Auto Zeitung, a German automotive publication, has conducted a tire test comparing the performance of all-season and winter tires. The test features 10 premium touring tires in size 215/55 R17, including three all-season and seven winter options, across various driving conditions.
The test results highlight the difference differences between all-season and winter tires. In dry conditions, all-season tires consistently outperformed their winter counterparts, demonstrating shorter braking distances and faster handling times. This showcases their versatility in warmer weather.
The gap between all-season and winter tires narrowed in wet conditions. While some all-season tires still excelled, certain winter tires, notably the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, showed impressive wet performance, sometimes surpassing their all-season rivals.
As expected, winter tires generally dominated in snowy conditions. However, the test revealed that some high-quality all-season tires could compete effectively with winter tires in light to moderate snow, particularly in traction and lateral grip tests.
Winter tires seemed to have a slight edge in noise reduction, while results were mixed for rolling resistance, with both tire types represented at the top and bottom of the rankings.
The test underscores the improving capabilities of all-season tires, which are increasingly able to provide solid performance across a range of conditions. However, it also reaffirms the specialized advantages of winter tires in colder, snowier environments. For drivers in moderate climates with occasional snow, a high-quality all-season tire might suffice, while those facing frequent harsh winter conditions would still benefit from dedicated winter tires.
5 categories (13 tests)
| Test Category | Best Performer | Worst Performer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry (2 tests) | |||
| Dry Braking | ▲ Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6: 38.3 M | ▼ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 44.9 M | 6.6 M (14.7%) |
| Dry Handling | ▲ Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 71.9 s | ▼ Vredestein Wintrac Pro: 74.5 s | 2.6 s (3.5%) |
| Wet (4 tests) | |||
| Wet Braking | ▲ Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6: 48.9 M | ▼ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 53.7 M | 4.8 M (8.9%) |
| Wet Handling | ▲ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005: 86.5 s | ▼ Michelin Alpin 6: 88.9 s | 2.4 s (2.7%) |
| Wet Circle | ▲ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005: 12.18 s | ▼ Michelin Alpin 6: 12.69 s | 0.5 s (4.0%) |
| Straight Aqua | ▲ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 82.2 Km/H | ▼ Vredestein Wintrac Pro: 75.8 Km/H | 6.4 Km/H (8.4%) |
| Snow (4 tests) | |||
| Snow Braking | ▲ Vredestein Wintrac Pro: 21.7 M | ▼ Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 22.2 M | 0.5 M (2.3%) |
| Snow Traction | ▲ Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3: 3259 N | ▼ Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6: 3119 N | 140.0 N (4.5%) |
| Snow Handling | ▲ Vredestein Wintrac Pro: 65.7 s | ▼ Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: 68.5 s | 2.8 s (4.1%) |
| Snow Circle | ▲ Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3: 4.65 ms/2 | ▼ Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6: 4.54 ms/2 | 0.1 ms/2 (2.4%) |
| Comfort (1 tests) | |||
| Noise | ▲ Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3: 72.2 dB | ▼ Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6: 73.8 dB | 1.6 dB (2.2%) |
| Value (2 tests) | |||
| Price | ▲ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 585 | ▼ Michelin Alpin 6: 915 | 330.0 (36.1%) |
| Rolling Resistance | ▲ Continental AllSeasonContact 2: 6.58 kg / t | ▼ Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6: 8.45 kg / t | 1.9 kg / t (22.1%) |
Dry
The Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6, an all-season tire, outperformed all others with a braking distance of 38.3 meters. In contrast, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 and Michelin Alpin 6, both winter tires, had the longest braking distance at 44.9 meters. This represents a significant difference of 6.6 meters or about 17% longer braking distance. Notably, all three top performers in this test were all-season tires, demonstrating their superior dry performance compared to winter tires.
The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3, another all-season tire, achieved the fastest lap time of 71.9 seconds. The Vredestein Wintrac Pro, a winter tire, was the slowest with a time of 74.5 seconds, a difference of 2.6 seconds or about 3.6%. Again, all-season tires dominated the top spots, with the best winter tire (Continental WinterContact TS 870 P) placing fourth.
