Motor: Winter Studless 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.

Continental VikingContact 7 - Winner Recommended

90 55

· Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Studless Ice & Snow · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
VC7 has won both tests since the tire was introduced in 2018. And still the competitors have not taken the lead.
Positive: Good grip on ice and snow. Low noise.
Negative: Aquaplaning.
Driving on Ice Noise Acceleration on Ice Driving on Snow Ice Braking Acceleration on Snow

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · East Asia

Test Score:

88
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3

84 54

· Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Studless Ice & Snow · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
Nokian has the best grip on winter roads, especially on ice.
Positive: Winter grip, driving pleasure with quick reactions.
Negative: Aquaplaning, uneven steering precision on asphalt, noise.
Driving on Ice Acceleration on Ice Driving on Snow Ice Braking Noise

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · Japan

Test Score:

80
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2

86 40

· Winter · 2014 · Passenger - Studless Ice & Snow · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
Ultra Grip Ice 2 occupies a middle position among studless tires because it handles wet asphalt very well.
Positive: Aquaplaning. Driving characteristics on bare ground, both wet and dry.
Negative: Moderate grip on snow and ice.
Driving on Wet Roads Wet Braking Aquaplaning Acceleration on Ice Fuel Consumption Driving on Dry Roads Acceleration on Snow Driving on Ice

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

79
Pirelli Ice Zero FR

85 40

· Winter · 2015 · Passenger - Studless Ice & Snow · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
This tire received a major upgrade two years ago, including improved properties on ice.
Positive: Good driving characteristics, both in winter and bare ground.
Negative: Aquaplaning.
Driving on Ice Driving on Dry Roads Acceleration on Snow

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · China

Test Score:

79
Nexen Winguard Ice Plus

68 37

· Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Studless Ice & Snow · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
Nexen's new studless tires show that the South Korean brand is advancing rapidly.
Positive: Has generally good grip on winter surfaces. Little road noise.
Negative: Long braking distances and poor stability on dry asphalt.
Snow Braking Acceleration on Ice Dry Braking Driving on Wet Roads Driving on Dry Roads Wet Braking

USA+ · Canada · Russia+

Test Score:

71
Michelin X-Ice Snow

82 57

· Winter · 2020 · Passenger - Studless Ice & Snow · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
The new X-Ice Snow is, just like the outgoing X-Ice 3, a rigid tire classified for speeds above 200 km / h - with good stability and a firm driving feeling on bare ground.
Positive: Stability and steering feel on asphalt. Braking distance on snow and ice.
Negative: Slightly poorer side grip on all surfaces. Braking on wet asphalt.
Acceleration on Ice Fuel Consumption Acceleration on Snow Wet Braking

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · Japan · China

Test Score:

70
Bridgestone Blizzak Ice

69 48

· Winter · 2018 · Passenger - Studless Ice & Snow · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
Blizzak Ice replaces Blizzak WS80. As with its predecessors, Bridgestone has one of the softest rubber compounds and the tire gets high marks on real winter tires.
Positive: Grip on snow.
Negative: Aquaplaning and grip on wet surfaces.
Dry Braking Driving on Snow Acceleration on Snow Driving on Wet Roads Driving on Dry Roads Aquaplaning Wet Braking

Europe · Russia+ · South Korea

Test Score:

64