2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test

It's winter testing time, and as always, Auto Bild are leading the way! Following on from the 53 winter tyre shoot-out, Auto Bild have taken the top twenty 225/45 R17 tyres through to the full test, along with a summer tyre as reference. Each set of tyres has been tested in the dry, wet and snow using a RWD BMW 1 Series, and Auto Bild are one of the few publications which test for wear. It's an exciting test! (if you're into tyres...)

The Top Three

After finishing just fifth in the braking shootout, you'd be forgiven for thinking Continental have some serious opposition for the TS860 dominance, but now all aspects of the tyres performance has been tested, they're back on top with another win for the TS860. As with previous tests, the Continental excelled with an all round performance, while having the second lowest wear on test! An impressive feat, and another sign that the high wear Continental tyres have experienced in the past are firmly behind them.

The new Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ finished in second place, again with a very well balanced performance and low wear, with the new Michelin Alpin 6 close behind it. As usual, the French tyre displayed the best wear on test, combined with an excellent all round performance, but as with all three tyres, it came at a price, with the top three tyres having some of the highest purchase prices on test. 

The Rest

This time, the "best of the rest" award goes to Apollo, with the Aspire XP winter proving to have an excellent blend of winter qualities, and a very low purchase price, leaving it as the fourth best value tyre on test (a metric dividing purchase price with tread wear!)

Bridgestone couldn't hold onto the win from the braking test, struggling a little in the snow testing, but it is still an excellent result for the LM005, and a tyre that looks to be well suited to the British style winters thanks to a very strong dry and wet performance.

Vredestein once again put on an impressive performance finishing sixth place overall, with the Wintrac Pro noted as a sporty feeling winter tyre. Like the Bridgestone, it coped better in the dry and wet than it did the snow, so a good candidate for the UK market.

The final notable performances are Dunlop finishing in sixteenth, and Pirelli finishing eighteenth place. Buying premium doesn't always guarantee you a premium performance, with the Pirelli having both poor grip, and very high wear.

Read on for all the data below.

Dry

As is the case with siped tyres, and the main reason you shouldn't run winter tyres year round, all the winter tyres lagged behind the summer reference during dry testing, with the best on test (Pirelli) a full 6 meters behind the summer.

There was a smaller, but still significant gap during dry handling testing.

Wet

The Bridgestone LM005 was the only winter tyre which beat the summer tyre during wet braking, while the Michelin could only match the summer tyre.

The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ was the best winter tyre during the wet handling lap.

There was over 15 Km/H difference in straight aquaplaning testing.

Snow

The snow testing was separated by 2.4 meters, with all tyres having an acceptable performance for most of the UK.

Snow handling showed the well priced Kleber to have the best all round balance of snow performances.

Environment

The Nokian SnowProof had an incredibly low rolling resistance, with nearly all the winter tyres having lower fuel use than the summer reference.

The Nexen and Continental were the quietest tyres on test during the external noise testing.

Cost / Wear

Michelin is always strong in wear testing, and it continued its dominance by having a big advantage. Continental and Apollo also proved to have really strong wear characteristics, while Uniroyal, Kleber, Pirelli and Kumho wore out nearly 15,000 km sooner than the Michelin.

The "Value" score is simply the price of the wear in Euros, per 1000 km. In this test, the lower priced tyres proved to be the best value, with even the excellent wear of the Michelin unable to offset its higher purchase price.

