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Autobild

Winter tyre test 225/40 R18 - Autobild 2025

Winter Wet and dry testing was conducted at the Contidrom facility in Wietze, Germany, while snow testing was carried out under arctic conditions in Arvidsjaur, Sweden.
2025
Year
20
Tyres
BMW M135i, a high-performance compact hatchback equipped with an all-wheel-drive system and producing 300 PS.
Test Vehicle
bmwBMW M135i
Tested tyres
20
article

Auto Bild’s 2025 big winter test (225/40 R18): which tyres for a hot-hatch?

If your daily is an S3, GTI, A 35 or i30 N and you swap to real winters, this is your size. Auto Bild just ran its big 225/40 R18 winter test and, as usual, started with a massive field and a ruthless cut. Here’s the story behind the scores—methods, quirks, and the little details that actually change what you buy.

read the full article

Price vs Quality

See how tyre price relates to test performance at a glance

Results

Agenda:
Best value in test
Better than average value
Worse than average value
Worst value in test
Wet2
Dry2+
Snow1–
Running costs1
Wet
Wet Circle Cornering#1/20
Wet Handling#1/20
Wet Braking#2/20
Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/20
Aquaplaning Cross#13/20
Dry
Dry Braking#1/20
Dry Handling#1/20
Economy
Mileage#5/20
Rolling Resistance#10/20
Price Value Ratio#18/20
Comfort
Noise Exterior#1/20
Ride Comfort#5/20
Snow
Snow Handling#1/20
Snow Braking#3/20
Snow Traction#9/20
Snow Circle Cornering#10/20
Summary

    Michelin was the top-performing winter tire, stopping 5 meters behind the summer tire benchmark. Most other tested winter tires delivered closely matched results, stopping between 44 and 45 meters.

    2
    Dunlop Winter
    Dunlop

    Dunlop Winter

    Rating: Exemplary
    £96
    92 V
    mytyres.co.uk
    Wet2
    Dry2+
    Snow1–
    Running costs2
    Wet
    Wet Braking#2/20
    Aquaplaning Cross#10/20
    Wet Circle Cornering#11/20
    Wet Handling#11/20
    Aquaplaning Longitudinal#15/20
    Dry
    Dry Braking#10/20
    Dry Handling#12/20
    Economy
    Mileage#3/20
    Price Value Ratio#4/20
    Rolling Resistance#5/20
    Comfort
    Noise Exterior#1/20
    Ride Comfort#1/20
    Snow
    Snow Circle Cornering#1/20
    Snow Traction#1/20
    Snow Braking#3/20
    Snow Handling#7/20
    Summary

      From 100 km/h, the summer benchmark stopped at 47.8 meters, while the best winter tire (Goodyear) stopped at 50.9 meters. In contrast, the budget tire failed catastrophically, requiring 70.5 meters to stop, and premium brands like Continental, Hankook, and Vredestein unexpectedly struggled.

      Wet2
      Dry2+
      Snow2+
      Running costs1–
      Wet
      Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/20
      Aquaplaning Cross#4/20
      Wet Circle Cornering#7/20
      Wet Braking#8/20
      Wet Handling#11/20
      Dry
      Dry Handling#1/20
      Dry Braking#3/20
      Economy
      Mileage#1/20
      Rolling Resistance#5/20
      Price Value Ratio#8/20
      Comfort
      Noise Exterior#4/20
      Ride Comfort#5/20
      Snow
      Snow Braking#5/20
      Snow Circle Cornering#7/20
      Snow Handling#7/20
      Snow Traction#9/20
      Summary
        Wet2+
        Dry2+
        Snow1–
        Running costs2
        Wet
        Wet Braking#2/20
        Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/20
        Wet Handling#4/20
        Wet Circle Cornering#7/20
        Aquaplaning Cross#10/20
        Dry
        Dry Braking#3/20
        Dry Handling#12/20
        Economy
        Price Value Ratio#4/20
        Mileage#8/20
        Rolling Resistance#10/20
        Comfort
        Noise Exterior#4/20
        Ride Comfort#11/20
        Snow
        Snow Handling#1/20
        Snow Braking#5/20
        Snow Circle Cornering#7/20
        Snow Traction#9/20
        Summary

          In the braking test from 50 km/h on snow, Kleber and BF Goodrich recorded the shortest stopping distances at 27.1 and 27.3 meters respectively, while Toyo finished last among the finalists at 29.7 meters.

