The 2022 Auto Zeitung performance winter tyre test has tested eight popular winter tyres in 225/45 R17.
Continental, Bridgestone and Michelin all perform well, with the Continental WinterContact TS870 taking another win in 2022 winter tyre tests thanks to a well balanced performance in all conditions, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 performing extremely well in the dry and wet, and the Michelin Alpin 6 offering good grip in all conditions.
Test Publication:
Auto Zeitung
225/45 R17
8 tyres
5 categories
Test Size:
225/45 R17
Tyres Tested:
8 tyres
Auto Zeitung is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, Tyre Reviews. This is independent editorial coverage of their published test.
Dry
The Nokian SnowProof P was the best in dry braking, stopping the Audi A3 four meters shorter than the worst of the group.
- Nokian Snowproof P
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- Continental WinterContact TS 870
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Michelin Alpin 6
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Giti GitiWinterW2
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was the best tyre during dry handling, narrowly beating the Continental WinterContact TS870.
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Continental WinterContact TS 870
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Nokian Snowproof P
- Giti GitiWinterW2
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Michelin Alpin 6
The Continental and Bridgestone were also the best subjectively in the dry.
- Continental WinterContact TS 870
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Nokian Snowproof P
- Giti GitiWinterW2
- Michelin Alpin 6
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
Wet
Wet braking was again led by the impressive Bridgestone and Continental pair.
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Continental WinterContact TS 870
- Michelin Alpin 6
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Nokian Snowproof P
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Giti GitiWinterW2
As was wet handling, but this time with Continental in front of Bridgestone. Michelin again placed a respectable third.
- Continental WinterContact TS 870
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Michelin Alpin 6
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Nokian Snowproof P
- Giti GitiWinterW2
Conti, Bridgestone and Michelin were the testers favorites subjectively too.
- Continental WinterContact TS 870
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Michelin Alpin 6
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Nokian Snowproof P
- Giti GitiWinterW2
Continental and Bridgestone also had the best straight aquaplaning resistance.
- Continental WinterContact TS 870
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Giti GitiWinterW2
- Michelin Alpin 6
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Nokian Snowproof P
Snow
Continental was again the best in snow braking, but this time Giti took second place with the GitiWinterW2!
- Continental WinterContact TS 870
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Giti GitiWinterW2
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Nokian Snowproof P
- Michelin Alpin 6
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
Michelin led in snow traction, with the Fulda close behind.
- Michelin Alpin 6
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Giti GitiWinterW2
- Continental WinterContact TS 870
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Nokian Snowproof P
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
Continental and Michelin were back at the front during snow handling.
- Continental WinterContact TS 870
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Michelin Alpin 6
- Nokian Snowproof P
- Giti GitiWinterW2
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
Environment
The Nokian was the quietest tyre on test externally.
- Nokian Snowproof P
- Continental WinterContact TS 870
- Giti GitiWinterW2
- Michelin Alpin 6
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
And offered the best subjective comfort levels.
- Nokian Snowproof P
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Michelin Alpin 6
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Continental WinterContact TS 870
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- Giti GitiWinterW2
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
The Nokian also had the lowest fuel use on test, followed by Bridgestone and Continental.
The Giti was the cheapest tyre in the test, and the Michelin the most expensive.