Wet
In wet conditions, the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 maintained its strong performance, stopping in 48.9 meters. The Hankook Winter I cept RS3, which also struggled in dry braking, had the longest wet braking distance at 53.7 meters, a difference of 4.8 meters or about 9.8%. Interestingly, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, a winter tire, came in a close second, showcasing that some winter tires can match all season tires in wet conditions.
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 excelled in wet handling with a lap time of 86.5 seconds, while the Michelin Alpin 6 was the slowest at 88.9 seconds, a difference of 2.4 seconds or about 2.8%. The best all-season tire, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3, came in second, demonstrating that both winter and all-season tires can perform well in wet conditions.
Continuing its strong wet performance, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 had the fastest wet circle time of 12.18 seconds. The Michelin Alpin 6, which also struggled in wet handling, had the slowest time at 12.69 seconds, a difference of 0.51 seconds or about 4.2%. The best all-season tire, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3, was again second, further highlighting the competitiveness of all-season tires in wet conditions.
The Hankook Winter I cept RS3 showed impressive aquaplaning resistance with a float speed of 82.2 km/h, while the Vredestein Wintrac Pro had the lowest float speed at 75.8 km/h, a difference of 6.4 km/h or about 8.4%. The best all-season tire, the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6, placed third, indicating that some winter tires have an advantage in extreme wet conditions.
Snow
The Vredestein Wintrac Pro demonstrated excellent snow braking, stopping in 21.7 meters. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3, an all-season tire, had the longest braking distance at 22.2 meters, a difference of 0.5 meters or about 2.3%. This small difference suggests that some all-season tires can approach the snow performance of winter tires.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3, a winter tire, provided the best snow traction with 3259 N of pulling force. The Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 had the lowest traction at 3119 N, a difference of 140 N or about 4.5%. The best all-season tire, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3, ranked third, again showing competitive performance in snowy conditions.
The Vredestein Wintrac Pro excelled in snow handling with a lap time of 65.7 seconds. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was the slowest at 68.5 seconds, a difference of 2.8 seconds or about 4.3%. This test clearly favored winter tires, with all-season tires occupying the bottom three positions.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 demonstrated the best lateral snow grip at 4.65 m/s². The Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 had the lowest grip at 4.54 m/s², a difference of 0.11 m/s² or about 2.4%. The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 was the best-performing all-season tire, ranking second overall and showing that some all-season tires can compete with winter tires in snowy conditions.
Comfort
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 and Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, both winter tires, were the quietest at 72.2 dB. The Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 was the loudest at 73.8 dB, a difference of 1.6 dB or about 2.2%. The quietest all-season tire was the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 at 72.5 dB, suggesting that winter tires may have a slight advantage in noise reduction.
Value
The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 had the lowest rolling resistance at 6.58 kg/t, while the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 had the highest at 8.45 kg/t, a difference of 1.87 kg/t or about 28.4%. Interestingly, all-season tires occupied both the top and bottom positions, with the best winter tire (Continental WinterContact TS 870 P) ranking third overall.
