“Prepare summer tires in winter and winter tires in summer” - this simple rule regularly helps motorists save time, money and nerve cells. So it's time to take a look at our 2017 winter tire test and choose the very tires that are ideal for both weather and temperature conditions, as well as lifestyle and driving style.
Winter tire tests 2017-2018 (Behind the Wheel, Auto Review, ADAC, Auto Bild)
Tests of winter and summer tires, which are carried out every year by a number of qualified organizations, will help you not to get lost in the abundance of names, brands and brands. This includes:
ADAC Club
ADAC is a serious organization and has represented the interests of German car enthusiasts for over a century. The largest auto club in Europe checks car brands for quality and safety, and also regularly tests tires. It is difficult to achieve high marks for tire manufacturers from ADAC - their rigorous tests, carried out with true German thoroughness, can leave neither the bottom nor the tires from the tire. The usual results are "satisfactory", and rarely does any tire get a "good" verdict.
The oldest Russian magazine dedicated to motorists and their iron horses. Regularly tests tires popular and not very popular in the post-Soviet market in hot and cold weather, and also conducts interesting research such as "How temperature affects the length of the braking distance of a car." 
Car enthusiasts from more than 35 countries around the world read licensed editions of the German Auto Bild magazine. The magazine presents not only automotive sports and industry news, but also comparative tests, test drives and, of course, tire testing in various interesting places - for example, in a small Finnish village in the Arctic Circle.
The popular Russian (and formerly Soviet) edition "Autoreview" regularly conducts comparative tests of cars at the proving ground, crash tests using Euromethods with its own independent rating, and also tests car goods, from fuel to baby car seats. Of course, tires are also on the list.
Rating of winter studded tires 2017-2018
Since the latest rubber tests are carried out during peak season, the rating was based on the tests of tires R14, R15, R16, R17, carried out last winter... When distributing places in the list, the following were also taken into account: the popularity of the model in Russia, ratings, reviews and the cost of tires on the Yandex Market service.
Despite the differences in conditions, the testing of the best winter studded tires 2017-2018. are carried out according to a similar method:
- acceleration and braking dynamics are tested on ice, snow, wet and dry asphalt;
- the time taken to travel a certain distance on different types of coverage is taken into account;
- an assessment of the level of vehicle handling, its smoothness and how noisy the tires are.
10. Gislaved Nord Frost 200
Average cost - 5 570 rubles.
The rating of winter studded tires for 2017-2018 is opened by a new model from the Swedish company Gislaved. The main highlight of the two-hundredth model is an asymmetric tread pattern and a new ultra-light (less than 1 gram) stud in the shape of a three-pointed star. In general, the tires are quiet, soft, with good directional stability, adhere well to any surface - however, on fresh snow and ice it may require adjusting the driving style. On a slightly icy track, you should not accelerate more than 100 km on such tires, otherwise the car will be driven.
Price, on average - 5 982 rubles.
The very name of the tire says that its developers (the Russian company Cordiant) paid special attention to the behavior of the tire on the snow. The tread pattern is directional, the center of which is a closed rib, which in theory should significantly reduce the likelihood of aquaplaning in the snow. (Interesting, by the way, that this very pattern almost exactly copies the tread of the third place in the rating.) The result is good rubber at a budget price that really rides on snow. True, asphalt is not given to her as well as snow.
Average price - 8 600 rubles.
A clear improvement over the ICE 01, both in terms of directional stability and noise reduction on asphalt. It is difficult to expect the response speed of more expensive rubber from the rubber of the middle price segment, but the Dunlop SP Winter ICE 02 fulfills its value 100%. Advantages: high cross-country ability, very strong sidewall, excellent spikes, rowing in a snowy mess. True, it does not feel very well on the asphalt, and it makes a noticeable noise, and at speeds above 90 km / h it causes increased fuel consumption.
Cost, on average - 6 670 rubles.
Good city tires with the ability to feel comfortable in not too deep snow. It rides well both on asphalt and on dense snow, the noise is within normal limits. It should be noted that this rubber is best used in central Russia, where temperatures rarely exceed -15 degrees. But Siberians with deep snows and prolonged frosts are better off thinking about a more hardy version.
The average cost is 2,410 rubles.
Nokian's Nordman series is a more budget-friendly version of the acclaimed Hakkapeliitta. Soft, comfortable, low-noise tires at a reasonable price, which feels good both on dry asphalt and on snow. On wet asphalt, based on the reviews, it is better not to accelerate over 100 km. A good option for city dwellers in the "home - work - dacha" mode. Due to the softness of the rubber, it is difficult to get out of the rut, and you should be careful with curbs, branches and other sharp objects. But in general, an excellent option in terms of price / quality.
