2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test

Test Publication:

205/60 R16 8 tyres 6 categories

Similar Tests

Images courtesy of Vi Bilagare

Test Publication:

https://www.vibilagare.se/test/dacktest

Images courtesy of Vi Bilagare

Test Size: 205/60 R16

Tyres Tested: 8 tyres

Test Categories:
6 categories (12 tests)

Similar Tests

As with the studded version, Vi Bilagare have performed a thorough test covering dry, wet, snow and ice, and should be considered one of the benchmarks for extreme winter testing in Europe. 

This test is particularly interesting as it has the new Michelin X-Ice Snow, Bridgestone Blizzak Ice, Pirelli Ice Zero FR and Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 placed against the established Nordic winter tyres from Continental, Goodyear and Nokian.

Scroll down for the full results, and don't forget to checkout ViBilagare.se for the full details of the test!

Dry

While Nordic winter tyres aren't intended to have the best outright dry performance, dry braking is still a key safety test. In this test, the new Bridgestone Blizzak Ice proved to have the best grip, stopping the test vehicle nearly one meter sooner than the next best tyre on test, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2.

The Goodyear was the best subjectively during dry handling, offering the best balance and high levels of grip.

Wet

Wet braking is another safety critical test, and again Goodyear was impressive, beating the rest of the group by nearly three meters. This sort of advantage is almost unheard of during wet braking.

The Goodyear retained its lead during wet handling, finishing the short lap over a second ahead of second placed Pirelli Ice Zero FR.

Impressively the Goodyear rounded out its wet performance with another clear win in straight line aquaplaning.

Snow

The new Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 had a good lead in snow braking.

The snow specialist Continental VikingContact 7 took its first win during snow handling, outperforming the pack by a small margin. Interestingly the snow braking winning Nexen could only manage seventh.

Ice

Once again the Nexen proved to have an excellent braking ability, winning the ice braking testing by over half a meter.

Continental repeated its snow handling advantage, showing its rounded ability to also win ice handling.

Environment

The new Michelin X-Ice Snow had the lowest rolling resistance, but the group was close overall.

The Continental VikingContact 7 was the only tyre to score 5/5 in subjective noise and comfort testing.

The budget Nereus (also known as Firemax) was the cheapest tyre on test, however the performance in other testing reflected this.

Results

1^st

Continental VikingContact 7

205/60 R16

• 3PMSF: no

A near faultless nordic winter tyre, highest overall levels of grip in the ice and snow, combined with good grip in the dry and wet.

Dry

88.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	29.64 M	28.69 M	+0.95 M	96.79%
Subj. Dry Handling	3rd	4 Points	5 Points	-1 Points	80%

Wet

91%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	38.39 M	34.41 M	+3.98 M	89.63%
Wet Handling	5th	44.99 s	43.11 s	+1.88 s	95.82%
Straight Aqua	4th	64.1 Km/H	73.3 Km/H	-9.2 Km/H	87.45%

Snow

99.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	2nd	11.46 M	11.3 M	+0.16 M	98.6%
Snow Handling	1st	72.25 s			100%

Ice

91.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Ice Braking	2nd	3.06 M	2.54 M	+0.52 M	83.01%
Ice Handling	1st	48.82 s			100%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	1st	5 Points			100%

Value

69.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	1621	682	+939	42.07%
Rolling Resistance	4th	6.05 kg / t	5.89 kg / t	+0.16 kg / t	97.36%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

2^nd

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3

205/60 R16

• 3PMSF: no

An excellent nordic winter tyre with strong ice grip, and a balanced performance in the snow, dry and wet.

Relatively high levels of noise, poor aquaplaning result.

