2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test

If you're planning on undertaking a massive Nordic friction and studded winter tyre test, having the right facilities to conduct the test in is key. Fortunately for Test World, they own one of the best independent arctic testing facilities in the world which is why we're super excited to see this 21 tyre test, covering all the key friction studless and studded winter tyres on the market.

All tyres are in the popular 205/55 R16, and were tested using a VW Golf. There were some interesting new tyres in the test, including the first test of the studless Michelin X-Ice Snow.

Many of the premium brands included have both studless friction and studded winter tyres in the test, which is why you'll see them twice in the data, so as you're going through the results looking at your favourite tyre make sure you're looking at the right version of it.

Overall, the usual contenders in the winter segment came out top. Continental, who dominate the European winter tyre tests, joint won the test alongside Michelin. 

The studded Continental IceContact 3 proved to have an excellent all round ability, with no huge weakness for a studded tyre, and the new studded Michelin X-Ice North 4 dominated on ice, and performed well in nearly all other criteria, showing only a slight weakness during wet handling testing.

Winter specialists Nokian aren't having the best time in the European winter segment at the moment, but they'll be happy with third place for their studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 tyre, and even happier as the winning studless friction tyre on test being awarded to the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3. 

One other interesting point for European readers, you'll notice some of the best tyres in the dry and wet are rated as some of the worst tyres overall in this test. This serves as a nice reminder that friction and studded tyres are tyres designed for climates that see extreme winters, which mean snow and ice on the ground for many months constantly. None of these tyres are suitable for a central European winter, where dry and wet is the dominant weather, so don't try fitting them in climates like the UK.

Dry

In the dry the budget Petlas Glacier W661 narrowly beat the Michelin X-Ice North 4. Sadly there was no objective dry handling data, the subjective data can be found in the overall results below.

Wet

The Petlas also proved best during wet testing, winning wet braking and wet handling.

Snow

Colder testing reversed the fortunes of the Petlas tyre, finishing at the back of the pack in all the snow and ice testing.

Continental dominated snow braking, taking first place with the studless VikingContact and second place with the studded IceContact 3

Continental again took the top two spots during snow traction testing, this time with the studded tyre ahead of the studless.

Snow handling testing brought a little advantage to the studless tyres, with the VikingContact again proving best, and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 finishing second.

Ice

Ice testing naturally brings the advantage back to studded tyres, with the Michelin X-Ice North 4 matching the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 as the best during ice braking.

Michelin, Continental and Nokian also took the top three sports during ice traction.

Michelin rounded out the ice testing with anoher win for the X Ice North 4.

Environment

The tyres were rated subjectively for noise, with seven of the tyres on test finishing joint top.

Rolling resistance scores were based on the best tyre (Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3) being set at zero, then other the tyres ratings being how much more fuel they would use represented as a percentage.

