Automotive
Best Winter Tyres 225/45 R17
If you have read our 205/55 R16 ranking, one thing here will surprise you. In that size every tyre carried an identical EU label — rolling resistance C, wet grip B — making the label useless for choosing.
In 225/45 R17 the label actually discriminates. Rolling resistance runs from B to D, wet grip from A to C, and noise from 70 to 72 dB. One tyre here is the only model we found in this size with wet grip A; another is the only one with rolling resistance B; two carry a D for rolling resistance. Those differences are worth real money and real braking distance.
Two things to get right before you order, both of which are easy to get wrong in this size specifically:
- The load index. This size is sold as 91, 94 and 94 XL, often at similar prices from the same manufacturer — Continental's TS 870 is €141.17 in 91H and €146.94 in 94H XL. The index number is the legally binding figure, and fitting the wrong one violates your vehicle specification.
- The speed index. German law permits winter tyres rated below your car's top speed — but only with a sticker in the driver's field of view stating the limit, and never below index Q. In this size a 91H or 94H tyre is typically €5–15 cheaper than the 94V, so this rule is a genuine saving.
One caution about test data. The most recent joint ADAC / ÖAMTC / TCS winter test used 225/40 R18, a different size. Where we quote it we say so. The size-correct results are ADAC 2023 and Auto Express 2025.
Methodology note
What this ranking is based on. Results from the two test programmes conducted in 225/45 R17: the joint ADAC / ÖAMTC / TCS test of 2023 (16 models on a VW Golf, weighted 70% safety and 30% environment) and Auto Express Best Winter Tyres 2025 (8 models on a VW Golf 8). EU label values and prices come from ReifenDirekt.de and reifen.com, retrieved 9 September 2026, for this size specifically.
What we did not test. We ran no tyre tests and surveyed no owners. The owner-feedback score reflects published test verdicts.
Three model corrections worth knowing. The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is not offered in 225/45 R17 — the P line starts at larger diameters, and the tyre in this size is the standard TS 870. The Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330 starts at 225/45 R18; the Hankook here is the Winter i*cept RS3. And the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 did not appear in this size in the listings we checked.
Known gaps. Noise class letters could not be verified for five models (the dB figures are confirmed). EPREL registration numbers are retailer-reported rather than read from the database directly, and are missing for five models. No test house publishes per-model mileage figures in km for this size. Auto Express published finishing order but not per-discipline scores. And several retailer pages claim AUTO BILD 10/2025 results "in this size" that AUTO BILD's own index does not list — we have not used any of them.
8.8BPR score
Key parameter
Independent test result in 225/45 R17
Result from a test conducted in this exact size: the joint ADAC / ÖAMTC / TCS winter test of 2023 (16 models, VW Golf, German scale where 1.0 is best) or Auto Express Best Winter Tyres 2025 (8 models, VW Golf 8, finishing order). Results measured in other sizes — notably the ADAC 2025 test, which used 225/40 R18 — are excluded from this column and flagged wherever they appear.
-
Top score
Continental Continental WinterContact TS 870
- 1st of 16 — 2.0 gut (ADAC 2023) and 1st of 8 (Auto Express 2025)Independent test result in 225/45 R17
- €144retail price
Details+
The only tyre here to win in this exact size in both test programmes — ADAC 2023 and Auto Express 2025, its third consecutive win. Leads on wet handling, dry braking and interior noise.
- Strengths
- Won this exact size in both ADAC 2023 (2.0 gut) and Auto Express 2025
- Third consecutive Auto Express win in 225/45 R17
- Led wet handling, dry braking and interior noise at Auto Express
- Balanced across dry, wet and snow rather than specialised
- 70 dB class B, joint quietest here
- EPREL registration verified (481380)
- Available in 91H, 94H XL and 94V XL
- Weaknesses
- €143.86 — the most expensive of the mainstream group
- Rolling resistance only C, where the Nokian achieves B
- Wet grip B, where the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 achieves A
- The ADAC result dates from 2023
- €51 more than the cheapest 3PMSF tyre here
8.8 / 10good
-
Goodyear Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
- 2nd of 8 (Auto Express 2025, 225/45 R17)Independent test result in 225/45 R17
- €134retail price
Details+
Second at Auto Express 2025 in this size, and the outright winner of the ADAC 2025 test — in 225/40 R18, a different size. Best-in-class wet braking, with high projected tread life.
