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2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
6 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Dry
  3. Wet
  4. Snow
  5. Ice
  6. Environment
  7. Results
  8. Continental VikingContact 7
  9. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
  10. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
  11. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
  12. Nexen Winguard Ice+ WH43
  13. Michelin X Ice Snow
  14. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
  15. Nereus NS805+

Test Publication:
Vi Bilagare
205/60 R16 8 tyres 6 categories
Read the original test at Vi Bilagare → Similar Tests
Test Publication:
Vi Bilagare
Read the original test at Vi Bilagare →
Test Size: 205/60 R16
Tyres Tested: 8 tyres
Test Categories:
6 categories (12 tests)
Similar Tests
Vi Bilagare is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, Tyre Reviews. This is independent editorial coverage of their published test.
For their second winter test of 2020, the excellent Vi Bilagare have tested eight Nordic friction (studless) winter tyres.

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.

Dry Braking

Spread: 3.59 M (12.5%)|Avg: 30.35 M
Dry braking in meters (80 - 5 km/h) (Lower is better)
Dry Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

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

Subj. Dry Handling

Spread: 4.00 Points (80%)|Avg: 3.25 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    5.00 Points
  2. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    5.00 Points
  3. Continental VikingContact 7
    4.00 Points
  4. Michelin X Ice Snow
    4.00 Points
  5. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    3.00 Points
  6. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    2.00 Points
  7. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    2.00 Points
  8. Nereus NS805 Plus
    1.00 Points

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.

Wet Braking

Spread: 8.71 M (25.3%)|Avg: 38.58 M
Wet braking in meters (80 - 5 km/h) (Lower is better)
Wet Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

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

Wet Handling

Spread: 4.03 s (9.3%)|Avg: 45.07 s
Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    43.11 s
  2. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    44.13 s
  3. Michelin X Ice Snow
    44.71 s
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    44.78 s
  5. Continental VikingContact 7
    44.99 s
  6. Nereus NS805 Plus
    45.31 s
  7. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    46.35 s
  8. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    47.14 s

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

Straight Aqua

Spread: 11.90 Km/H (16.2%)|Avg: 64.81 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    73.30 Km/H
  2. Michelin X Ice Snow
    65.30 Km/H
  3. Nereus NS805 Plus
    65.20 Km/H
  4. Continental VikingContact 7
    64.10 Km/H
  5. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    63.40 Km/H
  6. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    63.30 Km/H
  7. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    62.50 Km/H
  8. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    61.40 Km/H

Snow

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

Snow Braking

Spread: 0.40 M (3.5%)|Avg: 11.54 M
Snow braking in meters (35 - 5 km/h) (Lower is better)
Snow Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

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.

Snow Handling

Spread: 2.99 s (4.1%)|Avg: 73.36 s
Snow handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Continental VikingContact 7
    72.25 s
  2. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    72.73 s
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    72.86 s
  4. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    73.09 s
  5. Michelin X Ice Snow
    73.44 s
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    73.60 s
  7. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    73.63 s
  8. Nereus NS805 Plus
    75.24 s

Ice

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

Ice Braking

Spread: 1.08 M (42.5%)|Avg: 3.28 M
Ice braking in meters (15 - 5 km/h) (Lower is better)
Ice Braking: Safety Impact: Best vs Worst Tyre

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

Ice Handling

Spread: 4.64 s (9.5%)|Avg: 50.75 s
Ice handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Continental VikingContact 7
    48.82 s
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    49.09 s
  3. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    49.43 s
  4. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    49.83 s
  5. Nereus NS805 Plus
    50.63 s
  6. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    52.20 s
  7. Michelin X Ice Snow
    52.54 s
  8. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    53.46 s

Environment

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

Rolling Resistance

Spread: 0.31 kg / t (5.3%)|Avg: 6.07 kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
  1. Michelin X Ice Snow
    5.89 kg / t
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    5.94 kg / t
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    6.03 kg / t
  4. Continental VikingContact 7
    6.05 kg / t
  5. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    6.11 kg / t
  6. Nereus NS805 Plus
    6.14 kg / t
  7. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    6.18 kg / t
  8. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    6.20 kg / t
19,000 km
£1.45/L
--
Annual Difference
--
Lifetime Savings
--
Extra Fuel/Energy
--
Extra CO2

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.