- Giti GitiWinterW2
- Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Nokian Snowproof P
- Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- Continental WinterContact TS 870
- Michelin Alpin 6
Results
The Continental WinterContact TS870 is extremely strong on any surface, very safe and therefor the clear winner of this test.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
4th |
46.1 M |
45 M |
+1.1 M |
97.61% |
| Dry Handling |
2nd |
63.3 s |
63.1 s |
+0.2 s |
99.68% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
1st |
30 Points |
|
|
100% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
2nd |
51.9 M |
50.3 M |
+1.6 M |
96.92% |
| Wet Handling |
1st |
89.7 s |
|
|
100% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
1st |
45 Points |
|
|
100% |
| Straight Aqua |
1st |
75.2 Km/H |
|
|
100% |
| Curved Aquaplaning |
1st |
2.96 m/sec2 |
|
|
100% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
1st |
26 M |
|
|
100% |
| Snow Traction |
4th |
2712 N |
2782 N |
-70 N |
97.48% |
| Snow Handling |
1st |
81.8 s |
|
|
100% |
| Subj. Snow Handling |
1st |
30 Points |
|
|
100% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
2nd |
7 Points |
8 Points |
-1 Points |
87.5% |
| Noise |
2nd |
71 dB |
70 dB |
+1 dB |
98.59% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Price |
7th |
640 |
375 |
+265 |
58.59% |
| Rolling Resistance |
3rd |
8.1 kg / t |
7.3 kg / t |
+0.8 kg / t |
90.12% |
The LM005 grips extremely well in the dry and wet, but could benefit from a little more grip in the snow.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
2nd |
45.5 M |
45 M |
+0.5 M |
98.9% |
| Dry Handling |
1st |
63.1 s |
|
|
100% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
2nd |
29 Points |
30 Points |
-1 Points |
96.67% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
1st |
50.3 M |
|
|
100% |
| Wet Handling |
2nd |
90.2 s |
89.7 s |
+0.5 s |
99.45% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
2nd |
42 Points |
45 Points |
-3 Points |
93.33% |
| Straight Aqua |
2nd |
74.4 Km/H |
75.2 Km/H |
-0.8 Km/H |
98.94% |
| Curved Aquaplaning |
5th |
2.8 m/sec2 |
2.96 m/sec2 |
-0.16 m/sec2 |
94.59% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
4th |
27 M |
26 M |
+1 M |
96.3% |
| Snow Traction |
7th |
2683 N |
2782 N |
-99 N |
96.44% |
| Snow Handling |
6th |
84.4 s |
81.8 s |
+2.6 s |
96.92% |
| Subj. Snow Handling |
6th |
20 Points |
30 Points |
-10 Points |
66.67% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
2nd |
7 Points |
8 Points |
-1 Points |
87.5% |
| Noise |
4th |
72 dB |
70 dB |
+2 dB |
97.22% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Price |
4th |
535 |
375 |
+160 |
70.09% |
| Rolling Resistance |
2nd |
8 kg / t |
7.3 kg / t |
+0.7 kg / t |
91.25% |
Good grip on all surfaces. The Michelin Alpin 6 offers very good driving safety and is therefore highly recommended.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
6th |
46.4 M |
45 M |
+1.4 M |
96.98% |
| Dry Handling |
7th |
64.5 s |
63.1 s |
+1.4 s |
97.83% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
6th |
24 Points |
30 Points |
-6 Points |
80% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
3rd |
53.3 M |
50.3 M |
+3 M |
94.37% |
| Wet Handling |
3rd |
91.2 s |
89.7 s |
+1.5 s |
98.36% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
3rd |
37 Points |
45 Points |
-8 Points |
82.22% |
| Straight Aqua |
4th |
73.4 Km/H |
75.2 Km/H |
-1.8 Km/H |
97.61% |
| Curved Aquaplaning |
4th |
2.85 m/sec2 |
2.96 m/sec2 |
-0.11 m/sec2 |
96.28% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
7th |
27.3 M |
26 M |
+1.3 M |
95.24% |
| Snow Traction |