- Strengths
- 2nd of 8 at Auto Express 2025 in this exact size
- Outright winner of ADAC 2025 (31 tyres) — though in 225/40 R18
- Best wet braking of the entire ADAC 2025 field
- Second-best fuel efficiency in that test
- ADAC noted high projected tread life
- €134.49 — €9 below the Continental
- Predecessor finished 3rd in the ADAC 2023 test in this size
- Weaknesses
- Its headline win was measured in 225/40 R18, not this size
- Rolling resistance only C despite the fuel-efficiency praise
- 71 dB, and the noise class letter is not published
- EPREL registration number not published on the pages we reached
- Not tested by ADAC in 225/45 R17 in its current generation
8.6 / 10good
-
Bridgestone Bridgestone Blizzak 6
- 3rd of 8 (Auto Express 2025, 225/45 R17)Independent test result in 225/45 R17
- €126retail price
Details+
Third at Auto Express 2025 in this size, at €125.58 — €18 below the Continental. The Enliten construction targets lower rolling resistance, though the label still reads C.
- Strengths
- 3rd of 8 at Auto Express 2025 in this exact size
- 3rd of 31 at ADAC 2025 with 2.2 gut — though in 225/40 R18
- €125.58 against a €199 list price — the biggest premium discount here
- 70 dB, joint quietest in this ranking
- Enliten construction reduces weight and rolling resistance
- €18 below the Continental
- Weaknesses
- Thinnest independent record in this exact size of the premium group
- Rolling resistance still C despite the Enliten construction
- Noise class letter not published
- EPREL registration number not published
- No ADAC result in 225/45 R17
8.5 / 10good
-
Dunlop Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- 4th of 16 — 2.4 gut (ADAC 2023, 225/45 R17)Independent test result in 225/45 R17
- €112retail price
Details+
Fourth in the ADAC 2023 test in this exact size at 2.4 "gut", for €111.64 — €32 below the Continental. But rolling resistance D and the weakest wet sub-grade of the top four.
- Strengths
- 4th of 16 in the ADAC 2023 test in this exact size, grade 2.4 gut
- Environment score 1.8 — second best in that field
- €111.64 against a €192 list price, €32 below the Continental
- Snow sub-grade B
- 4th of 31 at ADAC 2025 (in 225/40 R18)
- EPREL registration verified (610454)
- Weaknesses
- Rolling resistance class D — roughly 0.2 l/100 km worse than the Nokian's B
- Wet sub-grade C, the weakest of the ADAC 2023 top four
- Dry sub-grade D, equal worst in that field
- Safety score 2.6, behind the top three
- 72 dB, joint loudest here
- Fuel cost over 30 000 km erodes much of the price advantage
8.2 / 10good
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Best value
Nokian Tyres Nokian WR Snowproof P
- Rolling resistance B — the only one in this sizeIndependent test result in 225/45 R17
- €104retail price
Details+
The only tyre here with rolling resistance class B, at €103.69 — and ADAC noted good wear. But its handling results are consistently mid-pack in both tests.
- Strengths
- Rolling resistance class B — the only tyre here to achieve it
- €103.69 against a €187.50 list price
- 70 dB class B, joint quietest here
- ADAC specifically noted good wear and good fuel economy
- The non-P version achieved snow grade A in the ADAC 2023 test in this size
- EPREL registration verified (511251)
- Weaknesses
- Consistently mid-pack on handling in both tests
- ADAC 2025 found it weaker in dry, wet, snow and ice handling
- The non-P version finished 11th of 16 in the ADAC 2023 test in this size (3.0)
- The 2025 result was measured in 225/40 R18, not this size
- No test result for the P version in 225/45 R17
8.2 / 10good
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Pirelli Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
- Wet grip A — the only one in this sizeIndependent test result in 225/45 R17
- €139retail price
Details+
The only tyre we found in 225/45 R17 with EU wet grip class A. Every other model here is B or worse — and on the EU scale that is a meaningful gap.
