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Test Charts / Tekniikan Maailma

2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test

Compare each discipline in the tested size. See the measured result, position and gap to the best tyre, then read the verdict for the trade-offs behind the finishing order.

Tested size
205/55 R16
Tyres tested
14
Disciplines
10
Test vehicle
VW Golf

Read the measurements, not just the rank

Lower is better for braking distances and lap times; higher is better for subjective scores and aquaplaning speed. Bars start at zero. Read the gap alongside the position: adjacent tyres can be separated by very different margins.

Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tyres does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.

This test ranks different groups separately. Read the full verdicts for each group; there is no single overall finishing order.

Dry

2

Dry Braking

Dry braking in meters

Lower is better ↓

Nordic Friction Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
 30.8 m Best
1Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1
 30.8 m Best
3Hankook Winter i cept IZ3
 31.3 m +0.50 m
4Continental VikingContact 8
 31.4 m +0.60 m
5Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
 31.5 m +0.70 m
6Michelin X Ice Snow
 32.2 m +1.40 m
7Radar Dimax Ice
 32.6 m +1.80 m

Studded Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Continental IceContact 3
 31.5 m Best
2Pirelli Ice Zero 2
 31.6 m +0.10 m
3Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
 31.9 m +0.40 m
4Michelin X Ice North 4
 32.1 m +0.60 m
5Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32
 32.2 m +0.70 m
6Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
 32.4 m +0.90 m
7Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3
 33.4 m +1.90 m

The difference between best and worst was 8.4% (2.6 m ≈ 0.6 Car Lengths).

Subj. Dry Handling

Subjective Dry Handling Score

Higher is better ↑

Nordic Friction Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
 9 Points Best
1Continental VikingContact 8
 9 Points Best
3Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
 8 Points -1.00 Points
3Hankook Winter i cept IZ3
 8 Points -1.00 Points
5Michelin X Ice Snow
 7 Points -2.00 Points
5Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1
 7 Points -2.00 Points
7Radar Dimax Ice
 6 Points -3.00 Points

Studded Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Michelin X Ice North 4
 8 Points Best
1Pirelli Ice Zero 2
 8 Points Best
1Continental IceContact 3
 8 Points Best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
 8 Points Best
1Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
 8 Points Best
1Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3
 8 Points Best
7Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32
 7 Points -1.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 33.3% (3 Points).

Wet

3

Wet Braking

Wet braking in meters (80 - 0 km/h)

Lower is better ↓

Nordic Friction Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
1Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1
 37.5 m Best 0 km/h
1Hankook Winter i cept IZ3
 37.5 m Best 0 km/h
3Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
 37.7 m +0.20 m 9 km/h
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
 37.9 m +0.40 m 13 km/h
5Radar Dimax Ice
 39.4 m +1.90 m 29 km/h
6Continental VikingContact 8
 39.5 m +2.00 m 29 km/h
7Michelin X Ice Snow
 41.1 m +3.60 m 38 km/h

Studded Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
1Pirelli Ice Zero 2
 34.3 m Best 0 km/h
2Continental IceContact 3
 35.5 m +1.20 m 24 km/h
3Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
 36 m +1.70 m 28 km/h
4Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3
 36.3 m +2.00 m 31 km/h
5Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
 37.3 m +3.00 m 37 km/h
6Michelin X Ice North 4
 37.8 m +3.50 m 40 km/h
7Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32
 40.8 m +6.50 m 52 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 19.8% (6.8 m ≈ 1.5 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Michelin X Ice Snow would still be travelling at 53 km/h when the Pirelli Ice Zero 2 had stopped.

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

Wet Handling

Wet handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓

Nordic Friction Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
 39.9 s Best
2Hankook Winter i cept IZ3
 40 s +0.10 s
3Continental VikingContact 8
 40.3 s +0.40 s
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
 40.6 s +0.70 s
5Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1
 41.4 s +1.50 s
6Michelin X Ice Snow
 41.8 s +1.90 s
6Radar Dimax Ice
 41.8 s +1.90 s

Studded Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Continental IceContact 3
 40.1 s Best
2Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
 40.6 s +0.50 s
3Pirelli Ice Zero 2
 41 s +0.90 s
4Michelin X Ice North 4
 41.3 s +1.20 s
5Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
 41.5 s +1.40 s
5Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3
 41.5 s +1.40 s
7Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32
 42.1 s +2.00 s

The difference between best and worst was 5.5% (2.2 s).

Subj. Wet Handling

Subjective Wet Handling Score

Higher is better ↑

Nordic Friction Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
 9 Points Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
 8 Points -1.00 Points
2Continental VikingContact 8
 8 Points -1.00 Points
2Hankook Winter i cept IZ3
 8 Points -1.00 Points
5Michelin X Ice Snow
 7 Points -2.00 Points
5Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1
 7 Points -2.00 Points
5Radar Dimax Ice
 7 Points -2.00 Points

Studded Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
 9 Points Best
2Pirelli Ice Zero 2
 8 Points -1.00 Points
2Continental IceContact 3
 8 Points -1.00 Points
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
 8 Points -1.00 Points
5Michelin X Ice North 4
 7 Points -2.00 Points
5Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3
 7 Points -2.00 Points
7Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32
 6 Points -3.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 33.3% (3 Points).

