Za Rulem: Studless Winter Tire Test R16 2020

The respected Russian automobile magazine tested 13 studless winter tires of the Nordic type, using a set of European-type tires for comparison.

The Za Rulem studless winter tire test 2020 chiefly involved medium-segment tires, such as Gislaved, Hankook, Marshal Nexen, Nordman, Toyo, and Yokohama; this category arguably includes Pirelli and Goodyear, whose prices have dropaped due to the COVID-19 crisis. The premium segment was represented by Continental and Nokian models, the cheapest tires on test being the Russian Viatti and the Chinese Sailun. In addition, for the sake of comparison, the test included the BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 model of the European type, which performed outside of competition.

Continental VikingContact 7 - Winner Recommended

90 55

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

Verdict:
Great traction on ice and dry pavement. Excellent traction and outstanding handling response on snow. Minor gripes on handling response during the elk test. Excellent.
Dry Braking Internal Noise Acceleration on Snow Traction (Deep Snow) Snow Braking Acceleration on Ice Snow Handling (Active Driving) Snow Handling (Usual Driving) Ice Lap Ice Braking Snow Handling (Extreme Maneuvers)

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

Test Score:

926
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 Recommended

84 54

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

Verdict:
Excellent grip in any conditions. Best fuel efficiency. Reliable handling response on snow and ice. Excellent.
Snow Handling (Extreme Maneuvers) Ice Handling Rolling Resistance Acceleration on Ice Ice Braking

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · Japan

Test Score:

914
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 Recommended

86 40

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

Verdict:
Very short braking distance on ice. Excellent lateral grip on ice and excellent braking performance on wet pavement. Lack of steering feedback during emergency maneuvers on snow. Excellent.
Wet Braking Ice Lap Lateral Stability (Asphalt) Acceleration on Ice Ice Braking

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

909
Pirelli Ice Zero FR

85 40

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

Verdict:
Excellent braking performance, crisp steering response, and good road holding ability on snow. Rather noisy. Increased fuel consumption. Good.
Snow Handling (Extreme Maneuvers) Lateral Stability (Snow) Dry Braking Ice Lap Ice Handling Lateral Stability (Asphalt) Snow Handling (Usual Driving) Snow Braking Rolling Resistance Internal Noise

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+ · China

Test Score:

892
Hankook Winter i*cept iZ 2 W616

78 30

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

Verdict:
No handling issues on snow during active driving. Decent traction and road holding ability on snow. Slightly fuzzy road holding ability on asphalt. Good.
Snow Handling (Active Driving) Lateral Stability (Snow) Traction (Deep Snow)

USA+ · Canada · Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

880
Nokian Nordman RS2

81 16

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

Verdict:
Best longitudinal performance on snow. Good snow traction. Great handling response on snow and ice. Minor gripes on road holding ability on asphalt, and minor gripes on ride comfort. Good.
Ice Handling Acceleration on Snow Traction (Deep Snow) Snow Braking

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

873
Yokohama iceGUARD iG60

76 34

· Winter · 2017 · Passenger - Studless Ice & Snow · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
Crisp road holding ability on snow. Decent handling response on ice and snow. Poor lateral grip on ice, poor braking performance on dry pavement. Average riding comfort. Good.
Ice Handling Traction (Deep Snow) Snow Handling Dry Braking Lateral Stability (Ice)

Europe · Russia+ · East Asia · Southeast Asia · Middle East

Test Score:

863
BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2

79 39

· Winter · 2016 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Positive: The best braking performance on the dry pavement; good ice handling. Negative: Weak lateral grip on snow; weak grip and poor handling on ice.
Snow Handling (Extreme Maneuvers) Wet Braking Lateral Stability (Snow) Dry Braking Snow Handling (Usual Driving) Ice Handling Acceleration on Ice Ice Lap Ice Braking

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

861
Gislaved Soft*Frost 200

N/A 24

· Winter · 2016 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Excellent braking performance on dry pavement. Decent handling response on ice and snow. Alarming behavior during emergency maneuvering on snow. Good.
Dry Braking Snow Handling Snow Handling (Extreme Maneuvers)

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

860
Toyo Observe GSi-6

69 38

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

Verdict:
Informative handling response on snow. Decent road holding ability on asphalt. Keeping the course on snow can be tricky. Average riding comfort. Good.
Snow Handling (Usual Driving) Snow Braking Lateral Stability (Snow)

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

Test Score:

853
Sailun WinterPro SW61

N/A 19

· Winter · 2017 · Passenger - Studless Ice & Snow · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
Best braking performance on wet pavement, good fuel efficiency. Decent road holding ability on snow. Worst longitudinal traction on snow. Snow handling issues. Average.
Rolling Resistance Wet Braking Lateral Stability (Snow) Snow Handling (Extreme Maneuvers) Ice Lap Acceleration on Snow Snow Handling (Active Driving) Lateral Stability (Asphalt) Snow Handling (Usual Driving) Snow Braking

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

841
Marshal I'Zen KW31

N/A 16

· Winter · 2012 · Passenger - Performance Winter / Snow

Verdict:
Decent road holding ability on asphalt. Poor longitudinal traction on snow, poor lateral grip on ice. Ice handling issues. Average.
Ice Handling Acceleration on Snow Traction (Deep Snow)

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

833
Viatti Brina

N/A 11

· Winter · 2010 · Passenger - Studless Ice & Snow · For Nordic Winter x

Verdict:
Best braking performance on snow. Average braking performance on ice. Reasonably smooth ride. Worst braking performance on wet pavement. Issues with road holding ability on asphalt, issues with snow and ice handling. Average.
Snow Braking Wet Braking Snow Handling (Usual Driving) Lateral Stability (Asphalt)

Europe · Russia+

Test Score:

833
Nexen Winguard Ice Plus

68 37

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

Verdict:
Best braking performance on snow. Average braking performance on ice. Reasonably smooth ride. Worst braking performance on wet pavement. Issues with road holding ability on asphalt, issues with snow and ice handling. Average.
Snow Handling (Extreme Maneuvers) Dry Braking Acceleration on Snow Traction (Deep Snow) Acceleration on Ice Ice Braking

USA+ · Canada · Russia+

Test Score:

805