Results

View Results as a single table and adjust the score weighting

1st: Continental IceContact 3
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 6th +0.9 M 96.99% Subj. Dry Handling 2nd -1 Points 90% Wet Braking 3rd +3.7 M 88.92% Wet Handling 11th +1.2 s 96.56% Subj. Wet Handling 3rd -1 Points 88.89% Snow Braking 2nd +0.2 M 99.6% Snow Traction 1st 100% Snow Handling 5th +0.5 s 98.98% Subj. Snow Handling 1st 100% Ice Braking 3rd +1.1 M 97.17% Ice Traction 2nd +0.1 s 97.37% Ice Handling 4th +2.9 s 95.18% Subj. Ice Handling 4th -2 Points 80% Subj. Noise 15th -2 Points 77.78% Rolling Resistance 11th +2.99 kg / t 0.33% Short braking distances and good lateral stability on ice (but with a sharp maneuver there is a risk of skidding), good handling and control on snow, good handling in the dry. Read Reviews
1st: Michelin X Ice North 4
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 2nd +0.3 M 98.98% Subj. Dry Handling 5th -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 5th +6.2 M 82.73% Wet Handling 20th +1.7 s 95.2% Subj. Wet Handling 9th -2 Points 77.78% Snow Braking 4th +0.4 M 99.21% Snow Traction 4th +0.1 s 98.33% Snow Handling 8th +0.7 s 98.57% Subj. Snow Handling 1st 100% Ice Braking 1st 100% Ice Traction 1st 100% Ice Handling 1st 100% Subj. Ice Handling 1st 100% Subj. Noise 17th -3 Points 66.67% Rolling Resistance 15th +3.59 kg / t 0.28% Excellent handling on ice - the tires reliably hold grip in any situation, including, for example, when hitting an icy area while cornering, good handling and a high level of safety on snow, good wet grip. Tendency to understeer in the dry, high rolling resistance. Read Reviews
3rd: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 8th +1 M 96.67% Subj. Dry Handling 14th -3 Points 70% Wet Braking 7th +6.9 M 81.15% Wet Handling 15th +1.4 s 96.01% Subj. Wet Handling 9th -2 Points 77.78% Snow Braking 6th +0.5 M 99.01% Snow Traction 4th +0.1 s 98.33% Snow Handling 8th +0.7 s 98.57% Subj. Snow Handling 1st 100% Ice Braking 1st 100% Ice Traction 2nd +0.1 s 97.37% Ice Handling 3rd +1.5 s 97.45% Subj. Ice Handling 2nd -1 Points 90% Subj. Noise 17th -3 Points 66.67% Rolling Resistance 14th +3.29 kg / t 0.3% High grip and excellent handling on ice, good handling in the snow, good directional stability. Slow steering and poor handling in the dry. Read Reviews
4th: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 3rd +0.4 M 98.64% Subj. Dry Handling 5th -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 9th +7.4 M 80.05% Wet Handling 3rd +0.8 s 97.68% Subj. Wet Handling 3rd -1 Points 88.89% Snow Braking 11th +1 M 98.05% Snow Traction 10th +0.2 s 96.72% Snow Handling 2nd +0.1 s 99.79% Subj. Snow Handling 1st 100% Ice Braking 7th +4.7 M 88.94% Ice Traction 8th +1.7 s 68.52% Ice Handling 6th +3.5 s 94.24% Subj. Ice Handling 4th -2 Points 80% Subj. Noise 1st 100% Rolling Resistance 1st 100% No obvious flaws, short braking distances and excellent handling on ice, very good handling and confident behavior on snow, above average performance in the dry and wet, stable during sharp maneuvers, low noise level, low rolling resistance. Read Reviews
5th: Bridgestone Noranza 001
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 18th +2.5 M 92.06% Subj. Dry Handling 14th -3 Points 70% Wet Braking 11th +7.7 M 79.41% Wet Handling 16th +1.5 s 95.74% Subj. Wet Handling 17th -3 Points 66.67% Snow Braking 14th +1.3 M 97.48% Snow Traction 1st 100% Snow Handling 5th +0.5 s 98.98% Subj. Snow Handling 1st 100% Ice Braking 4th +1.9 M 95.21% Ice Traction 4th +0.2 s 94.87% Ice Handling 2nd +1.3 s 97.78% Subj. Ice Handling 2nd -1 Points 90% Subj. Noise 17th -3 Points 66.67% Rolling Resistance 18th +4.29 kg / t 0.23% Good overall performance on ice, stable snow performance. Long braking distances in the snow, dry and wet, inaccurate steering response and oversteer in the dry. Read Reviews