You can buy, on average, 4,860 rubles.
While the previous Top 10 was primarily designed for urban driving, Continental's IceContact 2 is best off-road. Feels great at low temperatures both on snow and on crust or ice, it is able to take its owner from anywhere. A big advantage is the many spikes (there are 196 of them). There is no hum from these tires.
But on wet, frozen or snow-covered asphalt, special care must be taken. Also, not the best reviews deserved the "behavior" of rubber on the snow porridge, where it begins to scour.
It is offered, on average, for 10 260 rubles.
Although the G8 is a newer model in the Hakkapeliitta range, it is slightly inferior in popularity to its predecessor. One of the main reasons is the very soft sidewall, as a result of which you will have to carefully select the discs and, despite the excellent cross-country ability, carefully choose the places to ride. Otherwise, hernias and cuts. But this rubber is very predictable, has a large number of studs (190 pieces) and goes well on ice and packed snow.
It is sold, on average, for 7,100 rubles.
It differs from the eighth model in a smaller number of spikes (by 30%), but its hexagonal anchor spikes are longer and heavier. They use a technology called "bear claw", which prevents the stud from tilting, thereby improving grip. Quiet, reliable, albeit expensive rubber, which, despite the generation, enjoys a high reputation among motorists. Feels good both on snow and on ice and asphalt, while being hardy and strong. However, like the eighth version, the Hakkapeliitta 7 has a very soft sidewall and this is felt when the steering wheel is turned sharply.
Average price - 9,080 rubles.
And here is the next generation of the acclaimed line. The fruit of four years of efforts by the developers of the Finnish company, it is said, exceeds the characteristics of the G8 by 5-10%. The biggest highlight of the new model is the two types of studs (although in general there are slightly fewer than its predecessor), which should improve lateral grip on snowy or icy roads. And changes in the rubber compound will help the tire feel better at low temperatures. So far, according to preliminary tests, the tires promise to be excellent, but the chickens are counted in the fall - when the mass sales of the "nine" will begin.
1. Pirelli Ice Zero
On average, it costs 15 550 rubles.
Paradoxically, it turned out that the Italians know better about the production of winter studded rubber than the inhabitants of snowy Scandinavia. One of the highlights of the model is the original double carbide stud insert, which provides the tire with excellent ice performance.
Other advantages: high cross-country ability, good acceleration and braking performance on snow and ice, high directional stability. And endurance - there are chances to bring the tires to retirement with a full set of studs. Excellent, almost universal rubber for winter conditions, feels good both on asphalt and outside the city. True, the noise level is quite high. And the price "bites".
What winter tires are better to choose in the end
So which winter tires are best for you? The 2017 ranking includes both “urban” types of rubber and tires designed for more severe weather conditions. For frequent off-road driving, Pirelli Ice Zero, Continental IceContact 2 or Dunlop SP Winter ICE 02 are perfect. For a quiet city ride, it is better to choose the Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000, Nokian Nordman 5 or Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8. Otherwise, when choosing tires, you should first consider temperature conditions, and the surface you will have to ride on.
Hatchback cars are very popular in Europe for their excellent maneuverability in the urban jungle. Belarusian car enthusiasts are no exception, appreciating this "family" car for its affordability, small size and, at the same time, capacity.
In this 2017 review from "Kolesoplus" we will take a closer look at 16 models of winter tires suitable for hatchback passenger cars. The basis is a practical test of winter tires 195 65 r15 with speed index T, carried out by the German auto club ADAC on one of the most popular models in Europe - Volkswagen Golf.
Test criteria
- Permeability of tires.
- Fuel consumption level.
- Noise level.
- Ride comfort.
- Controllability.
- Security.
- Wear resistance.
The palm this year is earned by a model of winter tires produced by the German concern Continental, which especially distinguished itself for its excellent cross-country ability on wet asphalt and snow. Head to head with her are two other models, which will be discussed below. All of them distinguished themselves by balanced cross-country performance on all types of surfaces, low fuel consumption, low noise, durability, as well as overall ride comfort and safety. 
Tires of this little-known brand, the honor of which belongs to the specialists of Goodyear, proved to be excellent on the icy road. Combined with the overall high performance and modest fuel consumption, all this puts the model in an honorable second place.
Bronze is rightfully earned by the Kleber tire model, which also performed well in all test criteria. The main advantage of these tires is their increased durability, which made it easy for it to outperform its competitors.
The Dunlop model just fell short of the top three. Having performed well on loose snow, mud and ice, they unexpectedly gave up when driving on a dry road surface, showing slightly less high results than the previous three models.
The Goodyear tires, which were weak in loose snow, were just a little short of the 5+ score. Fortunately, this does not apply to her work on icy, wet and dry asphalt. Their gas mileage and overall tire safety have earned them a solid fifth place in the 195 65 winter tire test.
Starting with this Hankook model, all tires in our test show weaknesses in at least several test criteria. Having shown good grip on dry asphalt and ice, they received several penalty points while working on snow and wet roads.
The same weaknesses as the previous test participant showed the Vredestein tire model. They also received several penalty points for working on wet asphalt and loose snow. In addition, they gave way to wear resistance.
Yokohama tires have lost their "gold star" due to low grip on wet roads and severe wear, which put the model in the middle eighth place in the ranking.
Flaws in the performance of the Falken model were observed in almost all disciplines when passing on ice, wet and dry asphalt, loose snow and mud.
Even the decent performance on icy surfaces, dry asphalt and snow was not saved from the poor rating of the Firestone tires, as they showed a noticeably lower level on wet asphalt.
A similar problem with grip on wet road surfaces was observed with Nokian rubber, which lagged far behind the leaders of the test.
The Michelin model did not receive a rating of "Good" for the r15 winter tire test. Points were taken for high fuel consumption and rather poor grip on ice and snow.
Only a satisfactory level of performance on wet asphalt and snow was demonstrated by the Aeolus tires, and high wear did not leave them a chance to rise above the modest twelfth place.
Kumho tires fail the snow and wet test. The rest of the indicators also had flaws.
The Sava tires perform better on snow than in the previous case, which cannot be said for driving on wet and dry road surfaces.
At the end of our list is the rubber produced by Semperit, which has earned the "Mediocre" rating in absolutely all the test criteria.
Looking for good winter studded tires? We will talk about which model is better to choose in this review.
Winter tire tests 2018-2019 (Behind the Wheel, Auto Review, ADAC, Auto Bild)
To fully answer your question, which winter tires are better, we looked for information in the following sources:
Behind the Wheel Magazine
This is the oldest (published since 1928) Russian edition dedicated to cars and the automotive industry. The test of winter tires of 2018 "Behind the Wheel" is an indicator of the high quality and reliability of a particular model.
Test results "Behind the wheel" - click to open in full window
Autoreview newspaper
In the past, a Soviet, and now a Russian automobile publication that tests both cars and child seats, tires, fuel and various auto accessories. The Autoreview winter tire test of 2018 was carried out last winter on the tracks of the White Hell test site in Finland, at temperatures ranging from 5 to 23 degrees below zero.
ADAC
The largest automotive organization not only in Germany, but also in Europe. ADAC's tire testing will not pass every candidate. For example, in last year's summer tire test, only 6 out of 16 models passed all the tests on wet and dry roads. And the requirements for winter tires are even stricter, because they have to withstand much more severe conditions.
This German automotive magazine is published under license in 36 countries. It publishes reviews of new models, tests of new and used cars, as well as news related to the world of the automotive industry.
Rating of the best winter tires 2018-2019
Since studded tires are a specific thing, they are tested in winter. And our review was based on tests carried out in the winter of 2017. The following parameters were taken into account:
- dynamics of acceleration and braking on an icy road, wet and dry snow;
- the time it took to cover the same distance on different types of roadways;
- controllability of the car, smoothness of entry into turns;
- the noise of the rubber.
As a result, in the rating of winter tires 2018-2019. we have collected the best winter tires that have earned positive reviews from both car owners and experts from various reputable automotive publications. Each tire of dimensions R14, R15, R16, R17 has been tested for a large number of positive reviews on Yandex.Market. The price of models is indicated for 1 piece of standard size R15.
10. Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 8
Low price - 4,050 rubles.
Among the studded winter tires available in Russia, the Hakkapeliitta 8 is one of the best choices for ice and snow. The Finnish tire has a diamond-shaped design of studs (there are 190 of them), behaves confidently in turns, does not "prowl" on the road. But these tires are not the best choice for areas where roads are not covered with snow all season. It does not work well on simply wet after rain or dry roads. This is a by-product of its superior performance on snowy and icy surfaces.
The Hakkapeliitta 8 is not a quiet rubber, it hums even at low speeds. One user described it as "the hum from a Boeing taking off."
The average price is 4,040 rubles.
The French brand MICHELIN has successfully stood the test of time and fierce competition in the market. And the X-Ice North 4 model is one of the most successful from this manufacturer. It has over 250 studs (albeit a reduced size), confidently accelerates and brakes on an icy track, does not dive into a rut, and behaves predictably on the road. At the same time, it makes a lot of noise, but here, as they say, "either checkers, or go."
It costs, on average, 3 260 rubles.
This model is produced by the American division of MICHELIN, therefore, on the one hand, they are of high quality, and on the other hand, they are cheaper than the MICHELIN X-Ice North 4.
These tires have spikes on the "shoulders" of the tread. This results in an optimal combination of studded and non-studded rubber. And the increased density of studs helps quick braking in the event of an unforeseen situation. The g-Force Stud tire performs well on loose and packed snow, wears out slowly and is quiet enough compared to competitors in the winter studded tire rating.
On ice, these tires have less braking performance than on snow.
The average price is 2,900 rubles.
The high quality and low cost of Firestone tires allowed them to surpass their more established competitors and land in seventh place. They use a unique self-cleaning tread design with a wider contact area for better traction. According to the owners of the tires, they serve at least 2-3 seasons, the studs sit firmly, and the permeability on various surfaces is five points out of five.
Minus - it can be difficult to find on sale even in Moscow. What can we say about smaller cities.
Price from 5 705 rubles.
Perhaps the best winter tires in terms of noise. It has 196 studs, it goes well on icy and snow-covered roads, and even on dry and wet asphalt. IceContact 2 also has no problems with course stability when changing lanes.
However, when accelerating to 110 km / h, a slight roll occurs. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the rubber is soft.
You can buy it for 3,470 rubles.
These tires are produced under the Swedish brand, but at the Kaluga plant Gislaved. The Finnish company Tikka is engaged in the production of spikes for the Nord Frost 200.
The model is stable in corners, has excellent grip on snow and just good on ice. There is only one "but": in order for it to fully reveal its qualities, it will take a run-in - about a thousand kilometers.
The Nord Frost 200s are good at paddling snow, and the asymmetrical directional tread pattern is taken from the popular first generation Continental ContiIceContact.
In very deep snow, these tires do not feel very confident.
Cost from 3 470 rubles.
Yokohama tires are soft and quiet. They can withstand very low temperatures, which allows them to be used on the roads of the Urals, Siberia and other cold regions of Russia. They are very stable on dense, rolled snow and allow you to drive at speeds up to 70 km / h on a porridge of snow and reagents.
The drain grooves on the tires are designed to drain water and snow mass, which are abundant on Russian winter roads, and increase course stability in rainy weather. Because of its design, Ice Guard F700S performs well on dry surfaces as well.
However, at high speed on a slushy road, a car with such tires starts to drive to the side.
Cost from 5 110 rubles.
Japanese quality, confident behavior when cornering, high durability - these are the three pillars on whose backs the Blizzak Spike-02 swam into the third place in the list of the best studded winter tires of 2018. Dense, high-quality rubber will not let you down on bare ice and in a snowdrift and on dry asphalt.
Of the minuses, we can only note the hum.
Price from 5 910 rubles.
These tires with directional tread pattern and large studs (60 per linear meter) are well balanced for wet and dry conditions. The zig-zag shape of the sipes is designed to improve tire grip on ice and snow.
Many owners of Dunlop tires have gone on them for 3 to 5 seasons. If durability and reliability are the main criteria by which you choose winter tires, then you are the ideal candidate.
This model has two drawbacks - excessive rigidity and strong hum.
1. Pirelli Ice Zero
Sold for 3,090 rubles and more.
The undisputed leader in the rating of winter tires both this and last year. Thanks to the reinforced studs, Ice Zero keeps the car securely on the icy track. And the enlarged contact patch provides excellent traction on dry road surfaces. In terms of acceleration and braking performance on dry and wet asphalt, Pirelli tires are not much different from
Adequate price, "omnivorous" road surface, softness and predictable cornering behavior are the main advantages of Ice Zero.
Minus one, like other studded tires, is noise.
Brief summary: which winter tires to choose in 2018
The first candidate for the acquisition is, of course, Pirelli's Ice Zero. If for some reason it doesn't suit you, pay attention to Dunlop Grandtrek Ice02 or Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02. The price is high, but this rubber will last up to 5 seasons.
