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 ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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 ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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 ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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 ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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 ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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 ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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 ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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 ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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 ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap 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 ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra 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.
Results
Be sure to check out the Auto Bild website for the full results.
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
225/55 R17Category 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.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 7th / 10 | 151 ft | +6 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 59.3 mph | -1.3 mph |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 150 ft | +8 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 54.1 mph | -0.3 mph |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 46.7 mph | -2.1 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 87 ft | +1 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 535 lbf | -1 lbf |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 36.2 mph | -0.1 mph |
| NoiseLower is better | 7th / 10 | 71.4 dB | +1.50 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 6th / 10 | 8.13 kg/t | +0.52 kg/t |
- Price
- 545.00
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
225/55 R17Category 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.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 4th / 10 | 149 ft | +4 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 60.6 mph | Best in this discipline |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 1st / 10 | 142 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 53.9 mph | -0.5 mph |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 46.8 mph | -2.0 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 6th / 10 | 88 ft | +2 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 527 lbf | -9 lbf |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 35.5 mph | -0.8 mph |
| NoiseLower is better | 2nd / 10 | 70.2 dB | +0.30 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 7.68 kg/t | +0.07 kg/t |
- Price
- 505.00
Michelin Alpin 6
225/55 R17Category 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.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 10 | 147 ft | +2 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 59.4 mph | -1.2 mph |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 4th / 10 | 151 ft | +9 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 53.4 mph | -1.0 mph |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 47.0 mph | -1.8 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 9th / 10 | 91 ft | +5 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 523 lbf | -13 lbf |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 8th / 10 | 35.5 mph | -0.8 mph |
| NoiseLower is better | 10th / 10 | 73.7 dB | +3.80 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 4th / 10 | 7.86 kg/t | +0.25 kg/t |
- Price
- 615.00
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
225/55 R17Category 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.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 1st / 10 | 145 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 59.2 mph | -1.4 mph |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 10 | 147 ft | +5 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 54.4 mph | Best in this discipline |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 47.5 mph | -1.3 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 7th / 10 | 91 ft | +5 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 524 lbf | -12 lbf |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 35.5 mph | -0.8 mph |
| NoiseLower is better | 4th / 10 | 70.6 dB | +0.70 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 8th / 10 | 8.85 kg/t | +1.24 kg/t |
- Price
- 500.00
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
225/55 R17Category 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.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 10th / 10 | 155 ft | +10 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 59.2 mph | -1.4 mph |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 6th / 10 | 155 ft | +13 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 54.1 mph | -0.3 mph |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 47.7 mph | -1.1 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 1st / 10 | 86 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 536 lbf | Best in this discipline |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 36.3 mph | Best in this discipline |
| NoiseLower is better | 6th / 10 | 71.3 dB | +1.40 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 5th / 10 | 8.12 kg/t | +0.51 kg/t |
- Price
- 590.00
Toyo Observe S 944
225/55 R17Category 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.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 5th / 10 | 150 ft | +5 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 59.7 mph | -0.9 mph |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 5th / 10 | 154 ft | +12 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 52.6 mph | -1.8 mph |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 9th / 10 | 46.2 mph | -2.6 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 7th / 10 | 91 ft | +5 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 528 lbf | -8 lbf |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 9th / 10 | 35.4 mph | -0.9 mph |
| NoiseLower is better | 9th / 10 | 71.9 dB | +2.00 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 6th / 10 | 8.13 kg/t | +0.52 kg/t |
- Price
- 465.00
Uniroyal MS+ 77
225/55 R17Category 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.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 9th / 10 | 154 ft | +9 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 8th / 10 | 59.2 mph | -1.4 mph |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 8th / 10 | 161 ft | +19 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 8th / 10 | 52.5 mph | -1.9 mph |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 48.1 mph | -0.7 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 10 | 86 ft | 0 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 523 lbf | -13 lbf |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 36.1 mph | -0.2 mph |
| NoiseLower is better | 5th / 10 | 71.1 dB | +1.20 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 1st / 10 | 7.61 kg/t | Best in this discipline |
- Price
- 470.00
Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
225/55 R17Category 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.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 149 ft | +4 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 59.8 mph | -0.8 mph |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 7th / 10 | 158 ft | +16 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 52.9 mph | -1.5 mph |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 48.8 mph | Best in this discipline |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 10th / 10 | 92 ft | +6 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 501 lbf | -35 lbf |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 35.1 mph | -1.2 mph |
| NoiseLower is better | 8th / 10 | 71.7 dB | +1.80 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 9th / 10 | 8.95 kg/t | +1.34 kg/t |
- Price
- 385.00
Syron Everest 1+
225/55 R17Category 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.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 5th / 10 | 150 ft | +5 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 9th / 10 | 58.8 mph | -1.8 mph |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 9th / 10 | 164 ft | +22 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 9th / 10 | 51.9 mph | -2.5 mph |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 8th / 10 | 46.5 mph | -2.3 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 4th / 10 | 87 ft | +1 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 529 lbf | -7 lbf |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 36.0 mph | -0.3 mph |
| NoiseLower is better | 1st / 10 | 69.9 dB | Best in this discipline |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 10th / 10 | 9.72 kg/t | +2.11 kg/t |
- Price
- 310.00
Duraturn Mozzo Winter
225/55 R17Category 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.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 8th / 10 | 151 ft | +6 ft |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 58.7 mph | -1.9 mph |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 10th / 10 | 192 ft | +50 ft |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 49.5 mph | -4.9 mph |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 43.8 mph | -5.0 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 5th / 10 | 88 ft | +2 ft |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 523 lbf | -13 lbf |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 36.2 mph | -0.1 mph |
| NoiseLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 70.4 dB | +0.50 dB |
| Rolling ResistanceLower is better | 2nd / 10 | 7.67 kg/t | +0.06 kg/t |
- Price
- 230.00


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!
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