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2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
11 min read Updated
Below are all the data points for the 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test, displaying how each tyre performed across all test categories. The spider chart below provides a complete overview of performance, where one hundred percent represents the best performance in each category. The larger the area covered by each tyre's plot, the better its overall performance.
How to read these charts: For each test category, data is presented relative to the best performing tire. The direction indicates whether lower or higher values are better - pay close attention to this when interpreting results.

Performance Overview

This radar chart shows relative performance across all test categories, with 100% representing the best performance in each category. Reference tires may have gaps where data is not available.

Sunny SN3860
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
Sava Eskimo Ice
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
Continental VikingContact 7
Michelin X Ice North 4
Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
Bridgestone Noranza 001
Hankook Winter i pike RS2
Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
Continental IceContact 3
Michelin X Ice Snow
Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
Pirelli Ice Zero FR
Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
Linglong Winter Unicorn
Nankang Ice Activa 2
Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
Petlas Glacier W661

Quick Navigation

Dry Performance Overview

Dry Braking (M)

Spread: 3.10 M (10.7%) | Avg: 30.34 M

Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Petlas Glacier W661 with a result of 29 M. The difference between best and worst was 9.7%.
  1. Petlas Glacier W661
    29 M
  2. Michelin X Ice North 4
    29.3 M
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    29.4 M
  4. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    29.5 M
  5. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    29.8 M
  6. Continental IceContact 3
    29.9 M
  7. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    29.9 M
  8. Sunny SN3860
    30 M
  9. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    30 M
  10. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    30 M
  11. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    30.2 M
  12. Continental VikingContact 7
    30.3 M
  13. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    30.3 M
  14. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    30.6 M
  15. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    30.7 M
  16. Michelin X Ice Snow
    31.2 M
  17. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    31.3 M
  18. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    31.5 M
  19. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    31.7 M
  20. Sava Eskimo Ice
    32.1 M

Subj. Dry Handling ( Points)

Spread: 4.00 Points (40%) | Avg: 7.75 Points

Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Petlas Glacier W661 with a result of 10 Points. The difference between best and worst was 40%.
  1. Petlas Glacier W661
    10 Points
  2. Sava Eskimo Ice
    9 Points
  3. Continental IceContact 3
    9 Points
  4. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    9 Points
  5. Sunny SN3860
    8 Points
  6. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    8 Points
  7. Michelin X Ice North 4
    8 Points
  8. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    8 Points
  9. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    8 Points
  10. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    8 Points
  11. Michelin X Ice Snow
    8 Points
  12. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    8 Points
  13. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    8 Points
  14. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    7 Points
  15. Continental VikingContact 7
    7 Points
  16. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    7 Points
  17. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    7 Points
  18. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    6 Points
  19. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    6 Points
  20. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    6 Points

Wet Performance Overview

Wet Braking (M)

Spread: 10.70 M (36%) | Avg: 36.89 M

Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Petlas Glacier W661 with a result of 29.7 M. The difference between best and worst was 26.5%.
  1. Petlas Glacier W661
    29.7 M
  2. Sunny SN3860
    32.5 M
  3. Continental IceContact 3
    33.4 M
  4. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    34.8 M
  5. Michelin X Ice North 4
    35.9 M
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    36.5 M
  7. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    36.6 M
  8. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    36.6 M
  9. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    37.1 M
  10. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    37.3 M
  11. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    37.4 M
  12. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    38.2 M
  13. Continental VikingContact 7
    38.5 M
  14. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    38.5 M
  15. Sava Eskimo Ice
    38.6 M
  16. Michelin X Ice Snow
    38.6 M
  17. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    38.7 M
  18. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    39.1 M
  19. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    39.3 M
  20. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    40.4 M

Wet Handling (s)

