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Test Charts / Test World

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test

Compare each discipline in the tested size. See the measured result, position and gap to the best tire, then read the verdict for the trade-offs behind the finishing order.

Tested size
205/55 R16
Tires tested
20
Disciplines
14

Read the measurements, not just the rank

Lower is better for braking distances and lap times; higher is better for subjective scores and aquaplaning speed. Bars start at zero. Read the gap alongside the position: adjacent tires can be separated by very different margins.

Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tires does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.

This test ranks different groups separately. Read the full verdicts for each group; there is no single overall finishing order.

Dry

2

Dry Braking

Dry braking in feet

Lower is better ↓

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 97 ft Best
2Linglong Winter Unicorn
 98 ft +1 ft
3Sunny SN3860
 98 ft +1 ft

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Petlas Glacier W661
 95 ft Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 96 ft +1 ft
3Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 98 ft +3 ft
4Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 98 ft +3 ft
5Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 99 ft +4 ft
6Continental VikingContact 7
 99 ft +4 ft
6Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 99 ft +4 ft
8Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 101 ft +6 ft
9Michelin X Ice Snow
 102 ft +7 ft
10Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 103 ft +8 ft
11Nankang Ice Activa 2
 104 ft +9 ft
12Sava Eskimo Ice
 105 ft +10 ft

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Michelin X Ice North 4
 96 ft Best
2Continental IceContact 3
 98 ft +2 ft
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 98 ft +2 ft
4Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 100 ft +4 ft
5Bridgestone Noranza 001
 103 ft +7 ft

The difference between best and worst was 10.7% (10 ft ≈ 0.7 Car Lengths).

Subj. Dry Handling

Subjective Dry Handling Score

Higher is better ↑

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Sunny SN3860
 8 Points Best
2Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 6 Points -2.00 Points
2Linglong Winter Unicorn
 6 Points -2.00 Points

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Petlas Glacier W661
 10 Points Best
2Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 9 Points -1.00 Points
2Sava Eskimo Ice
 9 Points -1.00 Points
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 8 Points -2.00 Points
4Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 8 Points -2.00 Points
4Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 8 Points -2.00 Points
4Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 8 Points -2.00 Points
4Michelin X Ice Snow
 8 Points -2.00 Points
4Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 8 Points -2.00 Points
10Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 7 Points -3.00 Points
10Continental VikingContact 7
 7 Points -3.00 Points
12Nankang Ice Activa 2
 6 Points -4.00 Points

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Continental IceContact 3
 9 Points Best
2Michelin X Ice North 4
 8 Points -1.00 Points
2Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 8 Points -1.00 Points
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 7 Points -2.00 Points
4Bridgestone Noranza 001
 7 Points -2.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 40% (4 Points).

Wet

3

Wet Braking

Wet braking in feet

Lower is better ↓

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Sunny SN3860
 107 ft Best
2Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 122 ft +15 ft
3Linglong Winter Unicorn
 133 ft +26 ft

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Petlas Glacier W661
 97 ft Best
2Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 120 ft +23 ft
3Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 120 ft +23 ft
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 122 ft +25 ft
5Nankang Ice Activa 2
 125 ft +28 ft
6Continental VikingContact 7
 126 ft +29 ft
6Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 126 ft +29 ft
8Michelin X Ice Snow
 127 ft +30 ft
8Sava Eskimo Ice
 127 ft +30 ft
10Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 127 ft +30 ft
11Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 128 ft +31 ft
12Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 129 ft +32 ft

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Continental IceContact 3
 110 ft Best
2Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 114 ft +4 ft
3Michelin X Ice North 4
 118 ft +8 ft
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 120 ft +10 ft
5Bridgestone Noranza 001
 123 ft +13 ft

The difference between best and worst was 36% (36 ft ≈ 2.4 Car Lengths).

