Auto Straßenverkehr has re-run a comparative winter tyre evaluation and arrived at a different overall winner, despite testing a near-identical field. The shift highlights how publication-specific scoring and test environments can change final rankings – a point fleets and retailers will note as winter fitting begins across Europe. The finding lands amid a busy test season and renewed scrutiny of lower-priced tyres.
Auto Straßenverkehr’s latest winter assessment revisits a cohort of mainstream patterns already compared this season by sister and peer publications. While the line-up and size remain broadly consistent, changes in category weighting and the emphasis placed on snow versus wet and dry performance have moved the overall order.
In practice, small shifts in points allocation can be decisive. Where another magazine prioritised wet braking and aquaplaning a little more heavily, Auto Straßenverkehr’s balance between snow and wet criteria nudged a different tyre to the top. The retailer summaries now circulating in German-language markets also reflect these cross-publication differences for the 215/55 R17 and related SUV sizes.
The magazine’s takeaway is straightforward: when you adjust test weights within a tightly matched premium field, podium places can swap. That observation mirrors earlier seasons where “same candidates, different order” results have emerged between parallel German titles – a recurring pattern rather than an anomaly this year.
Across Europe’s 2025 winter tests, premium brands frequently headlined. The GTÜ/Auto Zeitung/ARBÖ collaboration crowned Goodyear ahead of Michelin and Pirelli in 245/45 R19, while other titles spotlighted Continental, Bridgestone and Michelin depending on size and scoring. Auto Straßenverkehr’s re-evaluation fits this broader picture: the front group is consistent, even if the podium order is not.
For procurement, the message is to read beyond the headline and focus on size-specific data and the weighting of snow, wet and dry. UK operators with limited snow exposure may prefer tests that emphasise wet safety; alpine fleets will prioritise snow metrics. As Tyre News recently covered, Auto Bild’s finalist lists and other major programmes are now in full swing, offering additional cross-checks before peak fitting.
Tyre News has also reported on new winter product launches, such as Dunlop’s latest model with EV-ready attributes, giving retailers further specification detail alongside comparative results.
Tagged with: winter tyre test, Auto Straßenverkehr, wet braking, snow performance, aquaplaning, tyre evaluations, UK fleets, EV-ready tyres, tyre procurement, tyre safety
Disclaimer: This content may include forward-looking statements. Views expressed are not verified or endorsed by Tyre News Media.
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