2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test

Warning, lots of data ahead! For the 2019 winter, Auto Motor und Sport have tested eleven of the best winter tyres in the 215/55 R17 crossover SUV size.

The biggest plus of this test is the sheer amount of data they've produced, as they've rated the tyres both objectively and subjectively in a lot of categories.

It's also good news for Goodyear, as the new Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + wins on its first outing, proving to have an excellent balance of wet and snow performance, along with short dry braking distances.

Stepping up on the promise of 2018, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 once again proves itself as a strong contender, and maybe the tyre of choice for the snowier climates.

The Vredestein Wintrac Pro rounds out the top three places. This tyre might be the best choice for the drier, warmer climates, as it excelled in the dry and wet handling tests, but was a little weaker than the best on test during snow testing.

The other result worth mentioning was the new Nokian SnowProof. It's not very often we see Nokian performing badly in a winter test, let alone finishing last. In this test, the Nokian performed extremely well in the dry, with the best dry braking result and had a good result in the snow, but really struggled in the wet. As this is the first test of the SnowProof we've seen, we'll await more test data to see whether the new Nokian really is this bad in the wet, or it was something related to this test.

The overall results were incredibly close, with all the tyres down to eighth place being recommended, but if you want the best for your SUV in 215/55 R17, pick from the top five.

Dry

Interestingly, the top two spots during dry braking were taken by the bottom two tyres overall, with the Nokian and Giti proving to be the best at stopping the VW T-Roc.

Dry handling was extremely close between the eleven tyres, with a difference of just 2 km/h between the best and worst tyres.

The sporty Vredestein was the only tyre to receive ten points during subjective dry handling scoring.

Wet

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 had a significant advantage during wet braking.

The top three tyres overall dominated wet handling, both in average speed and subjectively.

The Falken had an advantage during the aquaplaning testing, with the rest of the tyres closely matched.

Snow

Bridgestone once again stopped the VW T-Roc in the shortest distance, this time during snow braking.

As in the wet testing, the new Goodyear proved to be excellent during snow handling.

Environment

All the tyres were relatively close in both external noise and subjective internal noise, but the Falken proved to have the best balance of the two.

The Continental WinterContact TS850P had the lowest rolling resistance, but was one of the most expensive to buy.

