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2026 Tire Rack New Winter Tire Test

Overall test winnerBridgestone Blizzak IcePeak

Data analyzed and reviewed byJonathan Benson

October 16, 2026 3 min read

Test data in partnership with

Tire shortlist Read the test

Tires tested: 3
Tested size: 215/55 R17
Test vehicle: 2025 Toyota Camry
Disciplines: 12

At a glance

Tire shortlist

3 Tires tested

Published finishing positions, with the strengths and considerations from this test. Owner reviews cover other sizes and driving conditions.

1^st

Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak

+The Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak was the strongest tire on snow and ice, with the shortest braking on both surfaces, the fastest snow lap and the highest snow handling score. It was also the best of the three in the dry, leading on both braking and cornering grip, and it was the quietest on the road.

−On-road steering was the weakest of the three: slow to respond at town speeds and short of on-center feel on the highway. It was also third in the wet for both braking and cornering grip, although the three tires were closely matched there, and small sharp bumps came through a little more than on the VikingContact 8.

Read owner reviews Test Results

2^nd

Continental VikingContact 8

+The Continental VikingContact 8 had the most comfortable ride of the three, with noise and steering close to the best, so on clear roads it drives more like a touring tire than a winter tire. It was second on the snow lap, ahead of the X-Ice Snow+, and second for both wet braking and wet cornering grip.

−The VikingContact 8 had the longest braking on both snow and ice and was the slowest to accelerate on ice. On the snow track the front did not turn in as readily as the other two, and the rear could step out on the exit of corners.

8 owner reviews Test Results

3^rd

Michelin X Ice Snow+

+The Michelin X-Ice Snow+ was the best of the three in the wet, leading on both braking and cornering grip, and it was the quickest to accelerate on ice. Its steering was the most precise and responsive in the test, and it was second for braking on both snow and ice.

−The X-Ice Snow+ was the slowest round the snow handling track, where it needed a delicate touch near the limit and was slow to recover once it began to slide. It was also the noisiest of the three and last in the dry for both braking and cornering grip.

Read owner reviews Test Results

Tire shortlist

Compare selected tires

2026 Tire Rack New Winter Tire Test · 215/55 R17

Tire	Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak	Continental VikingContact 8	Michelin X Ice Snow+
Position	1^st	2^nd	3^rd
Category scores (% of best)
Dry	99.8%	94.8%	93.5%
Wet	97.1%	98.7%	100%
Snow	100%	93.7%	93.2%
Ice	99.7%	89.5%	97.7%
Comfort	98.4%	98.4%	92.2%
Keep researching	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results

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The full test

The evidence behind the verdict

Tire Rack's latest winter test puts three new studless winter tires head to head on a 2025 Toyota Camry in 215/55 R17: the Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak, the Continental VikingContact 8 and the Michelin X-Ice Snow+. The Blizzak IcePeak, which replaces both the Blizzak WS90 and the Blizzak DM-V2, came out on top with the shortest braking on snow and ice, the fastest snow lap and the best dry grip.

The other two each have their own strengths. The Michelin X-Ice Snow+ was the best in the wet on both braking and cornering grip, was the quickest to accelerate on ice and had the sharpest steering, but it was the slowest round the snow handling track. The Continental VikingContact 8 had the most comfortable ride and was second on the snow lap, though it had the longest braking on both snow and ice.

Test setup & methodology

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

Recorded test conditions

Dry Braking: 49.7 → 0.0 mph
Wet Braking: 49.7 → 0.0 mph
Snow Braking: 24.9 → 0.0 mph
Ice Braking: 11.8 → 0.0 mph

Tire Rack publish both their measured results and their drivers' subjective scores, which is what makes a close three-tire test like this one easy to read. They don't give an overall ranking, so the order here follows their verdicts, with the IcePeak named best overall, and their own road and snow overall ratings. For the driver commentary, the full set of subjective scores and the snow acceleration figures we haven't reproduced here, read Tire Rack's original test.

Snow

Snow Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak	52 ft	Best	0 mph
2Michelin X Ice Snow+	57 ft	+5 ft	23 mph
3Continental VikingContact 8	57 ft	+5 ft	25 mph

The difference between best and worst was 10.5% (5 ft ≈ 0.4 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Continental VikingContact 8 would still be travelling at 25 mph when the Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak had stopped.

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

Test data in partnership with

Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak	51.47 s	Best
2Continental VikingContact 8	52.3 s	+0.83 s
3Michelin X Ice Snow+	53.41 s	+1.94 s

The difference between best and worst was 3.8% (1.94 s).

Test data in partnership with

Subj. Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak	9.25 Points	Best
2Continental VikingContact 8	8 Points	-1.25 Points
2Michelin X Ice Snow+	8 Points	-1.25 Points

The difference between best and worst was 13.5% (1.25 Points).

Test data in partnership with

Ice

Ice Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak	36 ft	Best	0 mph
2Michelin X Ice Snow+	37 ft	+1 ft	17 mph
3Continental VikingContact 8	41 ft	+5 ft	29 mph

The difference between best and worst was 15.7% (5 ft ≈ 0.4 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Continental VikingContact 8 would still be travelling at 29 mph when the Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak had stopped.

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

Test data in partnership with

Ice Traction
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin X Ice Snow+	4.91 s	Best
2Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak	4.94 s	+0.03 s
3Continental VikingContact 8	5.31 s	+0.40 s

The difference between best and worst was 8.1% (0.4 s).

