Autofil: Studdable Winter Tire Test R16 2018

Autofil: Studdable Winter Tire Test R16

Do you want the best and safest winter tires for your car? We tested 22 tires with or without spikes, and tell you which ones are the best and worst in different ways.

For the first time, Dagbladet, Autofil and dinside.no participate in a great test of winter tires for northern countries and can show which tires are the best.

  1. Michelin X-Ice North 4 - Winner Recommended
    Michelin X-Ice North 4
    92 50
    · Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    New Michelin studded tires are the best we've ever ridden on ice. The grip is very good, it behaves steadily without a sudden release in difficult conditions and is therefore very safe. It slows down a little worse in the snow. The noise level is average for studded tires, and the directional stability is very good.

    Performance on the Track (Ice / Snow)   Directional Stability   Acceleration (Ice / Snow)   Rolling Resistance   Drive Feeling (Ice / Snow)   Braking (Ice / Snow / Dry)  
    Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    8.7
  2. Continental IceContact 2 Recommended
    Continental IceContact 2
    90 28
    · Winter · 2014 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    Continental has a very good grip in most winter conditions and feels safe and stable to ride on winding roads. It feels safe and never loses grip in the snow. On asphalt, the braking distance is not the shortest, but with critical maneuvers it behaves steadily. This tire gives you good qualities both on ice and on snow and asphalt. Rolling resistance is slightly higher than the best.

    Acceleration (Ice / Snow)   Performance on the Track (Ice / Snow)   Braking (Ice / Snow)   Drive Feeling (Ice / Snow / Wet)  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    8.5
  3. Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429
    Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429
    83 40
    · Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    Hankook is very good on the ice, good winding stability and precise steering. Performance worse on asphalt. Braking distance is long and lateral grip could be better.

    Rolling Resistance   Acceleration (Ice / Snow)   Drive Feeling (Ice / Snow)   Braking (Ice / Snow)   Noise  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    8.4
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    83 52
    · Winter · 2017 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    Nokian holds ice well and you rarely have problems in difficult situations. In the snow, grip is not one of the best, but the tire behaves very logical and provides balanced driving performance. On wet asphalt, the braking distance is short and the steering is precise. Nokian managed to make the tire a good compromise between the properties of snow, ice and wet asphalt. Stability, noise and rolling resistance are at a good average level.

    Rolling Resistance   Acceleration (Ice / Snow)   Drive Feeling (Ice / Snow)   Braking (Ice / Snow)   Performance on the Track (Ice / Snow)  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    8.4
  5. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    Bridgestone Noranza 001
    75 38
    · Winter · 2016 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    Bridgestone has good grip on ice, especially when braking and accelerating. The braking distance and lateral grip are worse than desired on wet asphalt. The tires has low rolling resistance and average noise, but it is unstable and requires adjustment of the steering wheel on the track.

    Acceleration (Ice)   Drive Feeling (Ice)   Performance on the Track (Ice)   Braking (Ice)  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    8.1
  6. Vredestein Wintrac Ice
    Vredestein Wintrac Ice
    N/A 22
    · Winter · 2017 · Light Truck / SUV - Light Truck/SUV Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    Vredestein behaves logically on the ice and does not present unexpected surprises, despite the fact that the clutch is not one of the best. On the snow, the side grip is too bad, which can cause problems on winding roads. On wet asphalt tires behave logically and are easy to manage. The steering is precise, not least on dry pavement. Noise and rolling resistance are average, and the tire holds the road well on the track.

    Acceleration (Ice)   Braking (Dry)   Performance on the Track (Ice / Snow)   Drive Feeling (Ice / Snow)  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    7.9
  7. Pirelli Ice Zero
    Pirelli Ice Zero
    N/A 23
    · Winter · 2013 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    On wet asphalt, the steering is less accurate, and the clutch of the rear wheels is released relatively early. On dry asphalt, the tire works well. Tire noise is relatively loud, and rolling resistance and directional stability are average.

    Acceleration (Ice)   Braking (Dry)   Noise  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    7.8
  8. Gislaved Nord*Frost 200
    Gislaved Nord*Frost 200
    81 40
    · Winter · 2016 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    With only 130 spikes, Gislaved's grip on ice is worse than many of its competitors. On snow, tire braking performance is very good. Gislaved - silent spike with medium rolling resistance, but directional stability is relatively poor.

    Braking (Snow)   Performance on the Track (Ice)   Directional Stability  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    7.7
  9. Yokohama iceGUARD IG65
    Yokohama iceGUARD IG65
    77 28
    · Winter · 2017 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    Yokohama keeps well on ice, but not as good as the best. The steering is precise, but the rear tire grip weakens, so it is hard to cope with the car in difficult situations. Brake grip on wet asphalt is good. The noise is average, but the tires on the highway are unstable.

    Acceleration (Ice)   Steering Precision   Performance on the Track (Ice)   Braking (Ice)  
    Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    7.7
  10. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice Arctic
    N/A 10
    · Summer
    Verdict:

    Goodyear brakes well on ice, but lateral grip is too bad. On the snow, the tires behave stably, it brakes well, but the lateral grip is sensitive to large steering wheel impacts. On wet asphalt, the grip is good, even in critical situations, and does not cause unpleasant surprises. On dry asphalt, grip with the front wheels is not good enough. The tire has high rolling resistance, but it is stable on the track.

    Performance on the Track (Snow)   Braking (Ice / Snow)   Noise  
    Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    7.6
  11. Cooper Weather-Master WSC
    Cooper Weather-Master WSC
    81 20
    · Winter · 2010 · Light Truck / SUV - Light Truck/SUV Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    Cooper has few spikes, and the grip on the ice is so bad that the best tires without spikes beat it. Tires are constantly losing traction and make it more difficult to drive a car. On the snow, grip is better. It is an excellent tire with a short stopping distance and excellent handling on asphalt. It is easy to control in the dry. Tires has a high rolling resistance, but an average noise level.

    Drive Feeling (Wet)   Braking (Wet)   Performance on the Track (Wet)   Rolling Resistance   Performance on the Track (Snow)   Acceleration (Snow)   Braking (Ice)  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    6.8
  12. Nexen Winguard Winspike
    Nexen Winguard Winspike
    80 18
    · Winter · 2014 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x
    Verdict:

    Nexen has a long braking distance and relatively poor lateral grip on the ice. In the snow, if possible, one more step is worse. On wet asphalt, the grip is very good, and the tire is easy to control in critical situations. Nexen provides the best driving performance on dry pavement. The noise level is average and the rolling level is the highest for all test tires.

    Braking (Wet / Dry)   Rolling Resistance   Performance on the Track (Snow)   Braking (Ice / Snow)   Acceleration (Snow)  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+
    Test Score:
    6.6
Year
2018
Tire Test Original Link
Visit Website
Max Score, points
10
Tire Size
205/55R16
Season
Winter
Auto Type
Passenger
List Type
Professional Tire Test
Region
Europe
Date added
Dec 01, 2018
Date updated
Sep 24, 2021

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