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Test source Auto Bild

2020 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test

Overall test winnerGoodyear UltraGrip Performance+

The 2020 Auto Bild SUV Tire test has tested ten crossover SUV / 4x4 winter tires in the popular 225/55 R17 size, with a summer tire included as a reference.

Tires tested
10
Tested size
225/55 R17
Disciplines
10

At a glance

Tire shortlist

10 Tires tested

Published finishing positions, with the strengths and considerations from this test. Owner reviews cover other sizes and driving conditions.

1st

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+

+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.

2nd

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

+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.

Joint3rd

Michelin Alpin 6

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

−High price, increased pass-by noise.

Joint3rd

Vredestein Wintrac Pro

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

−Slightly high rolling resistance.

5th

Dunlop Winter Sport 5

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

−Slightly longer dry braking distances.

6th

Toyo Observe S 944

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

−Slow steering response and understeer in the wet.

7th

Uniroyal MS Plus 77

+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.

8th

Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6

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

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

9th

Syron Everest 1+

+Good winter performance, low noise, low price.

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

10th

Duraturn Mozzo Winter

+Inexpensive winter tire with good snow qualities.

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

Tire shortlist

Compare selected tires

2020 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test · 225/55 R17

TireGoodyear UltraGrip Performance+Bridgestone Blizzak LM005Michelin Alpin 6Vredestein Wintrac ProDunlop Winter Sport 5Toyo Observe S 944Uniroyal MS Plus 77Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6Syron Everest 1+Duraturn Mozzo Winter
Position1st2ndJoint 3rdJoint 3rd5th6th7th8th9th10th
Category scores (% of best)
Dry97.1%98.7%98.5%98.9%95.7%97.6%96%98.1%96.9%96.4%
Wet97.1%99.2%96.3%98.4%95.9%94.5%93.1%94.2%91.6%83.3%
Snow99.5%97.8%96.5%96.8%100%97%98.8%94.7%98.7%98.4%
Comfort97.9%99.6%94.8%99%98%97.2%98.3%97.5%100%99.3%
Rolling Resistance93.6%99.1%96.8%86%93.7%93.6%100%85%78.3%99.2%
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The full test

The evidence behind the verdict

The 2020 Auto Bild SUV Tire test has tested ten crossover SUV / 4x4 winter tires in the popular 225/55 R17 size, with a summer tire included as a reference.

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 17 feet. 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 center of gravity of the BMW X1 used for testing.

Dry Braking

Dry braking in feet

Lower is better ↓
Dry Braking
Position / TireResultGap to best
RefReference Summer
124 ft -21 ft
145 ft Best
147 ft +2 ft
149 ft +4 ft
149 ft +4 ft
150 ft +5 ft
150 ft +5 ft
151 ft +6 ft
151 ft +6 ft
154 ft +9 ft
155 ft +10 ft

The difference between best and worst was 24.5% (31 ft ≈ 2.1 Car Lengths).

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

Dry Handling

Dry Handling Average Speed

Higher is better ↑
Dry Handling
Position / TireResultGap to best
RefReference Summer
61.7 mph +1.1 mph
60.6 mph Best
59.8 mph -0.8 mph
59.7 mph -0.9 mph
59.4 mph -1.2 mph
59.3 mph -1.3 mph
59.2 mph -1.4 mph
59.2 mph -1.4 mph
59.2 mph -1.4 mph
58.8 mph -1.8 mph
58.7 mph -1.9 mph

The difference between best and worst was 4.8% (3 mph).

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 8 feet.

Wet Braking

Wet braking in feet

Lower is better ↓
Wet Braking
Position / TireResultGap to best
RefReference Summer
134 ft -8 ft
142 ft Best
147 ft +5 ft
150 ft +8 ft
151 ft +9 ft
154 ft +12 ft
155 ft +13 ft
158 ft +16 ft
161 ft +19 ft
164 ft +22 ft
192 ft +50 ft

The difference between best and worst was 43% (58 ft ≈ 3.9 Car Lengths).