Results

1st: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
215/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 44.5 M 44.1 M +0.4 M 99.1% Dry Handling 11th 114.1 Km/H 116.1 Km/H -2 Km/H 98.28% Subj. Dry Handling 6th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 3rd 32.5 M 31.2 M +1.3 M 96% Wet Handling 1st 73.3 Km/H 100% Subj. Wet Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Straight Aqua 2nd 76.5 Km/H 83.1 Km/H -6.6 Km/H 92.06% Snow Braking 2nd 26 M 25.6 M +0.4 M 98.46% Snow Handling 1st 49.4 Km/H 100% Subj. Snow Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Subj. Comfort 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Noise 6th 70.2 dB 69.3 dB +0.9 dB 98.72% Price 9th 145 73 +72 50.34% Rolling Resistance 4th 8 kg / t 7.4 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 92.5% Great in the wet and on snow, show braking in the dry, worked well with the vehicles ESP systems Average dry grip when cornering Test winner Read Reviews
2nd: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
215/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 44.6 M 44.1 M +0.5 M 98.88% Dry Handling 7th 114.9 Km/H 116.1 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.97% Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Wet Braking 1st 31.2 M 100% Wet Handling 3rd 72.9 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.45% Subj. Wet Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Straight Aqua 6th 75.5 Km/H 83.1 Km/H -7.6 Km/H 90.85% Snow Braking 1st 25.6 M 100% Snow Handling 7th 48 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 97.17% Subj. Snow Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Subj. Comfort 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Noise 6th 70.2 dB 69.3 dB +0.9 dB 98.72% Price 7th 128 73 +55 57.03% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.6 kg / t 7.4 kg / t +0.2 kg / t 97.37% Very good handling in the snow and the wet, stable behavior during emergency maneuvers Relatively long braking and poor lateral stability in the dry Excellent Read Reviews
3rd: Vredestein Wintrac Pro
215/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 44.6 M 44.1 M +0.5 M 98.88% Dry Handling 4th 115.4 Km/H 116.1 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.4% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Wet Braking 4th 32.6 M 31.2 M +1.4 M 95.71% Wet Handling 2nd 73.2 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.86% Subj. Wet Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Straight Aqua 5th 75.8 Km/H 83.1 Km/H -7.3 Km/H 91.22% Snow Braking 8th 27.3 M 25.6 M +1.7 M 93.77% Snow Handling 4th 48.4 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -1 Km/H 97.98% Subj. Snow Handling 8th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Subj. Comfort 8th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Noise 4th 70 dB 69.3 dB +0.7 dB 99% Price 5th 118 73 +45 61.86% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.7 kg / t 7.4 kg / t +1.3 kg / t 85.06% Precise steering response and high traction in the dry and wet Relatively long snow braking, high rolling resistance Excellent Read Reviews
4th: Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
215/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 45.7 M 44.1 M +1.6 M 96.5% Dry Handling 3rd 115.6 Km/H 116.1 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.57% Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Wet Braking 2nd 32.3 M 31.2 M +1.1 M 96.59% Wet Handling 5th 72.5 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 98.91% Subj. Wet Handling 5th 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Straight Aqua 4th 76 Km/H 83.1 Km/H -7.1 Km/H 91.46% Snow Braking 6th 27.2 M 25.6 M +1.6 M 94.12% Snow Handling 6th 48.3 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 97.77% Subj. Snow Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Subj. Comfort 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Noise 9th 70.7 dB 69.3 dB +1.4 dB 98.02% Price 10th 147 73 +74 49.66% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.4 kg / t 100% Although tires were launched five years ago, they still perform well due to their balanced performance, stable behavior and good lateral stability in the snow, good wet handling Relatively long braking distance on snow and dry surfaces Excellent Read Reviews
5th: Michelin Alpin 6
215/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 44.6 M 44.1 M +0.5 M 98.88% Dry Handling 7th 114.9 Km/H 116.1 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.97% Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Wet Braking 5th 33.5 M 31.2 M +2.3 M 93.13% Wet Handling 4th 72.6 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.05% Subj. Wet Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Straight Aqua 7th 75.4 Km/H 83.1 Km/H -7.7 Km/H 90.73% Snow Braking 6th 27.2 M 25.6 M +1.6 M 94.12% Snow Handling 10th 47.7 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 96.56% Subj. Snow Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Subj. Comfort 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Noise 8th 70.5 dB 69.3 dB +1.2 dB 98.3% Price 11th 160 73 +87 45.63% Rolling Resistance 4th 8 kg / t 7.4 kg / t +0.6 kg / t 92.5% Good handling in the snow and on dry roads, good lateral grip in the wet Relatively long braking distances in the snow and wet Good Read Reviews
6th: Hankook Winter i cept evo2 SUV
