Vi Bilägare has completed their latest winter tyre test, evaluating seven dedicated Nordic friction tyres and one all-season tyre in size 225/45 R17. The reigning champion, Continental VikingContact 7, has been replaced by the VikingContact 8, which is tested against competitors from Goodyear, Michelin, Nokian, and Hankook. The test also included two budget tyres, Radar and Greenmax.

Test Publication:

https://www.vibilagare.se/test/dacktest

Test Size: 225/45 R17

Tyres Tested: 8 tyres

Test Categories:
6 categories (13 tests)

View Test Summary

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Test Category	Best Performer	Worst Performer	Difference
Dry (2 tests)
Dry Braking	▲ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 25.85 M	▼ Greenmax LL Winter Ice I 15: 32.72 M	6.9 M (21.0%)
Subj. Dry Handling	▲ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3: 5 Points	▼ Greenmax LL Winter Ice I 15: 1 Points	4.0 Points (400.0%)
Wet (3 tests)
Wet Braking	▲ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 27.49 M	▼ Radar Dimax Ice: 42.66 M	15.2 M (35.6%)
Wet Handling	▲ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 38.4 s	▼ Greenmax LL Winter Ice I 15: 44.3 s	5.9 s (13.3%)
Straight Aqua	▲ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 86 Km/H	▼ Radar Dimax Ice: 58.2 Km/H	27.8 Km/H (47.8%)
Snow (3 tests)
Snow Braking	▲ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3: 12.43 M	▼ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 13.28 M	0.9 M (6.4%)
Snow Traction	▲ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3: 4.04 s	▼ Radar Dimax Ice: 4.46 s	0.4 s (9.4%)
Snow Handling	▲ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3: 79.6 s	▼ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 84.7 s	5.1 s (6.0%)
Ice (3 tests)
Ice Braking	▲ Michelin X Ice Snow: 10.69 M	▼ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 18.39 M	7.7 M (41.9%)
Ice Traction	▲ Michelin X Ice Snow: 7.53 s	▼ Greenmax LL Winter Ice I 15: 13 s	5.5 s (42.1%)
Ice Handling	▲ Continental VikingContact 8: 64.6 s	▼ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 72.8 s	8.2 s (11.3%)
Comfort (1 tests)
Noise	▲ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3: 71.5 dB	▼ Michelin CrossClimate 2: 72.9 dB	1.4 dB (1.9%)
Value (1 tests)
Fuel Consumption	▲ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3: 5.25 l/100km	▼ Greenmax LL Winter Ice I 15: 5.6 l/100km	0.4 l/100km (6.2%)

The inclusion of the Michelin CrossClimate 2 in this winter tyre test provides an interesting insight into the capabilities of modern all-season tyres in winter conditions. While the tyre demonstrated exceptional performance in wet conditions, significantly outperforming all winter tyres in wet braking and handling, its winter limitations were clear. On ice, the CrossClimate 2 showed very poor grip levels with braking distances nearly twice that of the best winter tyres. Snow performance, while better than ice, still fell well behind dedicated winter options.

The tyre's mixed performance led to an interesting result - despite its poor winter characteristics, strong wet and dry performance helped it outperform the budget winter tyres overall. However, the test highlights that while all-season tyres might work for drivers in milder regions who rarely encounter severe winter conditions, they're not a suitable replacement for Nordic winter tyres in areas where ice and snow are common. The CrossClimate 2 also showed the highest noise levels in the test, reflecting its stiffer, more summer-oriented construction.

Even with it's all season design goal, thanks to the huge lead it had in the dry and wet it got enough points to outscore two of the nordic winter tyres overall.

Dry

The Michelin CrossClimate 2 dominated this test with a stopping distance of 25.85m, significantly outperforming all winter tyres. The Greenmax LL Winter Ice I-15 performed worst, needing an additional 6.87m (26.6% longer) to stop.

The testers didn't provide laptimes for dry handling, instead publishing subjective scores out of five.

Wet

The CrossClimate 2 again led by a substantial margin, stopping in 27.49m. The Radar Dimax Ice performed worst, requiring 42.66m - a concerning 15.17m (55% longer) additional stopping distance.

The CrossClimate 2 continued its wet weather dominance with the fastest lap time of 38.4 seconds. The Greenmax LL Winter Ice I-15 was slowest, taking 44.3 seconds - 5.9 seconds (15.4%) slower.

