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Test source Vi Bilagare

2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test

Overall test winnerMichelin X Ice North 4

For the 2020 Vi Bilägare Winter studded tire test, the Swedish magazine has tested 8 of the most extreme studded winter tyres in 205/60 R16.

Tyres tested
8
Tested size
205/60 R16
Disciplines
13

At a glance

Tyre shortlist

8 Tyres tested

Published finishing positions, with the strengths and considerations from this test. Owner reviews cover other sizes and driving conditions.

1st

Michelin X Ice North 4

+High grip on ice, good handling on dry asphalt, low noise level.

−Low resistance to aquaplaning, relatively long braking distances on wet surfaces

Read full verdict
Joint2nd

Continental IceContact 3

+Good ride quality on any type of surface.

−Not the best ice performance on test.

Read full verdict
Joint2nd

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9

+High grip and good handling on snow and ice.

−Insufficient grip in the dry, high noise.

Read full verdict
4th

Hankook Winter i pike RS2

+Good grip on snow and ice, good braking in the dry and wet.

−Unbalanced handling at the limit.

Read full verdict
5th

Pirelli Ice Zero 2

+Good handling and braking on in the dry and wet.

−Weak grip on ice, average snow handling.

Read full verdict
6th

Nokian Nordman 7

+Good performance on snow and ice, predictable behavior at the grip limit.

−Poor braking performance and generally poor traction in the dry and wet, high fuel consumption, high noise.

Read full verdict
7th

Toyo Observe Ice Freezer

+Good handling at the limit.

−Weak grip on snow and ice.

Read full verdict
8th

GT Radial IcePro 3

+Good braking in the dry and wet.

−Weak grip on snow and ice, poor handling at the limit.

Read full verdict

Tyre shortlist

Compare selected tyres

2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/60 R16

TyreMichelin X Ice North 4Continental IceContact 3Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9Hankook Winter i pike RS2Pirelli Ice Zero 2Nokian Nordman 7Toyo Observe Ice FreezerGT Radial IcePro 3
Position1stJoint 2ndJoint 2nd4th5th6th7th8th
Category scores (% of best)
Dry91.2%88.2%85.2%87.2%90.9%78.8%86.1%89.8%
Wet95.1%95.5%94.8%95.3%97.8%91.1%93.6%99.9%
Snow99%99.3%98.6%97.9%98.9%98.8%95.7%95.6%
Ice99.6%88.7%99%86.5%78.2%85.8%79.6%68.4%
Comfort100%80%40%60%60%40%40%40%
Fuel Consumption100%99.5%98.3%99.8%99.1%98.6%98.3%97.9%
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The full test

The evidence behind the verdict

Test setup & methodology

The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.

Recorded test conditions

Recorded test conditions

Dry Braking
80 → 5 km/h
Wet Braking
80 → 5 km/h
Snow Braking
35 → 5 km/h
Snow Traction
5 → 35 km/h
Ice Braking
15 → 5 km/h
Ice Traction
5 → 15 km/h
Fuel Consumption
90 km/h
For the 2020 Vi Bilägare Winter studded tire test, the Swedish magazine has tested 8 of the most extreme studded winter tyres in 205/60 R16.

As this is a studded winter tyre test, the testers placed much more emphasis on snow and ice performance, so if you're in a region that sees a lot of compacted snow and ice on the road during normal winters, this is a very useful test.

Scroll down to see the full results.

 

Dry

The GT Radial IcePro 3 had a significant advantage during dry braking, with the next best Continental IceContact 3 nearly 2 meters behind.

Dry Braking

Dry braking in meters (80 - 5 km/h)

Lower is better ↓
Dry Braking
Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
28.88 m Best 0 km/h
30.75 m +1.87 m 32 km/h
31.02 m +2.14 m 34 km/h
31.11 m +2.23 m 35 km/h
31.6 m +2.72 m 38 km/h
31.94 m +3.06 m 40 km/h
32.31 m +3.43 m 42 km/h
33.3 m +4.42 m 47 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 15.3% (4.42 m ≈ 1 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Nokian Nordman 7 would still be travelling at 47 km/h when the GT Radial IcePro 3 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

The magazine didn't give dry handling lap times, instead just awarding the tyres subjective handling scores.

Subj. Dry Handling

Subjective Dry Handling Score

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Dry Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
5 Points Best
4 Points -1.00 Points
3 Points -2.00 Points
3 Points -2.00 Points
3 Points -2.00 Points
3 Points -2.00 Points
2 Points -3.00 Points
2 Points -3.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 60% (3 Points).

Wet

In the wet the GT Radial held onto its advantage, with the Pirelli Ice Zero 2 a meter behind in second place.