          Wet2
          Dry2
          Snow2
          Running costs1
          Wet
          Aquaplaning Cross#1/20
          Wet Braking#1/20
          Wet Circle Cornering#1/20
          Wet Handling#1/20
          Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/20
          Dry
          Dry Braking#10/20
          Dry Handling#12/20
          Economy
          Mileage#1/20
          Price Value Ratio#8/20
          Rolling Resistance#15/20
          Comfort
          Noise Exterior#4/20
          Ride Comfort#5/20
          Snow
          Snow Handling#7/20
          Snow Circle Cornering#10/20
          Snow Braking#13/20
          Snow Traction#14/20
          Summary

            BF Goodrich and Firestone recorded the highest traction forces on snow (exceeding 2600 N), whereas Falken recorded the lowest traction among the finalists at 2314 N.

            Wet2
            Dry2+
            Snow1–
            Running costs2+
            Wet
            Aquaplaning Cross#1/20
            Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/20
            Wet Handling#8/20
            Wet Braking#12/20
            Wet Circle Cornering#15/20
            Dry
            Dry Braking#3/20
            Dry Handling#4/20
            Economy
            Mileage#3/20
            Price Value Ratio#4/20
            Rolling Resistance#15/20
            Comfort
            Ride Comfort#5/20
            Noise Exterior#15/20
            Snow
            Snow Handling#1/20
            Snow Braking#5/20
            Snow Circle Cornering#5/20
            Snow Traction#5/20
            Summary
              Wet2+
              Dry2
              Snow2+
              Running costs2
              Wet
              Aquaplaning Cross#1/20
              Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/20
              Wet Circle Cornering#7/20
              Wet Handling#11/20
              Wet Braking#12/20
              Dry
              Dry Braking#3/20
              Dry Handling#3/20
              Economy
              Rolling Resistance#3/20
              Mileage#8/20
              Price Value Ratio#18/20
              Comfort
              Ride Comfort#1/20
              Noise Exterior#4/20
              Snow
              Snow Braking#5/20
              Snow Circle Cornering#5/20
              Snow Traction#5/20
              Snow Handling#7/20
              Summary

                To prevent manufacturers from supplying optimized 'golden samples', Auto Bild purchased all 51 tire profiles anonymously from retail shops.

                8
                Uniroyal WinterExpert
                Uniroyal
                £98
                92 V
                mytyres.co.uk
                Wet2
                Dry3
                Snow2
                Running costs2+
                Wet
                Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/20
                Wet Braking#6/20
                Wet Circle Cornering#7/20
                Aquaplaning Cross#10/20
                Wet Handling#11/20
                Dry
                Dry Handling#4/20
                Dry Braking#10/20
                Economy
                Rolling Resistance#3/20
                Price Value Ratio#4/20
                Mileage#5/20
                Comfort
                Noise Exterior#4/20
                Ride Comfort#11/20
                Snow
                Snow Braking#13/20
                Snow Handling#14/20
                Snow Traction#14/20
                Snow Circle Cornering#16/20
                Summary
                  9
                  Barum Polaris 6
                  Barum

                  Barum Polaris 6

                  Rating: Good
                  £85
                  92 V
                  mytyres.co.uk
                  Wet3
                  Dry2–
                  Snow2+
                  Running costs2+
                  Wet
                  Wet Braking#8/20
                  Wet Handling#11/20
                  Aquaplaning Cross#15/20
                  Wet Circle Cornering#15/20
                  Aquaplaning Longitudinal#16/20
                  Dry
                  Dry Handling#4/20
                  Dry Braking#10/20
                  Economy
                  Price Value Ratio#1/20
                  Rolling Resistance#1/20
                  Mileage#8/20
                  Comfort
                  Noise Exterior#1/20
                  Ride Comfort#1/20
                  Snow
                  Snow Braking#5/20
                  Snow Traction#9/20
                  Snow Handling#11/20
                  Snow Circle Cornering#16/20
                  Summary

                    Tire wear and longevity evaluations were conducted on a specialized laboratory wear test rig to guarantee highly consistent and fair testing conditions.

