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Bridgestone Blizzak 6 vs Toyo Observe EWS1

In the 4 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 finished ahead 4 times and the Observe EWS1 not once. The Blizzak 6 was stronger in snow, comfort and value, the Observe EWS1 in dry, wet and ice.

Performance profile

9 measurements from the 4 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.

Dry BrakingWet BrakingStraight AquaCurved AquaplaningSnow BrakingSnow TractionNoiseWearRolling Resistance

Where each is furthest ahead

Blizzak 6

Observe EWS1

Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.

In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. 10 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.

Every measurement, side by side

Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Wins count the tests in which each tyre did better.

Measurement Blizzak 6 Gap Observe EWS1 Wins
Dry Observe EWS1 ahead
Dry Braking m 44.77 4.4% 42.8 0-3
Dry Handling km/h 116.9 1.9% 114.7 1-0
Wet Observe EWS1 ahead
Wet Braking m 43.18 1.6% 42.35 1-3
Wet Braking - Concrete m 38.5 3% 39.7 1-0
Wet Handling km/h 81.1 1.5% 82.3 0-1
Wet Circle s 12.46 2.3% 12.17 0-1
Straight Aqua km/h 76.9 1.7% 78.2 1-1
Curved Aquaplaning m/sec2 2.48 11.6% 2.77 0-2
Snow Blizzak 6 ahead
Snow Braking m 22.8 6.7% 24.3 4-0
Snow Traction N 2,527 8.2% 2,335 2-0
Snow Handling km/h 58.6 6% 55.3 1-0
Snow Slalom m/sec2 2.89 10.7% 2.61 1-0
Ice Observe EWS1 ahead
Ice Braking m 17.9 1.7% 17.6 0-1
Comfort Blizzak 6 ahead
Subj. Comfort pts scored = scored 0-0
Noise dB 69.95 0.4 dB 70.35 2-0
Value Blizzak 6 ahead
Wear km 46,983 0.2% 47,260 2-1
Rolling Resistance kg / t 7.93 9.4% 8.77 2-0
Fuel Consumption l/100km 5.6 1.8% 5.7 1-0
Abrasion mg/km/t 82 13.4% 71 0-1

Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared.

Head to head in 4 tests, 2025 to 2026

Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.

Test Blizzak 6 Field Observe EWS1
2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test AvD · 2026 · 225/45 R17 · Audi A3 P5 of 15 P12 of 15
2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 ADAC · 2026 · 225/50 R17 · Audi A4 P5 of 16 P12 of 16
2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild · 2025 · 225/40 R18 · BMW M135i P3 of 20 P16 of 20
2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! Auto Bild · 2025 · 225/40 R18 P6 of 51 P8 of 51

Blizzak 6 vs Observe EWS1: your questions

Is the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 or the Toyo Observe EWS1 the better tyre?

In the 4 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 finished ahead 4 times and the Observe EWS1 not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Blizzak 6 scores 9.4 and the Observe EWS1 9.1 out of 10.

Which is better in the wet, the Blizzak 6 or the Observe EWS1?

The Observe EWS1 led 8 of the 11 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 11.6% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 2 tests.

Which is better in the dry?

The Observe EWS1 led 3 of the 4 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.4% shorter in the dry across 3 tests.

Which is better in snow?

The Blizzak 6 led 8 of the 8 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 6.7% shorter on snow across 4 tests.

Which lasts longer and costs less to run?

The Blizzak 6 had 9.4% lower rolling resistance (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.3/10 for the Blizzak 6 and 8.5/10 for the Observe EWS1.

Which is quieter and more comfortable?

Owners rate comfort 8.6/10 for the Blizzak 6 and 7/10 for the Observe EWS1.

What do owners say?

Owners rate the Blizzak 6 88% from 9 reviews and the Observe EWS1 85% from 2.

Which is more expensive?

In the 4 tests that listed prices, the Blizzak 6 was the dearer tyre in 4 of them, by 32.9% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.

Are they available in the same sizes?

The Blizzak 6 is made in 193 sizes (16 to 22 inch) and the Observe EWS1 in 79 (15 to 21 inch). 78 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Blizzak 6 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Observe EWS1 B and C.

Run either of these?

Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.

Review the Blizzak 6 Review the Observe EWS1

Where this data comes from

Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.

About the TR Score

The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.

Who does the testing

Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.

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