Results

View Results as a single table and adjust the score weighting

1st: Continental WinterContact TS 860
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 2nd +0.1 M 99.77% Dry Handling 1st 100% Wet Braking 7th +2.3 M 92.7% Wet Handling 4th -1 Km/H 98.66% Straight Aqua 2nd -1.3 Km/H 98.33% Snow Braking 9th +0.5 M 97.96% Snow Handling 7th -1.1 Km/H 98.6% Noise 2nd +0.2 dB 99.71% Wear 2nd -5330 Km 89.6% Value 16th +3.27 Price/1000 69.97% Price 19th +200 60% Rolling Resistance 9th +0.68 kg / t 91.62% Best driving characteristics in all conditions. Direct steering, stable cornering, low fuel use and excellent tread wear None mentioend Test Winner Read Reviews    Buy from £125.69
2nd: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 6th +0.4 M 99.11% Dry Handling 10th -1.2 Km/H 98.55% Wet Braking 3rd +1.4 M 95.42% Wet Handling 1st 100% Straight Aqua 4th -3.4 Km/H 95.64% Snow Braking 5th +0.3 M 98.77% Snow Handling 7th -1.1 Km/H 98.6% Noise 8th +1.6 dB 97.72% Wear 4th -8380 Km 83.65% Value 14th +3.09 Price/1000 71.15% Price 17th +170 63.83% Rolling Resistance 12th +1.01 kg / t 88.03% Excellent driving properties on wet and snowy surfaces, precise steering behavior with dynamic wet and snow handling, and short braking distances. Low wear. None mentioned Exemplary Read Reviews    Buy from £101.99
3rd: Michelin Alpin 6
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 4th +0.2 M 99.55% Dry Handling 10th -1.2 Km/H 98.55% Wet Braking 2nd +1.2 M 96.05% Wet Handling 5th -1.6 Km/H 97.86% Straight Aqua 9th -6.3 Km/H 91.92% Snow Braking 13th +0.7 M 97.17% Snow Handling 13th -1.5 Km/H 98.09% Noise 12th +2.5 dB 96.49% Wear 1st 100% Value 11th +2.53 Price/1000 75.07% Price 20th +220 57.69% Rolling Resistance 14th +1.14 kg / t 86.7% A model winter tyre with excellent snow and wet performance, good aquaplaning resistance, short wet braking, good ride comfort and lowest wear None mentioned Exemplary Read Reviews    Buy from £121.79
4th: Apollo Aspire XP Winter
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 6th +0.4 M 99.11% Dry Handling 4th -0.6 Km/H 99.28% Wet Braking 5th +2 M 93.59% Wet Handling 6th -1.9 Km/H 97.46% Straight Aqua 6th -4.6 Km/H 94.1% Snow Braking 17th +1.1 M 95.62% Snow Handling 14th -1.8 Km/H 97.7% Noise 10th +2.3 dB 96.76% Wear 3rd -6150 Km 88% Value 4th +0.69 Price/1000 91.7% Price 7th +75 80% Rolling Resistance 16th +1.37 kg / t 84.43% Well priced winter tyres with a balanced performance, stable wet and dry handling, short snow and wet braking, good aquaplaning resistance, best price / performance ratio None mentioned Exemplary Read Reviews    Buy from £117.39
5th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 4th +0.2 M 99.55% Dry Handling 2nd -0.3 Km/H 99.64% Wet Braking 1st 100% Wet Handling 2nd -0.4 Km/H 99.46% Straight Aqua 5th -3.8 Km/H 95.13% Snow Braking 10th +0.6 M 97.56% Snow Handling 16th -2 Km/H 97.45% Noise 6th +1.3 dB 98.14% Wear 5th -9020 Km 82.4% Value 17th +3.63 Price/1000 67.73% Price 18th +175 63.16% Rolling Resistance 7th +0.52 kg / t 93.46% Good wet and dry grip, with dynamic handling and good steering precision Average lateral stability on snow Exemplary Read Reviews
6th: Vredestein Wintrac Pro
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 2nd +0.1 M 99.77% Dry Handling 3rd -0.4 Km/H 99.52% Wet Braking 4th +1.6 M 94.81% Wet Handling 3rd -0.6 Km/H 99.2% Straight Aqua 13th -8.7 Km/H 88.85% Snow Braking 18th +1.2 M 95.24% Snow Handling 15th -1.9 Km/H 97.58% Noise 14th +3 dB 95.82% Wear 7th -9840 Km 80.8% Value 15th +3.25 Price/1000 70.1% Price 14th +150 66.67% Rolling Resistance 17th +1.54 kg / t 82.83% A new winter tyre with excellent wet and dry handling Average lateral stability on snow Exemplary Read Reviews    Buy from £102.49
7th: BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 10th +0.9 M 98.01% Dry Handling 17th -1.7 Km/H 97.95% Wet Braking 10th +2.8 M 91.25% Wet Handling 10th -2.3 Km/H 96.92% Straight Aqua 1st 100% Snow Braking 4th +0.2 M 99.17% Snow Handling 5th -0.8 Km/H 98.98% Noise 4th +0.9 dB 98.71% Wear 7th -9840 Km 80.8% Value 8th +2.04 Price/1000 78.88% Price 11th +100 75% Rolling Resistance 15th +1.34 kg / t 84.72% Good value tyres, high aquaplaning resistance, low noise, low wear Average dry grip Good Read Reviews    Buy from £91.99
