German auto magazine AUTO Straßenverkehr has conducted an SUV winter tire test, evaluating ten models in the 235/55 R18 size. The test, carried out under various weather conditions including snow, wet, and dry surfaces, aims to provide consumers with valuable insights into tire performance for the upcoming winter season.

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV emerged as the top performer, achieving the highest score of 8.9 and a "very good" rating. It excelled particularly in snow performance and dry handling. Close behind was the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, securing second place with a "very good" 8.6, showing balanced performance across all conditions.

Bridgestone's Blizzak 6 and Pirelli's Scorpion Winter 2 tied for third place, both earning a "very good" 8.5. The Bridgestone demonstrated excellent wet performance but was slightly weaker in dry conditions, while the Pirelli showed strong overall performance but had slightly higher rolling resistance.

The Hankook Winter i*cept evo 3 x earned a "very good" 8.3, with notable aquaplaning resistance. Goodyear's UltraGrip Performance + SUV received a "very good" 8.0, showing good all-round capabilities.

GT Radial's WinterPro2 Sport and Falken's Eurowinter HS 02 Pro both scored a "good" 7.8. The GT Radial offered competitive performance at a lower price point, while the Falken showed balanced performance across categories.

Surprisingly, the Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV, despite coming from a Nordic brand known for winter expertise, underperformed in snow tests and was rated "good" at 7.5. Rounding out the test was the Vredestein Wintrac Pro with a "good" 7.4, showing room for improvement across several categories.

Dry

On dry surfaces, Michelin achieves the shortest braking distance of 42.9 meters from 100-0 km/h, while Bridgestone requires 44.6 meters. In dry handling, Continental leads with a speed of 115.5 km/h, compared to Pirelli's 113.6 km/h. Michelin also excels in lateral grip, achieving 4.14 m/s² in the slalom test, while GT Radial manages only 3.58 m/s².

Continental demonstrates the best dry handling performance, achieving an average speed of 115.5 km/h on the test track, Pirelli shows the lowest average speed at 113.6 km/h. 

Wet

Bridgestone stops in the shortest distance on wet roads, needing only 34.7 meters from 80 km/h. Nokian requires the longest distance at 38.6 meters, a significant difference in wet safety performance.

Continental and Bridgestone lead the in wet handling with an average speed of 65.5 km/h, while Vredestein trails at 63.9 km/h. This indicates better overall control in wet conditions.

Hankook resists aquaplaning up to 75.0 km/h, while Falken starts to aquaplane at just 66.5 km/h. This substantial difference could be crucial for safety in very wet conditions.

Snow

Bridgestone shows the shortest braking distance on snow, stopping from 50 km/h in just 24.3 meters. Nokian requires the longest distance at 27.7 meters, a difference that could be crucial in emergency situations.

Michelin demonstrates the best acceleration on snow with 1.48 m/s², while GT Radial struggles with 1.28 m/s². This difference could significantly affect a vehicle's ability to move in snowy conditions.

Michelin again tops the chart with an average speed of 48.8 km/h on the snowy track, while GT Radial lags behind at 45.0 km/h. This indicates Michelin's better overall control and speed in winter conditions.

Comfort

Michelin produces the least noise at 71.4 dB(A), while Hankook is the loudest at 74.2 dB(A). This difference could significantly impact cabin comfort.

Value

Continental shows the lowest rolling resistance at 7.3 kg/t, potentially offering better fuel efficiency. Pirelli has the highest at 8.7 kg/t, which could lead to increased fuel consumption.