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

Wet Handling

Wet Handling Average Speed

Higher is better ↑
Wet Handling
Position / TireResultGap to best
RefReference Summer
55.5 mph +1.1 mph
54.4 mph Best
54.1 mph -0.3 mph
54.1 mph -0.3 mph
53.9 mph -0.5 mph
53.4 mph -1.0 mph
52.9 mph -1.5 mph
52.6 mph -1.8 mph
52.5 mph -1.9 mph
51.9 mph -2.5 mph
49.5 mph -4.9 mph

The difference between best and worst was 10.8% (6 mph).

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.

Straight Aqua

Float Speed in mph

Higher is better ↑
Straight Aqua
Position / TireResultGap to best
48.8 mph Best
48.1 mph -0.7 mph
47.7 mph -1.1 mph
47.5 mph -1.3 mph
RefReference Summer
47.0 mph -1.8 mph
47.0 mph -1.8 mph
46.8 mph -2.0 mph
46.7 mph -2.1 mph
46.5 mph -2.3 mph
46.2 mph -2.6 mph
43.8 mph -5.0 mph

The difference between best and worst was 10.2% (5 mph).

Snow

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

Snow Braking

Snow braking in feet

Lower is better ↓
Snow Braking
Position / TireResultGap to best
86 ft Best
86 ft 0 ft
87 ft +1 ft
87 ft +1 ft
88 ft +2 ft
88 ft +2 ft
91 ft +5 ft
91 ft +5 ft
91 ft +5 ft
92 ft +6 ft
RefReference Summer
196 ft +110 ft

The difference between best and worst was 128.4% (110 ft ≈ 7.4 Car Lengths).

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

Snow Traction

Pulling Force in pounds-force

Higher is better ↑
Snow Traction
Position / TireResultGap to best
536 lbf Best
535 lbf -1 lbf
529 lbf -7 lbf
528 lbf -8 lbf
527 lbf -9 lbf
524 lbf -12 lbf
523 lbf -13 lbf
523 lbf -13 lbf
523 lbf -13 lbf
501 lbf -35 lbf
RefReference Summer
214 lbf -322 lbf

The difference between best and worst was 60.2% (322 lbf).

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

Snow Handling

Snow handling average speed

Higher is better ↑
Snow Handling
Position / TireResultGap to best
36.3 mph Best
36.2 mph -0.1 mph
36.2 mph -0.1 mph
36.1 mph -0.2 mph
36.0 mph -0.3 mph
35.5 mph -0.8 mph
35.5 mph -0.8 mph
35.5 mph -0.8 mph
35.4 mph -0.9 mph
35.1 mph -1.2 mph

The difference between best and worst was 3.3% (1.2 mph).

Environment

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

Noise

External noise in dB

Lower is better ↓
Noise
Position / TireResultGap to best
69.9 dB Best
70.2 dB +0.30 dB
70.4 dB +0.50 dB
70.6 dB +0.70 dB
71.1 dB +1.20 dB
71.3 dB +1.40 dB
71.4 dB +1.50 dB
71.7 dB +1.80 dB
RefReference Summer
71.9 dB +2.00 dB
71.9 dB +2.00 dB
73.7 dB +3.80 dB

The difference between best and worst was 5.4% (3.8 dB).

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

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance in kg t

Lower is better ↓
Rolling Resistance
Position / TireResultGap to bestExtra fuel / year
RefReference Summer
6.77 kg/t -0.84 kg/t $0
7.61 kg/t Best $0
7.67 kg/t +0.06 kg/t $2
7.68 kg/t +0.07 kg/t $3
7.86 kg/t +0.25 kg/t $10
8.12 kg/t +0.51 kg/t $20
8.13 kg/t +0.52 kg/t $20
8.13 kg/t +0.52 kg/t $20
8.85 kg/t +1.24 kg/t $48
8.95 kg/t +1.34 kg/t $52
9.72 kg/t +2.11 kg/t $81

The difference between best and worst was 43.6% (2.95 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Syron Everest 1+ uses about 23 gal ($81) more fuel than the Uniroyal MS Plus 77.

