The 2020 Auto Bild SUV Tire test has tested ten crossover SUV / 4x4 winter tires in the popular 225/55 R17 size, with a summer tire included as a reference.

Of the ten tires on test, the top four tires 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 tire 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 tire in the snow on test, but was let down by the worst dry braking, while the Toyo struggled in the wet.

The final four tires on test all struggled more in the wet than the best on test.

Dry

The reference summer tire had a significant advantage in the dry tests, with the gap a huge 5.3 meters. While summer tires always out performed all season and winter tires 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 handling kept the summer tires advantage, with the Bridgestone performing extremely well from the winter tires.

Wet

The Bridgestone took the top stop during the wet braking testing, with the gap between the summer tire and the best winter tire closing to 2.5 meters.

Vredestein proved to be the best winter tire during wet handling, with the Duraturn again struggling to perform.

Budget tires often perform well in aquaplaning testing, however the Duraturn struggled again, floating the X1 significantly earlier than the best on test by Maxxis.

Snow

The snow braking group was very close, with the Dunlop edging out the Uniroyal and Goodyear tires.

Snow traction again had the Dunlop at the top of the test.

Dunlop rounded out the snow testing with a triple win, performing best in snow handling.

Environment

The Michelin was strangely noisy in this test, something we've not seen before for this tire.

The summer tire used the least fuel on test, with the Uniroyal a surprise best of the winter tires.

Results

Be sure to check out the Auto Bild website for the full results.