6th: Hankook Winter i pike RS2
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 14th +1.6 M 94.77% Subj. Dry Handling 5th -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 4th +5.1 M 85.34% Wet Handling 8th +1.1 s 96.84% Subj. Wet Handling 9th -2 Points 77.78% Snow Braking 6th +0.5 M 99.01% Snow Traction 10th +0.2 s 96.72% Snow Handling 11th +1 s 97.97% Subj. Snow Handling 8th -1 Points 88.89% Ice Braking 6th +3.9 M 90.65% Ice Traction 6th +0.3 s 92.5% Ice Handling 11th +4.3 s 93.02% Subj. Ice Handling 4th -2 Points 80% Subj. Noise 17th -3 Points 66.67% Rolling Resistance 7th +2.39 kg / t 0.42% Good traction on ice, good handling and grip in the wet. Relatively long ice braking with a tendency to oversteer on ice and in the snow, average braking in the dry. Read Reviews
6th: Continental VikingContact 7
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 12th +1.3 M 95.71% Subj. Dry Handling 14th -3 Points 70% Wet Braking 13th +8.8 M 77.14% Wet Handling 6th +1 s 97.12% Subj. Wet Handling 3rd -1 Points 88.89% Snow Braking 1st 100% Snow Traction 1st 100% Snow Handling 1st 100% Subj. Snow Handling 1st 100% Ice Braking 9th +5.4 M 87.5% Ice Traction 9th +1.8 s 67.27% Ice Handling 7th +3.7 s 93.93% Subj. Ice Handling 4th -2 Points 80% Subj. Noise 1st 100% Rolling Resistance 5th +2.09 kg / t 0.48% Short braking distances and excellent handling in the ice, optimum controllability in the snow, good handling in the wet. Oversteer balance in the dry. Read Reviews
8th: Michelin X Ice Snow
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 16th +2.2 M 92.95% Subj. Dry Handling 5th -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 15th +8.9 M 76.94% Wet Handling 13th +1.3 s 96.29% Subj. Wet Handling 3rd -1 Points 88.89% Snow Braking 2nd +0.2 M 99.6% Snow Traction 4th +0.1 s 98.33% Snow Handling 3rd +0.4 s 99.18% Subj. Snow Handling 1st 100% Ice Braking 8th +4.9 M 88.52% Ice Traction 7th +1.6 s 69.81% Ice Handling 7th +3.7 s 93.93% Subj. Ice Handling 8th -3 Points 70% Subj. Noise 8th -1 Points 88.89% Rolling Resistance 4th +1.79 kg / t 0.56% Short braking on ice (for a studless tyre), good handling and high level of safety in the snow, well balanced in the dry. Slight slower steering response on ice, relatively long dry braking. Read Reviews
9th: Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 4th +0.5 M 98.31% Subj. Dry Handling 18th -4 Points 60% Wet Braking 10th +7.6 M 79.62% Wet Handling 11th +1.2 s 96.56% Subj. Wet Handling 17th -3 Points 66.67% Snow Braking 8th +0.7 M 98.62% Snow Traction 16th +0.3 s 95.16% Snow Handling 14th +1.2 s 97.58% Subj. Snow Handling 8th -1 Points 88.89% Ice Braking 4th +1.9 M 95.21% Ice Traction 4th +0.2 s 94.87% Ice Handling 13th +4.5 s 92.72% Subj. Ice Handling 8th -3 Points 70% Subj. Noise 15th -2 Points 77.78% Rolling Resistance 19th +5.19 kg / t 0.19% Short braking distances on ice, balanced in the snow, short dry braking distances. Average ice handling, slow steering response in the dry, high rolling resistance, unbalanced ride quality. Read Reviews
10th: Pirelli Ice Zero FR
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 8th +1 M 96.67% Subj. Dry Handling 14th -3 Points 70% Wet Braking 19th +9.6 M 75.57% Wet Handling 8th +1.1 s 96.84% Subj. Wet Handling 9th -2 Points 77.78% Snow Braking 10th +0.8 M 98.43% Snow Traction 4th +0.1 s 98.33% Snow Handling 13th +1.1 s 97.77% Subj. Snow Handling 8th -1 Points 88.89% Ice Braking 13th +6.2 M 85.91% Ice Traction 11th +1.9 s 66.07% Ice Handling 5th +3.4 s 94.4% Subj. Ice Handling 8th -3 Points 70% Subj. Noise 1st 100% Rolling Resistance 8th +2.59 kg / t 0.38% Short dry braking distances. Unstable behavior on ice and snow, very long wet braking distances, lack of directional stability. Read Reviews
