Best winter tires 2026

Scores

• Snow83 ±5
• Wet92 ±4
• Dry81 ±4
• Noise77 ±6
• Treadwear86 ±5
• Comfort87 ±8

EU label (best size): wet grip A · rolling resistance A · 69 dB

Road-test placings (36)

• 2nd of 6 Al Volante 2026 · 235/60 R18
• 3rd of 16 ADAC 2026 · 225/50 R17
• 3rd of 18 Teknikens Värld 2026 · 235/45 R18
• 3rd of 15 AvD 2026 · 225/45 R17
• 3rd of 9 Sport Auto 2026 · 205/45 R17

All 36 test results

What owners say

• Exceptional comfort and low noise levels
• Strong traction and predictability in snowy and slushy conditions
• Excellent wet weather handling and aquaplaning resistance
• Higher price point compared to some competitors
• Reduced steering feedback and lateral grip during aggressive dry-weather driving
• Slight tendency for the tire to feel soft or 'twist' during sharp cornering

Scores

• Snow80 ±5
• Wet91 ±4
• Dry80 ±5
• Noise58 ±9
• Treadwear77 ±5
• Comfort83 ±8

EU label (best size): wet grip B · rolling resistance B · 70 dB

Road-test placings (23)

• 2nd of 12 Auto Bild Sportscars 2026 · 225/45 R18
• 4th of 11 Auto Express 2026 · 205/55 R16
• 4th of 9 Sport Auto 2026 · 205/45 R17
• 5th of 16 ADAC 2026 · 225/50 R17
• 5th of 18 Teknikens Värld 2026 · 235/45 R18

All 23 test results

What owners say

• Exceptional grip and traction on snow and ice
• Improved cornering performance compared to the Blizzak LM005 / previous generation
• High stability and driver confidence in extreme sub-zero mountain conditions
• Rapid tread wear reported by some users over relatively short mileages
• Perceived reduction in sidewall stiffness compared to earlier models like the LM005

Scores

• Snow87 ±5
• Wet91 ±4
• Dry88 ±4
• Noise84 ±7
• Treadwear84 ±5
• Comfort82 ±9

EU label (best size): wet grip B · rolling resistance B · 68 dB

Road-test placings (25)

• 1st of 12 Auto Bild Sportscars 2026 · 225/45 R18
• 2nd of 18 Teknikens Värld 2026 · 235/45 R18
• 2nd of 10 Auto Bild Allrad 2026 · 225/55 R18
• 3rd of 50 Auto Bild 2026 · 245/45 R19
• 1st of 6 Sport Auto 2025 · 275/35 R19

All 25 test results

What owners say

• Outstanding dry and wet grip and handling, feeling similar to a UHP summer tire
• Great snow traction and stability for mountain driving and aggressive winter cornering
• Excellent steering response and high feedback compared to traditional winter tires
• Subpar performance and braking on pure ice or severe slush
• Stiffer sidewalls can lead to a firmer, sometimes bumpy ride quality and transfer road imperfections
• Fuel economy can be negatively impacted

Scores

• Snow81 ±5
• Wet86 ±4
• Dry77 ±5
• Noise72 ±7
• Treadwear84 ±6
• Comfort78 ±10

EU label (best size): wet grip B · rolling resistance B · 69 dB

Road-test placings (12)

• 2nd of 16 ADAC 2026 · 185/65 R15
• 2nd of 15 AvD 2026 · 225/45 R17
• 4th of 16 ADAC 2026 · 225/50 R17
• 4th of 6 Al Volante 2026 · 235/60 R18
• 5th of 11 Auto Express 2026 · 205/55 R16

All 12 test results

What owners say

• Exceptional ride comfort and bump absorption
• Class-leading low noise levels, often compared to summer tires
• Strong traction and stability on snow and slush
• Handling can feel slightly 'floaty' or soft due to sidewall flex
• Not suitable for extreme Nordic winter conditions (deep ice/heavy snow)
• Dry braking distances may feel slightly longer compared to dedicated summer tires

Scores

• Snow78 ±5
• Wet91 ±4
• Dry81 ±4
• Noise73 ±7
• Treadwear75 ±5
• Comfort86 ±8

EU label (best size): wet grip B · rolling resistance B · 70 dB

Road-test placings (30)

• 1st of 18 Teknikens Värld 2026 · 235/45 R18
• 1st of 9 Sport Auto 2026 · 205/45 R17
• 2nd of 50 Auto Bild 2026 · 245/45 R19
• 4th of 12 Auto Bild Sportscars 2026 · 225/45 R18
• 1st of 10 Auto Motor und Sport 2025 · 215/55 R17

