Test setup & methodology

The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.

Recorded test conditions

Dry Braking: 49.7 → 3.1 mph
Wet Braking: 49.7 → 3.1 mph
Snow Braking: 21.7 → 3.1 mph
Ice Braking: 9.3 → 3.1 mph

For their second winter test of 2020, the excellent Vi Bilagare have tested eight Nordic friction (studless) winter tires.

As with the studded version, Vi Bilagare have performed a thorough test covering dry, wet, snow and ice, and should be considered one of the benchmarks for extreme winter testing in Europe.

This test is particularly interesting as it has the new Michelin X-Ice Snow, Bridgestone Blizzak Ice, Pirelli Ice Zero FR and Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 placed against the established Nordic winter tires from Continental, Goodyear and Nokian.

Scroll down for the full results, and don't forget to checkout ViBilagare.se for the full details of the test!

Dry

While Nordic winter tires aren't intended to have the best outright dry performance, dry braking is still a key safety test. In this test, the new Bridgestone Blizzak Ice proved to have the best grip, stopping the test vehicle nearly one meter sooner than the next best tire on test, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2.

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Bridgestone Blizzak Ice	94 ft	Best	0 mph
2Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2	96 ft	+2 ft	12 mph
3Continental VikingContact 7	97 ft	+3 ft	14 mph
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3	99 ft	+5 ft	18 mph
5Pirelli Ice Zero FR	99 ft	+5 ft	18 mph
6Nereus NS805+	101 ft	+7 ft	21 mph
7Michelin X Ice Snow	103 ft	+9 ft	24 mph
8Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43	106 ft	+12 ft	27 mph

The difference between best and worst was 12.5% (12 ft ≈ 0.8 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 would still be travelling at 27 mph when the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

The Goodyear was the best subjectively during dry handling, offering the best balance and high levels of grip.

Subj. Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2	5 Points	Best
1Pirelli Ice Zero FR	5 Points	Best
3Continental VikingContact 7	4 Points	-1.00 Points
3Michelin X Ice Snow	4 Points	-1.00 Points
5Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3	3 Points	-2.00 Points
6Bridgestone Blizzak Ice	2 Points	-3.00 Points
6Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43	2 Points	-3.00 Points
8Nereus NS805+	1 Points	-4.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 80% (4 Points).

Wet

Wet braking is another safety critical test, and again Goodyear was impressive, beating the rest of the group by nearly three meters. This sort of advantage is almost unheard of during wet braking.

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2	113 ft	Best	0 mph
2Nereus NS805+	122 ft	+9 ft	22 mph
3Pirelli Ice Zero FR	124 ft	+11 ft	24 mph
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3	125 ft	+12 ft	25 mph
5Continental VikingContact 7	126 ft	+13 ft	26 mph
6Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43	129 ft	+16 ft	28 mph
7Michelin X Ice Snow	132 ft	+19 ft	30 mph
8Bridgestone Blizzak Ice	141 ft	+28 ft	36 mph

The difference between best and worst was 25.3% (28 ft ≈ 1.9 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice would still be travelling at 36 mph when the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

The Goodyear retained its lead during wet handling, finishing the short lap over a second ahead of second placed Pirelli Ice Zero FR.

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2	43.11 s	Best
2Pirelli Ice Zero FR	44.13 s	+1.02 s
3Michelin X Ice Snow	44.71 s	+1.60 s
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3	44.78 s	+1.67 s
5Continental VikingContact 7	44.99 s	+1.88 s
6Nereus NS805+	45.31 s	+2.20 s
7Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43	46.35 s	+3.24 s
8Bridgestone Blizzak Ice	47.14 s	+4.03 s

The difference between best and worst was 9.3% (4.03 s).

Impressively the Goodyear rounded out its wet performance with another clear win in straight line aquaplaning.

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2	45.5 mph	Best
2Michelin X Ice Snow	40.6 mph	-4.9 mph
3Nereus NS805+	40.5 mph	-5.0 mph
4Continental VikingContact 7	39.8 mph	-5.7 mph
5Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43	39.4 mph	-6.1 mph
6Pirelli Ice Zero FR	39.3 mph	-6.2 mph
7Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3	38.8 mph	-6.7 mph
8Bridgestone Blizzak Ice	38.2 mph	-7.3 mph

The difference between best and worst was 16.2% (7.3 mph).

