Here is the 17" version of the excellent ADAC 2024 winter tyre test! As with the 16" ADAC test, there's no huge surprises from the data, it's an impressive showing from Goodyear Dunlop to take the top two places, and Vredestein continues to impress in winter tyre tests with the Wintrac Pro (not the new Plus version.)
Continental will be surprised that its second tier brand Semperit out performed the TS 870 P, and the Davanti Wintoura + manages to offer the worst wet grip and snow grip, which is impressive in its own right. Unusually, there was no Michelin in this test.
Read on for the full data below.
Test Publication:
Test Size:
215/55 R17
Tyres Tested:
16 tyres
Test Categories:
5 categories (10 tests)
5 categories (10 tests)
| Test Category | Best Performer | Worst Performer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry (1 tests) | |||
| Dry Braking | ▲ Kumho Winter Craft WP52: 42.1 M | ▼ Firestone Winterhawk 4: 45.7 M | 3.6 M (7.9%) |
| Wet (4 tests) | |||
| Wet Braking | ▲ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 34.2 M | ▼ Davanti Wintoura plus: 41.3 M | 7.1 M (17.2%) |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | ▲ Dunlop Winter Sport 5: 37.6 M | ▼ Davanti Wintoura plus: 46.8 M | 9.2 M (19.7%) |
| Straight Aqua | ▲ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 80.5 Km/H | ▼ Davanti Wintoura plus: 68.3 Km/H | 12.2 Km/H (17.9%) |
| Curved Aquaplaning | ▲ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 3.4 m/sec2 | ▼ Davanti Wintoura plus: 1.9 m/sec2 | 1.5 m/sec2 (78.9%) |
| Snow (2 tests) | |||
| Snow Braking | ▲ Kenda Wintergen 2 KR501: 9.3 M | ▼ Davanti Wintoura plus: 11 M | 1.7 M (15.5%) |
| Snow Traction | ▲ Vredestein Wintrac Pro: 238 N | ▼ Davanti Wintoura plus: 202 N | 36.0 N (17.8%) |
| Ice (1 tests) | |||
| Ice Braking | ▲ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 16.1 M | ▼ Davanti Wintoura plus: 21.2 M | 5.1 M (24.1%) |
| Value (2 tests) | |||
| Wear | ▲ Kenda Wintergen 2 KR501: 65100 KM | ▼ Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906: 35700 KM | 29,400.0 KM (82.4%) |
| Abrasion | ▲ Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3: 55 mg/km/t | ▼ Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906: 95 mg/km/t | 40.0 mg/km/t (42.1%) |
Dry
The Kumho WinterCraft WP52 offered the shortest dry braking distance, coming to a stop in 42.1 metres. Several other tyres also performed well, with stopping distances ranging between 42.9 and 44 metres. The Firestone Winterhawk 4 recorded the longest braking distance at 45.7 metres, highlighting the significant variation in dry braking performance among the tested tyres.
Wet
In wet braking tests on asphalt, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 delivered the best performance, stopping in 34.2 metres. The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, Dunlop Winter Sport 5, and Firestone Winterhawk 4 also performed respectably, with stopping distances ranging from 34.6 to 34.7 metres. At the other end of the scale, the Davanti Wintoura + took 41.3 metres to stop, underscoring the importance of wet braking capability when selecting winter tyres.
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 achieved the shortest wet braking distance on concrete, stopping in 37.6 metres. Close behind were the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P and the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2, with distances of 38.2 and 37.7 metres, respectively. The Davanti Wintoura + was once again last, requiring 46.8 metres to stop.
The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 showed the best resistance to longitudinal hydroplaning, maintaining grip at 80.5 km/h. The Firestone Winterhawk 4 and Semperit Speed-Grip 5 also performed admirably, holding grip at 78.6 and 78.7 km/h, respectively. The Davanti Wintoura + and Triangle WinterX TW401 lost grip at 68.3 km/h.
Snow
The Kenda Wintergen 2 KR501 achieved the shortest braking distance on snow, stopping in 9.3 metres. The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 and Triangle WinterX TW401 were also strong performers, with stopping distances of 9.6 and 9.5 metres, respectively. The Davanti Wintoura + required 11.0 metres.
The Vredestein Wintrac Pro provided the best traction on snow, achieving a traction rating of 238 DN. The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3, Hankook Winter i*cept RS3, Kenda Wintergen 2 KR501, Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2, and Triangle WinterX TW401 also performed well, with results between 230 and 234 DN. The Davanti Wintoura + offered the lowest traction at 202 DN, indicating a wide range of traction capabilities in snowy conditions.