1st |
2782 N |
|
|
100% |
| Snow Handling |
2nd |
82.9 s |
81.8 s |
+1.1 s |
98.67% |
| Subj. Snow Handling |
4th |
22 Points |
30 Points |
-8 Points |
73.33% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
2nd |
7 Points |
8 Points |
-1 Points |
87.5% |
| Noise |
4th |
72 dB |
70 dB |
+2 dB |
97.22% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Price |
8th |
660 |
375 |
+285 |
56.82% |
| Rolling Resistance |
6th |
8.8 kg / t |
7.3 kg / t |
+1.5 kg / t |
82.95% |
Good on snow and dry roads, but when it's wet the WR SnowProof P is weaker.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
1st |
45 M |
|
|
100% |
| Dry Handling |
3rd |
63.9 s |
63.1 s |
+0.8 s |
98.75% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
3rd |
27 Points |
30 Points |
-3 Points |
90% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
5th |
55.5 M |
50.3 M |
+5.2 M |
90.63% |
| Wet Handling |
7th |
95.5 s |
89.7 s |
+5.8 s |
93.93% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
7th |
19 Points |
45 Points |
-26 Points |
42.22% |
| Straight Aqua |
8th |
64.8 Km/H |
75.2 Km/H |
-10.4 Km/H |
86.17% |
| Curved Aquaplaning |
8th |
1.61 m/sec2 |
2.96 m/sec2 |
-1.35 m/sec2 |
54.39% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
4th |
27 M |
26 M |
+1 M |
96.3% |
| Snow Traction |
5th |
2705 N |
2782 N |
-77 N |
97.23% |
| Snow Handling |
4th |
83.2 s |
81.8 s |
+1.4 s |
98.32% |
| Subj. Snow Handling |
3rd |
23 Points |
30 Points |
-7 Points |
76.67% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
1st |
8 Points |
|
|
100% |
| Noise |
1st |
70 dB |
|
|
100% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Price |
5th |
575 |
375 |
+200 |
65.22% |
| Rolling Resistance |
1st |
7.3 kg / t |
|
|
100% |
Overall, the Vredestein Wintrac Pro offers decent reserves. Snow grip and efficiency could be better - but still recommendable
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
5th |
46.3 M |
45 M |
+1.3 M |
97.19% |
| Dry Handling |
3rd |
63.9 s |
63.1 s |
+0.8 s |
98.75% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
3rd |
27 Points |
30 Points |
-3 Points |
90% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
4th |
53.6 M |
50.3 M |
+3.3 M |
93.84% |
| Wet Handling |
4th |
92.2 s |
89.7 s |
+2.5 s |
97.29% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
5th |
26 Points |
45 Points |
-19 Points |
57.78% |
| Straight Aqua |
7th |
71.4 Km/H |
75.2 Km/H |
-3.8 Km/H |
94.95% |
| Curved Aquaplaning |
6th |
2.67 m/sec2 |
2.96 m/sec2 |
-0.29 m/sec2 |
90.2% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
4th |
27 M |
26 M |
+1 M |
96.3% |
| Snow Traction |
5th |
2705 N |
2782 N |
-77 N |
97.23% |
| Snow Handling |
7th |
84.7 s |
81.8 s |
+2.9 s |
96.58% |
| Subj. Snow Handling |
7th |
17 Points |
30 Points |
-13 Points |
56.67% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
2nd |
7 Points |
8 Points |
-1 Points |
87.5% |
| Noise |
7th |
73 dB |
70 dB |
+3 dB |
95.89% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Price |
3rd |
515 |
375 |
+140 |
72.82% |
| Rolling Resistance |
7th |
9.1 kg / t |
7.3 kg / t |
+1.8 kg / t |
80.22% |
The Fulda Kristall Control HP2 is very strong on snow, but in the wet the tyre struggles and it has long dry braking distances.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
7th |
48.1 M |
45 M |
+3.1 M |
93.56% |
| Dry Handling |
7th |
64.5 s |
63.1 s |
+1.4 s |
97.83% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
8th |
22 Points |
30 Points |
-8 Points |
73.33% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
7th |
59.2 M |
50.3 M |
+8.9 M |
84.97% |
| Wet Handling |
6th |
95 s |
