Winter tires: The best at a glance
COMPARE FIRST, THEN BUY In this year's winter tire test, 16 tire types of the dimension 205/55 R16 91H and 13 tire types of the dimension 235/55 R17 103V were tested by the experts of TCS in 18 test criteria. The driving behavior of the tires was determined on dry, wet, snow-covered and icy road surfaces. In addition, the tires also had to perform well in terms of noise, fuel consumption and [...]
The driving behavior of the tires was determined on dry, wet, snow-covered and icy road surfaces. The tires also had to prove themselves in terms of noise, fuel consumption and wear.
Good grades for overwhelming majority
In these elaborate procedures, of the 29 products, the vast majority of 24 of the tires tested were convincing and these received the rating "recommendable" or "highly recommendable".
One tire (Kumho) was eliminated from the test because it was revised during ongoing production, which changed its properties to such an extent that no recommendation could be given.
Weaknesses on dry road surfaces
The size 205/55 R16 91H is the most sold dimension for lower middle class cars. The tires are suitable for VW Golf, Renault Mégane, Ford C-Max, Citroen C3 and C4, BMW 1 and 2 series, Toyota Auris or Corolla.
Five of the 16 tires tested were rated "highly recommended," seven "recommended," one "conditionally recommended" and two "not recommended. One of the main reasons for deducting points from this tire dimension are weaknesses on dry roads.
Just a very recommendable tire
The 235/55 R17 103V tires are suitable for mid-size SUVs such as the Audi Q3 and Ford Kuga, as well as vans such as the Ford Tourneo Custom or VW T5 or T6.
Only one tire was rated "highly recommended", eleven "recommended" and one "conditionally recommended". In this dimension, too, many of the products tested showed weaknesses on dry roads.
For further results of the test please refer to the tables as PDF Dimension 205/55 and Dimension 235/55