- Strengths
- Wet grip class A — the only tyre we found in this size with it
- Class A means a wet grip index of 1.55 or above, against B's 1.40-1.54
- The successor generation finished 2nd at Auto Express 2025 in 205/55 R16
- Relevant for mild European winters where wet roads dominate
- €138.91, below the Continental
- M+S and 3PMSF
- Weaknesses
- No test result in 225/45 R17 from any programme
- The predecessor Cinturato Winter 2 finished 12th of 16 in ADAC 2023 in this size
- 72 dB — joint loudest here
- Noise class letter and EPREL number not published
- Rolling resistance C
- A label-led recommendation rather than a test-led one
8.1 / 10good
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Michelin Michelin Alpin 7
- 4th of 8 (Auto Express 2025, 225/45 R17)Independent test result in 225/45 R17
- €157retail price
Details+
Fourth at Auto Express 2025 with Michelin's traditional longevity reputation — but the most expensive tyre here, and its label went backwards on noise against the Alpin 6 it replaced.
- Strengths
- 4th of 8 at Auto Express 2025 in this exact size
- Predecessor Alpin 6 finished 2nd of 16 in the ADAC 2023 test in this size
- Alpin 6 achieved snow grade A and the best environment score (1.8) in that test
- Michelin's long-standing longevity reputation
- EV-suitable, with a 91H version at €146.86
- M+S and 3PMSF
- Weaknesses
- €156.97 — the most expensive tyre in this ranking
- 71 dB against the Alpin 6's 69 dB in the same size — a step backwards
- €13 more than the Continental, which won this size twice
- Rolling resistance C, wet grip B — no label advantage anywhere
- No mileage figure published for this size by any test house
- EPREL number not published
7.9 / 10fair
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Falken Falken Eurowinter HS02 PRO
- 7th of 8 (Auto Express 2025, 225/45 R17)Independent test result in 225/45 R17
- €92retail price
Details+
The cheapest 3PMSF tyre here from an established brand at €92.39, and it holds wet grip B despite the price. But it finished seventh of eight in the only current size-correct test.
- Strengths
- €92.39 against a €157.50 list price — the cheapest tyre here
- Holds wet grip class B, matching the premium tyres
- 70 dB class B, joint quietest in this ranking
- EPREL registration verified (1202159)
- Established brand with a real test record
- M+S and 3PMSF — legal across Europe
- Weaknesses
- 7th of 8 at Auto Express 2025 — the only current size-correct test
- Rolling resistance class D, joint worst here
- sport auto graded it only befriedigend
- No ADAC result in this size
- €51 cheaper than the winner, and measurably behind it
7.4 / 10fair
Scores comparable only within this categorySignificance threshold: ±0.15 pt
8.8 Our verdict
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 is the only tyre here with a genuine size-specific double win. It took first place in the ADAC / ÖAMTC / TCS 2023 test in 225/45 R17 with 2.0 "gut", and first place again in Auto Express 2025 in the same size, where it led wet handling, dry braking and interior noise — its third consecutive win. At €143.86 it is also the most expensive of the mainstream group.
If wet performance is your priority, look at the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3, which is the only tyre we found in this size carrying wet grip class A. Everything else here is B or worse, and the EU scale puts class A at a wet grip index of 1.55 or above against B's 1.40–1.54.
If running costs matter more, the Nokian WR Snowproof P is the only model here with rolling resistance class B. Each class step is worth roughly 0.1 l/100 km, so B against the D-rated Dunlop and Falken is about 0.2 l/100 km — and ADAC found it good on wear too.
