2021 Auto Express Winter Tire Test

8 Premium Touring Winter tires tested in 225/45 R17 | Published November 25th, 2021 by Jonathan Benson

Test Summary
Wet Braking	Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Dry Braking	Continental WinterContact TS 870
Wet Handling	Continental WinterContact TS 870
Wear	Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Rolling Resistance	Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Snow Handling	Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6

For the 2021 Auto Express winter tire test, Auto Express tested eight 225/45 R17 winter tires using a VW Golf.

As usual we'll keep commentary to a minimum, instead encouraging you to head over to the Auto Express website to check out the full test.

The tires included were very similar to the 2020 Auto Express winter tire test, with Bridgestone winning the test again, with the new Continental second.

Results

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

1st: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 1178.8 Dry: 200 Wet: 481.8 Snow: 198.1 Rolling Resistance: 100 Noise: 98.9 Overall: 100 The LM005 has a test winning combination of grip in all conditions, and fuel efficiency. Average curved aquaplaning resistance. Read Reviews Buy from £133.12
2nd: Continental WinterContact TS 870
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 1175.9 Dry: 193.2 Wet: 487.2 Snow: 199.9 Rolling Resistance: 98.5 Noise: 99.1 Overall: 98 The TS870 is the tire to have when there's snow on the ground, very strong aquaplaning resistance. Only fourth in the wet overall. Read Reviews Buy from £149.53
3rd: Hankook Winter i cept RS2
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 1138.3 Dry: 194.6 Wet: 470 Snow: 197.1 Rolling Resistance: 81.7 Noise: 97.7 Overall: 97.2 the I*Cept RS2 is very good in the dry, wet and snow. High rolling resistance and cabin noise. Read Reviews
4th: Michelin Alpin 6
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 1143.1 Dry: 192.7 Wet: 471.7 Snow: 194.2 Rolling Resistance: 90 Noise: 97.4 Overall: 97.1 The Michelin Alpin 6 is particularly suited to the UK weather thanks to a strong wet performance. Relatively poor snow performance. Read Reviews
5th: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 1154.9 Dry: 193.9 Wet: 469.3 Snow: 195.8 Rolling Resistance: 99.6 Noise: 99.3 Overall: 97 The UltraGrip Performance+ is strong in the dry with low fuel use and low noise. Poor wet braking. Read Reviews Buy from £119.92
6th: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 1151 Dry: 193 Wet: 470 Snow: 195.3 Rolling Resistance: 96.9 Noise: 99.1 Overall: 96.7 The WinterSport 5 has good aquaplaning resistance and a low rolling resistance. Average grip in all conditions. Read Reviews Buy from £114.58
7th: Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 1130.2 Dry: 194.2 Wet: 465.4 Snow: 193.9 Rolling Resistance: 80 Noise: 100 Overall: 96.7 The Snow WP6 was excellent in the dry, good straight aquaplaning resistance, lowest noise on test. Poor grip on snow, high rolling resistance. Read Reviews
8th: Avon WV7
225/45 R17 3PMSF: no	Total: 1127 Dry: 191.8 Wet: 468.9 Snow: 190.7 Rolling Resistance: 80.7 Noise: 99.4 Overall: 95.5 The WV7 had low cabin noise. Poor grip in all conditions. Read Reviews