Skip advert
Advertisement
Product group tests

Best winter tyres 2024

We push a selection of winter tyres to the max in all conditions to see which is Britain's best

This year’s winter tyre test focuses on the big-selling 205/55 R16. Many of us risk running summer tyres through the coldest seasons, but winter designs are the best solution for the worst weather. 

In our last test of this size in 2022, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was the winner and returns to defend its title. Unfortunately, a lack of stock prevented Bridgestone, the runner-up last time, competing with its new Blizzak 6, but there are six other contenders, a number of them also returning. These include the Hankook i’cept RS3, which was third last time, and the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 and Vredestein Wintrac, which were joint fourth. 

They are joined by Goodyear with its UltraGrip Performance 3, the tyre that wasn’t quite ready in time for the 2022 test, and Falken with its Eurowinter HS02. Additionally, we have included a budget tyre to illustrate what performance you can expect versus the premium brands.

Advertisement - Article continues below

 In this instance it’s the Goodride Snowmaster S608. We’ve also added a summer and all-season comparison from the winners in this size, Hankook and Continental. 

What we tested

UK supply, stock and transport problems meant we asked the tyre makers to supply samples. Most chose a speed rating of H (118mph) and a weight rating of 91, apart from Vredestein, which went for a 94. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

EU label ratings are included for fuel economy, rolling resistance (RR) and wet grip (WG), which range from A to E (with A being best), plus pass-by noise (N), which is measured in decibels, so the lower the number the better. 

Continental WinterContact TS 87091H RR: C WG: B N: B (70)
Falken Eurowinter HS0291H RR: D WG: B N: A (69)
Goodride Snowmaster S60891H RR:C WG:C N: B (72)
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 391H RR: C WG: B N: B (70)
Hankook i’cept RS391H RR: C WG: B N: B (72)
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 291H RR: C WG: B N: A (69)
Vredestein Wintrac94H RR: C WG: B N: B (70)

How we tested them

Snow

For the snow tests, we headed to Hankook’s Technotrac facility at Ivalo, Finland, 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle. Conditions were good, with track temperatures ranging from minus 7 to minus 12 deg C. 

We tested braking from 35-10kph (22-6mph) and acceleration from 10-35kph (6-22mph). The handling test was on a gently rising and falling 1.2km (0.75 mile) track which had a challenging variety of corners that tested handling, stability under braking, and traction exiting turns. 

Wet tests

Both the wet and dry assessments were carried out at Continental’s Contidrom near Hannover in Germany, where temperatures were on the cusp of ideal. Winter tyres are designed to work below 7 deg C and that was where temperatures sat during our tests. 

Our wet tests measure each tyre’s braking and cornering ability, plus their resistance to aquaplaning. Straight-line braking from 50mph to zero was done on a rail, ensuring that the same piece of asphalt was used each time, while wet cornering was derived from lap times on a 57.5m- diameter circle. The 1.1 mile wet handling circuit has a mix of corners and revealed each tyre’s handling and breakaway characteristics, cornering grip, traction and braking composure. 

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

In straight-line aquaplaning we measured the speed at which the tyre running in 9mm of water was slipping by 15 per cent compared to the other wheel on a dry surface. In curved aquaplaning, each tyre is run through a curve flooded to 5mm at speeds from 37 up to 56mph and the average residual lateral acceleration was then calculated. 

Dry

Dry braking distances were measured from 62mph (100kmh) to zero. We measured lap times on a one-mile section of the dry handling circuit that allowed us to assess handling balance, grip, transient stability and traction. 

Noise

We measured sound levels in the cabin in a coast-down test from 100kph (62mph) on three surfaces, from smooth to coarse. We then took the average.  

Fuel economy

We measured rolling resistance, the energy required to turn a loaded tyre. The less energy required, the more economical a tyre will be. A four to five per cent change in rolling resistance is equivalent to a one per cent shift in fuel consumption. 

Prices

These were sourced from online retailer test winner Blackcircles and are for a fitted tyre. For tyres not sold by the company, an average of prices at other retailers was used. 

Calculating a winner

The results for each test category are converted into percentages with the top tyre rated at 100 per cent and the rest scored relative to this. In terms of the overall score, 50 per cent is allocated to wet performance, 20 per cent to snow and 20 per cent to dry, with the emphasis on handling and braking. The final 10 per cent is shared between the other tests.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Our latest car deals

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,155Avg. savings £2,485 off RRP*Compare Offers
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £27,565Avg. savings £2,749 off RRP*Compare Offers
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £23,500Avg. savings £4,311 off RRP*Compare Offers
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £36,645Avg. savings £2,892 off RRP*Compare Offers
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: new MG4 long-range EV for a ridiculously low price
MG4 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: new MG4 long-range EV for a ridiculously low price

The MG4 is one of our favourite EVs on account of its sheer value for money. It’s our Deal of the Day for 11 December
News
11 Dec 2024
Skoda Elroq review
Skoda Elroq - front

Skoda Elroq review

The Skoda Elroq is even more appealing than the bigger Skoda Enyaq, and just as brilliant
In-depth reviews
9 Dec 2024
ZEV Mandate to spoil Christmas for 1,000s of petrol and diesel car buyers
Nissan Cube

ZEV Mandate to spoil Christmas for 1,000s of petrol and diesel car buyers

Got an ICE car on order? Don’t bet on collecting it before the New Year…
News
10 Dec 2024