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2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
11 min read Updated
Below are all the data points for the 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test, displaying how each tire performed across all test categories. The spider chart below provides a complete overview of performance, where one hundred percent represents the best performance in each category. The larger the area covered by each tire's plot, the better its overall performance.
How to read these charts: For each test category, data is presented relative to the best performing tire. The direction indicates whether lower or higher values are better - pay close attention to this when interpreting results.

Performance Overview

This radar chart shows relative performance across all test categories, with 100% representing the best performance in each category. Reference tires may have gaps where data is not available.

Petlas Glacier W661
Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
Michelin X Ice Snow
Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
Sava Eskimo Ice
Continental IceContact 3
Linglong Winter Unicorn
Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
Bridgestone Noranza 001
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
Nankang Ice Activa 2
Hankook Winter i pike RS2
Continental VikingContact 7
Sunny SN3860
Pirelli Ice Zero FR
Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
Michelin X Ice North 4

Quick Navigation

Dry Performance Overview

Dry Braking (M)

Spread: 3.10 M (10.7%) | Avg: 30.34 M

Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Petlas Glacier W661 with a result of 29 M. The difference between best and worst was 9.7%.
  1. Petlas Glacier W661
    29 M
  2. Michelin X Ice North 4
    29.3 M
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    29.4 M
  4. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    29.5 M
  5. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    29.8 M
  6. Continental IceContact 3
    29.9 M
  7. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    29.9 M
  8. Sunny SN3860
    30 M
  9. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    30 M
  10. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    30 M
  11. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    30.2 M
  12. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    30.3 M
  13. Continental VikingContact 7
    30.3 M
  14. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    30.6 M
  15. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    30.7 M
  16. Michelin X Ice Snow
    31.2 M
  17. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    31.3 M
  18. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    31.5 M
  19. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    31.7 M
  20. Sava Eskimo Ice
    32.1 M

Subj. Dry Handling ( Points)

Spread: 4.00 Points (40%) | Avg: 7.75 Points

Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Petlas Glacier W661 with a result of 10 Points. The difference between best and worst was 40%.
  1. Petlas Glacier W661
    10 Points
  2. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    9 Points
  3. Sava Eskimo Ice
    9 Points
  4. Continental IceContact 3
    9 Points
  5. Michelin X Ice Snow
    8 Points
  6. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    8 Points
  7. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    8 Points
  8. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    8 Points
  9. Sunny SN3860
    8 Points
  10. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    8 Points
  11. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    8 Points
  12. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    8 Points
  13. Michelin X Ice North 4
    8 Points
  14. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    7 Points
  15. Continental VikingContact 7
    7 Points
  16. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    7 Points
  17. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    7 Points
  18. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    6 Points
  19. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    6 Points
  20. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    6 Points

Wet Performance Overview

Wet Braking (M)

Spread: 10.70 M (36%) | Avg: 36.89 M

Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Petlas Glacier W661 with a result of 29.7 M. The difference between best and worst was 26.5%.
  1. Petlas Glacier W661
    29.7 M
  2. Sunny SN3860
    32.5 M
  3. Continental IceContact 3
    33.4 M
  4. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    34.8 M
  5. Michelin X Ice North 4
    35.9 M
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    36.5 M
  7. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    36.6 M
  8. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    36.6 M
  9. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    37.1 M
  10. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    37.3 M
  11. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    37.4 M
  12. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    38.2 M
  13. Continental VikingContact 7
    38.5 M
  14. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    38.5 M
  15. Michelin X Ice Snow
    38.6 M
  16. Sava Eskimo Ice
    38.6 M
  17. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    38.7 M
  18. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    39.1 M
  19. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    39.3 M
  20. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    40.4 M

Wet Handling (s)

Spread: 1.70 s (5%) | Avg: 34.82 s

Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Petlas Glacier W661 with a result of 33.7 s. The difference between best and worst was 4.8%.
  1. Petlas Glacier W661
    33.7 s
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    34.1 s
  3. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    34.5 s
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    34.5 s
  5. Sava Eskimo Ice
    34.6 s
  6. Continental VikingContact 7
    34.7 s
  7. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    34.7 s
  8. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    34.8 s
  9. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    34.8 s
  10. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    34.8 s
  11. Continental IceContact 3
    34.9 s
  12. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    34.9 s
  13. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    35 s
  14. Michelin X Ice Snow
    35 s
  15. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    35.1 s
  16. Sunny SN3860
    35.2 s
  17. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    35.2 s
  18. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    35.2 s
  19. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    35.3 s
  20. Michelin X Ice North 4
    35.4 s

Subj. Wet Handling ( Points)