Snow

The new Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 had a good lead in snow braking.

Snow Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43	37 ft	Best	0 mph
2Continental VikingContact 7	38 ft	+1 ft	9 mph
3Bridgestone Blizzak Ice	38 ft	+1 ft	11 mph
4Pirelli Ice Zero FR	38 ft	+1 ft	12 mph
5Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3	38 ft	+1 ft	12 mph
6Michelin X Ice Snow	38 ft	+1 ft	13 mph
6Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2	38 ft	+1 ft	13 mph
8Nereus NS805+	38 ft	+1 ft	15 mph

The difference between best and worst was 3.5% (1 ft). From 80 mph, the Nereus NS805+ would still be travelling at 15 mph when the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

The snow specialist Continental VikingContact 7 took its first win during snow handling, outperforming the pack by a small margin. Interestingly the snow braking winning Nexen could only manage seventh.

Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental VikingContact 7	72.25 s	Best
2Bridgestone Blizzak Ice	72.73 s	+0.48 s
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3	72.86 s	+0.61 s
4Pirelli Ice Zero FR	73.09 s	+0.84 s
5Michelin X Ice Snow	73.44 s	+1.19 s
6Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2	73.6 s	+1.35 s
7Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43	73.63 s	+1.38 s
8Nereus NS805+	75.24 s	+2.99 s

The difference between best and worst was 4.1% (2.99 s).

Ice

Once again the Nexen proved to have an excellent braking ability, winning the ice braking testing by over half a meter.

Ice Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43	8 ft	Best	0 mph
2Continental VikingContact 7	10 ft	+2 ft	33 mph
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3	11 ft	+3 ft	39 mph
4Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2	11 ft	+3 ft	39 mph
5Michelin X Ice Snow	11 ft	+3 ft	40 mph
6Pirelli Ice Zero FR	11 ft	+3 ft	41 mph
7Bridgestone Blizzak Ice	12 ft	+4 ft	43 mph
8Nereus NS805+	12 ft	+4 ft	44 mph

The difference between best and worst was 42.5% (4 ft). From 80 mph, the Nereus NS805+ would still be travelling at 44 mph when the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Continental repeated its snow handling advantage, showing its rounded ability to also win ice handling.

Ice Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental VikingContact 7	48.82 s	Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3	49.09 s	+0.27 s
3Pirelli Ice Zero FR	49.43 s	+0.61 s
4Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43	49.83 s	+1.01 s
5Nereus NS805+	50.63 s	+1.81 s
6Bridgestone Blizzak Ice	52.2 s	+3.38 s
7Michelin X Ice Snow	52.54 s	+3.72 s
8Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2	53.46 s	+4.64 s

The difference between best and worst was 9.5% (4.64 s).

Environment

The new Michelin X-Ice Snow had the lowest rolling resistance, but the group was close overall.

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
1Michelin X Ice Snow	5.89 kg/t	Best	$0
2Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2	5.94 kg/t	+0.05 kg/t	$2
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3	6.03 kg/t	+0.14 kg/t	$7
4Continental VikingContact 7	6.05 kg/t	+0.16 kg/t	$8
5Pirelli Ice Zero FR	6.11 kg/t	+0.22 kg/t	$11
6Nereus NS805+	6.14 kg/t	+0.25 kg/t	$12
7Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43	6.18 kg/t	+0.29 kg/t	$14
8Bridgestone Blizzak Ice	6.2 kg/t	+0.31 kg/t	$15

The difference between best and worst was 5.3% (0.31 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice uses about 4 gal ($15) more fuel than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Adjust the assumptions

Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.

Gas/Diesel Electric

Annual Mileage

12,000 mi

km (L)

miles (US gal)

Fuel Price

$3.60/gal

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Set my vehicle consumption

Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tire age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

The Continental VikingContact 7 was the only tire to score 5/5 in subjective noise and comfort testing.

Subj. Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental VikingContact 7	5 Points	Best
2Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2	4 Points	-1.00 Points
2Pirelli Ice Zero FR	4 Points	-1.00 Points
2Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43	4 Points	-1.00 Points
5Bridgestone Blizzak Ice	3 Points	-2.00 Points
5Michelin X Ice Snow	3 Points	-2.00 Points
7Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3	2 Points	-3.00 Points
7Nereus NS805+	2 Points	-3.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 60% (3 Points).

