Motor: Winter Studded Tire Test R16 2020

This year's winter tire test confirms the eternal truth: No tire can be the best at everything. The surface you drive on should be the most important factor in your choice of tires.

Michelin X-Ice North 4 - Winner Recommended

92 52

· Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
In this test dimension (205/60 R16), Michelin has equipped its X-Ice North 4 with no less than 255 studs.

Positive: Grip on ice and driving stability on dry asphalt. Little road noise.
Negative: Aquaplaning, braking on wet asphalt.
Driving on Ice Noise Snow Braking Acceleration on Ice Fuel Consumption Ice Braking Driving on Dry Roads Acceleration on Snow Aquaplaning

Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

87
Continental IceContact 3 Recommended

86 51

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
IceContact3 is a completely different tire compared to last year. And it is more than the spikes that have been changed.

Positive: Good performance on all surfaces.
Negative: Not as good grip on ice as the best.
Driving on Ice Snow Braking Driving on Wet Roads Fuel Consumption Ice Braking Acceleration on Snow

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

84
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 Recommended

83 50

· Winter · 2017 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
Positive: Good grip on ice and snow, driving pleasure in the turns.
Negative: The steering feel on dry asphalt. High road noise.
Driving on Ice Snow Braking Acceleration on Ice Driving on Snow Ice Braking Noise

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

84
Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429

83 40

· Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
Hankook provides well-balanced properties between ice / snow and bare ground.

Positive: Good winter grip and short braking distances on asphalt.
Driving on Ice Snow Braking Fuel Consumption

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

73
Pirelli Ice Zero 2

81 44

· Winter · 2019 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
IceZero 2 is the big news for us in this segment, as we have not tested it before. Unfortunately, the first impression is a bit negative.

Positive: Driving characteristics and braking distance on asphalt.
Negative: Poor grip on ice. Unnecessarily skid-friendly on winter roads.
Fuel Consumption Driving on Wet Roads Acceleration on Snow Ice Braking

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

67
Nokian Nordman 7

76 26

· Winter · 2017 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
Nordman is, as is well known, Nokia's budget brand, and their studded tire is the old Hakkapeliitta 7, which is being produced under a new name.

Positive: Good winter performance. Behaves quietly and progressively at the grip limit.
Negative: Long braking distances on asphalt. Fuel consumption. Noise.
Snow Braking Dry Braking Wet Braking Driving on Dry Roads Noise

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

64
Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer

74 25

· Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
Ice-Freezer from Japanese Toyo has a hard time asserting itself in all of the main categories.

Positive: Good braking distances on snow and ice.
Negative: Weak grip on snow and ice.
Snow Braking Ice Braking Acceleration on Ice Acceleration on Snow

Russia+

Test Score:

60
GT Radial IcePro 3

N/A 21

· Winter · 2017 · Passenger - Studdable Winter / Snow · Studded · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
This tire from Singapore is not suitable under Nordic winter conditions.

Positive: Short braking distances on bare ground.
Negative: Poor grip on ice and snow. Difficult to control the grip limit.
Dry Braking Wet Braking Driving on Wet Roads Driving on Ice Noise Acceleration on Ice Driving on Snow Ice Braking Driving on Dry Roads Acceleration on Snow

USA+ · Canada · Russia+

Test Score:

52