Choosing the right car tires means good grip on the road, and at the same time the safety of the driver and passengers. There is an extremely wide range of tires available in specialized stores and on the market, and therefore most consumers are simply lost in all this variety of brands and models.

In order to at least somehow get your bearings and be, as they say, up to date with events, we will designate a rating of tire manufacturers, which includes the most popular brands that have distinguished themselves by the high quality of their products and have earned the love of car enthusiasts around the world. All companies represented in the top constantly participate in some kind of exhibitions, take high places, receive prizes, awards and are encouraged in every possible way for the next successful series of tires.

Let's look at each participant in more detail and note some distinctive features of the above brands.

"Bridgestone"

Bridgestone Corporation is a recognized leader in the production of high-quality tires. The brand produces rubber using the latest technologies in this area, and tests its products in a wide variety of weather conditions - from sultry heat to harsh winter.

For decades now, Bridgestone Corporation has been improving its tires year after year and putting a lot of effort into producing high-tech rubber. Plus, the brand is an ardent environmentalist, which means that the company’s products are distinguished by appropriate “green” standards.

Features of the models

Bridgestone was included in the rating of tire manufacturers due to the versatility of its products. Summer tires have excellent grip on both dry and wet roads, and the rolling resistance indicator will save the lion's share of fuel. Winter tire models belong to the elite class of non-studded products and are distinguished by the same excellent grip, whether on a snowy surface or bare ice.

All-season models deserve special attention, guaranteeing safe driving under the harshest environmental conditions. On clear ice they may not be so good, but for a city with its winter problems this is an ideal option.

"Yokohama"

Yokohama Rubber Company began its history back in 1917. And for a hundred years now, the brand has continued to delight us with excellent tires. Both cyclists and owners of mining equipment will find something for themselves in the assortment of this company.

Tires are sold by Yokohama all over the world. There will be buyers for it both in hot El Paso and cold Yakutsk.

Thanks to a competent marketing campaign and, naturally, extremely high-quality products, this manufacturer has even surpassed Bridgestone in tire sales (the advantage is due to the narrowly focused segment: bicycles, motorcycles, industrial equipment).

Many years of production experience coupled with high-quality products allowed the company to conclude profitable contracts with venerable brands, and now Yokohama (rubber) is a representative of such brands as Lexus, Porsche, Toyota, Mercedes, Aston Martin. , Subaru and Mazda.

Michelin

The history of this world famous company began in 1830. In a modest and unsightly place called Clermont-Ferrand, Michelin’s grandfather organized a small backyard production that produced rubber for wheels. Half a century later, the cyclist who won the France-Germany-France marathon revealed the secret of his victory - Michelin tires. Literally a year and a half later, tens of thousands of athletes have adopted these high-quality products.

Fame followed the company all over the world, and Michelin tires became desirable, because any owner of a vehicle on two or four wheels wanted to have tires that would bring victory. Year after year, the brand developed new technologies, attracted smart specialists and competently developed the market, while expanding its production.

Michelin tires remain true to their victorious traditions to this day. Many racing drivers prefer the Michelin brand to other brands, not only because of some superstitions, but also due to the truly high quality of these products.

"Goodyear"

Marketers at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company did their best. The tires of this company are recognized all over the world. The brand enjoys enviable popularity among motorists not only due to the production of high-quality rubber, but also due to a competent marketing policy. On the shelves of Goodyear you can find models of different price categories.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the company entered into an open-ended contract with a network of Henry Ford factories, thereby ensuring a direct path to a bright future. By the middle of the century, the brand produced rubber for almost all types of equipment, and the company became known all over the world.

Goodyear is included in the rating of tire manufacturers due to the use of the latest technologies in the production of its products, which directly affects the comfort of driving. The brand was the first to patent studded tires with a channel for removing liquid. In addition, the technology of “silent movement” (no sound when a wheel is damaged) was also developed by this company. Goodyear carefully tests its products on its own tracks and during production excludes the use of any “heavy” chemical elements.

"Dunlop"

The Dunlop brand may not be well-known to every car enthusiast, but everyone has probably used tubeless tires at least once. The brand was the first to receive a patent for the use of such technology, and Dunlop tubeless tires began to conquer the world.

In addition, the company's engineers were among the first to introduce steel tire treads into production, which significantly increased the service life of the products. There is a clear expression among car enthusiasts: “If you need tires that last, buy Dunlop.”

Dunlop tires enjoy enviable popularity, and a huge number of branches around the world make it possible to bring quality products to people. An impressive part of the company's production capacity is located in the homeland of these tires - in the UK, but it also has large representative offices in the USA, Japan and France.

Pirelli

The company's priority is the production of tires for Formula 1 sports cars. Many sports car pilots choose Pirelli tires for their successful and competent combination of characteristics.

The brand's research teams are engaged in the development and implementation of the safest products produced using the latest technology. Pirelli tires have excellent grip and are almost silent on the highway.

The wide range of tires on the brand’s shelves allows any car enthusiast to choose something of his own for his car, taking into account the climatic conditions of the region and the time of year. Summer tires cope well with both dry and wet roads, providing the driver with a comfortable ride. Winter options are just as good as summer ones: modern technologies and high-quality materials allow you to firmly hold the car on an icy surface.

All-season models perfectly adapt to current environmental conditions and are perfectly protected from temperature changes, so they can be fully called universal. Many car enthusiasts, having once tried the Pirelli brand, can no longer refuse the comfort that it offers its owner.

"Nokian"

The Nokian Tires brand is the leader in its segment in Northern Europe. The company not only produces tires for cars and bicycles, but also has long-term contracts with agricultural and mining magnates.

The priority for the brand has been and remains winter tire models that can withstand the harshest frosts. Thanks to this attitude, the brand enjoys enviable popularity among our compatriots. After all, in Russia, snowstorms, ice and cold are commonplace things.

But, of course, the summer versions of this brand’s tires also deserve attention: advanced technologies, excellent materials and numerous awards make the models quite competitive compared to other manufacturers.

The company devotes a lot of time to bench checks and field tests for the strength of products in harsh climatic environments, so when purchasing any winter model, be sure that it will not let you down either on ice or snow.

Source fb.ru

I have a Yokohama, 2 wheels need replacing, initially I wanted to take exactly the same one, I talked to people, they said that the design was weak and they advised GoodYear. Which is the best of the options presented?
Yokohama
GoodYear UltraGrip 9
GoodYear UltraGrip Ice 2

p/s or something else in this price category (up to 60ue)

Issue price: $60

Ford Focus Hatchback 2008, petrol engine 1.4 l., 80 l. p., front drive, manual transmission - tires

Comments 12

The asses are kind of skinny.
On topic: Nokian hakkapelita
Continental ContiIceContact
Good Year Ice Arctic

I agree, skinny asses)

Take Ultra Grip 9. I had sevens. Optimal tires for mild winter urban use in terms of price/quality ratio.

Look at the shorts blizak revo gz. The price is not bad, and they are positioned as one of the best Velcro. I've ridden one of these myself, and now my wife is looking at it. At work we have many who drive these. They praise. But there are some disadvantages, as well as advantages compared to spikes. For the city and the highway, the best choice is Velcro; if closer to the village, where there is compacted snow, then spikes are better.

I travel through villages very rarely, usually wherever there is asphalt my path passes

Nordman RS. Cheap and cheerful.

Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice Arctic -205 55 R16 I am very pleased.

Source www.drive2.ru

1 GOODYEAR EXCELLENCE Low noise level. Excellent grip on wet roads 2 GOODYEAR EFFICIENTGRIP PERFORMANCE Best price. Saves fuel 1 GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE 2 Buyers' choice. Short braking distance 2 GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE ARCTIC SUV Better stability on winter roads 3 GOODYEAR VECTOR 4SEASONS GEN-2 The best tires for mild winters. The quietest in the category

1 GOODYEAR WRANGLER DURATRAC High wear resistance. Quietest winter tire 2 GOODYEAR WRANGLER HP ALL WEATHER Better grip

The best confirmation of the high quality of GoodYear tire products is the fact that they are included in the factory equipment of prestigious car brands such as Audi, Porshe, Mersedes-Benz, Ford and many others. In addition, the use of modern developments and technologies in the design of car tires ensures the reliability, quality and popularity of the product. What is the cost of the new prototype of the Goodyear Oxygene city tire, which is the most unique development in the world today.

Regardless of the location of the plant that produces Goodyear rubber (there are 56 operating plants in different countries of the world, Russia is not one of them), the quality of the products remains consistently high, and the differences in raw materials are so insignificant that they do not have much impact on performance characteristics. In our review, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the best GoodYear tires. The rating presents models of different categories and prices (the average cost per tire with R16 is indicated) available on the domestic market.