And the argument against budget tyres in this size is unusually stark. In the ADAC 2023 test the Kormoran Snow scored 5.4 "mangelhaft". In emergency wet braking it was still travelling at 36 km/h at the point where the Hankook had come to a complete stop. That is a car length and a half of difference, at the moment it matters most.
The label
In this size the EU label actually tells you something
This is worth flagging because it is not true everywhere. In 205/55 R16, the most common European winter size, every tyre we surveyed carried an identical label — rolling resistance C, wet grip B — which made the label useless for choosing.
In 225/45 R17 the label discriminates:
| Tyre | Rolling resistance | Wet grip | Noise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nokian WR Snowproof P | B | B | 70 dB (B) |
| Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 | C | A | 72 dB |
| Continental TS 870 | C | B | 70 dB (B) |
| Goodyear UGP3 | C | B | 71 dB |
| Bridgestone Blizzak 6 | C | B | 70 dB |
| Michelin Alpin 7 | C | B | 71 dB |
| Hankook i*cept RS3 | C | B | 72 dB |
| Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | D | B | 72 dB (B) |
| Falken Eurowinter HS02 PRO | D | B | 70 dB (B) |
| Vredestein Wintrac Pro+ | C | C | 71 dB (C) |
What the classes mean
Rolling resistance — each class step is worth roughly 0.1 l/100 km; ADAC puts the full A-to-E spread at about 0.5 l/100 km, or 7.5%. So the Nokian's B against the Dunlop's D is about 0.2 l/100 km, which over 30,000 winter kilometres is around 60 litres of fuel.
Wet grip — class A is a wet grip index of 1.55 or above, B is 1.40–1.54, C is 1.25–1.39. ADAC quantifies the extremes: from 80 km/h on an average-grip surface, a class A tyre can stop up to 18 metres shorter than a class E.
Noise — the printed dB(A) value plus a class. A is at least 3 dB below the regulatory limit, B is at or under it, C is above. In this size the limit appears to be 72 dB, so 70 dB earns B and 69 dB would earn A. A 3 dB difference is a doubling of sound energy.
The caveat that still applies
The label's wet grip test is not a winter test. It is conducted on wet asphalt at between 2 °C and 20 °C with 1 mm of standing water. There is no snow, no ice and no slush anywhere in the procedure — so the wet grip class tells you nothing about snow braking or ice traction. The only winter information on the label is the 3PMSF snowflake, which is a pass/fail threshold rather than a ranking. All eight tyres here carry it.
Load index
91, 94 or 94 XL — and why it is easy to get wrong here
This size is sold in three load indices at similar prices, which makes it the easiest size in this category to buy incorrectly.
| Index | Load per tyre | Continental TS 870 price |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | 615 kg | €141.17 (91H) |
| 94 XL | 670 kg | €146.94 (94H XL) |
| 94 XL | 670 kg | €143.86 (94V XL) |
Under €6 separates them. That is close enough that a buyer scanning for the cheapest option will land on the wrong one.
What XL means
Per Continental's own technical material, XL, Reinforced and HL tyres have "a stronger internal structure" and "can handle more weight and higher pressure than standard tires." The external dimensions are identical — the difference is "exclusively in their internal structure and load-carrying ability."
They also require approximately 0.4 bar higher pressure than standard tyres at full load.
Continental states the rule plainly: "The required load index must always be adhered to." Fitting a standard tyre where XL is specified — or the reverse — violates the vehicle specification.
Why this matters more in 225/45 R17
This size appears on heavier D-segment cars and increasingly on EVs and plug-in hybrids, which carry battery mass and deliver instant torque. 94 XL is the more common original-equipment requirement here, and it is the safer default when the paperwork is unclear.
One subtlety to watch: the number 94 appears on both XL and non-XL constructions depending on the model. The index number, not the XL letter, is the legally binding figure. Check your Certificate of Conformity or owner's manual, not the retailer's filter.
Speed index
The German rule that lets you legally buy a slower tyre
This is a genuine money-saver in this size and most buyers do not know it exists.
