215/45 R16 - Best winter tyres 2025 - market overview, tests, reviews
Table of contents:
Best winter tyres in tests (2025)
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Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
The UltraGrip Performance 3 is one of the best tyres we have seen in the tests and on top of that it's top discipline is snow performance while maintaining great properties on wet, which makes it a great candidate for snowy climates.
- Exceptional handling on the wet
- Very good aquaplaning resistance
- Great handling on dry roads
- Exceptional traction on snow
- Short braking distance on dry roads
- -
| Rank | Year | Organization | Size | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 245/45 R18 | Exemplary |
3 | 2024 | TYRE REVIEWS | 235/35 R19 | Highly recommended |
2 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 235/35 R19 | Exemplary |
3 | 2024 | Autozeitung | 215/55 R17 | Recommended |
1 | 2024 | ADAC | 215/55 R17 | Good |
9 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | - |
2 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | Exemplary |
2 | 2024 | ADAC | 205/55 R16 | Good |
2 | 2023 | Automotorsport | 255/45 R20 | Very good |
5 | 2023 | Tyre Reviews | 225/45 R18 | Highly recommended |
3 | 2023 | Autobild | 225/45 R18 | - |
2 | 2023 | Autobild | 225/45 R18 | Exemplary |
3 | 2023 | Autoexpress | 225/45 R17 | Recommended |
2 | 2023 | Sportauto | 225/40 R18 | Very good |
1 | 2023 | Autobild | 225/40 R18 | Test winner |
Continental WinterContact TS 870
Continental has been dominating the winter tyre segment for years, and the TS870 is no different. It is very well-balanced and offers great mileage, making the premium price point worthwhile in the long run.
- Very good aquaplaning resistance
- Exceptional handling on the wet
- Short braking distance on snow
- Great handling on dry roads
- Short braking distance on dry roads
- -
| Rank | Year | Organization | Size | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
8 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | - |
1 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | Exemplary |
1 | 2024 | ADAC | 205/55 R16 | Good |
1 | 2023 | Autoexpress | 225/45 R17 | Test winner |
1 | 2023 | ADAC | 225/45 R17 | Good |
1 | 2022 | Autoexpress | 225/45 R19 | - |
2 | 2022 | Tyre Reviews | 225/45 R17 | Highly recommended |
1 | 2022 | Autozeitung | 225/45 R17 | Test winner |
1 | 2022 | Autoklub ČR | 225/45 R17 | - |
1 | 2022 | ADAC | 215/60 R16 | Good |
1 | 2022 | ADAC | 185/65 R15 | Good |
1 | 2021 | TÜV | 225/45 R17 | - |
4 | 2021 | Autobild | 205/55 R16 | - |
1 | 2021 | Autobild | 205/55 R16 | Exemplary |
2 | 2021 | AutoMotorSport | 195/55 R16 | Very good |
Semperit Speed-Grip 5
We really like the new Speed-Grip 5 - it's not expensive, it's very good on snow and on top of that, it's got very low rolling resistance. What it lacks compared to the premium tyres is better wet performance, but given it's price it's definitely recommendable.
- Very good aquaplaning resistance
- Poor handling on the wet
- Longer braking distance on wet roads
| Rank | Year | Organization | Size | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | Exemplary |
6 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | - |
4 | 2024 | ADAC | 215/55 R17 | Satisfactory |
6 | 2023 | ADAC | 225/45 R17 | Satisfactory |
16 | 2023 | Autobild | 225/45 R18 | Satisfactory |
19 | 2023 | Autobild | 225/45 R18 | - |
3 | 2022 | ADAC | 185/65 R15 | Good |
10 | 2022 | Autobild | 215/55 R17 | Good |
5 | 2022 | Tyre Reviews | 225/45 R17 | - |
Michelin Alpin 6
The Alpin 6 was introduced back in 2019, but still holds up surprisingly well compared to the current competitors. It's pricey, but Michelin promises it will maintain it's performance during the whole lifespan, which is rarely tested.