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

Subj. Noise

Spread: 3.00 Points (60%)|Avg: 3.38 Points
Subjective in car noise levels (Higher is better)
  1. Continental VikingContact 7
    5.00 Points
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    4.00 Points
  3. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    4.00 Points
  4. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    4.00 Points
  5. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    3.00 Points
  6. Michelin X Ice Snow
    3.00 Points
  7. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    2.00 Points
  8. Nereus NS805 Plus
    2.00 Points

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

Price

Spread: 939.00 (137.7%)|Avg: 1312.63
Price in local currency (Lower is better)
  1. Nereus NS805 Plus
    682.00
  2. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    982.00
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    1311.00
  4. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    1312.00
  5. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    1465.00
  6. Michelin X Ice Snow
    1542.00
  7. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    1586.00
  8. Continental VikingContact 7
    1621.00

Results

1st

Continental VikingContact 7

205/60 R16
Continental VikingContact 7
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%
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%
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%
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%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Noise 1st 5 Points 100%
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
2nd

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3

205/60 R16
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
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%
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%
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%
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%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Noise 7th 2 Points 5 Points -3 Points 40%
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
3rd

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2

205/60 R16
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
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%
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%
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%
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%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Noise 2nd 4 Points 5 Points -1 Points 80%
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
4th

Pirelli Ice Zero FR

205/60 R16
Pirelli Ice Zero FR
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%
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%
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%
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%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Noise 2nd 4 Points 5 Points -1 Points 80%
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
5th

Nexen Winguard Ice+ WH43

205/60 R16
Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
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%
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%
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%
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%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Noise 2nd 4 Points 5 Points -1 Points 80%
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
6th

Michelin X Ice Snow

205/60 R16
Michelin X Ice Snow
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%
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%
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%
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%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Noise 5th 3 Points 5 Points -2 Points 60%
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
7th

Bridgestone Blizzak Ice

205/60 R16
Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 28.69 M 100%
Subj. Dry Handling 6th 2 Points 5 Points -3 Points 40%
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%
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%
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%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Noise 5th 3 Points 5 Points -2 Points 60%
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
8th

Nereus NS805+

205/60 R16
Nereus NS805 Plus
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%
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%
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%
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%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Subj. Noise 7th 2 Points 5 Points -3 Points 40%
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

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Discussion

6 comments
  1. Pedro Neves archived

    We can't find a Vi Bilagare test with an all season or winter tyre as a reference. Maybe next year we see them test Nordic Friction winter tyres with a Michelin CrossClimate 2, a Bridgestone WC A005 Evo or a Continental AllSeasonContact as an all season reference and/or a Nokian WR Snowproof, a Continental WC TS860 or a Bridgestone Blizzac LM005 as a winter tyre reference. It should be interesting, since the only test where we can get all seasons vs winters vs Nordics is the one you did (great test, by the way):
    https://www.tyrereviews.com...

    #6393
    1. TyreReviews Pedro Neves archived

      Vi did make a test with the all season contact in, I've not published it yet though. I believe the reason it's not done often is because no manufacturer officially sells all season tyres in Nordic climates as they're really not suitable for the heavy winters with a lot of ice.

      #6394
      1. Pedro Neves TyreReviews archived

        I live in a warm climate, so I have to admit that I have no idea what tyres one can buy in a nordic climate, but I thought that people in those countries fitted all season tyres during spring and leave them throught the summer and autumn. That's why I thought it could be didactical to have an all season as a reference for them. In fact, all seasons are not appropriate for a harsh winter, up to the point where (and according to Michelin's website) the norwegian and swedish authorities decided to not recognize the Michelin CrossClimate as a legal tyre to be used in the winter, despite its 3PMSF rating!...

        #6395
        1. TyreReviews Pedro Neves archived

          I like your theory, however I fear if people had all seasons on in the summer, they would be more inclined to leave them on in winter, which is maybe why the extra law for the CC!

          I will get that article up on the site though, so keep an eye out in the next few days

          #6396
          1. Pedro Neves TyreReviews archived

            I just digged into this matter and found out at Continental's website that there may not exactly be an extra law for Michelin's CC. It's just that Norway demands that even tyres that have the M+S had to be especially developed for winter conditions but Sweden, on the other hand, seems to have some special regulation against the CC, according to Michelin's sweden website. Check out this links:
            https://www.continental-tir...
            https://www.michelin.se/aut... (scroll down and click at "Villkor" for note 2, although it should rather be note 1)
            Michelin seems to be the only responsible or respectful manufacturer that advises consumers from Sweden and Norway (in the respective country website) that the CC (their only all season tyre) is not appropriate for their winter months (Oct-Apr in Norway and Dec-Mar in Sweden).

            #6397
            1. TyreReviews Pedro Neves archived

              Good sleuthing! As I mentioned, I've not dug into this a huge amount but in casual conversations I've had with manufacturers, some don't offer them to sale to dealers. Obviously with the internet this doesn't mean they're not available though.

              As you said, something like the CC2 would be a great "summer" tyre for those climates for a lot of cars.

              #6399