Wet Braking

Wet braking in meters (80 - 5 km/h)

Lower is better ↓
Wet Braking
Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
33.87 m Best 0 km/h
34.8 m +0.93 m 21 km/h
35.06 m +1.19 m 24 km/h
36.15 m +2.28 m 33 km/h
36.92 m +3.05 m 37 km/h
36.92 m +3.05 m 37 km/h
37.18 m +3.31 m 39 km/h
38.91 m +5.04 m 47 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 14.9% (5.04 m ≈ 1.1 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Nokian Nordman 7 would still be travelling at 47 km/h when the GT Radial IcePro 3 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

The GT Radial continued its advantage during a wet handling lap.

Wet Handling

Wet handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Wet Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
43.11 s Best
43.77 s +0.66 s
44.1 s +0.99 s
44.12 s +1.01 s
44.75 s +1.64 s
45.17 s +2.06 s
45.75 s +2.64 s
45.75 s +2.64 s

The difference between best and worst was 6.1% (2.64 s).

Pirelli and GT again scored well during straight aquaplaning testing.

Straight Aqua

Float Speed in Km/H

Higher is better ↑
Straight Aqua
Position / TyreResultGap to best
64.6 km/h Best
64.1 km/h -0.50 km/h
63.7 km/h -0.90 km/h
62.9 km/h -1.70 km/h
62.4 km/h -2.20 km/h
62.1 km/h -2.50 km/h
61.7 km/h -2.90 km/h
59.4 km/h -5.20 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 8% (5.2 Km/H).

Snow

GT Radial couldn't continue its wins in the braking test, this time finishing last during snow braking. It's not unusual for a tyre that performs well in the dry and wet to lack grip during snow and ice testing, however the Continental IceContact 3 proved to have a rounded ability.

Snow Braking

Snow braking in meters (35 - 5 km/h)

Lower is better ↓
Snow Braking
Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
10.5 m Best 0 km/h
10.5 m Best 0 km/h
10.51 m +0.01 m 4 km/h
10.58 m +0.08 m 11 km/h
10.6 m +0.10 m 13 km/h
10.71 m +0.21 m 18 km/h
10.71 m +0.21 m 18 km/h
10.73 m +0.23 m 19 km/h

All the tyres in the Snow Braking test finished less than 3% apart. From 130 km/h, the GT Radial IcePro 3 would still be travelling at 19 km/h when the Michelin X Ice North 4 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Snow traction showed a similar story.

Snow Traction

Snow acceleration time (5 - 35 km/h)

Lower is better ↓
Snow Traction
Position / TyreResultGap to best
3.62 s Best
3.67 s +0.05 s
3.67 s +0.05 s
3.72 s +0.10 s
3.75 s +0.13 s
3.79 s +0.17 s
3.83 s +0.21 s
3.92 s +0.30 s

The difference between best and worst was 8.3% (0.3 s).

The winter specialists Nokian took their first win with the Hakkapeliita 9 during the important snow handling test.

Snow Handling

Snow handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Snow Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
74.62 s Best
75.04 s +0.42 s
75.19 s +0.57 s
75.19 s +0.57 s
75.69 s +1.07 s
75.74 s +1.12 s
76.85 s +2.23 s
78.81 s +4.19 s

The difference between best and worst was 5.6% (4.19 s).

Ice

Ice braking had the Nokian and Michelin leading with a significant advantage.

Ice Braking

Ice braking in meters (15 - 5 km/h)

Lower is better ↓
Ice Braking
Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
3.43 m Best 0 km/h
3.47 m +0.04 m 14 km/h
4.07 m +0.64 m 52 km/h
4.2 m +0.77 m 56 km/h
4.31 m +0.88 m 59 km/h
4.68 m +1.25 m 67 km/h
5.2 m +1.77 m 76 km/h
5.31 m +1.88 m 77 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 54.8% (1.88 m ≈ 0.4 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the GT Radial IcePro 3 would still be travelling at 77 km/h when the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Michelin and Nokian continued to lead during the ice traction testing.

Ice Traction

Ice acceleration time (5 - 15 km/h)

Lower is better ↓
Ice Traction
Position / TyreResultGap to best
1.89 s Best
1.94 s +0.05 s
2.08 s +0.19 s
2.18 s +0.29 s
2.22 s +0.33 s
2.42 s +0.53 s
2.8 s +0.91 s
3.29 s +1.40 s

The difference between best and worst was 74.1% (1.4 s).

Rounding off their excellent snow performance, Michelin and Nokian also led in ice handling.

Ice Handling

Ice handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Ice Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
51.23 s Best
51.4 s +0.17 s
52.24 s +1.01 s
53.52 s +2.29 s
55.11 s +3.88 s
56.42 s +5.19 s
59.02 s +7.79 s
61.42 s +10.19 s

The difference between best and worst was 19.9% (10.19 s).