Wet Handling

Wet handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 34.9 s Best
2Sunny SN3860
 35.2 s +0.30 s
3Linglong Winter Unicorn
 35.3 s +0.40 s

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Petlas Glacier W661
 33.7 s Best
2Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 34.1 s +0.40 s
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 34.5 s +0.80 s
3Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 34.5 s +0.80 s
5Sava Eskimo Ice
 34.6 s +0.90 s
6Continental VikingContact 7
 34.7 s +1.00 s
6Nankang Ice Activa 2
 34.7 s +1.00 s
8Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 34.8 s +1.10 s
8Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 34.8 s +1.10 s
10Michelin X Ice Snow
 35 s +1.30 s
10Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 35 s +1.30 s
12Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 35.2 s +1.50 s

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 34.8 s Best
2Continental IceContact 3
 34.9 s +0.10 s
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 35.1 s +0.30 s
4Bridgestone Noranza 001
 35.2 s +0.40 s
5Michelin X Ice North 4
 35.4 s +0.60 s

The difference between best and worst was 5% (1.7 s).

Subj. Wet Handling

Subjective Wet Handling Score

Higher is better ↑

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Sunny SN3860
 7 Points Best
1Linglong Winter Unicorn
 7 Points Best
3Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 6 Points -1.00 Points

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Petlas Glacier W661
 9 Points Best
1Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 9 Points Best
3Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 8 Points -1.00 Points
3Michelin X Ice Snow
 8 Points -1.00 Points
3Continental VikingContact 7
 8 Points -1.00 Points
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 8 Points -1.00 Points
7Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 7 Points -2.00 Points
7Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 7 Points -2.00 Points
7Sava Eskimo Ice
 7 Points -2.00 Points
7Nankang Ice Activa 2
 7 Points -2.00 Points
11Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 6 Points -3.00 Points
11Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 6 Points -3.00 Points

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Continental IceContact 3
 8 Points Best
2Michelin X Ice North 4
 7 Points -1.00 Points
2Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 7 Points -1.00 Points
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 7 Points -1.00 Points
5Bridgestone Noranza 001
 6 Points -2.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 33.3% (3 Points).

Snow

4

Snow Braking

Snow braking in feet

Lower is better ↓

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 167 ft Best
2Linglong Winter Unicorn
 169 ft +2 ft
3Sunny SN3860
 176 ft +9 ft

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Continental VikingContact 7
 165 ft Best
2Michelin X Ice Snow
 165 ft 0 ft
3Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 166 ft +1 ft
4Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 167 ft +2 ft
5Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 167 ft +2 ft
6Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 168 ft +3 ft
6Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 168 ft +3 ft
8Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 170 ft +5 ft
9Nankang Ice Activa 2
 170 ft +5 ft
10Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 171 ft +6 ft
10Sava Eskimo Ice
 171 ft +6 ft
12Petlas Glacier W661
 175 ft +10 ft

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Continental IceContact 3
 165 ft Best
2Michelin X Ice North 4
 166 ft +1 ft
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 166 ft +1 ft
3Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 166 ft +1 ft
5Bridgestone Noranza 001
 169 ft +4 ft

The difference between best and worst was 6.8% (11 ft ≈ 0.8 Car Lengths).

Snow Traction

Snow acceleration time

Lower is better ↓

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Linglong Winter Unicorn
 6.1 s Best
2Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 6.2 s +0.10 s
3Sunny SN3860
 6.5 s +0.40 s

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Continental VikingContact 7
 5.9 s Best
2Nankang Ice Activa 2
 6 s +0.10 s
2Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 6 s +0.10 s
2Michelin X Ice Snow
 6 s +0.10 s
2Sava Eskimo Ice
 6 s +0.10 s
6Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 6.1 s +0.20 s
6Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 6.1 s +0.20 s
6Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 6.1 s +0.20 s
6Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 6.1 s +0.20 s
10Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 6.2 s +0.30 s
10Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 6.2 s +0.30 s
10Petlas Glacier W661
 6.2 s +0.30 s

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Continental IceContact 3
 5.9 s Best
1Bridgestone Noranza 001
 5.9 s Best
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 6 s +0.10 s
3Michelin X Ice North 4
 6 s +0.10 s
5Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 6.1 s +0.20 s

The difference between best and worst was 10.2% (0.6 s).