                    10
                    Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
                    Pirelli
                    £124
                    92 V
                    mytyres.co.uk
                    Wet2
                    Dry2
                    Snow2
                    Running costs2
                    Wet
                    Wet Circle Cornering#1/20
                    Wet Handling#1/20
                    Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/20
                    Wet Braking#6/20
                    Aquaplaning Cross#15/20
                    Dry
                    Dry Braking#3/20
                    Dry Handling#18/20
                    Economy
                    Mileage#5/20
                    Rolling Resistance#15/20
                    Price Value Ratio#16/20
                    Comfort
                    Noise Exterior#4/20
                    Ride Comfort#11/20
                    Snow
                    Snow Handling#5/20
                    Snow Circle Cornering#10/20
                    Snow Braking#13/20
                    Snow Traction#17/20
                    Summary

                      Dynamic parameters including stopping distance, speed, and acceleration were captured using a high-precision, satellite-supported GPS onboard data acquisition system.

                      11
                      Semperit Speed-Grip 5
                      Semperit
                      £97
                      92 V
                      mytyres.co.uk
                      Wet2–
                      Dry2
                      Snow2–
                      Running costs2
                      Wet
                      Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/20
                      Aquaplaning Cross#4/20
                      Wet Handling#4/20
                      Wet Braking#8/20
                      Wet Circle Cornering#11/20
                      Dry
                      Dry Braking#3/20
                      Dry Handling#4/20
                      Economy
                      Mileage#8/20
                      Price Value Ratio#8/20
                      Rolling Resistance#10/20
                      Comfort
                      Noise Exterior#4/20
                      Ride Comfort#11/20
                      Snow
                      Snow Circle Cornering#10/20
                      Snow Traction#14/20
                      Snow Braking#18/20
                      Snow Handling#18/20
                      Summary
                        Wet3
                        Dry2–
                        Snow1
                        Running costs2+
                        Wet
                        Aquaplaning Longitudinal#1/20
                        Aquaplaning Cross#4/20
                        Wet Braking#12/20
                        Wet Circle Cornering#15/20
                        Wet Handling#17/20
                        Dry
                        Dry Braking#10/20
                        Dry Handling#12/20
                        Economy
                        Price Value Ratio#8/20
                        Rolling Resistance#10/20
                        Mileage#16/20
                        Comfort
                        Ride Comfort#11/20
                        Noise Exterior#15/20
                        Snow
                        Snow Braking#1/20
                        Snow Circle Cornering#1/20
                        Snow Handling#1/20
                        Snow Traction#1/20
                        Summary

                          Tire inflation pressure was strictly equalized, and wheel storage temperatures were monitored to ensure uniform carcass and tread surface temperatures prior to every test run.

                          13
                          Vredestein Wintrac Pro+
                          Vredestein

                          Vredestein Wintrac Pro+

                          Rating: Satisfactory
                          £126
                          92 V
                          mytyres.co.uk
                          Wet2
                          Dry2–
                          Snow2
                          Running costs3
                          Wet
                          Wet Handling#4/20
                          Wet Circle Cornering#5/20
                          Wet Braking#12/20
                          Aquaplaning Cross#15/20
                          Aquaplaning Longitudinal#16/20
                          Dry
                          Dry Braking#10/20
                          Dry Handling#12/20
                          Economy
                          Mileage#16/20
                          Price Value Ratio#16/20
                          Rolling Resistance#19/20
                          Comfort
                          Ride Comfort#17/20
                          Noise Exterior#18/20
                          Snow
                          Snow Traction#9/20
                          Snow Braking#13/20
                          Snow Handling#14/20
                          Snow Circle Cornering#16/20
                          Summary
                            14
                            Kleber Krisalp HP3
                            Kleber

                            Kleber Krisalp HP3

                            Rating: Satisfactory
                            Wet3
                            Dry2+
                            Snow1
                            Running costs2+
                            Wet
                            Aquaplaning Longitudinal#1/20
                            Aquaplaning Cross#4/20
                            Wet Circle Cornering#11/20
                            Wet Handling#11/20
                            Wet Braking#12/20
                            Dry
                            Dry Handling#18/20
                            Dry Braking#19/20
                            Economy
                            Price Value Ratio#8/20
                            Rolling Resistance#10/20
                            Mileage#19/20
                            Comfort
                            Ride Comfort#17/20
                            Noise Exterior#18/20
                            Snow
                            Snow Braking#1/20
                            Snow Circle Cornering#1/20
                            Snow Traction#1/20
                            Snow Handling#5/20
                            Summary

                              Michelin's second-tier sub-brands, BF Goodrich and Kleber, surprisingly outperformed their premium parent brand in almost all snow disciplines.

