Test Charts / Auto Bild
2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
Compare each discipline in the tested size. See the measured result, position and gap to the best tire, then read the verdict for the trade-offs behind the finishing order.
- Tested size
- 225/50 R17
- Tires tested
- 20
- Disciplines
- 11
Read the measurements, not just the rank
Lower is better for braking distances and lap times; higher is better for subjective scores and aquaplaning speed. Bars start at zero. Read the gap alongside the position: adjacent tires can be separated by very different margins.
Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tires does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.
Focus on your tires
Select tires to highlight them throughout the charts.
Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tires does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.
Dry
2Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
124 ft | -19 ft |
| 143 ft | Best | |
| 146 ft | +3 ft | |
| 146 ft | +3 ft | |
| 146 ft | +3 ft | |
| 146 ft | +3 ft | |
| 147 ft | +4 ft | |
| 147 ft | +4 ft | |
| 147 ft | +4 ft | |
| 148 ft | +5 ft | |
| 148 ft | +5 ft | |
| 149 ft | +6 ft | |
| 149 ft | +6 ft | |
| 149 ft | +6 ft | |
| 150 ft | +7 ft | |
| 150 ft | +7 ft | |
| 150 ft | +7 ft | |
| 150 ft | +7 ft | |
| 151 ft | +8 ft | |
| 152 ft | +9 ft | |
| 153 ft | +10 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 23.2% (29 ft ≈ 2 Car Lengths).
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
70.3 mph | +1.5 mph |
| 68.8 mph | Best | |
| 68.2 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 68.1 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 68.1 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 68.0 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 68.0 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 67.9 mph | -0.9 mph | |
| 67.8 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 67.8 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 67.7 mph | -1.1 mph | |
| 67.7 mph | -1.1 mph | |
| 67.6 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 67.5 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 67.5 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 67.4 mph | -1.4 mph | |
| 67.3 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 67.3 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 66.7 mph | -2.1 mph | |
| 66.7 mph | -2.1 mph | |
| 66.5 mph | -2.3 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 5.5% (3.8 mph).
Wet
3Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
102 ft | -4 ft |
| 106 ft | Best | |
| 107 ft | +1 ft | |
| 109 ft | +3 ft | |
| 110 ft | +4 ft | |
| 110 ft | +4 ft | |
| 110 ft | +4 ft | |
| 112 ft | +6 ft | |
| 113 ft | +7 ft | |
| 114 ft | +8 ft | |
| 114 ft | +8 ft | |
| 115 ft | +9 ft | |
| 115 ft | +9 ft | |
| 116 ft | +10 ft | |
| 117 ft | +11 ft | |
| 117 ft | +11 ft | |
| 118 ft | +12 ft | |
| 118 ft | +12 ft | |
| 119 ft | +13 ft | |
| 119 ft | +13 ft | |
| 120 ft | +14 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 17.7% (18 ft ≈ 1.2 Car Lengths).
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
48.2 mph | +1.1 mph |
| 47.1 mph | Best | |
| 46.5 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 46.4 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 46.4 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 46.1 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 46.0 mph | -1.1 mph | |
| 45.7 mph | -1.4 mph | |
| 45.7 mph | -1.4 mph | |
| 45.7 mph | -1.4 mph | |
| 45.2 mph | -1.9 mph | |
| 45.1 mph | -2.0 mph | |
| 44.9 mph | -2.2 mph | |
| 44.9 mph | -2.2 mph | |
| 44.8 mph | -2.3 mph | |
| 44.7 mph | -2.4 mph | |
| 44.3 mph | -2.8 mph | |
| 44.3 mph | -2.8 mph | |
| 44.2 mph | -2.9 mph | |
| 44.2 mph | -2.9 mph | |
| 43.9 mph | -3.2 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 8.9% (4.3 mph).
