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Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Test Results

Tire Reviews tests: 1 Tested 2020 to 2026 3 publications

Tested 3 times by independent publications, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 has taken 2 test wins with an average finish of 2nd.

  • 3Independent tests
  • 2Test wins
  • 3Podium finishes
  • 2ndAverage finish
  • 72%Field beaten on average
  • 3Publications
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

3 tests, 2020 to 2026

0%50%100%20202026Average 72%The Best Winter Tires for 2020 (2020): P1 of 19, Beat 67% of the field2020 Consumer Reports North America Winter Tire Test (2020): P1 of 17, Beat 100% of the field2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tire Test (2026): P3 of 5 (Winter), Beat 50% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 72%
The latest test

2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tire Test P3 of 5Winter

The Blizzak WS90 remains the winter benchmark of this group. Nothing else in the test matched it for ice traction or for snow handling, and it stays forgiving and controllable when its limits are finally passed. The cost is vague steering and modest wet grip, which is the familiar bargain a dedicated winter tire asks you to make.

Strong: Dry Braking, Wet Braking, Snow Braking, Snow Handling, Subj. Snow Handling, Ice Braking, Ice Traction Weak: Subj. Road Score, Wet Circle, Subj. Comfort Winner: Continental VikingContact 8

Record by discipline

Where the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 1 P1 of 5 100% 1
Dry Circle 1 P3 of 5 50% -
Subj. Road Score 1 P4 of 5 25% -
Wet
Wet Braking 1 P2 of 5 75% -
Wet Circle 1 P4 of 5 25% -
Snow
Snow Braking 1 P2 of 5 75% -
Snow Handling 1 P1 of 5 100% 1
Subj. Snow Handling 1 P1 of 5 100% 1
Ice
Ice Braking 1 P1 of 5 100% 1
Ice Traction 1 P1 of 5 100% 1
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 1 P4 of 5 25% -
Subj. Noise 1 P3 of 5 50% -

Against its own line

The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.

Tire Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 Predecessor 0 - - -
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 This tire 3 2 2nd 72%
Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak Successor 1 1 1st 100%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 3 tests. Updated October 28, 2026.

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90's clearest strengths are snow and ice grip. Consumer Reports placed it first of 17 in its 2020 North America Winter Tire Test, praising snow traction and ice braking, and Tire Reviews included it in its 2020 winter recommendations. In Tire Rack's 2026 All-Weather vs Winter Tire Test it was third of five winter tires overall, but led that class in ice braking at 11.796 meters, ice acceleration at 5.02 seconds and snow handling at 53.66 seconds. Snow braking was second in class, just 2.2% behind the best.

The compromise is less precise road behavior. Tire Rack criticised slow steering response under cornering load, and wet cornering grip ranked fourth of five winter tires, 15.5% below the class best. Wet braking was second, but the stopping distance was still 17.4% longer than the class leader. Comfort ranked fourth of five and noise third, with some tread hum on smooth surfaces. Dry braking was a useful exception, first in the winter class. The strong winter-grip results therefore sit alongside clear steering and wet-cornering limitations, rather than equally strong performance on every surface.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

  • Steering feel Minor in 1 of 3 tests
    Details
    • Testers criticised slow response and loss of sharpness under cornering load, 2026 Tire Rack test
  • Wet handling Minor in 1 of 3 tests
    Details
    • Wet circle 4th of 5 winter tires, 15.5% below class best; testers criticised wet cornering grip, 2026 Tire Rack test
  • Road noise Minor in 1 of 3 tests
    Details
    • Subjective noise 3rd of 5 winter tires; testers noted tread noise on smooth surfaces, 2026 Tire Rack test
  • Ride comfort Minor
    Details
    • 4th of 5 winter tires, 7.5 points, 2026 Tire Rack test

Every test, newest first 3

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2026 1 test
P3 of 5 Winter Beat 50% of the field

2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tire Test

Tire Rack 215/55 R17

The Blizzak WS90 remains the winter benchmark of this group. Nothing else in the test matched it for ice traction or for snow handling, and it stays forgiving and controllable when its limits are finally passed. The cost is vague steering and modest wet grip, which is the familiar bargain a dedicated winter tire asks you to make.

StrongDry BrakingWet BrakingSnow BrakingSnow HandlingSubj. Snow HandlingIce BrakingIce Traction WeakSubj. Road ScoreWet CircleSubj. Comfort WinnerContinental VikingContact 8

2020 2 tests

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