Adjust the assumptions

Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.

12,000 mi
$3.60/gal
Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tire age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

Results

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

1st

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+

225/55 R17
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
Excellent.
Dry97.1%
Wet97.1%
Snow99.5%
Comfort97.9%
Rolling Resistance93.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better7th / 10151 ft+6 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better5th / 1059.3 mph-1.3 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better3rd / 10150 ft+8 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better3rd / 1054.1 mph-0.3 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better7th / 1046.7 mph-2.1 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better3rd / 1087 ft+1 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better2nd / 10535 lbf-1 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better3rd / 1036.2 mph-0.1 mph
NoiseLower is better7th / 1071.4 dB+1.50 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better6th / 108.13 kg/t+0.52 kg/t
Price
545.00
2nd

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

225/55 R17
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Excellent.
Dry98.7%
Wet99.2%
Snow97.8%
Comfort99.6%
Rolling Resistance99.1%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better4th / 10149 ft+4 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better1st / 1060.6 mphBest in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better1st / 10142 ftBest in this discipline
Wet HandlingHigher is better4th / 1053.9 mph-0.5 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better6th / 1046.8 mph-2.0 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better6th / 1088 ft+2 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better5th / 10527 lbf-9 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better6th / 1035.5 mph-0.8 mph
NoiseLower is better2nd / 1070.2 dB+0.30 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better3rd / 107.68 kg/t+0.07 kg/t
Price
505.00
Joint 3rd

Michelin Alpin 6

225/55 R17
Michelin Alpin 6
Excellent.
Dry98.5%
Wet96.3%
Snow96.5%
Comfort94.8%
Rolling Resistance96.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better2nd / 10147 ft+2 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better4th / 1059.4 mph-1.2 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better4th / 10151 ft+9 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better5th / 1053.4 mph-1.0 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better5th / 1047.0 mph-1.8 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better9th / 1091 ft+5 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better7th / 10523 lbf-13 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better8th / 1035.5 mph-0.8 mph
NoiseLower is better10th / 1073.7 dB+3.80 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better4th / 107.86 kg/t+0.25 kg/t
Price
615.00
Joint 3rd

Vredestein Wintrac Pro

225/55 R17
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
Excellent.
Dry98.9%
Wet98.4%
Snow96.8%
Comfort99%
Rolling Resistance86%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better1st / 10145 ftBest in this discipline
Dry HandlingHigher is better6th / 1059.2 mph-1.4 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better2nd / 10147 ft+5 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better1st / 1054.4 mphBest in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better4th / 1047.5 mph-1.3 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better7th / 1091 ft+5 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better6th / 10524 lbf-12 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better6th / 1035.5 mph-0.8 mph
NoiseLower is better4th / 1070.6 dB+0.70 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better8th / 108.85 kg/t+1.24 kg/t
Price
500.00
5th

Dunlop Winter Sport 5

225/55 R17
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Good.
Dry95.7%
Wet95.9%
Snow100%
Comfort98%
Rolling Resistance93.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better10th / 10155 ft+10 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better6th / 1059.2 mph-1.4 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better6th / 10155 ft+13 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better2nd / 1054.1 mph-0.3 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better3rd / 1047.7 mph-1.1 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better1st / 1086 ftBest in this discipline
Snow TractionHigher is better1st / 10536 lbfBest in this discipline
Snow HandlingHigher is better1st / 1036.3 mphBest in this discipline
NoiseLower is better6th / 1071.3 dB+1.40 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better5th / 108.12 kg/t+0.51 kg/t
Price
590.00
6th