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
235/55 R18 104H EU Label: C/C/71 Weight: 13.03kgs Tread: 8.5mm 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 42.9 M 100% Dry Handling 5th 114.5 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -1 Km/H 99.13% Wet Braking 3rd 35.9 M 34.7 M +1.2 M 96.66% Wet Handling 3rd 65.4 Km/H 65.5 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.85% Wet Circle 6th 7.27 m/s 7.43 m/s -0.16 m/s 97.85% Straight Aqua 7th 72.4 Km/H 75 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 96.53% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.77 m/sec2 3.55 m/sec2 -0.78 m/sec2 78.03% Snow Braking 3rd 24.5 M 24.3 M +0.2 M 99.18% Snow Traction 1st 1.48 N 100% Snow Handling 1st 48.8 Km/H 100% Noise 1st 71.4 dB 100% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.4 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +1.1 kg / t 86.9% Outstanding performance on snow, very dynamic handling with safe and wide reserve offer, safe, balanced handling characteristics also on wet and dry roads. Very quiet rolling noise. Low aquaplaning safety in wet corners, somewhat louder rolling noise in the interior. Increased rolling resistance. Very good. Read Reviews
2nd: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
235/55 R18 104V EU Label: C/B/71 Weight: 10.68kgs Tread: 8.7mm 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 44.2 M 42.9 M +1.3 M 97.06% Dry Handling 1st 115.5 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 4th 36.2 M 34.7 M +1.5 M 95.86% Wet Handling 1st 65.5 Km/H 100% Wet Circle 8th 7.21 m/s 7.43 m/s -0.22 m/s 97.04% Straight Aqua 2nd 74.2 Km/H 75 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 98.93% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 3.39 m/sec2 3.55 m/sec2 -0.16 m/sec2 95.49% Snow Braking 4th 25.4 M 24.3 M +1.1 M 95.67% Snow Traction 4th 1.4 N 1.48 N -0.08 N 94.59% Snow Handling 4th 47.9 Km/H 48.8 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.16% Noise 5th 72.5 dB 71.4 dB +1.1 dB 98.48% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.3 kg / t 100% Easy to control, very balanced tire with decent performance and safe reserves on snow. Safe, tends to understeer slightly in handling, safe aquaplaning protection on wet surfaces. Dynamic and stable in corners on dry roads. Lowest rolling resistance. Comparatively slow steering response, increased rolling noise. Very good. Read Reviews    Buy from £219.56
3rd: Bridgestone Blizzak 6
235/55 R18 104V EU Label: C/B/70 Weight: 11.5kgs Tread: 8mm 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 44.6 M 42.9 M +1.7 M 96.19% Dry Handling 5th 114.5 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -1 Km/H 99.13% Wet Braking 1st 34.7 M 100% Wet Handling 1st 65.5 Km/H 100% Wet Circle 3rd 7.4 m/s 7.43 m/s -0.03 m/s 99.6% Straight Aqua 4th 73.9 Km/H 75 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.53% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 3.27 m/sec2 3.55 m/sec2 -0.28 m/sec2 92.11% Snow Braking 1st 24.3 M 100% Snow Traction 4th 1.4 N 1.48 N -0.08 N 94.59% Snow Handling 6th 47.8 Km/H 48.8 Km/H -1 Km/H 97.95% Noise 8th 72.9 dB 71.4 dB +1.5 dB 97.94% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.9 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 92.41% Very short braking distances and safe, dynamic handling in the wet and on snow. Comparatively long braking distances in the dry. Also sensitive to load changes in dry corners. Additionally limited rear axle stability during fast lane changes. Slow steering response. Very good. Read Reviews
4th: Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
