As with this years Tyre Reviews winter tyre test, Auto Bild Sportscars conducted a winter tyre test in the 235/35 R19 size. 

While we had a slightly different test field, the good tyres were still good, which is always nice. The cheap tyres in this test, a Radar and Auto Green, again prove that you get what you pay for, with both tyres doing well in one category (snow) but then being complete disasters in the dry and wet.

Dry

In the dry braking test, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 performed best among winter tyres, stopping in 41.5 meters from 100 km/h. The worst-performing winter tyre was the Autogreen Snow Chaser 2 AW08, which took 48.5 meters to stop - a difference of 7 meters or about 17% longer. Notably, the reference summer tyre outperformed all winter tyres, stopping in just 37.2 meters. This highlights the superior dry performance of summer tyres, with even the best winter tyre needing over 4 meters more to stop.

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 achieved the highest average speed of 103.1 km/h in the dry handling test among winter tyres, while the Autogreen Snow Chaser 2 AW08 again performed worst at 93.5 km/h - a significant 9.6 km/h difference. The reference summer tyre excelled here too, managing 105.9 km/h, demonstrating its superior dry grip and handling characteristics. The gap between summer and winter performance is less pronounced in handling than in braking, but still noticeable.

Wet

In wet conditions, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 stopped in the shortest distance of 48.2 meters among winter tyres, while the Autogreen Snow Chaser 2 AW08 required a dangerous 81.1 meters - an alarming difference of 32.9 meters or about 68% longer. Interestingly, the reference summer tyre's performance (49.1 meters) was very close to the best winter tyres, showing that top winter tyres can match or even exceed summer tyres in wet braking.

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 again led the winter tyres with an average speed of 83.7 km/h in wet handling, while the Autogreen Snow Chaser 2 AW08 struggled at 71.5 km/h - a difference of 12.2 km/h. The reference summer tyre achieved 81.8 km/h, falling between the best and average winter tyres. This suggests that while summer tyres generally excel in dry conditions, specialized winter tyres can outperform them in the wet.

In the straight aquaplaning test, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 performed best among winter tyres, maintaining control up to 89.2 km/h. The Radar Dimax Alpine fared worst, losing control at 79.5 km/h - a 9.7 km/h difference. The reference summer tyre outperformed all winter tyres at 91.6 km/h, indicating superior water dispersion in straight-line aquaplaning situations.

Snow

In snow conditions, the Autogreen Snow Chaser 2 AW08, which struggled in dry and wet tests, excelled with the shortest braking distance of 29.7 meters. The Ceat WinterDrive Sport had the longest distance at 31.8 meters - a relatively small 2.1-meter difference among winter tyres. The reference summer tyre performed poorly, needing 59.9 meters to stop, more than double the distance of winter tyres, highlighting the crucial need for winter tyres in snowy conditions.

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 demonstrated the best snow traction with 2260 N of pulling force, while the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 produced the least at 2037 N - a difference of 223 N or about 11%. The reference summer tyre was vastly outperformed, managing only 760 N, less than a third of the best winter tyre's traction. This enormous difference underscores the importance of winter tyres for acceleration and hill-climbing in snowy conditions.

The Autogreen Snow Chaser 2 AW08 continued its strong snow performance, achieving the highest average speed of 62.3 km/h in snow handling. The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was slowest at 59.1 km/h - a relatively small 3.2 km/h difference. The reference summer tyre's performance was not reported, but based on other snow tests, it would likely be significantly worse than all winter tyres.

Comfort

The Radar Dimax Alpine was the quietest tyre, producing 69.7 dB of external noise, while the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was loudest at 73.2 dB - a 3.5 dB difference that would be noticeable to most people. The reference summer tyre measured 70.9 dB, placing it in the middle of the range for winter tyres, suggesting that winter tread patterns don't necessarily result in increased noise.

Value

The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P had the lowest rolling resistance at 8.19 kg/t, potentially offering the best fuel efficiency. The Radar Dimax Alpine had the highest at 9.92 kg/t - a significant 21% difference that could impact fuel consumption. Interestingly, the reference summer tyre had a very low rolling resistance of 8.15 kg/t, slightly better than the best winter tyre, indicating that the specialized winter tread compounds and patterns generally increase rolling resistance compared to summer tyres.

