2023 Tekniikan Maailma Snow Tire Test: If there’s one authority in the automotive world that knows snow tires inside out, it’s Finland’s leading auto magazine, Tekniikan Maailma. Renowned for their meticulous and in-depth evaluations, Tekniikan Maailma has once again taken it upon themselves to assess which snow tire rises above the rest, ensuring drivers are equipped with the utmost safety and performance during winter months.
In this exciting edition, special attention has been given to the newly released Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3, touted as a premium game-changer, and the Nordexx WinterSafe 2, a budget offering that promises exceptional value. With nine contenders in the ring, each tire has been rigorously put to the test, facing the harshest of icy terrains.
So, strap in and prepare to witness a gripping showdown. As these nine snow tires hit the test track, only one can emerge as the true “Champion of the North.” Who will earn this prestigious title from Tekniikan Maailma? The anticipation is real!
Table of Contents
Results: 2023 Tekniikan Maailma Snow Tire Test
The test was conducted by Tekniikan Maailma from Finland with a total of 9 tires tested. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. Note that for subjective ratings, 1 point is equivalent to 5%. So if tire A has a 7 point rating & tire B has a 6 point rating, tire A is better than tire B by 5%. The tire size of interest is a 205/55R16 which is a common tire size for Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. The testing vehicle is a Volkswagen Golf.
Ice Ice Ice :
Ice performance is of paramount importance when evaluating snow tires. These tires are meticulously designed and engineered with high precision to navigate icy conditions effectively. Their performance on ice isn’t just a luxury; it’s an expectation, as they are crafted to meet rigorous engineering standards, ensuring safety and optimal traction even in the most challenging winter conditions.
Ice braking
In the ice braking test from 50-0 km/h, results varied among the contenders. The Continental VikingContact 7 posted a notable distance of 46.1 meters. However, the standout surprise was the performance of the Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi51, which managed to stop in just 43.5 meters, surpassing even some of the top names in the segment. This test goes on to underline the importance of rigorous testing and showcases the impressive capabilities of some of the industry’s less heralded names.
Ice acceleration
In the ice acceleration test measuring the time taken to accelerate from 5-20 km/h, it was the Continental VikingContact 7 that impressively clinched the top spot, clocking in at 5.8 seconds. A familiar face in the winter tire segment, VikingContact 7, proved its mettle by outperforming the competition. The dominance of the VikingContact 7 in ice acceleration further underscores its exceptional design and performance attributes.
Ice handling (subjective)
In the subjective ice handling assessment, with scores out of a maximum of 10, both the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 and the Continental VikingContact 7 stood out by securing top scores of 9. These evaluations provide insight into the user experience, highlighting the confidence and control drivers can expect from these tires on icy terrains.
Ice handling (lap time)
In the ice handling lap time test, the Continental VikingContact 7 once again distinguished itself, recording a swift 54.1 seconds. Notably, these lap times correlate well with the earlier subjective ice handling ratings, emphasizing the consistency between quantitative performance and user perceptions on ice.
Snow :
Snow performance, while second in priority to ice, remains a critical criterion for winter tire evaluations. A tire’s ability to handle snowy terrains is indispensable for many regions where snow accumulation is a regular winter challenge. In this test, we assess how these tires fare in snowy conditions, ensuring they deliver not just on ice but also when faced with thick layers of the white blanket. Proper traction, control, and stability on snow are essential, and these tests determine which tires truly rise to the occasion.
Snow braking
In the snow braking test from 80-0 km/h, the competition was incredibly close, with margins extremely tight across the board. The difference between the top-performing tire and the last was a mere 1.5 meters. Such narrow differences highlight the advanced technology and precision engineering that goes into modern winter tire designs, making the choice for consumers both challenging and intriguing.
Snow acceleration
In the snow acceleration test from 5-35 km/h, the results again underscored the fiercely competitive nature of these tires, with mere fractions of seconds setting them apart. The entire spread from the fastest to the slowest was a tight 0.3 seconds. Such marginal differences showcase how leading tire manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of snow performance, ensuring maximum acceleration efficiency on snowy terrains.
