Last Updated: August 28, 2024
This review came to life completely by accident. To give you some context, last winter, I went to the mountains of Washington state in a front-wheel-drive 2019 Volkswagen Jetta with all-season tires. While there, I saw the weather channel promising 18 inches of snow the day I had to leave. I had already purchased chains to fit on the Jetta before this trip, just in case; however, I didn’t plan on 18 inches of snow in the mountains.
Being as proactive as possible, I looked up a Discount Tire location closest to me and checked if they had any winter tires. Because I was familiar with Blizzak tires’ reputation and price point, I decided to purchase the Blizzak WS90 tires.
From what I gathered online before the purchase, Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 tires are highly durable, feature high-quality materials, and use the best technology. Therefore, they truly deserve to be rated as the Best Overall Winter Tire in our review.
Another reason the WS90 is so useful is its traction on wet and dry ground. It also provides incredible comfort. The Blizzak W90 offers high block stiffness, quick response, and excellent comfort.
While all this sounds great, how do the Blizzak WS90 tires perform in real-world situations? Well, I was greeted with the situation to put them through the extreme test of my own. It was scary, fun, and exciting.
This article will cover my experience testing Blizzak WS90 tires in various situations. Afterward, I will review the ratings Blizzak WS90 tires received on other websites and break down the numbers for you. So, without further adieu, let’s dive in.
Testing Conditions, Equipment, Results
- Vehicle: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SE
- Tire Size: 205/60 R16
- Terrain: Heavy snow, thick ice, heavy rain, light off-road with snow
- Driver experience: Expert, CDL Holder, close to 2M miles driven with a lot of experience driving various types of vehicles in snow
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Testing Results
- Heavy Snow Rating: 4.8/5.0
- Light Snow Rating: 4.9/5.0
- Ice Rating: 4.3/5.0
- Wet Traction Rating: 5.0/5.0
- Dry Traction Rating: 5.0/5.0
- Uneven Pavement Rating: 3.7/5.0
- Overall Rating: 4.6/5.0
Outstanding Features
Bridgestone WS90 tires are winter-specific. However, this model can be used in extreme conditions such as snow, ice, and slopes, thanks to its unique design and the patented Multicell Technology. It is similar to other products from the same manufacturer and comes in various sizes with wheel diameters ranging from 15 to 19 inches. Bridgestone WS90 is a successor of the highly regarded WS80 Blizzak tire.
This product allows users to choose between various cars, including luxury sedans, mid-size sedans, minivans, and coupes or minivans. The WS90 features a deep tread groove and a wide tire contact area, ensuring that it can operate easily in snowy or cold conditions.
This product features an innovative tread pattern with exceptional steering control and handling. The stability brake system on this model is also excellent. Its silica compound is 30% harder than the bulk hardness, significantly improving wear life and responsiveness.
Pros
- Handles great in heavy snow
- Very low road noise when driving on dry surface
- A dry pavement braking system that is precise and effective
- It provides a smooth ride and confident traction.
- This highly technological product combines a high-tech silicone rubber compound with a unique tire design.
- Greater snow contact area
- Good grip in slippery conditions
Cons
- Based on third-party reviews, it seems like it might wear down quickly.
- It is pretty stiff on uneven roads (dry, snowy, and icy), which makes the car feel not fully under control.
- It is fairly expensive if purchased without a Bridgestone rebate.
- While it works on ice for increased grip, it does not feel very stable.
Testing of Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
Purchasing Process – Where to Buy Blizzak WS90
As mentioned, I have done a lot of first-hand testing on these tires. Here is the proof of my purchase. Discount Tire store in Wenatchee, WA, only had one pair of 205/60 R16 that they could sell me, so that’s what I ordered first. Once I entered the store in person, they found another pair of 215/60 R16 to fit on the rear, hence the second receipt attached in the picture.
Each tire set me back $125. However, Discount Tire applied the Bridgestone rebate immediately and cut my price down by $110. All in, the final bill came out to $529.63.