235/55 R18 104H EU Label: C/A/71 Weight: 12.35kgs Tread: 8.2mm 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 43.5 M 42.9 M +0.6 M 98.62% Dry Handling 10th 113.6 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 98.35% Wet Braking 2nd 35.3 M 34.7 M +0.6 M 98.3% Wet Handling 5th 64.9 Km/H 65.5 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.08% Wet Circle 6th 7.27 m/s 7.43 m/s -0.16 m/s 97.85% Straight Aqua 2nd 74.2 Km/H 75 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 98.93% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 3.17 m/sec2 3.55 m/sec2 -0.38 m/sec2 89.3% Snow Braking 6th 26.1 M 24.3 M +1.8 M 93.1% Snow Traction 2nd 1.45 N 1.48 N -0.03 N 97.97% Snow Handling 3rd 48.1 Km/H 48.8 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 98.57% Noise 3rd 72.2 dB 71.4 dB +0.8 dB 98.89% Rolling Resistance 10th 8.7 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +1.4 kg / t 83.91% Good starting traction and good cornering grip on snow. Very balanced wet characteristics, with short braking distances, comfortable rolling. High steering reserves in dry corners. Slight oversteering tendency during load changes in fast driven dry corners. Increased rolling resistance. Very good. Read Reviews
5th: Hankook Winter i cept evo 3 X
235/55 R18 100H EU Label: C/B/72 Weight: 12.42kgs Tread: 8.3mm 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 44.4 M 42.9 M +1.5 M 96.62% Dry Handling 3rd 115 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.57% Wet Braking 8th 37.5 M 34.7 M +2.8 M 92.53% Wet Handling 6th 64.7 Km/H 65.5 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 98.78% Wet Circle 10th 7.18 m/s 7.43 m/s -0.25 m/s 96.64% Straight Aqua 1st 75 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 3.55 m/sec2 100% Snow Braking 2nd 24.4 M 24.3 M +0.1 M 99.59% Snow Traction 8th 1.38 N 1.48 N -0.1 N 93.24% Snow Handling 2nd 48.5 Km/H 48.8 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.39% Noise 10th 74.2 dB 71.4 dB +2.8 dB 96.23% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.9 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 92.41% Very good performance on snow, dynamic and easy to control. On reduced grip level, stable wet handling. Outstanding aquaplaning prevention. Balanced, almost sporty dynamics on dry roads. Good price-performance ratio. Somewhat longer braking distances in the wet, somewhat weaker grip in wet corners, somewhat louder. Very good. Read Reviews
6th: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV
235/55 R18 104H EU Label: C/B/70 Weight: 13.24kgs Tread: 8.2mm 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 43.9 M 42.9 M +1 M 97.72% Dry Handling 8th 114.2 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.87% Wet Braking 7th 37.4 M 34.7 M +2.7 M 92.78% Wet Handling 6th 64.7 Km/H 65.5 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 98.78% Wet Circle 1st 7.43 m/s 100% Straight Aqua 5th 73.2 Km/H 75 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 97.6% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 3.1 m/sec2 3.55 m/sec2 -0.45 m/sec2 87.32% Snow Braking 4th 25.4 M 24.3 M +1.1 M 95.67% Snow Traction 4th 1.4 N 1.48 N -0.08 N 94.59% Snow Handling 4th 47.9 Km/H 48.8 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.16% Noise 4th 72.3 dB 71.4 dB +0.9 dB 98.76% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.3 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +1 kg / t 87.95% Not outstanding on snow, but balanced handling and controllable via load changes. With the exception of the somewhat longer braking distances, still decent wet characteristics. Easy to handle, safe behavior on dry roads. Somewhat longer braking distances on wet asphalt, slight grip limitations in very fast driven, dry corners. Increased rolling noise. Very good. Read Reviews
7th: GT Radial WinterPro2 Sport
235/55 R18 104H EU Label: C/B/71 Weight: 12.28kgs Tread: 8.6mm 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 44.3 M 42.9 M +1.4 M 96.84% Dry Handling 4th 114.8 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.39% Wet Braking 5th 36.3 M 34.7 M +1.6 M 95.59% Wet Handling 4th 65.1 Km/H 65.5 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.39% Wet Circle 2nd 7.42 m/s 7.43 m/s -0.01 m/s 99.87% Straight Aqua 9th 68.7 Km/H 75 Km/H -6.3 Km/H 91.6% Curved Aquaplaning 10th 2.63 m/sec2 3.55 m/sec2 -0.92 m/sec2 74.08% Snow Braking 9th 27.7 M 24.3 M +3.4 M 87.73% Snow Traction 10th 1.28 N 1.48 N -0.2 N 86.49% Snow Handling 10th 45 Km/H 48.8 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 92.21% Noise 2nd 71.8 dB 71.4 dB +0.4 dB 99.44% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.6 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.3 kg / t 96.05% Decent performance in braking as well as in cornering grip on wet surfaces. In dry corners at reduced grip level, easy to control. Rolling resistance and rolling noise are low. Weak performance with significant oversteering tendency on snow, somewhat indifferent handling on wet surfaces, weak aquaplaning protection. Good. Read Reviews
