Auto Express All Season Tyre Test 2017 - with Blackcircles.com

Yesterday, Auto Express unveiled their All Season Tyre Test standings. The test was completed in conjunction with Blackcircles.com, so we were also asked for our views on the tyres for their finished article.

The All Season Tyre Test

To ensure they were able to test the tyre in the appropriate conditions, Auto Express headed Nokian’s test facility in Ivalo, Finland. For the remaining test, Auto Express used Continental’s Contidrom arena near Hanover.

As with previous years, Auto Express tested key performance areas – in varying conditions and temperatures. The key criteria tested were:

• Wet performance
  • Straight aquaplaning
  • Cornering aquaplaning
  • Wet braking
  • Wet handling
  • Wet circle
• Dry performance
  • Dry braking
  • Dry handling
• Snow performance
  • Traction
  • Circle
  • Handling
• Comfort and cost
  • Price
  • Rolling resistance
  • Cabin noise

In addition to previous years, Auto Express carried out temperature-sensitive wet handling and braking tests – given All Season tyres are expected to perform not only in the cold, but in hotter weather too.

All Season Tyres Tested

The 8 tyres, which were tested in tyre size 205/55 R16, were:

• Falken Euroall Season AS200
• Goodyear 4Seasons Gen-2
• Hankook Kinergy 4S
• Kumho Solus HA31
• Michelin CrossClimate +
• Nokian Weatherproof
• Nexen N’blue 4Season
• Toyo Celsius

All Season Tyre Test: The Verdict

 The scores were close at the top, with Michelin's CrossClimate ultimately taking the top spot. In 2nd and 3rd, there was very little difference in the performance between Goodyear and Nokian - however Goodyear was named the runner up this year.

At the bottom end of the table it was similar, with very little to pick between Toyo and Kumho.

1st - Michelin CrossClimate +

What Auto Express said:

All-weather performance with the least compromise on driving experience.

What we said:

With over 2,000 reviews on our website, the CrossClimate range is the most popular ‘all-weather’ choice. Customers rate it 4.8 out of 5.

2nd - Goodyear 4Seasons Gen-2

What Auto Express said:

If you need a tyre that will excel in the winter months, then look no further.

What we said:

Another popular tyre, in a range of sizes up to 18 inches. Decent label scores impress, with customers giving the 4Seasons 4.7 out of 5.

3rd - Nokian Weatherproof

What Auto Express said:

Definitely the one to pick if you drive for long periods on snowy roads.

What we said:

Decent labelling scores and lower prices make this a popular tyre with our customers – who rate the tyres highly on value for money.

4th - Nexen N’blue 4Season

What Auto Express said:

Good all-round performance makes this easily our top budget choice.

What we said:

Perhaps a slight surprise to see Nexen in the middle of the table. But the tests have shown this tyre has deserved its place.

5th - Falken Euroall Season AS200

What Auto Express said:

The Falken might be an ageing design, but it still put in a decent performance.

What we said:

Lower tyre label scores compared to other models within this test seem to match the lower review scores of Blackcircles customers.

6th - Hankook Kinergy 4S

What Auto Express said:

Good in the dry, yet its unconventional approach isn’t great for other conditions.

What we said:

Hankook’s Kinergy 4S is another all-season design with tyre label scores that could be improved on.

7th - Toyo Celsius

What Auto Express said:

Happiest on snow, but the Toyo was generally a step behind the best.

What we said:

Slightly less well known on this side of the Atlantic, the Celsius perhaps needs more work before it’s pushed further in the UK.

8th - Kumho Solus HA31

What Auto Express said:

Needs updating and a better focus on UK driving conditions.

What we said:

Despite not coming with the best tyre label scores, we’ve received good feedback from customers. Perhaps more work required to catch up with their competitors.