Auto Bild Allrad: Studless Winter Tire Test R17 2020

This year, the experts of the German magazine Auto Bild Allrad performed a comparative tire test that involved models of various price brackets in today’s popular size of 225/55R17 101V, one that fits most small to compact CUVs.
The test car was a versatile and dynamic crossover BMW X1. The tires’ performance was rated on a scale from 6 (poor) to 1 (very good). And, as always, the Auto Bild Allrad experts took along a set of summer tires — just to demonstrate how powerless they are on snow and ice and to remind us about the importance of the seasonal tire swap.

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ - Winner Recommended

88 53

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: exemplary premium tires with the best snow quality, high steering precision and dynamic handling properties in all weather conditions, short snow / wet braking distances, pleasant comfort, fair price.
Snow Braking Price Dry Handling Wet Braking Steering Precision Comfort Snow Handling Wet Handling

Europe · Russia+ · China
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 Recommended

87 54

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: convincing all-round talent with balanced performance potential, precise steering behavior, short snow and wet braking distances, dynamic dry handling, quiet pass-by noise, good price-performance ratio.
Snow Braking Dry Handling Price Wet Braking Noise Steering Precision

Canada · Europe · Russia+
Michelin Alpin 6 Recommended

85 53

· Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Premium tires with stable handling qualities in all weather conditions, best lateral guidance on wet slopes, precise steering behavior with good feedback.
Negative: high price level, increased rolling noise.
Lateral Stability Dry Handling Price Noise Steering Precision Snow Handling Wet Handling

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · Japan
Vredestein Wintrac Pro Recommended

82 46

· Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Well- balanced winter tire with dynamic driving characteristics on wet slopes, high safety reserves for aquaplaning, short wet braking distances, good comfort. Negative: slightly increased rolling resistance.
Wet Braking Aquaplaning Comfort Wet Handling Rolling Resistance

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+
Dunlop Winter Sport 5

82 57

· Winter · 2015 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: the winter king with the best performance on snow. Large safety reserves with aquaplaning, precise steering behavior, dynamic wet handling.
Negative: slightly longer dry braking distances.
Aquaplaning Snow Braking Steering Precision Snow Handling Wet Handling Dry Braking

Europe · Russia+
Toyo Observe S944

68 40

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Well- balanced winter tires with stable driving characteristics on snowy and wet slopes, good aquaplaning characteristics.
Negative: Delayed steering response and understeering driving behavior in wet conditions.
Aquaplaning Snow Handling Wet Handling Steering Precision

Europe · Russia+
Uniroyal MS Plus 77

80 28

· Winter · 2013 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: Winter professional with very good driving characteristics on snow surface, fuel-saving rolling resistance.
Negative: only satisfactory wet grip, extended wet and dry braking distances, understeering wet handling.
Rolling Resistance Snow Handling Wet Braking Wet Grip Dry Braking Wet Handling

Europe · Russia+
Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6

70 41

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: best aquaplaning properties , short snow braking distances , stable dry handling , low price.
Negative: slightly longer braking distances on wet slopes, delayed steering response, increased rolling resistance.
Price Dry Handling Aquaplaning Snow Braking Wet Braking Steering Precision Rolling Resistance

Canada · Europe · Russia+
Syron Everest 1 Plus

N/A 19

· Winter · 2014 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: good winter qualities, low noise, low price.
Negative: Delays responsive steering behavior, moderate grip and understeering driving behavior in wet conditions, braking distances that are too long, increased rolling resistance.
Price Noise Snow Braking Snow Handling Wet Braking Rolling Resistance Steering Precision Wet Grip

Europe · Russia+
Duraturn Mozzo Winter

N/A 21

· Winter · 2015 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: inexpensive winter tires with good snow qualities.
Negative: only limited fitness to drive on wet roads, low aquaplaning reserves, diffuse steering response, dangerously extended wet and dry braking distances.
Snow Braking Snow Handling Steering Precision Aquaplaning Wet Braking Wet Grip Dry Braking

USA+ · Canada · Europe