GoodYear's Best Comfort Tires

Good acoustic properties are inherent in many Goodyear models. This brand produces some of the quietest tires in categories such as off-road and winter tires. However, there are models whose exclusive feature is to provide their owner with comfortable driving. These are the models that are presented in this category of our rating.

2 GOODYEAR EFFICIENTGRIP PERFORMANCE

Rubber for middle and high class cars not only has an attractive price, but also has unique performance characteristics, which have become the key to its great popularity. FuelSaving technology reduces fuel consumption. The tire holds the road well and responds sensitively to the slightest steering movements. Also, in the manufacture of the tire, modern SoundComfort technology is used, which reduces the resonance formed in the air cavities of the tread.

Owners note excellent driving performance and quietness of the tires, regardless of the condition of the summer road. Reviews indicate that the tire is well balanced and light, which is especially noticeable in sizes R17, R18 and above.

1 GOODYEAR EXCELLENCE

This summer tire has a rather interesting tread that provides confident grip on wet surfaces. Huge discharge grooves in the inner part of the directional pattern are able to cope with large amounts of water, and create better working conditions in the contact patch. Additionally, the GoodYear Excellence architecture and rubber compound ensure quiet operation on asphalt surfaces.

The owners of these tires are satisfied with their choice, and in their reviews they give the following characteristics:

Silence;
The likelihood of aquaplaning is significantly reduced;
Equally excellent handling on dry and wet roads;
Short braking distance;
Good wear resistance.

In addition, the model has 117 size modifications, allowing the use of rubber on most passenger cars, including the premium segment - a whole series of tires with a radius from R17 to R20 are produced for these cars.

GoodYear's Best Sports Tires

These products compare favorably with other GoodYear summer tire models, offering excellent driving characteristics and high reliability. The use of modern technological solutions, both in the tire design and in the composition of the rubber compound, has allowed Goodyear sports tires to confidently occupy their niche in the market, remaining among the best over the past decades.

3 GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 GS-D3

This summer tire for fast driving demonstrates excellent handling and stability of the car on the road. When the tread is half worn, the rubber retains a low ability to hydroplane, which allows you to overcome even deep puddles without braking. The rigid side part and directional pattern ensure high-speed cornering without the slightest skidding. The tire implements a symbiosis of OneTRED technologies (a design feature of the shoulder area of sports tires) and V-TRED (removal of excess water from the contact patch).

Owners positively evaluate the characteristics of Goodyear F1 tires, which allow them to enjoy a speed advantage on the track. Large sizes, starting from R16, R17 and above, give the car stability comparable to a railway track - there is not even a hint of deviation from the trajectory chosen by the driver.

2 GOODYEAR EAGLE SPORT TZ

Having an affordable price, the tires nevertheless belong to the premium class and are designed for sporty driving. Despite being available in just five sizes in the R16 and R17, the Eagle Sport TZ is very popular among car enthusiasts who crave thrills on the road. Possessing the stiffness inherent in all sports tires, the rubber has proven itself to be quite quiet and comfortable on the track. The tread is designed in such a way that even if worn by 50%, the tire's grip characteristics do not deteriorate at all.

In addition, the raw material mixture has a unique composition to increase the service life of the tire and ensure better tread contact on wet and dry road surfaces. Reviews are still few in number, but, nevertheless, they are already available. Owners note the good balance of the tires and excellent handling - the steering wheel literally feels the road. On wet asphalt, the grip is so confident that it even “spurs” the driver to put more pressure on the accelerator. There is also a lip to protect the rim of the disc.

1 GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 ASYMMETRIC 3

This tire model belongs to the Ultra High Performance category. They are designed for premium cars and are adapted to travel at high speeds, while ensuring safe driving. Before its introduction to retail, GoodYear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 tires had the opportunity to prove themselves on famous race tracks.

This sports tire, designed for summer use, is spoken very well by the majority of car enthusiasts who have chosen it. The special ActiveBraking technology used to develop the tread provides excellent forced speed reduction, increasing the contact patch. The addition of Grip Booster also leads to a reduction in braking distance, giving the tread material the effect of “sticking” to the asphalt. The size range includes 88 varieties of this wonderful tire, which can be installed on wheels with a radius such as R17, R18 and higher.

Best winter tires GoodYear

Goodyear winter tires are distinguished by high quality workmanship, ease of balancing and good performance parameters, including not only reliable grip on the winter road, but also wear resistance of the tires, as well as the comfort of some models.

3 GOODYEAR VECTOR 4SEASONS GEN-2

The Goodyear Vector all-season tire was designed and created specifically to satisfy the wishes of numerous owners of that part of the European continent where winters are quite mild and with little snow. This tire has the ability to move on snow, ice or bare asphalt with equal confidence. Vector 4seasons Gen-2 boasts 3D sipes - a modern innovation that regulates tread stiffness to ensure better contact with dry roads. For the same purpose, not only the proportion of silica content in the rubber composition was increased, but also the SmartTred plasticizer additive was additionally introduced.

Owners in their reviews praise the ability of these Goodyear tires to prevent hydroplaning. It is noteworthy that the characteristic is maintained for almost the entire service life of the tire due to the features of hydrodynamic drainage and tread pattern. It is also noted that the stability on icy roads is simply amazing for an all-season tire, despite the lack of studs.

2 GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE ARCTIC SUV

Ice Arctic SUV studded tires are designed for use in harsh winter conditions and are intended for both crossovers (SUVs) and ordinary cars. The model has 44 size modifications, which start from R15 (the most popular are R16 and above - up to R20). The tire pattern has an increased depth and is ideal for snow and ice slush, capable of literally “biting into” the road. Despite the hard tread, the tire itself is soft and does not harden in severe frosts.

The studs have a special fit and are directionally oriented in such a way that they help the car to confidently hold on to roads with difficult surfaces. Owners praise the GoodYear's handling and stability on winter roads. There are many positive reviews for the excellent braking performance. The studs are reliable; when driving on asphalt, they do not fly out and do not interfere with maneuvering. When driving fast, a slight yaw is observed, but if the speed limit is observed (it is winter after all!) this does not affect the handling.

1 GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE 2

This tubeless velcro tire is the most popular tire for urban winters. Provides excellent grip, holds the car securely on ice, does not skid when cornering (at a reasonable speed), and moves confidently on packed snow without slipping. Thanks to the special tread pattern and a rather soft sidewall, the Goodyear tire has excellent braking properties that provoke the driver to drive in summer mode.

In their reviews, owners note high acoustic comfort when driving, which plays an important role in urban use (the absence of annoying noise increases the driver’s concentration). Rubber with sizes R16 - R18 better absorbs winter road unevenness and ensures good vehicle stability when maneuvering and driving even on compacted snow. The traction characteristics are assessed positively - the car starts easily and picks up speed under any road conditions, including ice.

GoodYear's Best Off-Road Tires

In our country, tires in this category have long enjoyed well-deserved popularity. The high quality of components and impeccable technological production provide an advantage for Goodyear brand products over many other manufacturers.

2 GOODYEAR WRANGLER HP ALL WEATHER

A unique off-road tire that can adapt its characteristics to different conditions. This feature of tires is provided by SmartTRED technology. The tread is not uniform in its rigidity - there are rough shoulder blocks (responsible for handling and braking) and a very elastic central part (provides high-quality traction on slippery surfaces). At the same time, the tire is quite comfortable and is the best option for the city and highway. On all tire sizes, there is a special lip along the edge of the rim that protects the disc from damage from the curb.

Using Goodyear tires on this model, owners are more than satisfied with its performance. The tire's all-season properties and good grip on any road allow you to ride on it all year round. Hydroplaning begins to manifest itself somehow only after 50% wear. Reviews also note the low susceptibility of rubber to punctures and cuts.

1 GOODYEAR WRANGLER DURATRAC

The tire is considered all-season and can be used all year round. However, in our rating this model is positioned more as an all-road tire. A fairly deep tread pattern ensures reliable operation for 60,000 km, but if necessary, you can ride it for another 20 - 30 thousand, depending on the driving style. Despite the intimidating, aggressive pattern of the working surface of the wheel, the rubber is very comfortable to use and does not make noise when driving on asphalt.

There are many positive reviews in the reviews. Owners of the GoodYear Wrangler Duratrac like its cross-country ability - on these tires the car can overcome any off-road conditions, and if you lower the tire pressure, sandy, muddy and other difficult road sections will no longer be an obstacle (this is especially true for wheels with sizes R17 - R18 and above) . The sipes provide satisfactory grip on ice, but if operation occurs in regions with harsh winters, it is better to save this rubber for muddy roads.