10th: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 15th +1.7 M 94.46% Subj. Dry Handling 5th -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 6th +6.8 M 81.37% Wet Handling 2nd +0.4 s 98.83% Subj. Wet Handling 1st 100% Snow Braking 4th +0.4 M 99.21% Snow Traction 10th +0.2 s 96.72% Snow Handling 16th +1.5 s 96.99% Subj. Snow Handling 16th -2 Points 77.78% Ice Braking 9th +5.4 M 87.5% Ice Traction 9th +1.8 s 67.27% Ice Handling 15th +6 s 90.52% Subj. Ice Handling 8th -3 Points 70% Subj. Noise 8th -1 Points 88.89% Rolling Resistance 3rd +1.69 kg / t 0.59% Good traction and short braking distances on ice, short braking distances and good handling in the wet, low rolling resistance. Relatively low lateral stability on ice, tendency to understeer in the snow, poor steering response in the dry. Read Reviews
12th: Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 12th +1.3 M 95.71% Subj. Dry Handling 2nd -1 Points 90% Wet Braking 13th +8.8 M 77.14% Wet Handling 3rd +0.8 s 97.68% Subj. Wet Handling 3rd -1 Points 88.89% Snow Braking 11th +1 M 98.05% Snow Traction 10th +0.2 s 96.72% Snow Handling 10th +0.8 s 98.37% Subj. Snow Handling 8th -1 Points 88.89% Ice Braking 12th +5.7 M 86.9% Ice Traction 15th +2.2 s 62.71% Ice Handling 16th +6.7 s 89.53% Subj. Ice Handling 15th -4 Points 60% Subj. Noise 8th -1 Points 88.89% Rolling Resistance 2nd +0.39 kg / t 2.5% Logical behaviour without unpleasant surprises in the snow, low rolling resistance, slow to react in the dry. Unstable handling in the wet and on ice. Read Reviews
13th: Sava Eskimo Ice
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 20th +3.1 M 90.34% Subj. Dry Handling 2nd -1 Points 90% Wet Braking 15th +8.9 M 76.94% Wet Handling 5th +0.9 s 97.4% Subj. Wet Handling 9th -2 Points 77.78% Snow Braking 17th +1.8 M 96.54% Snow Traction 4th +0.1 s 98.33% Snow Handling 15th +1.3 s 97.38% Subj. Snow Handling 8th -1 Points 88.89% Ice Braking 11th +5.6 M 87.1% Ice Traction 13th +2 s 64.91% Ice Handling 12th +4.4 s 92.87% Subj. Ice Handling 15th -4 Points 60% Subj. Noise 1st 100% Rolling Resistance 13th +3.19 kg / t 0.31% Good braking performance on ice, confident and stable dry handling. Inaccurate steering in the wet, long dry braking distances. Read Reviews
15th: Linglong Winter Unicorn
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 6th +0.9 M 96.99% Subj. Dry Handling 18th -4 Points 60% Wet Braking 20th +10.7 M 73.51% Wet Handling 19th +1.6 s 95.47% Subj. Wet Handling 9th -2 Points 77.78% Snow Braking 13th +1.2 M 97.67% Snow Traction 10th +0.2 s 96.72% Snow Handling 3rd +0.4 s 99.18% Subj. Snow Handling 8th -1 Points 88.89% Ice Braking 14th +7.2 M 84% Ice Traction 13th +2 s 64.91% Ice Handling 14th +4.7 s 92.42% Subj. Ice Handling 8th -3 Points 70% Subj. Noise 1st 100% Rolling Resistance 20th +5.29 kg / t 0.19% Slow steering response response on ice and snow, low grip and insufficient handling in the dry and wet, high rolling resistance. Read Reviews
16th: Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 11th +1.2 M 96.03% Subj. Dry Handling 5th -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 17th +9 M 76.74% Wet Handling 13th +1.3 s 96.29% Subj. Wet Handling 17th -3 Points 66.67% Snow Braking 17th +1.8 M 96.54% Snow Traction 16th +0.3 s 95.16% Snow Handling 18th +2.5 s 95.08% Subj. Snow Handling 8th -1 Points 88.89% Ice Braking 15th +8.1 M 82.35% Ice Traction 15th +2.2 s 62.71% Ice Handling 9th +3.9 s 93.63% Subj. Ice Handling 8th -3 Points 70% Subj. Noise 1st 100% Rolling Resistance 9th +2.89 kg / t 0.34% Good handling in the snow, balance handling and short braking distances in the dry. Understeer balance in the wet. Read Reviews