Spread: 3.00 Points (33.3%) | Avg: 7.25 Points

Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Petlas Glacier W661 with a result of 9 Points. The difference between best and worst was 33.3%.
  1. Petlas Glacier W661
    9 Points
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    9 Points
  3. Continental VikingContact 7
    8 Points
  4. Continental IceContact 3
    8 Points
  5. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    8 Points
  6. Michelin X Ice Snow
    8 Points
  7. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    8 Points
  8. Sunny SN3860
    7 Points
  9. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    7 Points
  10. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    7 Points
  11. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    7 Points
  12. Michelin X Ice North 4
    7 Points
  13. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    7 Points
  14. Sava Eskimo Ice
    7 Points
  15. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    7 Points
  16. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    7 Points
  17. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    6 Points
  18. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    6 Points
  19. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    6 Points
  20. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    6 Points

Snow Performance Overview

Snow Braking (M)

Spread: 3.40 M (6.8%) | Avg: 51.31 M

Snow braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental VikingContact 7 with a result of 50.2 M. The difference between best and worst was 6.3%.
  1. Continental VikingContact 7
    50.2 M
  2. Michelin X Ice Snow
    50.4 M
  3. Continental IceContact 3
    50.4 M
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    50.6 M
  5. Michelin X Ice North 4
    50.6 M
  6. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    50.7 M
  7. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    50.7 M
  8. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    50.9 M
  9. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    50.9 M
  10. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    51 M
  11. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    51.2 M
  12. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    51.2 M
  13. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    51.4 M
  14. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    51.5 M
  15. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    51.8 M
  16. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    51.9 M
  17. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    52 M
  18. Sava Eskimo Ice
    52 M
  19. Petlas Glacier W661
    53.2 M
  20. Sunny SN3860
    53.6 M

Snow Traction (s)

Spread: 0.60 s (10.2%) | Avg: 6.08 s

Snow acceleration time (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental IceContact 3 with a result of 5.9 s. The difference between best and worst was 9.2%.
  1. Continental IceContact 3
    5.9 s
  2. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    5.9 s
  3. Continental VikingContact 7
    5.9 s
  4. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    6 s
  5. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    6 s
  6. Michelin X Ice North 4
    6 s
  7. Michelin X Ice Snow
    6 s
  8. Sava Eskimo Ice
    6 s
  9. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    6 s
  10. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    6.1 s
  11. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    6.1 s
  12. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    6.1 s
  13. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    6.1 s
  14. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    6.1 s
  15. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    6.1 s
  16. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    6.2 s
  17. Petlas Glacier W661
    6.2 s
  18. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    6.2 s
  19. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    6.2 s
  20. Sunny SN3860
    6.5 s

Snow Handling (s)

Spread: 4.90 s (10.1%) | Avg: 49.47 s

Snow handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental VikingContact 7 with a result of 48.3 s. The difference between best and worst was 9.2%.
  1. Continental VikingContact 7
    48.3 s
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    48.4 s
  3. Michelin X Ice Snow
    48.7 s
  4. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    48.7 s
  5. Continental IceContact 3
    48.8 s
  6. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    48.8 s
  7. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    48.8 s
  8. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    49 s
  9. Michelin X Ice North 4
    49 s
  10. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    49.1 s
  11. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    49.3 s
  12. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    49.3 s
  13. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    49.4 s
  14. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    49.5 s
  15. Sava Eskimo Ice
    49.6 s
  16. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    49.8 s
  17. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    50 s
  18. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    50.8 s
  19. Petlas Glacier W661
    50.9 s
  20. Sunny SN3860
    53.2 s

Subj. Snow Handling ( Points)

Spread: 4.00 Points (44.4%) | Avg: 7.95 Points

Subjective Snow Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Bridgestone Noranza 001 with a result of 9 Points. The difference between best and worst was 44.4%.
  1. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    9 Points
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    9 Points
  3. Continental VikingContact 7
    9 Points
  4. Continental IceContact 3
    9 Points
  5. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    9 Points
  6. Michelin X Ice North 4
    9 Points
  7. Michelin X Ice Snow
    9 Points
  8. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    8 Points
  9. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    8 Points
  10. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    8 Points
  11. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    8 Points
  12. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    8 Points
  13. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    8 Points
  14. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    8 Points
  15. Sava Eskimo Ice
    8 Points
  16. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    7 Points
  17. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    7 Points
  18. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    7 Points
  19. Petlas Glacier W661
    6 Points
  20. Sunny SN3860
    5 Points

Ice Performance Overview

Ice Braking (M)

Spread: 16.80 M (44.4%) | Avg: 43.85 M

Ice braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 with a result of 37.8 M. The difference between best and worst was 30.8%.
  1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    37.8 M
  2. Michelin X Ice North 4
    37.8 M
  3. Continental IceContact 3
    38.9 M
  4. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    39.7 M
  5. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    39.7 M
  6. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    41.7 M
  7. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    42.5 M
  8. Michelin X Ice Snow
    42.7 M
  9. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    43.2 M
  10. Continental VikingContact 7
    43.2 M
  11. Sava Eskimo Ice
    43.4 M
  12. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    43.5 M
  13. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    44 M
  14. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    45 M
  15. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    45.9 M
  16. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    47.3 M
  17. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    47.5 M
  18. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    48.1 M
  19. Petlas Glacier W661
    50.5 M
  20. Sunny SN3860
    54.6 M

