2025 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test

For their 2025 winter tyre test, Auto Express have tested eight popular winter tyres in 225/45 R17.

As always we suggest you visit the Auto Express website on the link below for the full details, but here is our summary.

As Auto Express do not provide raw data, instead percentages to the best in test, the data below is based on estimated 'bests'. The percentage difference between the tyres is accurate, but the numbers are based on guessing the best in category. As scoring is done on percentages this doesn't affect the score weighting calculator on the results tab but I thought it was important to share.

Click 'Test Charts' above to see the charts for each test.

Results

1^st

Continental WinterContact TS 870

225/45 R17 91H

• EU Label: C/B/70
• Price: 154.00

Auto Express praises the Continental for winning across the snow, wet and dry disciplines and for its “lovely feel,” calling it an “exceptional, unbeatable winter tyre”. Its blend of grip and refinement makes it a benchmark despite a relatively high price.

Dry

98.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	30 M			100%
Dry Handling	5th	59.3 s	58 s	+1.3 s	97.81%

Wet

88.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	35.43 M	35 M	+0.43 M	98.79%
Wet Handling	1st	60 s			100%
Straight Aqua	7th	81.14 Km/H	91.53 Km/H	-10.39 Km/H	88.65%
Curved Aquaplaning	7th	70.71 m/sec2	105.9 m/sec2	-35.19 m/sec2	66.77%

Snow

95.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	8th	44 M	40 M	+4 M	90.91%
Snow Traction	5th	10.33 s	10 s	+0.33 s	96.81%
Snow Handling	1st	60 s			100%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	1st	70 dB			100%

Value

93%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	8.6 kg / t	8 kg / t	+0.6 kg / t	93.02%

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2^nd

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

225/45 R17 91H

• EU Label: D/B/71
• Price: 145.00

Described as “consistently excellent” and “highly recommended”, this tyre performs well in every test area. Reviewers highlight its secure feel in snow, wet and dry conditions, and note that it is enjoyable to drive.

Dry

96.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	31.25 M	30 M	+1.25 M	96%
Dry Handling	6th	59.55 s	58 s	+1.55 s	97.4%

Wet

88.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	35 M			100%
Wet Handling	2nd	60.24 s	60 s	+0.24 s	99.6%
Straight Aqua	8th	80 Km/H	91.53 Km/H	-11.53 Km/H	87.4%
Curved Aquaplaning	8th	70 m/sec2	105.9 m/sec2	-35.9 m/sec2	66.1%

Snow

98.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	1st	40 M			100%
Snow Traction	1st	10 s			100%
Snow Handling	3rd	62.5 s	60 s	+2.5 s	96%

Comfort

99.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	5th	70.42 dB	70 dB	+0.42 dB	99.4%

Value

86.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	5th	9.21 kg / t	8 kg / t	+1.21 kg / t	86.86%

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3^rd

Bridgestone Blizzak 6

225/45 R17 94V

• EU Label: C/B/70
• Price: 150.00

Auto Express comments that the Blizzak 6 is “great in all conditions” and shines especially in cold, wet and dry weather. Its overall consistency, combined with strong fuel‑efficiency, makes it a good all‑round choice.

Dry

97.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	31.35 M	30 M	+1.35 M	95.69%
Dry Handling	2nd	58.53 s	58 s	+0.53 s	99.09%

Wet

92.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	35.57 M	35 M	+0.57 M	98.4%
Wet Handling	3rd	60.61 s	60 s	+0.61 s	98.99%
Straight Aqua	6th	84.57 Km/H	91.53 Km/H	-6.96 Km/H	92.4%
Curved Aquaplaning	6th	83.14 m/sec2	105.9 m/sec2	-22.76 m/sec2	78.51%

Snow

95.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	7th	42.6 M	40 M	+2.6 M	93.9%
Snow Traction	4th	10.29 s	10 s	+0.29 s	97.18%
Snow Handling	4th	62.7 s	60 s	+2.7 s	95.69%

Comfort

98%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	8th	71.43 dB	70 dB	+1.43 dB	98%

Value

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	1st	8 kg / t			100%

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4^th

Michelin Alpin 7

225/45 R17 94V

• EU Label: C/B/71
• Price: 170.00

The test team notes a “balanced performance overall, with a slight snow bias” and that the Alpin 7 feels reassuringly good to drive in the wet. It is well‑rounded and refined, though it is the priciest tyre in the group.

Dry

97.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	30.71 M	30 M	+0.71 M	97.69%
Dry Handling	7th	59.61 s	58 s	+1.61 s	97.3%

Wet

91.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	37 M	35 M	+2 M	94.59%
Wet Handling	6th	60.98 s	60 s	+0.98 s	98.39%
Straight Aqua	5th	84.66 Km/H	91.53 Km/H	-6.87 Km/H	92.49%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	83.73 m/sec2	105.9 m/sec2	-22.17 m/sec2	79.07%

Snow

97.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	6th	41.28 M	40 M	+1.28 M	96.9%
Snow Traction	3rd	10.2 s	10 s	+0.2 s	98.04%
Snow Handling	2nd	61.41 s	60 s	+1.41 s	97.7%

Comfort

98.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	6th	70.78 dB	70 dB	+0.78 dB	98.9%

Value

98.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	8.12 kg / t	8 kg / t	+0.12 kg / t	98.52%

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5^th

Linglong Sport Master Winter

225/45 R17 94W

• EU Label: D/A/72
• Price: 90.00

According to Auto Express, this tyre delivers a “strong performance” that announces LingLong’s arrival on the winter‑tyre scene, but they warn that its economy is “poor”. It excels in dry handling and offers competitive grip, yet higher running‑costs reduce its appeal.

