Winter tyre testing is one of the best sources of information on how different models perform in specific conditions. If you are planning to buy a new set of tyres, you should familiarise yourself with the results of the research carried out by Germany’s largest automobile club, the ADAC.
Find out the results of the 2023 winter tire tests.The ADAC is an independent automotive organisation based in Germany. Every year, it conducts reliable tests that put different models of winter tyres through their paces. They have to cope with demanding conditions such as snow, ice, and wet surfaces.
This year, sizes 205/60 R16 and 225/45 R17 were put to test. If you want to buy new winter tyres, the ADAC tests will help you choose the right model.
2023 ADAC winter tyre tests – evaluation criteria
For years, the German automobile club ADAC has been renowned for the accuracy of its tests of winter tyres as well as all-season and summer tyres. To illustrate the scale of these projects, suffice it to say that the research takes place in different parts of the world. For example, ice driving is carried out on a special Continental ice track, snow tyre testing takes place in Finland, and dry driving tests are organised at Bridgestone and ADAC test centres in Italy and Bavaria. It should be noted that the manufacturers have no influence on the methods used to test the tyres or the ratings given to them.
The year 2023 brought some changes in the methodology of the ADAC tests. In addition to the main criterion of safety, the organisers also emphasised the issue of environmental protection. Points are now awarded in two main categories that determine the final score.
The first is driving safety (70% of the final score), which consists of:
- Dry handling (30% of the category score),
- Wet handling (40% of the category score),
- Winter handling (snow and ice) (30% of the category score).
The second is environmental performance (30% of the final score), which takes into account:
- Mileage (40% of the category score),
- Tyre wear (20% of the category score),
- Performance (20% of the category score),
- Noise (10% of the category score),
- Sustainability (10% of the category score).
ADAC classification – ratings
Based on the above categories, the ADAC specialists assign ratings. This way, you can easily check which of the tested tyres performed well in winter conditions. Thanks to this, you can be sure that they are a good choice and will not disappoint you when driving in demanding winter conditions.
It is worth noting the manner in which the ratings are given. On a five-point scale, the models with the lowest score are the best, and the weakest models have the most points.
ADAC classification – rating scale in the table:
| Score | Rating |
| 0,6 – 1,5 | Very good |
| 1,6 – 2,5 | Good |
| 2,6 – 3,5 | Satisfactory |
| 3,6 – 4,6 | Sufficient |
| 4,6 – 5,5 | Insufficient |
2023/2024 ADAC test of 205/60 R16 winter tyres
Winter tyres of this size are fitted on many popular car models such as: Audi A4, Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Touran, BMW 3 Series, or Mercedes A, B, C, E and T classes. This size is also used on large cars, so in this case we can also talk about testing SUV winter tyres. No less than 16 models were tested, including premium, mid-range, and budget tyres. The top-of-the-range products clearly dominate the rankings, but two mid-range products also scored well, namely the Hankook and Firestone tyres.
| Model | Score | Final rating |
| Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | 2,2 | Good |
| Michelin Alpin 6 | 2,2 | Good |
| Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ | 2,3 | Good |
| Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | 2,4 | Good |
| Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 | 2,4 | Good |
| Bridgestone Blizzak LM 005 | 2,4 | Good |
| Firestone Winterhawk 4 | 2,5 | Good |
| BFGoodrich G-Force Winter 2 | 2,6 | Satisfactory |
| Fulda Kristall Control HP 2 | 2,6 | Satisfactory |
| Kleber Krisalp HP3 | 2,8 | Satisfactory |
| Falken Eurowinter HS02 | 3,0 | Satisfactory |
| Barum Polaris 5 | 3,1 | Satisfactory |
| Vredestein Wintrac | 3,1 | Satisfactory |
| Uniroyal WinterExpert | 3,2 | Satisfactory |
| Lassa Snoways 4 | 5,2 | Insufficient |
| Austone Athena SP-901 | 5,3 | Insufficient |
Author: ADAC, Thomas Kroher, source: https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/ausstattung-technik-zubehoer/reifen/reifentest/winterreifen/205-60-r16/
Premium tyre podium
Two premium tyre models were tied for first place. The first was the Dunlop Winter Sport 5. The product performed perfectly on dry, wet, and snowy surfaces and offered good control of the car. This is due to the tread pattern with numerous grooves that efficiently evacuate water and slush, as well as an increased number of blocks compared to the previous version of this model. Also important are the curved sipes which guarantee excellent grip and short braking distances on slippery surfaces.
The second winner is a product of a French premium brand. This is the Michelin Alpin 6, which scored highly in terms of safety and only slightly lower, but still excellent, in terms of environmental performance. This model was particularly appreciated for its resistance to abrasion and therefore its long life. These characteristics are mainly due to the modern rubber compound which, in addition to durability, also offers excellent grip.