                              15
                              Ceat WinterDrive
                              Ceat

                              Ceat WinterDrive

                              Rating: Satisfactory
                              Wet3
                              Dry2
                              Snow2+
                              Running costs3+
                              Wet
                              Aquaplaning Cross#15/20
                              Wet Circle Cornering#15/20
                              Aquaplaning Longitudinal#16/20
                              Wet Braking#19/20
                              Wet Handling#19/20
                              Dry
                              Dry Handling#4/20
                              Dry Braking#10/20
                              Economy
                              Price Value Ratio#1/20
                              Mileage#8/20
                              Rolling Resistance#15/20
                              Comfort
                              Noise Exterior#4/20
                              Ride Comfort#5/20
                              Snow
                              Snow Braking#5/20
                              Snow Traction#5/20
                              Snow Circle Cornering#10/20
                              Snow Handling#11/20
                              Summary

                                The anonymous budget tire demonstrated an extreme performance conflict, outbraking premium brands like Pirelli and Vredestein on snow, but failing dangerously on wet roads.

                                16
                                Firestone Winterhawk 4
                                Firestone

                                Firestone Winterhawk 4

                                Rating: Satisfactory
                                £89
                                92 V
                                mytyres.co.uk
                                Wet3
                                Dry2
                                Snow2+
                                Running costs3
                                Wet
                                Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/20
                                Wet Handling#8/20
                                Wet Circle Cornering#11/20
                                Aquaplaning Cross#13/20
                                Wet Braking#19/20
                                Dry
                                Dry Handling#18/20
                                Dry Braking#20/20
                                Economy
                                Rolling Resistance#5/20
                                Price Value Ratio#8/20
                                Mileage#19/20
                                Comfort
                                Ride Comfort#5/20
                                Noise Exterior#18/20
                                Snow
                                Snow Traction#1/20
                                Snow Braking#5/20
                                Snow Circle Cornering#7/20
                                Snow Handling#11/20
                                Summary
                                  17
                                  Toyo Observe Winter Sport 1
                                  Toyo

                                  Toyo Observe Winter Sport 1

                                  Rating: Satisfactory
                                  £104
                                  92 W
                                  mytyres.co.uk
                                  Wet2+
                                  Dry2+
                                  Snow3+
                                  Running costs2
                                  Wet
                                  Wet Circle Cornering#1/20
                                  Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/20
                                  Aquaplaning Cross#4/20
                                  Wet Handling#4/20
                                  Wet Braking#8/20
                                  Dry
                                  Dry Handling#4/20
                                  Dry Braking#10/20
                                  Economy
                                  Price Value Ratio#1/20
                                  Rolling Resistance#5/20
                                  Mileage#8/20
                                  Comfort
                                  Ride Comfort#1/20
                                  Noise Exterior#4/20
                                  Snow
                                  Snow Traction#17/20
                                  Snow Braking#19/20
                                  Snow Handling#19/20
                                  Snow Circle Cornering#20/20
                                  Summary

                                    Several established premium brands that typically offer balanced performance, including Continental, Hankook, and Vredestein, unexpectedly struggled during wet braking.

                                    18
                                    Fulda Kristall Control HP2
                                    Fulda

                                    Fulda Kristall Control HP2

                                    Rating: Satisfactory
                                    £95
                                    92 V
                                    mytyres.co.uk
                                    Wet3–
                                    Dry2
                                    Snow2+
                                    Running costs2
                                    Wet
                                    Wet Braking#2/20
                                    Aquaplaning Longitudinal#3/20
                                    Aquaplaning Cross#4/20
                                    Wet Handling#19/20
                                    Wet Circle Cornering#20/20
                                    Dry
                                    Dry Braking#10/20
                                    Dry Handling#12/20
                                    Economy
                                    Rolling Resistance#5/20
                                    Price Value Ratio#8/20
                                    Mileage#16/20
                                    Comfort
                                    Noise Exterior#15/20
                                    Ride Comfort#17/20
                                    Snow
                                    Snow Circle Cornering#1/20
                                    Snow Braking#5/20
                                    Snow Traction#5/20
                                    Snow Handling#14/20
                                    Summary

                                      The wear test revealed a massive mileage deficit for Falken, which wore out nearly 20,000 kilometers sooner than the highly durable Bridgestone.