Dry

96.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	31.98 M	30 M	+1.98 M	93.81%
Dry Handling	1st	58 s			100%

Wet

96.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	36.34 M	35 M	+1.34 M	96.31%
Wet Handling	7th	61.54 s	60 s	+1.54 s	97.5%
Straight Aqua	2nd	90.29 Km/H	91.53 Km/H	-1.24 Km/H	98.65%
Curved Aquaplaning	2nd	97.36 m/sec2	105.9 m/sec2	-8.54 m/sec2	91.94%

Snow

94%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	4th	40.94 M	40 M	+0.94 M	97.7%
Snow Traction	8th	11.04 s	10 s	+1.04 s	90.58%
Snow Handling	5th	63.97 s	60 s	+3.97 s	93.79%

Comfort

98.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	7th	70.85 dB	70 dB	+0.85 dB	98.8%

Value

74.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	8th	10.7 kg / t	8 kg / t	+2.7 kg / t	74.77%

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6^th

Vredestein Wintrac Pro plus

225/45 R17 94H

• EU Label: C/C/71
• Price: 122.00

The magazine notes that there is “a good feel in the wet,” but a mixed set of results leaves the Vredestein in the mid‑field. It offers reasonable comfort and grip without standing out in any one area.

Dry

94.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	32.75 M	30 M	+2.75 M	91.6%
Dry Handling	8th	59.73 s	58 s	+1.73 s	97.1%

Wet

94.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	37.8 M	35 M	+2.8 M	92.59%
Wet Handling	4th	60.85 s	60 s	+0.85 s	98.6%
Straight Aqua	4th	87.34 Km/H	91.53 Km/H	-4.19 Km/H	95.42%
Curved Aquaplaning	3rd	95.11 m/sec2	105.9 m/sec2	-10.79 m/sec2	89.81%

Snow

94.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	2nd	40.69 M	40 M	+0.69 M	98.3%
Snow Traction	6th	10.55 s	10 s	+0.55 s	94.79%
Snow Handling	8th	65.5 s	60 s	+5.5 s	91.6%

Comfort

99.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	70.28 dB	70 dB	+0.28 dB	99.6%

Value

90.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	4th	8.87 kg / t	8 kg / t	+0.87 kg / t	90.19%

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7^th

Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro

225/45 R17 94V

• EU Label: D/B/70
• Price: 130.00

Reviewers describe the Falken as “refined” and able to perform well in all conditions. It strikes a solid balance between grip and ride comfort, making it an easy tyre to live with and competitively priced.

Dry

94.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	32.72 M	30 M	+2.72 M	91.69%
Dry Handling	4th	59.18 s	58 s	+1.18 s	98.01%

Wet

94.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	37.35 M	35 M	+2.35 M	93.71%
Wet Handling	4th	60.85 s	60 s	+0.85 s	98.6%
Straight Aqua	3rd	89.29 Km/H	91.53 Km/H	-2.24 Km/H	97.55%
Curved Aquaplaning	4th	94.59 m/sec2	105.9 m/sec2	-11.31 m/sec2	89.32%

Snow

95.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	5th	41.11 M	40 M	+1.11 M	97.3%
Snow Traction	2nd	10.19 s	10 s	+0.19 s	98.14%
Snow Handling	7th	65.43 s	60 s	+5.43 s	91.7%

Comfort

99.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	2nd	70.21 dB	70 dB	+0.21 dB	99.7%

Value

82.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	6th	9.74 kg / t	8 kg / t	+1.74 kg / t	82.14%

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8^th

Triangle WinterX TW401

225/45 R17 94V

• EU Label: D/C/72
• Price: 77.00

Auto Express says the budget Triangle is better than a summer tyre in snowy conditions but warns that it is “worryingly poor in the wet” and that buying it “is false economy”. Its snow performance is acceptable, but its weak wet grip and high running‑costs undermine its low purchase price.

Dry

95.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	32.5 M	30 M	+2.5 M	92.31%
Dry Handling	3rd	59 s	58 s	+1 s	98.31%

Wet

94.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	40.37 M	35 M	+5.37 M	86.7%
Wet Handling	8th	64.66 s	60 s	+4.66 s	92.79%
Straight Aqua	1st	91.53 Km/H			100%
Curved Aquaplaning	1st	105.9 m/sec2			100%

Snow

93.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	3rd	40.9 M	40 M	+0.9 M	97.8%
Snow Traction	7th	10.99 s	10 s	+0.99 s	90.99%
Snow Handling	6th	65.01 s	60 s	+5.01 s	92.29%

Comfort

99.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Noise	3rd	70.28 dB	70 dB	+0.28 dB	99.6%

Value

81.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Rolling Resistance	7th	9.83 kg / t	8 kg / t	+1.83 kg / t	81.38%

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