The 2021 Auto Zeitung all season tyre test tested nine all season tyres in the popular 205/55 R16 size.

While this test doesn't have the new Michelin CrossClimate 2 or Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2, it does have the new Vredestein Quatrac, and even more interestingly, it tested at multiple temperatures. We didn't get precise temperature data, but the magazine did detail that the cooler temperature was under 10c, and the warmer temperature over 20c.

As there's a huge amount of data generated from this test, we've chosen not to database some of the different temperature tests we felt weren't important, such as aquaplaning and noise.

The other caveat is that the split temperature tests were conducted on different proving grounds, with different circuits and grip surfaces so the results aren't directly comparable.

If you'd like to see the full data, head over to the Auto Zeitung website, or there's the key data below. 

Dry

The Bridgestone WeatherControl A005 EVO led the way in the cooler dry braking test, and performed well in the warmer dry braking test. The Vredestein Quatrac also performed well at both temperatures, but the Michelin CrossClimate couldn't match its usual dry braking dominance at cooler temperatures, finishing sixth overall. Normal service resumed for the Michelin as the temperature increased, where it led the group.

Nokian, Goodyear and Falken performed poorly at both temperatures.

On average, Goodyear and Michelin performed best in the two dry handling tests, with Vredestein also posting a consistent result. Once again, the Nokian SeasonProof struggled at both temperatures.

Wet

Wet braking was led by Bridgestone, which had a significant lead in the cooler temperatures. Michelin, Continental and Vredestein again did well.

Wet handling closely matched wet braking, other then the Falken Euroall Season AS210 having a surprise result, winning the wet handling at warmer temperatures when it was nearly last in the cooler temperatures.

The new Vredestein Quatrac led the wet in the straight aquaplaning test, with Hankook and Bridgestone also performing very well.

Snow

Snow testing was only performed at one temperature.

As we've seen before, the winter specialists Nokian performed well in snow braking, matching the Continental and slightly ahead of the Falken.

Hankook led the way in snow handling, with Nokian second and three tyres tied for third place overall.

Continental and Nokian also led the way in snow traction, confirming these are the best choice for snow driving.

Environment

All nine sets of tyres were separated by just 3 dB in the external noise test.

The Nokian SeasonProof led the group in fuel use, with a very low rolling resistance.

Maxxis, Hankook and Falken were the cheapest tyres on test, with Michelin and Continental the most expensive.