The budget Nereus (also known as Firemax) was the cheapest tire on test, however the performance in other testing reflected this.

Results

Dry93.9%

Wet92.1%

Snow99.4%

Ice91.5%

Comfort100%

Rolling Resistance97.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	97 ft	+3 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 8	4 Points	-1.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	126 ft	+13 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	5^th / 8	44.99 s	+1.88 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	4^th / 8	39.8 mph	-5.7 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	38 ft	+1 ft
Snow HandlingLower is better	1^st / 8	72.25 s	Best in this discipline
Ice BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	10 ft	+2 ft
Ice HandlingLower is better	1^st / 8	48.82 s	Best in this discipline
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	1^st / 8	5 Points	Best in this discipline
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	4^th / 8	6.05 kg/t	+0.16 kg/t

Price: 1621.00

Dry89%

Wet92.3%

Snow98.4%

Ice87.8%

Comfort40%

Rolling Resistance97.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	99 ft	+5 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	5^th / 8	3 Points	-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	125 ft	+12 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	4^th / 8	44.78 s	+1.67 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	7^th / 8	38.8 mph	-6.7 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	38 ft	+1 ft
Snow HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 8	72.86 s	+0.61 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	11 ft	+3 ft
Ice HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 8	49.09 s	+0.27 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	7^th / 8	2 Points	-3.00 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	3^rd / 8	6.03 kg/t	+0.14 kg/t

Price: 1465.00

Dry98%

Wet100%

Snow97.8%

Ice83.6%

Comfort80%

Rolling Resistance99.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	96 ft	+2 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 8	5 Points	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	113 ft	Best in this discipline
Wet HandlingLower is better	1^st / 8	43.11 s	Best in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better	1^st / 8	45.5 mph	Best in this discipline
Snow BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	38 ft	+1 ft
Snow HandlingLower is better	6^th / 8	73.6 s	+1.35 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	11 ft	+3 ft
Ice HandlingLower is better	8^th / 8	53.46 s	+4.64 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	2^nd / 8	4 Points	-1.00 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	2^nd / 8	5.94 kg/t	+0.05 kg/t

Price: 1311.00

Dry95.6%

Wet93.4%

Snow98.4%

Ice86.4%

Comfort80%

Rolling Resistance96.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	99 ft	+5 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 8	5 Points	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	124 ft	+11 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 8	44.13 s	+1.02 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	6^th / 8	39.3 mph	-6.2 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	38 ft	+1 ft
Snow HandlingLower is better	4^th / 8	73.09 s	+0.84 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	11 ft	+3 ft
Ice HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 8	49.43 s	+0.61 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	2^nd / 8	4 Points	-1.00 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	5^th / 8	6.11 kg/t	+0.22 kg/t

Price: 1312.00

Dry80.6%

Wet89.9%

Snow99%

Ice99%

Comfort80%

Rolling Resistance95.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	106 ft	+12 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 8	2 Points	-3.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	129 ft	+16 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	7^th / 8	46.35 s	+3.24 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	5^th / 8	39.4 mph	-6.1 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	37 ft	Best in this discipline
Snow HandlingLower is better	7^th / 8	73.63 s	+1.38 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	8 ft	Best in this discipline
Ice HandlingLower is better	4^th / 8	49.83 s	+1.01 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	2^nd / 8	4 Points	-1.00 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	7^th / 8	6.18 kg/t	+0.29 kg/t

Price: 982.00

Dry89.2%

Wet90.7%

Snow97.9%

Ice83.9%

Comfort60%

Rolling Resistance100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	7^th / 8	103 ft	+9 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 8	4 Points	-1.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	7^th / 8	132 ft	+19 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 8	44.71 s	+1.60 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	2^nd / 8	40.6 mph	-4.9 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	38 ft	+1 ft
Snow HandlingLower is better	5^th / 8	73.44 s	+1.19 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	11 ft	+3 ft
Ice HandlingLower is better	7^th / 8	52.54 s	+3.72 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	5^th / 8	3 Points	-2.00 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	1^st / 8	5.89 kg/t	Best in this discipline

