Best winter tyres 185/50 R16

Use all-season tyres during winter may be fine if you live in regions that don’t get a true winter and where snow is rare. For those who see snow falling several times a year and reach cold weather, having a set of winter tyres is almost an obligation.

The winter weather brings with its roads covered in snow and mud, which easily cause you to lose control. The 185/50 R16 winter tyres have special features and designs that allow exceptional performance even on snow.

So, what are the best 185/50 R16 winter tyres for your vehicle?

This list is not based on our experience, but on authoritative reviews, opinions and tests conducted by those who have already bought and tried these tyres. All suggested models are valid choices.

Here you find our choice of the best 9 winter tyres in size 185/50 R16:

# Brand Model Score Number of reviews Price
1 Continental Continental WinterContact TS 870WinterContact TS 870 9,1 552 (12 test) From 140,11£
2 Goodyear Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3UltraGrip Performance 3 8,8 379 (7 test) From 121,90£
3 Michelin Michelin Alpin 6Alpin 6 8,7 3.759 (37 test) From 138,56£
4 Hankook Hankook i*Cept RS 3 (W462)i*Cept RS 3 (W462) 8,4 590 (0 test) From 107,02£
5 Yokohama Yokohama BluEarth-Winter V906BluEarth-Winter V906 7,8 1.386 (9 test) From 108,06£
6 Kumho Kumho WinterCraft WP52WinterCraft WP52 7,7 290 (6 test) From 86,08£
7 Semperit Semperit Speed-Grip 5Speed-Grip 5 7,3 131 (6 test) From 108,42£
8 Toyo Toyo Observe S944Observe S944 7,1 175 (13 test) From 87,19£
9 Nankang Nankang Winter Activa SV-3Winter Activa SV-3 7,1 573 (1 test) From 50,21£
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870

    Continental WinterContact TS 870

    Continental WinterContact TS 870 185/50 R16 is an excellent winter tire launched in 2021, a model suitable for both cars and SUVs with top-notch features. Authoritative tests have rewarded its quality, starting with grip on snow-covered surfaces.

    Certifications:

    • ADAC2023
      1° Place
      Good
    • Auto Express2023
      1° Place
      Winning
    • Autoklub CR2022
      1° Place
    • Auto Express2022
      1° Place
    • Tyre Reviews2022
      2° Place
      Highly recommended
    • ADAC2022
      1° Place
      Good
    • Auto Zeitung2022
      1° Place
      Winning
    • AutoBild2021
      4° Place
    • TUV2021
      1° Place
    • Auto Motor Sport2021
      2° Place
      Very good
    • Auto Express2020
      1° Place
    Info & Prices
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

    Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

    We have not yet expressed our opinion about this tyre.

    Certifications:

    • Tyre Reviews2023
      5° Place
      Highly recommended
    • Auto Motor Sport2023
      2° Place
      Very good
    • Auto Express2023
      3° Place
      Recommended
    • AutoBild2023
      1° Place
      Winning
    Info & Prices
  3. Michelin Alpin 6

    Michelin Alpin 6

    We have not yet expressed our opinion about this tyre.

    Certifications:

    • Auto Express2023
      6° Place
    • ADAC2023
      2° Place
      Good
    • Tyre Reviews2022
      7° Place
    • Auto Express2022
      6° Place
    • Autoklub CR2022
      3° Place
    • Auto Zeitung2022
      3° Place
      Highly recommended
    • ADAC2022
      4° Place
      Good
    • AutoBild2022
      1° Place
      Very good
    • OAMTC2021
      3° Place
    • AutoBild2021
      12° Place
    • TUV2021
      4° Place
    • Auto Motor Sport2021
      5° Place
      Good
    Info & Prices
  4. Hankook i*Cept RS 3 (W462)

    Hankook i*Cept RS 3 (W462)

    We have not yet expressed our opinion about this tyre.

    Info & Prices
  5. Yokohama BluEarth-Winter V906

    Yokohama BluEarth-Winter V906

    We have not yet expressed our opinion about this tyre.

