In this test, we selected 6 of the best ultra-high-performance winter tires, and compared them against all-season and summer tires to reveal their true capabilities. We evaluated their performance in dry, wet, snow, and ice conditions, along with comfort, noise, and rolling resistance. The results were remarkably close, and the data from the all season and summer tires is really interesting.
Snow
Snow performance is crucial for winter tires, and this test saw a surprise victor. The Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 outperformed the traditionally dominant Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 across all snow tests, including braking, traction, and handling. Both tires offered exceptional snow performance, with the Pirelli showing a slight edge in grip and overall handling characteristics.
The Hankook Winter I*Cept Evo3 performed well in snow handling and snow braking, but was a little down in snow traction.
Naturally the summer tire struggled, and the unusually strong performance of an all season tire in the snow test is thanks to the Michelin CrossClimate 2 being the best in class.
Ice
On ice, the Michelin, Pirelli, and Hankook demonstrated strong performance in both braking and traction tests. The Goodyear and Continental showed some weakness in these challenging conditions, highlighting the diverse demands placed on winter tires.
The all season tire you see topping the results was the budget all season tire, which almost certainly had a soft winter compound not suitable for all seasons.
Wet
Wet braking tests, conducted at both warm and cool temperatures, saw the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 shine, offering the shortest stopping distances. The Michelin and Pirelli also performed strongly, while the Hankook and Continental lagged slightly behind. The budget tire significantly underperformed in this crucial safety test.
In wet handling, the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 narrowly edged out the competition, with the Michelin and Goodyear following closely. All three offered excellent grip and predictability. The Hankook and Continental, while still good, couldn't quite match the top performers' level of sporty dynamics in wet conditions.
Aquaplaning resistance tests revealed the Hankook's strength in straight-line aquaplaning, while the Pirelli showed the best overall performance when combining straight and curved aquaplaning results. This highlights the importance of tread design in managing deep water evacuation.
Dry
In dry braking, all winter tires performed well, with results within 3% of each other. The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 led the pack, showcasing the impressive capabilities of modern winter tires in dry conditions. However, it's worth noting that even the best winter tires struggled to match the average performance of the all-season tires in this test, and were way behind the summer tire.
Dry handling revealed some interesting insights. While the budget tire surprisingly performed better than expected, the premium tires showed their worth. The Pirelli P Zero Winter 2, Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, and Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 were virtually indistinguishable in terms of lap times and offered excellent driving dynamics. However, all winter tires were outperformed by the summer tire reference, which was about 6 seconds faster per lap and sigifincatly more sporty subjectively.
Comfort
Comfort and noise tests revealed minor differences among the premium tires, with the Continental offering a slight edge in comfort. The Pirelli produced the lowest external noise, closely followed by the Michelin and Continental. It's worth noting that as ultra high performance winter tires in 19-inch sizes, comfort differences were minimal among the premium options.
Value
Rolling resistance results were remarkably close, with all six tires spread across just a 3.8% range. While the budget tire showed the lowest rolling resistance, its poor performance in other crucial areas makes it difficult to recommend based on this factor alone.
Results
1st: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 demonstrated excellent all-round performance, with particularly strong dry handling and comfort. Despite its strong overall performance, it was slightly outperformed by the Pirelli in snow tests. Despite being one of the oldest tire in the test, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 demonstrated why it has long been considered the benchmark in this category. It offered excellent all-round performance, with particularly strong showings in dry handling and comfort. The tire provided a well-balanced and predictable driving experience across all conditions. While it was slightly outperformed by the Pirelli in snow tests, the differences were minimal. The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 remains a top choice for drivers wanting a proven, well-rounded winter tire.
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1st: Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 excelled in snow performance, winning all snow tests and offering excellent wet and dry handling. It had a slightly higher rolling resistance compared to the Michelin, finishing behind by 1.8%, which is a minor drawback. The Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 emerged as a top performer, tying for first place with the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5. It excelled in snow performance, winning all snow tests, and showed strong results in wet and dry handling. The tire offered excellent grip and predictability across various conditions. Its only minor drawback was a slightly higher rolling resistance compared to some competitors. Overall, the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 proves to be an excellent choice for drivers seeking top-tier performance in winter conditions.
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3rd: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was the wet grip specialist, offering the best braking performance in wet conditions. It struggled somewhat on ice compared to some competitors. Securing a solid third place, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 distinguished itself as the wet grip specialist. It offered the best braking performance in wet conditions at both tested temperatures and excelled in wet handling. The tire also demonstrated good dry performance and had low rolling resistance. Its main weakness was slightly reduced performance on ice compared to the top two contenders. The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is an excellent choice for regions with predominantly wet winter conditions.
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4th: Hankook Winter i cept evo3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 performed best in dry braking and showed strong performance in deep water aquaplaning. It struggled in snow traction, finishing last among the premium tires. The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 showed some strong points, particularly in dry braking where it led the pack, and in aquaplaning resistance. It also performed well on ice. However, it struggled in snow traction, finishing last among the premium tires in this crucial winter performance aspect. Subjectively, it received positive feedback for its predictable and linear steering feel. While not matching the top performers' overall balance, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 still offers good performance in many areas.
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4th: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P offered consistent performance across most tests and had the best comfort rating. It showed weakness on ice and often finished in fourth place across various tests. The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P stood out for its consistency across most tests, often finishing in fourth place. It offered the best comfort among all tested tires and performed well in deep water aquaplaning tests. The tire also boasted low rolling resistance. However, it showed some weakness on ice and couldn't quite match the top performers in most categories. The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is a solid, comfortable choice that performs consistently across a range of conditions.
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6th: Goodride ZuperSnow Z507 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Goodride ZuperSnow Z507 had the best rolling resistance among all tested tires. It significantly underperformed in most tests, especially in wet braking and aquaplaning, and offered a less pleasant driving experience overall. As the budget option in the test, the Goodride ZuperSnow Z507 predictably lagged behind the premium offerings in most tests. It significantly underperformed in crucial areas such as wet braking and aquaplaning resistance. However, it wasn't without merits - it offered the best rolling resistance among all tested tires and performed better than expected in dry conditions. Despite these positives, its overall performance and less refined subjective feel make it difficult to recommend over the premium options for those prioritising safety and performance in winter conditions. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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