2020 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test

Test Publication:

225/55 R17 11 tires 5 categories

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Images courtesy of Auto Bild

Test Publication:

https://www.autobild.de/ratgeber/reifen/

Images courtesy of Auto Bild

Test Size: 225/55 R17

Tires Tested: 11 tires

Test Categories:
5 categories (11 tests)

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Of the ten tires on test, the top four tires were given the "Exemplary" award, which included the new Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+, the much improved Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, the new Michelin Alpin 6 and the Vredestein Wintrac Pro.

The test winning Goodyear had a good all round performance, with the testers noting the winter tire felt precise and dynamic in all conditions. The Bridgestone LM005 performed well in the dry and wet to secure second place, while the joint third Michelin and Vredestein pair performed well in all tests, but either cost more to buy (Michelin) or used more fuel (Vredestein.)

Dunlop and Toyo finished fifth and sixth place overall, both being awarded the label "Good". The Dunlop was the strongest tire in the snow on test, but was let down by the worst dry braking, while the Toyo struggled in the wet.

The final four tires on test all struggled more in the wet than the best on test.

Dry

The reference summer tire had a significant advantage in the dry tests, with the gap a huge 5.3 meters. While summer tires always out performed all season and winter tires in dry braking, it's rare we see a gap this big, which is probably lengthened by the extra weight and higher centre of gravity of the BMW X1 used for testing.

Dry handling kept the summer tires advantage, with the Bridgestone performing extremely well from the winter tires.

Wet

The Bridgestone took the top stop during the wet braking testing, with the gap between the summer tire and the best winter tire closing to 2.5 meters.

Vredestein proved to be the best winter tire during wet handling, with the Duraturn again struggling to perform.

Budget tires often perform well in aquaplaning testing, however the Duraturn struggled again, floating the X1 significantly earlier than the best on test by Maxxis.

Snow

The snow braking group was very close, with the Dunlop edging out the Uniroyal and Goodyear tires.

Snow traction again had the Dunlop at the top of the test.

Dunlop rounded out the snow testing with a triple win, performing best in snow handling.

Environment

The Michelin was strangely noisy in this test, something we've not seen before for this tire.

The summer tire used the least fuel on test, with the Uniroyal a surprise best of the winter tires.

Results

Be sure to check out the Auto Bild website for the full results.

1^st

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Exemplary premium tires with the best snow quality, high steering precision and dynamic handling properties in all weather conditions, short snow / wet braking distances, good comfort, fair price.

None mentioned.

Excellent.

Dry

89.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	45.9 M	37.9 M	+8 M	82.57%
Dry Handling	6th	95.4 Km/H	99.3 Km/H	-3.9 Km/H	96.07%

Wet

94.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	45.6 M	40.9 M	+4.7 M	89.69%
Wet Handling	4th	87 Km/H	89.3 Km/H	-2.3 Km/H	97.42%
Straight Aqua	8th	75.2 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-3.3 Km/H	95.8%

Snow

99.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	3rd	26.4 M	26.1 M	+0.3 M	98.86%
Snow Traction	2nd	2380 N	2385 N	-5 N	99.79%
Snow Handling	3rd	58.2 Km/H	58.4 Km/H	-0.2 Km/H	99.66%

Comfort

97.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	71.4 dB	69.9 dB	+1.5 dB	97.9%

Value

62.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	545	230	+315	42.2%
Rolling Resistance	7th	8.13 kg / t	6.77 kg / t	+1.36 kg / t	83.27%

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2^nd

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Convincing all round performance, precise steering behavior, short snow and wet braking distances, dynamic dry handling, low external noise, good price / performance ratio.

None mentioned.

Excellent.

Dry

90.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	45.4 M	37.9 M	+7.5 M	83.48%
Dry Handling	2nd	97.5 Km/H	99.3 Km/H	-1.8 Km/H	98.19%

Wet

95.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	43.4 M	40.9 M	+2.5 M	94.24%
Wet Handling	5th	86.8 Km/H	89.3 Km/H	-2.5 Km/H	97.2%
Straight Aqua	7th	75.3 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-3.2 Km/H	95.92%

Snow

97.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	6th	26.9 M	26.1 M	+0.8 M	97.03%
Snow Traction	5th	2345 N	2385 N	-40 N	98.32%
Snow Handling	6th	57.2 Km/H	58.4 Km/H	-1.2 Km/H	97.95%

Comfort

99.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	2nd	70.2 dB	69.9 dB	+0.3 dB	99.57%

Value

66.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	7th	505	230	+275	45.54%
Rolling Resistance	4th	7.68 kg / t	6.77 kg / t	+0.91 kg / t	88.15%

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3^rd

Michelin Alpin 6

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Premium tires with stable handling qualities in all weather, excellent wet handling, precise steering with good feedback.

High price, increased pass-by noise.

Excellent.