The CrossClimate 2 showed exceptional aquaplaning resistance, maintaining grip until 86 km/h. The Radar Dimax Ice lost grip earliest at just 58.2 km/h, showing significantly worse water displacement.

Snow

The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 led with 12.43m stopping distance. The CrossClimate 2 struggled, requiring 13.28m - the longest distance of all tested tyres.

The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 demonstrated best acceleration with 4.04 seconds. The Radar Dimax Ice was slowest at 4.46 seconds, while the CrossClimate 2 performed mid-pack.

The Goodyear excelled with a lap time of 79.6 seconds. The CrossClimate 2 was significantly slower at 84.7 seconds - the worst performer.

Ice

The Michelin X-Ice Snow led with 10.69m. The CrossClimate 2 performed very poorly, requiring 18.39m - nearly twice the distance.

The Michelin X-Ice Snow was fastest with 7.53 seconds. The CrossClimate 2 tied with Greenmax for worst performance at 13 seconds - 72% slower than the best.

The Continental VikingContact 8 was quickest with 64.6 seconds. The CrossClimate 2 was slowest at 72.8 seconds - 12.7% behind the leader.

Comfort

The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was quietest at 71.5 dB. The CrossClimate 2 was loudest at 72.9 dB, reflecting its stiffer construction.

Value

The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was most efficient at 5.25 L/100km. The Greenmax was worst at 5.6 L/100km, while the CrossClimate 2 tied with the Michelin X-Ice Snow at 5.45 L/100km.

