AUTO Straßenverkehr published first winter tyre test for 2024 – new Blizzak 6 tested

The wait is over—we now have the first winter tyre test for 2024, conducted by AUTO Straßenverkehr. The test focused on tyres in the 235/55 R18 dimension, suitable for cars like the Skoda Kodiaq, Audi Q3, VW Tiguan, and the Seat Tarraco, which was also used as a test vehicle. We’re excited to see the new Bridgestone Blizzak 6 (★97) included, which we discussed earlier this week. The test features all the main premium SUV tyres, as well as some budget options, so let’s dive in.

The testing took place in Scandinavia, with dry performance evaluations conducted in Germany. Besides driving tests, rolling resistance was also an important factor, especially as EVs continue to gain popularity and winter range becomes a critical consideration. The 235/55 R18 is a common SUV size, so while some of the tested models are SUV-specific, others are designed for general use across various vehicles.

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV – A Perfect Score on Snow

Let’s begin with the winner, which achieved something unprecedented in tyre testing—a perfect score in snow across all disciplines. Whether it was braking, handling, or traction, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV earned straight 10s and nearly dominated all categories. The only exception was braking distance, where it was narrowly beaten by Bridgestone by just 0.2 meters. This tyre also offers dynamic handling with strong safety reserves and balanced driving characteristics on both wet and dry surfaces. On the downside, its aquaplaning resistance could be slightly better, and its rolling resistance is not top-tier, but it still won the overall test by a significant margin.

Continental TS870 P – The Rolling Resistance Champion

Continental’s winter tyres are known for their excellent balance, and this test reaffirmed that reputation. The TS870 P received nearly identical marks in wet, dry, and snow conditions. What really sets it apart is its low rolling resistance, making it an excellent choice for electric and fuel-efficient vehicles. As EVs grow in popularity, tyre performance demands are shifting towards energy efficiency, and low rolling resistance helps extend electric vehicle range, making the TS870 P especially relevant for the growing EV market. However, it’s not the sportiest tyre, as it was noted for sluggish steering response.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6 – A Newcomer Winning in the Wet

We recently wrote about the Blizzak 6, noting its promised superiority in wet conditions, and this test confirms it. The Blizzak 6 achieved a perfect score of 10 in wet braking, handling, and longitudinal aquaplaning. Additionally, its rolling resistance has been improved—a frequent criticism of its predecessor, the LM-005. The snow performance has also seen significant improvement, with the Blizzak 6 ranking second, just behind the Michelin. In fact, it might have won the entire test if its dry performance were better, which is the model’s biggest drawback. That said, AUTO Straßenverkehr weighs dry, wet, and snow performance equally, which might not align with everyone’s priorities—dry performance is often less critical in winter tyre evaluations. Overall, we’re pleasantly surprised by the strong showing of this new model.

Budget Options – Hankook, GT Radial, and Falken Hold Their Own

With the premium options covered, let’s turn to the budget tyres. The good news is that even in this larger winter tyre dimension, there are some strong budget contenders. The Hankook Winter Icept Evo X made it into the top five, earning a “very good” rating. It performed well on snow, remained stable on wet roads with excellent aquaplaning resistance, and delivered sporty handling on dry surfaces. However, it had slightly longer braking distances on wet roads, weaker grip in wet corners, and was a bit noisy.

The testers were also impressed by the performance of the Chinese-made GT Radial, which received a “good” rating. It offered good braking and cornering grip on wet roads, with decent handling in dry curves. It also boasted low rolling resistance and noise levels. However, it struggled on snow, showing noticeable oversteer, imprecise handling on wet surfaces, and below-average aquaplaning protection. Testers recommended this tyre for regions with milder winters, though all-season tyres may be a better choice in such cases.

Worth mentioning is also the Falken, which got almost the same rating as the GT Radial, but is a bit more balanced, meaning worse wet-performance and better dry and snow performance.

Nokian faces geopolitical issues

An interesting aspect of the test was the performance of Nokian tyres, which faced challenges after relocating production from Russia. This transition resulted in consistency issues, leading to weaker performance in snow braking—an area where Nokian traditionally excels. We hope Nokian can fix this and get back to the top of the results tables.