                                      19
                                      Linglong Sport Master Winter
                                      Linglong

                                      Linglong Sport Master Winter

                                      Rating: Satisfactory
                                      Wet3–
                                      Dry2
                                      Snow2–
                                      Running costs3
                                      Wet
                                      Wet Braking#12/20
                                      Aquaplaning Cross#15/20
                                      Wet Circle Cornering#15/20
                                      Aquaplaning Longitudinal#16/20
                                      Wet Handling#17/20
                                      Dry
                                      Dry Braking#3/20
                                      Dry Handling#4/20
                                      Economy
                                      Rolling Resistance#1/20
                                      Mileage#8/20
                                      Price Value Ratio#8/20
                                      Comfort
                                      Noise Exterior#4/20
                                      Ride Comfort#17/20
                                      Snow
                                      Snow Circle Cornering#10/20
                                      Snow Braking#13/20
                                      Snow Handling#14/20
                                      Snow Traction#19/20
                                      Summary
                                        20
                                        Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro
                                        Falken

                                        Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro

                                        Rating: Satisfactory
                                        Wet3
                                        Dry2
                                        Snow3
                                        Running costs3
                                        Wet
                                        Wet Circle Cornering#5/20
                                        Wet Handling#8/20
                                        Wet Braking#12/20
                                        Aquaplaning Cross#15/20
                                        Aquaplaning Longitudinal#16/20
                                        Dry
                                        Dry Braking#1/20
                                        Dry Handling#4/20
                                        Economy
                                        Mileage#8/20
                                        Price Value Ratio#18/20
                                        Rolling Resistance#20/20
                                        Comfort
                                        Noise Exterior#4/20
                                        Ride Comfort#11/20
                                        Snow
                                        Snow Circle Cornering#16/20
                                        Snow Braking#19/20
                                        Snow Handling#19/20
                                        Snow Traction#19/20
                                        Summary

                                          Same size tyres not featured in the test

                                          Tests usually don't cover the whole market - here is our selection what not to miss when shopping for tyres in this size.

                                          #NamePrice
                                          1
                                          2£124
                                          92 V
                                          +1 More
                                          3£161
                                          92 V
                                          +2 More
                                          4
                                          5£119
                                          92 V
                                          +1 More
                                          6£138
                                          92 V
                                          +3 More
                                          7£122
                                          92 H
                                          +6 More
                                          8
                                          nokianUpper-middle
                                          Nokian WR D4
                                          86%
                                          9£154
                                          92 V
                                          +2 More
                                          10
                                          11£74
                                          0 V
                                          12
                                          13
                                          falkenUpper-middle
                                          Falken EuroWinter HS01
                                          80%
                                          £107
                                          92 V
                                          +3 More
                                          14
                                          nokianUpper-middle
                                          Nokian WR Snowproof P
                                          79%
                                          £126
                                          92 V
                                          15
                                          toyoUpper-middle
                                          Toyo Observe S944
                                          79%
                                          £121
                                          92 W
                                          +1 More
                                          16
                                          nokianUpper-middle
                                          Nokian WR Snowproof
                                          79%
                                          17
                                          18£137
                                          92 V
                                          +1 More
                                          19
                                          kumhoUpper-middle
                                          Kumho WinterCraft WP71
                                          75%
                                          20£96
                                          92 V
                                          21
                                          uniroyalUpper-middle
                                          Uniroyal MS Plus 77
                                          74%
                                          22
                                          23£86
                                          92 V
                                          +1 More
                                          24£95
                                          92 V
                                          25
                                          26£396
                                          92 V
                                          27
                                          nokianUpper-middle
                                          Nokian WR A4
                                          63%
                                          28£161
                                          92 Q
                                          +2 More
                                          29
                                          firestoneUpper-middle
                                          Firestone Winterhawk 3
                                          61%
                                          30
                                          31
                                          32
                                          33
                                          kormoranBudget
                                          Kormoran SNOW
                                          40%
                                          34
                                          35
                                          36
                                          37
                                          38

                                          Cars with 225/40 R18 tyres

                                          A3 2020
                                          A3
                                          2020
                                          Clubman 2019
                                          Clubman
                                          2019
                                          Camry 2019
                                          Camry
                                          2019
                                          Corolla 2019
                                          Corolla
                                          2019
                                          Impreza 2018
                                          Impreza
                                          2018
                                          2er-Reihe 2017
                                          2er-Reihe
                                          2017
                                          Tipo 2016
                                          Tipo
                                          2016
                                          Veloster 2015
                                          Veloster
                                          2015
                                          +9
                                          Show all
                                          Show me more tyres (225/40 R18)

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