The 2020 Auto Bild SUV Tyre test has tested ten crossover SUV / 4x4 winter tyres in the popular 225/55 R17 size, with a summer tyre included as a reference.
Of the ten tyres on test, the top four tyres 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 tyre 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 tyre in the snow on test, but was let down by the worst dry braking, while the Toyo struggled in the wet.
The final four tyres on test all struggled more in the wet than the best on test.
Dry
The reference summer tyre had a significant advantage in the dry tests, with the gap a huge 5.3 meters. While summer tyres always out performed all season and winter tyres in dry braking, it's rare we see a gap this big, which is probably lengthened by the extra weight and higher centre of gravity of the BMW X1 used for testing.
Dry Braking
Dry braking in meters
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
37.9 m | -6.30 m |
| 44.2 m | Best | |
| 44.7 m | +0.50 m | |
| 45.3 m | +1.10 m | |
| 45.4 m | +1.20 m | |
| 45.7 m | +1.50 m | |
| 45.7 m | +1.50 m | |
| 45.9 m | +1.70 m | |
| 46.1 m | +1.90 m | |
| 46.8 m | +2.60 m | |
| 47.2 m | +3.00 m |
The difference between best and worst was 24.5% (9.3 m ≈ 2.1 Car Lengths).
Dry handling kept the summer tyres advantage, with the Bridgestone performing extremely well from the winter tyres.
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
99.3 km/h | +1.80 km/h |
| 97.5 km/h | Best | |
| 96.2 km/h | -1.30 km/h | |
| 96 km/h | -1.50 km/h | |
| 95.6 km/h | -1.90 km/h | |
| 95.4 km/h | -2.10 km/h | |
| 95.3 km/h | -2.20 km/h | |
| 95.3 km/h | -2.20 km/h | |
| 95.2 km/h | -2.30 km/h | |
| 94.7 km/h | -2.80 km/h | |
| 94.5 km/h | -3.00 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 4.8% (4.8 Km/H).
Wet
The Bridgestone took the top stop during the wet braking testing, with the gap between the summer tyre and the best winter tyre closing to 2.5 meters.
Wet Braking
Wet braking in meters
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
40.9 m | -2.50 m |
| 43.4 m | Best | |
| 44.7 m | +1.30 m | |
| 45.6 m | +2.20 m | |
| 45.9 m | +2.50 m | |
| 46.9 m | +3.50 m | |
| 47.2 m | +3.80 m | |
| 48.3 m | +4.90 m | |
| 49 m | +5.60 m | |
| 49.9 m | +6.50 m | |
| 58.5 m | +15.10 m |
The difference between best and worst was 43% (17.6 m ≈ 3.9 Car Lengths).
Vredestein proved to be the best winter tyre during wet handling, with the Duraturn again struggling to perform.
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefReference Summer |
89.3 km/h | +1.70 km/h |
| 87.6 km/h | Best | |
| 87.1 km/h | -0.50 km/h | |
| 87 km/h | -0.60 km/h | |
| 86.8 km/h | -0.80 km/h | |
| 85.9 km/h | -1.70 km/h | |
| 85.2 km/h | -2.40 km/h | |
| 84.6 km/h | -3.00 km/h | |
| 84.5 km/h | -3.10 km/h | |
| 83.6 km/h | -4.00 km/h | |
| 79.7 km/h | -7.90 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 10.8% (9.6 Km/H).
Budget tyres 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 Km/H
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 78.5 km/h | Best | |
| 77.4 km/h | -1.10 km/h | |
| 76.8 km/h | -1.70 km/h | |
| 76.4 km/h | -2.10 km/h | |
RefReference Summer |
75.6 km/h | -2.90 km/h |
| 75.6 km/h | -2.90 km/h | |
| 75.3 km/h | -3.20 km/h | |
| 75.2 km/h | -3.30 km/h | |
| 74.8 km/h | -3.70 km/h | |
| 74.3 km/h | -4.20 km/h | |
| 70.5 km/h | -8.00 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 10.2% (8 Km/H).
Snow
The snow braking group was very close, with the Dunlop edging out the Uniroyal and Goodyear tyres.
Snow Braking
Snow braking in meters
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 26.1 m | Best | |
| 26.2 m | +0.10 m | |
| 26.4 m | +0.30 m | |
| 26.6 m | +0.50 m | |
| 26.7 m | +0.60 m | |
| 26.9 m | +0.80 m | |
| 27.6 m | +1.50 m | |
| 27.6 m | +1.50 m | |
| 27.8 m | +1.70 m | |
| 27.9 m | +1.80 m | |
RefReference Summer |
59.6 m | +33.50 m |
The difference between best and worst was 128.4% (33.5 m ≈ 7.4 Car Lengths).
Snow traction again had the Dunlop at the top of the test.
Snow Traction
Pulling Force in Newtons
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 2385 N | Best | |
| 2380 N | -5.00 N | |
| 2355 N | -30.00 N | |
| 2350 N | -35.00 N | |
| 2345 N | -40.00 N | |
| 2330 N | -55.00 N | |
| 2325 N | -60.00 N | |
| 2325 N | -60.00 N | |
| 2325 N | -60.00 N | |
| 2230 N | -155.00 N | |
RefReference Summer |
950 N | -1,435.00 N |
The difference between best and worst was 60.2% (1,435 N).
