5 categories (9 tests)
| Test Category | Best Performer | Worst Performer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry (1 tests) | |||
| Dry Braking | ▲ Continental IceContact 2: 51.63 M | ▼ Bridgestone Noranza 001: 53.86 M | 2.2 M (4.1%) |
| Wet (1 tests) | |||
| Wet Braking | ▲ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic: 55.09 M | ▼ Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3: 63.86 M | 8.8 M (13.7%) |
| Snow (3 tests) | |||
| Snow Braking | ▲ Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3: 18.35 M | ▼ Nexen Winguard winSpike WH62: 19.11 M | 0.8 M (4.0%) |
| Snow Traction | ▲ Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3: 5.77 s | ▼ Nexen Winguard winSpike WH62: 6.4 s | 0.6 s (9.8%) |
| Snow Handling | ▲ Continental IceContact 2: 90.5 s | ▼ Nexen Winguard winSpike WH62: 97.5 s | 7.0 s (7.2%) |
| Ice (3 tests) | |||
| Ice Braking | ▲ Continental IceContact 2: 10.59 M | ▼ Nexen Winguard winSpike WH62: 17.69 M | 7.1 M (40.1%) |
| Ice Traction | ▲ Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9: 3.97 s | ▼ Nexen Winguard winSpike WH62: 6.98 s | 3.0 s (43.1%) |
| Ice Handling | ▲ Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9: 73.5 s | ▼ Nexen Winguard winSpike WH62: 86.4 s | 12.9 s (14.9%) |
| Value (1 tests) | |||
| Rolling Resistance | ▲ Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3: 4.12 kg / t | ▼ Continental IceContact 2: 4.59 kg / t | 0.5 kg / t (10.2%) |
Why this one? Well, they've used a Volvo V30 to test seven studded tires in the very common 205/55 R16 tire size, and they've also included a friction studless nordic winter tire.
It's worth noting that the nordic winter tire included in the test, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3, is STILL too extreme for the UK winters. Instead we use a winter tire type called "European winter tire" which is covered in the Nokian line up by the WRD4 and WRA4.
These European winter tires are again a step below the nordic winter tires in snow and ice, but offer a better dry and wet performance, meaning they're more suitable to the type of winters we see in central Europe.
Dry / Wet
In the dry, Continental IceContact 2 was the only tire able to beat the Nordic friction tire, but in the wet the friction tire surpsingly performed badly, taking over 4 meters extra to stop when compared to the worst studded tire!
Snow
During the snow testing, the friction tire won both the traction and braking tests, but struggled more with the lateral stability requirements of the snow handling lap.
Ice
Unsurprisingly, the studded tires had a big advantage during the ice testing.
Environment
The friction tire proved to be the quietest tire on test, and had the lowest rolling resistance.
Results
1st: Continental IceContact 2 | |
| Joint best on ice, excellent traction and braking in the snow, very short braking distances in the dry and wet. High noise level, highest fuel use. Read Reviews |
2nd: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 | |
| Joint top on ice, quick steering reactions and a stable neutral balance allows excellent control in winter conditions. Relatively long stopping distances in the dry and wet. Read Reviews |
3rd: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic | |
| An excellent all round tire, shortest stopping distance in the dry and wet. Slight understeer on ice and snow. Read Reviews |
4th: Gislaved Nord Frost 200 | |
| Excellent on snow. Average in dry and wet, relatively weak on ice due to low number of spikes. Read Reviews |
5th: Bridgestone Noranza 001 | |
| Good traction and braking on ice. Relatively long snow braking, longest dry braking distance. Read Reviews |
6th: Yokohama iceGUARD iG65 | |
| Short braking distances in the wet. High noise, poor snow and ice handling. Read Reviews |
7th: Nexen Winguard winSpike WH62 | |
| Low noise. Worst ice performance, even worse than the studless Nokian R3. Poor in the dry and wet. Read Reviews |
8th: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 | |
| One of the best tires in the snow and the dry. Lowest noise of all the tires. Couldn't match the studded tires on ice. Read Reviews |
Best UUHP Tires
Best All Season Tires
Best Winter Tires
