Test Charts / ADAC
2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17
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
- 16
- Disciplines
- 13
- Test vehicle
- Audi A4
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
1Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet (62 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 144 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 144 ft | 0 ft | 5 mph | |
| 146 ft | +2 ft | 9 mph | |
| 146 ft | +2 ft | 10 mph | |
| 148 ft | +4 ft | 13 mph | |
| 148 ft | +4 ft | 14 mph | |
| 148 ft | +4 ft | 14 mph | |
| 148 ft | +4 ft | 14 mph | |
| 149 ft | +5 ft | 15 mph | |
| 150 ft | +6 ft | 16 mph | |
| 151 ft | +7 ft | 17 mph | |
| 152 ft | +8 ft | 18 mph | |
| 153 ft | +9 ft | 19 mph | |
| 154 ft | +10 ft | 20 mph | |
| 159 ft | +15 ft | 25 mph | |
| 160 ft | +16 ft | 26 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 11.6% (16 ft ≈ 1.1 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Aptany RW211 would still be travelling at 26 mph when the Tracmax S210 Ice Plus had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Wet
4Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet (50 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 114 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 114 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 115 ft | +1 ft | 9 mph | |
| 117 ft | +3 ft | 13 mph | |
| 117 ft | +3 ft | 14 mph | |
| 118 ft | +4 ft | 16 mph | |
| 121 ft | +7 ft | 19 mph | |
| 121 ft | +7 ft | 19 mph | |
| 121 ft | +7 ft | 19 mph | |
| 121 ft | +7 ft | 19 mph | |
| 121 ft | +7 ft | 20 mph | |
| 125 ft | +11 ft | 24 mph | |
| 142 ft | +28 ft | 36 mph | |
| 143 ft | +29 ft | 36 mph | |
| 144 ft | +30 ft | 36 mph | |
| 152 ft | +38 ft | 40 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 33.4% (38 ft ≈ 2.6 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Sunwide Snowide would still be travelling at 40 mph when the Continental WinterContact TS 870 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Wet Braking - Concrete
Wet braking on Concrete in feet (50 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 125 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 126 ft | +1 ft | 7 mph | |
| 126 ft | +1 ft | 7 mph | |
| 130 ft | +5 ft | 15 mph | |
| 130 ft | +5 ft | 16 mph | |
| 131 ft | +6 ft | 17 mph | |
| 132 ft | +7 ft | 18 mph | |
| 133 ft | +8 ft | 19 mph | |
| 134 ft | +9 ft | 21 mph | |
| 135 ft | +10 ft | 21 mph | |
| 135 ft | +10 ft | 22 mph | |
| 138 ft | +13 ft | 24 mph | |
| 151 ft | +26 ft | 33 mph | |
| 157 ft | +32 ft | 36 mph | |
| 160 ft | +35 ft | 37 mph | |
| 167 ft | +42 ft | 40 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 33.2% (42 ft ≈ 2.8 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Sunwide Snowide would still be travelling at 40 mph when the Continental WinterContact TS 870 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 52.8 mph | Best | |
| 51.6 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 50.0 mph | -2.8 mph | |
| 49.3 mph | -3.5 mph | |
| 48.9 mph | -3.9 mph | |
| 48.8 mph | -4.0 mph | |
| 48.1 mph | -4.7 mph | |
| 47.6 mph | -5.2 mph | |
| 47.3 mph | -5.5 mph | |
| 46.7 mph | -6.1 mph | |
| 46.7 mph | -6.1 mph | |
| 46.0 mph | -6.8 mph | |
| 41.6 mph | -11.2 mph | |
| 41.6 mph | -11.2 mph | |
| 41.3 mph | -11.5 mph | |
| 39.1 mph | -13.7 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 25.9% (13.7 mph).
Curved Aquaplaning
Remaining lateral acceleration
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 10.5 ft/s² | Best | |
| 10.5 ft/s² | Best | |
| 9.8 ft/s² | -0.7 ft/s² | |
| 9.8 ft/s² | -0.7 ft/s² | |
| 9.2 ft/s² | -1.3 ft/s² | |
| 8.9 ft/s² | -1.6 ft/s² | |
| 8.2 ft/s² | -2.3 ft/s² | |
| 8.2 ft/s² | -2.3 ft/s² | |
| 8.2 ft/s² | -2.3 ft/s² | |
| 7.9 ft/s² | -2.6 ft/s² | |
| 7.9 ft/s² | -2.6 ft/s² | |
| 7.9 ft/s² | -2.6 ft/s² | |
| 5.6 ft/s² | -4.9 ft/s² | |
| 5.2 ft/s² | -5.3 ft/s² | |
| 5.2 ft/s² | -5.3 ft/s² | |
| 4.9 ft/s² | -5.6 ft/s² |
The difference between best and worst was 53.1% (5.6 ft/s²).