Dry

77.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	30.22 M	28.69 M	+1.53 M	94.94%
Subj. Dry Handling	5th	3 Points	5 Points	-2 Points	60%

Wet

90.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	38.15 M	34.41 M	+3.74 M	90.2%
Wet Handling	4th	44.78 s	43.11 s	+1.67 s	96.27%
Straight Aqua	7th	62.5 Km/H	73.3 Km/H	-10.8 Km/H	85.27%

Snow

98.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	5th	11.58 M	11.3 M	+0.28 M	97.58%
Snow Handling	3rd	72.86 s	72.25 s	+0.61 s	99.16%

Ice

87.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Ice Braking	3rd	3.34 M	2.54 M	+0.8 M	76.05%
Ice Handling	2nd	49.09 s	48.82 s	+0.27 s	99.45%

Comfort

40%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	7th	2 Points	5 Points	-3 Points	40%

Value

72.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	5th	1465	682	+783	46.55%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	6.03 kg / t	5.89 kg / t	+0.14 kg / t	97.68%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

3^rd

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2

205/60 R16

• 3PMSF: no

Strongest tyre in the dry and wet, excellent choice for a nordic climate with less snow. Significant advantage in aquaplaning.

Average snow and ice handling with a difficult balance at the limit.

Dry

98.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	29.38 M	28.69 M	+0.69 M	97.65%
Subj. Dry Handling	1st	5 Points			100%

Wet

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	34.41 M			100%
Wet Handling	1st	43.11 s			100%
Straight Aqua	1st	73.3 Km/H			100%

Snow

97.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	6th	11.61 M	11.3 M	+0.31 M	97.33%
Snow Handling	6th	73.6 s	72.25 s	+1.35 s	98.17%

Ice

83.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Ice Braking	4th	3.35 M	2.54 M	+0.81 M	75.82%
Ice Handling	8th	53.46 s	48.82 s	+4.64 s	91.32%

Comfort

80%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	2nd	4 Points	5 Points	-1 Points	80%

Value

75.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	3rd	1311	682	+629	52.02%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	5.94 kg / t	5.89 kg / t	+0.05 kg / t	99.16%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

4^th

Pirelli Ice Zero FR

205/60 R16

• 3PMSF: no

A good handling tyre with neutral balance, good in the wet.

Average aquaplaning resistance.

Dry

97.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	30.3 M	28.69 M	+1.61 M	94.69%
Subj. Dry Handling	1st	5 Points			100%

Wet

91.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	37.84 M	34.41 M	+3.43 M	90.94%
Wet Handling	2nd	44.13 s	43.11 s	+1.02 s	97.69%
Straight Aqua	6th	63.3 Km/H	73.3 Km/H	-10 Km/H	86.36%

Snow

98.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	4th	11.54 M	11.3 M	+0.24 M	97.92%
Snow Handling	4th	73.09 s	72.25 s	+0.84 s	98.85%

Ice

86.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Ice Braking	6th	3.43 M	2.54 M	+0.89 M	74.05%
Ice Handling	3rd	49.43 s	48.82 s	+0.61 s	98.77%

Comfort

80%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	2nd	4 Points	5 Points	-1 Points	80%

Value

74.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4th	1312	682	+630	51.98%
Rolling Resistance	5th	6.11 kg / t	5.89 kg / t	+0.22 kg / t	96.4%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

5^th

Nexen Winguard Ice+ WH43

205/60 R16

• 3PMSF: no

God snow and ice grip with the best snow and ice braking distances, low noise, well priced.

Poor performance in the dry and wet, high rolling resistance.

Dry

64.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	32.28 M	28.69 M	+3.59 M	88.88%
Subj. Dry Handling	6th	2 Points	5 Points	-3 Points	40%

Wet

89.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	39.2 M	34.41 M	+4.79 M	87.78%
Wet Handling	7th	46.35 s	43.11 s	+3.24 s	93.01%
Straight Aqua	5th	63.4 Km/H	73.3 Km/H	-9.9 Km/H	86.49%

Snow

99.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	1st	11.3 M			100%
Snow Handling	7th	73.63 s	72.25 s	+1.38 s	98.13%

Ice

99%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Ice Braking	1st	2.54 M			100%
Ice Handling	4th	49.83 s	48.82 s	+1.01 s	97.97%

Comfort

80%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	2nd	4 Points	5 Points	-1 Points	80%

Value

82.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	982	682	+300	69.45%
Rolling Resistance	7th	6.18 kg / t	5.89 kg / t	+0.29 kg / t	95.31%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

6^th

Michelin X Ice Snow

205/60 R16

• 3PMSF: no

Good stability and precise handling in the dry and wet, very low rolling resistance.