Snow

2

Snow Braking

Snow braking in meters (80 - 0 km/h)

Lower is better ↓

Nordic Friction Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
 49.5 m Best 0 km/h
2Continental VikingContact 8
 49.6 m +0.10 m 6 km/h
3Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
 49.8 m +0.30 m 10 km/h
4Michelin X Ice Snow
 49.9 m +0.40 m 12 km/h
5Radar Dimax Ice
 50.2 m +0.70 m 15 km/h
6Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1
 50.3 m +0.80 m 16 km/h
7Hankook Winter i cept IZ3
 50.4 m +0.90 m 17 km/h

Studded Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
1Continental IceContact 3
 49.8 m Best 0 km/h
2Pirelli Ice Zero 2
 49.9 m +0.10 m 6 km/h
3Michelin X Ice North 4
 50.1 m +0.30 m 10 km/h
3Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
 50.1 m +0.30 m 10 km/h
5Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
 50.3 m +0.50 m 13 km/h
6Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3
 50.6 m +0.80 m 16 km/h
7Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32
 51 m +1.20 m 20 km/h

All the tyres in the Snow Braking test finished less than 3% apart. From 130 km/h, the Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32 would still be travelling at 22 km/h when the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 had stopped.

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

Snow Traction

Snow acceleration time (5 - 35 km/h)

Lower is better ↓

Nordic Friction Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Continental VikingContact 8
 5.8 s Best
2Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1
 5.9 s +0.10 s
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
 6 s +0.20 s
3Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
 6 s +0.20 s
3Radar Dimax Ice
 6 s +0.20 s
3Hankook Winter i cept IZ3
 6 s +0.20 s
7Michelin X Ice Snow
 6.1 s +0.30 s

Studded Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Michelin X Ice North 4
 5.9 s Best
1Pirelli Ice Zero 2
 5.9 s Best
1Continental IceContact 3
 5.9 s Best
1Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
 5.9 s Best
5Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
 6 s +0.10 s
5Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32
 6 s +0.10 s
5Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3
 6 s +0.10 s

The difference between best and worst was 5.2% (0.3 s).

Ice

2

Ice Braking

Ice braking in meters (50 - 0 km/h)

Lower is better ↓

Nordic Friction Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
1Michelin X Ice Snow
 45.6 m Best 0 km/h
2Continental VikingContact 8
 47.1 m +1.50 m 23 km/h
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
 47.9 m +2.30 m 28 km/h
3Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1
 47.9 m +2.30 m 28 km/h
5Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
 50.2 m +4.60 m 39 km/h
6Radar Dimax Ice
 53.3 m +7.70 m 49 km/h
7Hankook Winter i cept IZ3
 53.5 m +7.90 m 50 km/h

Studded Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
1Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3
 32.3 m Best 0 km/h
2Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32
 33.1 m +0.80 m 20 km/h
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
 33.9 m +1.60 m 28 km/h
4Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
 36.9 m +4.60 m 46 km/h
5Michelin X Ice North 4
 37.7 m +5.40 m 49 km/h
6Pirelli Ice Zero 2
 41.6 m +9.30 m 61 km/h
7Continental IceContact 3
 42.5 m +10.20 m 64 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 65.6% (21.2 m ≈ 4.7 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Hankook Winter i cept IZ3 would still be travelling at 82 km/h when the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3 had stopped.

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

Ice Traction

Ice acceleration time (5 - 20 km/h)

Lower is better ↓

Nordic Friction Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Continental VikingContact 8
 6.3 s Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
 6.7 s +0.40 s
3Michelin X Ice Snow
 6.8 s +0.50 s
4Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1
 7.2 s +0.90 s
4Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
 7.2 s +0.90 s
6Hankook Winter i cept IZ3
 7.6 s +1.30 s
7Radar Dimax Ice
 8.2 s +1.90 s

Studded Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3
 4.6 s Best
2Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32
 4.7 s +0.10 s
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
 4.8 s +0.20 s
4Michelin X Ice North 4
 5.1 s +0.50 s
5Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
 5.7 s +1.10 s
6Pirelli Ice Zero 2
 5.8 s +1.20 s
7Continental IceContact 3
 6.1 s +1.50 s

The difference between best and worst was 78.3% (3.6 s).

Comfort

1

Subj. Noise

Subjective in car noise levels

Higher is better ↑

Nordic Friction Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Michelin X Ice Snow
 10 Points Best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
 10 Points Best
3Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1
 9 Points -1.00 Points
3Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
 9 Points -1.00 Points
3Continental VikingContact 8
 9 Points -1.00 Points
3Radar Dimax Ice
 9 Points -1.00 Points
3Hankook Winter i cept IZ3
 9 Points -1.00 Points

Studded Winter Tyres

Position / TyreResultGap to best
1Michelin X Ice North 4
 7 Points Best
1Pirelli Ice Zero 2
 7 Points Best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
 7 Points Best
1Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
 7 Points Best
1Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32
 7 Points Best
6Continental IceContact 3
 6 Points -1.00 Points
6Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3
 6 Points -1.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 40% (4 Points).

Test setup & methodology

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

Recorded test conditions

Recorded test conditions

Wet Braking
80 → 0 km/h
Snow Braking
80 → 0 km/h
Snow Traction
5 → 35 km/h
Ice Braking
50 → 0 km/h
Ice Traction
5 → 20 km/h
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