89.7 s |
+5.3 s |
94.42% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
6th |
21 Points |
45 Points |
-24 Points |
46.67% |
| Straight Aqua |
5th |
72.7 Km/H |
75.2 Km/H |
-2.5 Km/H |
96.68% |
| Curved Aquaplaning |
2nd |
2.92 m/sec2 |
2.96 m/sec2 |
-0.04 m/sec2 |
98.65% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
2nd |
26.7 M |
26 M |
+0.7 M |
97.38% |
| Snow Traction |
2nd |
2750 N |
2782 N |
-32 N |
98.85% |
| Snow Handling |
2nd |
82.9 s |
81.8 s |
+1.1 s |
98.67% |
| Subj. Snow Handling |
2nd |
27 Points |
30 Points |
-3 Points |
90% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
8th |
6 Points |
8 Points |
-2 Points |
75% |
| Noise |
7th |
73 dB |
70 dB |
+3 dB |
95.89% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Price |
2nd |
475 |
375 |
+100 |
78.95% |
| Rolling Resistance |
4th |
8.5 kg / t |
7.3 kg / t |
+1.2 kg / t |
85.88% |
The compound has had an update since DOT 2622 which vastly improves the performance of the Cinturato Winter 2, see other tests.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
3rd |
45.8 M |
45 M |
+0.8 M |
98.25% |
| Dry Handling |
6th |
64.3 s |
63.1 s |
+1.2 s |
98.13% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
7th |
23 Points |
30 Points |
-7 Points |
76.67% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
6th |
55.8 M |
50.3 M |
+5.5 M |
90.14% |
| Wet Handling |
5th |
92.5 s |
89.7 s |
+2.8 s |
96.97% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
4th |
29 Points |
45 Points |
-16 Points |
64.44% |
| Straight Aqua |
6th |
72.6 Km/H |
75.2 Km/H |
-2.6 Km/H |
96.54% |
| Curved Aquaplaning |
7th |
2.64 m/sec2 |
2.96 m/sec2 |
-0.32 m/sec2 |
89.19% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
8th |
28.1 M |
26 M |
+2.1 M |
92.53% |
| Snow Traction |
8th |
2661 N |
2782 N |
-121 N |
95.65% |
| Snow Handling |
8th |
85.2 s |
81.8 s |
+3.4 s |
96.01% |
| Subj. Snow Handling |
8th |
14 Points |
30 Points |
-16 Points |
46.67% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
2nd |
7 Points |
8 Points |
-1 Points |
87.5% |
| Noise |
4th |
72 dB |
70 dB |
+2 dB |
97.22% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Price |
6th |
600 |
375 |
+225 |
62.5% |
| Rolling Resistance |
5th |
8.6 kg / t |
7.3 kg / t |
+1.3 kg / t |
84.88% |
The inexpensive Giti Winter W2 dominates snow, but lacks grip in the wet. The braking performance is weak on dry roads.
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Dry Braking |
8th |
49 M |
45 M |
+4 M |
91.84% |
| Dry Handling |
5th |
64.1 s |
63.1 s |
+1 s |
98.44% |
| Subj. Dry Handling |
5th |
26 Points |
30 Points |
-4 Points |
86.67% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Wet Braking |
8th |
61.4 M |
50.3 M |
+11.1 M |
81.92% |
| Wet Handling |
8th |
96.3 s |
89.7 s |
+6.6 s |
93.15% |
| Subj. Wet Handling |
8th |
17 Points |
45 Points |
-28 Points |
37.78% |
| Straight Aqua |
3rd |
73.9 Km/H |
75.2 Km/H |
-1.3 Km/H |
98.27% |
| Curved Aquaplaning |
2nd |
2.92 m/sec2 |
2.96 m/sec2 |
-0.04 m/sec2 |
98.65% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Snow Braking |
2nd |
26.7 M |
26 M |
+0.7 M |
97.38% |
| Snow Traction |
3rd |
2735 N |
2782 N |
-47 N |
98.31% |
| Snow Handling |
5th |
83.9 s |
81.8 s |
+2.1 s |
97.5% |
| Subj. Snow Handling |
5th |
21 Points |
30 Points |
-9 Points |
70% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Subj. Comfort |
2nd |
7 Points |
8 Points |
-1 Points |
87.5% |
| Noise |
2nd |
71 dB |
70 dB |
+1 dB |
98.59% |
| Test |
# |
Result |
Best |
Diff |
% |
| Price |
1st |
375 |
|
|
100% |
| Rolling Resistance |
8th |
9.3 kg / t |
7.3 kg / t |
+2 kg / t |
78.49% |
Discussion