Test data in partnership with

Wet

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Michelin X Ice Snow+	116 ft	Best	0 mph
2Continental VikingContact 8	118 ft	+2 ft	9 mph
3Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak	120 ft	+4 ft	14 mph

The difference between best and worst was 3.1% (4 ft). From 80 mph, the Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak would still be travelling at 14 mph when the Michelin X Ice Snow+ had stopped.

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

Test data in partnership with

Wet Circle
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin X Ice Snow+	0.71 g	Best
2Continental VikingContact 8	0.7 g	-0.01 g
3Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak	0.69 g	-0.02 g

All the tires in the Wet Circle test finished less than 3% apart.

Test data in partnership with

Dry

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak	94 ft	Best	0 mph
2Continental VikingContact 8	99 ft	+5 ft	18 mph
3Michelin X Ice Snow+	100 ft	+6 ft	21 mph

The difference between best and worst was 7.1% (6 ft ≈ 0.4 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Michelin X Ice Snow+ would still be travelling at 21 mph when the Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak had stopped.

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

Test data in partnership with

Dry Circle
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak	0.83 g	Best
2Continental VikingContact 8	0.82 g	-0.01 g
3Michelin X Ice Snow+	0.81 g	-0.02 g

All the tires in the Dry Circle test finished less than 3% apart.

Test data in partnership with

On the Road

Subj. Road Score
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin X Ice Snow+	8 Points	Best
2Continental VikingContact 8	7.5 Points	-0.50 Points
3Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak	6 Points	-2.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 25% (2 Points).

Test data in partnership with

Subj. Comfort
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental VikingContact 8	8 Points	Best
2Michelin X Ice Snow+	7.75 Points	-0.25 Points
2Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak	7.75 Points	-0.25 Points

The difference between best and worst was 3.1% (0.25 Points).

Test data in partnership with

Subj. Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak	8 Points	Best
2Continental VikingContact 8	7.75 Points	-0.25 Points
3Michelin X Ice Snow+	7 Points	-1.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 12.5% (1 Points).

Test data in partnership with

Results

Tire Rack Test Winner / Best Overall Winter Performance

The Blizzak IcePeak is the overall winner and Bridgestone's single replacement for both the Blizzak WS90 and the Blizzak DM-V2. Its grip on snow and ice set it apart from two strong rivals, and the trade-offs are vaguer steering on clear roads and slightly weaker wet grip. It is the pick for drivers who regularly face real snow and ice.

Dry99.8%

Wet97.1%

Snow100%

Ice99.7%

Comfort98.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (12)

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 / 3	94 ft	Best in this discipline
Dry CircleHigher is better	1^st / 3	0.83 g	Best in this discipline
Subj. Road ScoreHigher is better	3^rd / 3	6 Points	-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 3	120 ft	+4 ft
Wet CircleHigher is better	3^rd / 3	0.69 g	-0.02 g
Snow BrakingLower is better	1^st / 3	52 ft	Best in this discipline
Snow HandlingLower is better	1^st / 3	51.47 s	Best in this discipline
Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 3	9.25 Points	Best in this discipline
Ice BrakingLower is better	1^st / 3	36 ft	Best in this discipline
Ice TractionLower is better	2^nd / 3	4.94 s	+0.03 s
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	2^nd / 3	7.75 Points	-0.25 Points
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	1^st / 3	8 Points	Best in this discipline

Tire Rack Best All-Around Balance

The VikingContact 8 finishes second and is the best all-rounder here, picked out for its balance. It gives up some snow and ice braking to the other two but is the nicest of the three to live with on cleared roads, which suits drivers whose winters mix dry commutes with the occasional storm.

Dry94.8%

Wet98.7%

Snow93.7%

Ice89.5%

Comfort98.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (12)

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 / 3	99 ft	+5 ft
Dry CircleHigher is better	2^nd / 3	0.82 g	-0.01 g
Subj. Road ScoreHigher is better	2^nd / 3	7.5 Points	-0.50 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 3	118 ft	+2 ft
Wet CircleHigher is better	2^nd / 3	0.7 g	-0.01 g
Snow BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 3	57 ft	+5 ft
Snow HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 3	52.3 s	+0.83 s
Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 3	8 Points	-1.25 Points
Ice BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 3	41 ft	+5 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	3^rd / 3	5.31 s	+0.40 s
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	1^st / 3	8 Points	Best in this discipline
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	2^nd / 3	7.75 Points	-0.25 Points

Tire Rack Best Wet Performance

The X-Ice Snow+ finishes third in a close test. As an update of the X-Ice Snow it brings the sharpest steering and the best wet grip in the group, which makes it a strong choice where winter brings more cold rain than deep snow, as long as a little more road noise is acceptable.

Dry93.5%

Wet100%

Snow93.2%

Ice97.7%

Comfort92.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (12)

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 / 3	100 ft	+6 ft
Dry CircleHigher is better	3^rd / 3	0.81 g	-0.02 g
Subj. Road ScoreHigher is better	1^st / 3	8 Points	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	1^st / 3	116 ft	Best in this discipline
Wet CircleHigher is better	1^st / 3	0.71 g	Best in this discipline
Snow BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 3	57 ft	+5 ft
Snow HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 3	53.41 s	+1.94 s
Subj. Snow HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 3	8 Points	-1.25 Points
Ice BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 3	37 ft	+1 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	1^st / 3	4.91 s	Best in this discipline
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	2^nd / 3	7.75 Points	-0.25 Points
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	3^rd / 3	7 Points	-1.00 Points

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2026 Tire Rack New Winter Tire Test