ADAC and the Swiss Touring Club have compared the best SUV winter tyres for the 2020 winter season. Of the 13 tyres tested in the size 235/55 R17, only one tyre lived up to expectations whereas all the other tyres showed their limits.
13 winter tyres for SUVs
After having tested summer tyres, then all season tyres in the size 235/55 R17, that only leaves the winter tyres. They have now been tested for the 2020/2021 winter season with this comparison test conducted by ADAC and TCS.
This tyre size is suitable for several SUV and passenger car type vehicles up to vans, such as Audi A7, Q3, Ford Kuga, S-Max, Jaguar XF, Mercedes S Class, Classe V, Volvo S60, V60, XC60, Volkswagen Tiguan, T6.
The following tyres were tested:
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Continental WinterContact TS850 P
- Cooper Discoverer Winter
- Dunlop Winter Sport 5 SUV
- Esa+Tecar Supergrip Pro
- Fulda Kristall Control SUV
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance +
- Kleber Krisalp HP3
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- Nokian WR Snowproof
- Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
- Semperit Speed-Grip 3 SUV
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
Scores downgraded by ADAC
The Semperit Speed-Grip 3 SUV is the only tyre that struggles in more than one rating criteria, hence the “recommended with reservations” rating. ADAC underlines the tyres’ below average handling on dry roads while its performance on snow and in wet conditions is not much better.
11 other tyres are “recommended” as a result of their weaknesses on one driving surface. If these shortcomings do not make them tyres to be avoided at all costs, they prevent them from ranking among the best, according to the test. For ADAC and TCS, these tyres fall into 3 separate groups, fairly close to each other in terms of the final score.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance +, Kleber Krisalp HP3 and Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 tyres obtain good results in wet conditions and on snow, with a special mention for the Bridgestone tyre which is the best in the wet. Unfortunately, they do not perform as well in dry conditions, particularly in terms of steering precision.
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 and Vredestein Wintrac Pro tyres are very good on dry roads and are also good in the wet and on ice. They have more difficulty on snow with a tendency to understeer more quickly.
The third group includes tyres which have shortcomings in at least two categories. The Esa+Tecar, Cooper and Fulda tyres show weaknesses on wet and dry roads. The Nokian WR Snowproof has more difficulty on wet roads and ice. The Continental WinterContact TS850 P has a few shortcomings on dry roads and on snow. Finally, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 delivers an average performance on dry roads, on snow and on ice.
Only one tyre at the top
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is alone in front, well ahead of its competitors. Precise on dry roads and safe in sudden avoidance actions, it also hugs the road in wet conditions. It is the best tyre on snow and logically, it obtains the “highly recommended” rating.
Top 5 winter tyres for SUVs/cars | + | – |
1 – Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 | Best tyre on snow and on dry roads | Price |
2= Esa+Tecar Supergrip Pro | Best on ice, best wear | Wet and dry roads |
2= Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + | Fuel consumption, wet roads, snow and ice | Dry roads |
4= Dunlop Winter Sport 5 SUV | Dry and wet roads | Snow |
‘4= Vredestein Wintrac Pro | Dry and wet roads | Snow |
For those speaking French and/or German, you can read the full results on the websites of the Swiss Touring Club (in French) or on the ADAC website (in German).