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 / Tyre | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 58.4 km/h | Best | |
| 58.3 km/h | -0.10 km/h | |
| 58.2 km/h | -0.20 km/h | |
| 58.1 km/h | -0.30 km/h | |
| 57.9 km/h | -0.50 km/h | |
| 57.2 km/h | -1.20 km/h | |
| 57.2 km/h | -1.20 km/h | |
| 57.1 km/h | -1.30 km/h | |
| 57 km/h | -1.40 km/h | |
| 56.5 km/h | -1.90 km/h |
The difference between best and worst was 3.3% (1.9 Km/H).
Environment
The Michelin was strangely noisy in this test, something we've not seen before for this tyre.
Noise
External noise in dB
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | 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 tyre used the least fuel on test, with the Uniroyal a surprise best of the winter tyres.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance in kg t
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tyre | 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 | £3 | |
| 7.68 kg/t | +0.07 kg/t | £4 | |
| 7.86 kg/t | +0.25 kg/t | £14 | |
| 8.12 kg/t | +0.51 kg/t | £30 | |
| 8.13 kg/t | +0.52 kg/t | £30 | |
| 8.13 kg/t | +0.52 kg/t | £30 | |
| 8.85 kg/t | +1.24 kg/t | £72 | |
| 8.95 kg/t | +1.34 kg/t | £78 | |
| 9.72 kg/t | +2.11 kg/t | £122 |
The difference between best and worst was 43.6% (2.95 kg / t). Over 19,000 km a year at £1.45/L, the Syron Everest 1+ uses about 84 L (£122) 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 tyres 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 | 45.9 m | +1.70 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 95.4 km/h | -2.10 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 45.6 m | +2.20 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 87 km/h | -0.60 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 75.2 km/h | -3.30 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 10 | 26.4 m | +0.30 m |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 2380 N | -5.00 N |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 58.2 km/h | -0.20 km/h |
| 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 tyres 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 | 45.4 m | +1.20 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 97.5 km/h | Best in this discipline |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 1st / 10 | 43.4 m | Best in this discipline |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 86.8 km/h | -0.80 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 75.3 km/h | -3.20 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 6th / 10 | 26.9 m | +0.80 m |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 2345 N | -40.00 N |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 57.2 km/h | -1.20 km/h |
| 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 tyres 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 | 44.7 m | +0.50 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 95.6 km/h | -1.90 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 4th / 10 | 45.9 m | +2.50 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 85.9 km/h | -1.70 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 75.6 km/h | -2.90 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 9th / 10 | 27.8 m | +1.70 m |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 2325 N | -60.00 N |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 8th / 10 | 57.1 km/h | -1.30 km/h |
| 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 tyres 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 | 44.2 m | Best in this discipline |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 95.3 km/h | -2.20 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 10 | 44.7 m | +1.30 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 87.6 km/h | Best in this discipline |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 76.4 km/h | -2.10 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 7th / 10 | 27.6 m | +1.50 m |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 2330 N | -55.00 N |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 57.2 km/h | -1.20 km/h |
| 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 tyres 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 | 47.2 m | +3.00 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 95.3 km/h | -2.20 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 6th / 10 | 47.2 m | +3.80 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 87.1 km/h | -0.50 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 76.8 km/h | -1.70 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 1st / 10 | 26.1 m | Best in this discipline |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 2385 N | Best in this discipline |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 58.4 km/h | 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 tyres 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 | 45.7 m | +1.50 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 96 km/h | -1.50 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 5th / 10 | 46.9 m | +3.50 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 84.6 km/h | -3.00 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 9th / 10 | 74.3 km/h | -4.20 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 7th / 10 | 27.6 m | +1.50 m |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 2350 N | -35.00 N |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 9th / 10 | 57 km/h | -1.40 km/h |
| 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 tyres 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 | 46.8 m | +2.60 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 8th / 10 | 95.2 km/h | -2.30 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 8th / 10 | 49 m | +5.60 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 8th / 10 | 84.5 km/h | -3.10 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 77.4 km/h | -1.10 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 10 | 26.2 m | +0.10 m |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 2325 N | -60.00 N |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 4th / 10 | 58.1 km/h | -0.30 km/h |
| 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 tyres 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 | 45.3 m | +1.10 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 96.2 km/h | -1.30 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 7th / 10 | 48.3 m | +4.90 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 6th / 10 | 85.2 km/h | -2.40 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 1st / 10 | 78.5 km/h | Best in this discipline |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 10th / 10 | 27.9 m | +1.80 m |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 2230 N | -155.00 N |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 56.5 km/h | -1.90 km/h |
| 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 tyres 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 | 45.7 m | +1.50 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 9th / 10 | 94.7 km/h | -2.80 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 9th / 10 | 49.9 m | +6.50 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 9th / 10 | 83.6 km/h | -4.00 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 8th / 10 | 74.8 km/h | -3.70 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 4th / 10 | 26.6 m | +0.50 m |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 3rd / 10 | 2355 N | -30.00 N |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 5th / 10 | 57.9 km/h | -0.50 km/h |
| 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 tyres 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 | 46.1 m | +1.90 m |
| Dry HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 94.5 km/h | -3.00 km/h |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 10th / 10 | 58.5 m | +15.10 m |
| Wet HandlingHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 79.7 km/h | -7.90 km/h |
| Straight AquaHigher is better | 10th / 10 | 70.5 km/h | -8.00 km/h |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 5th / 10 | 26.7 m | +0.60 m |
| Snow TractionHigher is better | 7th / 10 | 2325 N | -60.00 N |
| Snow HandlingHigher is better | 2nd / 10 | 58.3 km/h | -0.10 km/h |
| 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 tyre sizes. And we know same model tyre acts differently depending on it's size. What if we have tyre size that it's not include in tests. I have 205/55/R17 and I wonder which tyre 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