Results

1st: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
235/35 R19 91W EU Label: D/B/70 3PMSF: yes Price: 1100.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 41.8 M 41.5 M +0.3 M 99.28% Dry Handling 1st 103.1 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 5th 51.3 M 48.2 M +3.1 M 93.96% Wet Handling 5th 80.6 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.3% Straight Aqua 5th 86.7 Km/H 89.2 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 97.2% Curved Aquaplaning 6th 3.14 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.55 m/sec2 85.09% Snow Braking 2nd 30.2 M 29.7 M +0.5 M 98.34% Snow Traction 1st 2260 N 100% Snow Handling 3rd 60.9 Km/H 62.3 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 97.75% Snow Circle 2nd 2.98 ms/2 3.02 ms/2 -0.04 ms/2 98.68% Noise 8th 71.3 dB 69.7 dB +1.6 dB 97.76% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.41 kg / t 8.19 kg / t +0.22 kg / t 97.38% The winter champion. Dynamic handling characteristics in all weather conditions. Best traction in snow. Precise steering behavior with good feedback. Only average in cornering aquaplaning. Read Reviews
2nd: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
235/35 R19 91W EU Label: C/B/72 3PMSF: yes Price: 1000.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 41.5 M 100% Dry Handling 3rd 102.4 Km/H 103.1 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.32% Wet Braking 3rd 49.3 M 48.2 M +1.1 M 97.77% Wet Handling 2nd 83.4 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.64% Straight Aqua 3rd 87 Km/H 89.2 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 97.53% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 3.15 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.54 m/sec2 85.37% Snow Braking 9th 31.6 M 29.7 M +1.9 M 93.99% Snow Traction 8th 2130 N 2260 N -130 N 94.25% Snow Handling 5th 59.9 Km/H 62.3 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 96.15% Snow Circle 4th 2.92 ms/2 3.02 ms/2 -0.1 ms/2 96.69% Noise 4th 70.8 dB 69.7 dB +1.1 dB 98.45% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.47 kg / t 8.19 kg / t +0.28 kg / t 96.69% Winter profile with balanced performance at a high level. Always at the forefront in snow. Excellent wet and dry handling with precise steering response. Braking in snow. Read Reviews
3rd: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
235/35 R19 91W EU Label: C/B/71 3PMSF: yes Price: 1030.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 43.2 M 41.5 M +1.7 M 96.06% Dry Handling 2nd 102.7 Km/H 103.1 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.61% Wet Braking 6th 51.5 M 48.2 M +3.3 M 93.59% Wet Handling 4th 80.7 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -3 Km/H 96.42% Straight Aqua 2nd 88.8 Km/H 89.2 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.55% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 3.36 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.33 m/sec2 91.06% Snow Braking 7th 31.5 M 29.7 M +1.8 M 94.29% Snow Traction 7th 2144 N 2260 N -116 N 94.87% Snow Handling 4th 60.8 Km/H 62.3 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 97.59% Snow Circle 7th 2.89 ms/2 3.02 ms/2 -0.13 ms/2 95.7% Noise 4th 70.8 dB 69.7 dB +1.1 dB 98.45% Rolling Resistance 1st 8.19 kg / t 100% Very convincing winter tyre with exemplary qualities on wet and dry roads. One of the best in snow handling. Good, safe aquaplaning behavior. High price point. Read Reviews    Buy from £250.27
4th: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