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 58.0 mph | Best | |
| 56.5 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 56.4 mph | -1.6 mph | |
RefReference Summer |
56.2 mph | -1.8 mph |
| 56.2 mph | -1.8 mph | |
| 55.2 mph | -2.8 mph | |
| 55.1 mph | -2.9 mph | |
| 54.9 mph | -3.1 mph | |
| 54.7 mph | -3.3 mph | |
| 54.6 mph | -3.4 mph | |
| 54.4 mph | -3.6 mph | |
| 54.4 mph | -3.6 mph | |
| 54.4 mph | -3.6 mph | |
| 53.9 mph | -4.1 mph | |
| 53.7 mph | -4.3 mph | |
| 53.5 mph | -4.5 mph | |
| 53.1 mph | -4.9 mph | |
| 53.1 mph | -4.9 mph | |
| 52.8 mph | -5.2 mph | |
| 52.7 mph | -5.3 mph | |
| 52.6 mph | -5.4 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 9.3% (5.4 mph).
Snow
2Snow Braking
Snow braking in feet
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 85 ft | Best | |
| 88 ft | +3 ft | |
| 89 ft | +4 ft | |
| 90 ft | +5 ft | |
| 90 ft | +5 ft | |
| 91 ft | +6 ft | |
| 91 ft | +6 ft | |
| 91 ft | +6 ft | |
| 91 ft | +6 ft | |
| 92 ft | +7 ft | |
| 92 ft | +7 ft | |
| 92 ft | +7 ft | |
| 92 ft | +7 ft | |
| 93 ft | +8 ft | |
| 93 ft | +8 ft | |
| 94 ft | +9 ft | |
| 94 ft | +9 ft | |
| 94 ft | +9 ft | |
| 96 ft | +11 ft | |
| 98 ft | +13 ft | |
RefReference Summer |
199 ft | +114 ft |
The difference between best and worst was 134.4% (114 ft ≈ 7.7 Car Lengths).
Snow Handling
Snow handling average speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 32.7 mph | Best | |
| 32.5 mph | -0.2 mph | |
| 32.4 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 32.4 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 32.3 mph | -0.4 mph | |
| 32.2 mph | -0.5 mph | |
| 32.1 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 32.1 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 31.9 mph | -0.8 mph | |
| 31.8 mph | -0.9 mph | |
| 31.8 mph | -0.9 mph | |
| 31.6 mph | -1.1 mph | |
| 31.6 mph | -1.1 mph | |
| 31.6 mph | -1.1 mph | |
| 31.5 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 31.4 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 31.3 mph | -1.4 mph | |
| 31.2 mph | -1.5 mph | |
| 31.1 mph | -1.6 mph | |
| 30.9 mph | -1.8 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 5.5% (1.8 mph).
Comfort
1Noise
External noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 70.9 dB | Best | |
| 71.8 dB | +0.90 dB | |
| 71.9 dB | +1.00 dB | |
| 71.9 dB | +1.00 dB | |
| 72.2 dB | +1.30 dB | |
| 72.2 dB | +1.30 dB | |
| 72.2 dB | +1.30 dB | |
| 72.4 dB | +1.50 dB | |
| 72.7 dB | +1.80 dB | |
| 72.8 dB | +1.90 dB | |
| 72.8 dB | +1.90 dB | |
| 73 dB | +2.10 dB | |
| 73 dB | +2.10 dB | |
| 73.1 dB | +2.20 dB | |
| 73.5 dB | +2.60 dB | |
| 73.5 dB | +2.60 dB | |
| 73.5 dB | +2.60 dB | |
| 73.7 dB | +2.80 dB | |
| 73.9 dB | +3.00 dB | |
| 74 dB | +3.10 dB | |
RefReference Summer |
75.3 dB | +4.40 dB |
The difference between best and worst was 6.2% (4.4 dB).
Value
3Wear
Predicted tread life in KM
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 30,059 miles | Best | |
| 29,593 miles | -466 miles | |
| 27,496 miles | -2,563 miles | |
| 27,496 miles | -2,563 miles | |
| 26,331 miles | -3,728 miles | |
| 24,933 miles | -5,126 miles | |
| 24,000 miles | -6,059 miles | |
| 23,301 miles | -6,758 miles | |
| 23,301 miles | -6,758 miles | |
| 23,301 miles | -6,758 miles | |
| 22,602 miles | -7,457 miles | |
| 21,903 miles | -8,156 miles | |
| 21,670 miles | -8,389 miles | |
| 21,670 miles | -8,389 miles | |
| 21,437 miles | -8,622 miles | |
| 20,738 miles | -9,321 miles | |
| 20,272 miles | -9,787 miles | |
| 20,039 miles | -10,020 miles | |
| 18,408 miles | -11,651 miles | |
| 17,942 miles | -12,117 miles |
The difference between best and worst was 40.3% (12,117 miles).
