Ultra High Performance Winter tires intended for Executive and Large Family cars with powerful engines and rim sizes from 16” to 19”. Compared to simple Touring tires they must provide reliable grip not only on city roads but also be stable and safety on the highway at high speed.
We’ll talk about 10 best rated UHP Winter tires of 2021/2021 for Mid-Size & Full-Size Cars at different price categories.
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
The first one in the rating is the Continental TS 850P.
The model replaced its predecessor in 2014, has asymmetrical tread pattern and huge size chart from 16” to 22”. It’s well-balanced winter tire with any disadvantages that regularly takes leading places in tests and shows stable high results.
Great and safety choice for city and highway winter driving.
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The model replaced Dunlop 4D in 2015.
This UHP winter tire with directional tread pattern regularly takes part in different tests and receives high expert scores. Compared to its predecessor the novelty got optimized tread block and bigger number of lamellas that firstly increased its ice grip: 10% better lateral handling and 15% shorter braking distance. On dry, wet and snow it shows good performance as well.
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance +
It’s one of the youngest models in the rating released in 2018/2019 winter season.
In fact the model is just improved version of its predecessor – Goodyear Ultragrip Performance Gen-1. It has the same tread pattern design and its main difference is a modified rubber compound. The novelty uses two proprietary technologies «Winter Grip» and «Traction Protect» that increases tire performance at low temperatures on ice and snow.
In tests it shows good results on any winter roads and takes high experts scores.
Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
Michelin was launched in 2011/2012 but still popular among drivers and shows good performance compared to some more innovative competitors.
Its rubber compound contains natural oil and silica for high grip at low temperatures and longer mileage. Compared to its predecessors the tire improves short snow and wet braking distance and good lateral stability on ice.
Well-balanced UHP winter tire takes leading positions in tests many times. Great choice for city driving and highway.
In 2017 it was replaced by the Michelin PA5 but it doesn’t have test results so we decided not include it into the rating.
Nokian WR A4
One more UHP tire for dynamic winter driving replaced Nokian WR A3 in 2016. Compared to its predecessor the novelty got a lot of innovations increased its performance.
Its central rib consists from tread blocks with 3D lamellas (called Centipede Siping technology) that offers maximum contact surface and increases grip on snow and slush. Also the new rubber compound contains canola oil and silica for better performance at low temperature and higher wear resistance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Another one the oldest tire in the rating.
The model by Italian manufacturer has directional tread pattern and replaced popular Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II in 2013. Compared to its predecessor the novelty has optimized tread pattern and bigger contact area for better braking performance. The central tread’s part has two wide longitudinal grooves for high aquaplaning and slushplaning resistance.
The model regularly shows stable high results in many tests makes it a great choice for winter using.
Hankook Winter i cept evo2 W320
Hankook is a great combination of the premium quality and good price: in many tests it shows very close results to the expensive brands like Michelin or Continental but costs much cheaper.
It is a well-balanced winter tire with asymmetrical tread pattern provides high grip on ice, snow, dry and wet. The tire doesn’t have any obvious disadvantages.
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
The model replaced Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme S in 2018.
First of all the novelty got optimized tread pattern design: unlike its predecessor it has wider shoulder area and narrow strong central rib. Also it has modified rubber compound contains silica. All of this increased tire’s performance on winter roads: 15% better snow handling and 10% shorter wet braking distance.
Semperit Speed Grip 3
Semperit is a medium-class Austrian manufacturer that nowadays belongs to the German Continental group.
The tire regularly takes a part in many tests where shows relatively poor dry performance, while on wet and snow it has safety grip, low noise and high wear resistance.
Combined to low price it’s a good choice for drivers who don’t want to overpay.
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
The model replaced the Nexen WinGuard Sport in 2017/2018 winter season.
Unlike its predecessor the new model got directional tread pattern with increased numbers of lamellas. Also it has a modified rubber compound includes silica and special polymers for better wet performance and higher wear resistance.
Overall, Nexen is a well-balanced inexpensive tire for any winter situation.
You might also like:
- 10 Best All Season Tires for Passenger Cars
- 10 Best Ice & Snow Winter Tires For Passenger Cars
- 12 Top Rated Studded Tires For Passenger Cars
- 15 Best Premium Touring Winter Tires