Snow
2Snow Braking
Snow braking in feet (19 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 31 ft | 0 ft | 8 mph | |
| 32 ft | +1 ft | 14 mph | |
| 32 ft | +1 ft | 16 mph | |
| 32 ft | +1 ft | 16 mph | |
| 32 ft | +1 ft | 18 mph | |
| 33 ft | +2 ft | 20 mph | |
| 33 ft | +2 ft | 20 mph | |
| 33 ft | +2 ft | 20 mph | |
| 33 ft | +2 ft | 20 mph | |
| 33 ft | +2 ft | 20 mph | |
| 33 ft | +2 ft | 22 mph | |
| 34 ft | +3 ft | 26 mph | |
| 35 ft | +4 ft | 28 mph | |
| 36 ft | +5 ft | 31 mph | |
| 38 ft | +7 ft | 35 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 23.4% (7 ft ≈ 0.5 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Tracmax S210 Ice Plus would still be travelling at 35 mph when the Sunwide Snowide had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Snow Traction
Pulling Force in pounds-force
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 620 lbf | Best | |
| 607 lbf | -13 lbf | |
| 605 lbf | -15 lbf | |
| 594 lbf | -26 lbf | |
| 593 lbf | -27 lbf | |
| 586 lbf | -34 lbf | |
| 584 lbf | -36 lbf | |
| 578 lbf | -42 lbf | |
| 576 lbf | -44 lbf | |
| 570 lbf | -50 lbf | |
| 570 lbf | -50 lbf | |
| 566 lbf | -54 lbf | |
| 553 lbf | -67 lbf | |
| 548 lbf | -72 lbf | |
| 521 lbf | -99 lbf | |
| 480 lbf | -140 lbf |
The difference between best and worst was 22.7% (140 lbf).
Ice
1Ice Braking
Ice braking in feet (12 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 55 ft | +1 ft | 12 mph | |
| 56 ft | +2 ft | 14 mph | |
| 56 ft | +2 ft | 15 mph | |
| 58 ft | +4 ft | 20 mph | |
| 58 ft | +4 ft | 20 mph | |
| 59 ft | +5 ft | 22 mph | |
| 59 ft | +5 ft | 22 mph | |
| 59 ft | +5 ft | 24 mph | |
| 60 ft | +6 ft | 24 mph | |
| 60 ft | +6 ft | 26 mph | |
| 61 ft | +7 ft | 26 mph | |
| 61 ft | +7 ft | 27 mph | |
| 61 ft | +7 ft | 27 mph | |
| 62 ft | +8 ft | 29 mph | |
| 64 ft | +10 ft | 31 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 18.2% (10 ft ≈ 0.7 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Tracmax S210 Ice Plus would still be travelling at 31 mph when the Sunwide Snowide had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Comfort
1Noise
External noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 70.3 dB | Best | |
| 70.9 dB | +0.60 dB | |
| 71.2 dB | +0.90 dB | |
| 71.2 dB | +0.90 dB | |
| 71.4 dB | +1.10 dB | |
| 71.7 dB | +1.40 dB | |
| 71.7 dB | +1.40 dB | |
| 72.3 dB | +2.00 dB | |
| 72.8 dB | +2.50 dB | |
| 72.8 dB | +2.50 dB | |
| 73.1 dB | +2.80 dB | |
| 73.1 dB | +2.80 dB | |
| 73.3 dB | +3.00 dB | |
| 73.7 dB | +3.40 dB | |
| 74.5 dB | +4.20 dB | |
| 74.6 dB | +4.30 dB |
The difference between best and worst was 6.1% (4.3 dB).