235/35 R19 91W EU Label: D/B/72 3PMSF: yes Price: 845.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 43.3 M 41.5 M +1.8 M 95.84% Dry Handling 5th 101 Km/H 103.1 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.96% Wet Braking 2nd 48.8 M 48.2 M +0.6 M 98.77% Wet Handling 3rd 82.2 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 98.21% Straight Aqua 1st 89.2 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 3.69 m/sec2 100% Snow Braking 6th 31.1 M 29.7 M +1.4 M 95.5% Snow Traction 4th 2172 N 2260 N -88 N 96.11% Snow Handling 6th 59.8 Km/H 62.3 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 95.99% Snow Circle 8th 2.88 ms/2 3.02 ms/2 -0.14 ms/2 95.36% Noise 9th 72.4 dB 69.7 dB +2.7 dB 96.27% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.89 kg / t 8.19 kg / t +0.7 kg / t 92.13% Dunlop excels particularly in wet disciplines, sometimes performing as well as summer tyres here. Mid-range in snow performance. The most affordable tyre in the "Exemplary" group. Slightly increased rolling resistance. Read Reviews
5th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
235/35 R19 91W EU Label: C/A/72 3PMSF: yes Price: 920.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 44.3 M 41.5 M +2.8 M 93.68% Dry Handling 4th 102.2 Km/H 103.1 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.13% Wet Braking 1st 48.2 M 100% Wet Handling 1st 83.7 Km/H 100% Straight Aqua 3rd 87 Km/H 89.2 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 97.53% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 3.17 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.52 m/sec2 85.91% Snow Braking 5th 30.8 M 29.7 M +1.1 M 96.43% Snow Traction 5th 2163 N 2260 N -97 N 95.71% Snow Handling 8th 59.7 Km/H 62.3 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 95.83% Snow Circle 6th 2.9 ms/2 3.02 ms/2 -0.12 ms/2 96.03% Noise 6th 70.9 dB 69.7 dB +1.2 dB 98.31% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.79 kg / t 8.19 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 93.17% The best in wet handling and wet braking. A reliable, precise performer in snow. Loses the "Exemplary" seal due to poor dry braking performance. Read Reviews    Buy from £245.42
6th: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
235/35 R19 91W EU Label: D/B/72 3PMSF: yes Price: 775.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 43.8 M 41.5 M +2.3 M 94.75% Dry Handling 8th 99.7 Km/H 103.1 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 96.7% Wet Braking 4th 50.8 M 48.2 M +2.6 M 94.88% Wet Handling 6th 80.5 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -3.2 Km/H 96.18% Straight Aqua 6th 85.7 Km/H 89.2 Km/H -3.5 Km/H 96.08% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 3.13 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.56 m/sec2 84.82% Snow Braking 7th 31.5 M 29.7 M +1.8 M 94.29% Snow Traction 10th 2037 N 2260 N -223 N 90.13% Snow Handling 10th 59.1 Km/H 62.3 Km/H -3.2 Km/H 94.86% Snow Circle 10th 2.85 ms/2 3.02 ms/2 -0.17 ms/2 94.37% Noise 10th 73.2 dB 69.7 dB +3.5 dB 95.22% Rolling Resistance 2nd 8.33 kg / t 8.19 kg / t +0.14 kg / t 98.32% Convincing driving qualities on dry and wet roads. Good aquaplaning resistance. Short wet braking distances. Moderate price. Limited winter qualities with a tendency to understeer. Read Reviews
7th: Vredestein Wintrac Pro
