WHAT ARE THE BEST WINTER TYRES FOR VANS? THE TCS AND ADAC COMPARISON TEST

The Swiss Touring Club (TCS) and ADAC have conducted other tests of winter tyres in different sizes. The one that interests us is the test of the tyre size: 205/65 R16C 107/105T. This comparison test reveals the best winter tyres for vans, utility vehicles and light commercial vehicles.

Winter tyres for vans tested

TCS and ADAC have chosen to develop a new test on 15 winter tyres that equip vans, light commercial trucks and other utility vehicles.

In the size 205/65 R16C 107/105T, it is on a Volkswagen T6 Multivan with a vintage look and painted in bright hippy colours that the following winter tyres were tested:

• Continental VanContact Winter
• Pirelli Carrier Winter
• Michelin Agilis Alpin
• Vredestein Comtrac 2 Winter
• Goodyear Cargo UltraGrip 2
• Falken Eurowinter Van01
• Bridgestone Blizzak W810
• Kumho PorTran CW51
• Matador MPS 530
• Uniroyal Snow Max 2
• Yokohama WY01
• Sava Trenta M+S
• BFGoodrich Activan Winter
• Goodride SW612
• Maxxis Vansmart Snow WL2

Just like the 2019 TCS and ADAC comparison test of winter tyres for city cars, the results were obtained based on three test categories: safety (braking, aquaplaning, traction, grip, etc.), economy (wear, longevity) and ecology (fuel consumption), implemented in this order.

Also, remember that TCS (Swiss Touring Club) and ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) are both non-profit associations whose results are approved by independent experts.

Winter van tyre test: opinion on Maxxis, Goodride, BFGoodrich and Sava

The Maxxis Vansmart Snow WL2, Goodride SW612, BFGoodrich Activan Winter and Sava Trenta M+Styres finish at the bottom of the ranking of winter tyres for vans and light trucks. They are not recommended by the TCS and ADAC organisations due to their weaknesses on different types of surfaces (dry, wet and snow).

Maxxis Vansmart Snow WL2

(+)

• Good grip on dry surfaces and ice
• Good wear resistance

(-)

• Weaknesses on wet surfaces and on snow

Goodride SW612

(+)

• It obtains the best score on ice
• It obtains the best score for fuel consumption

(-)

• Weaknesses on dry surfaces and on snow
• Slight weaknesses on wet surfaces
• Longevity performance too short

BFGoodrich Activan Winter

(+)

• It manages to obtain the best score on ice
• It obtains the best score for wear
• Low fuel consumption

(-)

• Slight weaknesses on dry surfaces and on snow
• Lack of grip on wet surfaces

Sava Trenta M+S

(+)

• Low fuel consumption
• Good wear

(-)

• Weaknesses on dry surfaces
• Slight shortcomings in wet conditions and on ice
• Lack of grip on snow

Winter van tyre test: opinion on Yokohama, Uniroyal, Matador and Kumho

The Yokohama WY01, Uniroyal Snow Max 2, Matador MPS 530 and Kumho PorTran CW51 tyres lacked efficiency on one or several types of surfaces (snow, dry or wet surface) and do not offer high longevity. This is why they are “recommended with reservations” by TCS and ADAC.

Yokohama WY01

(+)

• It obtains the best score for noise
• Good grip on ice
• Low fuel consumption
• Satisfactory wear

(-)

• Slight weaknesses on dry surfaces, wet surfaces and on snow

Uniroyal Snow Max 2

(+)

• It obtains the best score on snow

(-)

• Weak on dry surfaces
• Slight weaknesses on wet surfaces and on ice
• High fuel consumption
• Short service life

Matador MPS 530

(+)

• Quite good on snow

(-)

• Weaknesses on dry surfaces
• Slight weaknesses on ice
• High fuel consumption
• Short service life

Kumho PorTran CW51

(+)

• Reduced fuel consumption

(-)

• Lack of grip on wet and dry surfaces
• Slight shortcomings on snow and ice
• Low durability

Winter van tyre test: opinion on Bridgestone, Falken, Goodyear and Vredestein

The Bridgestone Blizzak W810, Falken Eurowinter Van01 and Goodyear Cargo Ultragrip 2 tyres are also “recommended with reservations” by the test organisations due to reduced grip on snow, ice and wet surfaces, there where the driver expects good winter safety.

Bridgestone Blizzak W810

(+)

• Good fuel consumption

(-)

• Lack of grip on wet and dry surfaces
• Slight weaknesses on snow and ice
• Short service life

Falken Eurowinter Van01

(+)

• It obtains the best score on ice
• It obtains the best score for wear
• Low fuel consumption

(-)

• Lack of grip on snow
• Slight weaknesses on wet and surfaces

Goodyear Cargo UltraGrip 2

(+)

• Good grip on ice
• Low fuel consumption
• Good wear

(-)

• Slight drawbacks on wet surfaces
• Low grip on dry surfaces and on snow

Vredestein Comtrac 2 Winter

(+)

• Good grip on ice
• Low fuel consumption
• Good wear

(-)

• Slight weaknesses on wet and dry surfaces
• Weak on snow

Winter van tyre test: opinion on Michelin, Pirelli and Continental

The Top 3 winter tyres for vans, utility vehicles and light commercial vehicles are revealed. The Michelin Alpin Agilis takes 3rd place, the Pirelli Carrier Winter comes second and the Continental VanContact Winter takes the top spot on the podium. They are the only tyres to be recommended by TCS and ADAC.

Michelin Agilis Alpin

(+)

• It obtains the best score for wear
• Good performances on snow and ice
• Reduced fuel consumption

(-)

• Slight weaknesses on wet and dry surfaces

Pirelli Carrier Winter

(+)

• High grip on dry surfaces
• Good wear
• Low fuel consumption

(-)

• Slight shortcomings on snow, ice and wet surfaces

Continental VanContact Winter

(+)

• It obtains the best score on dry surfaces and wet surfaces
• Optimum fuel consumption.

(-)

• Slight weaknesses on snow and ice
• Low mileage