Environment

Michelin proved to have the lowest rolling resistance on test.

Fuel Consumption

Fuel consumption in Litres per 100 km (90 - 90 km/h)

Lower is better ↓
Fuel Consumption
Position / TyreResultGap to bestExtra fuel / year
5.66 l/100km Best £0
5.67 l/100km +0.01 l/100km £3
5.69 l/100km +0.03 l/100km £8
5.71 l/100km +0.05 l/100km £14
5.74 l/100km +0.08 l/100km £22
5.76 l/100km +0.10 l/100km £28
5.76 l/100km +0.10 l/100km £28
5.78 l/100km +0.12 l/100km £33

All the tyres in the Fuel Consumption test finished less than 3% apart. Over 19,000 km a year at £1.45/L, the GT Radial IcePro 3 uses about 23 L (£33) more fuel than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Adjust the assumptions

Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.

19,000 km
£1.45/L
Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tyre age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

Michelin also had the lowest subjective noise, being the only tyre awarded 5/5.

Subj. Noise

Subjective in car noise levels

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Noise
Position / TyreResultGap to best
5 Points Best
4 Points -1.00 Points
3 Points -2.00 Points
3 Points -2.00 Points
2 Points -3.00 Points
2 Points -3.00 Points
2 Points -3.00 Points
2 Points -3.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 60% (3 Points).

Results

1st

Michelin X Ice North 4

205/60 R16 96T XL
Michelin X Ice North 4
Dry91.2%
Wet95.1%
Snow99%
Ice99.6%
Comfort100%
Fuel Consumption100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better7th / 832.31 m+3.43 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better1st / 85 PointsBest in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better3rd / 835.06 m+1.19 m
Wet HandlingLower is better7th / 845.75 s+2.64 s
Straight AquaHigher is better8th / 859.4 km/h-5.20 km/h
Snow BrakingLower is better1st / 810.5 mBest in this discipline
Snow TractionLower is better2nd / 83.67 s+0.05 s
Snow HandlingLower is better5th / 875.69 s+1.07 s
Ice BrakingLower is better2nd / 83.47 m+0.04 m
Ice TractionLower is better1st / 81.89 sBest in this discipline
Ice HandlingLower is better1st / 851.23 sBest in this discipline
Subj. NoiseHigher is better1st / 85 PointsBest in this discipline
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better1st / 85.66 l/100kmBest in this discipline
Origin
Russia
Joint 2nd

Continental IceContact 3

205/60 R16 96T XL
Continental IceContact 3
Dry88.2%
Wet95.5%
Snow99.3%
Ice88.7%
Comfort80%
Fuel Consumption99.5%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better2nd / 830.75 m+1.87 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better3rd / 83 Points-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better5th / 836.92 m+3.05 m
Wet HandlingLower is better2nd / 843.77 s+0.66 s
Straight AquaHigher is better3rd / 863.7 km/h-0.90 km/h
Snow BrakingLower is better1st / 810.5 mBest in this discipline
Snow TractionLower is better2nd / 83.67 s+0.05 s
Snow HandlingLower is better2nd / 875.04 s+0.42 s
Ice BrakingLower is better4th / 84.2 m+0.77 m
Ice TractionLower is better4th / 82.18 s+0.29 s
Ice HandlingLower is better3rd / 852.24 s+1.01 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better2nd / 84 Points-1.00 Points
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better3rd / 85.69 l/100km+0.03 l/100km
Origin
Germany
Joint 2nd

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9

205/60 R16 96T XL
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
Dry85.2%
Wet94.8%
Snow98.6%
Ice99%
Comfort40%
Fuel Consumption98.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better6th / 831.94 m+3.06 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better3rd / 83 Points-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better5th / 836.92 m+3.05 m
Wet HandlingLower is better4th / 844.12 s+1.01 s
Straight AquaHigher is better6th / 862.1 km/h-2.50 km/h
Snow BrakingLower is better4th / 810.58 m+0.08 m
Snow TractionLower is better5th / 83.75 s+0.13 s
Snow HandlingLower is better1st / 874.62 sBest in this discipline
Ice BrakingLower is better1st / 83.43 mBest in this discipline
Ice TractionLower is better2nd / 81.94 s+0.05 s
Ice HandlingLower is better2nd / 851.4 s+0.17 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better5th / 82 Points-3.00 Points
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better6th / 85.76 l/100km+0.10 l/100km
Origin
Finland
4th

