2012 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test

9 Ultra High Performance Winter tires tested in 225/45 R17 | Published October 15th, 2012 by Jonathan Benson

Winter tires shouldn't mean limited performance, and many modern winter tires are rated up to V which means they're safe to run at 149mph for extended periods.

To test nine of the best, Auto Bild equipped a Golf GTI with the recommended 225/45 R17 winter tire size in V rating, and subjected them to handling, braking and comfort tests in the dry, wet and snowy conditions.

The Results

Click here to view Results as a single table and adjust the score weighting based on your own driving needs!

1st: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 46 Dry: 7 Wet: 8 Snow: 9 Comfort: 7 Rolling Resistance: 7 Noise: 8 Winter tires of the highest class with the best traction and shortest braking distances on snow, secure handling in wet conditions and excellent cornering and short braking distances, very quiet, good aquaplaning properties Read Reviews
2nd: Pirelli Sottozero Serie II
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 43 Dry: 7 Wet: 7 Snow: 9 Comfort: 7 Rolling Resistance: 6 Noise: 7 The Pirelli has a balanced winter profile with superb dynamic properties and good traction on a snowy and wet track, exemplary steering precision, stable running and good grip in all weather conditions Read Reviews
3rd: Continental WinterContact TS 830 P
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 47 Dry: 8 Wet: 7 Snow: 7 Comfort: 8 Rolling Resistance: 10 Noise: 7 Convincing all-rounder with good winter qualities and short wet braking distances, stable handling and steering precision with good lateral grip on dry roads. Best ride comfort in the test Read Reviews
4th: Michelin Alpin A4
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 41 Dry: 7 Wet: 6 Snow: 8 Comfort: 6 Rolling Resistance: 7 Noise: 7 Safe handling in all weather conditions, good traction and short braking distances on snow Quiet. Slightly longer braking distances and average cornering on wet track Read Reviews
5th: Hankook Winter i cept RS
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 38 Dry: 6 Wet: 6 Snow: 7 Comfort: 5 Rolling Resistance: 7 Noise: 7 Good aquaplaning properties, dynamic handling and high steering precision on dry roads, low rolling resistance Weaknesses in driving performance on snowy and wet roads Read Reviews
6th: Nokian WR A3
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 41 Dry: 8 Wet: 6 Snow: 6 Comfort: 7 Rolling Resistance: 8 Noise: 6 Excellent confidence with the fastest lap time, good steering precision and shortest stopping distance on a dry track. Stable driving characteristics in the wet, low rolling resistance Limited aquaplaning, wet slightly longer braking distances Read Reviews
7th: Toyo Snowprox S953
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 38 Dry: 6 Wet: 6 Snow: 8 Comfort: 5 Rolling Resistance: 5 Noise: 8 The Toyo is a winter tire with good traction and delay on snowy slopes, convincing handling in all weather conditions; low noise Slightly long wet braking distances, increased rolling resistance, average comfort Read Reviews
8th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM32
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 39 Dry: 5 Wet: 6 Snow: 7 Comfort: 5 Rolling Resistance: 10 Noise: 6 Short stopping distances and high traction on snow, good aquaplaning safety reserves, low rolling resistance Weak cornering on snow; understeer with slow steering response; moderate comfort Read Reviews
9th: Semperit Speed Grip 2
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 41 Dry: 6 Wet: 7 Snow: 6 Comfort: 6 Rolling Resistance: 8 Noise: 8 Balanced safe handling and good traction on wet road, low rolling resistance and a low noise level Only average handling; understeering driving behavior on wet and snow-covered roads Read Reviews