Results

1st: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 9.5kgs Tread: 7.5mm 3PMSF: yes Price: 2183.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 32.1 M 25.85 M +6.25 M 80.53% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 5 Points 100% Wet Braking 2nd 37.55 M 27.49 M +10.06 M 73.21% Wet Handling 2nd 40.6 s 38.4 s +2.2 s 94.58% Straight Aqua 2nd 68.5 Km/H 86 Km/H -17.5 Km/H 79.65% Snow Braking 1st 12.43 M 100% Snow Traction 1st 4.04 s 100% Snow Handling 1st 79.6 s 100% Ice Braking 4th 12.75 M 10.69 M +2.06 M 83.84% Ice Traction 4th 8.99 s 7.53 s +1.46 s 83.76% Ice Handling 3rd 66.4 s 64.6 s +1.8 s 97.29% Noise 1st 71.5 dB 100% Fuel Consumption 1st 5.25 l/100km 100% The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 claimed victory with impressive overall performance. It showed class-leading wet road handling and aquaplaning resistance while maintaining high levels of snow grip. Despite prioritizing tarmac performance, it still delivered strong winter capabilities, though its ice performance fell slightly behind the best. Combined with low rolling resistance and good noise levels, it proved to be the best choice for drivers who spend more time on clear roads but still need reliable winter performance. Read Reviews
2nd: Continental VikingContact 8
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 9.9kgs Tread: 7.9mm 3PMSF: yes Price: 2549.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 31.2 M 25.85 M +5.35 M 82.85% Subj. Dry Handling 3rd 4 Points 5 Points -1 Points 80% Wet Braking 4th 40.1 M 27.49 M +12.61 M 68.55% Wet Handling 3rd 41.2 s 38.4 s +2.8 s 93.2% Straight Aqua 6th 59.8 Km/H 86 Km/H -26.2 Km/H 69.53% Snow Braking 4th 12.72 M 12.43 M +0.29 M 97.72% Snow Traction 2nd 4.19 s 4.04 s +0.15 s 96.42% Snow Handling 2nd 79.7 s 79.6 s +0.1 s 99.87% Ice Braking 3rd 11.97 M 10.69 M +1.28 M 89.31% Ice Traction 3rd 8.44 s 7.53 s +0.91 s 89.22% Ice Handling 1st 64.6 s 100% Noise 4th 71.8 dB 71.5 dB +0.3 dB 99.58% Fuel Consumption 2nd 5.3 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.05 l/100km 99.06% The Continental VikingContact 8, newly released with EV certification, secured second place. This updated model improved upon its predecessor's already strong reputation with better stability on tarmac, likely designed with heavier electric vehicles in mind. While ice grip remained good, particularly in terms of handling at the limit, it wasn't quite class-leading. Its main weakness was poor resistance to aquaplaning, but strong performance across other areas and excellent noise levels kept it near the top. Read Reviews
3rd: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 9.6kgs Tread: 8.2mm 3PMSF: yes Price: 2332.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 31.35 M 25.85 M +5.5 M 82.46% Subj. Dry Handling 6th 3 Points 5 Points -2 Points 60% Wet Braking 6th 41.92 M 27.49 M +14.43 M 65.58% Wet Handling 4th 41.7 s 38.4 s +3.3 s 92.09% Straight Aqua 6th 59.8 Km/H 86 Km/H -26.2 Km/H 69.53% Snow Braking 2nd 12.46 M 12.43 M +0.03 M 99.76% Snow Traction 3rd 4.2 s 4.04 s +0.16 s 96.19% Snow Handling 2nd 79.7 s 79.6 s +0.1 s 99.87% Ice Braking 2nd 11.37 M 10.69 M +0.68 M 94.02% Ice Traction 2nd 8.01 s 7.53 s +0.48 s 94.01% Ice Handling 2nd 65 s 64.6 s +0.4 s 99.38% Noise 5th 71.9 dB 71.5 dB +0.4 dB 99.44% Fuel Consumption 2nd 5.3 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.05 l/100km 99.06% The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 took third place, dominating the winter conditions alongside Continental. It excelled in both ice and snow performance, offering the best cornering grip and proving particularly enjoyable to drive in winter conditions. However, its clear focus on winter performance led to compromises elsewhere - it struggled with aquaplaning resistance and showed only average performance on dry and wet tarmac, with slightly inconsistent steering feel. Read Reviews
4th: Michelin X Ice Snow
225/45 R17 94H Weight: 10kgs Tread: 8mm 3PMSF: yes Price: 2573.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 31.57 M 25.85 M +5.72 M 81.88% Subj. Dry Handling 3rd 4 Points 5 Points -1 Points 80% Wet Braking 3rd 39.1 M 27.49 M +11.61 M 70.31% Wet Handling 4th 41.7 s 38.4 s +3.3 s 92.09% Straight Aqua 3rd 64.7 Km/H 86 Km/H -21.3 Km/H 75.23% Snow Braking 3rd 12.5 M 12.43 M +0.07 M 99.44% Snow Traction 6th 4.23 s 4.04 s +0.19 s 95.51% Snow Handling 4th 81 s 79.6 s +1.4 s 98.27% Ice Braking 1st 10.69 M 100% Ice Traction 1st 7.53 s 100% Ice Handling 5th 67.8 s 64.6 s +3.2 s 95.28% Noise 7th 72.1 dB 71.5 dB +0.6 dB 99.17% Fuel Consumption 5th 5.45 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.2 l/100km 96.33% The Michelin X-Ice Snow finished fourth, standing out with excellent braking performance across all conditions despite being one of the harder tyres in the test and the only Nordic winter tyre rated above 200 km/h. However, it showed lower cornering grip than its competitors in both winter and summer conditions, with a tendency to break away more suddenly in corners. It offered good straight-line stability and linear steering feel on tarmac but responded more sluggishly under pressure. Read Reviews