German law (§36 StVZO) permits winter tyres with a speed index below the vehicle's maximum design speed, subject to four conditions:
- A notice sticker must be displayed "im Sichtfeld des Fahrers" — in the driver's field of vision — stating the maximum permitted speed.
- The driver must actually observe that lower speed limit.
- The speed index must not fall below Q (160 km/h).
- The tyre and vehicle combination must be approved for the specific vehicle.
Driving above the tyre's rated speed, or omitting the sticker, is a violation carrying fines and potential insurance consequences.
This concession applies to winter tyres only. Summer tyres must always meet the vehicle's top speed.
Why it matters in this size specifically
The market in 225/45 R17 has moved to V (240 km/h) — every premium model here is offered as 94V XL, with 91H and 94H as cheaper alternatives. In 205/55 R16, by contrast, winter tyres are overwhelmingly T (190) or H (210).
A 91H or 94H tyre is typically €5–15 cheaper per tyre than the 94V and both are widely stocked. Across a set that is €20–60 saved, legally, for a sticker on the dashboard.
The sticker is not optional, and the load index still has to be correct — that is a separate requirement and the speed-index concession does not touch it.
This size
What 225/45 R17 is fitted to, and what that changes
This size fits 306 vehicle models from 54 brands. The brand distribution is Volkswagen 13.4%, Kia 5.6%, Toyota 4.9%, then Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai at 4.25% each, Subaru 3.9%, Fiat 3.6%, BMW 2.9% and Škoda 1.6%.
But there is a nuance the vehicle list hides, and it matters for choosing. Both ADAC and Auto Express used a VW Golf as the test car for this size, not a 3 Series or an A4. In practice 225/45 R17 is:
- the upper fitment on compact cars — Golf GTI and GTD class, Octavia, A3, Leon
- the entry or base fitment on D-segment cars — 3 Series, A4, C-Class, Passat, Superb
Those two readerships want different things. The compact-car owner has chosen a performance fitment and will value handling; the D-segment owner is on the base wheel and will value comfort and running cost.
Against 205/55 R16
| 205/55 R16 | 225/45 R17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sidewall | Taller, more compliant | Shorter and stiffer — sharper turn-in, worse ride, higher pothole risk |
| Typical speed rating | T (190) or H (210) | V (240), with H as the cheaper option |
| Price per tyre | Roughly €75–110 | Roughly €90–160 |
| Positioning | Volume compact fitment | Performance and premium fitment |
The stiffer sidewall is a real consideration for winter specifically: European roads develop potholes in freeze-thaw cycles, and a 45-profile tyre offers less protection to the rim than a 55-profile.
A practical point for anyone downsizing
Buyers in this size are often downsizing from an 18-inch or 19-inch summer fitment to a 17-inch winter wheel — which is the correct move, since a narrower, taller winter tyre generally performs better in snow and costs less.
Check your vehicle's Certificate of Conformity or owner's manual, since 225/45 R17 is frequently listed as an approved winter alternative on cars that run 18 or 19 inches in summer.
Avoid
The tyre that was still doing 36 km/h
The strongest argument against budget tyres in this size comes from the ADAC 2023 test conducted in it.
The Kormoran Snow finished sixteenth of sixteen with a grade of 5.4 "mangelhaft" — effectively the worst result the scale allows.
In emergency wet braking, it was still travelling at 36 km/h at the point where the Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 had come to a complete stop.
Thirty-six kilometres per hour is roughly the speed at which a pedestrian impact becomes life-threatening. That is the difference between a stopped car and a serious collision, at the moment when everything depends on the tyre.
