Answering the question of what are the best winter tyres, i.e. ones that will suit individual preferences to the maximum, is not the easiest one. The multitude of models available on the market can make your head spin! For drivers who analyse tyre performance in detail, we have compiled a list of the best tested winter tyres for snow and ice.
Designing tyres that are stable on snow and ice is a very difficult task.Which winter tyres have we distinguished?
In preparing the ranking, we referred to the publications of the German organisation ADAC. Its tests are independent and have such a clear methodology that it is difficult to accuse them of being unreliable.
- Snow measurements: carried out on a test track in Finland. The scores in this category consist of braking (40%), starting (20%) and car handling (40%).
- Measurements on ice: braking performance (60%) and cornering performance at eleven different steering angle settings (40%) are tested.
It is worth bearing in mind, however, that the best tyres are recognised not by a single finely tuned parameter, but by a balance of all the key properties. For this reason, we also refer to the overall results of the ADAC tyre tests, where we summarise the findings of the German organisation. Nevertheless, this summary will be a valuable guide for drivers wondering which tyres are reliable on snow and ice. Particularly for those who drive frequently in mountainous areas, it may prove extremely useful.
ADAC rates from inadequate to very good, awarding points in several categories. The rating scale is 0 to 5, with the fewer points the better. In order to include models that are genuinely worthy of interest in our list, we have only taken into account those models that were considered very good, good or satisfactory.
Best tyres suitable for snow – size 215/60 R16
This year, specialists from the German organisation tested tyres in two popular sizes: 185/65 R15 and 215/60 R16. We checked which models performed best on snow and which were unbeatable on ice. We then took a closer look at them.
The tyres that performed best on snow tests:
| Place | Model* | Size
| Category
| Rating |
|---|
| 1. | Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + | 215/60 R16
| snow
| 1,4 |
| 2. | Continental WinterContact TS 870 | 215/60 R16
| snow
| 1,6 |
| 3. | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | 215/60 R16
| snow
| 1,6 |
| 4. | Uniroyal WinterExpert | 215/60 R16
| snow
| 1,7 |
| 5. | Kleber Krisalp HP3 | 215/60 R16
| snow
| 1,8 |
| Place | Model* | Size
| Category
| Rating |
|---|
| 1. | Semperit Speed-Grip 5 | 185/65 R15 | snow
| 2,0 |
| 2. | BFGoodrich G-Force Winter 2 | 185/65 R15
| snow
| 2,0 |
| 3. | Continental WinterContact TS 870 | 185/65 R15
| snow
| 2,2 |
| 4. | Firestone Winterhawk 4 | 185/65 R15
| snow
| 2,2 |
| 5. | Michelin Alpin 6 | 185/65 R15
| snow
| 2,4 |
*The order of tyres in the event of a tie was determined by the overall ranking position. In the case of equal scores, the tyre with the higher overall rating was awarded the 5th position.
For the tyres with the best performance on snow, we look at the tyre in the larger size.
1st place Goodyear UltraGrip Performance +
The model which was the only one this year to be recognised by ADAC as having very good snow performance was the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance +. Certainly a major contribution to this success was made by the special rubber compound, which was developed for travelling in demanding conditions. It is enriched with a resin that improves grip and has a positive effect on braking performance. At low temperatures, it is sufficiently flexible, which also makes it an excellent snow tyre.
2nd place Continental WinterContact TS 870
When developing the WinterContact TS 870, the Continental brand wanted to improve the performance of the already well-known TS 860 model. The result of these efforts is, among other things, 5% better handling on snow-covered surfaces. The tread strewn with sipes not only successfully 'digs' into fluff, but also transfers forces well thanks to its many gripping edges, thus maintaining traction on snow-covered roads. Its carving is also adapted to efficiently clear the snow that accumulates between the blocks.
3th place Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was rated just as highly as the Continental proposal. This is a true test veteran, often taking places on the podium. This is an example of a winter tyre that demonstrates the importance of every element of the tread pattern. Water and mud are channelled away by wide circumferential grooves and shoulder grooves, and the massive blocks, combined with the dense network of sipes, make good contact with the road. As a result, the tyre copes well with acceleration, braking and manoeuvring during the winter season.