Price: 1542.00

Dry89.8%

Wet85.4%

Snow98.8%

Ice82.6%

Comfort60%

Rolling Resistance95%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	94 ft	Best in this discipline
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 8	2 Points	-3.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	141 ft	+28 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	8^th / 8	47.14 s	+4.03 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	8^th / 8	38.2 mph	-7.3 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	38 ft	+1 ft
Snow HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 8	72.73 s	+0.48 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	7^th / 8	12 ft	+4 ft
Ice HandlingLower is better	6^th / 8	52.2 s	+3.38 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	5^th / 8	3 Points	-2.00 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	8^th / 8	6.2 kg/t	+0.31 kg/t

Price: 1586.00

Dry80.8%

Wet93.2%

Snow96.3%

Ice83.3%

Comfort40%

Rolling Resistance95.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	101 ft	+7 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	8^th / 8	1 Points	-4.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	122 ft	+9 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	6^th / 8	45.31 s	+2.20 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	3^rd / 8	40.5 mph	-5.0 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	38 ft	+1 ft
Snow HandlingLower is better	8^th / 8	75.24 s	+2.99 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	12 ft	+4 ft
Ice HandlingLower is better	5^th / 8	50.63 s	+1.81 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	7^th / 8	2 Points	-3.00 Points
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	6^th / 8	6.14 kg/t	+0.25 kg/t

Price: 682.00

Discussion

6 comments

Pedro Neves Dec 28, 2020 archived

We can't find a Vi Bilagare test with an all season or winter tire as a reference. Maybe next year we see them test Nordic Friction winter tires with a Michelin CrossClimate 2, a Bridgestone WC A005 Evo or a Continental AllSeasonContact as an all season reference and/or a Nokian WR Snowproof, a Continental WC TS860 or a Bridgestone Blizzac LM005 as a winter tire reference. It should be interesting, since the only test where we can get all seasons vs winters vs Nordics is the one you did (great test, by the way):
https://www.tyrereviews.com...

#6393
1. TireReviews Pedro Neves Dec 29, 2020 archived
  
  Vi did make a test with the all season contact in, I've not published it yet though. I believe the reason it's not done often is because no manufacturer officially sells all season tires in Nordic climates as they're really not suitable for the heavy winters with a lot of ice.
  
  #6394
  1. Pedro Neves TireReviews Dec 29, 2020 archived
    
    I live in a warm climate, so I have to admit that I have no idea what tires one can buy in a nordic climate, but I thought that people in those countries fitted all season tires during spring and leave them throught the summer and autumn. That's why I thought it could be didactical to have an all season as a reference for them. In fact, all seasons are not appropriate for a harsh winter, up to the point where (and according to Michelin's website) the norwegian and swedish authorities decided to not recognize the Michelin CrossClimate as a legal tire to be used in the winter, despite its 3PMSF rating!...
    
    #6395
    1. TireReviews Pedro Neves Dec 29, 2020 archived
      
      I like your theory, however I fear if people had all seasons on in the summer, they would be more inclined to leave them on in winter, which is maybe why the extra law for the CC!
      I will get that article up on the site though, so keep an eye out in the next few days
      
      #6396
      1. Pedro Neves TireReviews Dec 30, 2020 archived
        
        I just digged into this matter and found out at Continental's website that there may not exactly be an extra law for Michelin's CC. It's just that Norway demands that even tires that have the M+S had to be especially developed for winter conditions but Sweden, on the other hand, seems to have some special regulation against the CC, according to Michelin's sweden website. Check out this links:
        https://www.continental-tir...
        https://www.michelin.se/aut... (scroll down and click at "Villkor" for note 2, although it should rather be note 1)
        Michelin seems to be the only responsible or respectful manufacturer that advises consumers from Sweden and Norway (in the respective country website) that the CC (their only all season tire) is not appropriate for their winter months (Oct-Apr in Norway and Dec-Mar in Sweden).
        
        #6397
        
        TireReviews Pedro Neves Dec 31, 2020 archived
        
        Good sleuthing! As I mentioned, I've not dug into this a huge amount but in casual conversations I've had with manufacturers, some don't offer them to sale to dealers. Obviously with the internet this doesn't mean they're not available though.
        As you said, something like the CC2 would be a great "summer" tire for those climates for a lot of cars.
        
        #6399

Menu

Tire shortlist

The evidence behind the verdict

Test setup & methodology

Recorded test conditions

Dry

Wet

Snow

Ice

Environment

Results

Cross-check this test