Source markakachestva.ru

In order to at least somehow get your bearings and be, as they say, up to date with events, we will designate a rating that includes the most popular brands that have distinguished themselves by the high quality of their products and have earned the love of car enthusiasts around the world. All companies represented in the top constantly participate in some kind of exhibitions, take high places, receive prizes, awards and are encouraged in every possible way for the next successful series of tires.

Bridgestone.
Yokohama.
Michelin.
Goodyear.
Dunlop.
Pirelli.
Nokian.

Let's look at each participant in more detail and note some distinctive features of the above brands.

"Bridgestone"

Features of the models

Bridgestone was included in the rating of tire manufacturers due to the versatility of its products. has excellent traction on both dry and wet roads, and the rolling resistance indicator will save the lion's share of fuel. Winter tire models belong to the elite class of non-studded products and are distinguished by the same excellent grip, whether on a snowy surface or bare ice.

"Yokohama"

Tires are sold by Yokohama all over the world. There will be buyers for it both in hot El Paso and cold Yakutsk.

Michelin

"Goodyear"

"Dunlop"

Pirelli

The company's priority is the production of tires for Formula 1 sports cars. Many sports car pilots choose Pirelli tires for their successful and competent combination of characteristics.

"Nokian"

BRIDGESTONE MY-02 SPORTY STYLE

A versatile sports tire with an attractive appearance and aggressive design. The flat footprint reduces uneven wear and increases tire life, while the 3D tread block design improves dry performance. The original design of the shoulder blocks helps reduce noise levels. The reinforced frame (tires with a profile of 55 and below, as well as tires of a number of sizes with a profile of 60 and above) is highly resistant to impacts. 17 standard sizes with bore diameters from 14 to 17 inches with speed index V (up to 240 km/h). Size 205/60R14 - up to 210 km/h.

BRIDGESTONE POTENZA S001

This model belongs to the category of premium sports tires. When designing it, the developers paid a lot of attention to the balance between controllability and low noise level. The latter is ensured by the Silent AC unit technology. The sidewalls are reinforced with the use of polyethylene terephthalate in the rubber compound, a technology that improves the tire's grip on wet surfaces. The tire is available in 43 standard sizes with seat diameters from 16 to 20 inches, most of which correspond to the Y speed index (up to 300 km/h).

BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/P SPORT

This tire, which replaced the H/P 680 model, is aimed at both original equipment and free sale and is intended for premium SUVs. The optimized tread pattern and high silica content provide reliable grip on wet roads. A distinctive feature of the tire is its improved appearance. Thanks to the special technology used in production, the sidewall always remains black. The tire is available in 37 sizes with seat diameters from 16 to 20 inches and has speed ratings H (up to 210 km/h), V (up to 240 km/h), W (up to 270 km/h), Y (up to 300 km/h h).

BRIDGESTONE DUELER A/T 697

When developing this SUV tire, the shape of the tread blocks was optimized to improve handling. The groove walls have different inclination angles, which promotes self-cleaning of the tread. The modified shape of the grooves effectively drains water, improving the tire's grip on wet road surfaces. The edges of the shoulder blocks are optimized in shape and height, which reduces noise and tread wear. The combination of shoulder blocks and lugs creates a consistent zone, while the reinforced sidewall effectively distributes the load and improves cut resistance. The tire is available in 25 sizes with seat diameters from 15 to 17 inches, with speed indices R (up to 170 km/h), S (up to 180 km/h), T (up to 190 km/h), H (up to 210 km/h h).

GOODYEAR EFFICIENTGRIP PERFORMANCE

High speed tire designed for a wide range of vehicles. This is the choice of those who value the optimal balance between speed, efficiency and comfort. Longitudinal tread ribs, combined with Active Braking technology, improve vehicle control on both wet and dry roads in combination with a short braking distance. The new structure of the rubber compound with a special component to reduce the heating of the tire while driving reduces rolling resistance. The innovations used made it possible to reduce braking distances on wet roads by 8%, as well as by 3% on dry roads, compared to the previous generation. The new rubber compound with the innovative CoolCushion Layer 2 improves the tire's energy efficiency, which helps reduce fuel consumption.

GOODYEAR EFFICIENTGRIP SUV

The main goal of this universal tire for crossovers and SUVs is to ensure safety, comfort and efficiency (and, as a result, reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere). The model provides short braking distances on both dry and wet roads and increased steering precision, while maintaining high mileage figures.

GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 ASYMMETRIC SUV

Powerful premium SUVs require special tires, of which this model is a representative. This modification of the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric tire is made using a “racing” rubber compound and advanced proprietary “Active Grip” technology, which consists of special inserts on the sidewalls to improve the tire’s behavior in corners and when driving on wet surfaces. The optimized tread pattern made it possible to achieve high performance on dry and wet roads, as well as reduce noise levels.

GOODYEAR WRANGLER DURATRAC

These versatile tires are designed for off-road driving enthusiasts. Their main characteristics, in addition to confident movement over rough terrain, are comfort, reliability and durability. Designed for utilitarian workhorse use, the tire offers high potential in off-road driving, as well as acoustic comfort and handling when driving on road. TractiveGroove micro lugs provide improved traction and flotation in both deep mud and snow. At the same time, the model has a special rubber compound composition, which not only improves the resistance of the tread blocks to chips and tears, but also guarantees the ability of the tire to operate all year round, confirmed by the presence of the “snowflake” marking (Mountain Snowflake Symbol).

HANKOOK VENTUS V12 EVO 2

This tire was introduced by Hankook last spring and is intended for the aftermarket and tuning. In addition to a significant improvement in all operational qualities, one of the key factors during its creation was increasing environmental friendliness. Among the important design features, we note the directional design of three-dimensional blocks, modified for better water drainage. The multi-radius tread, manufactured using racing technology, combined with a stiff but lightweight steel cord, provides an optimal tire contact patch shape under extreme loads, such as in high-speed corners. The use of silicon oxide nanoparticles (as well as styrenic polymers) in the tread composition in combination with optimization of blocks across its entire width made it possible, compared to the previous model, to reduce braking distances on wet and dry surfaces by 5%. The presence of additional cooling fins at the base of the tire ensures effective heat dissipation, which has a positive effect on handling and wear resistance. The tire has good comfort characteristics and a sporty appearance. Today there are 25 standard sizes in stock with mounting diameters from 16 to 19 inches.

HANKOOK VENTUS S1 EVO 2 SUV

Also last spring, the company launched tires from this flagship Ultra High Performance series for SUV and SAV vehicles. The tires combine sportiness with comfort, low noise and reduced rolling resistance. Safety features such as wet grip have been specially adapted to the requirements of premium SUVs such as the BMW X5, which are equipped as standard. Multi-radius tread technology and a two-layer viscose fiber carcass provide maximum contact patch area in all conditions. Handling performance at high speeds has been significantly improved. Inspired by DTM racing, the three-layer tread block design features a staggered outer rib design that increases the contact patch as the tire wears down. The silicon-containing mixture increases grip on wet surfaces with reduced rolling resistance. The tire's advanced cooling system helps dissipate heat, which improves handling characteristics and increases wear resistance. The tire is available in 30 sizes with seat diameters from 17 to 22 inches.

NOKIAN HAKKA BLACK

The Nordic Intelligent UHP Silica rubber compound was developed specifically for this high-speed tire, which is capable of operating in a high temperature range and provides confident handling in wet conditions. The model's tread has an asymmetrical pattern. Massive wide ribs prevent the tread blocks from moving for precise handling, while the wide grooves of the original HydroGrooves effectively prevent the risk of aquaplaning. Hemispherical cavities in the walls of the longitudinal ribs of the tread increase acoustic comfort. The tire is available in 28 sizes with a landing diameter from 16 to 20 inches, with speed indexes W (up to 270 km/h) and Y (up to 300 km/h).

NOKIAN HAKKA BLUE

The design of the tire uses original water-removing sipes of the Dry Touch technology, which quickly remove water from the contact patch of the tire with the road and direct it into the main tread grooves. The tread blocks in the shoulder areas are oriented so as to deform as little as possible under load, which has a positive effect on the behavior of the tire, especially when cornering. The tread consists of several rubber compounds, each of which performs its own function. The tire range includes 21 standard sizes with seat diameters from 15 to 17 inches and speed indices V (up to 240 km/h) and W (up to 270 km/h).

NOKIAN HAKKA GREEN

The tire's rubber compound provides confident grip on wet surfaces and low rolling resistance at any temperature. Pine oil added to the rubber compound improves tire wear resistance. Ventura grooves between the tread blocks in the shoulder areas improve water drainage. The optimized design of the tire carcass and the appropriate selection of materials soften shock and vibration when driving. The tire is available in 26 sizes and has speed ratings T (up to 190 km/h), H (up to 210 km/h), V (up to 240 km/h).

