The Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 is a studless Nordic winter touring tire with generally favorable noise results and strong snow and ice braking in one test. Winter grip varies sharply between tests, while wet handling, braking and rolling resistance are recurring limitations against comparable winter tires.
The Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 has more consistent support for quiet running than for winter grip. Vi Bilagare’s 2020 Nordic friction test found the shortest snow and ice braking distances, while Consumer Reports rated comfort, noise and snow/ice handling Excellent. Test World produced an unusual reversal: 10th of 12 within the Nordic friction class, with last-in-class ice traction and only eighth-place snow braking. The strong braking result therefore does not establish consistently leading snow and ice performance.
Wet-road limitations are clearer. It was near the back for wet handling and braking in both Nordic comparisons, including last-in-class wet handling and 11th-of-12 wet braking at Test World. Dry braking also trailed Nordic rivals, so these are shortcomings within its own type of winter tire. Rolling resistance drew repeated criticism as well. The assessment rests on three tests, with no owner-review summary to establish service life or worn performance. Its quieter running is better supported than balanced road behavior or uniform winter grip across sizes.
Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tire - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated January 2025.
Tested 3 times by independent publications, the Nexen Winguard Ice+ WH43 averages a finish of 8th.
Finishing position in each test
2020 Consumer Reports North America Winter Tire Test P8 of 17
Winter/snow tires in general have weaker handling and wet- and dry-braking performance but Excellent ratings for winter traction and braking. Still, this Nexen earns a Poor rating for handling, fairing worse than the segment as a whole, even while it earns Excellent ratings for ride comfort and low noise, as well as for snow/ice handling.
| Year | Test | Result | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2020 Consumer Reports North America Winter Tire TestConsumer Reports · 215/60 R16 | P8 / 17 | |
| 2020 | 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tire TestVi Bilagare · 205/60 R16 | P5 / 8 | |
| 2020 | 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire TestTest World · 205/55 R16 | P10 / 12Nordic Friction Winter Tires |
On the full record: Record by disciplineHead-to-head recordEvery published verdict
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Size Range42 sizes available
175-245Width40-70Profile13-19Rim82-104 TLoad/
EU LabelAcross 42 sizes - the grade depends on the size you buy.
Fuel
Wet
Noise
68-72dB A/B
3PMSF on every size
Owner ratings averaged from 1 ratings
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