All 30 test results

What owners say

• Exceptionally low noise levels and high ride comfort
• Outstanding wet weather and slush performance, cutting through heavy rain effortlessly
• Balanced dry and cold-weather handling with impressive cornering stability
• Higher price point compared to some competitors
• Steering response and initial stiffness are slightly softer and less sporty than dedicated summer tires or some rivals
• Snow and ice traction can feel less exceptional or borderline inadequate for a small subset of users

Scores

• Snow78 ±5
• Wet93 ±4
• Dry80 ±5
• Noise77 ±7
• Treadwear80 ±5
• Comfort76 ±10

EU label (best size): wet grip B · rolling resistance C · 69 dB

Road-test placings (25)

• 1st of 11 Auto Express 2026 · 205/55 R16
• 1st of 16 ADAC 2026 · 185/65 R15
• 2nd of 16 ADAC 2026 · 225/50 R17
• 4th of 15 AvD 2026 · 225/45 R17
• 1st of 8 Auto Express 2025 · 225/45 R17

All 25 test results

What owners say

• Exceptional wet weather performance and aquaplaning resistance
• High level of driver confidence and predictability in varied conditions
• Strong dry road handling and steering feedback
• Inconsistent performance on steep, hard-packed snow for some users
• Potential negative impact on electric vehicle range
• Occasional reports of understeer on heavy vehicles in cold, greasy conditions

Scores

• Snow72 ±9
• Wet94 ±5
• Dry78 ±7
• Noise77 ±11
• Treadwear74 ±7
• Comfort81 ±9

EU label (best size): wet grip A · rolling resistance A · 68 dB

Road-test placings (3)

• 1st of 50 Auto Bild 2026 · 245/45 R19
• 4th of 18 Teknikens Värld 2026 · 235/45 R18
• 3rd of 10 Auto Zeitung 2025 · 245/45 R19

What owners say

• Phenomenal grip and traction on snow and ice
• Sporty, responsive handling and immediate direction changes on wet and dry roads
• Low noise levels for a winter tire
• Faster tread wear when driven aggressively
• Slightly less impressive performance in warm, soaking wet conditions above 3 degrees Celsius
• Average performance in non-winter conditions

Scores

• Snow81 ±7
• Wet76 ±7
• Dry83 ±7
• Noise61 ±16
• Treadwear78 ±10
• Comfort85 ±10

EU label (best size): wet grip C · rolling resistance B · 67 dB

Road-test placings (3)

• 2nd of 7 NAF Motor 2027 · 215/65 R17
• 9th of 18 Teknikens Värld 2026 · 235/45 R18
• 2nd of 8 Vi Bilägare 2025 · 235/60 R18

What owners say

• Exceptional traction and predictable handling on snow and ice
• High level of steering feedback and control during slides
• Impressively quiet and smooth ride quality
• Ice grip, while excellent for a studless tire, does not fully match the absolute performance of dedicated studded tires
• Limited long-term data available regarding tread wear rates
• Higher price point compared to budget-tier winter tire options

Scores

• Snow78 ±6
• Wet91 ±5
• Dry77 ±5
• Noise76 ±9
• Treadwear72 ±6
• Comfort67 ±10

EU label (best size): wet grip A · rolling resistance B · 72 dB

Road-test placings (7)

• 6th of 7 NAF Motor 2027 · 215/65 R17
• 1st of 16 ADAC 2026 · 225/50 R17
• 1st of 15 AvD 2026 · 225/45 R17
• 2nd of 11 Auto Express 2026 · 205/55 R16
• 2nd of 10 Auto Bild Allrad 2026 · 225/55 R18

All 7 test results

What owners say

• Outstanding grip and confidence in deep snow, ice, and mountain passes
• Remarkably quiet and comfortable ride quality at low to moderate speeds
• Surprising dry and wet handling upgrades compared to certain summer or OE tires
• Noticeable increase in tire noise at higher speeds (typically above 100-110 km/h)
• Higher energy or fuel consumption noted on electric vehicles
• Loss of steering precision under high lateral forces due to narrow tread blocks

Scores

• Snow74 ±8
• Wet90 ±7
• Dry77 ±8
• Noise75 ±10
• Comfort75 ±13

EU label (best size): wet grip B · rolling resistance B · 69 dB

Road-test placings (2)

• 1st of 10 Auto Bild Allrad 2026 · 225/55 R18
• 4th of 50 Auto Bild 2026 · 245/45 R19