8th: Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
235/55 R18 104V EU Label: C/B/70 Weight: 12.19kgs Tread: 8.4mm 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 44.1 M 42.9 M +1.2 M 97.28% Dry Handling 2nd 115.1 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.65% Wet Braking 6th 36.7 M 34.7 M +2 M 94.55% Wet Handling 9th 64.5 Km/H 65.5 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.47% Wet Circle 4th 7.36 m/s 7.43 m/s -0.07 m/s 99.06% Straight Aqua 10th 66.5 Km/H 75 Km/H -8.5 Km/H 88.67% Curved Aquaplaning 9th 2.65 m/sec2 3.55 m/sec2 -0.9 m/sec2 74.65% Snow Braking 8th 27 M 24.3 M +2.7 M 90% Snow Traction 3rd 1.41 N 1.48 N -0.07 N 95.27% Snow Handling 9th 46.7 Km/H 48.8 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 95.7% Noise 7th 72.8 dB 71.4 dB +1.4 dB 98.08% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.1 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.8 kg / t 90.12% Decent braking and cornering grip on wet and dry roads, good rolling comfort. Unbalanced handling dynamics with slow steering response, load change sensitivity and oversteering tendency on snow as well as on wet surfaces. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £145.45
9th: Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
235/55 R18 104H EU Label: C/B/70 Weight: 12.66kgs Tread: 8.5mm 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 44.4 M 42.9 M +1.5 M 96.62% Dry Handling 7th 114.4 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 99.05% Wet Braking 10th 38.6 M 34.7 M +3.9 M 89.9% Wet Handling 8th 64.6 Km/H 65.5 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 98.63% Wet Circle 5th 7.34 m/s 7.43 m/s -0.09 m/s 98.79% Straight Aqua 7th 72.4 Km/H 75 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 96.53% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 3.23 m/sec2 3.55 m/sec2 -0.32 m/sec2 90.99% Snow Braking 9th 27.7 M 24.3 M +3.4 M 87.73% Snow Traction 9th 1.31 N 1.48 N -0.17 N 88.51% Snow Handling 8th 46.9 Km/H 48.8 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 96.11% Noise 6th 72.6 dB 71.4 dB +1.2 dB 98.35% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.1 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +0.8 kg / t 90.12% With the exception of the longer braking distances, good results on wet surfaces with decent aquaplaning prevention. Less agile, but stable handling on dry asphalt at a slightly reduced grip level. For a Nokian, too weak and unbalanced snow performance. Extended braking distances on wet roads. Good. Read Reviews
10th: Vredestein Wintrac Pro
235/55 R18 104H EU Label: C/B/72 Weight: 12.52kgs Tread: 8.5mm 3PMSF: yes	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 43.8 M 42.9 M +0.9 M 97.95% Dry Handling 9th 114 Km/H 115.5 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 98.7% Wet Braking 9th 38.1 M 34.7 M +3.4 M 91.08% Wet Handling 10th 63.9 Km/H 65.5 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 97.56% Wet Circle 8th 7.21 m/s 7.43 m/s -0.22 m/s 97.04% Straight Aqua 6th 72.7 Km/H 75 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 96.93% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 3.22 m/sec2 3.55 m/sec2 -0.33 m/sec2 90.7% Snow Braking 7th 26.4 M 24.3 M +2.1 M 92.05% Snow Traction 7th 1.39 N 1.48 N -0.09 N 93.92% Snow Handling 7th 47.7 Km/H 48.8 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 97.75% Noise 8th 72.9 dB 71.4 dB +1.5 dB 97.94% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.4 kg / t 7.3 kg / t +1.1 kg / t 86.9% With the exception of the somewhat longer braking distances, balanced snow performance. Good aquaplaning protection, short braking distances on dry surfaces. Somewhat longer braking distances on snow as well as on wet roads, less clear handling characteristics. Increased rolling resistance. Good. Read Reviews