Results

1st: Continental AllSeasonContact
205/55 R16 91H EU Label: C/B/72 Weight: 8.5kgs Tread: 8mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking - Cool 5th 39.7 M 38 M +1.7 M 95.72% Dry Braking 7th 42 M 39.2 M +2.8 M 93.33% Dry Handling - Cool 5th 77.2 s 76.6 s +0.6 s 99.22% Dry Handling 5th 69.7 s 69.2 s +0.5 s 99.28% Wet Braking 3rd 54.9 M 54.6 M +0.3 M 99.45% Wet Braking - Cool 5th 59.7 M 53.4 M +6.3 M 89.45% Wet Handling - Cool 5th 91.5 s 90.3 s +1.2 s 98.69% Wet Handling 2nd 65.1 s 64.9 s +0.2 s 99.69% Straight Aqua 4th 76.2 Km/H 77.2 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.7% Snow Braking 1st 32 M 100% Snow Traction 1st 2240 N 100% Snow Handling 3rd 30.4 s 30 s +0.4 s 98.68% Noise 4th 71 dB 70 dB +1 dB 98.59% Price 8th 310 240 +70 77.42% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.9 kg / t 7.5 kg / t +0.4 kg / t 94.94% Test victory for the Continental AllSeasonContact. The German all-rounder convinced on snow, wet and dry surfaces. Read Reviews    Buy from £83.39
1st: Vredestein Quatrac
205/55 R16 91H EU Label: C/B/70 Weight: 8.1kgs Tread: 7.6mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking - Cool 3rd 38.9 M 38 M +0.9 M 97.69% Dry Braking 4th 40.1 M 39.2 M +0.9 M 97.76% Dry Handling - Cool 4th 77.1 s 76.6 s +0.5 s 99.35% Dry Handling 1st 69.2 s 100% Wet Braking 6th 55.7 M 54.6 M +1.1 M 98.03% Wet Braking - Cool 3rd 56.8 M 53.4 M +3.4 M 94.01% Wet Handling - Cool 1st 90.3 s 100% Wet Handling 4th 65.6 s 64.9 s +0.7 s 98.93% Straight Aqua 1st 77.2 Km/H 100% Snow Braking 4th 32.8 M 32 M +0.8 M 97.56% Snow Traction 5th 2152 N 2240 N -88 N 96.07% Snow Handling 3rd 30.4 s 30 s +0.4 s 98.68% Noise 7th 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 4th 260 240 +20 92.31% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.9 kg / t 7.5 kg / t +0.4 kg / t 94.94% With top results in the wet and dry, the new Vredestein Quatrac wins the test. Safe on snow, very good value for money. Read Reviews    Buy from £80.99
3rd: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
205/55 R16 91V EU Label: C/B/70 Weight: 8.2kgs Tread: 7.1mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking - Cool 7th 41 M 38 M +3 M 92.68% Dry Braking 7th 42 M 39.2 M +2.8 M 93.33% Dry Handling - Cool 1st 76.6 s 100% Dry Handling 3rd 69.4 s 69.2 s +0.2 s 99.71% Wet Braking 1st 54.6 M 100% Wet Braking - Cool 4th 59.2 M 53.4 M +5.8 M 90.2% Wet Handling - Cool 2nd 90.5 s 90.3 s +0.2 s 99.78% Wet Handling 3rd 65.5 s 64.9 s +0.6 s 99.08% Straight Aqua 9th 71.4 Km/H 77.2 Km/H -5.8 Km/H 92.49% Snow Braking 8th 33.2 M 32 M +1.2 M 96.39% Snow Traction 3rd 2159 N 2240 N -81 N 96.38% Snow Handling 6th 30.6 s 30 s +0.6 s 98.04% Noise 1st 70 dB 100% Price 7th 295 240 +55 81.36% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.7 kg / t 7.5 kg / t +0.2 kg / t 97.4% Strong in the wet and dry, safe in the snow, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 is highly recommended, and particularly efficient with fuel. Read Reviews    Buy from £76.94
4th: Michelin CrossClimate+
205/55 R16 91H EU Label: C/B/69 Weight: 8.7kgs Tread: 7.1mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking - Cool 6th 39.8 M 38 M +1.8 M 95.48% Dry Braking 1st 39.2 M 100% Dry Handling - Cool 2nd 76.9 s 76.6 s +0.3 s 99.61% Dry Handling 2nd 69.3 s 69.2 s +0.1 s 99.86% Wet Braking 4th 55.1 M 54.6 M +0.5 M 99.09% Wet Braking - Cool 2nd 56.3 M 53.4 M +2.9 M 94.85% Wet Handling - Cool 4th 90.6 s 90.3 s +0.3 s 99.67% Wet Handling 9th 68 s 64.9 s +3.1 s 95.44% Straight Aqua 8th 73 Km/H 77.2 Km/H -4.2 Km/H 94.56% Snow Braking 4th 32.8 M 32 M +0.8 M 97.56% Snow Traction 7th 2114 N 2240 N -126 N 94.38% Snow Handling 7th 30.7 s 30 s +0.7 s 97.72% Noise 1st 70 dB 100% Price 9th 315 240 +75 76.19% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.4 kg / t 7.5 kg / t +0.9 kg / t 89.29% Consistently good results for the highly recommendable Michelin CrossClimate+, when it's wet or dry. Reliable on snowy roads. Read Reviews    Buy from £99.99
5th: Bridgestone Weather Control A005 EVO
205/55 R16 94V EU Label: C/A/71 Weight: 8.7kgs Tread: 7.8mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking - Cool 1st 38 M 100% Dry Braking 2nd 39.4 M 39.2 M +0.2 M 99.49% Dry Handling - Cool 6th 77.3 s 76.6 s +0.7 s 99.09% Dry Handling 5th 69.7 s 69.2 s +0.5 s 99.28% Wet Braking 2nd 54.7 M 54.6 M +0.1 M 99.82% Wet Braking - Cool 1st 53.4 M 100% Wet Handling - Cool 2nd 90.5 s 90.3 s +0.2 s 99.78% Wet Handling 7th 66.6 s 64.9 s +1.7 s 97.45% Straight Aqua 3rd 76.4 Km/H 77.2 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 98.96% Snow Braking 7th 33.1 M 32 M +1.1 M 96.68% Snow Traction 8th 2083 N 2240 N -157 N 92.99% Snow Handling 9th 31.8 s 30 s +1.8 s 94.34% Noise 1st 70 dB 100% Price 6th 290 240 +50 82.76% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.3 kg / t 7.5 kg / t +0.8 kg / t 90.36% Whether cold or warm: The Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo is ideal wet and dry conditions. In the snow, however only average grip Read Reviews    Buy from £77.99