Spread: 1.70 s (5%) | Avg: 34.82 s

Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Petlas Glacier W661 with a result of 33.7 s. The difference between best and worst was 4.8%.
  1. Petlas Glacier W661
    33.7 s
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    34.1 s
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    34.5 s
  4. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    34.5 s
  5. Sava Eskimo Ice
    34.6 s
  6. Continental VikingContact 7
    34.7 s
  7. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    34.7 s
  8. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    34.8 s
  9. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    34.8 s
  10. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    34.8 s
  11. Continental IceContact 3
    34.9 s
  12. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    34.9 s
  13. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    35 s
  14. Michelin X Ice Snow
    35 s
  15. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    35.1 s
  16. Sunny SN3860
    35.2 s
  17. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    35.2 s
  18. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    35.2 s
  19. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    35.3 s
  20. Michelin X Ice North 4
    35.4 s

Subj. Wet Handling ( Points)

Spread: 3.00 Points (33.3%) | Avg: 7.25 Points

Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 with a result of 9 Points. The difference between best and worst was 33.3%.
  1. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    9 Points
  2. Petlas Glacier W661
    9 Points
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    8 Points
  4. Continental VikingContact 7
    8 Points
  5. Continental IceContact 3
    8 Points
  6. Michelin X Ice Snow
    8 Points
  7. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    8 Points
  8. Sunny SN3860
    7 Points
  9. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    7 Points
  10. Sava Eskimo Ice
    7 Points
  11. Michelin X Ice North 4
    7 Points
  12. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    7 Points
  13. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    7 Points
  14. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    7 Points
  15. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    7 Points
  16. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    7 Points
  17. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    6 Points
  18. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    6 Points
  19. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    6 Points
  20. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    6 Points

Snow Performance Overview

Snow Braking (M)

Spread: 3.40 M (6.8%) | Avg: 51.31 M

Snow braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental VikingContact 7 with a result of 50.2 M. The difference between best and worst was 6.3%.
  1. Continental VikingContact 7
    50.2 M
  2. Continental IceContact 3
    50.4 M
  3. Michelin X Ice Snow
    50.4 M
  4. Michelin X Ice North 4
    50.6 M
  5. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    50.6 M
  6. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    50.7 M
  7. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    50.7 M
  8. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    50.9 M
  9. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    50.9 M
  10. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    51 M
  11. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    51.2 M
  12. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    51.2 M
  13. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    51.4 M
  14. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    51.5 M
  15. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    51.8 M
  16. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    51.9 M
  17. Sava Eskimo Ice
    52 M
  18. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    52 M
  19. Petlas Glacier W661
    53.2 M
  20. Sunny SN3860
    53.6 M

Snow Traction (s)

Spread: 0.60 s (10.2%) | Avg: 6.08 s

Snow acceleration time (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental VikingContact 7 with a result of 5.9 s. The difference between best and worst was 9.2%.
  1. Continental VikingContact 7
    5.9 s
  2. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    5.9 s
  3. Continental IceContact 3
    5.9 s
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    6 s
  5. Sava Eskimo Ice
    6 s
  6. Michelin X Ice North 4
    6 s
  7. Michelin X Ice Snow
    6 s
  8. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    6 s
  9. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    6 s
  10. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    6.1 s
  11. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    6.1 s
  12. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    6.1 s
  13. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    6.1 s
  14. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    6.1 s
  15. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    6.1 s
  16. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    6.2 s
  17. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    6.2 s
  18. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    6.2 s
  19. Petlas Glacier W661
    6.2 s
  20. Sunny SN3860
    6.5 s

Snow Handling (s)

Spread: 4.90 s (10.1%) | Avg: 49.47 s

Snow handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental VikingContact 7 with a result of 48.3 s. The difference between best and worst was 9.2%.
  1. Continental VikingContact 7
    48.3 s
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    48.4 s
  3. Michelin X Ice Snow
    48.7 s
  4. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    48.7 s
  5. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    48.8 s
  6. Continental IceContact 3
    48.8 s
  7. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    48.8 s
  8. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    49 s
  9. Michelin X Ice North 4
    49 s
  10. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    49.1 s
  11. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    49.3 s
  12. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    49.3 s
  13. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    49.4 s
  14. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    49.5 s
  15. Sava Eskimo Ice
    49.6 s
  16. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    49.8 s
  17. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    50 s
  18. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    50.8 s
  19. Petlas Glacier W661
    50.9 s
  20. Sunny SN3860
    53.2 s

