Auto Bild 2022: Large All-Season Tire Test R16

The experts from the German magazine tested 35 models of all-season tires, out of which only 15 could make it into the final part of the test.

List of models tested:

The Auto Bild magazine conducted a big test of all-season tires that are becoming increasingly popular in Europe, allowing motorists to save time and money. The test involved 35 tire models from various price brackets, but the main part of the test included only 15 competitors that were able to prove that they can ensure effective braking on wet and dry pavement. It must be noted that nine tires, for example, Fulda by Goodyear, were rated as «Unsatisfactory» in the qualification round due to dangerously long stopping distances. The braking on both wet and dry pavement was made from 100 km/h.

*Results of the qualification round*
Place	Brand / Model	Wet Braking	Dry Braking	Total
1	Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo	44,4	41,4	85,8
2	Vredestein Quatrac	47,1	41,7	88,8
3	Michelin CrossClimate 2	49,2	39,9	89,1
4	Kleber Quadraxer 3	49,4	40,3	89,7
5	Hankook Kinergy 4S2 H750	48,0	42,1	90,1
6	Goodyear Vector 4Seasons gen-3	46,8	43,9	90,7
7	Dunlop Sport All Season	46,6	44,6	91,2
8	Continental AllSeasonContact	48,9	45,8	94,7
9	Firestone Multiseason Gen 02	48,9	45,9	94,8
10	Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3	51,8	43,1	94,9
11	Falken EuroAll Season AS210	51,6	44,4	96,0
12	Kumho Solus 4S HA32+	51,9	44,4	96,3
13	Toyo Celsius AS2	53,2	43,5	96,7
14	Nexen N’Blue 4Season	54,5	43,7	98,2
15	Nokian Seasonproof	52,4	46,3	98,7
16	Laufenn G FIT 4S	53,9	45,2	99,1
17	CST Medallion All Season ACP1	53,0	46,6	99,6
18	GT Radial 4Seasons	51,3	49,3	100,6
19	Tristar All Season Power	57,6	43,1	100,7
20	Sebring All Season	58,3	42,5	100,8
21	Triangle SeasonX TA01	57,1	45,6	102,7
22	Minerva All Season Master	58,3	45,0	103,3
23	Ovation VI-782 AS	56,2	47,1	103,3
24	Kormoran All Season	61,0	42,4	103,4
25	Tracmax X-Privilio Trac Saver	58,0	45,7	103,7
26	Nankang AW-6	57,6	46,9	104,5
27	Hifly All-Turi 221	57,5	47,6	105,1
28	Torque TQ025	58,1	48,6	106,7
29	Fortuna Ecoplus 4S	63,1	43,9	107,0
30	Goodride All Season Elite Z-401	58,5	48,7	107,2
31	Fulda MultiControl	56,3	51,1	107,4
32	Superia Ecoblue 4S	63,6	44,2	107,8
33	Westlake All Season Elite Z-401	57,6	50,5	108,1
34	Ceat 4 SeasonDrive	63,7	44,9	108,6
35	Atlas Green 4S	66,2	45,0	111,2

The snow tests were conducted at the SHPG (Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds) facility in New Zealand’s Southern Alps at -5°C, and the best tire in this part of the test was the Michelin CrossClimate 2, which, according to the experts, was sometimes even more effective than winter tires. At the same time, although all of the competitors had a 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake) sign, testifying to their readiness for winter conditions, the Maxxis and Bridgestone showed average results, and the snow grip of the latter tire was rated as «extremely limited».

The tarmac tests were carried out at the ATP proving ground in Papenburg, Germany, and at Wachauring, Austria, and all the wet tests — not counting hydroplaning — were won by the Bridgestone model. High scores were also received by Vredestein, Hankook, and Dunlop tires, which, among other things, ensure accurate handling response; issues appeared with the Nexen and Toyo tires that demonstrated less-than-perfect grip during braking and maneuvering.

Test discipline: straight hydroplaning. Source: autobild.de

In sunny weather (at +22°C) on a dry course the top lines in the tournament bracket were scored by Vredestein, Bridgestone, Michelin, and Kleber, which quickly responded to the driver inputs, as well as quickly stopped the Volkswagen Polo that was used as the test car. On the other hand, the Maxxis and Nexen behaved more like winter tires and provided an average handling performance, while the Continental, Firestone and Nokian «distinguished themselves» with the longest braking distances on test.

The AB experts also evaluate tread life, for which the tire is driven for 12,000 kilometers, after which it is calculated how much more it can drive until it reaches the remaining tread depth of 1.6 mm. This year, a real surprise was made by the Nexen tire whose expected mileage amounted to a whopping 72,000 km. In this area, the Korean tire had a tremendous lead over the entire competition — even the Michelin tire (and Michelin tires usually win out in such tests by a large margin) had a result that was 28,000 km shorter. And, since the Michelin was also the most expensive tire on test, it dropped to the bottom of the chart due to an unfavorable value-for-money ratio, along with the Continental.

Verdict

In the final standings, the victory was celebrated by the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 that demonstrated an excellent performance on all types of surfaces (its only weakness being increased rolling resistance), and the second line was scored by the Vredestein Qauatrac that was also very effective in all conditions, but had a pretty short tread life. It was not without surprises again, and the Continental AllSeasonContact came only 13th due to the unfavorable combination of high price and low resistance to wear, while the Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo came even last, which first of all had to do with poor snow traction.

Summing up the results, the AB experts noted that «modern all-season tires can arguably be considered a safe option, particularly for the owners of compact cars, which is evidenced by the tests conducted in all climatic areas [for the sole exception of northern latitudes where you still need to have your tires replaced twice a year]. The new-generation tires do save a lot of time and money but you need to be careful because there is a risk of running into a «black sheep», and you need to consult experts and study the results of the tests before you make the purchase.

The «environment» grade was essentially a combined score of expected mileage, price, and rolling resistance.

1st place: Goodyear / Vector 4Seasons Gen-3

Quick Take

Search Form for vehicle model, tire size or rims Choose a tab below to get fitment data for your vehicle or to find vehicles matching your criteria.

Specify make, year and model to find matching wheels:

Specify values for fields below to find matching vehicles:

Specify values for fields below to find matching vehicles:

Specify values for fields below to find matching vehicles:

Auto Bild 2022: Large All-Season Tire Test R16

Verdict

Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3

Vredestein Quatrac

Hankook Kinergy 4S 2 H750

Kleber Quadraxer 3

Kumho Solus 4S HA32+

Nokian Seasonproof

Dunlop Sport All Season

Falken EuroAll Season AS210

Michelin CrossClimate 2

Nexen N'Blue 4Season

Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02

Toyo Celsius AS2

Continental AllSeasonContact

Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3

Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo