Winter tire Winter Ultra High Performance tires Updated September 2026
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 review
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction and confidence-inspiring performance in deep snow, ice, and slush. While it excels in cold-weather environments, some users note that its soft sidewall construction can lead to a 'mushy' steering feel and reduced stability on dry pavement when temperatures rise above 10°C.
Relative score
83/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
84/100
43 reviews
Road tests
89/100
35 published tests
Scores
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
84%
Would buy again
83%
Dry
Wet
Snow & ice
Comfort
Treadwear
Handling
By road tests
88.5%By discipline (% of best in test)
From owners
What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 43 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction and confidence-inspiring performance in deep snow, ice, and slush. While it excels in cold-weather environments, some users note that its soft sidewall construction can lead to a 'mushy' steering feel and reduced stability on dry pavement when temperatures rise above 10°C.
Pros
- Outstanding traction and braking performance on snow and ice
- Excellent longevity and slow tread wear
- High level of ride comfort and low road noise
- Strong resistance to hydroplaning in heavy rain and slush
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can cause unstable handling or 'squirming' in dry, warmer conditions
- Lack of effective rim protection despite marketing claims
- Steering response can feel lazy or imprecise on certain vehicle setups
- Performance noticeably degrades when ambient temperatures exceed 10-12°C
Worth knowing
- Users with high-torque vehicles (e.g., Tesla Model 3, performance-oriented cars) reported that the tire can feel nervous or lack precision during hard acceleration.
- Drivers of heavier vehicles or those using wider tire formats noted that maintaining higher inflation pressures is often necessary to mitigate soft sidewall flex and improve steering feedback.
- The tire is highly regarded for AWD vehicles (e.g., Subaru Forester, Skoda Yeti), where it effectively complements the drivetrain's capability in deep snow.
Test results
35 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2025 ADAC Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18
5th of 31
Best: Wet Circle · 2nd
Weakest: Noise · 27th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 13th of 31 | |
| Wet Circle | 2nd of 31 | |
| Dry Braking | 14th of 31 | |
| Snow Braking | 4th of 31 | |
| Snow Traction | 10th of 31 | |
| Ice Braking | 16th of 31 | |
| Straight Aqua | 15th of 31 | |
| Noise | 27th of 31 | |
| Wear | 8th of 31 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 14th of 31 | |
| Abrasion | 16th of 31 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 13th of 31 |
2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter tire Test · 235/35 R19
4th of 10
Best: Straight Aqua · 1st
Weakest: Noise · 9th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 5th of 10 | |
| Snow Braking | 6th of 10 | |
| Snow Traction | 4th of 10 | |
| Snow Handling | 6th of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 1st of 10 | |
| Noise | 9th of 10 |
2024 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
7th of 20
Best: Snow Traction · 1st
Weakest: Noise · 19th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 9th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 18th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 16th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 4th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 7th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 17th of 20 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 3rd of 20 | |
| Noise | 19th of 20 | |
| Value | 5th of 20 | |
| Wear | 3rd of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 5th of 20 |
2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter tire Test · 215/55 R17
2nd of 16
Best: Wet Braking - Concrete · 1st
Weakest: Straight Aqua · 10th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 16 | |
| Dry Braking | 8th of 16 | |
| Snow Braking | 3rd of 16 | |
| Snow Traction | 7th of 16 | |
| Ice Braking | 4th of 16 | |
| Straight Aqua | 10th of 16 | |
| Wear | 3rd of 16 | |
| Abrasion | 9th of 16 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 1st of 16 |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
5th of 12
Best: Snow Braking · 1st
Weakest: Noise · 12th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 10th of 12 | |
| Dry Braking | 8th of 12 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 12 | |
| Snow Traction | 2nd of 12 | |
| Ice Braking | 7th of 12 | |
| Straight Aqua | 9th of 12 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 2nd of 12 | |
| Noise | 12th of 12 | |
| Wear | 4th of 12 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 1st of 12 | |
| Abrasion | 3rd of 12 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 8th of 12 |
2024 Winter 55 tire Braking Test · 205/55 R16
11th of 55
Best: Snow Braking · 5th
Weakest: Wet Braking · 16th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 16th of 55 | |
| Snow Braking | 5th of 55 |
2023 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 225/45 R18
7th of 20
Best: Rolling Resistance · 3rd
Weakest: Noise · 19th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 18th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 6th of 20 | |
| Wet Circle | 10th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 14th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 16th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 11th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 17th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 10th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 16th of 20 | |
| Noise | 19th of 20 | |
| Value | 10th of 20 | |
| Wear | 7th of 20 | |
| Snow Slalom | 13th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 9th of 20 |
2023 ADAC 16 Inch tire Test · 205/60 R16
1st of 16
Best: Wear · 3rd
Weakest: Noise · 14th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 16 | |
| Dry Braking | 9th of 16 | |
| Snow Braking | 5th of 16 | |
| Snow Traction | 4th of 16 | |
| Ice Braking | 4th of 16 | |
| Straight Aqua | 13th of 16 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 6th of 16 | |
| Noise | 14th of 16 | |
| Wear | 3rd of 16 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 6th of 16 | |
| Abrasion | 7th of 16 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 6th of 16 |
2023 Winter tire Test 54 Set Braking Test · 225/45 R18
15th of 54
Best: Snow Braking · 13th
Weakest: Wet Braking · 18th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 18th of 54 | |
| Snow Braking | 13th of 54 |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17
4th of 15
Best: Snow Braking · 1st
Weakest: Noise · 14th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 12th of 15 | |
| Dry Braking | 13th of 15 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 15 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 15 | |
| Ice Braking | 8th of 15 | |
| Straight Aqua | 9th of 15 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 3rd of 15 | |
| Noise | 14th of 15 | |
| Value | 4th of 15 | |
| Wear | 2nd of 15 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 1st of 15 | |
| Abrasion | 4th of 15 |
2022 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 215/55 R17
4th of 20
Best: Snow Traction · 3rd
Weakest: Snow Braking · 18th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 7th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 12th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 9th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 18th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 3rd of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 10th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 12th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 18th of 20 | |
| Noise | 17th of 20 | |
| Value | 16th of 20 | |
| Price | 16th of 20 | |
| Wear | 8th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 12th of 20 |
2022 Winter tire Market Overview · 215/55 R17
8th of 56
Best: Wet Braking · 6th
Weakest: Snow Braking · 20th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 56 | |
| Snow Braking | 20th of 56 |
2022 ADAC SUV Winter tire Test - 215/60 R16 · 215/60 R16
1st of 17
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter tire Test · 245/40 R18
5th of 13
Best: Snow Traction · 2nd
Weakest: Straight Aqua · 13th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 9th of 13 | |
| Wet Handling | 7th of 13 | |
| Dry Braking | 7th of 13 | |
| Dry Handling | 12th of 13 | |
| Snow Braking | 3rd of 13 | |
| Snow Traction | 2nd of 13 | |
| Snow Handling | 4th of 13 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 13 | |
| Straight Aqua | 13th of 13 | |
| Noise | 13th of 13 | |
| Price | 9th of 13 |
2021 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17
6th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2021 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
8th of 20
Best: Snow Braking · 1st
Weakest: Value · 20th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 4th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 12th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 16th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 6th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 9th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 13th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 14th of 20 | |
| Noise | 17th of 20 | |
| Value | 20th of 20 | |
| Price | 18th of 20 | |
| Wear | 18th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 16th of 20 |
2021 ADAC 17 Inch Winter tire Test · 225/50 R17
2nd of 18
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2021 Winter tire Market Overview · 205/55 R16
2nd of 49
Best: Snow Braking · 1st
Weakest: Wet Braking · 5th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 49 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 49 |
2021 Tyre Reviews Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18
6th of 9
Best: Subj. Comfort · 1st
Weakest: Dry Handling · 8th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 6th of 9 | |
| Dry Handling | 8th of 9 | |
| Snow Traction | 4th of 9 | |
| Snow Handling | 5th of 9 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th of 9 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 9 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 5th of 9 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 1st of 9 | |
| Noise | 7th of 9 | |
| Price | 5th of 9 | |
| Snow Circle | 7th of 9 |
The Best Winter tires for 2020 · 205/55 R16
17th of 19
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2020 Auto Zeitung Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
6th of 14
Best: Snow Braking · 1st
Weakest: Dry Braking · 12th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 14 | |
| Dry Braking | 12th of 14 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 14 | |
| Snow Traction | 9th of 14 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 14 | |
| Straight Aqua | 9th of 14 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 6th of 14 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 3rd of 14 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 5th of 14 | |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 4th of 14 |
2020 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
8th of 9
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2020 Auto Bild SUV Winter tire Test · 225/55 R17
5th of 10
Best: Snow Braking · 1st
Weakest: Dry Braking · 10th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 2nd of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 10th of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 6th of 10 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 10 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 10 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd of 10 | |
| Noise | 6th of 10 |
2020 ADAC Winter tire Test - 205/55 R16 · 205/55 R16
3rd of 15
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter tire Test · 245/45 R18
8th of 20
Best: Snow Handling · 1st
Weakest: Noise · 20th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 17th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 13th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 16th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 10th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 13th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 9th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd of 20 | |
| Noise | 20th of 20 | |
| Value | 18th of 20 | |
| Wear | 7th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 10th of 20 |
2020 Winter tire Market Overview - 52 tire Braking Test · 245/45 R18
13th of 48
Best: Snow Braking · 12th
Weakest: Wet Braking · 16th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 16th of 48 | |
| Snow Braking | 12th of 48 |
2019 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17
5th of 12
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch tire Test · 225/45 R17
16th of 20
Best: Rolling Resistance · 2nd
Weakest: Value · 18th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 16th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 16th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 15th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 14th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 8th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 11th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 7th of 20 | |
| Noise | 17th of 20 | |
| Value | 18th of 20 | |
| Price | 15th of 20 | |
| Wear | 11th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 7th of 20 |
2019 Winter tire Test Market Overview · 225/45 R17
13th of 45
Best: Snow Braking · 6th
Weakest: Wet Braking · 18th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 18th of 45 | |
| Snow Braking | 6th of 45 |
2018 Autobild UHP Winter tire Test · 195/65 R15
4th of 10
Best: Snow Braking · 1st
Weakest: Dry Braking · 9th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 4th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 9th of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 6th of 10 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 10 | |
| Snow Handling | 2nd of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 8th of 10 | |
| Noise | 8th of 10 | |
| Price | 8th of 10 |
2018 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
6th of 9
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2018 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 195/65 R15
1st of 20
Best: Wet Braking · 3rd
Weakest: Price · 17th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 10th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 6th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 14th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 15th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 7th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 11th of 20 | |
| Noise | 10th of 20 | |
| Value | 7th of 20 | |
| Price | 17th of 20 | |
| Wear | 3rd of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 4th of 20 |
2018 ADAC Winter tire Test - 205/55 R16 · 205/55 R16
3rd of 16
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2018 51 Winter tire Shootout · 195/65 R15
5th of 51
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2017 ADAC SUV Winter tire Test - 215/65 R16
1st of 16
Best: Straight Aquaplaning · 1st
Weakest: Snow Braking · 5th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Handling | 3rd of 16 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 3rd of 16 | |
| Dry Braking | 3rd of 16 | |
| Straight Aquaplaning | 1st of 16 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 1st of 16 | |
| Wet Braking | 1st of 16 | |
| Wet Handling | 1st of 16 | |
| Side G-Force on Wet surface | 1st of 16 | |
| Snow Braking | 5th of 16 | |
| Snow Traction | 5th of 16 | |
| Snow Handling | 5th of 16 | |
| Ice Braking | 2nd of 16 | |
| Ice Handling | 2nd of 16 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd of 16 | |
| Inside Noise level | 4th of 16 | |
| Wear | 3rd of 16 |
Head-to-head