NOKIAN HAKKA BLACK SUV

Now the high-speed tire using the technologies of the Hakka Black model is available for SUVs. Its concept is fast responsiveness and good handling at high speeds. Among the innovations used in the tire is the use of light and durable aramid fibers, which are part of the rubber compound to form the sidewall of the tire. This solution helps protect the sidewall from impacts and cuts. Progressive solutions include the tread design and the rubber compound of the tread layer. The tire is available in 27 standard sizes with a landing diameter from 17 to 22 inches, with speed indices V (up to 240 km/h), W (up to 270 km/h), Y (up to 300 km/h). Read more about the Hakka Black SUV on page 86.

NOKIAN HAKKA BLUE SUV

This tire is a logical and improved continuation of the Hakka SUV model line. Tire service life is increased thanks to the use of Nokian Aramid Sidewall technology in the sidewall design. The optimized tread design allows you to successfully combat aquaplaning, and the lugs located on the outer and inner sides ensure reliable traction of the tire when driving on roads with soft surfaces. While the Hakka Black SUV is designed for high-speed driving, the Hakka Blue SUV also features low rolling resistance for improved fuel economy. The tire is available in 32 sizes with seat diameters from 15 and 19 inches, with speed indexes T (up to 190 km/h), H (210 km/h), V (up to 240 km/h). Read more about the design of the Hakka Blue SUV tire on page 88.

NOKIAN NORDMAN S SUV

This mid-price tire complements Nokian's new range of SUV tires. It was created specifically for specific road surfaces typical of Scandinavia, Finland and Russia. The tire is available in 16 sizes ranging from 16 to 18 inches.

All Nokian Tires tires presented here come with an extended warranty.

Among studded tires, for several years now the podium has been shared by Continental, Nokian and Michelin, not allowing outsiders into the circle of the chosen few. And this year was no exception.

The named trio of “spikes” are again the best on Russian roads: each has more than 900 points. First place goes to Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7, most suitable for active drivers. But, alas, it is the most expensive and the most unprofitable: the price/quality ratio is 6.24. Very close, with a difference of less than half a percent, is the Russian version of Michelin X-Ice North 2: calm, confident and inexpensive, price/quality - 5.51. Continental, being a little late with the presentation of the new ContiIceContact, threw its vassal Gislaved Nord Frost 5 (price/quality - 5.15) into the breakthrough, slightly increasing its spikes. He did not disappoint and won the senior third place, and was less than 2% behind the leader.

Pirelli and Goodyear tried their best to compete with the top three, but they once again successfully fought off the attack. So, in fourth place is the “lighter” Pirelli Winter Carving Edge, in fifth place is the intelligent Goodyear Ultra Grip Extreme. In terms of price/quality ratio, both tires are almost equal: 5.06 and 5.09, respectively.

The sixth and seventh places were taken by strong good players - the Dutch Vredestein Arctrac (862 points, price/quality - 4.29) and the domestic

Cordiant Sno-Max (856 points and 3.62).

Slightly behind, next to the bar of 840 points, are Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000 (price/quality - 5.43) and the Korean “winter pike” Hankook Winter i-Pike, which clearly competes with Vredestein, since they have the same price/quality ratio. The Nizhnekamsk new Kama Euro 519 closes the top ten with a modest result of 828 points (price/quality - 3.62, like Cordiant), which turned out to be not as strong as expected. Let's hope for a quick modernization.

10th place: Kama Euro 519

Despite the fact that the Kama has the most studs, its grip on ice is very low: the car starts and accelerates uncertainly, and brakes jerkily. The lateral grip is the weakest among all the studs. When the speed is too high, the car is blown off the intended trajectory and slides for a long time. Unexpected slippage and sudden loss of traction are especially unpleasant. The beginning of a breakdown cannot be predicted; you understand this only when the car has already “floated”.
On snow, acceleration and braking are weak, lateral grip is the worst, and the edge of slipping, just like on ice, is not felt.
On a snowy road, the car goes smoothly, but if you leave the steering wheel, it strives to go into deeper snow. When adjusting the course, the steering angles are large. It is better to overcome snowdrifts with intense slipping. An undoubted advantage is a confident exit back if it was not possible to get forward.
Directional stability on asphalt is not bad, but there is not enough information on the steering wheel and lags when steering are annoying. Braking on dry and wet pavement is worse than average.
Fuel consumption is average at any speed. The studs are too deep, which largely explains the low grip properties on ice.
They make a lot of noise, transmitting the entire microprofile of the road to the car, as if they are over-pumped.

9th place: Hankook Winter i-Pike

“Pike” or “tip” is the translation of the last word in the name of the tire with a tread pattern similar to the often copied Gislaved NF 3.
On ice, the grip properties are weak, forcing you to move slowly. With a slight increase in speed, the car “does not hear” the steering wheel when turning, loses the intended trajectory and slides for a long time. It’s good that breakdowns and recovery occur quite smoothly.
On snow, the tires brake and accelerate more confidently, but the lateral grip is much worse than the longitudinal grip.
At small turning angles, the driver is hampered by an “empty” steering wheel; at large turning angles, the driver slips into a skid. It is impossible to feel the start of sliding.
The car is driven along the snowy road without notice. In deep snow they are reluctant to push, and you have to skid carefully, otherwise you can get buried.
On asphalt there is a little delay when steering. They brake worse than others in dry and wet conditions.
They make an unpleasant noise at any speed; two rumbling peaks stand out from the general hum - at city (40–60 km/h) and suburban (90–110 km/h) speeds.
Shake the car sensitively on uneven surfaces.
Fuel consumption is average at any speed.
Studded neatly, but rather shallowly, an additional two to three tenths of a millimeter of protrusion of the studs would improve grip on ice.

8th place: Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000

The model is fading into history, giving way to the new IC 7000, but is still selling successfully.
These tires have never been great on ice: reluctant acceleration, below-average braking, frankly weak lateral grip and sluggish responses. Nevertheless, at moderate speeds they behave quite adequately. There is only one problem: guessing this speed.
I drove a little faster - the steering angles and reaction time of the car increase significantly, it begins to blur the trajectory and gets out of control.
On snow, the steering angles are smaller, but the behavior is unstable, the front end drifts in the initial phase of the turn and skids on an arc of constant radius. In both cases, a little too much speed leads to long slides. They brake worse than others, the changeover is performed at the lowest speed, on par with the Kama.
On a snowy road, you hold a straight line confidently. They are not afraid of deep snow on the road, overcoming them without stress.
On clean asphalt, I like the informative steering wheel and precise execution of steering commands.
Braking on asphalt of any condition is average.
Not comfortable enough: the tread makes an almost helicopter noise, and the tires transmit shocks from any road irregularities to the body, as well as vibrations to the floors and steering wheel.
The studs are of very high quality in terms of spread (no more than 0.2 mm), but somewhat small and there are a dozen fewer studs than other brands of tires.

7th place: Cordiant Sno-Max

Domestic tires; Unlike the Kama, the number of spikes corresponds to European standards.
Acceleration and braking on ice are average, but when turning they force you to be careful: the grip across is noticeably worse than in the longitudinal direction. They require a wide amplitude of steering, and on the arc of a bend you can’t shake the feeling that the car is turning not due to the rotation of the front wheels, but due to the slip of the rear ones.
On snow, the side-to-side balance changes. The weakest acceleration and braking are combined with an average level of lateral grip. When taxiing, the steering wheel's turning angles are large, and the sliding is a little longer than that of the grandees, although they remain within reason.
They maintain a clear course in the snow, but large steering angles make it difficult to correct. They are not afraid of snow drifts and snowdrifts: they confidently start, move and turn, and reliably get out in reverse.
They float on the asphalt, the steering wheel is “empty”, and you have to turn it at significant angles.
On dry asphalt the braking is average, on wet asphalt it is better than average.
They make a lot of noise on the asphalt due to the tread and spikes and howl on dense snow. They transmit vibrations from small road irregularities and shocks from road joints.
As for fuel consumption, the most insatiable in the test.
The quality of the studs: the spread of protrusion is small (0.4 mm), but the studs still stick out high, and there is a risk of losing or breaking the cores from them.

6th place: Vredestein Arctrac

A special feature of the tire is its low weight, which combines with increased load capacity.
On ice, longitudinal grip properties are weak, and transverse grip properties are average. They slip at startup, delaying the acceleration process; They stop the car the worst. At the same time, they show average results on the lap, although in turns they do not inspire confidence: they either cling or break away. They recover abruptly, jerking the car unpleasantly. They don't like slipping.
On snow they accelerate modestly, brake and turn averagely.
The car is clearly controlled on them, but only before the start of sliding, into which it turns unexpectedly for the driver. The case ends in a sweeping skid.
They move smoothly along the snow-covered straight line, without any comments.
They overcome deep snow uncertainly, turn reluctantly, but get back out well.
On the asphalt we liked the clear course and clear “zero”.
They brake well, and on dry surfaces - very well, almost on par with the Goodyear. On wet they show average results.
They make noise and shake the car, voicing asphalt irregularities, and rustle loudly in dense snow.
At a speed of 90 km/h, fuel consumption is average, at 60 km/h - increased.
The studding is of high quality both in terms of the protrusion of the spikes and the spread.

5th place: Goodyear Ultra Grip Extreme

Acceleration and lateral grip on ice are average, braking is better. Each turn of the steering wheel at a speed above 30 km/h causes a slight steering drift. If you let off the gas, the skidding will intensify and require steering adjustments.
On snow, all characteristics are also not below average. When cornering, the car is controlled clearly, the limit is limited by the demolition of the front end. However, in the second corridor of the changeover, skidding begins already at low speed. Keeping the car in control and achieving high results is possible only with the help of an electronic assistant or proactive actions of the driver.
Directional stability on a snowy road is clear, without any comments.
Snow tracks are not for these tires. It is better to move through the snowdrifts only under pressure, otherwise you will get up or even bury yourself.
On asphalt they go smoothly in a straight line, but are late with steering... But they brake better than anyone else, both wet and dry (in this they are almost on par with the Vredestein).
They make a hum from the tread, but the noise of the studs is a separate issue. They howl at high speeds and crunch distinctly at low speeds. Shake the car on small and medium-sized bumps.
They roll well, so they consume average fuel.
The quality of the studs is comparable to Cordiant: the spread is within reasonable limits, but the protrusion is on the verge of the maximum permissible.

4th place: Pirelli Winter Carving Edge

Like Goodyear, they are not afraid of ice. They accelerate, brake and turn confidently. On an arc of constant radius, the maximum speed does not cause pronounced drift or skidding, the car's steering is close to neutral. On the ice ring, speed is limited by soft drifting. This allows you to change the curvature of the turn by releasing or adding gas.
They also work quite conscientiously on snow: they show average results in braking, acceleration and shifting. The behavior is clear, understandable, without comments, with an element of “ignition” - they provoke active driving.
They walk smoothly on a snowy road, clearly responding to steering inputs.
It is better to overcome deep snow with slight slipping, but without excessive zeal, otherwise you can get buried.
They hold the asphalt straight as tenaciously as in summer, braking on wet surfaces is average, and on dry surfaces it is above average.
They annoy you with the wheezing-howling crunch of thorns. They shake noticeably on any irregularities, even small ones.
The stitching is satisfactory in all respects.

3rd place: Gislaved Nord Frost 5

They differ from last year's ones in a slightly increased size of the solid stud insert.
The premium tire category is opening. Best braking and lateral grip, very good acceleration on ice. They behave very confidently in turns; at the limit, the speed is limited by a slight skid that requires minor adjustments.
They also handle well on snow: very good braking, good acceleration and average lateral grip properties. There are no complaints about the car's handling, its behavior or the clarity of its reactions. It handles well even when sliding.
They stubbornly keep their course on the snowy road. In deep snow, however, they do not behave very confidently.
On the asphalt they are reminiscent of Goodyear: they are slightly delayed in reacting to course adjustments.
They are the best in braking on wet asphalt (on par with Goodyear), and on dry asphalt they have quite a decent average result.
They make noise and crunch their spines very clearly, especially at low speeds.
Shocks from single irregularities are transmitted to the body.
Increased fuel consumption at any speed.
Studs: the spread of protrusion is within reasonable limits, but it would be nice to reduce the protrusion itself a little - for the sake of the durability of the studs.

2nd place: Michelin X-Ice North 2

A nice feature of these tires, which instill confidence in safety on any road, is their well-balanced longitudinal and lateral grip. We note good braking on ice (despite the classic round studs), average acceleration and very good lateral grip. On the bend, when releasing the gas, slightly twist the car, helping to register the turn.
Excellent traction properties on snow: the shortest braking distance, intense acceleration and record speed at the changeover. Stable behavior and clear reactions even when sliding. When overspeeding, they gently slide sideways, intensively slowing down.
They handle snowy roads better than others and are sensitive to steering inputs. Deep snow is overcome confidently, allowing you to perform any maneuvers.
They are good on asphalt: they clearly keep the given direction, and react to steering inputs without delay.
Braking on dry surfaces is average, but on wet surfaces the tires give up: the weakest result.
Snorting noise on paved roads. Shake the car a little on road micro-irregularities.
The most economical (on par with Nokian) at any speed.
The studding is of very high quality, giving reason to believe that the studs will last a long time.

1st place: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7

There is only one step from confidence to aggressiveness. All ice characteristics, including lap times, are better than average, and acceleration is the best. However, it feels like the tires accelerate and brake better than they turn. Behavior when turning on ice is understandable and predictable, and in the extreme it is easy to assist in skidding.
On snow, very good braking (only Michelin is better), better acceleration, second result at the reset. They handle well even when sliding, react without delay to turning the steering wheel, and due to this they fit into turns of seemingly unimaginable steepness. All this provokes fast driving, so you need to honestly assess your skill level.
They clearly follow a given course on a snowy road.
In deep snow, everything is done easily and naturally, without fear of stops, starts with slipping, or sharp turns.
On the asphalt they float a little from side to side.
Braking on dry surfaces is average, but on wet surfaces they show the most modest results.
They rustle with the studs and tread, shaking the car on small bumps.
Economical at any speed.
Studded with very high quality, no problems due to studs falling out are expected.

Out of the competition: Continental ContilceContact

These tires were presented to the public after the completion of our "white" tests. But we found the opportunity to compare them with the test winner Nokian HKPL 7 in New Zealand, where winter is in full swing in June. We rented the same Golf VI that we used to conduct our own tests, but we couldn’t find asphalt roads, so the duel took place only on ice and snow. However, this is enough for the first acquaintance and identifying the capabilities of the new product.
On ice they accelerate and brake almost on par with the Nokian, but in lateral grip they are simply head and shoulders above: the difference is more than 8% in favor of the German new product. Handling is beyond praise, reactions to steering wheel turns are clearer, behavior is more stable - at the limit the car only slips slightly with the rear axle. And this is on very slippery ice, where the Nokian behaves like an average car: it does not shine with information on the steering wheel and stability of behavior - it either drifts or skids and glides longer than we would like.
On snow, the difference is almost the same, the braking distance and acceleration time are comparable to those of the Nokia, but the handling, as on ice, is better than that of the “seven”. The steering wheel is filled with information content on a straight line, clear reactions and understandable behavior in turns. The tires pull the car into turns without a hint of drift. HKPL 7 on the same track are less informative, give periodic drift when entering a turn and more active skidding on an arc.
In deep snow, the “Germans” are a little behind the “Finns”: they start hesitantly, requiring more gas, but with intense slippage they tend to dig in.
The studding is high quality and stable.

FRICTION TIRES RATING

The non-studded tires collected in the test, also known as “Velcro” or “Scandinavian” tires, are already known to our readers. They were updated two or three years ago, with the exception of the long-lived Vredestein Nord-Trac and the new Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+.

The leaders' results were dense - in the range from 899 to 924 points. The first five differ by no more than 3%. But their characters are different, and each tire in our test set its own record, or even several.

When choosing, the reader should focus not on the overall result, but on individual preferences and preferences and, of course, take into account the advantages and disadvantages we have listed.

The Russian Nokian Hakkapeliitta R set records in braking and acceleration on snow and at the same time demonstrated the worst braking on dry asphalt. It remains the most expensive on the market: price/quality - 6.16. The most attractive in this parameter is the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 (4.99) - the best in terms of longitudinal grip on ice and braking on dry asphalt, but the most voracious when evaluating fuel consumption. Michelin X-Ice 2 is a well-balanced tire, all performance is high, with the exception of acceleration on snow. The expensive ContiVikingContact 5 (price/quality - 6.04) has the best results on an ice circle and in acceleration on snow, but in braking on wet asphalt it turned out to be the worst. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+ is a tire that is even in all respects and is the best in tire rearrangement. The price/quality ratio (5.45) is the same as a Michelin tire, and apparently they will have to compete with each other in the market. But the title of the most economical tire in the fight between Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 and Michelin X-Ice 2 was won by a Russian-Finnish tire.

The far from new Vredestein Nord-Trac with 852 points is noticeably behind the others. Even based on the price/quality ratio of 4.11, it is clear that he is no longer able to compete with the younger giants.

Kama Euro 519 without studs scored 830 points. Here is an example of the inappropriate use of a product originally created in a studded version. In terms of rubber hardness, Nizhnekamsk tires are closer to “European” tires (such as ContiWinterContact TS 830, Michelin Alpine, Pirelli Snowsport, Kumho KW17), and therefore cannot compete on equal terms with “Scandinavian” tires on ice and snow. But on clean asphalt they feel very confident.

7th place: Kama Euro 519

These tires are designed for studding, but often the “bald” version is also sold - not the best solution for icy and snowy roads.
On ice, traction is worse than that of all real studless tires. Acceleration is slow, braking is ineffective and jerky. When cornering, there are large steering angles, delayed reactions, prolonged slides, and, to the extreme, front end drift and significant straightening of the trajectory.
On snow, braking is very weak - only Vredestein is worse; acceleration is mediocre, like Michelin; at the rearrangement the maximum speed and behavior are worse than the others. The comments are almost the same as on ice: insufficient information on the steering wheel, large angles of rotation, prolonged sliding. On a snow-covered straight line, the car is pulled towards deeper snow; course correction is complicated by large steering angles.
In deep snow they turn better than going straight, so you can tack if necessary. On asphalt they float a little within the lane and are late when taxiing. They brake great. On wet surfaces they show the best results, on dry surfaces - above average.
One of the reasons: the tires are harder than others. Not comfortable enough: they make a lot of noise, periodically howl and noticeably shake the car. Fuel consumption at 60 km/h is high, at 90 km/h it is average.

6th place: Vredestein Nord-Trac

On ice, grip properties leave much to be desired; braking and acceleration are very weak (only the Kama is worse). However, on the ice circle they stay in the middle, creaking like other “Scandinavian” cars. Nevertheless, the behavior of the car is predictable, without surprises or problems. When reaching maximum speed, it begins to gently slide outward, straightening its trajectory.
They perform about the same in the snow. Braking is the worst of all, lateral grip is weak, except for average acceleration. When accelerating, you can clearly feel how the electronics keep the tires from slipping. Maneuvering is complicated by increased steering angles. In corners, the top speed results in slight oversteer.
On a snow-covered straight line, when moving evenly and releasing the gas, the car yaws a little, but during easy acceleration it moves much more clearly. They don’t like snowdrifts; it’s better to overcome them at speed, without stopping and not to turn the steering wheel unnecessarily. It is not recommended to skid, otherwise you might get stuck.
They walk smoothly on asphalt, but are delayed when adjusting direction. Braking on asphalt is also not brilliant, both wet and dry brakes are weak.
The tread rustles loudly on rough asphalt, howls in corners at high speeds, and pops on bumps. Large bumps pass through unpleasantly harshly. Fuel consumption at 60 km/h is average, at 90 km/h it is increased.

5th place: Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+

The company’s new product, which essentially falls into the category of premium tires.
She has no noticeable preference for surfaces, with the exception of asphalt. On any road, the tires demonstrate a fairly even character and similar behavior.
On ice, both longitudinal and lateral grip are average. At the moment of starting, it is easy for the wheels to slip, so you need to apply pressure on the gas carefully.
In the snow, braking and acceleration are also average, and the speed at the changeover “jumps out” into the leading ones. This is partly due to the electronics (on the Golf it cannot be switched off). The skid in the second corridor begins early, but the ESP simply does not allow it to develop. The same thing happens during acceleration: as on the Vredestein, you can clearly feel that the electronics are strangling the engine, otherwise the tires will slip.
On a snowy road everything is smooth, without any comments.
In deep snow they behave confidently, maneuver easily, and do not dig in when slipping.
On asphalt, when changing course, you can feel a slight steering of the rear axle.
Braking is not record-breaking, but very effective both on wet asphalt and (especially!) on dry.
Comfortable: the tread rustles quietly and rolls along the road gently.
At 60 km/h, fuel is consumed economically; in this indicator they compete with Michelin. However, at 90 km/h the consumption increases to average.

4th place: Continental ContiVikingContact 5

The leader of our test two years ago. This time the results are more modest. Apparently, the new exercise “braking on wet asphalt” had an effect. Nevertheless, no weaknesses were found on snow and ice, and they remain in the premium tire category (more than 900 points).
On ice they accelerate and brake in the top four, and on the lap they show the best results. They squeak and squeak, as if there is wet concrete under the wheels instead of ice, but they hold! When maneuvering, the steering turns are quite large.
They feel much more confident on snow: better acceleration, very good braking and an average result at the stop. As on ice, the steering angles are too large. The course on a snowy road is quite clear, they respond to direction adjustments without delay
Deep snow can be overcome confidently in any mode.
On the asphalt straight they float slightly within the lane. They stop well on dry asphalt, but on wet asphalt they give up, braking worse than anyone else. Tire manufacturers consider grip on a wet road to be the antipode of rolling resistance. Here, like the “bridge”, there is no “wet” clutch, no fuel economy.
In terms of comfort, they are comparable to Michelin: quiet and smooth.
Fuel consumption at 60 km/h is average, at 90 km/h it is increased.

3rd place: Michelin X-Ice 2

They feel confident on “white” roads and off-road. There are no failures, with the exception of weak acceleration in the snow.
They don’t shine on ice, but they are confident: they brake and accelerate actively, and on the lap they share the second result with Nokian. Unlike the “bridge”, they are captivated by the balanced “lengthwise-across” clutch. Clear reactions, smooth transitions to slides - in general, they behave clearly and reliably.
On snow, the performance is not leading: in braking it is the worst of the first four, in the shift it is also the fourth result, acceleration is the weakest.
When adding gas, they actively screw into the turn, and when released, they slightly straighten the trajectory.
The snow-covered road is maintained without comment.
They behave confidently in deep snow. Even with intense slipping, they float up, move forward, without trying to dig in, and are not afraid of slipping.
They walk on asphalt without any notice, they even react to small turns of the steering wheel without delay, almost like summer tires.
On dry asphalt they brake better than average, on wet asphalt they brake very well.
Comfortable, noise and smooth running without any comments. Economical at any speed, but rolls a little worse than the Nokian.

2nd place: Bridgestone Blizzak WS60

On “white” coatings they show outstanding results, but, alas, along with frankly weak ones. On ice there is excellent braking and better acceleration. It would seem that the model is just right to be declared the ice leader!
But weak lateral grip spoils the whole picture (only the Kama is slower on the icy lap), forcing you to be careful when cornering. Tires that inspire confidence during acceleration and braking noticeably lose grip when cornering.
The controls are clear, the slides are soft and understandable. On snow there is very good braking and a decent result when shifting, but acceleration is very weak. The tires require care when starting off and are only ready to take full throttle when moving (the Nokian behaves similarly).
They walk better than others on a snowy road and respond to direction adjustments without delay.
They overcome snowdrifts easily and are not afraid of slipping, since they do not dig in.
They move clearly on asphalt, but the reactions, like most winter tires, are slightly blurred.
On a dry road they brake better than anyone else, but on a wet road they don’t like it - the result is worse than average.
They make noise, transmit vibrations and mild itching from micro-irregularities.
Highest fuel consumption at any speed.

1st place: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R

Almost equally strong on snow and ice, not a single weak characteristic.
On ice surfaces, very good braking is in harmony with the same lateral grip and acceleration. A slight twisting skid helps when turning, they handle well in slides, and gently restore traction when coming out of slides.
All characteristics are best on snow. Confident braking, energetic acceleration, high speed (together with Goodyear) execution of the changeover and clear behavior on it. They allow and forgive minor mistakes in management.
They confidently hold on to the snowy road. Drifts and snow drifts are not scary. Starting after stopping, turning any curvature, going back - all this is done without difficulty and special skills.
On asphalt they float slightly within the strip.
On dry asphalt the braking is weak, on wet asphalt it is moderate. It looks like there is little left for asphalt; all the “strength” has gone to snow and ice.
There are no comments regarding noise. But you can find fault with the smoothness of the ride: isolated irregularities are marked on the body by sharp jolts.
They set a record for fuel efficiency, ahead of even Michelin.

The editors express their gratitude to all companies that provided tires for testing.

Special thanks to Nokian Tires for providing technical support.

Owners of crossovers, especially all-wheel drive ones, are often not enthusiastic about the seasonal change of standard summer tires to winter ones. After all, almost all original tires are marked with the M+S index, which de jure allows you to drive them 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 obligate the manufacturer to anything! To apply the marking, no tests or certificates are required confirming the suitability of tires for winter, and therefore more and more often it can be seen on openly summer, and “asphalt” tires, which incidentally indicates the devaluation of not only the letter S (snow, “snow”), but also M (mud, “dirt”). So we look not at the letters, but at the tread, and if we don’t see many small slots-lamellas, then we draw the conclusion: driving on these in winter is dangerous. And even better, when there is a “Snowflake” stamp on the sidewall in the form of three mountain peaks with a snowflake - these models really passed the test on the snow track. The participants in our test all had the following markings: 14 sets with spikes and nine without.