The full ADAC 2023 order in this size
| # | Tyre | Grade | Dry | Wet | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Continental WinterContact TS 870 | 2.0 gut | C | B | B |
| 2 | Michelin Alpin 6 | 2.2 gut | D | B | A |
| 3 | Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + | 2.2 gut | D | B | B |
| 4 | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | 2.4 gut | D | C | B |
| 5 | Vredestein Wintrac Pro | 2.6 | D | B | B |
| 6 | Semperit Speed-Grip 5 | 2.6 | D | B | B |
| 7 | Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 | 2.6 | D | B | B |
| 8 | Giti GitiWinter W2 | 2.7 | D | B | B |
| 9 | Kumho WinterCraft WP52 | 2.7 | C | B | B |
| 10 | Apollo Aspire XP Winter | 2.8 | D | B | B |
| 11 | Nokian WR Snowproof | 3.0 | C | B | A |
| 12–15 | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2, Yokohama BluEarth-Winter V906, Sava Eskimo HP2, Bridgestone Blizzak LM-005 | befriedigend | — | — | — |
| 16 | Kormoran Snow | 5.4 mangelhaft | — | — | — |
Note that only two tyres in the whole field achieved snow grade A: the Michelin Alpin 6 and the Nokian WR Snowproof, both at 69 dB.
The pattern to take from this: the gap between an established budget brand like Falken and a premium tyre is measurable but modest. The gap between an established brand and an unknown one can be a car length and a half in an emergency stop.
Test data
Which results were measured in this size, and which were not
This matters more than it sounds, because tyre performance does not transfer cleanly between sizes.
| Test | Year | Size | Use it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADAC / ÖAMTC / TCS winter | 2023 | 225/45 R17 (VW Golf, 16 models) | ✅ Exact size — the primary benchmark here |
| Auto Express winter | 2025 | 225/45 R17 (VW Golf 8, 8 models) | ✅ Exact size, most current |
| ADAC / ÖAMTC / TCS winter | 2025 | ⚠️ 225/40 R18 (31 models) | Model-level guidance only |
| AUTO BILD winter | 2025 | ⚠️ 225/40 R18 and 215/55 R17 | Different sizes |
| AUTO BILD winter | 2019 | 225/45 R17 | Correct size, obsolete models |
The evidence that size matters
Our 205/55 R16 research found the Continental TS 870 scoring 2.0 and winning that size, while the TS 870 P variant managed only 2.5 in 225/40 R18. The Semperit Speed-Grip 5 finished third at AUTO BILD in 205/55 R16 and scored 3.2 at ADAC in 225/40 R18. Construction, compound behaviour and sidewall stiffness all change with size.
Two warnings about retailer claims
Several ReifenDirekt product pages assert AUTO BILD 10/2025 results "in this size (225/45 R17)". AUTO BILD's own test index does not list a 2025 winter test in this size. We have not used any of those citations. One page cites "AUTO BILD allrad 10/2015", which is either a typo or an eleven-year-old result.
No 2026 ADAC, ÖAMTC or TCS winter test had been published when we wrote this. Their 2026 output so far is an all-season test in 185/65 R15 and summer tests. The winter test normally appears in late September or October — we will update this page when it does.
Methodology
How this score is built
The score is the mean of four component scores — each carries equal weight and each rests on a named source. The full procedure is described in the methodology.
01Composition and specification
Declared composition and specification: active ingredients and their concentrations, energy classes, standards, technical parameters — and what the manufacturer leaves unsaid.
02Evidence and studies
Verification of the manufacturer's claims against outside sources: laboratory reports, industry testing, safety data sheets, certificates and regulatory decisions.
03Owner feedback
Analysis of verified reviews written after extended use, together with recurring fault reports for the model or series.
04Cost and value
Price set against what the product actually delivers, plus costs incurred later — consumables, energy, servicing, subscriptions — over the lifespan typical for the category.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which winter tyre in 225/45 R17 should most drivers buy?+
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 at around €144. It is the only tyre here to win this exact size in both test programmes — first of sixteen at ADAC/ÖAMTC/TCS 2023 with 2.0 "gut", and first of eight at Auto Express 2025, its third consecutive win in the size, leading wet handling, dry braking and interior noise. If you want to spend less, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 finished third at Auto Express for €125.58.
