Vi Bilagare: Studded Winter Tire Test R16 2020

The experts of Vi Bilagare, one of Sweden’s largest automobile magazines, conducted yet another annual series of comparative tests of spot-on winter tires. The 2020 test, whose results were published in the September issue, involved eight studded winter tires in size 205/60 R16, which fits many family cars, as well as a few popular compact car models.

This year, the victory on snow and ice of the new Pirelli Sottozero Center test facility, located south of the Arctic Circle in the Swedish town of Älvsbyn; on wet and dry tracks of the Gislaved test facility in the Swedish town of Småland, and on the circular track in Finland’s Tampere.

Michelin X-Ice North 4 - Winner Recommended

92 52

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

Verdict:
Positive: Good combination of winter performance and stability on dry pavement. Low noise.
Negative: Poor hydroplaning resistance and wet braking.
Dry Handling Acceleration on Snow Fuel Consumption Noise Acceleration on Ice Ice Braking Snow Braking Ice Handling 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:
Positive: Consistently high performance on all types of surfaces.
Negative: Lower ice traction compared to top-class winter tires.
Aquaplaning Acceleration on Snow Acceleration on Ice Wet Braking Snow Braking Dry Braking Snow Handling Wet Handling Ice Handling

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. Excellent control while cornering.
Negative: Poor handling response on dry pavement. Noisy.
Acceleration on Ice Ice Braking Snow Braking Snow Handling Ice Handling Noise

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

82
Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429

83 40

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

Verdict:
Positive: Good grip on winter surfaces and short braking distance on asphalt. Negative: Poor handling response at high speeds. Poor ice braking.
Snow Braking Fuel Consumption Snow Handling Ice Handling Ice Braking

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:
Positive: Handling response and braking distance on asphalt.
Negative: Poor ice grip. Not really fit to be used in harsh winter conditions.
Acceleration on Snow Dry Braking Aquaplaning Wet Braking Acceleration on Ice Ice Braking

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

67
Nokian Nordman 7

76 26

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

Verdict:
Positive: Reliable and efficient in winter conditions.
Negative: Long braking distance on ice. Fuel consumption. Noisy.
Wet Braking Snow Braking Acceleration on Ice Snow Handling Noise Wet Braking Dry Braking Wet Handling Dry Handling

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

62
Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer

74 25

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

Verdict:
Positive: Warns the driver about loss of grip, making handling easier.
Negative: Poor traction on ice and snow.
Snow Braking Ice Braking Noise 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:
Positive: Short braking distance on asphalt. Negative: Poor handling response at the brink of grip loss. Poor traction on ice and snow.
Aquaplaning Wet Braking Dry Braking Snow Handling Wet Handling Fuel Consumption Noise Acceleration on Ice Ice Braking Ice Handling Dry Handling

USA+ · Canada · Russia+

Test Score:

50