Auto Bild Performance, the German version of EVO magazine have put together the tyre test EVO should have. 7 wide 225/40 R18 tyres on a 260bhp Mazda 3 MPS.
On test are the usual premium brands, with only Bridgestone missing from the "big 6". Also included a midrange Hankook and a budget Rockstone.
![]() | 1st: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D Positive: Excellent winter tyres with dynamic handling characteristics. Highest safety reserves in aquaplaning, with short braking distances on both wet and dry roads. Read Reviews |
![]() | 2nd: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2 Positive: Top winter tyres with excellent traction and shortest braking distances on snow covered slopes. Stable cornering with safe driving characteristics. Excellent aquaplaning properties Read Reviews |
![]() | 3rd: Pirelli Sottozero Serie II Positive: Balanced sports winter tyre. Stable cornering and safe qualities on snow, excellent steering precision with good dynamic response and handling Read Reviews Buy from £97.90 |
![]() | 4th: Continental WinterContact TS 830 P Positive: Sport handling qualities on wet and dry track, short braking distance and pleasant ride comfort Negative: Understeer on snow, only average aquaplaning result Read Reviews Buy from £107.00 |
![]() | 5th: Hankook Winter i cept evo Positive: Impressive handling qualities on snow, good stering precision and short braking distances on dry roads Negative: Slightly longer braking distances on wet roads and a high rolling resistance Read Reviews |
![]() | 6th: Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 Positive: Good on snow, high steering precision and cornering stability on dry roads. Low rolling resistance Negative: Understeer and long braking in the wet, average aquaplaning results Read Reviews |
![]() | 7th: Rockstone Ice plus s210 Positive: Good snow performance Negative: Perhaps the perfect example of why budget winter tyres struggle in the UK climate. While this tyre was excellent in the snow it was rated dangerous in the wet with massive braking distances and terrible aquaplaning properties. Overall Autobild called the tyre "defective"! Read Reviews |