If you are in a situation similar to what I was facing, your best bet would be to find a Discount Tire store, Walmart Tire center, or similar and get Blizzak WS90 that way. However, if you have some time and can wait a bit, you could order them from TireRack and have them shipped to your house or a local tire shop.
Testing in Heavy Snow
I was already disadvantaged since the car was pretty light and had front-wheel drive. However, I had faith in these tires, so we hit the road to get out of the mountains. Around 8″ of snow dropped within 1 hour when I started driving. The car felt stable, and I cruised past everyone at around 50 mph.
I was already disadvantaged since the car was pretty light and had front-wheel drive. However, I had faith in these tires, so we hit the road to get out of the mountains. Around 8″ of snow dropped within 1 hour when I started driving. The car felt stable, and I cruised past everyone at around 50 mph.
Even with these tires on, I was forced to put chains on them due to the requirements for non-AWD vehicles on Highway 97. The chains came off once Interstate 90 was opened back up again, and testing resumed at full force.
Bridgestone Blizzak is a unique product that can be used on snowy roads. Because of its sturdy construction, it can perform on snowy and icy surfaces. I had no issues with getting stuck, and the car accelerated as fast as possible for the conditions. In addition, the WS90’s brake system is responsive and stable. As a result, it can be safely used before any unexpected circumstances occur during the move.
Testing in Snowy and Icy Conditions
One of the most impressive features of this tire was its ability to slow or stop the vehicle. I was pleasantly surprised when I pressed on the brakes with fear due to the amount of snow on the ground, only to realize that I was stopping without sliding at all.
These tires also shined going down the mountains on I-90 when the snow wasn’t plowed properly, and there was none or barely any salt on the ground. Still, I am confused why the state of Washington is so lax on winter storm preparation, but that’s a topic for another day.
The vehicle felt stable at 60 mph on the freeway while heading downhill on a snowed-in road. While switching lanes and going over the snow banks that formed, there was not even the slightest feel or loss of control at any given time.
Blizzak WS90 Test on Black Ice
This is one of the two tests where Blizzak WS90 tires did not shine. However, we are talking about black ice. Not many tires have good traction, if any, on black ice. Nevertheless, Blizzak WS90 kept me safe and ensured that I could drive up the steep streets of Seattle even when they were completely covered in ice. Below is a picture of how things looked during the test.
I didn’t have any serious issues on flat surfaces. While not great, the stopping distance was better than I expected. My only close call was when I was going down a sloped street, and the car started sliding while braking. However, I managed to get some traction and slowed down before I entered another intersection. But I’m not going to lie; that part was quite scary and took away my wish to go down steep slopes.
Wet Traction Test
I already mentioned the complete assessment of the runway tire. Bridgestone is also known for its ability to grip wet roads. The WS90’s grip is enhanced by its deep grooves and Edge Performance technology package. When driving through rain, I felt extremely comfortable with the way that the car handled it.
The tire’s 15% higher block ridges make it more able to handle wet conditions and offer exceptional water resistance. So you don’t need to be concerned if there are large puddles on the roads. These tires provide a natural, safe feeling at the limit and support the shortest possible braking distances. If I lose my traction suddenly, I can rest assured that I will be safe.
Dry Asphalt Testing
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 winter tires have excellent dry grip. In addition, this tire compound is silica-fortified and provides a greater contact area than other products. Because of its firm grip, this tire is great for beginners. As mentioned previously, it also offers the most efficient braking distance.
According to my experience, the winter tire suits all road conditions, including wet, muddy, and snowy. Its highest performance when traveling on dry roads and spending most of its time on the dry road impressed me more.
Based on my experience with Firestone WeatherGrip, I expected winter tires to make a lot of road noise. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet these tires were.
My experience with the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 has been that it is the best finisher tire. As a result, it’s difficult to find any negatives about this product. It is also very comfortable and low in noise. Therefore, Blizzak’s WS90 can be considered the best tire for quality and quietness.