- Exceptional handling on the wet
- Exceptional traction on snow
- Great handling on dry roads
- Short braking distance on wet roads
- Very good aquaplaning resistance
- Bad value for the money
| Rank | Year | Organization | Size | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | 2024 | Autozeitung | 215/55 R17 | - |
5 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | - |
5 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | Exemplary |
3 | 2024 | ADAC | 205/55 R16 | Good |
6 | 2023 | Autoexpress | 225/45 R17 | - |
2 | 2023 | ADAC | 205/60 R16 | Good |
2 | 2023 | ADAC | 225/45 R17 | Good |
6 | 2022 | Autoexpress | 225/45 R19 | - |
3 | 2022 | Autozeitung | 225/45 R17 | Highly recommended |
3 | 2022 | Autoklub ČR | 225/45 R17 | - |
7 | 2022 | Tyre Reviews | 225/45 R17 | - |
4 | 2022 | ADAC | 215/60 R16 | Good |
3 | 2022 | Autobild | 215/55 R17 | - |
1 | 2022 | Autobild | 215/55 R17 | Exemplary |
4 | 2022 | ADAC | 185/65 R15 | Good |
Firestone WinterHawk 4
The Winterhawk 4 is a tyre with mixed ratings as there are tests where the tyre was not recommended. Common criticisms include longer braking distances and significant understeer
- Great handling on snow
- Short braking distance on wet roads
- Exceptional traction on snow
- Short braking distance on snow
- Low drive-by noise levels
- Longer braking distance on dry roads
- Poor handling on dry roads
| Rank | Year | Organization | Size | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 2024 | ADAC | 215/55 R17 | Satisfactory |
18 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | Satisfactory |
10 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | - |
9 | 2023 | Autobild | 225/60 R18 | Not recommended |
20 | 2023 | Autobild | 225/45 R18 | Not recommended |
6 | 2023 | Autobild | 225/45 R18 | - |
7 | 2023 | ADAC | 205/60 R16 | Good |
5 | 2022 | AutoMotorSport | 245/45 R19 | Good |
16 | 2022 | Autobild | 215/55 R17 | Satisfactory |
14 | 2022 | Autobild | 215/55 R17 | - |
9 | 2022 | ADAC | 185/65 R15 | Satisfactory |
5 | 2021 | Autozeitung | 235/55 R18 | Highly recommended |
12 | 2021 | ADAC | 225/50 R17 | Satisfactory |
10 | 2021 | Autobild | 205/55 R16 | Satisfactory |
5 | 2021 | Autobild | 205/55 R16 | - |
Firestone Winterhawk 4
The Winterhawk 4 is a tyre with mixed ratings as there are tests where the tyre was not recommended. Common criticisms include longer braking distances and significant understeer
- Great handling on snow
- Short braking distance on wet roads
- Exceptional traction on snow
- Short braking distance on snow
- Low drive-by noise levels
- Longer braking distance on dry roads
- Poor handling on dry roads
| Rank | Year | Organization | Size | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 2024 | ADAC | 215/55 R17 | Satisfactory |
18 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | Satisfactory |
10 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | - |
9 | 2023 | Autobild | 225/60 R18 | Not recommended |
20 | 2023 | Autobild | 225/45 R18 | Not recommended |
6 | 2023 | Autobild | 225/45 R18 | - |
7 | 2023 | ADAC | 205/60 R16 | Good |
5 | 2022 | AutoMotorSport | 245/45 R19 | Good |
16 | 2022 | Autobild | 215/55 R17 | Satisfactory |
14 | 2022 | Autobild | 215/55 R17 | - |
9 | 2022 | ADAC | 185/65 R15 | Satisfactory |
5 | 2021 | Autozeitung | 235/55 R18 | Highly recommended |
12 | 2021 | ADAC | 225/50 R17 | Satisfactory |
10 | 2021 | Autobild | 205/55 R16 | Satisfactory |
5 | 2021 | Autobild | 205/55 R16 | - |
Barum Polaris 5
The czech low-cost tire has high projected mileage and is good on snow, but lacks a bit of wet and dry performance. Pricewise, it can match the low-cost chinese tyres and in comparison, it's definitely a better option.