8th: Semperit Speed Grip 3
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 17th +2.2 M 95.27% Dry Handling 13th -1.3 Km/H 98.43% Wet Braking 9th +2.4 M 92.41% Wet Handling 7th -2.1 Km/H 97.19% Straight Aqua 17th -11.2 Km/H 85.64% Snow Braking 5th +0.3 M 98.77% Snow Handling 3rd -0.1 Km/H 99.87% Noise 7th +1.5 dB 97.86% Wear 7th -9840 Km 80.8% Value 8th +2.04 Price/1000 78.88% Price 11th +100 75% Rolling Resistance 5th +0.38 kg / t 95.13% A strong all round tyre with good winter characteristics, stable wet handling, low noise and low rolling resistance Average aquaplaning, average dry braking Good Read Reviews    Buy from £109.49
9th: Hankook Winter i cept RS2
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 9th +0.8 M 98.23% Dry Handling 7th -1.1 Km/H 98.67% Wet Braking 10th +2.8 M 91.25% Wet Handling 14th -3 Km/H 95.98% Straight Aqua 12th -7.9 Km/H 89.87% Snow Braking 16th +0.9 M 96.39% Snow Handling 1st 100% Noise 18th +5.4 dB 92.71% Wear 6th -9430 Km 81.6% Value 6th +1.71 Price/1000 81.67% Price 8th +90 76.92% Rolling Resistance 18th +1.86 kg / t 79.98% The winter king with the best performance on snow, good dry handling, well priced Average wet performance Good Read Reviews    Buy from £88.29
10th: Uniroyal MS+ 77
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 13th +1.7 M 96.3% Dry Handling 10th -1.2 Km/H 98.55% Wet Braking 15th +3.6 M 89.02% Wet Handling 11th -2.4 Km/H 96.79% Straight Aqua 11th -7.7 Km/H 90.13% Snow Braking 10th +0.6 M 97.56% Snow Handling 10th -1.4 Km/H 98.21% Noise 11th +2.4 dB 96.62% Wear 17th -12890 Km 74.85% Value 12th +2.63 Price/1000 74.34% Price 9th +95 75.95% Rolling Resistance 11th +0.85 kg / t 89.73% A good winter performance with stable characteristics in all conditions, low rolling resistance, low price Average dry braking Good Read Reviews    Buy from £80.39
11th: Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 18th +2.4 M 94.86% Dry Handling 5th -1 Km/H 98.79% Wet Braking 17th +3.8 M 88.48% Wet Handling 8th -2.2 Km/H 97.05% Straight Aqua 14th -9.6 Km/H 87.69% Snow Braking 13th +0.7 M 97.17% Snow Handling 10th -1.4 Km/H 98.21% Noise 1st 100% Wear 10th -10660 Km 79.2% Value 3rd +0.26 Price/1000 96.7% Price 3rd +20 93.75% Rolling Resistance 19th +2.16 kg / t 77.48% A balanced winter tyre with stable driving characteristics in all conditions, short snow braking, low noise, low price Long dry braking, high rolling resistance Good Read Reviews    Buy from £77.29
12th: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 16th +2.1 M 95.47% Dry Handling 7th -1.1 Km/H 98.67% Wet Braking 18th +4.3 M 87.16% Wet Handling 18th -4.5 Km/H 93.98% Straight Aqua 9th -6.3 Km/H 91.92% Snow Braking 5th +0.3 M 98.77% Snow Handling 19th -3.1 Km/H 96.05% Noise 16th +4.6 dB 93.72% Wear 16th -12300 Km 76% Value 7th +1.88 Price/1000 80.21% Price 6th +70 81.08% Rolling Resistance 4th +0.37 kg / t 95.26% Good ride comfort, good aquaplaning resistance, low price, low rolling resistance Average corning in the wet and snow Good Read Reviews    Buy from £94.39
13th: Nokian WR Snowproof
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 6th +0.4 M 99.11% Dry Handling 15th -1.4 Km/H 98.31% Wet Braking 12th +3 M 90.68% Wet Handling 17th -3.6 Km/H 95.18% Straight Aqua 19th -12.5 Km/H 83.97% Snow Braking 10th +0.6 M 97.56% Snow Handling 7th -1.1 Km/H 98.6% Noise 9th +1.9 dB 97.31% Wear 12th -11280 Km 77.99% Value 20th +4.07 Price/1000 65.18% Price 15th +165 64.52% Rolling Resistance 1st 100% Excellent snow handling, with sporty dynamic steering, low noise, very low fuel use Average wet grip, average aquaplaning resistance Good Read Reviews    Buy from £102.79