Second place in the 2023 ADAC winter tyre test went to the Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ tyre. It is a model that ensures a high level of driving safety and a good environmental balance. The only criteria in which it received a "satisfactory" rating were noise and sustainable development. The features that distinguish this tyre are the Winter Grip and Mileage+ technologies. The former is based on a special compound that increases the contact area between the tyre and the road surface, guaranteeing excellent grip. The latter ensures longer mileage thanks to its increased resistance to rubber stiffening caused by low temperatures.
2023 ADAC 205/60 R16 test – results by category
| Model | Dry handling | Wet handling | Performance on snow-covered surfaces | Mileage | Abrasion | Performance | Noise | Sustainability |
| Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | 1,9 | 2,2 | 2,1 | 2,0 | 2,1 | 2,2 | 3,3 | 3,4 |
| Michelin Alpin 6 | 2,0 | 2,4 | 2,3 | 1,6 | 1,5 | 2,1 | 3,1 | 3,0 |
| Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ | 2,5 | 2,1 | 2,2 | 2,3 | 2,3 | 1,8 | 2,8 | 3,3 |
| Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | 2,5 | 2,2 | 2,2 | 2,5 | 2,2 | 2,2 | 2,8 | 3,1 |
Hankook Winter i*cept RS3
| 2,5 | 2,2 | 1,8 | 2,8 | 2,2 | 2,0 | 3,0 | 3,2
|
| Bridgestone Blizzak LM 005 | 2,5 | 1,8
| 2,2 | 3,1 | 2,6 | 2,5 | 3,1 | 3,3 |
| Firestone Winterhawk 4 | 2,5 | 2,0 | 2,4 | 3,0 | 2,8 | 2,3 | 2,8 | 3,3 |
| BFGoodrich G-Force Winter 2 | 2,5 | 2,7 | 2,2 | 2,5 | 1,7 | 2,3 | 3,0 | 3,1 |
| Fulda Kristall Control HP 2 | 2,4 | 2,9 | 2,5 | 1,3 | 2,0 | 1,9 | 3,8 | 3,3 |
| Kleber Krisalp HP3 | 3,0 | 2,6 | 2,4 | 2,5 | 1,7 | 2,4 | 2,8 | 3,1 |
| Falken Eurowinter HS02 | 2,2 | 2,5 | 3,1 | 2,5 | 2,4 | 2,6 | 2,8 | 4,1 |
| Barum Polaris 5 | 3,4 | 2,8 | 2,6 | 2,1 | 2,2 | 1,9 | 3,3 | 3,1 |
| Vredestein Wintrac | 3,4 | 2,5 | 2,2 | 2,3 | 1,9 | 2,2 | 2,7 | 3,5 |
| Uniroyal WinterExpert | 3,3 | 2,7 | 2,5 | 2,9 | 2,9 | 2,2 | 3,3 | 3,1 |
| Lassa Snoways 4 | 2,5 | 2,5 | 5,2 | 2,5 | 2,4 | 2,6 | 2,8 | 3,8 |
| Austone Athena SP-901 | 4,0 | 5,3 | 1,7 | 2,7 | 2,1 | 3,1 | 2,7 | 4,3 |
Author: ADAC, Thomas Kroher, source: https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/ausstattung-technik-zubehoer/reifen/reifentest/winterreifen/205-60-r16/
2023/2024 ADAC test of 225/45 R17 winter tyres
Tyres in size 225/45 R17 are fitted on many popular compact car models such as: Toyota Corolla, Opel Astra, Volkswagen Golf, Hyundai i30, Renault Megane, and Skoda Octavia. As in the case of the 205/60 R16 size test, 16 models from different price ranges were tested. Continental’s product was the winner, with Michelin’s Alpin 6 and Dunlop’s Winter Sport 5 again on the podium. Alongside them, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ also deserves attention.
