In its 2025 winter tyre test, Auto Bild Sportscars looks at 11 products in size 235/50 R19, a dimension worn by numerous SUV and crossover models as well as older versions of the Audi S8. The motoring publication adopted a format we’re familiar with, pitting premium tyres against mid-range and budget competitors. It selected an Audi Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI Quattro as test vehicle.
The Auto Bild Sportscars test team evaluated the tyres in wet and dry conditions at the Bridgestone proving ground in Aprilia, Italy and on snowy surfaces at the tyre maker’s facility in Vidsel, northern Sweden. In addition to the 11 winter tyres, the testers also looked at an all-season tyre, the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6, as well as a summer tyre – but did not include either in the final results.
Unsuitable summer tyres
This is just as well in the case of the summer tyre, as it didn’t fare well. Auto Bild tyre testers Dierk Möller and Martin Westerhoff state that “summer tyres are completely unsuitable for winter conditions,” explaining that this unsuitability stems from the rubber compound they’re made from as well as the tread pattern. A winter tyre rubber compound is soft and contains a high proportion of silica, ensuring that the tread remains flexible and maintains grip even at sub-zero temperatures. Deep grooves and fine cuts in the tread blocks — known as sipes — create small gripping edges that interlock with snow and ice, providing traction. Summer tyres, on the other hand, are harder, with solid tread blocks and a large contact area with the road surface to maximise grip at higher temperatures.
Had Auto Bild Sportscars included the all-season tyre in its results table, the Turanza All Season 6 would have finished in sixth place with a ‘good’ rating.
A win for premium brands
“The brand manufacturers deliver: Bridgestone, Continental and Michelin are in a league of their own,” conclude Möller and Westerhoff. “Those who want or need to save money can opt for Vredestein or Hankook. But please avoid cheap options such as Superia, which is extremely dangerous in wet conditions.”
Rated Exemplary
Test winner: Bridgestone Blizzak 6
+ Snow expert with excellent traction and exemplary lateral guidance on winter roads, strikes the perfect balance between wet and dry conditions with balanced and high levels of performance.
Continental WinterContact TS870 P
+ Confident all-rounder with the sportiest handling in dry conditions.
– Slightly weak in aquaplaning, most expensive purchase price.
Michelin Alpin 7
+ Rolling resistance champion, extremely well balanced in all disciplines, shortest braking distances on snow.
– Slightly less aquaplaning resistance when cornering, similarly priced to the Continental tyre.
Rated good
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
+ Snow king with particularly strong winter properties.
– Comparatively weaker in aquaplaning and wet braking.
Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
+ Snow dynamics with sporty handling on winter roads.
– Limited dynamics in dry handling, less aquaplaning protection when cornering.
Vredestein Wintrac Pro+
+ Wet weather specialist with particularly short braking distances in the rain, affordable price.
– Highest rolling resistance of all candidates tested, resulting in increased energy consumption.
Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 X
+ All-rounder with consistently good performance in all assessed categories.
– Slightly longer braking distances in dry conditions, loudest passing noise of all candidates.
Rated Satisfactory
Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
+ Aquaplaning champion with maximum safety reserves in standing water.
– Longer braking distances in wet and dry conditions, less sporty handling in dry conditions, weakest traction on snow.
Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro
+ Snow talent with still good performance on dry roads, reasonable price.
– Overall weaker performance on wet roads, especially in aquaplaning and braking.
Giti Winter W2
+ Affordable tyre with good performance on wet and dry roads.
– Overall weaker on snow, particularly lacking in lateral guidance and unpredictable handling response on snow.
Not recommendable
Superia Bluewin UHP 3
+ Bargain price with respectable performance on snow and dry roads.
– Disastrous braking distance in wet conditions, overall poor performance in all wet weather disciplines, worst in dry handling.