Average performance in snow and ice.

Dry

85.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	31.49 M	28.69 M	+2.8 M	91.11%
Subj. Dry Handling	3rd	4 Points	5 Points	-1 Points	80%

Wet

90.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	40.23 M	34.41 M	+5.82 M	85.53%
Wet Handling	3rd	44.71 s	43.11 s	+1.6 s	96.42%
Straight Aqua	2nd	65.3 Km/H	73.3 Km/H	-8 Km/H	89.09%

Snow

97.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	6th	11.61 M	11.3 M	+0.31 M	97.33%
Snow Handling	5th	73.44 s	72.25 s	+1.19 s	98.38%

Ice

83.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Ice Braking	5th	3.39 M	2.54 M	+0.85 M	74.93%
Ice Handling	7th	52.54 s	48.82 s	+3.72 s	92.92%

Comfort

60%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	5th	3 Points	5 Points	-2 Points	60%

Value

72.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	6th	1542	682	+860	44.23%
Rolling Resistance	1st	5.89 kg / t			100%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

7^th

Bridgestone Blizzak Ice

205/60 R16

• 3PMSF: no

Shortest dry braking on test, good snow braking.

Very long wet braking, poor wet handling, very low aquaplaning resistance, expensive to buy for performance.

Dry

70%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	28.69 M			100%
Subj. Dry Handling	6th	2 Points	5 Points	-3 Points	40%

Wet

85%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	43.12 M	34.41 M	+8.71 M	79.8%
Wet Handling	8th	47.14 s	43.11 s	+4.03 s	91.45%
Straight Aqua	8th	61.4 Km/H	73.3 Km/H	-11.9 Km/H	83.77%

Snow

98.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	3rd	11.5 M	11.3 M	+0.2 M	98.26%
Snow Handling	2nd	72.73 s	72.25 s	+0.48 s	99.34%

Ice

82.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Ice Braking	7th	3.54 M	2.54 M	+1 M	71.75%
Ice Handling	6th	52.2 s	48.82 s	+3.38 s	93.52%

Comfort

60%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	5th	3 Points	5 Points	-2 Points	60%

Value

69%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	7th	1586	682	+904	43%
Rolling Resistance	8th	6.2 kg / t	5.89 kg / t	+0.31 kg / t	95%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

8^th

Nereus NS805+

205/60 R16

• 3PMSF: no

Low price, short wet braking, good aquaplaning resistance, reasonable ice handling.

Very poor grip in snow, longest snow and ice braking.

Dry

56.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	30.78 M	28.69 M	+2.09 M	93.21%
Subj. Dry Handling	8th	1 Points	5 Points	-4 Points	20%

Wet

92.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	37.29 M	34.41 M	+2.88 M	92.28%
Wet Handling	6th	45.31 s	43.11 s	+2.2 s	95.14%
Straight Aqua	3rd	65.2 Km/H	73.3 Km/H	-8.1 Km/H	88.95%

Snow

96.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Snow Braking	8th	11.7 M	11.3 M	+0.4 M	96.58%
Snow Handling	8th	75.24 s	72.25 s	+2.99 s	96.03%

Ice

83.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Ice Braking	8th	3.62 M	2.54 M	+1.08 M	70.17%
Ice Handling	5th	50.63 s	48.82 s	+1.81 s	96.43%

Comfort

40%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	7th	2 Points	5 Points	-3 Points	40%

Value

98%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	1st	682			100%
Rolling Resistance	6th	6.14 kg / t	5.89 kg / t	+0.25 kg / t	95.93%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts