2012 Auto Bild SUV and 4x4 Winter Tire Test

While it's true that SUVs, 4x4s and four wheel drive vehicles can offer improved traction in the snow over their two wheel drive counterparts, they sadly don't offer any advantages under braking and steering, meaning if you want to keep mobile in all conditions, winter tires can help.

This year Auto Bild tested seven different tires in 235/55 R17, fitted to an Audi A6 All Road. Below are the results.

The Results

Click here to view Results as a single table and adjust the score weighting based on your own driving needs!

1st: Continental WinterContact TS 830 P
235/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 39 Dry: 6 Wet: 6 Snow: 8 Comfort: 7 Rolling Resistance: 7 Noise: 5 Very good on snow, very well balanced and strong in the wet and dry Expensive, slightly increased noise Exemplary Read Reviews
2nd: Pirelli Scorpion Winter
235/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 40 Dry: 6 Wet: 6 Snow: 8 Comfort: 6 Rolling Resistance: 8 Noise: 6 Very good on snow, low rolling resistance, good in the wet and dry Average comfort Ideal Read Reviews
3rd: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
235/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 37 Dry: 5 Wet: 5 Snow: 9 Comfort: 7 Rolling Resistance: 5 Noise: 6 Very good on snow, high resistance to aquaplaning, good lateral grip in the wet Expensive, average rolling resistance, average in the wet Good Read Reviews
4th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM80
235/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 42 Dry: 7 Wet: 5 Snow: 6 Comfort: 8 Rolling Resistance: 9 Noise: 7 Very quiet winter tires, short braking distance on snow, low rolling resistance Average aquaplaning, poor cornering on snow, average wet braking Good Read Reviews
5th: Nokian WR A3
235/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 35 Dry: 6 Wet: 5 Snow: 6 Comfort: 5 Rolling Resistance: 7 Noise: 6 Very good in the dry, short braking distance on dry roads, low price Reduced lateral grip in snow, average wet braking Good Read Reviews
6th: Cooper Discoverer MS Sport
235/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 21 Dry: 4 Wet: 2 Snow: 4 Comfort: 4 Rolling Resistance: 4 Noise: 3 Reasonably good price, good in aquaplaning tests, acceptable stopping distance in dry conditions Long wet braking distance, moderate snow and wet performance, high noise and rolling resistance Poor Read Reviews
7th: Marangoni Meteo HP SUV
235/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 25 Dry: 3 Wet: 2 Snow: 6 Comfort: 5 Rolling Resistance: 3 Noise: 6 Cheap, good on snow, quiet and comfortable enough for winter tires Long braking distance on wet and dry, little grip in wet cornering, high rolling resistance Not recommended Read Reviews