1 dB 98.58% Price 4th 220 196 +24 89.09% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.9 kg / t 7.6 kg / t +0.3 kg / t 96.2% Still decent traction in snow, good cornering ability on dry asphalt. Poor driving stability and poor grip in the wet. Too long braking distances on wet and dry asphalt. Sensitive to load changes in fast corners. Audible rolling noises in the interior when cornering. Sufficient. Read Reviews
6th: Falken Eurowinter HS01
245/45 R19 102V EU Label: D/B/72 Weight: 13.84kgs Tread: 8.9mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 45.1 M 43.5 M +1.6 M 96.45% Dry Handling 2nd 119.8 Km/H 120.5 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.42% Wet Braking 3rd 34 M 31.8 M +2.2 M 93.53% Wet Handling 2nd 74.5 Km/H 75.2 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.07% Straight Aqua 1st 78.9 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 2.79 m/sec2 100% Snow Braking 8th 30 M 24.9 M +5.1 M 83% Snow Traction 8th 3 N 3.69 N -0.69 N 81.3% Snow Handling 8th 48.2 Km/H 52.9 Km/H -4.7 Km/H 91.12% Snow Circle 1st 3.13 S 100% Noise 8th 71.6 dB 69.5 dB +2.1 dB 97.07% Price 2nd 197 196 +1 99.49% Rolling Resistance 8th 9.9 kg / t 7.6 kg / t +2.3 kg / t 76.77% Very decent wet performance with superior aquaplaning resistance but small limitations in cornering grip. Safe, understeering, reliable driving dynamics on dry roads, high levels of comfort. Long braking distances, sluggish steering response and little grip on snow. Disturbing rolling noise in curves. Sufficient. Read Reviews