Snow handling (subjective)
In the subjective snow handling evaluation, where the maximum possible score was 10, four tires impressively achieved a rating of 9. These top-rated tires were the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5, Continental VikingContact 7, Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3, and Hankook Winter 1*Cept 1Z2. This high score for multiple tires showcases their exceptional handling capabilities on snow-covered terrains. The remainder of the tires were closely grouped, with scores ranging between 7 and 8, indicating consistent and competitive performance across the board.
Snow handling (lap time)
In the snow handling lap time test, the results provided a more granular view of the tires’ performance. While the subjective scores were closely grouped, the lap times allowed for a finer differentiation. The Continental VikingContact 7 emerged as the leader with an impressive lap time of 52.4 seconds. With these lap times, the differentiation becomes evident, showcasing the Continental VikingContact 7’s superior snow handling capabilities.
Wet :
Wet performance is a pivotal aspect of snow tire evaluation. While these tires are primarily designed for snow and ice, they often encounter wet roads as temperatures fluctuate. For tire engineers, there’s an inherent challenge: optimizing for icy conditions can sometimes compromise wet performance, and vice versa. Striking the right balance between these conflicting targets – ensuring both impeccable grip on icy surfaces and efficient water dispersion on wet roads – is a complex task that defines the mastery of tire engineering.
Wet braking
In the wet braking test from 80-0 km/h on asphalt, the results were enlightening. Among these, the Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi51 stood out, demonstrating a commendable 38.3m stopping distance. This indicates Kumho’s success in addressing the engineering challenge of balancing performance for both icy and wet conditions, underscoring their expertise in navigating these target conflicts effectively.
Wet handling (subjective)
In the subjective wet handling assessment, where a maximum score of 10 was achievable the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 emerged as the standout performer, achieving a score of 9. This suggests it offers excellent wet handling capabilities, inspiring confidence on damp roads. On the other hand, tires like Bridgestone Blizzak Ice and Nordexx WinterSafe 2 were noted with a score of 5, indicating potential room for improvement in wet conditions.
Wet handling (lap time)
In the wet handling lap time evaluation, the results depicted a correlation between wet braking performance and overall handling efficiency. The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was the star, clocking in the fastest time at 41.9s. It’s evident that those tires which exhibited strong wet braking performance, like the Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi51 and Continental VikingContact 7, also fared well in the lap time test, underscoring the link between effective braking and overall wet road handling.
Dry :
Dry performance serves as the default mode for most tire assessments. It’s the foundational environment where many drivers spend the majority of their time, making it an essential benchmark in tire evaluation.
Dry braking
In the dry braking tests from 80-0 km/h on asphalt, the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice showcased dominant performance, stopping at an impressive 27.4m. This outstanding dry braking capability might offer an insight into its potentially compromised winter performance, suggesting that its design leaned more towards dry asphalt proficiency.
Dry handling (subjective)
Contrary to expectations, while the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice had dominated in dry braking, it didn’t hold a unique top spot in dry handling. Instead, it shared a rating of 8 along with the Continental VikingContact 7 and Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3, suggesting a more evenly matched playing field in this category.
Subjective Noise :
Snow tires, with their softer compound, inherently create a damping effect that results in reduced noise due to less excitation of the air. In this evaluation, while most tires scored an impressive 9, the Falken Winterpeak F-Snow 1 stood out as the quietest, securing a top score of 10. The rest were on an even keel, emphasizing the efficacy of soft compounds in noise reduction.
Fuel Consumption :
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 led the pack with an optimal fuel consumption rate of 100%, highlighting its efficiency. Most tires hovered close to the high 90s, indicating consistent performance across the board, with the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Hankook Winter 1*Cept 1Z2 also showcasing impressive numbers.
2023 Tekniikan Maailma Snow Tire Test Final Ranking:
1. Continental VikingContact 7
| Ranking | % | |
| Ice braking | 2nd | 110% |
| Ice acceleration | 1st | 107% |
| Ice handling (subj) | 1st | 100% |
| Ice handling (lap time) | 1st | 102% |
| Snow braking | 1st | 101% |
| Snow acceleration | 1st | 102% |
| Snow handling (subj) | 1st | 100% |
| Snow handling (lap time) | 1st | 101% |
| Wet braking | 7th | 101% |
| Wet handling (subj) | 2nd | 100% |
| Wet handling (lap time) | 2nd | 101% |
| Dry braking | 2nd | 101% |
| Dry handling (subj) | 1st | 105% |
| Subjective noise | 2nd | 100% |
| Fuel consumption | 6th | 97% |
Pros:
- Best in class ice & snow performance with great handling capability.
Areas for Enhancement:
- Wet braking & fuel consumption
1. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
| Ranking | % | |
| Ice braking | 4th | 103% |
| Ice acceleration | 2nd | 103% |
| Ice handling (subj) | 3rd | 95% |
| Ice handling (lap time) | 3rd | 99% |
| Snow braking | 1st | 101% |
| Snow acceleration | 1st | 102% |
| Snow handling (subj) | 1st | 100% |
| Snow handling (lap time) | 3rd | 99% |
| Wet braking | 4th | 103% |
| Wet handling (subj) | 1st | 110% |
| Wet handling (lap time) | 1st | 104% |
| Dry braking | 8th | 98% |
| Dry handling (subj) | 1st | 105% |
| Subjective noise | 2nd | 100% |
| Fuel consumption | 2nd | 99% |
Pros:
- Good snow & wet handling performances.
Areas for Enhancement:
- Dry braking was second last.
3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
| Ranking | % | |
| Ice braking | 6th | 100% |
| Ice acceleration | 6th | 100% |
| Ice handling (subj) | 1st | 100% |
| Ice handling (lap time) | 2nd | 100% |
| Snow braking | 4th | 100% |
| Snow acceleration | 3rd | 100% |
| Snow handling (subj) | 1st | 100% |
| Snow handling (lap time) | 2nd | 100% |
| Wet braking | 8th | 100% |
| Wet handling (subj) | 2nd | 100% |
| Wet handling (lap time) | 5th | 100% |
| Dry braking | 5th | 100% |
| Dry handling (subj) | 4th | 100% |
| Subjective noise | 2nd | 100% |
| Fuel consumption | 1st | 100% |
Pros:
- Good ice & snow subjective handling. Best fuel consumption tire
Areas for Enhancement:
- Disappointing ice results for a winter specialist.
4. Hankook Winter I*Cept IZ2
| Ranking | % | |
| Ice braking | 3rd | 106% |
| Ice acceleration | 2nd | 103% |
| Ice handling (subj) | 3rd | 95% |
| Ice handling (lap time) | 3rd | 99% |
| Snow braking | 5th | 100% |
| Snow acceleration | 4th | 97% |
| Snow handling (subj) | 1st | 100% |
| Snow handling (lap time) | 4th | 99% |
| Wet braking | 4th | 103% |
| Wet handling (subj) | 5th | 95% |
| Wet handling (lap time) | 2nd | 101% |
| Dry braking | 6th | 100% |
| Dry handling (subj) | 8th | 95% |
| Subjective noise | 2nd | 100% |
| Fuel consumption | 3rd | 99% |
Pros:
- Hanging in there with the big boys in subjective snow handling
Areas for Enhancement:
- Dry handling was second last.
4. Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi51
| Ranking | % | |
| Ice braking | 1st | 117% |
| Ice acceleration | 2nd | 103% |
| Ice handling (subj) | 5th | 90% |
| Ice handling (lap time) | 6th | 96% |
| Snow braking | 6th | 99% |
| Snow acceleration | 6th | 95% |
| Snow handling (subj) | 5th | 95% |
| Snow handling (lap time) | 6th | 97% |
| Wet braking | 2nd | 105% |
| Wet handling (subj) | 2nd | 100% |
| Wet handling (lap time) | 4th | 101% |
| Dry braking | 4th | 101% |
| Dry handling (subj) | 4th | 100% |
| Subjective noise | 2nd | 100% |
| Fuel consumption | 4th | 99% |
Pros:
- Impressive first place finish in ice braking.