235/35 R19 91Y EU Label: E/B/72 3PMSF: yes Price: 835.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 44.2 M 41.5 M +2.7 M 93.89% Dry Handling 9th 98.8 Km/H 103.1 Km/H -4.3 Km/H 95.83% Wet Braking 7th 53.4 M 48.2 M +5.2 M 90.26% Wet Handling 7th 80.3 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 95.94% Straight Aqua 7th 82.8 Km/H 89.2 Km/H -6.4 Km/H 92.83% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 3.15 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -0.54 m/sec2 85.37% Snow Braking 4th 30.7 M 29.7 M +1 M 96.74% Snow Traction 3rd 2201 N 2260 N -59 N 97.39% Snow Handling 6th 59.8 Km/H 62.3 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 95.99% Snow Circle 5th 2.91 ms/2 3.02 ms/2 -0.11 ms/2 96.36% Noise 7th 71.2 dB 69.7 dB +1.5 dB 97.89% Rolling Resistance 7th 9.1 kg / t 8.19 kg / t +0.91 kg / t 90% Stable lateral guidance. Precise handling and high traction in snow. Good cornering aquaplaning performance. Unbalanced driving behavior in dry handling. High rolling resistance. Read Reviews
8th: Ceat WinterDrive Sport
235/35 R19 91V EU Label: D/B/71 3PMSF: yes Price: 320.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 42.1 M 41.5 M +0.6 M 98.57% Dry Handling 6th 100.2 Km/H 103.1 Km/H -2.9 Km/H 97.19% Wet Braking 8th 57.8 M 48.2 M +9.6 M 83.39% Wet Handling 8th 78.7 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -5 Km/H 94.03% Straight Aqua 8th 81.4 Km/H 89.2 Km/H -7.8 Km/H 91.26% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 2.32 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -1.37 m/sec2 62.87% Snow Braking 10th 31.8 M 29.7 M +2.1 M 93.4% Snow Traction 6th 2156 N 2260 N -104 N 95.4% Snow Handling 8th 59.7 Km/H 62.3 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 95.83% Snow Circle 9th 2.86 ms/2 3.02 ms/2 -0.16 ms/2 94.7% Noise 2nd 70.3 dB 69.7 dB +0.6 dB 99.15% Rolling Resistance 8th 9.32 kg / t 8.19 kg / t +1.13 kg / t 87.88% Surprisingly good snow traction. Dynamically balanced handling behavior on dry roads. Affordable price. Limited wet performance. Moderate aquaplaning resistance. Moderate lateral guidance. Read Reviews
9th: Radar Dimax Alpine
235/35 R19 91V EU Label: D/C/69 3PMSF: yes Price: 450.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 43.5 M 41.5 M +2 M 95.4% Dry Handling 7th 99.9 Km/H 103.1 Km/H -3.2 Km/H 96.9% Wet Braking 9th 62.1 M 48.2 M +13.9 M 77.62% Wet Handling 9th 77.3 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -6.4 Km/H 92.35% Straight Aqua 10th 79.5 Km/H 89.2 Km/H -9.7 Km/H 89.13% Curved Aquaplaning 9th 1.92 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -1.77 m/sec2 52.03% Snow Braking 3rd 30.4 M 29.7 M +0.7 M 97.7% Snow Traction 9th 2066 N 2260 N -194 N 91.42% Snow Handling 2nd 62.1 Km/H 62.3 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.68% Snow Circle 3rd 2.96 ms/2 3.02 ms/2 -0.06 ms/2 98.01% Noise 1st 69.7 dB 100% Rolling Resistance 10th 9.92 kg / t 8.19 kg / t +1.73 kg / t 82.56% Very good winter qualities. Good dry braking. The quietest tyre in the comparison. Very affordable price. Limited driving safety in wet conditions. Very high rolling resistance. Read Reviews
10th: Autogreen Snow Chaser 2 AW08
235/35 R19 91H EU Label: D/C/72 3PMSF: yes Price: 450.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 48.5 M 41.5 M +7 M 85.57% Dry Handling 10th 93.5 Km/H 103.1 Km/H -9.6 Km/H 90.69% Wet Braking 10th 81.1 M 48.2 M +32.9 M 59.43% Wet Handling 10th 71.5 Km/H 83.7 Km/H -12.2 Km/H 85.42% Straight Aqua 9th 79.6 Km/H 89.2 Km/H -9.6 Km/H 89.24% Curved Aquaplaning 10th 1.42 m/sec2 3.69 m/sec2 -2.27 m/sec2 38.48% Snow Braking 1st 29.7 M 100% Snow Traction 2nd 2230 N 2260 N -30 N 98.67% Snow Handling 1st 62.3 Km/H 100% Snow Circle 1st 3.02 ms/2 100% Noise 3rd 70.7 dB 69.7 dB +1 dB 98.59% Rolling Resistance 9th 9.45 kg / t 8.19 kg / t +1.26 kg / t 86.67% Outperforms the entyre competition in snow. Offers relatively quiet rolling noise. The most affordable option, but that's about it. Catastrophic in wet and dry conditions. Over 30 meters longer braking distance in wet conditions - dangerous!. Read Reviews