Continental VikingContact 7 vs Bridgestone Blizzak Ice: The Battle of Titans in Winter Traction –> In one corner, standing tall with a legacy of dominance in the world of Nordic, soft snow tires, we have the undisputed king – the Continental VikingContact 7. A tire that doesn’t just wear its accolades, but races on them; boasting a pedigree that includes numerous impressive test win feathers in its cap. It’s a name synonymous with reliability, traction, and top-notch snow performance.
And in the opposite corner, emerging from the shadows, is the latest entrant that’s already creating ripples in the winter tire community – the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice. As the newest kid on the ice block, the Blizzak Ice isn’t just here to compete; it’s here to challenge the status quo. Launched recently, it comes with the promise of Bridgestone’s cutting-edge technology and innovation.
This isn’t just a contest; it’s an epic showdown. Will the reigning champion, VikingContact 7, hold onto its crown, or will the Blizzak Ice, with its fresh tech and fervor, bring forth a new era in winter traction? Only the icy roads will tell. Prepare yourself for a face-off that promises unparalleled excitement in the world of winter tires. The battle has begun!
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Results: Continental VikingContact 7 vs Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
Results below were taken from 2023 Tekniikan Maailma Snow Tire Test with a total of 9 tires tested. The graph below shows the comparison between Continental VikingContact 7 vs Bridgestone Blizzak Ice based on the relevant performance category. Being the undisputed king of the north, Continental VikingContact 7 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 :
In a head-to-head comparison of ice performance between the Continental VikingContact 7 and the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice, it’s evident that the former has a considerable edge. When it comes to ice braking, the VikingContact 7 halts with a remarkable distance of 46.1 meters from 50-0 km/h, leaving the Blizzak Ice trailing behind at 60 meters. Acceleration tests on ice also lean in favor of the VikingContact 7, clocking 5.8 seconds from 5-20 km/h, whereas the Blizzak Ice takes a slightly longer 7.6 seconds.
Subjective ice handling assessments rate the VikingContact 7 a near-perfect score of 9 out of 10, overshadowing the Blizzak Ice’s respectable but slightly lower score of 7/10. Finally, when it comes to ice handling lap times, the VikingContact 7 rounds the circuit in a swift 54.1 seconds, while the Blizzak Ice posts a time of 57.8 seconds.
In summary, when pitched against each other on icy terrains, the Continental VikingContact 7 not only performs better but does so in a way that can only be described as a whitewash, showcasing its dominance over the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice in nearly every metric.
Blizzak Ice :
- -23% in ice braking
- -24% in ice acceleration
- -10% in ice handling (subj)
- -6% in ice handling (lap time)
Snow Performance Analysis:
When assessing snow performance between the Continental VikingContact 7 and the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice, Continental’s prowess on snowy terrains becomes evident once more. For snow braking, the VikingContact 7 demonstrates superior stopping power, recording a braking distance of 49.4 meters from 80-0 km/h, compared to the Blizzak Ice’s slightly longer 50.7 meters. The acceleration contest on snow further highlights the VikingContact 7’s lead, clocking in at 5.8 seconds from 5-35 km/h, while the Blizzak Ice is a tad slower at 6.2 seconds.
In terms of subjective snow handling, experts have given the VikingContact 7 an impressive 9 out of 10, surpassing the Blizzak Ice’s score of 7/10. Lastly, in the snow handling lap time challenge, the VikingContact 7 wraps up the course in 52.4 seconds, leaving the Blizzak Ice lagging slightly at 55.1 seconds.
To sum it up, the Continental VikingContact 7, in its snowy endeavors, showcases greater snow capabilities, reiterating its superior performance over the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice.
Blizzak Ice :
- -3% in snow braking
- -6% in snow traction
- -10% in snow handling (subjective)
- -5% in snow handling (lap time)
Wet Face-off :
In evaluating the wet performance between the Continental VikingContact 7 and the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice, some interesting contrasts arise. Starting with wet braking on asphalt from 80-0 km/h, the Blizzak Ice slightly outperforms the VikingContact 7 with a braking distance of 38.6 meters, compared to the latter’s 40 meters.
However, when moving to subjective wet handling, the VikingContact 7 scores a solid 7 out of 10, noticeably ahead of the Blizzak Ice’s 5/10. This superiority for Continental continues in the wet handling lap time, where the VikingContact 7 completes the circuit in 42.8 seconds, quicker than the Blizzak Ice’s time of 44 seconds.
In essence, while Bridgestone’s Blizzak Ice claims a minor victory in wet braking, the overall wet handling and performance lean more favorably towards the Continental VikingContact 7.
Blizzak Ice :
- +4% in wet braking
- -10% in wet handling (subjective)
- -3% in wet handling (lap time)
Dry Performance Duel:
When examining the dry performance of the Continental VikingContact 7 and the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice, distinctions in their capabilities become apparent. In terms of dry braking on asphalt from 80-0 km/h, the Blizzak Ice exhibits superior stopping prowess with a braking distance of 27.4 meters, outshining the VikingContact 7’s distance of 29.2 meters. However, when it comes to subjective dry handling, both tires stand on equal ground, each earning a commendable score of 8 out of 10.
In a nutshell, while the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice holds a slight advantage in dry braking, both tires exhibit comparable expertise in overall dry handling.
Blizzak Ice :
- +7% in dry braking
- 0% in dry handling (subjective)
Subjective noise
In the realm of dry performance, particularly focusing on noise levels, both the Continental VikingContact 7 and the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice showcase impressive results. Each tire has been awarded a high subjective noise rating of 9, indicating minimal noise disturbance. It’s noteworthy to mention that such noise efficiency isn’t surprising for soft compound tires. The softness of the tread inherently acts as a damper, mitigating air vibration and hence reducing noise. Thus, both tires, staying true to the characteristics of soft compounds, excel in providing a quieter ride.
Blizzak Ice :
- 0% in subjective noise
Fuel consumption evaluation:
When assessing the fuel consumption of the Continental VikingContact 7 and the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice, there’s a parity between the two. Both tires register an identical fuel consumption rate. This suggests that drivers can expect a similar fuel efficiency experience from either tire, with neither offering a distinct advantage over the other in this particular aspect. In essence, when it comes to fuel consumption, both the VikingContact 7 and the Blizzak Ice stand on equal footing.
Blizzak Ice :
- 0% in fuel consumption
Price
When comparing the prices of the tires sized 205/55 R16, there’s a noticeable difference between the Continental VikingContact 7 and the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice. The VikingContact 7 is priced at €177, while the Blizzak Ice comes in significantly more affordable at €123. This makes the Blizzak Ice approximately 44% cheaper than its Continental counterpart. For consumers on a budget or seeking value for money, the Blizzak Ice presents a compelling cost advantage over the VikingContact 7 in this size.
Tire size: 205/55 R16
- Blizzak Ice : € 123
Difference: -44% more cheaper for Blizzak Ice
Conclusion from a Tire Expert’s Perspective:
Having rigorously assessed both tires in various conditions, it is clear to me as a tire expert that the Continental VikingContact 7 stands out as the dominant force, especially when it comes to ice and snow performance. The meticulous design and engineering behind this tire truly shine in winter conditions. While both contenders brought unique strengths to the table, the VikingContact 7 consistently demonstrated superior traction, handling, and overall winter capability. From my analysis, it’s unmistakable: the Continental VikingContact 7 emerged as the champion of this duel.
Dr Edwin Pang