Results
1st: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 excels in wet conditions with the shortest braking distance and responsive handling, while maintaining stability. It's easy to control even when pushed to its limits. On snow, it provides good traction and a balanced performance, although the steering feedback could be clearer. In dry conditions, it prioritizes comfort, providing the smoothest ride among the winter tires tested. However, it does have a slightly longer braking distance. It handles corners effectively but is not the most eager to turn. Overall, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 emerges as the top performer among winter tires, thanks to its exceptional wet grip. However, it delivers an average performance on dry surfaces. Read Reviews Buy from £156.42 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1st: Continental AllSeasonContact 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Continental AllseasonContact 2 is the most fuel-efficient among all tires and the fastest in the slalom test in dry conditions. It provides good cornering support and stability while remaining agile. In wet conditions, it matches the score of the Continental winter tire. It requires a bit more driver effort to achieve its full performance potential at the limit. On snow, it delivers a surprising performance by achieving slightly better results than the Continental WinterContact TS 870P. The Continental AllseasonContact 2 sets a new benchmark for all-season tires by providing more grip on snow than the Continental winter tire. Read Reviews Buy from £152.65 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1st: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 achieves the fastest lap time in dry conditions, thanks to its high grip levels and excellent handling. It delivers strong results across the board. In wet conditions, it demonstrates high grip levels, balanced performance, and clear transitions at its limits. However, its braking performance in wet conditions is only average. On snow, it surpasses some winter tires, excelling in grip, feedback, and balanced handling. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 once again proves its exceptional capabilities, securing the top position among all-season tires with a well-balanced performance. Read Reviews Buy from £144.24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 offers strong braking, good comfort, and efficient rolling in dry conditions. It maintains stability in corners but can be a bit slow to respond to steering changes. In wet conditions, it demonstrates stability and a tendency to understeer, making it predictable but slightly less agile. On snow, it performs nearly on par with the Pirelli, providing slightly better traction and lateral grip. The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 secures a strong position with its excellent snow grip and an overall well-balanced performance without any significant weaknesses. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Bridgestone Turanza Allseason 6 outperforms the competition with the shortest braking distance in dry conditions. However, it has the highest rolling resistance. It offers a smooth ride but is a bit louder. In wet conditions, it demonstrates slightly less grip than its winter counterpart when cornering, but compensates with the shortest braking distance among all tires tested. Although it scores the fewest points on snow among the all-season tires, it still provides sufficient grip for winter conditions. The Bridgestone Turanza Allseason 6 is a strong all-around performer with good snow performance despite being the weakest in its category. However, it does have high rolling resistance. Read Reviews Buy from £152.34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Continental WinterContact TS 870P boasts the lowest rolling resistance and shortest braking distance among the winter tires in dry conditions. It offers good comfort and handles corners with stability. In wet conditions, it is the second-best winter tire, providing smooth handling, balanced performance, and the ability to maintain control even under braking and steering simultaneously. Surprisingly, it exhibits a weaker performance in snow, with lower-than-expected lateral grip and limited self-stabilizing capabilities when it starts to slide. Despite its weaker snow performance, the Continental WinterContact TS 870P delivers a strong overall performance. Read Reviews Buy from £169.99 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 displays lively handling and responsive feedback in dry conditions, but it's not as balanced as on wet surfaces. It has commendably low noise levels inside the cabin. In wet conditions, it has longer braking distances but exhibits a balanced and responsive handling in corners. On snow, it leads the winter tire rankings, providing excellent grip and clear feedback. The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 is a good choice for snowy conditions, but its long wet braking distances and average dry performance hinder a higher overall ranking. Read Reviews Buy from £153.78 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th: Hankook Winter I cept RS3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Hankook Winter icept RS3 W462 has a firm ride on uneven roads in dry conditions. Its rolling resistance and braking performance are acceptable but are not the best in this test. While offering excellent protection against aquaplaning in wet conditions, it has the longest braking distance. It requires larger steering inputs when cornering. On snow, it delivers a decent performance, with good grip but less clear feedback near its grip limits. Although the Hankook Winter icept RS3 W462 performs well on snow, its long braking distances on wet and dry surfaces prevent it from ranking higher. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th: Michelin Alpin 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Michelin Alpin 6 exhibits pronounced understeer in dry conditions, limiting its sporty handling. Its braking distance is acceptable but on the longer side. It does offer a smooth ride over bumps. In wet conditions, it provides smooth transitions at its grip limits, but it tends to push wide in corners earlier than its competitors. On snow, it achieves a good rating, handling well but requiring larger steering inputs to maximize cornering grip. The Michelin Alpin 6's strong snow performance is overshadowed by its weaker performance on dry surfaces. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7th: Vredestein Wintrac Pro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Vredestein Wintrac Pro delivers an average performance in dry conditions. It's the slowest in the slalom test but offers a comfortable ride. In wet conditions, it exhibits low precision, strong understeer, and a long braking distance, resulting in the lowest ranking for this category. On snow, it achieves the shortest braking distance. However, its handling can be sensitive to weight transfer, which may not suit all drivers. The Vredestein Wintrac Pro prioritizes snow grip but falls short in wet conditions. Its dry performance is also unremarkable. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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