Ice Traction (s)

Spread: 3.20 s (86.5%) | Avg: 5.27 s

Ice acceleration time (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin X Ice North 4 with a result of 3.7 s. The difference between best and worst was 46.4%.
  1. Michelin X Ice North 4
    3.7 s
  2. Continental IceContact 3
    3.8 s
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    3.8 s
  4. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    3.9 s
  5. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    3.9 s
  6. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    4 s
  7. Michelin X Ice Snow
    5.3 s
  8. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    5.4 s
  9. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    5.5 s
  10. Continental VikingContact 7
    5.5 s
  11. Sunny SN3860
    5.6 s
  12. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    5.6 s
  13. Sava Eskimo Ice
    5.7 s
  14. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    5.7 s
  15. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    5.9 s
  16. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    5.9 s
  17. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    6.2 s
  18. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    6.5 s
  19. Petlas Glacier W661
    6.6 s
  20. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    6.9 s

Ice Handling (s)

Spread: 14.70 s (25.7%) | Avg: 62.54 s

Ice handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin X Ice North 4 with a result of 57.3 s. The difference between best and worst was 20.4%.
  1. Michelin X Ice North 4
    57.3 s
  2. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    58.6 s
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    58.8 s
  4. Continental IceContact 3
    60.2 s
  5. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    60.7 s
  6. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    60.8 s
  7. Continental VikingContact 7
    61 s
  8. Michelin X Ice Snow
    61 s
  9. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    61.2 s
  10. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    61.5 s
  11. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    61.6 s
  12. Sava Eskimo Ice
    61.7 s
  13. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    61.8 s
  14. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    62 s
  15. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    63.3 s
  16. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    64 s
  17. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    65.1 s
  18. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    67.3 s
  19. Petlas Glacier W661
    70.8 s
  20. Sunny SN3860
    72 s

Subj. Ice Handling ( Points)

Spread: 6.00 Points (60%) | Avg: 7.05 Points

Subjective Ice Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin X Ice North 4 with a result of 10 Points. The difference between best and worst was 60%.
  1. Michelin X Ice North 4
    10 Points
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    9 Points
  3. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    9 Points
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    8 Points
  5. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    8 Points
  6. Continental VikingContact 7
    8 Points
  7. Continental IceContact 3
    8 Points
  8. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    7 Points
  9. Michelin X Ice Snow
    7 Points
  10. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    7 Points
  11. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    7 Points
  12. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    7 Points
  13. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    7 Points
  14. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    7 Points
  15. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    6 Points
  16. Sava Eskimo Ice
    6 Points
  17. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    6 Points
  18. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    5 Points
  19. Sunny SN3860
    5 Points
  20. Petlas Glacier W661
    4 Points

Comfort Performance Overview

Subj. Noise ( Points)

Spread: 3.00 Points (33.3%) | Avg: 7.80 Points

Subjective in car noise levels (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Nankang Ice Activa 2 with a result of 9 Points. The difference between best and worst was 33.3%.
  1. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    9 Points
  2. Continental VikingContact 7
    9 Points
  3. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    9 Points
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    9 Points
  5. Sava Eskimo Ice
    9 Points
  6. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    9 Points
  7. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    9 Points
  8. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    8 Points
  9. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    8 Points
  10. Petlas Glacier W661
    8 Points
  11. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    8 Points
  12. Michelin X Ice Snow
    8 Points
  13. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    8 Points
  14. Sunny SN3860
    7 Points
  15. Continental IceContact 3
    7 Points
  16. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    7 Points
  17. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    6 Points
  18. Michelin X Ice North 4
    6 Points
  19. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    6 Points
  20. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    6 Points

Overall Findings

Based on the weighted scoring from all tests, here are the overall results:

Position Tire Score
Michelin X Ice North 4 0%
2 Continental IceContact 3 0%
3 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 0%
4 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 0%
5 Bridgestone Noranza 001 0%
6 Continental VikingContact 7 0%
7 Hankook Winter i pike RS2 0%
8 Michelin X Ice Snow 0%
9 Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2 0%
10 Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 0%
11 Pirelli Ice Zero FR 0%
12 Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 0%
13 Sava Eskimo Ice 0%
14 Linglong Winter Unicorn 0%
15 Bridgestone Blizzak Ice 0%
16 Nankang Ice Activa 2 0%
17 Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP 0%
18 Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 0%
19 Petlas Glacier W661 0%
20 Sunny SN3860 0%

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