Toyo Observe S 944

225/55 R17
Toyo Observe S 944
Good.
Dry97.6%
Wet94.5%
Snow97%
Comfort97.2%
Rolling Resistance93.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better5th / 10150 ft+5 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better3rd / 1059.7 mph-0.9 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better5th / 10154 ft+12 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better7th / 1052.6 mph-1.8 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better9th / 1046.2 mph-2.6 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better7th / 1091 ft+5 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better4th / 10528 lbf-8 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better9th / 1035.4 mph-0.9 mph
NoiseLower is better9th / 1071.9 dB+2.00 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better6th / 108.13 kg/t+0.52 kg/t
Price
465.00
7th

Uniroyal MS+ 77

225/55 R17
Uniroyal MS Plus 77
Fair.
Dry96%
Wet93.1%
Snow98.8%
Comfort98.3%
Rolling Resistance100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better9th / 10154 ft+9 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better8th / 1059.2 mph-1.4 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better8th / 10161 ft+19 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better8th / 1052.5 mph-1.9 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better2nd / 1048.1 mph-0.7 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better2nd / 1086 ft0 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better7th / 10523 lbf-13 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better4th / 1036.1 mph-0.2 mph
NoiseLower is better5th / 1071.1 dB+1.20 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better1st / 107.61 kg/tBest in this discipline
Price
470.00
8th

Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6

225/55 R17
Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
Fair.
Dry98.1%
Wet94.2%
Snow94.7%
Comfort97.5%
Rolling Resistance85%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better3rd / 10149 ft+4 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better2nd / 1059.8 mph-0.8 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better7th / 10158 ft+16 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better6th / 1052.9 mph-1.5 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better1st / 1048.8 mphBest in this discipline
Snow BrakingLower is better10th / 1092 ft+6 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better10th / 10501 lbf-35 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better10th / 1035.1 mph-1.2 mph
NoiseLower is better8th / 1071.7 dB+1.80 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better9th / 108.95 kg/t+1.34 kg/t
Price
385.00
9th

Syron Everest 1+

225/55 R17
Syron Everest 1+
Not Recommended.
Dry96.9%
Wet91.6%
Snow98.7%
Comfort100%
Rolling Resistance78.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better5th / 10150 ft+5 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better9th / 1058.8 mph-1.8 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better9th / 10164 ft+22 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better9th / 1051.9 mph-2.5 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better8th / 1046.5 mph-2.3 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better4th / 1087 ft+1 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better3rd / 10529 lbf-7 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better5th / 1036.0 mph-0.3 mph
NoiseLower is better1st / 1069.9 dBBest in this discipline
Rolling ResistanceLower is better10th / 109.72 kg/t+2.11 kg/t
Price
310.00
10th

Duraturn Mozzo Winter

225/55 R17
Duraturn Mozzo Winter
Not Recommended.
Dry96.4%
Wet83.3%
Snow98.4%
Comfort99.3%
Rolling Resistance99.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better8th / 10151 ft+6 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better10th / 1058.7 mph-1.9 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better10th / 10192 ft+50 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better10th / 1049.5 mph-4.9 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better10th / 1043.8 mph-5.0 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better5th / 1088 ft+2 ft
Snow TractionHigher is better7th / 10523 lbf-13 lbf
Snow HandlingHigher is better2nd / 1036.2 mph-0.1 mph
NoiseLower is better3rd / 1070.4 dB+0.50 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better2nd / 107.67 kg/t+0.06 kg/t
Price
230.00

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Discussion

2 comments
  1. Migelbg archived

    Hi Jonathan!
    There are a lot of tests for different tire sizes. And we know same model tire acts differently depending on it's size. What if we have tire size that it's not include in tests. I have 205/55/R17 and I wonder which tire size I should take as reference?
    Looking for width (205), rim size (R17) or circumference? Please, share your thoughts!
    If someone else has an opinion I'll be glad to read it!
    Regards!

    #6254
    1. TireReviews Migelbg archived

      I'd probably take a balance of close results, but if you wanted a common size to look at there should be some 225/45 r17 tests

      #6258
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