Dry

90.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	44.7 M	37.9 M	+6.8 M	84.79%
Dry Handling	5th	95.6 Km/H	99.3 Km/H	-3.7 Km/H	96.27%

Wet

93.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	45.9 M	40.9 M	+5 M	89.11%
Wet Handling	6th	85.9 Km/H	89.3 Km/H	-3.4 Km/H	96.19%
Straight Aqua	5th	75.6 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-2.9 Km/H	96.31%

Snow

96.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	9th	27.8 M	26.1 M	+1.7 M	93.88%
Snow Traction	7th	2325 N	2385 N	-60 N	97.48%
Snow Handling	8th	57.1 Km/H	58.4 Km/H	-1.3 Km/H	97.77%

Comfort

94.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	11th	73.7 dB	69.9 dB	+3.8 dB	94.84%

Value

61.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	10th	615	230	+385	37.4%
Rolling Resistance	5th	7.86 kg / t	6.77 kg / t	+1.09 kg / t	86.13%

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3^rd

Vredestein Wintrac Pro

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Balance winter tires with dynamic driving characteristics on wet roads, high aquaplaning resistance, short wet braking distances, good comfort.

Slightly high rolling resistance.

Excellent.

Dry

90.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	44.2 M	37.9 M	+6.3 M	85.75%
Dry Handling	7th	95.3 Km/H	99.3 Km/H	-4 Km/H	95.97%

Wet

95.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	44.7 M	40.9 M	+3.8 M	91.5%
Wet Handling	2nd	87.6 Km/H	89.3 Km/H	-1.7 Km/H	98.1%
Straight Aqua	4th	76.4 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-2.1 Km/H	97.32%

Snow

96.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	7th	27.6 M	26.1 M	+1.5 M	94.57%
Snow Traction	6th	2330 N	2385 N	-55 N	97.69%
Snow Handling	6th	57.2 Km/H	58.4 Km/H	-1.2 Km/H	97.95%

Comfort

99%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	4th	70.6 dB	69.9 dB	+0.7 dB	99.01%

Value

61.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	6th	500	230	+270	46%
Rolling Resistance	9th	8.85 kg / t	6.77 kg / t	+2.08 kg / t	76.5%

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5^th

Dunlop Winter Sport 5

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

The winter king with best driving performance on snow, good aquaplaning resistance, precise steering behavior, dynamic wet handling.

Slightly longer dry braking distances.

Good.

Dry

88.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	11th	47.2 M	37.9 M	+9.3 M	80.3%
Dry Handling	7th	95.3 Km/H	99.3 Km/H	-4 Km/H	95.97%

Wet

94%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	47.2 M	40.9 M	+6.3 M	86.65%
Wet Handling	3rd	87.1 Km/H	89.3 Km/H	-2.2 Km/H	97.54%
Straight Aqua	3rd	76.8 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-1.7 Km/H	97.83%

Snow

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	1st	26.1 M			100%
Snow Traction	1st	2385 N			100%
Snow Handling	1st	58.4 Km/H			100%

Comfort

98%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	6th	71.3 dB	69.9 dB	+1.4 dB	98.04%

Value

61.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	9th	590	230	+360	38.98%
Rolling Resistance	6th	8.12 kg / t	6.77 kg / t	+1.35 kg / t	83.37%

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6^th

Toyo Observe S 944

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Balance with tires with stable driving characteristics on snow covered and wet roads, high aquaplaning resistance.

Slow steering response and understeer in the wet.

Good.

Dry

89.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	45.7 M	37.9 M	+7.8 M	82.93%
Dry Handling	4th	96 Km/H	99.3 Km/H	-3.3 Km/H	96.68%

Wet

92.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	46.9 M	40.9 M	+6 M	87.21%
Wet Handling	8th	84.6 Km/H	89.3 Km/H	-4.7 Km/H	94.74%
Straight Aqua	10th	74.3 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-4.2 Km/H	94.65%

Snow

96.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	7th	27.6 M	26.1 M	+1.5 M	94.57%
Snow Traction	4th	2350 N	2385 N	-35 N	98.53%
Snow Handling	9th	57 Km/H	58.4 Km/H	-1.4 Km/H	97.6%

Comfort

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	9th	71.9 dB	69.9 dB	+2 dB	97.22%

Value

66.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4th	465	230	+235	49.46%
Rolling Resistance	7th	8.13 kg / t	6.77 kg / t	+1.36 kg / t	83.27%

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7^th

Uniroyal MS+ 77

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Winter professional with very good driving characteristics in the snow, low rolling resistance.

Average wet grip, long wet and dry braking distances, understeer in wet handling.

Fair.