Ice
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 recorded the shortest braking distance on ice, stopping in 16.1 metres. Close contenders were the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P and Vredestein Wintrac Pro, with distances of 16.6 and 16.8 metres, respectively. The Davanti Wintoura + rounded out its excellent grip performance, last, over 5 meters behind from just 20 km/h.
Value
The Kenda Wintergen 2 KR501 was projected to offer the highest mileage at 65,100 km. The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 also showed promising results with a predicted mileage of 57,500 km. The shortest predicted mileage was for the Yokohama BluEarth-Winter V906, at 35,700 km.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 demonstrated the lowest tyre abrasion, measured at 55.0 mg/km/t. The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3, Kenda Wintergen 2 KR501, Semperit Speed-Grip 5, Triangle WinterX TW401, and Viking WinTech followed with abrasion levels between 56.0 and 59.0 mg/km/t. The highest level of abrasion was recorded by the Yokohama BluEarth-Winter V906 at 95.0 mg/km/t, indicating significant variation in wear among the tyres.
Results
1st: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 delivers strong performance on dry, wet, and snowy roads, achieving a good overall result in driving safety. It offers precise steering, short braking distances, and reliable grip, particularly in wet and snowy conditions. It also performs above average on ice. Furthermore, the tyre boasts excellent environmental credentials: long lifespan, low abrasion, and a weight significantly lower than the average of the test field make it an environmentally friendly choice. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd: Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 provides good performance on dry, wet, and wintery surfaces, resulting in a good overall rating for driving safety. It offers precise steering, good braking distances, and reliable grip, particularly in snowy conditions. Although its aquaplaning performance on wet roads is only satisfactory, it excels in handling with ample safety reserves. The tyre also boasts a good environmental record with a long lifespan, low abrasion, and good efficiency due to its low weight and fuel consumption. Read Reviews Buy from £162.48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Vredestein Wintrac Pro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Vredestein Wintrac Pro achieves a good overall rating for driving safety, despite some minor weaknesses. While it exhibits slight imprecision on dry surfaces and only average aquaplaning performance on wet roads, it delivers strong performance on wintery roads with good braking, traction, and handling. Its environmental performance is decent with good results for abrasion and efficiency, but a less impressive projected lifespan. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th: Semperit Speed Grip 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Semperit Speed-Grip 5 achieves a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with good performance on wet and wintery roads but falling short on dry surfaces. It lacks precision and feedback on dry roads, requiring steering corrections and exhibiting a tendency to oversteer. However, it performs well on wet surfaces with good braking, aquaplaning resistance, and handling. On snow, it offers good braking and traction but only satisfactory handling. Its environmental performance is good, thanks to a long lifespan, low abrasion, low weight, and good fuel efficiency. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th: Hankook Winter I cept RS3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 receives a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with good performance on wet and wintery roads but falling short on dry surfaces. It lacks precision and feedback on dry roads, requiring steering corrections and exhibiting a tendency to oversteer. However, it performs well on wet and snowy surfaces with good braking and handling. It also has good environmental performance with a long lifespan, low abrasion, and good fuel efficiency, though manufacturing residues on new tyres are a negative point. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P achieves a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with good performance on wet and wintery roads but some weaknesses on dry surfaces. It lacks precision and feedback on dry roads, requiring steering corrections and exhibiting a tendency to oversteer. However, it performs well on wet surfaces with good braking and handling, although its longitudinal aquaplaning performance is only average. On snow, it offers good braking and handling. Its environmental performance is good, with a long lifespan, low abrasion, and good fuel efficiency. Read Reviews Buy from £169.99 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7th: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 achieves a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with good performance on wet and wintery roads but exhibiting some weaknesses on dry surfaces. It lacks precision and feedback on dry roads, requiring steering corrections and displaying a tendency to oversteer. However, it performs well on wet surfaces with good braking and excellent handling, though its lateral aquaplaning performance is only average. On snow, it offers good braking, traction, and handling. Its environmental performance is good, with a long lifespan, low abrasion, and good fuel efficiency. Read Reviews Buy from £153.78 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8th: Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Yokohama BluEarth-Winter V906 achieves a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with good performance on dry and wet roads but falling short on wintery surfaces. It offers precise steering and good braking on dry roads, while on wet surfaces it provides good grip and handling, but only average aquaplaning resistance. However, its performance on snow and ice is less impressive, with limited handling precision and a tendency to understeer or oversteer early. Its environmental performance is also only satisfactory, due to average lifespan, wear, and efficiency, as well as manufacturing residues on new tyres. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9th: Giti GitiWinterW2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Giti GitiWinter W2 receives a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with good performance on wet roads but falling short on dry and wintery surfaces. It lacks precision and feedback on dry roads, requiring steering corrections. However, it offers good handling on wet surfaces but only average braking and aquaplaning performance. On snow and ice, its performance is less impressive, with limited handling precision and a tendency to understeer or oversteer early. Its environmental performance is also only satisfactory, due to average lifespan, wear, and efficiency, as well as manufacturing residues on new tyres. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10th: Firestone Winterhawk 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Firestone Winterhawk 4 achieves a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with good performance on wet and wintery roads but significant weaknesses on dry surfaces. It lacks precision and feedback on dry roads, requiring frequent steering corrections and exhibiting a tendency to oversteer. However, it performs well on wet surfaces with good braking and handling, although its lateral aquaplaning performance is only average. On snow, it offers good braking, traction, and handling. Its environmental performance is average, with satisfactory lifespan and wear, but good fuel efficiency. Read Reviews Buy from £135.35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11th: Viking Wintech | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Viking WinTech receives a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with weaknesses on dry roads limiting its overall performance. It lacks precision and feedback on dry surfaces, requiring frequent steering corrections and exhibiting a tendency to oversteer. While it offers satisfactory performance on wet and snowy roads, its handling is less precise, and it has a lower threshold for understeer and oversteer. However, it has strong environmental credentials, with a very long lifespan, low abrasion, and excellent fuel efficiency. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12th: Kumho Winter Craft WP52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Kumho WinterCraft WP52 receives a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with weaknesses on dry roads limiting its overall performance. It lacks precision and feedback on dry surfaces, requiring frequent steering corrections and exhibiting a tendency to oversteer. While its braking distance is good, its aquaplaning performance on wet roads is below average. However, it performs well on snow and ice, with good braking and handling. Its environmental performance is mixed, with a long lifespan and good fuel efficiency, but a higher weight and concerns about sustainability due to its production in Korea and China. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13th: Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6 receives a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with weaknesses on dry roads limiting its overall performance. It lacks precision and feedback on dry surfaces, requiring frequent steering corrections and exhibiting a tendency to oversteer. While it offers satisfactory performance on wet and snowy roads, with good longitudinal aquaplaning resistance, its handling is less precise, and it has a lower threshold for understeer and oversteer. Its environmental performance is mixed, with a long lifespan and good fuel efficiency, but a higher weight and concerns about sustainability due to its production in China and manufacturing residues on new tyres. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
14th: Triangle WinterX TW401 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Triangle WinterX TW401 receives a poor rating for driving safety due to its significant weaknesses on wet roads, despite decent performance on dry and snowy surfaces. It offers satisfactory feedback and precision on dry roads, with good control at its limits. However, on wet surfaces, it has a very low grip level and a tendency to understeer or oversteer early, resulting in poor handling. Its braking performance is also only just satisfactory, and its aquaplaning resistance is poor. On snow, it performs well with good braking, traction, and handling. Its environmental performance is average, with a satisfactory lifespan and low abrasion, weight, and fuel consumption, but negative marks for manufacturing residues on new tyres. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15th: Kenda Wintergen 2 KR501 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Kenda Wintergen 2 KR501 receives a satisfactory rating for driving safety, but with weaknesses on dry roads impacting its overall score. It offers barely adequate feedback and precision on dry surfaces, requiring frequent steering corrections and exhibiting a tendency to oversteer. While it performs satisfactorily on wet roads, its handling is less precise with a low grip level. However, it excels on snow with good braking and traction, and very good handling. Its environmental performance is poor due to its high weight, despite a long lifespan and low abrasion. Concerns about sustainability due to its production in China and manufacturing residues on new tyres further detract from its environmental rating. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16th: Davanti Wintoura plus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Davanti Wintoura + receives a poor rating for driving safety due to its significant weaknesses on wet roads, despite satisfactory performance on dry and wintery surfaces. It lacks precision and feedback on dry roads, requiring steering corrections and exhibiting a tendency to oversteer. However, its braking distance on dry surfaces is good. On wet surfaces, it has a very low grip level and a tendency to understeer or oversteer early, resulting in poor handling. Its braking and aquaplaning resistance are also poor. On snow, it offers only satisfactory performance with limited handling precision. Its environmental performance is average, with a good lifespan and low abrasion, but a high weight impacting its efficiency. Negative marks are given for manufacturing residues on new tyres. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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