17th: Nankang Ice Activa 2
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 19th +2.7 M 91.48% Subj. Dry Handling 18th -4 Points 60% Wet Braking 12th +8.5 M 77.75% Wet Handling 6th +1 s 97.12% Subj. Wet Handling 9th -2 Points 77.78% Snow Braking 16th +1.7 M 96.72% Snow Traction 4th +0.1 s 98.33% Snow Handling 5th +0.5 s 98.98% Subj. Snow Handling 8th -1 Points 88.89% Ice Braking 17th +9.7 M 79.58% Ice Traction 17th +2.5 s 59.68% Ice Handling 10th +4.2 s 93.17% Subj. Ice Handling 8th -3 Points 70% Subj. Noise 1st 100% Rolling Resistance 6th +2.29 kg / t 0.43% Acceptable handling in the snow and on wet roads. Low traction and braking on ice, poor grip and imprecise steering in the dry. Read Reviews
18th: Nexen Winguard Ice+ WH43
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 17th +2.3 M 92.65% Subj. Dry Handling 5th -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 18th +9.4 M 75.96% Wet Handling 16th +1.5 s 95.74% Subj. Wet Handling 17th -3 Points 66.67% Snow Braking 15th +1.6 M 96.91% Snow Traction 10th +0.2 s 96.72% Snow Handling 17th +1.7 s 96.6% Subj. Snow Handling 16th -2 Points 77.78% Ice Braking 16th +9.5 M 79.92% Ice Traction 20th +3.2 s 53.62% Ice Handling 17th +7.8 s 88.02% Subj. Ice Handling 15th -4 Points 60% Subj. Noise 8th -1 Points 88.89% Rolling Resistance 12th +3.09 kg / t 0.32% Poor grip on ice and snow, long braking distances and poor controllability in the dry and wet, high rolling resistance. Read Reviews
18th: Petlas Glacier W661
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 1st 100% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 100% Wet Braking 1st 100% Wet Handling 1st 100% Subj. Wet Handling 1st 100% Snow Braking 19th +3 M 94.36% Snow Traction 16th +0.3 s 95.16% Snow Handling 19th +2.6 s 94.89% Subj. Snow Handling 19th -3 Points 66.67% Ice Braking 19th +12.7 M 74.85% Ice Traction 19th +2.9 s 56.06% Ice Handling 19th +13.5 s 80.93% Subj. Ice Handling 20th -6 Points 40% Subj. Noise 8th -1 Points 88.89% Rolling Resistance 9th +2.89 kg / t 0.34% Very good braking and handling in the dry and wet. Very weak grip on ice, understeer in the snow. Read Reviews
18th: Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 5th +0.8 M 97.32% Subj. Dry Handling 5th -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 7th +6.9 M 81.15% Wet Handling 8th +1.1 s 96.84% Subj. Wet Handling 9th -2 Points 77.78% Snow Braking 8th +0.7 M 98.62% Snow Traction 16th +0.3 s 95.16% Snow Handling 11th +1 s 97.97% Subj. Snow Handling 16th -2 Points 77.78% Ice Braking 18th +10.3 M 78.59% Ice Traction 18th +2.8 s 56.92% Ice Handling 18th +10 s 85.14% Subj. Ice Handling 18th -5 Points 50% Subj. Noise 8th -1 Points 88.89% Rolling Resistance 17th +4.09 kg / t 0.24% Stable handling in the snow, short braking distance in the wet, stable and short braking distances in the dry. Poor ice performance, high rolling resistance, high noise. Read Reviews
21st: Sunny SN3860
205/55 R16	Test # Difference % Dry Braking 10th +1 M 96.67% Subj. Dry Handling 5th -2 Points 80% Wet Braking 2nd +2.8 M 91.38% Wet Handling 18th +1.5 s 95.74% Subj. Wet Handling 8th -2 Points 77.78% Snow Braking 20th +3.4 M 93.66% Snow Traction 20th +0.6 s 90.77% Snow Handling 20th +4.9 s 90.79% Subj. Snow Handling 20th -4 Points 55.56% Ice Braking 20th +16.8 M 69.23% Ice Traction 12th +1.9 s 66.07% Ice Handling 20th +14.7 s 79.58% Subj. Ice Handling 18th -5 Points 50% Subj. Noise 14th -2 Points 77.78% Rolling Resistance 16th +3.99 kg / t 0.25% Very short wet braking distances. Practically no grip on ice and almost as bad in the snow, erratic handling in the wet. Read Reviews