For those who prefer not very noisy, high-quality tires, we recommend the Yokohama Ice Guard F700S, BFGoodrich g-Force Stud or Continental IceContact 2.
If you often have to drive on icy roads, the Hakkapeliitta 8 tires from Finnish Nokian, MICHELIN X-Ice North 4 or Gislaved Nord Frost 200 are suitable.
If you travel more often in the snow, we can recommend BFGoodrich g-Force Stud, Firestone Ice Cruiser 7 or Gislaved Nord Frost 200.
Owners of crossovers, especially four-wheel drive, often relate to the seasonal change of regular summer tires to winter ones without enthusiasm. After all, almost all native tires are marked with the M + S index, which de jure allows them to ride in winter. The main thing is that the residual tread depth is at least 4 mm (otherwise - a fine of 500 rubles). But you need to understand that the M + S marking does not oblige the manufacturer to anything! Marking does not require any tests or certificates confirming the suitability of tires for winter, and therefore more and more often it can be seen on frankly summer, and "asphalt" tires, which simultaneously speaks of the devaluation of not only the letter S (snow, "snow"), but also M (mud). So we look not at the letters, but at the tread, and if we do not see many small slits-lamellas, then we conclude: it is dangerous to ride on such ones in winter. And even better, when on the sidewall there is a “Snowflake” mark in the form of three mountain peaks with a snowflake - these models really passed the exam on a snow track. The participants in our test are all marked with the following markings: these are 14 sets with spikes and nine without.
The test program is standard, all the tracks of the White Hell test site near the Finnish town of Ivalo are well known to us - and most importantly, to be lucky with the weather. Almost lucky: there was no snowfall, although the temperature danced from 5 to 23 degrees of frost, so its influence had to be taken into account when conducting additional races on "reference" tires. But the measurements of the longitudinal dynamics took place in a closed hangar with a more stable temperature.
This is where the embarrassment happened with Nokian tires, and with a model that has been produced for several years. Both in acceleration and in braking, the non-studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV yielded not only to principal competitors, but even to the tires of their own "second line" - the Nordman RS2 SUV tires! Nokian testers working in the neighborhood were alarmed, they themselves repeated the measurements ... An official investigation showed that the failed tires were produced at a plant near St. Petersburg at the end of 2016, more precisely in the 48th week. Then there was a failure in the technological cycle. They did not share the details with us (apparently, there were deviations either in the duration or in the temperature of vulcanization), but we were assured that the defective batch did not go on sale. Although outwardly everything is in order, and even the hardness of the tread rubber is the same as on tires produced in the 41st week of 2016 (their results were taken into account), but the difference in grip properties on ice reaches eight percent.
After measurements in the hangar, we get out into the growing frost - and once again we notice that as the temperature drops, the friction tires begin to catch up and even overtake the “spikes”. At minus twenty, the ice becomes so hard that the spikes cannot scratch it, and the tread rubber of most studded tires is harder - in the cold the friction tires are more elastic, they have a larger overall length of the sipes.
We, I repeat, take into account the changing conditions and adjust the results, but if all tests were carried out in a light frost, the friction tires would roll back to the bottom lines of the protocols.
Handling tests were carried out on the ice of the polar lake Tammijärvi
And in the snow, frost plays into the hands of friction models: while maintaining the elasticity of the tread, they better cling to the snow shagreen.
This time, the estimates of the cross-country ability were supported by instrumental measurements - the acceleration time in deep snow with the traction control system turned off. It is curious that Russian tires topped and closed the rating: the best - Cordiant, and the most helpless on the virgin soil - Viatti tires produced by the Nizhnekamsk tire plant.
The asphalt part of the tests is especially relevant for residents of large cities, in which the streets are cleared of snow and ice for most of the winter.
The final part of the tests is already in April, on "summer" surfaces. And along the way, we note that this time there were no tires littering with spikes.
At the top of the final ranking are the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV tires. Expected result: if the model of the previous generation regularly won in our tests, then the new one, and even with two types of studs, easily outperformed the competitors.
Expensive? Then we carefully look at the points, the main advantages and disadvantages of other tires - and choose the best option for your pocket. And yet, we avoid buying outsider tires - such savings are fraught with incomparably high costs.
