Summer, All Season, All Weather, Winter, Nordic Winter and Studded Tires Tested

Test Publication:
Tire Reviews
Test Size: 205/55 R16
Tires Tested: 6 tires
Test Categories:
4 categories (7 tests)
Similar Tests

Test Category Best Performer Worst Performer Difference
Dry (2 tests)
Dry Braking Nokian Hakka Blue 2: 25.62 M Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9: 33.21 M7.6 M (22.9%)
Dry Handling Nokian Hakka Blue 2: 51.4 s Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9: 54.37 s3.0 s (5.5%)
Wet (2 tests)
Wet Braking Nokian Hakka Blue 2: 27.07 M Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3: 38.95 M11.9 M (30.5%)
Wet Handling Nokian Hakka Blue 2: 37.8 s Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9: 42 s4.2 s (10.0%)
Snow (2 tests)
Snow Braking Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9: 32.83 M Nokian Hakka Blue 2: 98.62 M65.8 M (66.7%)
Snow Handling Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3: 92.2 s Nokian Hakka Blue 2: 202.6 s110.4 s (54.5%)
Ice (1 tests)
Ice Braking Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9: 24.23 M Nokian zLine AS: 57.9 M33.7 M (58.2%)
Winter tire buying can be a confusing challenge, as there are now six types of tire you can realistically fit to your car. But which is best? To find out, I test summer, all season, all weather, winter, extreme winter and studded tires in dry, wet, snow and ice testing, covering handling, braking and grip.

To find out which is best for your own situation, watch the video for the full details, and the data can be found further down the page.

Dry

Wet

Snow

Ice

Results

Note: There's no "winner" in this test, the final order below is simply to keep them in the summer tire to studded tire order as presented in the video. You need to decide which type of tire is best for you, based on your own driving patterns.

1st: Nokian Hakka Blue 2

Nokian Hakka Blue 2
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking1st25.62 M100%
Dry Handling1st51.4 s100%
Wet Braking1st27.07 M100%
Wet Handling1st37.8 s100%
Snow Braking6th98.62 M32.83 M+65.79 M33.29%
Snow Handling6th202.6 s92.2 s+110.4 s45.51%
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2nd: Nokian zLine AS

Nokian zLine AS
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking2nd29.19 M25.62 M+3.57 M87.77%
Dry Handling2nd51.57 s51.4 s+0.17 s99.67%
Wet Braking4th33.97 M27.07 M+6.9 M79.69%
Wet Handling4th39.3 s37.8 s+1.5 s96.18%
Snow Braking5th60.24 M32.83 M+27.41 M54.5%
Snow Handling5th128.1 s92.2 s+35.9 s71.98%
Ice Braking5th57.9 M24.23 M+33.67 M41.85%
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3rd: Nokian WeatherProof

Nokian WeatherProof
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking4th30.22 M25.62 M+4.6 M84.78%
Dry Handling4th52.8 s51.4 s+1.4 s97.35%
Wet Braking3rd31.92 M27.07 M+4.85 M84.81%
Wet Handling2nd38.6 s37.8 s+0.8 s97.93%
Snow Braking3rd35.19 M32.83 M+2.36 M93.29%
Snow Handling4th96.8 s92.2 s+4.6 s95.25%
Ice Braking4th48.45 M24.23 M+24.22 M50.01%
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4th: Nokian WR Snowproof

Nokian WR Snowproof
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking3rd29.74 M25.62 M+4.12 M86.15%
Dry Handling3rd51.83 s51.4 s+0.43 s99.17%
Wet Braking2nd30.96 M27.07 M+3.89 M87.44%
Wet Handling3rd38.9 s37.8 s+1.1 s97.17%
Snow Braking4th35.23 M32.83 M+2.4 M93.19%
Snow Handling3rd94.4 s92.2 s+2.2 s97.67%
Ice Braking3rd43.25 M24.23 M+19.02 M56.02%
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5th: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking5th31.58 M25.62 M+5.96 M81.13%
Dry Handling5th53.97 s51.4 s+2.57 s95.24%
Wet Braking6th38.95 M27.07 M+11.88 M69.5%
Wet Handling5th41.9 s37.8 s+4.1 s90.21%
Snow Braking2nd33.87 M32.83 M+1.04 M96.93%
Snow Handling1st92.2 s100%
Ice Braking2nd26.78 M24.23 M+2.55 M90.48%
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6th: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
  • 205/55 R16
  • 3PMSF: no
Test#ResultBestDifference%
Dry Braking6th33.21 M25.62 M+7.59 M77.15%
Dry Handling6th54.37 s51.4 s+2.97 s94.54%
Wet Braking5th38.18 M27.07 M+11.11 M70.9%
Wet Handling6th42 s37.8 s+4.2 s90%
Snow Braking1st32.83 M100%
Snow Handling2nd92.9 s92.2 s+0.7 s99.25%
Ice Braking1st24.23 M100%
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