- -
- Poor handling on the wet
- Below average aquaplaning resistance
- Longer braking distance on wet roads
- Longer braking distance on dry roads
| Rank | Year | Organization | Size | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
18 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | - |
16 | 2024 | AUTOBILD | 205/55 R16 | Satisfactory |
14 | 2023 | Autobild | 225/45 R18 | - |
9 | 2023 | Autobild | 225/45 R18 | Satisfactory |
12 | 2023 | ADAC | 205/60 R16 | Satisfactory |
26 | 2022 | Autobild | 215/55 R17 | - |
14 | 2022 | ADAC | 185/65 R15 | Sufficient |
15 | 2021 | Autobild | 205/55 R16 | - |
15 | 2021 | Autobild | 205/55 R16 | Satisfactory |
12 | 2021 | ADAC | 195/65 R15 | Satisfactory |
15 | 2020 | Autobild | 245/45 R18 | Good |
10 | 2020 | Autobild | 245/45 R18 | - |
21 | 2019 | Autobild | 225/45 R17 | - |
Cars with 215/45 R16 tyres
215/45 R16 tyre test Personalize
Best tyres in your size
Dry
1.
GoodYear UltraGrip Performance 3
81%
2.
Continental WinterContact TS 870
81%
3.
Vredestein Wintrac
77%
4.
Michelin Alpin 6
74%
5.
Toyo Observe S944
62%
6.
Semperit Speed-Grip 5
61%
7.
Barum Polaris 5
57%
Wet
1.
Continental WinterContact TS 870
88%
2.
GoodYear UltraGrip Performance 3
81%
3.
Michelin Alpin 6
70%
4.
Vredestein Wintrac
66%
5.
Semperit Speed-Grip 5
61%
6.
Barum Polaris 5
41%
7.
Toyo Observe S944
40%
Snow
1.
Continental WinterContact TS 870
82%
2.
GoodYear UltraGrip Performance 3
72%
3.
Michelin Alpin 6
63%
4.
Barum Polaris 5
61%
5.
Semperit Speed-Grip 5
58%
6.
Vredestein Wintrac
52%
7.
Toyo Observe S944
44%
Comfort
1.
Continental WinterContact TS 870
82%
2.
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
76%
3.
Vredestein Wintrac
70%
4.
Michelin Alpin 6
60%
5.
Toyo Observe S944
57%
6.
Barum Polaris 5
55%
7.
Semperit Speed-Grip 5
52%
Economy
1.
Semperit Speed-Grip 5
91%
2.
Continental WinterContact TS 870
88%
3.
Barum Polaris 5
77%
4.
Vredestein Wintrac
77%
5.
GoodYear UltraGrip Performance 3
69%
6.
Firestone Winterhawk 4
63%
7.
Michelin Alpin 6
59%
This is a preview of our comprehensive tyre test. The full test includes:
Detailed property breakdowns
Interactive sorting and filtering
Side-by-side comparisons
Did you know ...?
215/45 R16 doesn't belong to the most popular dimensions for winter tyres - there are 17 tyre models available, which can be compared to 205/40 R18, 190/50 R17, 205/65 R15. Let's break down the sizing - 45 is height of the tyre, which is calculated as 45% of the tyre width (215mm), which means the sidewall height has 96.75 mm. The wheel diameter is R16, which means it fits to a 16 inch/406.4mm diameter wheel. The total circumference of the tyre is 1884.64 mm, which is very similar to 175/70 R14(1886.84 mm), 195/50 R16(1889.35 mm), 185/60 R15(1894.38 mm), 185/65 R14(1872.7 mm), 215/40 R17(1896.89 mm), 205/40 R17(1871.76 mm), 165/65 R15(1870.82 mm). There are multiple speed indexes available for winter tyres in 215/45 R16: H(210km/h), V(240km/h). The same goes for weight indexes: 86, 90. You can find 215/45 R16 on 7 car models - mainly Seat, Skoda, Audi, Ford, Volkswagen.