5th: Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 9.6kgs Tread: 8.3mm 3PMSF: yes Price: 1717.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 32.37 M 25.85 M +6.52 M 79.86% Subj. Dry Handling 3rd 4 Points 5 Points -1 Points 80% Wet Braking 5th 40.36 M 27.49 M +12.87 M 68.11% Wet Handling 6th 42.5 s 38.4 s +4.1 s 90.35% Straight Aqua 5th 62.4 Km/H 86 Km/H -23.6 Km/H 72.56% Snow Braking 5th 12.73 M 12.43 M +0.3 M 97.64% Snow Traction 3rd 4.2 s 4.04 s +0.16 s 96.19% Snow Handling 5th 81.5 s 79.6 s +1.9 s 97.67% Ice Braking 6th 15.68 M 10.69 M +4.99 M 68.18% Ice Traction 5th 11 s 7.53 s +3.47 s 68.45% Ice Handling 6th 69.3 s 64.6 s +4.7 s 93.22% Noise 2nd 71.7 dB 71.5 dB +0.2 dB 99.72% Fuel Consumption 4th 5.4 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.15 l/100km 97.22% The Hankook Winter i*cept IZ2 W616, launched in 2016, showed its age with a fifth-place finish. While offering good straight-line stability on tarmac and low noise levels, it struggled to balance winter and tarmac performance. Ice grip was notably behind premium competitors in both braking and cornering, and while dry road steering feel was good, overall grip levels couldn't match the best performers. Read Reviews
6th: Michelin CrossClimate 2
225/45 R17 94V Weight: 8.9kgs Tread: 6.3mm 3PMSF: yes Price: 1567.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 25.85 M 100% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 5 Points 100% Wet Braking 1st 27.49 M 100% Wet Handling 1st 38.4 s 100% Straight Aqua 1st 86 Km/H 100% Snow Braking 8th 13.28 M 12.43 M +0.85 M 93.6% Snow Traction 5th 4.21 s 4.04 s +0.17 s 95.96% Snow Handling 8th 84.7 s 79.6 s +5.1 s 93.98% Ice Braking 8th 18.39 M 10.69 M +7.7 M 58.13% Ice Traction 7th 13 s 7.53 s +5.47 s 57.92% Ice Handling 8th 72.8 s 64.6 s +8.2 s 88.74% Noise 8th 72.9 dB 71.5 dB +1.4 dB 98.08% Fuel Consumption 5th 5.45 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.2 l/100km 96.33% The Michelin CrossClimate 2 all-season tyre demonstrated its split personality in the test. It dominated wet road performance and showed excellent dry road behavior, but struggled severely on ice and showed compromised snow performance. While it outperformed budget winter tyres overall, its winter limitations make it suitable only for drivers who can avoid driving in icy conditions. Read Reviews    Buy from £110.96
7th: Radar Dimax Ice
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 9.9kgs Tread: 8mm 3PMSF: yes Price: 1129.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 32.61 M 25.85 M +6.76 M 79.27% Subj. Dry Handling 7th 1 Points 5 Points -4 Points 20% Wet Braking 8th 42.66 M 27.49 M +15.17 M 64.44% Wet Handling 7th 43.9 s 38.4 s +5.5 s 87.47% Straight Aqua 8th 58.2 Km/H 86 Km/H -27.8 Km/H 67.67% Snow Braking 6th 12.8 M 12.43 M +0.37 M 97.11% Snow Traction 8th 4.46 s 4.04 s +0.42 s 90.58% Snow Handling 6th 81.8 s 79.6 s +2.2 s 97.31% Ice Braking 5th 15.56 M 10.69 M +4.87 M 68.7% Ice Traction 5th 11 s 7.53 s +3.47 s 68.45% Ice Handling 4th 67 s 64.6 s +2.4 s 96.42% Noise 6th 72 dB 71.5 dB +0.5 dB 99.31% Fuel Consumption 7th 5.55 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.3 l/100km 94.59% The Radar Dimax Ice performed poorly overall, though showed reasonable ice grip thanks to its soft compound. However, it failed in most other areas with extended braking distances on both wet and dry surfaces, early aquaplaning, high noise levels, and unpredictable handling under pressure. Despite its low price point, its limited capabilities make it poor value. Read Reviews
8th: Greenmax LL Winter Ice I 15
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 9.8kgs Tread: 8.9mm 3PMSF: yes Price: 1047.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 32.72 M 25.85 M +6.87 M 79% Subj. Dry Handling 7th 1 Points 5 Points -4 Points 20% Wet Braking 7th 42.48 M 27.49 M +14.99 M 64.71% Wet Handling 8th 44.3 s 38.4 s +5.9 s 86.68% Straight Aqua 4th 63.3 Km/H 86 Km/H -22.7 Km/H 73.6% Snow Braking 7th 12.98 M 12.43 M +0.55 M 95.76% Snow Traction 7th 4.3 s 4.04 s +0.26 s 93.95% Snow Handling 7th 83 s 79.6 s +3.4 s 95.9% Ice Braking 7th 18.38 M 10.69 M +7.69 M 58.16% Ice Traction 7th 13 s 7.53 s +5.47 s 57.92% Ice Handling 7th 69.7 s 64.6 s +5.1 s 92.68% Noise 2nd 71.7 dB 71.5 dB +0.2 dB 99.72% Fuel Consumption 8th 5.6 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.35 l/100km 93.75% The Greenmax Winter Ice I-15 finished last, showing almost no redeeming qualities beyond low noise levels and decent aquaplaning resistance. Its relatively hard compound delivered ice grip barely better than the all-season tyre, and it showed dangerous handling characteristics with sudden breakaway on both snow and ice. Extended braking distances, poor handling on dry roads, and high rolling resistance confirmed its position at the bottom of the test. Read Reviews