Does the EU label help in this size?+
Yes, unlike in 205/55 R16 where every tyre carries an identical C/B label. Here rolling resistance runs from B to D and wet grip from A to C. The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 is the only tyre we found with wet grip A; the Nokian WR Snowproof P is the only one with rolling resistance B; the Dunlop and Falken are class D. But remember the label's wet grip test is run on wet asphalt above freezing with no snow or ice involved — the only winter information on it is the 3PMSF snowflake.
What is XL and do I need it?+
XL tyres have a stronger internal structure and carry more weight at higher pressure — the external dimensions are identical. This size is sold in 91 (615 kg), 94 and 94 XL (670 kg) at prices within €6 of each other, so it is easy to buy the wrong one. Continental states plainly that the required load index must always be adhered to. Because 225/45 R17 appears on heavier D-segment cars and on EVs, 94 XL is the more common OE requirement — but check your Certificate of Conformity. The index number, not the XL letter, is what is legally binding.
Can I buy a cheaper H-rated winter tyre for a fast car?+
In Germany, yes, legally. §36 StVZO permits winter tyres with a speed index below the vehicle's maximum design speed, provided a sticker stating the permitted maximum is displayed in the driver's field of vision, the driver observes that limit, and the index is not below Q (160 km/h). Since a 91H or 94H tyre is typically €5-15 cheaper than the 94V in this size, that is €20-60 across a set. The sticker is not optional, and the load index requirement is separate and still applies.
Why do you flag some test results as being in a different size?+
Because performance does not transfer cleanly. The most recent joint ADAC/ÖAMTC/TCS winter test used 225/40 R18 — a lower-profile tyre on a larger rim, with different construction. The Goodyear won that test outright, which is excellent evidence about its compound, but its result in 225/45 R17 is second place at Auto Express. In our 205/55 R16 research the Continental TS 870 scored 2.0 in that size while the TS 870 P scored 2.5 in 225/40 R18. Size-correct results deserve more weight.
Is a cheap winter tyre actually dangerous?+
It depends how cheap, and the ADAC 2023 test in this size shows the gradient clearly. The Falken at €92 finished seventh of eight at Auto Express — behind the premium tyres but on the same page, with wet grip class B. The Kormoran Snow scored 5.4 "mangelhaft" and in emergency wet braking was still travelling at 36 km/h at the point where the Hankook had stopped completely. The gap between an established budget brand and an unknown one is far larger than the gap between budget and premium.
Should I downsize from 18-inch summer wheels to 17-inch for winter?+
Usually yes, and 225/45 R17 is frequently listed as an approved winter alternative on cars that run 18 or 19 inches in summer. A narrower, taller-profile tyre generally performs better in snow, costs less to buy, and offers more sidewall protection against potholes — which matter in freeze-thaw conditions. Check your Certificate of Conformity or owner's manual for the approved winter sizes before ordering.
When should I buy?+
September. Demand across Germany, Austria and Czechia peaks in the second half of October, and prices in this size are already discounted heavily against list — the Bridgestone is €125.58 against a €199 list, the Dunlop €111.64 against €192. Those gaps narrow as the season starts. Note also that no 2026 ADAC/ÖAMTC/TCS winter test had been published when we wrote this; it usually appears in late September or October and may change the picture.