Subj. Snow Handling ( Points)

Spread: 4.00 Points (44.4%) | Avg: 7.95 Points

Subjective Snow Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 with a result of 9 Points. The difference between best and worst was 44.4%.
  1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    9 Points
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    9 Points
  3. Continental VikingContact 7
    9 Points
  4. Michelin X Ice North 4
    9 Points
  5. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    9 Points
  6. Continental IceContact 3
    9 Points
  7. Michelin X Ice Snow
    9 Points
  8. Sava Eskimo Ice
    8 Points
  9. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    8 Points
  10. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    8 Points
  11. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    8 Points
  12. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    8 Points
  13. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    8 Points
  14. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    8 Points
  15. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    8 Points
  16. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    7 Points
  17. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    7 Points
  18. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    7 Points
  19. Petlas Glacier W661
    6 Points
  20. Sunny SN3860
    5 Points

Ice Performance Overview

Ice Braking (M)

Spread: 16.80 M (44.4%) | Avg: 43.85 M

Ice braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 with a result of 37.8 M. The difference between best and worst was 30.8%.
  1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    37.8 M
  2. Michelin X Ice North 4
    37.8 M
  3. Continental IceContact 3
    38.9 M
  4. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    39.7 M
  5. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    39.7 M
  6. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    41.7 M
  7. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    42.5 M
  8. Michelin X Ice Snow
    42.7 M
  9. Continental VikingContact 7
    43.2 M
  10. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    43.2 M
  11. Sava Eskimo Ice
    43.4 M
  12. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    43.5 M
  13. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    44 M
  14. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    45 M
  15. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    45.9 M
  16. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    47.3 M
  17. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    47.5 M
  18. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    48.1 M
  19. Petlas Glacier W661
    50.5 M
  20. Sunny SN3860
    54.6 M

Ice Traction (s)

Spread: 3.20 s (86.5%) | Avg: 5.27 s

Ice acceleration time (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin X Ice North 4 with a result of 3.7 s. The difference between best and worst was 46.4%.
  1. Michelin X Ice North 4
    3.7 s
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    3.8 s
  3. Continental IceContact 3
    3.8 s
  4. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    3.9 s
  5. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    3.9 s
  6. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    4 s
  7. Michelin X Ice Snow
    5.3 s
  8. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    5.4 s
  9. Continental VikingContact 7
    5.5 s
  10. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    5.5 s
  11. Sunny SN3860
    5.6 s
  12. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    5.6 s
  13. Sava Eskimo Ice
    5.7 s
  14. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    5.7 s
  15. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    5.9 s
  16. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    5.9 s
  17. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    6.2 s
  18. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    6.5 s
  19. Petlas Glacier W661
    6.6 s
  20. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    6.9 s

Ice Handling (s)

Spread: 14.70 s (25.7%) | Avg: 62.54 s

Ice handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin X Ice North 4 with a result of 57.3 s. The difference between best and worst was 20.4%.
  1. Michelin X Ice North 4
    57.3 s
  2. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    58.6 s
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    58.8 s
  4. Continental IceContact 3
    60.2 s
  5. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    60.7 s
  6. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    60.8 s
  7. Continental VikingContact 7
    61 s
  8. Michelin X Ice Snow
    61 s
  9. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    61.2 s
  10. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    61.5 s
  11. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    61.6 s
  12. Sava Eskimo Ice
    61.7 s
  13. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    61.8 s
  14. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    62 s
  15. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    63.3 s
  16. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    64 s
  17. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    65.1 s
  18. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    67.3 s
  19. Petlas Glacier W661
    70.8 s
  20. Sunny SN3860
    72 s

Subj. Ice Handling ( Points)