| Model | Score | Final rating |
| Continental WinterContact TS 870 | 2,0 | Good |
| Michelin Alpin 6 | 2,2 | Good |
| Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + | 2,2 | Good |
| Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | 2,4 | Good |
| Vredestein Wintrac Pro | 2,6 | Satisfactory |
| Semperit Speed Grip 5 | 2,6 | Satisfactory |
| Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 | 2,6 | Satisfactory |
| Giti GitiWinter W2 | 2,7 | Satisfactory |
| Kumho Wintercraft WP52 | 2,7 | Satisfactory |
| Apollo Aspire XP Winter | 2,8 | Satisfactory |
| Nokian Tyres WR Snowproof | 3,0 | Satisfactory |
| Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 | 3,0 | Satisfactory |
| Yokohama BluEarth-Winter V906 | 3,0 | Satisfactory |
| Sava Eskimo HP2 | 3,0 | Satisfactory |
| Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | 3,2 | Satisfactory |
| Kormoran Snow | 5,4 | Insufficient |
Author: ADAC, Thomas Kroher, source: https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/ausstattung-technik-zubehoer/reifen/reifentest/winterreifen/225-45-r17-h
Four tyres with a good ADAC rating
The Continental WinterContact TS870 is a tyre to consider if you are planning to buy new winter tyres. This model guarantees excellent grip in different conditions and also offers impressive mileage, serving you for longer. This performance is undoubtedly influenced by the use of the advanced Cool Chili compound with resin additive, which not only reduces braking distance but also has high wear resistance and low rolling resistance. Excellent grip and confident cornering are guaranteed by the pocket sipes, which help the tyre to handle snow on the road.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ model came in second, on par with the Michelin Alpin 6. Like the Continental tyre, it offers long life and good grip in a variety of conditions. It was slightly weaker in terms of noise, but still at a satisfactory level, i.e. one that will not disturb most drivers. Goodyear’s UltraGrip Performance+ maintains optimal flexibility in winter conditions thanks to its Winter Grip technology, while the compound containing resin ensures high braking efficiency and grip.
It is also worth mentioning the Semperit Speed Grip 5, which did not make it onto the podium, but scored very well considering that it is in the economy class. It is a good choice for people who are looking for a budget tyre. The product has very long mileage, so it will be an investment for a long time. In addition, it also boasts a pretty good grip. This is due to the special snow hooks and sipes which reduce the braking distance and ensure good traction on snow. The directional tread pattern with numerous grooves evacuates water efficiently and the rigid sides help maintain stability on dry surfaces.
ADAC 225/45 R17 winter tyre tests – partial results
| Model | Dry handling | Wet handling | Performance on snow-covered surfaces | Mileage | Abrasion | Performance | Noise | Sustainability |
| Continental WinterContact TS 870 | 2,2 | 2,0 | 1,9 | 1,3 | 2,0 | 2,2 | 3,1 | 3,1 |
| Michelin Alpin 6 | 2,2 | 2,4 | 2,2 | 0,9 | 1,7 | 2,3 | 3,4 | 3,0 |
| Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + | 2,1 | 2,5 | 2,2 | 1,5 | 2,1 | 1,8 | 3,5 | 3,3 |
| Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | 2,4 | 2,6 | 1,9 | 0,9 | 2,0 | 1,7 | 3,7 | 3,3 |
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
| 2,7 | 2,6 | 2,5 | 1,9 | 2,0 | 2,5 | 3,3 | 3,5
|
| Semperit Speed Grip 5 | 2,5 | 2,5
| 2,8 | 1,4 | 2,2 | 2,3 | 3,4 | 3,1 |
| Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 | 2,7 | 2,0 | 2,1 | 2,2 | 2,3 | 2,3 | 3,1 | 3,1 |
| Giti GitiWinter W2 | 2,4 | 2,5 | 2,6 | 2,6 | 2,8 | 2,7 | 3,4 | 4,1 |
| Kumho Wintercraft WP52 | 2,7 | 2,7 | 2,3 | 0,7 | 1,8 | 2,8 | 3,0 | 3,9 |
| Apollo Aspire XP Winter | 2,7 | 2,4 | 2,9 | 1,9 | 2,2 | 2,6 | 3,8 | 3,5 |
| Nokian Tyres WR Snowproof | 3,0 | 3,2 | 3,0 | 2,3 | 2,1 | 2,3 | 3,1 | 3,2 |
| Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 | 3,3 | 2,4 | 2,3 | 1,6 | 2,3 | 2,2 | 3,3 | 3,0 |
| Yokohama BluEarth-Winter V906 | 2,9 | 2,4 | 3,0 | 2,8 | 2,6 | 2,6 | 3,4 | 3,9 |
| Sava Eskimo HP2 | 3,4 | 3,2 | 2,1 | 1,8 | 2,4 | 1,6 | 3,9 | 3,3 |
| Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | 2,3 | 1,7 | 3,2 | 3,0 | 3,1 | 2,4 | 3,4 | 3,3 |
| Kormoran Snow | 3,9 | 5,4 | 1,6 | 1,2 | 1,9 | 2,2 | 3,9 | 3,0 |
Author: ADAC, Thomas Kroher, source: https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/ausstattung-technik-zubehoer/reifen/reifentest/winterreifen/225-45-r17-h/
Check the ADAC winter tyre tests and enjoy safe driving
The 2023 ADAC test is an excellent source of information on the performance of individual tyre models under strictly defined conditions. It is therefore worth relying on its results when fitting a new set of tyres to your car. If you have a limited budget, partial ratings for individual criteria will help you find the right model. This makes it much easier to choose a mid-range or budget product that scores well in the areas that are most important to you.