1st: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
225/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 45.9 M 44.2 M +1.7 M 96.3% Dry Handling 5th 95.4 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.85% Wet Braking 3rd 45.6 M 43.4 M +2.2 M 95.18% Wet Handling 3rd 87 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.32% Straight Aqua 7th 75.2 Km/H 78.5 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 95.8% Snow Braking 3rd 26.4 M 26.1 M +0.3 M 98.86% Snow Traction 2nd 2380 N 2385 N -5 N 99.79% Snow Handling 3rd 58.2 Km/H 58.4 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.66% Noise 7th 71.4 dB 69.9 dB +1.5 dB 97.9% Price 8th 545 230 +315 42.2% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.13 kg / t 7.61 kg / t +0.52 kg / t 93.6% Exemplary premium tires with the best snow quality, high steering precision and dynamic handling properties in all weather conditions, short snow / wet braking distances, good comfort, fair price. None mentioned. Excellent. Read Reviews    Buy from £162.98
2nd: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
225/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 45.4 M 44.2 M +1.2 M 97.36% Dry Handling 1st 97.5 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 1st 43.4 M 100% Wet Handling 4th 86.8 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.09% Straight Aqua 6th 75.3 Km/H 78.5 Km/H -3.2 Km/H 95.92% Snow Braking 6th 26.9 M 26.1 M +0.8 M 97.03% Snow Traction 5th 2345 N 2385 N -40 N 98.32% Snow Handling 6th 57.2 Km/H 58.4 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 97.95% Noise 2nd 70.2 dB 69.9 dB +0.3 dB 99.57% Price 7th 505 230 +275 45.54% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.68 kg / t 7.61 kg / t +0.07 kg / t 99.09% Convincing all round performance, precise steering behavior, short snow and wet braking distances, dynamic dry handling, low external noise, good price / performance ratio. None mentioned. Excellent. Read Reviews    Buy from £138.60
3rd: Michelin Alpin 6
225/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 44.7 M 44.2 M +0.5 M 98.88% Dry Handling 4th 95.6 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 98.05% Wet Braking 4th 45.9 M 43.4 M +2.5 M 94.55% Wet Handling 5th 85.9 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.06% Straight Aqua 5th 75.6 Km/H 78.5 Km/H -2.9 Km/H 96.31% Snow Braking 9th 27.8 M 26.1 M +1.7 M 93.88% Snow Traction 7th 2325 N 2385 N -60 N 97.48% Snow Handling 8th 57.1 Km/H 58.4 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 97.77% Noise 10th 73.7 dB 69.9 dB +3.8 dB 94.84% Price 10th 615 230 +385 37.4% Rolling Resistance 4th 7.86 kg / t 7.61 kg / t +0.25 kg / t 96.82% Premium tires with stable handling qualities in all weather, excellent wet handling, precise steering with good feedback. High price, increased pass-by noise. Excellent. Read Reviews
3rd: Vredestein Wintrac Pro
225/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 44.2 M 100% Dry Handling 6th 95.3 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 97.74% Wet Braking 2nd 44.7 M 43.4 M +1.3 M 97.09% Wet Handling 1st 87.6 Km/H 100% Straight Aqua 4th 76.4 Km/H 78.5 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.32% Snow Braking 7th 27.6 M 26.1 M +1.5 M 94.57% Snow Traction 6th 2330 N 2385 N -55 N 97.69% Snow Handling 6th 57.2 Km/H 58.4 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 97.95% Noise 4th 70.6 dB 69.9 dB +0.7 dB 99.01% Price 6th 500 230 +270 46% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.85 kg / t 7.61 kg / t +1.24 kg / t 85.99% Balance winter tires with dynamic driving characteristics on wet roads, high aquaplaning resistance, short wet braking distances, good comfort. Slightly high rolling resistance. Excellent. Read Reviews
5th: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
225/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 47.2 M 44.2 M +3 M 93.64% Dry Handling 6th 95.3 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 97.74% Wet Braking 6th 47.2 M 43.4 M +3.8 M 91.95% Wet Handling 2nd 87.1 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.43% Straight Aqua 3rd 76.8 Km/H 78.5 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 97.83% Snow Braking 1st 26.1 M 100% Snow Traction 1st 2385 N 100% Snow Handling 1st 58.4 Km/H 100% Noise 6th 71.3 dB 69.9 dB +1.4 dB 98.04% Price 9th 590 230 +360 38.98% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.12 kg / t 7.61 kg / t +0.51 kg / t 93.72% The winter king with best driving performance on snow, good aquaplaning resistance, precise steering behavior, dynamic wet handling. Slightly longer dry braking distances. Good. Read Reviews
6th: Toyo Observe S 944
225/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 45.7 M 44.2 M +1.5 M 96.72% Dry Handling 3rd 96 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -1.5 Km/H 98.46% Wet Braking 5th 46.9 M 43.4 M +3.5 M 92.54% Wet Handling 7th 84.6 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -3 Km/H 96.58% Straight Aqua 9th 74.3 Km/H 78.5 Km/H -4.2 Km/H 94.65% Snow Braking 7th 27.6 M 26.1 M +1.5 M 94.57% Snow Traction 4th 2350 N 2385 N -35 N 98.53% Snow Handling 9th 57 Km/H 58.4 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 97.6% Noise 9th 71.9 dB 69.9 dB +2 dB 97.22% Price 4th 465 230 +235 49.46% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.13 kg / t 7.61 kg / t +0.52 kg / t 93.6% Balance with tires with stable driving characteristics on snow covered and wet roads, high aquaplaning resistance. Slow steering response and understeer in the wet. Good. Read Reviews
7th: Uniroyal MS+ 77
225/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 46.8 M 44.2 M +2.6 M 94.44% Dry Handling 8th 95.2 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 97.64% Wet Braking 8th 49 M 43.4 M +5.6 M 88.57% Wet Handling 8th 84.5 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.46% Straight Aqua 2nd 77.4 Km/H 78.5 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.6% Snow Braking 2nd 26.2 M 26.1 M +0.1 M 99.62% Snow Traction 7th 2325 N 2385 N -60 N 97.48% Snow Handling 4th 58.1 Km/H 58.4 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.49% Noise 5th 71.1 dB 69.9 dB +1.2 dB 98.31% Price 5th 470 230 +240 48.94% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.61 kg / t 100% Winter professional with very good driving characteristics in the snow, low rolling resistance. Average wet grip, long wet and dry braking distances, understeer in wet handling. Fair. Read Reviews
8th: Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
225/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 45.3 M 44.2 M +1.1 M 97.57% Dry Handling 2nd 96.2 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.67% Wet Braking 7th 48.3 M 43.4 M +4.9 M 89.86% Wet Handling 6th 85.2 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 97.26% Straight Aqua 1st 78.5 Km/H 100% Snow Braking 10th 27.9 M 26.1 M +1.8 M 93.55% Snow Traction 10th 2230 N 2385 N -155 N 93.5% Snow Handling 10th 56.5 Km/H 58.4 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 96.75% Noise 8th 71.7 dB 69.9 dB +1.8 dB 97.49% Price 3rd 385 230 +155 59.74% Rolling Resistance 9th 8.95 kg / t 7.61 kg / t +1.34 kg / t 85.03% Best aquaplaning performance, short snow braking distances, stable dry handling, low price. Longer wet braking distances, slow steering response, higher rolling resistance. Fair. Read Reviews
9th: Syron Everest 1 plus
225/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 45.7 M 44.2 M +1.5 M 96.72% Dry Handling 9th 94.7 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 97.13% Wet Braking 9th 49.9 M 43.4 M +6.5 M 86.97% Wet Handling 9th 83.6 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -4 Km/H 95.43% Straight Aqua 8th 74.8 Km/H 78.5 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 95.29% Snow Braking 4th 26.6 M 26.1 M +0.5 M 98.12% Snow Traction 3rd 2355 N 2385 N -30 N 98.74% Snow Handling 5th 57.9 Km/H 58.4 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.14% Noise 1st 69.9 dB 100% Price 2nd 310 230 +80 74.19% Rolling Resistance 10th 9.72 kg / t 7.61 kg / t +2.11 kg / t 78.29% Good winter performance, low noise, low price. Slow steering with average grip and understeer in the wet, long dry braking distances, high rolling resistance. Not Recommended. Read Reviews
10th: Duraturn Mozzo Winter
225/55 R17 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 46.1 M 44.2 M +1.9 M 95.88% Dry Handling 10th 94.5 Km/H 97.5 Km/H -3 Km/H 96.92% Wet Braking 10th 58.5 M 43.4 M +15.1 M 74.19% Wet Handling 10th 79.7 Km/H 87.6 Km/H -7.9 Km/H 90.98% Straight Aqua 10th 70.5 Km/H 78.5 Km/H -8 Km/H 89.81% Snow Braking 5th 26.7 M 26.1 M +0.6 M 97.75% Snow Traction 7th 2325 N 2385 N -60 N 97.48% Snow Handling 2nd 58.3 Km/H 58.4 Km/H -0.1 Km/H 99.83% Noise 3rd 70.4 dB 69.9 dB +0.5 dB 99.29% Price 1st 230 100% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.67 kg / t 7.61 kg / t +0.06 kg / t 99.22% Inexpensive winter tire with good snow qualities. Low wet grip, low aquaplaning resistance, poor steering response, dangerously long wet and dry braking distances. Not Recommended. Read Reviews