215/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 11th 46.8 M 44.1 M +2.7 M 94.23% Dry Handling 2nd 115.9 Km/H 116.1 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.83% Subj. Dry Handling 6th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 5th 33.5 M 31.2 M +2.3 M 93.13% Wet Handling 7th 70.7 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 96.45% Subj. Wet Handling 8th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Straight Aqua 9th 72.3 Km/H 83.1 Km/H -10.8 Km/H 87% Snow Braking 4th 26.5 M 25.6 M +0.9 M 96.6% Snow Handling 2nd 49.2 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.6% Subj. Snow Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Subj. Comfort 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Noise 1st 69.3 dB 100% Price 4th 115 73 +42 63.48% Rolling Resistance 10th 9 kg / t 7.4 kg / t +1.6 kg / t 82.22% Good traction and handling in the snow, good dry handling, very quiet Long dry braking, unbalanced in the wet, high rolling resistance Good Read Reviews
7th: Falken Eurowinter HS01 SUV
215/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 45.9 M 44.1 M +1.8 M 96.08% Dry Handling 9th 114.4 Km/H 116.1 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.54% Subj. Dry Handling 10th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Wet Braking 8th 34 M 31.2 M +2.8 M 91.76% Wet Handling 10th 69.8 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -3.5 Km/H 95.23% Subj. Wet Handling 8th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Straight Aqua 1st 83.1 Km/H 100% Snow Braking 3rd 26.1 M 25.6 M +0.5 M 98.08% Snow Handling 3rd 48.7 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 98.58% Subj. Snow Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Subj. Comfort 1st 10 Points 100% Noise 3rd 69.8 dB 69.3 dB +0.5 dB 99.28% Price 2nd 106 73 +33 68.87% Rolling Resistance 11th 9.3 kg / t 7.4 kg / t +1.9 kg / t 79.57% Good snow performance, very good aquaplaning resistance Relatively weak wet grip, average dry performance Good Read Reviews
8th: Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV
215/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 45.7 M 44.1 M +1.6 M 96.5% Dry Handling 1st 116.1 Km/H 100% Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Wet Braking 10th 34.8 M 31.2 M +3.6 M 89.66% Wet Handling 8th 70.5 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 96.18% Subj. Wet Handling 8th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Straight Aqua 8th 74.1 Km/H 83.1 Km/H -9 Km/H 89.17% Snow Braking 11th 28.1 M 25.6 M +2.5 M 91.1% Snow Handling 8th 47.9 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 96.96% Subj. Snow Handling 10th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Subj. Comfort 8th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Noise 10th 71 dB 69.3 dB +1.7 dB 97.61% Price 3rd 111 73 +38 65.77% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.9 kg / t 7.4 kg / t +0.5 kg / t 93.67% Strong in the dry Long braking distances in the dry, wet and snow. Poor snow handling, poor wet handling Good Read Reviews
9th: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
215/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 44.8 M 44.1 M +0.7 M 98.44% Dry Handling 10th 114.2 Km/H 116.1 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 98.36% Subj. Dry Handling 6th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 9th 34.4 M 31.2 M +3.2 M 90.7% Wet Handling 9th 70.3 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -3 Km/H 95.91% Subj. Wet Handling 6th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Straight Aqua 10th 71.7 Km/H 83.1 Km/H -11.4 Km/H 86.28% Snow Braking 10th 27.9 M 25.6 M +2.3 M 91.76% Snow Handling 8th 47.9 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 96.96% Subj. Snow Handling 8th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Subj. Comfort 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Noise 11th 71.1 dB 69.3 dB +1.8 dB 97.47% Price 8th 134 73 +61 54.48% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.6 kg / t 7.4 kg / t +1.2 kg / t 86.05% Balanced dry performance Long braking distances in the snow and wet, weak aquaplaning resistance Average Read Reviews    Buy from £172.01
10th: Giti GitiWinterW1
215/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 44.3 M 44.1 M +0.2 M 99.55% Dry Handling 5th 115.2 Km/H 116.1 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.22% Subj. Dry Handling 10th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Wet Braking 5th 33.5 M 31.2 M +2.3 M 93.13% Wet Handling 6th 70.8 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 96.59% Subj. Wet Handling 6th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Straight Aqua 2nd 76.5 Km/H 83.1 Km/H -6.6 Km/H 92.06% Snow Braking 9th 27.7 M 25.6 M +2.1 M 92.42% Snow Handling 11th 46 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -3.4 Km/H 93.12% Subj. Snow Handling 10th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Subj. Comfort 11th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Noise 5th 70.1 dB 69.3 dB +0.8 dB 98.86% Price 1st 73 100% Rolling Resistance 9th 8.8 kg / t 7.4 kg / t +1.4 kg / t 84.09% Very low price, short braking distances in the dry Long braking distances and poor grip in the snow, poor wet handling, understeer in the dry Average Read Reviews
11th: Nokian WR Snowproof
215/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 44.1 M 100% Dry Handling 5th 115.2 Km/H 116.1 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.22% Subj. Dry Handling 6th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 11th 36.1 M 31.2 M +4.9 M 86.43% Wet Handling 11th 68.9 Km/H 73.3 Km/H -4.4 Km/H 94% Subj. Wet Handling 8th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Straight Aqua 11th 70.3 Km/H 83.1 Km/H -12.8 Km/H 84.6% Snow Braking 5th 26.6 M 25.6 M +1 M 96.24% Snow Handling 4th 48.4 Km/H 49.4 Km/H -1 Km/H 97.98% Subj. Snow Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Subj. Comfort 8th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Noise 2nd 69.7 dB 69.3 dB +0.4 dB 99.43% Price 6th 125 73 +52 58.4% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.4 kg / t 7.4 kg / t +1 kg / t 88.1% Good handling in the snow, short braking distances in the snow and dry, acceptable safety on dry roads Long braking distances and poor lateral stability in the wet Average Read Reviews