4th place Uniroyal WinterExpert
Uniroyal is regarded as a rain tyre specialist, but it turns out that they perform just as well on snow. The WinterExpert model is said to offer high performance even in low temperatures and typical winter conditions. The key to success here is the zigzag 3D grooves, otherwise not easy to produce, which keep the car stable and confident on snow-covered roads. High levels of grip are also followed by optimum handling characteristics - something that many drivers looking for a mid-segment model will appreciate.
5th place Kleber Krisalp HP3
The final dedicated winter snow tyre we are looking at is the mid-range Kleber Krisalp HP3, a popular tyre that often features in tests and ranks highly in them. One of the most interesting features here are the V-shaped grooves, as well as the gutter channels called "Toboggan". Their function is to efficiently channel snow, mud and water away from under the wheels, thus preventing slipping. Last but not least, the elastomer-based winter compound has a significant impact on the tyre's grip.
Winter conditions can take you by surprise not only on the highway but also in the city. Best tyres for icy conditions - size 185/65 R15
Even though driving on ice only accounts for 10% of the final rating of the models tested by ADAC, it is still worth looking at this parameter. If you drive a winter tyre on ice, the tyre has to keep you safe as much as possible. Manufacturers do not have an easy task.
The tyres that performed best in the testing on ice:
| Place | Model* | Size
| Category
| Rating |
|---|
| 1. | Firestone Winterhawk 4 | 185/65 R15
| ice | 2,1 |
| 2. | Nexen Winguard Snow'G3 | 185/65 R15 | ice
| 2,1 |
| 3. | Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ | 185/65 R15
| ice
| 2,3 |
| 4. | Semperit Speed-Grip 5 | 185/65 R15 | ice
| 2,3 |
| 5. | Michelin Alpin 6 | 185/65 R15
| ice
| 2,3 |
*The order of tyres in the event of a tie was determined by the overall ranking position. In the case of equal scores, the tyre with the higher overall rating was awarded the position 5.
This time we look at what stands out about the 185/65 R15 size tyres which performed best on icy roads.
1st place Firestone Winterhawk 4
The American company Firestone wanted to produce tyres that would bravely stand up to even the toughest conditions all winter long. The high score in ice driving shows that this goal has been achieved. The tread has been optimised to keep the car stable on icy roads. Through research and computer simulations, a tread pattern with perfectly interacting blocks and sipes was developed.
2nd place Nexen Winguard Snow G3
When we look at the next model in the ranking, which is the Nexen Winguard Snow'G3, at first glance it might not seem to stand out at all. But the devil is in the detail. The directional tread is dotted with grooves and half-grooves in the shoulder area and 3D sipes of various shapes in the central area. These elements, among others, have enabled the brand's designers to achieve very good tyre performance on icy roads.
3th place Goodyear UltraGrip 9+
Third place goes to the first premium representative in this part of the winter tyre ranking. This is the Goodyear UltraGrip 9+, an optimised version of the model without the plus in its name. One of the changes made was the use of a new rubber compound - Winter Grip. This maximises the tyre's contact patch and ensures more than satisfactory grip in winter conditions. The risk of skidding is also reduced by the directional, densely-patterned tread.
4th place Semperit Speed-Grip 5
Among the products that performed best during the ADAC tests in the ice driving category, the Semperit Speed-Grip 5 was just behind the podium. The mountain peaks adorning its sides are a promise that has proved to be fulfilled, and the model performs well on ice. Also worth mentioning are the special hooks inside the grooves, making this a good winter tyre for deep snow. So we are dealing with a tyre that can be trusted in demanding winter conditions.
5th place Michelin Alpin 6
The Michelin Alpin 6 is the French accent on the list. The model should satisfy drivers looking for a modern, high-performance winter ice tyre that improves travel safety when the weather takes its toll. The tyre's EverGrip technology translates into a number of key performances, including braking and acceleration performance, as well as grip in difficult road conditions. Multiple layers of rubber and an evolved pattern pass the test in this case.