Value
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | cost per 1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.55 Price/1000 | Best | €26.27 | |
| 7.57 Price/1000 | +0.02 Price/1000 | €19.10 | |
| 9.13 Price/1000 | +1.58 Price/1000 | €22.15 | |
| 9.2 Price/1000 | +1.65 Price/1000 | €22.31 | |
| 9.33 Price/1000 | +1.78 Price/1000 | €20.59 | |
| 9.87 Price/1000 | +2.32 Price/1000 | €22.96 | |
| 11.47 Price/1000 | +3.92 Price/1000 | €22.24 | |
| 11.55 Price/1000 | +4.00 Price/1000 | €28.87 | |
| 12.3 Price/1000 | +4.75 Price/1000 | €28.99 | |
| 12.43 Price/1000 | +4.88 Price/1000 | €31.05 | |
| 12.47 Price/1000 | +4.92 Price/1000 | €29.94 | |
| 12.62 Price/1000 | +5.07 Price/1000 | €32.64 | |
| 12.71 Price/1000 | +5.16 Price/1000 | €29.84 | |
| 12.72 Price/1000 | +5.17 Price/1000 | €32.72 | |
| 13.78 Price/1000 | +6.23 Price/1000 | €30.22 | |
| 15.04 Price/1000 | +7.49 Price/1000 | €32.97 | |
| 15.94 Price/1000 | +8.39 Price/1000 | €34.06 | |
| 16.1 Price/1000 | +8.55 Price/1000 | €36.21 | |
| 16.59 Price/1000 | +9.04 Price/1000 | €35.88 | |
| 16.88 Price/1000 | +9.33 Price/1000 | €37.85 |
The difference between best and worst was 123.6% (9.33 Price/1000). Over 25,000 miles the cheapest tire to own (Sava Eskimo HP2) works out €469 cheaper than the most expensive (Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3).
How this is calculated
Assumes a typical car doing 29 mpg (rolling resistance causing 20% of fuel use), fuel at €6.25 per gallon and €70 fitting per set of four. Purchase prices are from the time of the 2017 test; financing costs are excluded.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
7.1 kg/t | -0.13 kg/t | $0 |
| 7.23 kg/t | Best | $0 | |
| 7.53 kg/t | +0.30 kg/t | $12 | |
| 7.78 kg/t | +0.55 kg/t | $22 | |
| 7.83 kg/t | +0.60 kg/t | $24 | |
| 7.88 kg/t | +0.65 kg/t | $26 | |
| 7.91 kg/t | +0.68 kg/t | $28 | |
| 7.95 kg/t | +0.72 kg/t | $29 | |
| 7.96 kg/t | +0.73 kg/t | $30 | |
| 8.03 kg/t | +0.80 kg/t | $33 | |
| 8.05 kg/t | +0.82 kg/t | $33 | |
| 8.15 kg/t | +0.92 kg/t | $37 | |
| 8.17 kg/t | +0.94 kg/t | $38 | |
| 8.2 kg/t | +0.97 kg/t | $39 | |
| 8.21 kg/t | +0.98 kg/t | $40 | |
| 8.25 kg/t | +1.02 kg/t | $41 | |
| 8.3 kg/t | +1.07 kg/t | $43 | |
| 8.52 kg/t | +1.29 kg/t | $52 | |
| 8.57 kg/t | +1.34 kg/t | $54 | |
| 8.62 kg/t | +1.39 kg/t | $56 | |
| 9.07 kg/t | +1.84 kg/t | $75 |
The difference between best and worst was 27.7% (1.97 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 uses about 21 gal ($75) more fuel than the Uniroyal MS Plus 77.
Adjust the assumptions
Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions. These calculators use the full test field, independently of your tire selection above.
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