Topic: Winter Tire Comparo Tests

[dougjp]

Thought it might be a good idea to have one thread that combines sources for snow tire reviews and comparison tests.

First stop is right here, although they are individual make tests and you won't find the answers to "which tire is better";

http://www.autos.ca/winter-driving

What we are looking for is comparison tests, and hopefully as independent as possible (although who knows if that's true or not).

The only source I've found so far for comparisons is Tire Rack. Two places, first is their survey of winter tires, broken down into different categories. I figure if the sample sizes are large enough, the results are going to be pretty accurate. Really nice details here;

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplaywinter.jsp?type=W&VT=C

The second is their own winter testing results, which are mostly comparisons. The makes of tires covered are somewhat limited;

http://www.tirerack.com/winter/wintertesting.jsp

Can you find other places and add to this thread?
 

[SaskSpecV]

The automobile protection agency has some winter tire ratings, but they just give a brief summary of the tire and their opinions.  No factual information (testing) is available.  And the tires listed may be out of date (they still have Blizzak WS-60s instead of WS-70).
http://apa.ca/tire_wintertireratings.asp

Consumer reports sometimes has winter tire rankings - I have a truck winter tire ranking but it is from 2008.  Maybe there is something newer?

I doubt you'll find any better tests (in terms of sample size, reproducibility, and thoroughness) than those done by tirerack.  I've ordered winter tires from them twice, and phoned them as well for advice (WS70s vs Continental winters vs X-Ice).  The service has been uniformly excellent.  Too bad about the shipping fees & brokerage - but the end price was still highly competitive.

I also enjoy the winter tirereviews from autos.ca, but as you mentioned they are not direct comparisons (same car, multiple tire tires switched on consecutively, a la tirerack).  To the powers-that-be on the site - such a test would be an EXTREMELY useful article, and likely increase your site hit count dramatically as it would be cited all over the web.  No doubt it would difficult to perform though...

[aaronk]

The automobile protection agency has some winter tire ratings, but they just give a brief summary of the tire and their opinions.  No factual information (testing) is available.  And the tires listed may be out of date (they still have Blizzak WS-60s instead of WS-70).

...

Hmmm, interesting results. APA rates Michelin Xi2 higher than the competition but I've read elsewhere it falls behind in some areas. I guess that's the thing with independent testing - they may come to different conclusions. Good resource thought.

[blur911]

AFAIK the APA gets their tire ratings from Talontire, a retailer in Montreal (and where I buy my race tires)

[davidy]

The automobile protection agency has some winter tire ratings, but they just give a brief summary of the tire and their opinions.  No factual information (testing) is available.  And the tires listed may be out of date (they still have Blizzak WS-60s instead of WS-70).

...

Hmmm, interesting results. APA rates Michelin Xi2 higher than the competition but I've read elsewhere it falls behind in some areas. I guess that's the thing with independent testing - they may come to different conclusions. Good resource thought.

I have heard that the Xi2's don't handle wet, slushy snow very well (like that in the Pacific Northwest or the West Coast of BC).

Dave

[allmango]

I like my Nokians especially when it is slushy http://www.nokiantires.com/slush-and-aquaplaning

[Art]

Here is the APA winter tire reviews for 2011 to 2012:  http://apa.ca/tire_wintertireratings.asp 
The article says the tires are listed alphabetically within the performance category.  So the top passenger car performers are Blizzak WS-70, X-ICE XI2 and Observe G-02 plus.

[keithb]

Have a look here - not a great shopping tool as many are not available in North America.
Interesting nonetheless as more than just an editorial and lots of tread patterns
in the mix.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/259435/winter_tyre_test.html

[safristi]

Have a look here - not a great shopping tool as many are not available in North America.
Interesting nonetheless as more than just an editorial and lots of tread patterns
in the mix.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/259435/winter_tyre_test.html

 weird selection of TYRES no Michelin X1X2 ice's......WTF!!! pretty useless comparo fer us

[sailor723]

I think the X-ice were excluded because they were only testing V and H rated tires. I did find it strange that there were no Bridgestone tires of any type included at all.

[sailor723]

Here is the APA winter tire reviews for 2011 to 2012:  http://apa.ca/tire_wintertireratings.asp 
The article says the tires are listed alphabetically within the performance category.  So the top passenger car performers are Blizzak WS-70, X-ICE XI2 and Observe G-02 plus.

Anyone know what the difference is between Bridgestone LM-60 and LM-25? ....Just that the 25's are RFT's?

[davidy]

2011 Consumer Reports on Truck/SUV Winter Tires (Ranked top to bottom):

1. Continental ExtremeWinterContact (68) * CR recommended, best balance of winter traction and stopping grip on cleared roads Note: Overall score in parentheses
2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R (68) * CR recommended, best balance of winter traction and stopping grip on cleared roads
3. General Altimax Arctic (66) * CR recommended, best balance of winter traction and stopping grip on cleared roads
4. Michelin X-Ice Xi2 (66) * CR recommended, best for severe winter-traction.
5. Yokohama Geolander I/T G072 (66) * CR recommended, best balance of winter traction and stopping grip on cleared roads
6. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 (64) * CR recommended, best for severe winter-traction.
7. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT (64)
8. Toyo Open Country G02 Plus (62)
9. BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI (60)
10. Firestone Winterforce UV (56)


2009 Consumer Reports on Passenger Car Winter Tires (Ranked top to bottom):

1. Michelin X-Ice Xi2 (84) * CR recommended Note: Overall score in parentheses
2. General Altimax Arctic (78) * CR recommended
3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 (78) * CR recommended
4. Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 (76)
5. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R (74)
6. Continental ExtremeWinterContact (74)
7. Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 (72)
8. Pirelli Sottozero 210 Series II (70)
9. Dunlop Graspic DS2 (70)
10. Hankook Winter I*Pike W409 (70)
11. Gislaved NordFrost 5 (68)
12. Toyo Observe G02 Plus (64)
13. Yokohama Ice Guard IG20 (62)
14. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice (62)
15. Firestone Winterforce (58)
16. Cooper Weather Master S/T2 (54)
17. Hankook Icebear W300 (50) Note: this is a winter performance tire