The test program is standard, all the tracks of the White Hell training ground near the Finnish town of Ivalo are well known to us - and the main thing is to be lucky with the weather. Almost lucky: there was no snowfall, although the temperature fluctuated from 5 to 23 degrees below zero, so its influence had to be taken into account by conducting additional races on “reference” tires. But measurements of longitudinal dynamics took place in a closed hangar with a more stable temperature.

This is where the confusion happened with Nokian tires, and with a model that has been produced for several years. In both acceleration and braking, the studless Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV was inferior not only to its principal competitors, but even to its own “second line” tires - Nordman RS2 SUV tires! Nokian testers working nearby were alarmed and repeated the measurements themselves... 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 they assured that the defective batch did not go on sale. Although everything appears to be in order by appearance, and even the hardness of the tread rubber is the same as on the tires released in the 41st week of 2016 (their results were counted), but the difference in grip on ice reaches eight percent.

After taking measurements in the hangar, we head out into the deepening frost - and once again we notice that as the temperature drops, the friction tires begin to catch up and even overtake the studded tires. At minus twenty, the ice becomes so hard that the studs cannot scratch it, and the tread rubber of most studded tires is harder - in the cold, friction tires are more elastic, they have a longer total length of the slots-lamellas.

We, I repeat, take into account the changing conditions and adjust the results, but if all the tests were carried out in light frost, the friction tires would fall 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 is good for friction models: while maintaining the elasticity of the tread, they cling better to snow shagreen.

This time the cross-country ability ratings were supported by instrumental measurements - acceleration time in deep snow with the traction control system turned off. It is curious that Russian tires topped and closed the ranking: the best are Cordiant, and the most helpless in the virgin lands are Viatti tires produced by the Nizhnekamsk Tire Plant.

The asphalt part of the tests is especially relevant for residents of large cities, where the streets are cleared of snow and ice for most of the winter.

The final part of the tests will take place 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 rating are the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV tires. Expected result: if the previous generation model regularly won in our tests, then the new one, and even with two types of studs, easily outperformed its competitors.

Expensive? Then we carefully look at the scores, at the main advantages and disadvantages of other tires - and choose the best option that suits your budget. And yet we avoid buying outsider tires - such savings threaten disproportionately large expenses.

Studded tire rating

Dimension	215/65 R16
(55 sizes available from 215/65 R16 to 315/40 R21)
Speed index	T (190 km/h)
Load capacity index	102 (850 kg)
Weight, kg	11,9
	9,8
	49
Number of spikes	172
	1,05/1,54
Manufacturer country	Finland

Hakkapeliitta with index 9 is a new product for the season: two types of studs are used here for the first time. Those in the middle part of the tread have carbide inserts oriented transversely: they are responsible for the longitudinal grip properties, and at the edges, trefoils rise above the tread, which work effectively in corners. And this is not a marketing gimmick: there is a clear superiority over competitors both in handling and in braking on ice. And in other types of winter tests, the tires are at their best. On asphalt, grip is moderate, and the main problem is noise at speeds from 70 to 90 km/h.

The best tires for harsh winter conditions!

Dimension	215/65 R16
(2 sizes available 205/55 R16 and 215/65 R16)
Speed index	T (190 km/h)
Load capacity index	98 (750 kg)
Weight, kg	11,2
Tread depth, mm	9,5
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	56
Number of spikes	170
Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm	1,52/1,47
Manufacturer country	South Korea

This year, Hankook officially opened its polar test site in Ivalo, Finland: the routes and testing approaches are in many ways similar to those used by Nokian Tires. This also applies to the characteristics of the tires themselves: the number of studs-stars was increased, which ensured decent test results on ice. But the tires do not shine in deep snow, just like on asphalt, and they are also quite noisy. But it’s easy to forgive them: Hankook Winter i*Pike RS+ tires are one and a half times cheaper than the Finnish new product.

Dimension	215/65 R16
(91 sizes available from 175/70 R14 to 275/40 R22)
Speed index	T (190 km/h)
Load capacity index	102 (850 kg)
Weight, kg	11,4
Tread depth, mm	9,5
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	54
Number of spikes	130
Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm	1,03/1,25
Manufacturer country	Russia

The tires produced in Voronezh are flavored with powerful studs - and work great on ice during acceleration and braking. But in turns there are sharp slips, so without a stabilization system you will have to be on your guard. But they have a good balance of grip properties on slippery roads and on asphalt, and therefore they can be safely recommended for winter use in large cities. If you do not place increased 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)
Load capacity index	102 (850 kg)
Weight, kg	11,6
Tread depth, mm	9,2
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	54
Number of spikes	130
Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm	1,37/1,41
Manufacturer country	Russia

Tires are produced at the Russian Continental plant near Kaluga. The Gislaved brand belongs to Continental - and the Nord*Frost 200 model copies the asymmetric tread pattern of the first generation ContiIceContact tires, but the studs are simpler in shape and without thermochemical fixation. However, they also work well - especially in the transverse direction.

Overall, these are well-balanced tires for use both 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)
Load capacity index	102 (850 kg)
Weight, kg	11,9
Tread depth, mm	9,6
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	54
Number of spikes	130
Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm	1,63/1,62
Manufacturer country	Russia

The tires were produced at the Yaroslavl Tire Plant and their tread pattern is suspiciously reminiscent of Finnish Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 tires, which even became the reason for a lawsuit. But the Cordiant company managed to justify itself - and increase production volumes, including by expanding the range of sizes. Decent tires for the money, but they don’t like asphalt roads: they don’t hold very well, and rolling is accompanied by a loud and unpleasant hum from the tread. Tires are not for the city.

Dimension	215/65 R16
(42 sizes available from 205/70 R15 to 275/50 R22)
Speed index	T (190 km/h)
Load capacity index	102 (850 kg)
Weight, kg	12,2
Tread depth, mm	9,2
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	57
Number of spikes	130
Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm	1,08/1,16
Manufacturer country	Finland

Nordman tires are the “second line” of the Nokian Tires company, and for production they use molds from obsolete Nokian tire models. New for the season, the Nordman 7 SUV is a reincarnation of the Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV model, produced from 2010 to 2017. Good traction on ice and snow, and on asphalt even better than the current “mother” model. Including acoustic comfort: there are fewer spikes.

Dimension	215/65 R16
(38 sizes available from 175/65 R15 to 245/45 R19)
Speed index	T (190 km/h)
Load capacity index	98 (750 kg)
Weight, kg	10,2
Tread depth, mm	10,5
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	56
Number of spikes	130
Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, 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 in turns they slip sharply. On snow, including virgin soil, everything is much better. But on asphalt, the aggressive pattern generates an obsessive low-frequency rumble already from 30 km/h.

Dimension	215/65 R16
(58 sizes available from 175/65 R14 to 265/40 R20)
Speed index	T (190 km/h)
Load capacity index	102 (850 kg)
Weight, kg	11,3
Tread depth, mm	9,3
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	56
Number of spikes	104
Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm	1,05/1,09
Manufacturer country	Russia

With the X-Ice North 3 tire, Michelin continues to strive to comply with European stud rules: no more than 50 studs per linear 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 compacted snow, but getting out of a snowdrift is a problem: the tread is to blame.

Dimension	215/65 R16
(23 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 245/45 R17)
Speed index	Q (160 km/h)
Load capacity index	102 (850 kg)
Weight, kg	11
Tread depth, mm	9,2
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	51
Number of spikes	100
Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm	0,87/1,06
Manufacturer country	Russia

BFGoodrich tires are the “second line” of Michelin, 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, there are also few spikes, they are round, overly recessed - and as a result, mediocre behavior on the ice.

On snow, including virgin soil, the situation is better. 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 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 265/60 R18)
Speed index	T (190 km/h)
Load capacity index	98 (750 kg)
Weight, kg	10,9
Tread depth, mm	9,6
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	56
Number of spikes	130
Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm	0,85/0,94
Manufacturer country	Russia

Formula is the “second line” of Pirelli. In last year's tests on the Lada Vesta, the tires took fifth place, but now the results 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). The results are better on compacted snow, although we do not recommend climbing into snowdrifts. They hold up well on asphalt.

A good budget tire option for city use.

