225/45R17

Autozurnal 2022: Winter Tire Test R17

The Continental tires continue a series of victories in the European tests, and the recently released Pirelli model unexpectedly demonstrated weaknesses on snow.

List of models tested:

The Slovakian magazine tested European-type winter tires in size 225/45 R17, evaluating their performance on snow, as well as on wet and dry pavement. The «winter» part of the test was conducted in Arvidsjaur, Sweden, and the tarmac performance — including noise and rolling resistance — were evaluated at a proving ground in Germany. The test cars were VW Golf VII and Skoda Octavia Combi.

The tires were tested using two VW Golf VII / Skoda Octavia Combi
The tires were tested using two VW Golf VII / Skoda Octavia Combi

The best of the tested tires was pronounced to be the Continental WinterContact TS 870, which came first in the braking and handling tests, and came second in the traction test. The Continental was followed by the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, which also performed well in all of the disciplines, while the bronze was scored by the Michelin Alpin 6 that demonstrated excellent longitudinal traction. The last line was occupied by the Nexen model, and an unpleasant surprise was made by the recently released Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2, which had the longest braking distance on test, and ultimately came last but one. In addition, the Nokian model unexpectedly demonstrated the worst snow traction on test.

Snow Braking

Continental
25.7
Bridgestone
26.0
Nokian
26.2
Michelin
26.4
Maxxis
26.4
Vredestein
26.4
Nexen
26.8
Pirelli
27.1

Info! Braking in the range of 50–0 km/h, m.

Snow Handling

Continental
78.3
Bridgestone
78.7
Maxxis
79.1
Nokian
79.2
Pirelli
79.2
Michelin
79.5
Nexen
81.5
Vredestein
82.4

Info! Lap time, sec.


On wet pavement, just as on snow, the highest scores were earned by the Continental and Bridgestone models. The tire of the German brand combated the hydroplaning effect better than all the rivals both on a straight course and in corners, and its braking distance was the second-best on test, while the Blizzak LM005 was the best in braking efficiency and handling performance (and the braking distance was as much as three meters shorter than that of the Continental).

In the dry braking test, four tire models — Pirelli, Vredestein, Nokian, and Continental — showed almost identical results when braking from 100 km/h, and the handling tests were won by Bridgestone and Continental. Ultimately, with consideration for the noise and ride comfort points, the first place in this part of the test was awarded to the Bridgestone tire, followed by the Nokian and Continental.

Wet Braking

Bridgestone
53.0
Continental
56.3
Michelin
56.6
Nexen
59.8
Nokian
60.2
Vredestein
60.3
Pirelli
60.4
Maxxis
62.8

Info! Braking in the range of 100–0 km/h, m.

Dry Braking

Pirelli
44.8
Vredestein
44.8
Nokian
44.8
Continental
44.8
Nexen
45.0
Michelin
45.7
Bridgestone
45.7
Maxxis
46.4

Info! Braking in the range of 100–0 km/h, m.


Verdict

The tensest struggle for the victory unfolded between the Bridgestone and Continental, which were among the leaders on all types of surfaces, and ultimately the WinterContact TS 870 surpassed the Japanese tire by mere 0.1 points (earlier, Continental also won in both ADAC winter tests of this year). Third-placed was Michelin, and the experts noted that all the three tires were equally good in any weather conditions, and will be a great option for a mild winter.

Result summary. Autozurnal Tire Test — 225/45R17 Places 1–8.
Result summary. Autozurnal Tire Test — 225/45R17 Places 1–8. (click to enlarge)

1st place: Continental / WinterContact TS 870

Quick Take
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Continental WinterContact TS 870

Price/Quality Wet Performance Comfort Dry Performance Snow/Ice Performance Treadwear Handling
  • This tire replaced Continental / WinterContact TS 860
  • Available Sizes in Line: 19
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Ford Explorer VI (U625) Facelift [2022 .. 2024]
    • • Ford Fiesta VII Facelift [2022 .. 2024]
    • • Ford Focus IV (C519) Facelift [2022 .. 2024]
    • • Ford Mustang VI (S550) Facelift [2018 .. 2024]
    • • Ford Puma II (J2K) [2019 .. 2024]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2020
  • Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Continental WinterContact TS 870

  • Short braking distance and good handling response on snow and dry pavement
  • Excellent lateral stability and short stopping distance in the wet
  • Good hydroplaning resistance
  • Low noise emission
  • Good riding comfort
  • Very good