    Certifications:

    • AutoBild2023
      26° Place
    • ADAC2023
      13° Place
      Satisfactory
    • AutoBild2022
      30° Place
    • ADAC2022
      5° Place
      Satisfactory
    • AutoBild2021
      17° Place
    • OAMTC2021
      11° Place
    • ANWB2021
      12° Place
      Recommended
    • TCS2021
      11° Place
      Recommended
    • ADAC2021
      11° Place
      Satisfactory
    Info & Prices
  6. Kumho WinterCraft WP52

    Kumho WinterCraft WP52

    We have not yet expressed our opinion about this tyre.

    Certifications:

    • Tyre Reviews2023
      9° Place
    • AutoBild2023
      7° Place
      Good
    • ADAC2023
      9° Place
      Satisfactory
    • AutoBild2022
      17° Place
      Satisfactory
    Info & Prices
  7. Semperit Speed-Grip 5

    Semperit Speed-Grip 5

    We have not yet expressed our opinion about this tyre.

    Certifications:

    • ADAC2023
      6° Place
      Satisfactory
    • AutoBild2023
      16° Place
      Satisfactory
    • Tyre Reviews2022
      5° Place
    • AutoBild2022
      10° Place
      Good
    • ADAC2022
      3° Place
      Good
    Info & Prices
  8. Toyo Observe S944

    Toyo Observe S944

    We have not yet expressed our opinion about this tyre.

    Certifications:

    • AutoBild2023
      15° Place
      Satisfactory
    • AutoBild2022
      28° Place
    • ADAC2022
      12° Place
      Satisfactory
    • AutoBild2021
      36° Place
    • OAMTC2021
      12° Place
    • ANWB2021
      16° Place
      Recommended
    • TCS2021
      12° Place
      Recommended
    • Auto Motor Sport2021
      10° Place
      Satisfactory
    • ADAC2021
      12° Place
      Satisfactory
    • OAMTC2020
      10° Place
    • AutoBild2020
      6° Place
      Good
    Info & Prices
  9. Nankang Winter Activa SV-3

    Nankang Winter Activa SV-3

    We have not yet expressed our opinion about this tyre.

    Certifications:

    • AutoBild2023
      35° Place
    Info & Prices

Why buy winter tyres?

Winter weather causes roads full of snow or mud. The road can become dangerous for travel and traditional tyres are unable to maintain grip and traction in the snow. This causes drivers to lose steering control.

The best winter tyres available this year are specially engineered with the latest technologies and designs, such as edges and grooves that increase traction on snowy surfaces. These features allow vehicles equipped with snow tyres to travel safely on snow-hit roads, making them ideal for the driver who often travels in a harsh climate.

Warning: when you decide to replace your summer or all-season tyres with winter tyres in size 185/50 R16, it is better to replace all four tyres at the same time. Changing only the front or rear pair often leads to uneven wear.

Get these tyres for temperatures below 7 ° C!

The issue of safety and minimization of risks for oneself and for other motorists must never be underestimated. Winter tyres are essentially designed to work in very low temperatures, even in the presence of ice and snow.

FAQs about winter tyres

When should I fit winter tyres?

You should consider fitting winter tyres when the average temperature in your area drops below 7 degrees Celsius, regardless of the month, season, or traffic law. When the temperature drops, traditional tyres begin to harden, becoming less effective in traction, and this is exactly where winter tyres give their best.

How many years do snow tyres last?

Many manufacturers claim that their tyres can last up to 6 seasons, but of course it all depends on the mileage and the road we drive. For example, if you often drive on icy roads, your tyres will wear out faster than driving on snow. Likewise, if you cover a lot of distance, regardless of ice or snow, you will cause more tread wear.

Can I drive with winter tyres all year round?

As the 185/50 R16 winter tyres are specially designed for driving in snow, ice or mud, they are not suitable for driving in the warmer months. The compound of winter tyres is more subject to wear in summer, leading to abnormal tread wear. In addition, the grip and handling of the car are limited in warmer conditions, due to their softer compound.

Which speed can I reach with 185/50 R16 winter tyres?

Your winter tyres are designed to provide optimal performance up to the speed limit indicated by the manufacturer: this information is printed on the side of each tyre. Exceeding this limit makes your vehicle prone to sliding on snow or other winter surfaces.

Are winter tyres noisier?

Winter tyres are generally noisier than summer tyres due to their composition. For example, they have wider spaces between the knobs for greater grip on snow, a softer compound composition to maintain the gripping tyre during cold temperatures, etc. combined, these features provide excellent winter traction, but also make the tyre a little louder.