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Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 Test Results

2025 1 publication

Tested 1 times by independent publications, the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 averages a finish of 6th.

  • 1Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 0Podium finishes
  • 6thAverage finish
  • 29%Field beaten on average
  • 1Publications

1 test in 2025

The latest test

The BEST Studded Tires for 2025 P6 of 8

The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 features the hardest rubber compound in the test, resulting in significant grip challenges on winter surfaces, particularly struggling with snow adhesion compared to other test participants. The grip balance is heavily understeer-biased, with the front wheels consistently losing grip first in a sudden, unpredictable manner that provides little warning to the driver. Safety levels improve considerably on asphalt where aquaplaning resistance is good and both braking distances and cornering behavior maintain high standards, especially on wet surfaces. However, the tire's major drawback is an unacceptably high noise level that becomes intrusive, making it the loudest option in the test.

Strong: Wet Braking, Wet Handling, Straight Aqua Weak: Snow Braking, Snow Traction, Snow Handling, Noise Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV

Record by discipline

Where the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 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 P3 of 8 71% -
Subj. Dry Handling 1 P4 of 8 57% -
Wet
Wet Braking 1 P2 of 8 86% -
Wet Handling 1 P2 of 8 86% -
Straight Aqua 1 P2 of 8 86% -
Snow
Snow Braking 1 P8 of 8 0% -
Snow Traction 1 P8 of 8 0% -
Snow Handling 1 P7 of 8 14% -
Ice
Ice Braking 1 P5 of 8 43% -
Ice Traction 1 P6 of 8 29% -
Ice Handling 1 P5 of 8 43% -
Comfort
Noise 1 P8 of 8 0% -
Value
Fuel Consumption 1 P3 of 8 71% -

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 1 tests. Updated October 28, 2026.

The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 finished sixth of eight in Vi Bilagare's 2025 studded winter test, with a clear split between asphalt and snow performance. Wet braking, wet handling and straight aquaplaning resistance were all second of eight, while dry braking was third, just 2.2% longer than best. Its wet lap was only 0.2% slower than the leader, and the testers praised braking and cornering on asphalt. These are promising road results, but they come from one test in 235/60 R18 rather than a repeated pattern across sizes.

Snow was the main limitation: braking and traction were both last, at 6.2% and 7.3% from best, and handling was seventh of eight. The testers described a strongly understeering balance on winter surfaces, with the front losing grip suddenly and giving little warning. Ice performance was below the leading tires too, with fifth-place braking requiring 45.8% more distance than best and ice traction sixth, 27.6% behind. Noise was another clear drawback, with the highest measured level at 75.5 dB and an intrusive sound noted by the testers. Third-place fuel consumption was a smaller positive, but did not remove the compromises in snow grip, predictability and noise.

Performance Strengths

  • Wet braking Minor in 1 of 1 tests
    Details
    • 2nd of 8, 7.6% longer than best, 2025 Vi Bilagare studded test
  • Wet handling Minor in 1 of 1 tests
    Details
    • 2nd of 8, 0.2% slower than best, 2025 Vi Bilagare studded test
  • Aquaplaning resistance Minor in 1 of 1 tests
    Details
    • 2nd of 8, 1.4% from best, 2025 Vi Bilagare studded test
  • Dry braking Minor
    Details
    • 3rd of 8, 2.2% longer than best, 2025 Vi Bilagare studded test

Performance Weaknesses

  • Snow braking Minor
    Details
    • Last of 8, 6.2% longer than best, 2025 Vi Bilagare studded test
  • Snow traction Minor in 1 of 1 tests
    Details
    • Last of 8, 7.3% from best, 2025 Vi Bilagare studded test
  • Behavior at the limit Minor in 1 of 1 tests
    Details
    • Sudden, unpredictable front grip loss on winter surfaces, 2025 Vi Bilagare studded test
  • Road noise Minor in 1 of 1 tests
    Details
    • Loudest at 75.5 dB, with intrusive noise criticised, 2025 Vi Bilagare studded test
  • Ice grip Minor
    Details
    • 5th of 8 in ice braking, 45.8% longer than best, 2025 Vi Bilagare studded test
    • 6th of 8 in ice traction, 27.6% from best, 2025 Vi Bilagare studded test

Every test, newest first 1

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

2025 1 test
P6 of 8 Beat 29% of the field

The BEST Studded Tires for 2025

Vi Bilagare 235/60 R18

The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 features the hardest rubber compound in the test, resulting in significant grip challenges on winter surfaces, particularly struggling with snow adhesion compared to other test participants. The grip balance is heavily understeer-biased, with the front wheels consistently losing grip first in a sudden, unpredictable manner that provides little warning to the driver. Safety levels improve considerably on asphalt where aquaplaning resistance is good and both braking distances and cornering behavior maintain high standards, especially on wet surfaces. However, the tire's major drawback is an unacceptably high noise level that becomes intrusive, making it the loudest option in the test.

StrongWet BrakingWet HandlingStraight Aqua WeakSnow BrakingSnow TractionSnow HandlingNoise WinnerNokian Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV

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