2nd place: Bridgestone / Blizzak LM005

Quick Take
88 56

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

Price/Quality Wet Performance Dry Performance Comfort Handling Snow/Ice Performance Treadwear
  • This tire replaced Bridgestone / Blizzak LM001 Evo
  • Available Sizes in Line: 224
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Audi e-tron [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Volkswagen T-Cross I (C11) [2018 .. 2023]
    • • Audi A3 8Y [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Mercedes-Benz C-Class Br205 [2015 .. 2021]
    • • Volkswagen Caddy V [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Lamborghini Reventon [2007 .. 2009]
    • • Audi Q4 e-tron FZ [2022 .. 2024]
    • • BMW X7 G07 [2018 .. 2022]
    • • Lamborghini Revuelto [2023 .. 2024]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2019
  • Regions for sale: Canada, Europe, Russia+
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

  • Rapid acceleration and good handling performance on snow
  • High lateral stability, short braking distance and good handling response on wet pavement
  • Good riding comfort
  • Low rolling resistance
  • Very good

3rd place: Michelin / Alpin 6

Quick Take
85 55
Price/Quality Wet Performance Comfort Dry Performance Handling Snow/Ice Performance Treadwear
  • This tire replaced Michelin / Alpin 5
  • Available Sizes in Line: 73
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Ford Puma II (J2K) [2019 .. 2023]
  • Recommended Tire by Tests
  • Year Released: 2018
  • Regions for sale: USA+, Canada, Europe, Russia+, Japan
Michelin Alpin 6

  • High traction on snow
  • Short braking distance and good handling response on wet pavement
  • Good riding comfort
  • Insufficient handling response in the dry
  • Very good

4th place: Vredestein / Wintrac Pro

Quick Take
82 46

Vredestein Wintrac Pro

Price/Quality Comfort Snow/Ice Performance Treadwear Handling Dry Performance Wet Performance
  • Year Released: 2018
  • Regions for sale: USA+, Canada, Europe, Russia+
Vredestein Wintrac Pro

  • Short braking distance on dry pavement
  • Insufficient handling response on snow
  • Good

5th place: Nokian / WR Snowproof

Quick Take
68 44
Comfort Handling Price/Quality Dry Performance Wet Performance Snow/Ice Performance
  • This tire has been replaced by Nokian / Snowproof 2
  • Available Sizes in Line: 59
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Ford Puma II (J2K) [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Ford Focus IV (C519) [2018 .. 2023]
    • • Ford Focus Active IV [2018 .. 2023]
  • Year Released: 2019
  • Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Nokian WR Snowproof

  • Short braking distance on dry pavement
  • Good riding comfort
  • Low rolling resistance
  • Relatively weak snow traction
  • Low hydroplaning resistance
  • Good

6th place: Maxxis / Premitra Snow WP6

Quick Take
70 43

Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6

Snow/Ice Performance Handling Dry Performance Wet Performance Comfort Treadwear
  • Available Sizes in Line: 47
  • Year Released: 2019
  • Regions for sale: Canada, Europe, Russia+
Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6

  • Good hydroplaning resistance
  • Short braking distance on dry pavement
  • Low noise emission
  • Good riding comfort
  • Poor lateral grip, long braking distance, and less-than-perfect handling performance on wet pavement
  • High rolling resistance
  • Good

7th place: Pirelli / Cinturato Winter 2

Quick Take
86 45

Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2

Price/Quality Dry Performance Wet Performance Snow/Ice Performance
  • Year Released: 2021
  • Regions for sale: Europe, Russia+
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2

  • Short braking distance on dry pavement
  • Long braking distance on snow
  • Good

8th place: Nexen / WinGuard Sport 2

Quick Take
72 40

Nexen WinGuard Sport 2

Dry Performance Snow/Ice Performance Treadwear Handling Comfort Price/Quality Wet Performance
  • This tire replaced 🏁 Nexen / Winguard Sport
  • Available Sizes in Line: 91
  • Original Equipment (OE) tires for:
    • • Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (CD1) [2019 .. 2023]
    • • Audi A3 8Y [2020 .. 2023]
    • • Audi A6 C8 [2018 .. 2023]
  • Year Released: 2016
  • Regions for sale: USA+, Canada, Europe, Russia+, East Asia
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2

  • Good handling response in the wet
  • Short braking distance on dry pavement
  • Low noise emission
  • Relatively low traction, long braking distance, and less-than-perfect handling performance on snow
  • Low hydroplaning resistance
  • High rolling resistance
  • Satisfactory

Price