The 2023 Auto Zeitung All Season Tire Test has tested nine popular all season tires in 215/55 R17.
5 categories (13 tests)
Test Category | Best Performer | Worst Performer | Difference |
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Dry (2 tests) | |||
Dry Braking | ▲ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 36 M | ▼ Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert 2: 41.8 M | 5.8 M (13.9%) |
Dry Handling | ▲ Hankook Kinergy 4S2: 83.5 s | ▼ Kleber Quadraxer 3: 85.5 s | 2.0 s (2.3%) |
Wet (4 tests) | |||
Wet Braking | ▲ Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2: 40.8 M | ▼ Nexen N Blue 4Season 2: 49 M | 8.2 M (16.7%) |
Wet Handling | ▲ Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02: 94.4 s | ▼ Kleber Quadraxer 3: 102.8 s | 8.4 s (8.2%) |
Wet Circle | ▲ Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2: 15.6 s | ▼ Kleber Quadraxer 3: 16.4 s | 0.8 s (4.9%) |
Straight Aqua | ▲ Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert 2: 84.2 Km/H | ▼ Nexen N Blue 4Season 2: 74.2 Km/H | 10.0 Km/H (13.5%) |
Snow (4 tests) | |||
Snow Braking | ▲ Kleber Quadraxer 3: 24.9 M | ▼ Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2: 26.5 M | 1.6 M (6.0%) |
Snow Traction | ▲ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 2727 N | ▼ Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2: 2442 N | 285.0 N (11.7%) |
Snow Handling | ▲ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 51.5 s | ▼ Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert 2: 57 s | 5.5 s (9.6%) |
Snow Slalom | ▲ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 3.99 m/sec2 | ▼ Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert 2: 3.51 m/sec2 | 0.5 m/sec2 (13.7%) |
Comfort (2 tests) | |||
Subj. Comfort | ▲ Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2: 12 Points | ▼ Nexen N Blue 4Season 2: 6 Points | 6.0 Points (100.0%) |
Noise | ▲ Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2: 64 dB | ▼ Nexen N Blue 4Season 2: 69 dB | 5.0 dB (7.2%) |
Value (1 tests) | |||
Rolling Resistance | ▲ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 6.73 kg / t | ▼ Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2: 8.75 kg / t | 2.0 kg / t (23.1%) |
Dry
The test measures the stopping distance of tires on a dry surface. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 performed the best with a braking distance of 36m, while the Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert had the longest distance at 41.8m, indicating a variance in dry braking performance among different tire brands.
Evaluating the handling characteristics under dry conditions, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 and Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 performed similarly with times around 83.5s and 83.6s respectively, whereas the Kleber Quadraxer 3 lagged at 85.5s.
Wet
In wet conditions, the braking distances ranged from 40.8m for the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 to 49m for the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2, showing a notable difference in wet braking efficiency among the tires tested.
This test assessed the tires' handling performance on a wet track. Michelin CrossClimate 2 and Kleber Quadraxer 3 were on the higher end with times over 101s, while Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 had a better time at 94.4s.
Tires were tested on a wet circular track with times ranging from 15.6s for Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 and Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 to 16.4s for Kleber Quadraxer 3 and Nexen N Blue 4Season 2, depicting a small variance in performance.
The test measures aquaplaning resistance, with Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert 2 achieving the highest speed of 84.2 Km/H, contrasting with Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 and Vredestein Quatrac Pro Plus which were below 75 Km/H.
Snow
Snow braking distances ranged from 24.9m for Kleber Quadraxer 3 to 26.5m for Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2, indicating the tires' varying efficiency in snowy conditions.
The force required to move the tires on snow varied, with Michelin CrossClimate 2 requiring 2727N and Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 requiring only 2442N, showing a difference in snow traction among the tires.
In snow handling, Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 had the longest time at 56.9s, while Michelin CrossClimate 2 and Kleber Quadraxer 3 performed better with times around 51.5s and 51.8s respectively.
This test evaluated the tires' agility in snowy conditions, with Michelin CrossClimate 2 achieving the highest value of 3.99m/sec^2, contrasting with Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert 2 at 3.51m/sec^2.
Comfort
The comfort ratings were subjective, with Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 scoring 12 points, the highest among the tires, and Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 scoring the lowest at 6 points.
Noise levels varied with Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 being the quietest at 64dB and Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 being the loudest at 69dB, indicating a difference in noise comfort among the tires.
Value
Lower rolling resistance indicates better fuel efficiency. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 had the lowest rolling resistance at 6.73kg/t, while Pirelli had the highest at 8.75kg/t. It's important to note that the Pirelli tire was the SEAL inside puncture resistant version which is a heavier tire with higher rolling resistance than the standard tire.
Results
1st: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Consistent strong performance across all criteria. No compromises required. Test winner. Read Reviews Buy from £150.31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd: Michelin CrossClimate 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Excellent in snow and dry conditions. Moderate wet performance but has low rolling resistance. Efficient. Read Reviews Buy from £153.44 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Hankook Kinergy 4S2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Older model but performs well on wet and dry roads. Cost-effective, securing a strong third place. Read Reviews Buy from £166.07 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th: Kleber Quadraxer 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Exceptional on snow, strong on dry roads. Significant weaknesses in wet conditions, not recommended. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Note: This was the SEAL version of the tire which gave it a higher than usual rolling resistance. Unbeatable on wet roads, but weak in snow. High rolling resistance lands it in fifth place. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th: Vredestein Quatrac Pro+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Balanced but not exceptional. Could improve on wet grip and braking power. Read Reviews Buy from £133.94 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7th: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Balanced performance in all areas, but notably weak in lateral aquaplaning and dry braking. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8th: Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Excellent for those concerned about aquaplaning. Limited on snow and long dry braking distance. Read Reviews Buy from £135.18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9th: Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Affordable, acceptable in snow but lacks grip on wet roads. Read Reviews |