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2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
5 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Dry
  3. Wet
  4. Snow
  5. Environment
  6. Results
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 870
  8. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
  9. Michelin Alpin 6
  10. Nokian Snowproof P
  11. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
  12. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
  13. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
  14. Giti GitiWinterW2

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:
225/45 R17 8 tyres 5 categories
Similar Tests
Images courtesy of Auto Zeitung
Test Publication:
Auto Zeitung
https://www.autozeitung.de/reifen-test
Images courtesy of Auto Zeitung
Test Size: 225/45 R17
Tyres Tested: 8 tyres
Test Categories:
5 categories (16 tests)
Similar Tests

Dry

The Nokian SnowProof P was the best in dry braking, stopping the Audi A3 four meters shorter than the worst of the group.

Dry Braking

Dry braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
  1. Nokian Snowproof P
    45.00 M
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    45.50 M
  3. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    45.80 M
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    46.10 M
  5. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    46.30 M
  6. Michelin Alpin 6
    46.40 M
  7. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    48.10 M
  8. Giti GitiWinterW2
    49.00 M

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was the best tyre during dry handling, narrowly beating the Continental WinterContact TS870.

Dry Handling

Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    63.10 s
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    63.30 s
  3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    63.90 s
  4. Nokian Snowproof P
    63.90 s
  5. Giti GitiWinterW2
    64.10 s
  6. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    64.30 s
  7. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    64.50 s
  8. Michelin Alpin 6
    64.50 s

The Continental and Bridgestone were also the best subjectively in the dry.

Subj. Dry Handling

Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    30.00 Points
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    29.00 Points
  3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    27.00 Points
  4. Nokian Snowproof P
    27.00 Points
  5. Giti GitiWinterW2
    26.00 Points
  6. Michelin Alpin 6
    24.00 Points
  7. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    23.00 Points
  8. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    22.00 Points

Wet

Wet braking was again led by the impressive Bridgestone and Continental pair.

Wet Braking

Wet braking in meters (100 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
  1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    50.30 M
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    51.90 M
  3. Michelin Alpin 6
    53.30 M
  4. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    53.60 M
  5. Nokian Snowproof P
    55.50 M
  6. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    55.80 M
  7. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    59.20 M
  8. Giti GitiWinterW2
    61.40 M

As was wet handling, but this time with Continental in front of Bridgestone. Michelin again placed a respectable third.

Wet Handling

Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    89.70 s
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    90.20 s
  3. Michelin Alpin 6
    91.20 s
  4. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    92.20 s
  5. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    92.50 s
  6. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    95.00 s
  7. Nokian Snowproof P
    95.50 s
  8. Giti GitiWinterW2
    96.30 s

Conti, Bridgestone and Michelin were the testers favorites subjectively too.

Subj. Wet Handling

Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    45.00 Points
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    42.00 Points
  3. Michelin Alpin 6
    37.00 Points
  4. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    29.00 Points
  5. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    26.00 Points
  6. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    21.00 Points
  7. Nokian Snowproof P
    19.00 Points
  8. Giti GitiWinterW2
    17.00 Points

Continental and Bridgestone also had the best straight aquaplaning resistance.

Straight Aqua

Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    75.20 Km/H
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    74.40 Km/H
  3. Giti GitiWinterW2
    73.90 Km/H
  4. Michelin Alpin 6
    73.40 Km/H
  5. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    72.70 Km/H
  6. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    72.60 Km/H
  7. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    71.40 Km/H
  8. Nokian Snowproof P
    64.80 Km/H

Snow

Continental was again the best in snow braking, but this time Giti took second place with the GitiWinterW2!

Snow Braking

Snow braking in meters (50 - 0 km/h) (Lower is better)
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    26.00 M
  2. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    26.70 M
  3. Giti GitiWinterW2
    26.70 M
  4. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    27.00 M
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    27.00 M
  6. Nokian Snowproof P
    27.00 M
  7. Michelin Alpin 6
    27.30 M
  8. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    28.10 M

Michelin led in snow traction, with the Fulda close behind.

