Skip advert
Advertisement

LingLong Sport Master Winter review

Overall, a strong performance that announces LingLong’s arrival in the winter tyre market. Economy is poor, though.

LingLong’s debut in Auto Express tyre testing sees it claim a maiden top score, being fastest around the dry handling course. Not the most significant discipline in a winter tyre test but the LingLong’s fifth-place finish puts it ahead of some better-known brands.

It puts together a fair set of snow results, with a solid fourth in the crucial braking test, eighth in traction (but not far off the pace), and fifth in snow handling where it had a safe, predictable, nose-led balance. With good braking, this made it tidy and easy to exploit. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

A strong result in wet braking – fourth place – was backed up by fifth in wet cornering but didn’t translate into a decent lap time. There wasn’t anything obvious missing from its performance but the test car felt heavier and less biddable on the LingLong. Aquaplaning performance was disappointing, too. 

It bagged fastest lap in the dry, which came as no surprise because it felt like a summer tyre; it delivered loads of grip and clean, direct responses. However, it was ranked seventh for refinement and, more significantly, recorded by far the highest rolling resistance, making it the least economical tyre here.

Blackcircles.com says…

“We are unable to give any details about the tyre’s performance or popularity with our customers at present.”

LingLong Sport Master Winter  
Overall96.5% 
Price£90 
Snow braking99.7%4th
Snow traction90.6%8th
Snow handling93.8%5th
Wet braking96.3%4th
Wet handling97.5%7th
Wet cornering98.2%5th
Straight aquaplaning88.6%7th
Curved aquaplaning71.9%7th
Dry braking93.8%5th
Dry handling100%1st
Cabin noise98.87th
Rolling resistance74.8%8th

Buy new winter tyres from Blackcircles.com

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £4,422 off RRP*Used from £7,495
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,912 off RRP*Used from £7,299
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £5,321 off RRP*Used from £11,399
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £25,235Avg. savings £2,502 off RRP*Used from £11,295
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Nissan Sakura 2026 review: a kei car for Europe?
Nissan Sakura - front tracking

New Nissan Sakura 2026 review: a kei car for Europe?

All-electric versions of Japan’s kei car will help to form the basis of a new, low-cost, low-regulation EV from Europe’s manufacturers
Road tests
23 Dec 2025
New Ford Fiesta shaping up for its gigantic 2028 comeback
Ford Fiesta render Avarvarii

New Ford Fiesta shaping up for its gigantic 2028 comeback

Ford’s passenger-car business will get a new lease of life thanks to Renault’s Ampere platform, paving the way for two new small EVs
News
21 Dec 2025
Electric cars are great, but not for everyone
Opinion - electric cars are great for some

Electric cars are great, but not for everyone

Mike Rutherford explains why Britain should follow in the EU’s footsteps
Opinion
23 Dec 2025