Overview

• ADAC evaluated 31 winter tyres in size 225/40 R18 across dry tracks in Italy, wet and ice tests in Hannover, and snow testing in Finland, adding environmental factors such as abrasion, noise, weight and projected mileage to the overall scores.
• Goodyear’s UltraGrip Performance 3 won with an overall 2.0 and a projected lifespan of more than 76,000 kilometers, followed by Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 (2.1), Bridgestone Blizzak 6 (2.2), Dunlop Winter Sport 5 (2.4), Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330 (2.4) and Continental WinterContact TS 870 P (2.5).
• Eleven tyres received a “mangelhaft” rating and four were “ausreichend,” with ADAC warning that several low-cost models pose an “absolute safety risk,” particularly in wet conditions.
• The tests showed extreme wet-braking differences, with the best tyre stopping from 80 km/h at roughly 31 meters while the worst still carried more than 45 km/h at that point.
• Two cheaper models earned limited recommendations: Momo W-20 North Pole (2.7) stopped in 32.7 meters from 80 km/h and Matador MP93 Nordicca (3.0), offering options for occasional drivers in milder regions; the tested size fits popular compact cars such as VW Golf and Opel Astra.