In the 2025-09-10 published Auto Express test, eight 225/45 R17 winter tyres bought on the open market were tested in Finland and Germany. Wet events accounted for half of the final score, snow and dry events accounted for a fifth each, so the rating most closely reflects the safety of the cold and wet European winter.
Continental won for the entyre complex
Continental WinterContact TS 870 scored 100 % to win this Auto Express comparison for the third time in a row. It was best in wet handling, wet cornering, snow handling and dry braking. However, the 90,9% snow braking result was the weakest of the eight, with the overall victory not being determined by a single event, but by a very strong balance of all other attributes.
Goodyear was just 0,6 percentage point behind
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 scored 99,4%. It won snow braking and traction, wet braking and both aquaplaning tests. Its weaker area was rolling resistance at 86,9%, allowing Continental to retain a narrow overall lead.
Bridgestone and Michelin - differently balanced TOP 4
Third-placed Bridgestone Blizzak 6 scored 98,9% overall and set the economy benchmark with 100% for rolling resistance, but scored 84,2% in lateral aquaplaning. Fourth-placed Michelin Alpin 7 scored 98,5% overall, with the second-best economy score at 98,5% and consistent snow results, but wet braking at 94,6%.
Fifth place does not mean equal character
LingLong Sport Master Winter debuted in fifth place and won dry handling, but had the weakest rolling-resistance score at 74,8%. Vredestein Wintrac Pro+ finished sixth with uneven results. Falken Eurowinter HS02PRO was quiet and second in snow traction. Triangle WinterX TW401 finished last after placing last in all five wet tests.
Catalogue prices are just a snapshot of today's model and size
The exact model and 225/45 R17 size candidates available in the 2026-08-07 catalogue were priced at: LingLong - 70,76 €, Falken - 99,18 €, Goodyear - 156,27 €, Michelin - 181,47 €. Bridgestone The page was working, but the item was sold out; Continental, Vredestein and Triangle secure exact model and size page not found. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Which choice is more suitable for whom?
- Continental – When you need the widest balance of wet, dry and snow coverage.
- Goodyear - when braking, snow traction and aquaplaning reserve are most important.
- Bridgestone - when you want low rolling resistance and strong cold wet and dry driving.
- Michelin - when you want to combine economy with smooth snow and wet handling.
- Falken - when evaluating quietness and snow traction, accepting a more modest wet braking result.
The model reference is not proof of the tested SKU
The direct link of model and size 225/45 R17 is the shopping direction. It does not by itself confirm that the load and speed indexes, XL, OEM, RunFlat, batch or tread revision match the tested kit. If no safe card is found, a neutral search for winter tyres of the same size is displayed.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2025 test of 225/45 R17 winter tyres?
Continental WinterContact TS 870 won with 100%, beating its same-size rivals for the third consecutive time.
Which tyre braked best on snow and on the wet track?
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 scored 100% in both braking tests and also won snow traction and aquaplaning.
Why did Triangle finish last despite not being weakest on snow?
Triangle was third in snow braking but last in all five wet tests. Wet performance accounted for 50% of the overall score, determining its eighth place.
Do the catalogue variants exactly match the tested tyres?
No. Prices appear only for exact models in 225/45 R17 found in stock, but ratings, XL, OEM, batch and construction are not automatically confirmed as identical.