Having trouble finding the ideal winter tyres? Fortunately, ADAC provide annual tests in various tyre sizes to help you choose the best options. This year’s results included a focus on winter car tyres in size 225/45 R17 H. Here, you can compare the results, find the top models and pick the product’s most suitable for your car and driving style.
Choosing the right winter tyres is a crucial decision as, not only will it help ensure the best handling and performance for your car, it will also keep you safe during the harsh winter conditions. ADAC, the General German Automobile Club (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) routinely test popular tyres in their search for the best product every year. So, what are their 2016 winter tyre test results?
ADAC test in tyre size 225/45 R17 H
Many popular cars are fitted with 225/45 R17 H size tyres, including the Vauxhall Astra, Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz C-class and the BMW X3. Every vehicle has a specific, recommended tyre size that they use, as it properly matches the car’s body type and engine. As such, this can often change between generations of the same vehicle, so it is best to ensure you have right products - you can check your tyre size by vehicle online.
ADAC tests winter tyres for various important parameters (Image source; ADAC)
Other popular models that fit 225/45 R17 tyres include:
We always recommend choosing the most versatile, multi-purpose tyres that will get you through city streets, as well as guaranteeing the best performance on long journeys. When making your decision, you should consider the expert opinions presented here, comparing them with customer reviews for greater insight.
ADAC test results of 13 winter tyres
All in all, ADAC’s winter tyre test focused on 13 different products. Here, we’ve collected the results so you can see which products had the most success.
Best winter tyres by category
| Dry | Dunlop Winter Sport 5, Hankook i*cept evo2 W320, Nokian WR D4, Bridgestone Blizzak LM001, Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme S, Yokohama W.drive V905 |
| Wet | Dunlop Winter Sport 5, Uniroyal MS Plus 77, Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 |
| Snow | Dunlop Winter Sport 5, Firestone Winterhawk 3, Goodyear UG Performance G1, Hankook i*cept evo2 W320, Nokian WR D4, Uniroyal MS Plus 77, Viking SnowTech 2, Yokohama W.drive V905, Matador MP92 Sibir Snow, BFGoodrich G-Force Winter 2 |
| Ice | Dunlop Winter Sport 5, Firestone Winterhawk 3, Goodyear UG Performance G1, Hankook i*cept evo2 W320, Nokian WR D4 |
| Noise | Dunlop Winter Sport 5, Pirelli SottoZero Serie 3, Firestone Winterhawk 3, Goodyear UG Performance G1, Hankook i*cept evo2 W320, Nokian WR D4, Uniroyal MS Plus 77 |
| Fuel efficiency | Goodyear UG Performance G1 |
| Wear | BFGoodrich G-Force Winter 2 |
The best winter tyre according to ADAC
Of the thirteen tyres test in the 225/45 R17 H size, only one received a “good” mark, while ten were labelled as “satisfactory” and the remaining two were deemed “sufficient”.
This year, the number one winter tyre is the Dunlop Winter Sport 5, scoring a “good” performance across almost all areas: specifically, it scored well in wet, dry, snow, ice and fuel efficiency categories. The only area where it fared less well - scoring a “satisfactory” mark, was in external tyre noise.
ADAC’s winner, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See Dunlop Winter Sport 5 tyres
Looking at customer reviews, it’s clear drivers also agree with this, awarding it an average of 4.5 out of 5, which is equivalent to a “good” score. Dunlop’s tyres are recommended by an impressive 98% of users, with particular praise given for their performance on wet roads. This really is no surprise as, with its innovative tread pattern and wide grooves, the Winter Sport is almost unbeatable in rainy conditions.
The Pirelli SottoZero Serie 3 came second in the winter tyre test, earning a “satisfactory” award. This product is designed with both family and luxury cars in mind. While it scored slightly less well than Dunlop’s product, it still managed to achieve second place on the podium, thanks to its good fuel efficiency and durability. Pirelli’s strong wear resistance was not unnoticed by our users. It was recommended by 97% of those who reviewed it, with an average score of 4.4
Second place: Pirelli SottoZero Serie 3
See Pirelli SottoZero Serie 3 tyres
In third place was the Firestone Winterhawk 3, the only mid-range product tested by ADAC. It won the bronze medal thanks to its good performance on snow and ice. It’s also a safe choice for dry roads, a view which is supported by our drivers, having given it an average rating of 4.2
See Firestone Winterhawk 3 tyres
As for positions 4 through 11, these are all “satisfactory” tyres that scored average results in most categories. The competition in this section was tight, with only minor differences across all tested conditions. At the bottom of the table, the Matador MP62 Sibir Snow and BFGoodrich G-Force Winter 2 close the ranks with “sufficient” ratings, due to their relatively poor grip on wet roads.
How does ADAC conduct its winter tyre test?
ADAD’s final results are collected from data gathered across numerous tests. These factors are then weighed by their importance. As such, the final score for their winter tyre tests break down as follows:
- Wet Grip - 30%
- Performance on dry roads - 15%
- Performance on snow - 20%
- Performance on ice - 10%
- Fuel efficiency - 10%
- Wear resistance - 10%
- Tyre noise and driving comfort - 5%
Safety is a high concern for ADAC and its grading system, ranging from “very good” to “deficient” helps to determine between the most versatile and well-balanced tyres.
Thanks to ADAC’s extensive testing, as well as the reviews and views given by other Oponeo users, you have plenty of information to find the best tyre for you.