Studded tire rating
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (55 sizes available from 215/65 R16 to 315/40 R21) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,9 |
| 9,8 | |
| 49 | |
| Number of thorns | 172 |
| 1,05/1,54 | |
| Manufacturer country | Finland |
The Hakkapeliitta with index 9 is a novelty of the season: here, for the first time, two types of cleats were used. Those in the middle part of the tread have transversely oriented carbide inserts: they are responsible for longitudinal grip properties, and at the edges above the tread there are such trefoils that work effectively in turns. And this is not a marketing gimmick: an unequivocal superiority over competitors both on the handling track and in braking on ice. And in other types of winter tests, the tires are at altitude. On asphalt, the grip is moderate, and the main problem is noise at speeds from 70 to 90 km / h.
The best tires for tough winter conditions!
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (2 standard sizes 205/55 R16 and 215/65 R16 are available) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,5 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 56 |
| Number of thorns | 170 |
| Protrusion of studs before / after tests, mm | 1,52/1,47 |
| Manufacturer country | South Korea |
This year, Hankook officially opened its polar test site in Ivalo, Finland: the tracks and testing approaches are very similar to those used by Nokian Tires. This also applies to the peculiarities of the tires themselves: the number of spikes-stars was increased, which ensured decent test results on ice. But in deep snow, the tires do not shine, as well as on the asphalt, and besides, they make a lot of noise. But it is easy for them to forgive: the Hankook Winter i * Pike RS + tires are one and a half times cheaper than the Finnish novelty.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (91 sizes available from 175/70 R14 to 275/40 R22) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,4 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,5 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 54 |
| Number of thorns | 130 |
| Protrusion of studs before / after tests, mm | 1,03/1,25 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
The tires produced in Voronezh are laced with powerful brace spikes - and they work gorgeous on ice during acceleration and braking. But in corners there are sharp breaks in sliding, so without a stabilization system you have to be on the lookout. On the other hand, there is a good balance of grip properties on slippery roads and on asphalt, and therefore they can be safely recommended for winter operation in large cities. If you do not make high demands on acoustic comfort.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (75 sizes available from 155/70 R13 to 275/40 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,6 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,2 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 54 |
| Number of thorns | 130 |
| Protrusion of studs before / after tests, mm | 1,37/1,41 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
The tires are manufactured at the Russian Continental plant near Kaluga. The Gislaved brand is owned by Continental - and the Nord * Frost 200 mimics the asymmetrical tread pattern of the first generation ContiIceContact tires, but with simpler studs and no thermochemical retention. However, they also work well - especially in the lateral direction.
In general, these are well-balanced tires for use in large cities and beyond.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (37 sizes available from 155/70 R13 to 225/55 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,9 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,6 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 54 |
| Number of thorns | 130 |
| Protrusion of studs before / after tests, mm | 1,63/1,62 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
The tires were produced at the Yaroslavl Tire Plant and the tread pattern suspiciously resembles the Finnish Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 tires, which even became a reason for litigation. But the Cordiant company managed to justify itself - and to increase production volumes, including by expanding the range of dimensions. Decent tires for their money, but they do not like asphalt roads: they do not hold very well, and rolling is accompanied by a loud and unpleasant rumble of the tread. Tires are not for the city.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (42 standard sizes are available from 205/70 R15 to 275/50 R22) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 12,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,2 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 57 |
| Number of thorns | 130 |
| Protrusion of studs before / after tests, mm | 1,08/1,16 |
| Manufacturer country | Finland |
Nordman tires are Nokian Tires' second line, and the production uses molds from outdated Nokian tires. New for the Nordman 7 SUV season is the reincarnation of the Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV, which was produced from 2010 to 2017. Quite good grip on ice and snow, and on asphalt even better than the current "parent" model. Including in terms of acoustic comfort: there are fewer spikes.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (38 standard sizes are available from 175/65 R15 to 245/45 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 10,5 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 56 |
| Number of thorns | 130 |
| Protrusion of studs before / after tests, mm | 1,26/1,39 |
| Manufacturer country | Germany |
The model was introduced in 2012 and has not yet received a replacement. On ice, the tires work well in the longitudinal direction, but when cornering, they suddenly break into sliding. Everything is much better on the snow, including on virgin soil. But on the pavement, the aggressive pattern generates an obsessive low-frequency rumble already from 30 km / h.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (58 standard sizes available from 175/65 R14 to 265/40 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,3 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,3 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 56 |
| Number of thorns | 104 |
| Protrusion of studs before / after tests, mm | 1,05/1,09 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Michelin with the X-Ice North 3 tire continues to bend the line to comply with European studding rules: no more than 50 studs per running meter of tread. And the spikes themselves are simple, round in cross section. This led to an unimportant hold on the ice. The picture is better on rolled snow, but getting out of the snow is a problem: the tread is to blame.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (23 standard sizes are available from 175/70 R13 to 245/45 R17) | |
| Speed index | Q (160 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,2 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 51 |
| Number of thorns | 100 |
| Protrusion of studs before / after tests, mm | 0,87/1,06 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
BFGoodrich tires are Michelin's "second line", they are produced at the same plant in Davydovo near Moscow as Michelin X-Ice North 3 tires. But the tread is its own, original. It's a pity that there are also few pimples, they are round, overly recessed - and as a result, mediocre behavior on the ice.