Hankook Winter i pike RS2

205/60 R16 96T XL
Hankook Winter i pike RS2
Dry87.2%
Wet95.3%
Snow97.9%
Ice86.5%
Comfort60%
Fuel Consumption99.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better4th / 831.11 m+2.23 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better3rd / 83 Points-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better4th / 836.15 m+2.28 m
Wet HandlingLower is better5th / 844.75 s+1.64 s
Straight AquaHigher is better4th / 862.9 km/h-1.70 km/h
Snow BrakingLower is better5th / 810.6 m+0.10 m
Snow TractionLower is better6th / 83.79 s+0.17 s
Snow HandlingLower is better3rd / 875.19 s+0.57 s
Ice BrakingLower is better6th / 84.68 m+1.25 m
Ice TractionLower is better3rd / 82.08 s+0.19 s
Ice HandlingLower is better4th / 853.52 s+2.29 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better3rd / 83 Points-2.00 Points
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better2nd / 85.67 l/100km+0.01 l/100km
Origin
South Korea
5th

Pirelli Ice Zero 2

205/60 R16 96T XL
Pirelli Ice Zero 2
Dry90.9%
Wet97.8%
Snow98.9%
Ice78.2%
Comfort60%
Fuel Consumption99.1%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better3rd / 831.02 m+2.14 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better2nd / 84 Points-1.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better2nd / 834.8 m+0.93 m
Wet HandlingLower is better3rd / 844.1 s+0.99 s
Straight AquaHigher is better1st / 864.6 km/hBest in this discipline
Snow BrakingLower is better6th / 810.71 m+0.21 m
Snow TractionLower is better1st / 83.62 sBest in this discipline
Snow HandlingLower is better6th / 875.74 s+1.12 s
Ice BrakingLower is better7th / 85.2 m+1.77 m
Ice TractionLower is better6th / 82.42 s+0.53 s
Ice HandlingLower is better6th / 856.42 s+5.19 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better3rd / 83 Points-2.00 Points
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better4th / 85.71 l/100km+0.05 l/100km
Origin
Russia
6th

Nokian Nordman 7

205/60 R16 96T XL
Nokian Nordman 7
Dry78.8%
Wet91.1%
Snow98.8%
Ice85.8%
Comfort40%
Fuel Consumption98.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better8th / 833.3 m+4.42 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better7th / 82 Points-3.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better8th / 838.91 m+5.04 m
Wet HandlingLower is better7th / 845.75 s+2.64 s
Straight AquaHigher is better7th / 861.7 km/h-2.90 km/h
Snow BrakingLower is better3rd / 810.51 m+0.01 m
Snow TractionLower is better4th / 83.72 s+0.10 s
Snow HandlingLower is better3rd / 875.19 s+0.57 s
Ice BrakingLower is better5th / 84.31 m+0.88 m
Ice TractionLower is better5th / 82.22 s+0.33 s
Ice HandlingLower is better5th / 855.11 s+3.88 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better5th / 82 Points-3.00 Points
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better5th / 85.74 l/100km+0.08 l/100km
Origin
Russia
7th

Toyo Observe Ice Freezer

205/60 R16 96T XL
Toyo Observe Ice Freezer
Dry86.1%
Wet93.6%
Snow95.7%
Ice79.6%
Comfort40%
Fuel Consumption98.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better5th / 831.6 m+2.72 m
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better3rd / 83 Points-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better7th / 837.18 m+3.31 m
Wet HandlingLower is better6th / 845.17 s+2.06 s
Straight AquaHigher is better5th / 862.4 km/h-2.20 km/h
Snow BrakingLower is better6th / 810.71 m+0.21 m
Snow TractionLower is better8th / 83.92 s+0.30 s
Snow HandlingLower is better7th / 876.85 s+2.23 s
Ice BrakingLower is better3rd / 84.07 m+0.64 m
Ice TractionLower is better7th / 82.8 s+0.91 s
Ice HandlingLower is better7th / 859.02 s+7.79 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better5th / 82 Points-3.00 Points
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better6th / 85.76 l/100km+0.10 l/100km
Origin
Malaysia
8th

GT Radial IcePro 3

205/60 R16 96T XL
GT Radial IcePro 3
Dry89.8%
Wet99.9%
Snow95.6%
Ice68.4%
Comfort40%
Fuel Consumption97.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (13)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better1st / 828.88 mBest in this discipline
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better7th / 82 Points-3.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better1st / 833.87 mBest in this discipline
Wet HandlingLower is better1st / 843.11 sBest in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better2nd / 864.1 km/h-0.50 km/h
Snow BrakingLower is better8th / 810.73 m+0.23 m
Snow TractionLower is better7th / 83.83 s+0.21 s
Snow HandlingLower is better8th / 878.81 s+4.19 s
Ice BrakingLower is better8th / 85.31 m+1.88 m
Ice TractionLower is better8th / 83.29 s+1.40 s
Ice HandlingLower is better8th / 861.42 s+10.19 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better5th / 82 Points-3.00 Points
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better8th / 85.78 l/100km+0.12 l/100km
Origin
China

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