Snow Handling

Snow handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Linglong Winter Unicorn
 48.7 s Best
2Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 49.5 s +0.80 s
3Sunny SN3860
 53.2 s +4.50 s

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Continental VikingContact 7
 48.3 s Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 48.4 s +0.10 s
3Michelin X Ice Snow
 48.7 s +0.40 s
4Nankang Ice Activa 2
 48.8 s +0.50 s
5Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 49.1 s +0.80 s
6Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 49.3 s +1.00 s
7Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 49.4 s +1.10 s
8Sava Eskimo Ice
 49.6 s +1.30 s
9Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 49.8 s +1.50 s
10Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 50 s +1.70 s
11Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 50.8 s +2.50 s
12Petlas Glacier W661
 50.9 s +2.60 s

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Continental IceContact 3
 48.8 s Best
1Bridgestone Noranza 001
 48.8 s Best
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 49 s +0.20 s
3Michelin X Ice North 4
 49 s +0.20 s
5Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 49.3 s +0.50 s

The difference between best and worst was 10.1% (4.9 s).

Subj. Snow Handling

Subjective Snow Handling Score

Higher is better ↑

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 8 Points Best
1Linglong Winter Unicorn
 8 Points Best
3Sunny SN3860
 5 Points -3.00 Points

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Michelin X Ice Snow
 9 Points Best
1Continental VikingContact 7
 9 Points Best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 9 Points Best
4Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 8 Points -1.00 Points
4Sava Eskimo Ice
 8 Points -1.00 Points
4Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 8 Points -1.00 Points
4Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 8 Points -1.00 Points
4Nankang Ice Activa 2
 8 Points -1.00 Points
9Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 7 Points -2.00 Points
9Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 7 Points -2.00 Points
9Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 7 Points -2.00 Points
12Petlas Glacier W661
 6 Points -3.00 Points

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 9 Points Best
1Continental IceContact 3
 9 Points Best
1Bridgestone Noranza 001
 9 Points Best
1Michelin X Ice North 4
 9 Points Best
5Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 8 Points -1.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 44.4% (4 Points).

Ice

4

Ice Braking

Ice braking in feet

Lower is better ↓

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 130 ft Best
2Linglong Winter Unicorn
 148 ft +18 ft
3Sunny SN3860
 179 ft +49 ft

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 139 ft Best
2Michelin X Ice Snow
 140 ft +1 ft
3Continental VikingContact 7
 142 ft +3 ft
3Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 142 ft +3 ft
5Sava Eskimo Ice
 142 ft +3 ft
6Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 143 ft +4 ft
7Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 144 ft +5 ft
8Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 151 ft +12 ft
9Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 155 ft +16 ft
10Nankang Ice Activa 2
 156 ft +17 ft
11Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 158 ft +19 ft
12Petlas Glacier W661
 166 ft +27 ft

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 124 ft Best
1Michelin X Ice North 4
 124 ft Best
3Continental IceContact 3
 128 ft +4 ft
4Bridgestone Noranza 001
 130 ft +6 ft
5Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 137 ft +13 ft

The difference between best and worst was 44.4% (55 ft ≈ 3.7 Car Lengths).

