| Test Summary | |
| Wet Braking |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 |
| Dry Braking |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 |
| Wet Handling |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
| Wear |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
| Rolling Resistance |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
| Snow Handling |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
As usual we'll keep commentary to a minimum, instead encouraging you to head over to the Auto Express website to check out the full test, however there is one important caveat to note.
The new Continental WinterContact TS870 was included in this test, but as the tire launch has been delayed until winter 2021 instead of 2020, Auto Express didn't rank it in their final results.
If Auto Express had included it, the new Continental TS870 would have won the test overall, narrowly beating the excellent Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 thanks to a near flawless performance.
2021 might be another Continental year, but for winter 2020, it looks like the Bridgestone is still the tire to have for the UK winters, thanks to an excellent dry and wet performance.
Results
Best in wet in the wet braking and handling, best in dry braking, low rolling resistance.
Worst snow performance, but still within 5% of best.
An excellent tire for English winters where you're likely to see more wet weather than snow.
Total: 1172.6
Dry
100
Wet
499.4
Snow
285.8
Rolling Resistance
87.6
Noise
99.8
Overall
100
Best in snow and wet handling, excellent low rolling resistance, low noise.
Average dry braking.
When the new TS870 goes on sale in 2021 it could be the new benchmark.
Total: 1187.1
Dry
93.8
Wet
490
Snow
299.9
Rolling Resistance
101.1
Noise
100.7
Overall
101.6
Excellent wet grip, high aquaplaning resistance, good in the snw.
High rolling resistance, increased noise.
A return to form for the I*Cept RS2, largely thanks to a strong wet performance.
Total: 1162.6
Dry
96.2
Wet
495
Snow
294.4
Rolling Resistance
79.6
Noise
98.1
Overall
99.3
Good wet performance, good snow braking.
Average snow handling.
Total: 1154.5
Dry
96.2
Wet
481.5
Snow
291.9
Rolling Resistance
87.6
Noise
98.9
Overall
98.4
Best in snow handling and a good snow performance overall.
Average wet performance, high rolling resistance.
Total: 1143.5
Dry
94.9
Wet
473.6
Snow
299.1
Rolling Resistance
78
Noise
99.7
Overall
98.2
Excellent in snow, best curved aquaplaning resistance, low noise.
Average in the wet and dry.
Total: 1164.2
Dry
93.7
Wet
486.7
Snow
298.5
Rolling Resistance
87.5
Noise
99.7
Overall
98.1
Good dry braking, low noise.
Poor performance in the snow.
Total: 1137.3
Dry
98.9
Wet
471.7
Snow
286.4
Rolling Resistance
82.6
Noise
99.7
Overall
98
Good in the snow, quietest tire on test, low rolling resistance.
Long dry and wet braking, poor wet handling.
Total: 1141.1
Dry
92.6
Wet
465.9
Snow
297.2
Rolling Resistance
88
Noise
100
Overall
97.4
Lowest fuel use on test by some margin, good dry braking.
Poor performance in all wet tests, highest levels of cabin noise.
Total: 1132.2
Dry
96.4
Wet
450.2
Snow
290.8
Rolling Resistance
100
Noise
97.6
Overall
97.2
Discussion