Winter tires with Velcro on “Behind the wheel” tests. The results are unexpected!

• Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 (Finland)
• Bridgestone Blizzak Ice (Russia)
• Continental Viking Contact 7 (Russia)
• Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 (Poland)
• Pirelli IceZero FR (Russia)
• Nordman RS 2 (Russia)
• Nankang Ice Assets Ice-1 (China)
• Cordiant Winter Drive 2 (Russia)

Here is a description of how the tires performed on snow and ice.

black roads

In the south of Sweden near the town of Jislaved asphalt tests were carried out in April at +5…+8 °C.

On wet road Chinese Nankang slows down best of all. The eminent Continental and Nokian lost only 2% – comparable to the measurement error. Golf caused Nordman’s worst slowdown – it took two meters more to slow from 60 to 5 mph.

On dry road The domestic brand Cordiant is more reluctant than others to stop – on these tires, from 80 to 5 km / h, our Golf drove three meters further than the leader, Bridgestone. And Conti and here was the second.

Through exchange rate stability Goodyear received the highest rating. The lowest – Nankang: there are delays in reactions, the steering angles are large when adjusting the direction. Even a smooth detour of an obstacle on these tires is a difficult maneuver due to the “lubricated” behavior of the car.

Comfort and running in place

The most comfortable – Goodyear, rolls quietly and smoothly. Only Continental and Nordman could match it, but only in smoothness. Worst of all is Nankang, which is a nuisance not only with increased noise and voice acting on rough tarmac, but also with hard bumps from speed bumps.

Finally, let’s compare economy on a drum set by determining the rolling resistance coefficient at a speed of 80 km/h according to UN Rule 117. Once we found that in golf class cars an increase in rolling resistance of 10% (at 80 km/h) increases appetite by 3 % increases. Recalculating the results, we see that the most economical tires (Nokian) outperform the most wasteful Cordiant by about 0.6 l/100 km.

Driving Review

As a result, there are two tires in front, which we can call excellent according to the method “Behind the wheel” (obtained 900 or more points).

Chinese Nankang Ice Assets Ice-1 falls into the mediocre category (less than 850 points). Despite the presence of the word “ice cream” in the title, this coating is not beneficial. Like the snow that is rolled, that has fallen fresh. The noisiest, heaviest band and wasteful. Suitable for well-cleaned roads. A short drive is allowed on slippery surfaces, always with working ABS and ESP. Drive slowly, taking turns in a “whisper”. With such consumer characteristics, a price that yields 5% is no excuse.

eminent Bridgestone Blizzak Ice could only reach seventh place. We suspect that this product is made for the domestic market of Japan, with its national characteristics. On slippery surfaces it suffers from low lateral grip, it will be pleasant on well-cleaned roads. The most overrated participant in the test – you have to pay almost half the fair price too much.

Domestic Cordiant drive 2 similar to Nordman. On snow and ice it pulls forward in some respects, but is slightly inferior on asphalt. In terms of comfort and economy, the gap is wider. It will show its best qualities when away from paved roads. And the main asset – price, the lowest not only in absolute value, but also in relation to the level of characteristics (advantage 24%).

Third place, at the top of the list of “good” tires in our view (from 850 to 899 points), is the tire Pirelli IceZero FR. Good on winter surfaces, but on asphalt, in comfort and economy, it has only average results. It’s time to update! The purchase advantage is 10%.

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 just one point behind Pirelli and it is the most comfortable participant in the test. Slightly inferior to all-road rivals, it is not favorable for sharp maneuvers on tackled snow. The price tag saves 5%.

Continental Viking Contact 7 is no longer new, but remains the “king of asphalt”. For soft non-studded tires, the combination of this “crown” with class-leading performance on ice is very difficult. Next year we are waiting for the updated Viking – it’s time. And we hope to maintain adequate pricing, because the current generation even sold for 2% cheaper than a reasonable price – this is rare for top tires.

Winner – Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5, which left the multiple test winner ZR, Continental VikingContact 7. The “Five” turned out to be the best, both on wintry surfaces and in terms of economy. Only the price is a bit too expensive – with 8% of the fair price, determined by our own methodology.

Full details of tires can be found here.

Za Rulem experts tested not only Scandinavians, but also eight models of studded tires for crossovers. The test has been published in Za Rulem magazine no. 10/2022 and will be published on the website shortly. Come more often!

• Summary of tire tests “Behind the wheel” (2018-2021) – follow this link
• “Behind the wheel” can also be read in Yandex.Zen.