5th: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
205/55 R16 94H EU Label: C/B/69 Weight: 9kgs Tread: 7.7mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking - Cool 2nd 38.2 M 38 M +0.2 M 99.48% Dry Braking 5th 40.2 M 39.2 M +1 M 97.51% Dry Handling - Cool 3rd 77 s 76.6 s +0.4 s 99.48% Dry Handling 8th 69.8 s 69.2 s +0.6 s 99.14% Wet Braking 7th 56.4 M 54.6 M +1.8 M 96.81% Wet Braking - Cool 7th 63.6 M 53.4 M +10.2 M 83.96% Wet Handling - Cool 9th 94.4 s 90.3 s +4.1 s 95.66% Wet Handling 5th 65.9 s 64.9 s +1 s 98.48% Straight Aqua 2nd 76.6 Km/H 77.2 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.22% Snow Braking 6th 33 M 32 M +1 M 96.97% Snow Traction 3rd 2159 N 2240 N -81 N 96.38% Snow Handling 1st 30 s 100% Noise 4th 71 dB 70 dB +1 dB 98.59% Price 2nd 250 240 +10 96% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.7 kg / t 7.5 kg / t +1.2 kg / t 86.21% Very safe on snow and dry roads, when it's warm, and even when wet and cold. Read Reviews    Buy from £82.99
7th: Nokian SeasonProof
205/55 R16 91H EU Label: C/B/69 Weight: 8kgs Tread: 8.1mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking - Cool 9th 41.6 M 38 M +3.6 M 91.35% Dry Braking 6th 41.7 M 39.2 M +2.5 M 94% Dry Handling - Cool 9th 78.1 s 76.6 s +1.5 s 98.08% Dry Handling 9th 70.5 s 69.2 s +1.3 s 98.16% Wet Braking 9th 58.9 M 54.6 M +4.3 M 92.7% Wet Braking - Cool 6th 62.4 M 53.4 M +9 M 85.58% Wet Handling - Cool 7th 93.5 s 90.3 s +3.2 s 96.58% Wet Handling 6th 66 s 64.9 s +1.1 s 98.33% Straight Aqua 7th 74.6 Km/H 77.2 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 96.63% Snow Braking 1st 32 M 100% Snow Traction 2nd 2205 N 2240 N -35 N 98.44% Snow Handling 2nd 30.3 s 30 s +0.3 s 99.01% Noise 4th 71 dB 70 dB +1 dB 98.59% Price 4th 260 240 +20 92.31% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.5 kg / t 100% The new Nokian SeasonProof is very strong in the snow, and has a low rolling resistance, however it's not good enough in the wet. Read Reviews
8th: Falken EUROALL SEASON AS210
205/55 R16 91H EU Label: C/B/69 Weight: 9.5kgs Tread: 7.1mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking - Cool 8th 41.3 M 38 M +3.3 M 92.01% Dry Braking 9th 42.1 M 39.2 M +2.9 M 93.11% Dry Handling - Cool 7th 77.4 s 76.6 s +0.8 s 98.97% Dry Handling 4th 69.6 s 69.2 s +0.4 s 99.43% Wet Braking 5th 55.4 M 54.6 M +0.8 M 98.56% Wet Braking - Cool 9th 65.5 M 53.4 M +12.1 M 81.53% Wet Handling - Cool 8th 93.9 s 90.3 s +3.6 s 96.17% Wet Handling 1st 64.9 s 100% Straight Aqua 6th 75.5 Km/H 77.2 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 97.8% Snow Braking 3rd 32.3 M 32 M +0.3 M 99.07% Snow Traction 5th 2152 N 2240 N -88 N 96.07% Snow Handling 3rd 30.4 s 30 s +0.4 s 98.68% Noise 7th 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 2nd 250 240 +10 96% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.9 kg / t 7.5 kg / t +1.4 kg / t 84.27% Good results in the snow, strong when wet when warm. When the temperature drops, so does the grip of the AS210. Read Reviews    Buy from £84.65
9th: Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
205/55 R16 91H EU Label: C/C/70 Weight: 9kgs Tread: 7.4mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking - Cool 4th 39.2 M 38 M +1.2 M 96.94% Dry Braking 3rd 39.7 M 39.2 M +0.5 M 98.74% Dry Handling - Cool 7th 77.4 s 76.6 s +0.8 s 98.97% Dry Handling 5th 69.7 s 69.2 s +0.5 s 99.28% Wet Braking 8th 57.9 M 54.6 M +3.3 M 94.3% Wet Braking - Cool 8th 64.6 M 53.4 M +11.2 M 82.66% Wet Handling - Cool 6th 93.3 s 90.3 s +3 s 96.78% Wet Handling 8th 67 s 64.9 s +2.1 s 96.87% Straight Aqua 5th 75.7 Km/H 77.2 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 98.06% Snow Braking 9th 33.9 M 32 M +1.9 M 94.4% Snow Traction 9th 2059 N 2240 N -181 N 91.92% Snow Handling 8th 31.1 s 30 s +1.1 s 96.46% Noise 7th 72 dB 70 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 1st 240 100% Rolling Resistance 9th 9.2 kg / t 7.5 kg / t +1.7 kg / t 81.52% Late aquaplaning and short dry braking distances, but the AP3 generally offers too little grip and has too high a rolling resistance. Read Reviews