The situation is better on snow, including virgin soil. And even better - on asphalt, although you need to remember that the permissible speed is 160 km / h, although studded competitors have 190.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (35 standard sizes are available from 175/70 R13 to 265/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,9 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,6 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 56 |
| Number of thorns | 130 |
| Protrusion of studs before / after tests, mm | 0,85/0,94 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Formula is Pirelli's second line. In last year's tests on Lada Vesta, the tires took fifth place, but now the indicators are more modest. Especially on ice. Even after running in, the protrusion of the studs above the tread surface is less than a millimeter (last year we recorded 1.1 mm on new tires). On rolled snow, the results are better, although we do not recommend climbing into snowdrifts. On the asphalt they are excellent.
Not a bad budget tire option for urban use.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (122 standard sizes are available from 175/70 R13 to 285/45 R22) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 12,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,5 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 55 |
| Number of thorns | 125 |
| Protrusion of studs before / after tests, mm | 1,18/1,37 |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
For many, the Made in Japan brand is a quality mark. But something went wrong with Toyo winter tires. It seems that the studs are not simple - with cruciform inserts, and the studding is of high quality, but on ice the grip properties are moderate, as well as on snow. However, the car's response to driving is well balanced.
On asphalt, comfort and grip are far from being the best.
The joy is the low price, which is quite consistent with the quality of the tires.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (19 standard sizes available from 205/70 R15 to 265/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,5 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,3 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 59 |
| Number of thorns | 120 |
| Protrusion of studs before / after tests, mm | 0,93/1,03 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Under the "Italian" name - tires produced in Nizhnekamsk using off-take technology. The design and production technology is a product of an engineering firm managed by one of the former top managers of Continental. However, the grip on ice and snow is mediocre, and most of all upset that winter tires, "developed by European specialists specifically for Russian roads," were helpless in deep snow. They are also noisy and tough. Not an option - even given the low price.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (96 standard sizes are available from 175/70 R13 to 275/50 R22) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 12,1 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 53 |
| Number of thorns | 128 |
| Protrusion of studs before / after tests, mm | 0,57/0,73 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
One could immediately assume that the ice tests of the Yokohama Ice Guard 55 tires will fail. Instead of the prescribed 1.2 mm, the spikes protrude by an average of 0.57 mm - and do not work. And the buyer is counting on Japanese quality - even though the tires are produced in Lipetsk.
There are also complaints about the tread: on packed snow - the maximum braking distance, and on virgin soil - the worst traction ability. For Russian conditions, other tires are needed, and they already exist: this season, sales of the new Yokohama IG65 model with an increased number of "curly" studs begin. More details about new tires - in one of the next issues of Autoreview.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (38 standard sizes are available from 175/70 R13 to 235/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,7 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,4 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 61 |
| Number of thorns | 128 |
| Protrusion of studs before / after tests, mm | 0,79/1,0 |
| Manufacturer country | South Korea |
Interestingly, duplicated in the name win - is it from the word "win" or from the word "winter"? Better approaches, for example, wintry ("cold", "inhospitable") or winch ("winch"). What kind of winter or victory can we talk about when studded tires are inferior to most friction tires on ice, and on the Nexen handling track they are the slowest in the overall standings? The tread rubber is clearly not designed to work at low temperatures, as evidenced by its increased hardness.
Of the positive emotions, only a relatively quiet (for tires with spikes) rolling remains.
Non-studded tire rating
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (61 sizes available from 205/70 R15 to 295/40 R21) | |
| Speed index | R (170 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,4 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8,9 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 53 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
The SUV-indexed off-road tires have sidewalls reinforced with aramid fiber, which is reminiscent of the Aramid Sidewalls brand. So there shouldn't be any problems with impact resistance, in contrast to the "passenger" tires of the same name.
In severe frost, Nokian friction tires provide excellent grip on ice, behave well on snow, and small claims appear only on asphalt.