14th: Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 12th +1.4 M 96.94% Dry Handling 5th -1 Km/H 98.79% Wet Braking 14th +3.3 M 89.85% Wet Handling 14th -3 Km/H 95.98% Straight Aqua 20th -15.2 Km/H 80.51% Snow Braking 19th +2 M 92.31% Snow Handling 18th -2.8 Km/H 96.43% Noise 15th +3.7 dB 94.89% Wear 12th -11280 Km 77.99% Value 10th +2.31 Price/1000 76.74% Price 9th +95 75.95% Rolling Resistance 9th +0.68 kg / t 91.62% Good traction on snow, short wet braking distances, good dry handling Understeer in the wet, poor aquaplaning resistance Good Read Reviews    Buy from £82.89
15th: Kleber Krisalp HP3
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 13th +1.7 M 96.3% Dry Handling 19th -2.5 Km/H 96.98% Wet Braking 12th +3 M 90.68% Wet Handling 12th -2.6 Km/H 96.52% Straight Aqua 3rd -2.2 Km/H 97.18% Snow Braking 1st 100% Snow Handling 1st 100% Noise 3rd +0.6 dB 99.13% Wear 18th -13940 Km 72.8% Value 5th +1.63 Price/1000 82.38% Price 4th +45 86.96% Rolling Resistance 13th +1.13 kg / t 86.8% Very good in the snow, dynamic handling and short braking distances, high aquaplaning resistance Understeer and long braking distances in the dry, average wear Ok Read Reviews    Buy from £106.19
16th: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 15th +2 M 95.68% Dry Handling 13th -1.3 Km/H 98.43% Wet Braking 16th +3.7 M 88.75% Wet Handling 16th -3.4 Km/H 95.45% Straight Aqua 7th -4.7 Km/H 93.97% Snow Braking 5th +0.3 M 98.77% Snow Handling 10th -1.4 Km/H 98.21% Noise 17th +5.2 dB 92.96% Wear 11th -11070 Km 78.4% Value 18th +3.95 Price/1000 65.86% Price 15th +165 64.52% Rolling Resistance 2nd +0.34 kg / t 95.62% Snow specialist with good traction and short braking distances, good aquaplaning resistance Understeer in the dry and wet, long dry braking distances Ok Read Reviews    Buy from £109.99
17th: Sava Eskimo HP2
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 20th +3 M 93.66% Dry Handling 16th -1.6 Km/H 98.07% Wet Braking 19th +4.4 M 86.9% Wet Handling 19th -5.1 Km/H 93.17% Straight Aqua 18th -11.4 Km/H 85.38% Snow Braking 2nd +0.1 M 99.59% Snow Handling 6th -1 Km/H 98.72% Noise 20th +7.4 dB 90.28% Wear 15th -11890 Km 76.8% Value 1st 100% Price 1st 100% Rolling Resistance 3rd +0.35 kg / t 95.5% Dynamic handling and short braking distances in the snow, low rolling resistance, low price Average wet and dry performance, high wear Ok Read Reviews    Buy from £81.99
18th: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 1st 100% Dry Handling 7th -1.1 Km/H 98.67% Wet Braking 6th +2.1 M 93.29% Wet Handling 13th -2.7 Km/H 96.39% Straight Aqua 16th -9.9 Km/H 87.31% Snow Braking 20th +2.4 M 90.91% Snow Handling 19th -3.1 Km/H 96.05% Noise 13th +2.9 dB 95.95% Wear 19th -15170 Km 70.4% Value 19th +4.02 Price/1000 65.46% Price 13th +120 71.43% Rolling Resistance 8th +0.61 kg / t 92.41% Stable handling and short braking in the wet, low fuel use Average snow performance, average comfort, high wear Ok Read Reviews    Buy from £112.39
19th: Debica Frigo HP2
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 18th +2.4 M 94.86% Dry Handling 18th -2.2 Km/H 97.35% Wet Braking 20th +5 M 85.38% Wet Handling 20th -5.2 Km/H 93.04% Straight Aqua 14th -9.6 Km/H 87.69% Snow Braking 2nd +0.1 M 99.59% Snow Handling 4th -0.6 Km/H 99.23% Noise 19th +5.8 dB 92.21% Wear 14th -11480 Km 77.6% Value 2nd +0.05 Price/1000 99.35% Price 2nd +5 98.36% Rolling Resistance 6th +0.42 kg / t 94.65% Excellent in the snow, low fuel use Poor wet and dry grip, high noise Conditionally recommended Read Reviews    Buy from £77.49
20th: Kumho WinterCraft WP71
225/45 R17	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 11th +1.2 M 97.36% Dry Handling 20th -2.8 Km/H 96.62% Wet Braking 7th +2.3 M 92.7% Wet Handling 8th -2.2 Km/H 97.05% Straight Aqua 8th -5.8 Km/H 92.56% Snow Braking 15th +0.8 M 96.77% Snow Handling 17th -2.1 Km/H 97.32% Noise 5th +1.1 dB 98.42% Wear 20th -15990 Km 68.8% Value 13th +2.73 Price/1000 73.62% Price 5th +65 82.19% Rolling Resistance 20th +2.56 kg / t 74.37% Short wet braking, good wet handling, low noise Poor dry grip, high wear, high rolling resistance Conditionally recommended Read Reviews    Buy from £82.49