Test Charts / Teknikens Varld
2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European 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
- 235/45 R18
- Tires tested
- 18
- Disciplines
- 8
- Test vehicle
- Volvo V60 (petrol)
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.
Focus on your tires
Select tires to highlight them throughout the charts.
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.
Dry
2Subj. Road Score
Subjective Real World Driving Score
Higher is better ↑Central European Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -3.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -4.00 Points |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Points | Best | |
| 8 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -3.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -4.00 Points |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Points | Best | |
| 6 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 3 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 3 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 3 Points | -4.00 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 70% (7 Points).
Dry Lane Change
Maximum lane change speed in the dry
Higher is better ↑Central European Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 46.6 mph | Best | |
| 46.0 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 46.0 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 45.4 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 45.4 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 45.4 mph | -1.2 mph |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 44.1 mph | Best | |
| 43.5 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 43.5 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 42.9 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 42.9 mph | -1.2 mph |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 43.5 mph | Best | |
| 42.9 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 42.9 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 42.9 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 42.9 mph | -0.6 mph | |
| 42.3 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 41.6 mph | -1.9 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 10.7% (5 mph).
Wet
2Subj. Wet Handling
Subjective Wet Handling Score
Higher is better ↑Central European Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Points | Best | |
| 6 Points | Best | |
| 6 Points | Best | |
| 6 Points | Best | |
| 4 Points | -2.00 Points |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Points | Best | |
| 5 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 3 Points | -4.00 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 70% (7 Points).
Straight Aqua
Float Speed in mph
Higher is better ↑Central European Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 47.0 mph | Best | |
| 46.7 mph | -0.3 mph | |
| 46.0 mph | -1.0 mph | |
| 45.8 mph | -1.2 mph | |
| 45.7 mph | -1.3 mph | |
| 41.3 mph | -5.7 mph |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 37.8 mph | Best | |
| 37.8 mph | Best | |
| 36.7 mph | -1.1 mph | |
| 34.1 mph | -3.7 mph | |
| 33.6 mph | -4.2 mph |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 42.3 mph | Best | |
| 41.6 mph | -0.7 mph | |
| 39.7 mph | -2.6 mph | |
| 39.0 mph | -3.3 mph | |
| 37.2 mph | -5.1 mph | |
| 37.0 mph | -5.3 mph | |
| 36.0 mph | -6.3 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 28.5% (13.4 mph).
Snow
1Subj. Snow Handling
Subjective Snow Handling Score
Higher is better ↑Central European Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Points | Best | |
| 5 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 4 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 3 Points | -3.00 Points | |
| 3 Points | -3.00 Points |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -5.00 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 70% (7 Points).
Ice
1Subj. Ice Handling
Subjective Ice Handling Score
Higher is better ↑Central European Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Points | Best | |
| 5 Points | Best | |
| 5 Points | Best | |
| 4 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 4 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 3 Points | -2.00 Points |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -3.00 Points |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Points | Best | |
| 8 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -3.00 Points | |
| 4 Points | -5.00 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 70% (7 Points).
Comfort
1Subj. Comfort
Subjective Comfort Score
Higher is better ↑Central European Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Points | Best | |
| 8 Points | Best | |
| 7 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -1.00 Points |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -3.00 Points | |
| 7 Points | -3.00 Points |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Points | Best | |
| 5 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 4 Points | -2.00 Points | |
| 2 Points | -4.00 Points | |
| 1 Points | -5.00 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 90% (9 Points).
Value
1Fuel Consumption
Fuel consumption in Liters per 100 km
Lower is better ↓Central European Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.99 l/100km | Best | $40 | |
| 6.01 l/100km | +0.02 l/100km | $44 | |
| 6.14 l/100km | +0.15 l/100km | $68 | |
| 6.15 l/100km | +0.16 l/100km | $70 | |
| 6.2 l/100km | +0.21 l/100km | $79 | |
| 6.29 l/100km | +0.30 l/100km | $96 |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.77 l/100km | Best | $0 | |
| 5.84 l/100km | +0.07 l/100km | $13 | |
| 5.86 l/100km | +0.09 l/100km | $17 | |
| 6.01 l/100km | +0.24 l/100km | $44 | |
| 6.12 l/100km | +0.35 l/100km | $64 |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Extra fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.11 l/100km | Best | $62 | |
| 6.15 l/100km | +0.04 l/100km | $70 | |
| 6.18 l/100km | +0.07 l/100km | $75 | |
| 6.18 l/100km | +0.07 l/100km | $75 | |
| 6.26 l/100km | +0.15 l/100km | $90 | |
| 6.28 l/100km | +0.17 l/100km | $94 | |
| 6.38 l/100km | +0.27 l/100km | $112 |
The difference between best and worst was 10.6% (0.61 l/100km). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3 uses about 31 gal ($112) more fuel than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Adjust the assumptions
Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions. These calculators use the full test field, independently of your tire selection above.