Spread: 6.00 Points (60%) | Avg: 7.05 Points

Subjective Ice Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin X Ice North 4 with a result of 10 Points. The difference between best and worst was 60%.
  1. Michelin X Ice North 4
    10 Points
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    9 Points
  3. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    9 Points
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    8 Points
  5. Continental VikingContact 7
    8 Points
  6. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    8 Points
  7. Continental IceContact 3
    8 Points
  8. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    7 Points
  9. Michelin X Ice Snow
    7 Points
  10. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    7 Points
  11. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    7 Points
  12. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    7 Points
  13. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    7 Points
  14. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    7 Points
  15. Sava Eskimo Ice
    6 Points
  16. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    6 Points
  17. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    6 Points
  18. Sunny SN3860
    5 Points
  19. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    5 Points
  20. Petlas Glacier W661
    4 Points

Comfort Performance Overview

Subj. Noise ( Points)

Spread: 3.00 Points (33.3%) | Avg: 7.80 Points

Subjective in car noise levels (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Sava Eskimo Ice with a result of 9 Points. The difference between best and worst was 33.3%.
  1. Sava Eskimo Ice
    9 Points
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    9 Points
  3. Continental VikingContact 7
    9 Points
  4. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
    9 Points
  5. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    9 Points
  6. Linglong Winter Unicorn
    9 Points
  7. Nankang Ice Activa 2
    9 Points
  8. Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP
    8 Points
  9. Michelin X Ice Snow
    8 Points
  10. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
    8 Points
  11. Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    8 Points
  12. Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    8 Points
  13. Petlas Glacier W661
    8 Points
  14. Sunny SN3860
    7 Points
  15. Continental IceContact 3
    7 Points
  16. Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2
    7 Points
  17. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    6 Points
  18. Michelin X Ice North 4
    6 Points
  19. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    6 Points
  20. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    6 Points

Overall Findings

Based on the weighted scoring from all tests, here are the overall results:

Position Tyre Score
Michelin X Ice North 4 0%
2 Continental IceContact 3 0%
3 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 0%
4 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 0%
5 Bridgestone Noranza 001 0%
6 Continental VikingContact 7 0%
7 Hankook Winter i pike RS2 0%
8 Michelin X Ice Snow 0%
9 Linglong Green Max Winter Grip 2 0%
10 Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 0%
11 Pirelli Ice Zero FR 0%
12 Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 0%
13 Sava Eskimo Ice 0%
14 Linglong Winter Unicorn 0%
15 Bridgestone Blizzak Ice 0%
16 Nankang Ice Activa 2 0%
17 Toyo OBSERVE GSI 6 HP 0%
18 Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 0%
19 Petlas Glacier W661 0%
20 Sunny SN3860 0%

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Discussion

6 comments
  1. Glisse archived

    Thank you for adding this to your impressive data library. But there is no mention, or link, as to who commissioned this test, only that it was conducted at the Test World facility in Finland?

    #6307
    1. TyreReviews Glisse archived

      I believe it was a test run by test world themselves

      #6308
  2. Pedro Neves archived

    Would love to see the Michelin CrossClimate Plus and the Bridgestone Weather Control A005 tested on ice against these since, year round, ice always comes first, during and after the snow. I consider that ice performance on an All Season or Winter tyre is the most important safety item because, unlike the snow, you can't really see the ice most of the times, either day or night. You can only feel it, which can be, sometimes, too late, depending on the tyres you have...

    #6222
    1. TyreReviews Pedro Neves archived

      All season tyres don't usually get put through extreme winter testing, as the climates they're suitable for don't really see that kind of weather. When you get to lots of ice on the road, it's a winter market.

      That said, Auto Bild sometimes include ice testing in their tests which an be found here

      #6223
      1. Pedro Neves TyreReviews archived

        So far, I noticed that ADAC is the only tester that tests ice performance on All Season tyres. On Winter tyres, and on the past 3 years, I just found ice testing at ADAC (studless tyres), Auto Center (2017 and 2019 - studded tyres), Vi Bilagare (2018 and 2019 - studded tyres), Auto Centrum - AC (2017 - studless), and you (Tyre Reviews in 2019 - with a fantastic cross range of tyres and videos - congratulations!). We could extrapolate the results for the Crossclimate Plus and the Bridgestone WC A005 but it would be better to have them both properly ice tested against winter and studded tyres just to have an idea of how much can they replace a winter tyre in a not so harsh winter climate.

        #6227