Sources
Documents and standards
- 1. ADAC - Winterreifentest 225/45 R17 H (2023, 16 models): https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/ausstattung-technik-zubehoer/reifen/reifentest/winterreifen/225-45-r17-h/
- 2. ADAC - Winter tyre test index: https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/ausstattung-technik-zubehoer/reifen/reifentest/winterreifen/
- 3. reifen.com - ADAC 225/45 R17 2023 detailed results: https://www.reifen.com/de-de/infos-tipps/auto/reifen/tests/winterreifen/2023/adac-225-45-r17
- 4. reifenlab - Auto Express 2025 winter tyre test, 225/45 R17: https://www.reifenlab.de/autoexpress/winter/2025/225-45-r17/
- 5. reifenlab - ADAC 2025 winter tyre test, 225/40 R18 (different size): https://www.reifenlab.de/adac/winter/2025/225-40-r18/
- 6. reifenlab - 225/45 R17 winter tyre overview: https://www.reifenlab.de/225-45-R17/winter/
- 7. AUTO BILD winter tyre test index: https://www.autobild.de/reifentests/winterreifentests/
- 8. ÖAMTC tyre tests: https://www.oeamtc.at/tests/reifentest/
- 9. ReifenDirekt - Continental WinterContact TS 870 225/45 R17 94V XL: https://www.reifendirekt.de/rshop/Reifen/Continental/WinterContact-TS-870/225-45-R17-94V-XL-EVc/R-421003
- 10. ReifenDirekt - Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 225/45 R17: https://www.reifendirekt.de/rshop/Reifen/Goodyear/UltraGrip-Performance-3/225-45-R17-94V-XL-EVR/D-131522
- 11. ReifenDirekt - Bridgestone Blizzak 6 225/45 R17: https://www.reifendirekt.de/rshop/Reifen/Bridgestone/Blizzak-6/225-45-R17-94V-XL-Enliten---EV/R-503718
- 12. ReifenDirekt - Michelin Alpin 7 225/45 R17: https://www.reifendirekt.de/rshop/Reifen/Michelin/Alpin-7/225-45-R17-94V-XL/D-134908
- 13. ReifenDirekt - Dunlop Winter Sport 5 225/45 R17: https://www.reifendirekt.de/rshop/Reifen/Dunlop/Winter-Sport-5/225-45-R17-94V-XL/R-400763
- 14. ReifenDirekt - Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 225/45 R17: https://www.reifendirekt.de/rshop/Reifen/Hankook/Winter-i_cept-RS3-_W462_/225-45-R17-94V-XL/R-462743
- 15. ReifenDirekt - Nokian WR Snowproof P 225/45 R17: https://reifendirekt.de/rshop/Reifen/Nokian/WR-Snowproof-P/225-45-R17-94V-XL/R-430175
- 16. ReifenDirekt - Falken Eurowinter HS02 PRO 225/45 R17: https://www.reifendirekt.de/rshop/Reifen/Falken/EUROWINTER-HS02PRO/225-45-R17-94V-XL--NBLK/D-127470
- 17. ReifenDirekt - Pirelli tyres in 225/45 R17: https://www.reifendirekt.de/rshop/Winterreifen/225-45-R17/Reifen/Pirelli
- 18. ReifenDirekt - Vredestein Wintrac Pro+ 225/45 R17: https://www.reifendirekt.de/rshop/Reifen/Vredestein/Wintrac-Pro_/225-45-R17-94V-XL--mit-Felgenschutzleiste--FSL-/D-136184
- 19. reifen.com - Kumho WinterCraft WP52 225/45 R17: https://www.reifen.com/de-de/22545-r17-94v-kumho-wintercraft-wp52-8808956303679
- 20. Continental - Reinforced and XL tyres explained: https://www.continental-reifen.de/tire-knowledge/reinforced-tires/
- 21. reifen.com - Speed index rules for winter tyres (§36 StVZO): https://www.reifen.com/de-de/infos-tipps/auto/reifen/geschwindigkeitsindex/winterreifen
- 22. reifen-groessen.de - 225/45 R17 vehicle fitment data: https://reifen-groessen.de/tire/iso-metric-225-45-R-17/
- 23. ADAC - Das Reifenlabel: https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/ausstattung-technik-zubehoer/reifen/reifenkauf/reifenlabel/
- 24. Regulation (EU) 2020/740 on tyre labelling: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX%3A02020R0740-20200605
- 25. giga-reifen - 225/45 R17 winter tyre listings: https://www.giga-reifen.de/rshop/Winterreifen/225-45-R17
- 26. schottenland - 225/45 R17 winter tyre tests: https://www.schottenland.de/tests/Winterreifen-225-45-r17
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