Excellent winter tires for use both in the city and outside.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (97 standard sizes are available from 175/70 R13 to 275/45 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,9 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 52 |
| Manufacturer country | Germany |
Leapfrog. The year before last, we liked the ContiVikingContact 6 tires on asphalt, but they did not work well on ice, last year the situation changed to the opposite, this year it is better again on asphalt ... The dimensions, of course, are different, but the reason must be sought in the composition of the rubber compound : The tread rubber on the ContiVikingContact 6 was noticeably softer last year.
We are now taking into account the latest version of these tires from the end of 2016. Not ideal on ice and snow (especially deep), but great on asphalt.
Good winter tires for urban use. And the most comfortable ones!
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (57 standard sizes are available from 175/70 R13 to 255/45 R19) | |
| Speed index | S (180 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,7 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8,6 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 46 |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
Since studs are illegal in Japan, local manufacturers focus on friction winter tires. So we will consider it natural that
Lightweight tires with soft, quiet rolling. But at the same time - an imbalance of "winter" grip properties in the longitudinal and transverse directions, and abrupt breakdowns in sliding, it seems, are provoked by the sidewalls that are soft for a heavy crossover. Indeed, in the Goodyear range of winter tires there is a model specifically for crossovers and SUVs - UltraGrip Ice SUV, but in the size 215/65 R16 these tires are not available. However, if the car is equipped with a stabilization system, then Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 tires are a good choice.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (16 standard sizes are available from 215/65 R16 to 255/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | R (170 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8,9 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 56 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
The tread pattern is exactly the same as that of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires, but the materials are simpler. Another option for extending the life cycle of molds. And - considering the price - a very good option. Moreover, in some disciplines, the Nordman RS2 SUV tires are even preferable: the braking distance on ice is shorter!
Quality tires for a reasonable price. On ice, they are almost not inferior to the leaders among tires without studs, and on snow, they have even better grip properties in the longitudinal direction. Although on the track the handling is rather harsh and in deep snow they row mediocre.
The grip properties on asphalt are above average, there are no problems with comfort either, which means that these tires are relevant for large cities.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (38 standard sizes from 155/65 R14 to 255/50 R19 are available) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,6 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 51 |
| Manufacturer country | Slovakia |
The Gislaved brand continues to lose its authenticity. So the "new" Gislaved Soft * Frost 200 is nothing more than the ContiVikingContact tires of the previous, third generation. Fortunately, these are balanced tires - safe, comfortable, not very expensive - and therefore we safely recommend them for urban use, although an accidental arrival in a snowdrift can postpone the planned trip.
The Marshal brand belongs to the Korean company Kumho Tire, but these tires copy the Finnish Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires in terms of the tread pattern and even the rare R speed index - and some sellers play on this similarity. By the way, on snow and on asphalt friction tires Marshal and Nokian are close, but on ice the loss of the copy is already obvious. They are also some of the noisiest and toughest friction tires around.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (37 sizes available from 175/65 R14 to 245/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | Q (160 km / h) |
| Lifting capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 12,4 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8,9 |
| Shore hardness of tread rubber, unit | 49 |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
Winter tires Nitto (brand owned by Toyo Tires) appeared in Russia recently. The Therma Spike managed to please us with grip on ice, but lost the studs on the asphalt more than anyone else. And friction tires Nitto Winter SN2 immediately signed their helplessness on the ice and in the snow. And all the more surprising is the failure of these tires even on asphalt.
Something is wrong with these Nitto ...
The dry and warm weather was over. It's time to change your shoes on winter tires. the site has compared the results of current tire tests from leading European publications.
Vi Bilägare
The Swedish magazine Vi Bilägare has published a comparison test of eight models of studded winter tires. A Volvo V40 was used as a carrier vehicle. Tests on snow and ice were carried out at temperatures from -1 ° C to -8 ° C at the Ivalo (Finland) test site, and measurements on wet and dry asphalt were carried out in the range from + 5 ° C to + 14 ° C in Tampere (Finland) ). Tire dimension - 205/55 R16.
Test World
Finnish experts from Test World analyzed ten friction and eleven studded winter tires specially for Tekniika Maailma magazine. For the purity of the experiment, tests on ice and snow were carried out both outdoors and indoors at a temperature of -11 ° C. The average results of all measurements were taken into account. Carrier - Volkswagen Golf VII. Tire dimension - 205/55 R16
ADAC
German auto club ADAC compared 12 tires of 175/65 R14 dimensions. The carrier was a Ford Fiesta. A feature of the German test is the assessment of tire wear resistance along with the main parameters.
