AutoBild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 2024

The Auto Bild Winter 2024 test compared 20 winter tires in size 205/55 R16, evaluating their performance on dry, wet and snowy roads along with other criteria such as aquaplaning, traction, comfort and wear.

Main findings

• The overall winner was the Continental WinterContact TS 870, which offered balanced performance across all disciplines – short braking distances, strong traction and high driving safety in winter conditions.
• In dry braking tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 model performed best, although all winter tires lagged behind the summer reference.
• In wet braking, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 and Kumho Winter Craft WP52 dominated, while the cheaper reference winter tire lagged significantly behind.
• Snow tests have confirmed that high-quality winter tires (e.g. Hankook Winter I cept RS3 or Semperit Speed Grip 5 ) significantly outperform summer tires in braking, traction, and handling.
• Comfort and noise : the Giti GitiWinterW2 was the quietest, while the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was the noisiest.

Summary

The test confirms that, although modern winter tires are improving in dry and wet conditions, they are still among the most important safety features in the cold season. Premium models such as the Continental WinterContact TS 870 or Bridgestone Blizzak 6 combine high levels of grip, driving safety and comfort, while cheaper alternatives often lag significantly, especially on wet roads and in aquaplaning.