Dry

88.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	10th	46.8 M	37.9 M	+8.9 M	80.98%
Dry Handling	9th	95.2 Km/H	99.3 Km/H	-4.1 Km/H	95.87%

Wet

92.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	9th	49 M	40.9 M	+8.1 M	83.47%
Wet Handling	9th	84.5 Km/H	89.3 Km/H	-4.8 Km/H	94.62%
Straight Aqua	2nd	77.4 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-1.1 Km/H	98.6%

Snow

98.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	2nd	26.2 M	26.1 M	+0.1 M	99.62%
Snow Traction	7th	2325 N	2385 N	-60 N	97.48%
Snow Handling	4th	58.1 Km/H	58.4 Km/H	-0.3 Km/H	99.49%

Comfort

98.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	5th	71.1 dB	69.9 dB	+1.2 dB	98.31%

Value

69%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	5th	470	230	+240	48.94%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	7.61 kg / t	6.77 kg / t	+0.84 kg / t	88.96%

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8^th

Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Best aquaplaning performance, short snow braking distances, stable dry handling, low price.

Longer wet braking distances, slow steering response, higher rolling resistance.

Fair.

Dry

90.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	45.3 M	37.9 M	+7.4 M	83.66%
Dry Handling	3rd	96.2 Km/H	99.3 Km/H	-3.1 Km/H	96.88%

Wet

93.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	48.3 M	40.9 M	+7.4 M	84.68%
Wet Handling	7th	85.2 Km/H	89.3 Km/H	-4.1 Km/H	95.41%
Straight Aqua	1st	78.5 Km/H			100%

Snow

94.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	10th	27.9 M	26.1 M	+1.8 M	93.55%
Snow Traction	10th	2230 N	2385 N	-155 N	93.5%
Snow Handling	10th	56.5 Km/H	58.4 Km/H	-1.9 Km/H	96.75%

Comfort

97.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	8th	71.7 dB	69.9 dB	+1.8 dB	97.49%

Value

67.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	3rd	385	230	+155	59.74%
Rolling Resistance	10th	8.95 kg / t	6.77 kg / t	+2.18 kg / t	75.64%

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9^th

Syron Everest 1 plus

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Good winter performance, low noise, low price.

Slow steering with average grip and understeer in the wet, long dry braking distances, high rolling resistance.

Not Recommended.

Dry

89.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	45.7 M	37.9 M	+7.8 M	82.93%
Dry Handling	10th	94.7 Km/H	99.3 Km/H	-4.6 Km/H	95.37%

Wet

90.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	10th	49.9 M	40.9 M	+9 M	81.96%
Wet Handling	10th	83.6 Km/H	89.3 Km/H	-5.7 Km/H	93.62%
Straight Aqua	9th	74.8 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-3.7 Km/H	95.29%

Snow

98.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	4th	26.6 M	26.1 M	+0.5 M	98.12%
Snow Traction	3rd	2355 N	2385 N	-30 N	98.74%
Snow Handling	5th	57.9 Km/H	58.4 Km/H	-0.5 Km/H	99.14%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	69.9 dB			100%

Value

71.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	310	230	+80	74.19%
Rolling Resistance	11th	9.72 kg / t	6.77 kg / t	+2.95 kg / t	69.65%

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10^th

Duraturn Mozzo Winter

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Inexpensive winter tire with good snow qualities.

Low wet grip, low aquaplaning resistance, poor steering response, dangerously long wet and dry braking distances.

Not Recommended.

Dry

88.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	9th	46.1 M	37.9 M	+8.2 M	82.21%
Dry Handling	11th	94.5 Km/H	99.3 Km/H	-4.8 Km/H	95.17%

Wet

83%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	11th	58.5 M	40.9 M	+17.6 M	69.91%
Wet Handling	11th	79.7 Km/H	89.3 Km/H	-9.6 Km/H	89.25%
Straight Aqua	11th	70.5 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-8 Km/H	89.81%

Snow

98.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	5th	26.7 M	26.1 M	+0.6 M	97.75%
Snow Traction	7th	2325 N	2385 N	-60 N	97.48%
Snow Handling	2nd	58.3 Km/H	58.4 Km/H	-0.1 Km/H	99.83%

Comfort

99.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	70.4 dB	69.9 dB	+0.5 dB	99.29%

Value

94.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	1st	230			100%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	7.67 kg / t	6.77 kg / t	+0.9 kg / t	88.27%

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11^th

Reference Summer

225/55 R17

• 3PMSF: no

Dry

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	37.9 M			100%
Dry Handling	1st	99.3 Km/H			100%

Wet

98.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	40.9 M			100%
Wet Handling	1st	89.3 Km/H			100%
Straight Aqua	5th	75.6 Km/H	78.5 Km/H	-2.9 Km/H	96.31%

Snow

41.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	11th	59.6 M	26.1 M	+33.5 M	43.79%
Snow Traction	11th	950 N	2385 N	-1435 N	39.83%

Comfort

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	9th	71.9 dB	69.9 dB	+2 dB	97.22%

Value

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	1st	6.77 kg / t			100%

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