Snow Traction

Pulling Force in Newtons (Higher is better)
  1. Michelin Alpin 6
    2782.00 N
  2. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    2750.00 N
  3. Giti GitiWinterW2
    2735.00 N
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    2712.00 N
  5. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    2705.00 N
  6. Nokian Snowproof P
    2705.00 N
  7. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    2683.00 N
  8. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    2661.00 N

Continental and Michelin were back at the front during snow handling.

Snow Handling

Snow handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    81.80 s
  2. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    82.90 s
  3. Michelin Alpin 6
    82.90 s
  4. Nokian Snowproof P
    83.20 s
  5. Giti GitiWinterW2
    83.90 s
  6. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    84.40 s
  7. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    84.70 s
  8. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    85.20 s

Environment

The Nokian was the quietest tyre on test externally.

Noise

External noise in dB (Lower is better)
  1. Nokian Snowproof P
    70.00 dB
  2. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    71.00 dB
  3. Giti GitiWinterW2
    71.00 dB
  4. Michelin Alpin 6
    72.00 dB
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    72.00 dB
  6. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    72.00 dB
  7. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    73.00 dB
  8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    73.00 dB

And offered the best subjective comfort levels.

Subj. Comfort

Subjective Comfort Score (Higher is better)
  1. Nokian Snowproof P
    8.00 Points
  2. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    7.00 Points
  3. Michelin Alpin 6
    7.00 Points
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    7.00 Points
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    7.00 Points
  6. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    7.00 Points
  7. Giti GitiWinterW2
    7.00 Points
  8. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    6.00 Points

The Nokian also had the lowest fuel use on test, followed by Bridgestone and Continental.

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Nokian Snowproof P
    7.30 kg / t
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    8.00 kg / t
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    8.10 kg / t
  4. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    8.50 kg / t
  5. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    8.60 kg / t
  6. Michelin Alpin 6
    8.80 kg / t
  7. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    9.10 kg / t
  8. Giti GitiWinterW2
    9.30 kg / t

The Giti was the cheapest tyre in the test, and the Michelin the most expensive.

Price

Price in local currency (Lower is better)
  1. Giti GitiWinterW2
    375.00
  2. Fulda Kristall Control HP2
    475.00
  3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
    515.00
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    535.00
  5. Nokian Snowproof P
    575.00
  6. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
    600.00
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    640.00
  8. Michelin Alpin 6
    660.00

Results

1st

Continental WinterContact TS 870

225/45 R17 94V
Continental WinterContact TS 870
  • EU Label: C/B/70
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 9.3 kgs
  • Tread: 8.7 mm
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%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
2nd

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

225/45 R17 94V
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
  • EU Label: C/A/71
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 9.5 kgs
  • Tread: 8.3 mm
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%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
3rd

Michelin Alpin 6

225/45 R17 94V
Michelin Alpin 6
  • EU Label: C/B/69
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 9.1 kgs
  • Tread: 8 mm
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%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
4th

Nokian Snowproof P

225/45 R17 94V
Nokian Snowproof P
  • EU Label: B/B/70
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 9.6 kgs
  • Tread: 8.5 mm
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%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
5th

Vredestein Wintrac Pro

225/45 R17 94V
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
  • EU Label: D/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 9.7 kgs
  • Tread: 8.2 mm
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%
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6th

Fulda Kristall Control HP2

225/45 R17 94V
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
  • EU Label: C/C/72
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 9.1 kgs
  • Tread: 9 mm
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%
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7th

Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2

225/45 R17 94V
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
  • EU Label: C/B/72
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 9.3 kgs
  • Tread: 8.9 mm
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%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
8th

Giti GitiWinterW2

225/45 R17 94V
Giti GitiWinterW2
  • EU Label: D/B/71
  • 3PMSF: no
  • Weight: 9.8 kgs
  • Tread: 8.9 mm
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%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

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