Areas for Enhancement:
- Snow performance would need some minor tweak to be a test winner.
6. Falken Winterpeak F-Snow 1
| Ranking | % | |
| Ice braking | 5th | 101% |
| Ice acceleration | 8th | 85% |
| Ice handling (subj) | 5th | 90% |
| Ice handling (lap time) | 5th | 96% |
| Snow braking | 3rd | 101% |
| Snow acceleration | 4th | 97% |
| Snow handling (subj) | 5th | 95% |
| Snow handling (lap time) | 5th | 98% |
| Wet braking | 1st | 107% |
| Wet handling (subj) | 5th | 95% |
| Wet handling (lap time) | 7th | 99% |
| Dry braking | 3rd | 101% |
| Dry handling (subj) | 4th | 100% |
| Subjective noise | 1st | 105% |
| Fuel consumption | 8th | 97% |
Pros:
- The best in wet braking & subjective noise.
Areas for Enhancement:
- Ice acceleration and fuel consumption was at the tail end.
7. Pirelli Ice Zero Asimmetrico
| Ranking | % | |
| Ice braking | 7th | 99% |
| Ice acceleration | 5th | 102% |
| Ice handling (subj) | 8th | 85% |
| Ice handling (lap time) | 8th | 95% |
| Snow braking | 9th | 98% |
| Snow acceleration | 6th | 95% |
| Snow handling (subj) | 5th | 95% |
| Snow handling (lap time) | 6th | 97% |
| Wet braking | 6th | 102% |
| Wet handling (subj) | 5th | 95% |
| Wet handling (lap time) | 5th | 100% |
| Dry braking | 7th | 99% |
| Dry handling (subj) | 4th | 100% |
| Subjective noise | 2nd | 100% |
| Fuel consumption | 7th | 97% |
Pros:
- –
Areas for Enhancement:
- Ice & snow performances need revamping.
8. Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
| Ranking | % | |
| Ice braking | 9th | 85% |
| Ice acceleration | 9th | 82% |
| Ice handling (subj) | 5th | 90% |
| Ice handling (lap time) | 6th | 96% |
| Snow braking | 7th | 99% |
| Snow acceleration | 6th | 95% |
| Snow handling (subj) | 9th | 90% |
| Snow handling (lap time) | 9th | 96% |
| Wet braking | 3rd | 105% |
| Wet handling (subj) | 8th | 90% |
| Wet handling (lap time) | 8th | 99% |
| Dry braking | 1st | 108% |
| Dry handling (subj) | 1st | 105% |
| Subjective noise | 2nd | 100% |
| Fuel consumption | 5th | 98% |
Pros:
- Best dry performer
Areas for Enhancement:
- Needs help in ice & snow
9. Nordexx WinterSafe 2
| Ranking | % | |
| Ice braking | 8th | 96% |
| Ice acceleration | 7th | 93% |
| Ice handling (subj) | 8th | 85% |
| Ice handling (lap time) | 9th | 94% |
| Snow braking | 7th | 99% |
| Snow acceleration | 9th | 91% |
| Snow handling (subj) | 5th | 95% |
| Snow handling (lap time) | 8th | 97% |
| Wet braking | 9th | 99% |
| Wet handling (subj) | 8th | 90% |
| Wet handling (lap time) | 9th | 97% |
| Dry braking | 9th | 97% |
| Dry handling (subj) | 8th | 95% |
| Subjective noise | 2nd | 100% |
| Fuel consumption | 8th | 97% |
Pros:
- –
Areas for Enhancement:
- Almost all areas need to be examined.
Conclusion from a Tire Expert’s Perspective:
Having thoroughly reviewed Tekniikan Maailma’s extensive testing data, I’m genuinely impressed with the meticulousness and detail of their evaluations. As a tire expert, I must concur with their findings, especially when it comes to the Continental VikingContact 7. Its top-tier performance on both ice and snow positions it as a standout, making it my preferred choice for winter conditions.
Dr Edwin Pang