2016 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingContinental WinterContact TS 850 P
Dry BrakingContinental WinterContact TS 850 P
Wet HandlingPirelli Winter Sottozero 3
WearContinental WinterContact TS 850 P
Rolling ResistanceGoodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1
This year Sport Auto magazine have tested six performance winter tyres in 235/40 R18.

Due to the limited number of patterns in the test, and no all season or summer comparison, we'll forgo the usual commentry and just present the results below.

Results

1st: Continental WinterContact TS 850 P

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
  • 235/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 44.9
  2. Dry: 9.2
  3. Wet: 9.6
  4. Snow: 8.4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8.7
  6. Overall: 9
Outstanding wet grip, very direct steering when dry, good braking in all conditions.
Slight weakness in aquaplaning and comfort.

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2nd: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1
  • 235/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 44.5
  2. Dry: 8.8
  3. Wet: 8.6
  4. Snow: 8.9
  5. Rolling Resistance: 9.4
  6. Overall: 8.8
Excellent snow and dry braking, very low rolling resistance, good steering feel and best aquaplaning results.
Slightly noisy.

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3rd: Dunlop Winter Sport 5

Dunlop Winter Sport 5
  • 235/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 41.9
  2. Dry: 8.7
  3. Wet: 9.2
  4. Snow: 8.4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 7
  6. Overall: 8.6
Shortest snow braking distances, with sporty snow handling. Good balance in the wet.
High rolling resistance, noisy

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4th: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
  • 235/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 42.7
  2. Dry: 8.2
  3. Wet: 7.9
  4. Snow: 9.4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8.7
  6. Overall: 8.5
Best tyre overall in snow with good braking in wet and dry.
Average handling in wet and dry, low aquaplaning resistance.

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5th: GT Radial Champiro WinterPro HP

GT-Radial Champiro WinterPro HP
  • 235/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 36.4
  2. Dry: 8
  3. Wet: 7.3
  4. Snow: 7.2
  5. Rolling Resistance: 6.5
  6. Overall: 7.4
Good snow traction and braking, quiet.
Poor snow handling, weaker than the best in the wet.

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6th: Vredestein Wintrac xtreme S

Vredestein Wintrac xtreme S
  • 235/40 R18
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 35.3
  2. Dry: 8.1
  3. Wet: 5.3
  4. Snow: 6.4
  5. Rolling Resistance: 8.7
  6. Overall: 6.8
Good snow braking, sporty in the dry.
Very weak in the wet, especially wet braking.

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