Value
4Wear
Predicted tread life in KM
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 36,847 miles | Best | |
| 34,673 miles | -2,174 miles | |
| 34,548 miles | -2,299 miles | |
| 33,368 miles | -3,479 miles | |
| 30,944 miles | -5,903 miles | |
| 29,639 miles | -7,208 miles | |
| 29,080 miles | -7,767 miles | |
| 28,521 miles | -8,326 miles | |
| 26,968 miles | -9,879 miles | |
| 26,843 miles | -10,004 miles | |
| 26,781 miles | -10,066 miles | |
| 25,911 miles | -10,936 miles | |
| 24,544 miles | -12,303 miles | |
| 22,618 miles | -14,229 miles | |
| 21,313 miles | -15,534 miles | |
| 19,884 miles | -16,963 miles |
The difference between best and worst was 46% (16,963 miles).
Value
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 1.53 Price/1000 | Best | |
| 1.57 Price/1000 | +0.04 Price/1000 | |
| 1.68 Price/1000 | +0.15 Price/1000 | |
| 1.97 Price/1000 | +0.44 Price/1000 | |
| 2.01 Price/1000 | +0.48 Price/1000 | |
| 2.02 Price/1000 | +0.49 Price/1000 | |
| 2.65 Price/1000 | +1.12 Price/1000 | |
| 2.78 Price/1000 | +1.25 Price/1000 | |
| 3.09 Price/1000 | +1.56 Price/1000 | |
| 3.12 Price/1000 | +1.59 Price/1000 | |
| 3.32 Price/1000 | +1.79 Price/1000 | |
| 3.38 Price/1000 | +1.85 Price/1000 | |
| 3.46 Price/1000 | +1.93 Price/1000 | |
| 3.47 Price/1000 | +1.94 Price/1000 | |
| 3.53 Price/1000 | +2.00 Price/1000 |
The difference between best and worst was 130.7% (2 Price/1000).
Fuel Consumption
Fuel consumption in Liters per 100 km
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.2 l/100km | Best | $0 | |
| 5.4 l/100km | +0.20 l/100km | $37 | |
| 5.4 l/100km | +0.20 l/100km | $37 | |
| 5.5 l/100km | +0.30 l/100km | $55 | |
| 5.5 l/100km | +0.30 l/100km | $55 | |
| 5.5 l/100km | +0.30 l/100km | $55 | |
| 5.5 l/100km | +0.30 l/100km | $55 | |
| 5.6 l/100km | +0.40 l/100km | $73 | |
| 5.6 l/100km | +0.40 l/100km | $73 | |
| 5.6 l/100km | +0.40 l/100km | $73 | |
| 5.6 l/100km | +0.40 l/100km | $73 | |
| 5.6 l/100km | +0.40 l/100km | $73 | |
| 5.6 l/100km | +0.40 l/100km | $73 | |
| 5.6 l/100km | +0.40 l/100km | $73 | |
| 5.7 l/100km | +0.50 l/100km | $92 | |
| 5.8 l/100km | +0.60 l/100km | $110 |
The difference between best and worst was 11.5% (0.6 l/100km). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 uses about 31 gal ($110) more fuel than the Royal Black Royal Winter UHP.
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.
Abrasion
Weight of Tire Wear Particles Lost (mg/km/t)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 54 mg/km/t | Best | |
| 57 mg/km/t | +3.00 mg/km/t | |
| 62 mg/km/t | +8.00 mg/km/t | |
| 71 mg/km/t | +17.00 mg/km/t | |
| 71 mg/km/t | +17.00 mg/km/t | |
| 72 mg/km/t | +18.00 mg/km/t | |
| 73 mg/km/t | +19.00 mg/km/t | |
| 74 mg/km/t | +20.00 mg/km/t | |
| 74 mg/km/t | +20.00 mg/km/t | |
| 77 mg/km/t | +23.00 mg/km/t | |
| 80 mg/km/t | +26.00 mg/km/t | |
| 82 mg/km/t | +28.00 mg/km/t | |
| 88 mg/km/t | +34.00 mg/km/t | |
| 90 mg/km/t | +36.00 mg/km/t | |
| 92 mg/km/t | +38.00 mg/km/t | |
| 98 mg/km/t | +44.00 mg/km/t |
The difference between best and worst was 81.5% (44 mg/km/t).
Test setup & methodology
The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.
Recorded test conditions
Recorded test conditions
- Dry Braking
- 62.1 → 0.0 mph
- Wet Braking
- 49.7 → 0.0 mph
- Wet Braking - Concrete
- 49.7 → 0.0 mph
- Snow Braking
- 18.6 → 0.0 mph
- Ice Braking
- 12.4 → 0.0 mph
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