Dimension	215/65 R16
(122 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 285/45 R22)
Speed index	T (190 km/h)
Load capacity index	98 (750 kg)
Weight, kg	12,2
Tread depth, mm	9,5
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	55
Number of spikes	125
Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm	1,18/1,37
Manufacturer country	Japan

For many, the Made in Japan mark is a sign of quality. But something went wrong with Toyo winter tires. It seems that the studs are not simple - with cross-shaped inserts, and the studs are of high quality, but the traction properties on ice are moderate, as well as on snow. However, the car's response to control is well balanced.

On asphalt - far from the best comfort and grip properties.

Otrada - low price, which is consistent with the quality of the tires.

Dimension	215/65 R16
(19 sizes available from 205/70 R15 to 265/60 R18)
Speed index	T (190 km/h)
Load capacity index	98 (750 kg)
Weight, kg	11,5
Tread depth, mm	9,3
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	59
Number of spikes	120
Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, 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 are the product of an engineering firm managed by one of the former top managers of Continental. However, traction on ice and snow is mediocre, and what was most upsetting was that winter tires, “developed by European specialists specifically for Russian roads,” turned out to be helpless in deep snow. They are also noisy and harsh. Not an option - even taking into account the low price.

Dimension	215/65 R16
(96 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 275/50 R22)
Speed index	T (190 km/h)
Load capacity index	102 (850 kg)
Weight, kg	12,1
Tread depth, mm	9
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	53
Number of spikes	128
Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm	0,57/0,73
Manufacturer country	Russia

One could immediately assume that the Yokohama Ice Guard 55 tire would fail in testing on ice. Instead of the required 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 compacted snow - the maximum braking distance, and on virgin soil - the worst traction capabilities. For Russian conditions, other tires are needed, and they already exist: sales of the new Yokohama IG65 model with an increased number of “curly” studs begin this season. More details about the new tires can be found in one of the upcoming issues of Autoreview.

Dimension	215/65 R16
(38 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 235/60 R18)
Speed index	T (190 km/h)
Load capacity index	102 (850 kg)
Weight, kg	11,7
Tread depth, mm	9,4
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	61
Number of spikes	128
Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm	0,79/1,0
Manufacturer country	South Korea

I wonder if win, duplicated in the name, comes from the word “win” or from the word “winter”? For example, wintry (“cold”, “unfriendly”) or winch (“winch”) would be better suited. What kind of winter or victory can we talk about if studded tires are inferior to most friction tires on ice, and on the track the handling of Nexen is the slowest in the overall standings? The tread rubber is clearly not designed to operate at low temperatures, as evidenced by its increased hardness.

The only positive emotion that remains is the relatively quiet rolling (for tires with studs).

Rating of non-studded tires

Dimension	215/65 R16
(61 sizes available from 205/70 R15 to 295/40 R21)
Speed index	R (170 km/h)
Load capacity index	102 (850 kg)
Weight, kg	11,4
Tread depth, mm	8,9
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	53
Manufacturer country	Russia

The “off-road” tire line, with the SUV index, has sidewalls reinforced with aramid fiber, as the Aramid Sidewalls brand reminds. So there shouldn’t be any problems with impact resistance, unlike “passenger” tires of the same name.

In severe frosts, Nokian friction tires provide excellent traction on ice, perform well on snow, and have minor complaints only on asphalt.

Excellent winter tires for use both in the city and beyond.

Dimension	215/65 R16
(97 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 275/45 R20)
Speed index	T (190 km/h)
Load capacity index	102 (850 kg)
Weight, kg	11,9
Tread depth, mm	8
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	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 was reversed, this year they are better again on asphalt... The dimensions, of course, are different, but the reason must be sought in the composition of the rubber compound : Last year the tread rubber on the ContiVikingContact 6 tires was noticeably softer.

Now we are taking into account the latest version of these tires produced at the end of 2016. Not ideal on ice and snow (especially deep), but they work great on asphalt.

Good winter tires for city use. And the most comfortable!

Dimension	215/65 R16
(57 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 255/45 R19)
Speed index	S (180 km/h)
Load capacity index	98 (750 kg)
Weight, kg	10,7
Tread depth, mm	8,6
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	46
Manufacturer country	Japan

Since studs are banned in Japan, local manufacturers are focusing on friction winter tires. So we will consider it natural that

Speed index T (190 km/h) Load capacity index 98 (750 kg) Weight, kg 8,9 Tread depth, mm 8,4 Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. 56 Manufacturer country Germany

Lightweight tires with soft, silent rolling. But at the same time, there is an imbalance of “winter” grip properties in the longitudinal and transverse directions, and sharp slips seem to be provoked by the sidewalls, which 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 these tires are not available in size 215/65 R16. 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 sizes available from 215/65 R16 to 255/60 R18)
Speed index	R (170 km/h)
Load capacity index	102 (850 kg)
Weight, kg	11,2
Tread depth, mm	8,9
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	56
Manufacturer country	Russia

The tread pattern is exactly the same as that of 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 certain disciplines, Nordman RS2 SUV tires are even preferable: the braking distance on ice is shorter!

Weight, kg 11,4 Tread depth, mm 8,7 Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. 50 Manufacturer country Russia

Quality tires for reasonable money. On ice they are almost as good as the leaders among tires without studs, and on snow they have even better grip properties in the longitudinal direction. Although on the highway the handling is harsh and in deep snow the rowing is mediocre.

Grip properties on asphalt are above average, there are no problems with comfort either, which means these tires are relevant for large cities.

Dimension	215/65 R16
(38 sizes available from 155/65 R14 to 255/50 R19)
Speed index	T (190 km/h)
Load capacity index	102 (850 kg)
Weight, kg	10,6
Tread depth, mm	9
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	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 year before last, the third generation. Fortunately, these are balanced tires - safe, comfortable, not very expensive - and therefore we confidently recommend them for city use, although an accidental drive into a snowdrift may postpone the planned trip.

54 Manufacturer country China

The Marshal brand belongs to the Korean company Kumho Tire, but in terms of tread pattern and even the rare R speed index, these tires copy the Finnish Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires - and some sellers play on this similarity. By the way, on snow and on asphalt the friction tires Marshal and Nokian are close, but on ice the inferiority of the copy is already obvious. They are also one of the noisiest and hardest friction tires.

Dimension	215/65 R16
(37 sizes available from 175/65 R14 to 245/60 R18)
Speed index	Q (160 km/h)
Load capacity index	98 (750 kg)
Weight, kg	12,4
Tread depth, mm	8,9
Shore rubber hardness of tread, units.	49
Manufacturer country	Japan

Nitto winter tires (the brand belongs to Toyo Tires) appeared in Russia recently. The Therma Spike model managed to please us with its grip properties on ice, but lost the most spikes on asphalt. And the Nitto Winter SN2 friction tires immediately showed their helplessness on ice and in snowdrifts. And the more surprising is the failure of these tires even on asphalt.

Something is wrong with these Nittos...

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Winter tire test: Can't walk or drive because it's icy. Summer tire comparison Best winter tires GoodYear

"Bridgestone"

Features of the models

"Yokohama"

Michelin

"Goodyear"

"Dunlop"

Pirelli

"Nokian"

Ford Focus Hatchback 2008, petrol engine 1.4 l., 80 l. p., front drive, manual transmission - tires

Comments 12

GoodYear's Best Comfort Tires

2 GOODYEAR EFFICIENTGRIP PERFORMANCE

1 GOODYEAR EXCELLENCE

GoodYear's Best Sports Tires

3 GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 GS-D3

2 GOODYEAR EAGLE SPORT TZ

1 GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 ASYMMETRIC 3

Best winter tires GoodYear

3 GOODYEAR VECTOR 4SEASONS GEN-2

2 GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE ARCTIC SUV

1 GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE 2

GoodYear's Best Off-Road Tires

2 GOODYEAR WRANGLER HP ALL WEATHER

1 GOODYEAR WRANGLER DURATRAC

"Bridgestone"

Features of the models

"Yokohama"

Michelin

"Goodyear"

"Dunlop"

Pirelli

"Nokian"

10th place: Kama Euro 519

9th place: Hankook Winter i-Pike

8th place: Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000

7th place: Cordiant Sno-Max

6th place: Vredestein Arctrac

5th place: Goodyear Ultra Grip Extreme

4th place: Pirelli Winter Carving Edge

3rd place: Gislaved Nord Frost 5

2nd place: Michelin X-Ice North 2

1st place: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7

Out of the competition: Continental ContilceContact

FRICTION TIRES RATING

7th place: Kama Euro 519

6th place: Vredestein Nord-Trac

5th place: Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+

4th place: Continental ContiVikingContact 5

3rd place: Michelin X-Ice 2

2nd place: Bridgestone Blizzak WS60

1st place: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R

Studded tire rating

Rating of non-studded tires