Ice Traction

Ice acceleration time

Lower is better ↓

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 3.9 s Best
2Sunny SN3860
 5.6 s +1.70 s
3Linglong Winter Unicorn
 5.7 s +1.80 s

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Michelin X Ice Snow
 5.3 s Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 5.4 s +0.10 s
3Continental VikingContact 7
 5.5 s +0.20 s
3Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 5.5 s +0.20 s
5Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 5.6 s +0.30 s
6Sava Eskimo Ice
 5.7 s +0.40 s
7Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 5.9 s +0.60 s
7Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 5.9 s +0.60 s
9Nankang Ice Activa 2
 6.2 s +0.90 s
10Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 6.5 s +1.20 s
11Petlas Glacier W661
 6.6 s +1.30 s
12Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 6.9 s +1.60 s

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Michelin X Ice North 4
 3.7 s Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 3.8 s +0.10 s
2Continental IceContact 3
 3.8 s +0.10 s
4Bridgestone Noranza 001
 3.9 s +0.20 s
5Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 4 s +0.30 s

The difference between best and worst was 86.5% (3.2 s).

Ice Handling

Ice handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 61.8 s Best
2Linglong Winter Unicorn
 62 s +0.20 s
3Sunny SN3860
 72 s +10.20 s

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 60.7 s Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 60.8 s +0.10 s
3Continental VikingContact 7
 61 s +0.30 s
3Michelin X Ice Snow
 61 s +0.30 s
5Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 61.2 s +0.50 s
6Nankang Ice Activa 2
 61.5 s +0.80 s
7Sava Eskimo Ice
 61.7 s +1.00 s
8Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 63.3 s +2.60 s
9Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 64 s +3.30 s
10Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 65.1 s +4.40 s
11Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 67.3 s +6.60 s
12Petlas Glacier W661
 70.8 s +10.10 s

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Michelin X Ice North 4
 57.3 s Best
2Bridgestone Noranza 001
 58.6 s +1.30 s
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 58.8 s +1.50 s
4Continental IceContact 3
 60.2 s +2.90 s
5Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 61.6 s +4.30 s

The difference between best and worst was 25.7% (14.7 s).

Subj. Ice Handling

Subjective Ice Handling Score

Higher is better ↑

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 7 Points Best
1Linglong Winter Unicorn
 7 Points Best
3Sunny SN3860
 5 Points -2.00 Points

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Continental VikingContact 7
 8 Points Best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 8 Points Best
3Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 7 Points -1.00 Points
3Michelin X Ice Snow
 7 Points -1.00 Points
3Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 7 Points -1.00 Points
3Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 7 Points -1.00 Points
3Nankang Ice Activa 2
 7 Points -1.00 Points
8Sava Eskimo Ice
 6 Points -2.00 Points
8Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 6 Points -2.00 Points
8Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 6 Points -2.00 Points
11Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 5 Points -3.00 Points
12Petlas Glacier W661
 4 Points -4.00 Points

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Michelin X Ice North 4
 10 Points Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 9 Points -1.00 Points
2Bridgestone Noranza 001
 9 Points -1.00 Points
4Continental IceContact 3
 8 Points -2.00 Points
4Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 8 Points -2.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 60% (6 Points).

Comfort

1

Subj. Noise

Subjective in car noise levels

Higher is better ↑

Central European Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Linglong Winter Unicorn
 9 Points Best
2Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
 7 Points -2.00 Points
2Sunny SN3860
 7 Points -2.00 Points

Nordic Friction Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Sava Eskimo Ice
 9 Points Best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
 9 Points Best
1Continental VikingContact 7
 9 Points Best
1Nankang Ice Activa 2
 9 Points Best
1Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
 9 Points Best
1Pirelli Ice Zero FR
 9 Points Best
7Petlas Glacier W661
 8 Points -1.00 Points
7Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
 8 Points -1.00 Points
7Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
 8 Points -1.00 Points
7Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
 8 Points -1.00 Points
7Michelin X Ice Snow
 8 Points -1.00 Points
7Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
 8 Points -1.00 Points

Studded Winter Tires

Position / TireResultGap to best
1Continental IceContact 3
 7 Points Best
2Hankook Winter i pike RS2
 6 Points -1.00 Points
2Bridgestone Noranza 001
 6 Points -1.00 Points
2Michelin X Ice North 4
 6 Points -1.00 Points
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
 6 Points -1.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 33.3% (3 Points).

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