Off-Road Testing
These tires were stable on all roads. With its sturdy tread design and deep grooves, the WS90 offers reliable traction in wet and dry conditions. One of the things that I scored less than great for this tire was driving on grooved surfaces. This applied to dry and snowy/icy roads. The car did toss around slightly, but the suspension of the vehicle that I tested them on was not superb. Choose off-road tires first if you frequently take a few trips on the weekends or throughout the month.
Maintenance Indicator
The two are the most important maintenance indicators. In addition, the small rubber bars recessed into the tire grooves indicate the tire’s depth, making it easier to track tire wear. As with other brands, the minimum tread depth for tires is 6/32 inches instead of 3/32 inches. It would help to have a new tire to drive in the snow without problems.
Driving with tires that are too deep in certain areas is illegal. If you don’t mind paying penalties, replace the tire when it reaches 6/32 inches. This winter tire comes with a warranty. Blizzak WS90 provides excellent tire protection with high-quality casings and a 4- to 5-year extended warranty.
Who Should Purchase Blizzak WS90 Tires?
The Blizzak W90 winter tire is a great choice. It is versatile and easy to use in all weather conditions. It is made from a high-quality rubber compound and can resist water. Snow corners are also good features. The WS90 has a wide variety of wheel diameters, which makes it very versatile. As a result, the WS90 is well-suited for most modern cars, including pickup trucks, sedans, and small trucks.
The WS90 also has deep tread grooves that provide excellent contact for tires, making it ideal for snowy or cold conditions. This innovative tread pattern provides me with excellent control and handling.
The Car Data Tire Testing Methodology
We take pride in providing thorough and unbiased reviews of the latest tire models. To ensure our ratings are accurate and consistent, we have developed a methodology that considers various factors and incorporates statistical analysis.
- Performance: We test tires for their performance in various driving conditions, including wet and dry roads, snow and ice, and off-road terrain. We also consider handling, braking, noise, and ride comfort factors. These tests are conducted using standardized procedures, and the results are analyzed using statistical methods to determine the mean and standard deviation.
- Durability: We assess tire durability based on factors such as tread life, resistance to punctures and cuts, and sidewall strength. These tests are conducted using standardized procedures or data gathered from third-party websites where real users share their experiences with the products that we are reviewing. We then analyze the results using statistical methods to determine the mean and standard deviation.
- Value: We consider the tire’s price and compare it to its performance and durability to determine its overall value. We pay close attention to the tire’s reported life span and the ratio of those metrics to the price.
- Customer reviews: We consider the experiences and opinions of other drivers who have used the tire. We do our best to disregard what seems to be fake reviews (good or bad), and make judgement calls based on our ability to filter bogus reviews well. We are human; therefore, mistakes can be made. The best reviews we provide are always where we extensively test the products and share real-life experiences with our readers.
- Expert opinions: We consult industry experts and gather their insights and opinions on tires. An expert can even consist of a person who has extensive knowledge of tire use and practical experience with them.
Our ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 5, with one being the lowest and five being the highest. We strive to provide detailed and comprehensive reviews that give drivers the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions. Overall, this methodology, which incorporates statistical analysis, allows us to provide accurate and reliable ratings for the tires we review on our site.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Tire Review – Bottom Line
Blizzak’s WS90 is a great product with a standard configuration for harsh winter conditions. I have put these tires through some extreme weather testing, and they came out on top. I felt more stable than many AWD vehicles around. I can wholeheartedly say that these tires were the reason why we got out of those mountains safe and sound, while there were pile-ups of cars a few hours later on the same roads in Washington state.
This article also covers WS90’s unique features and maintenance metrics. I hope you understand the tire’s features better through my real-life experiences. I gained even more trust in Bridgestone tires. Having driven front-wheel drive cars with Weather Grip and Blizzak, I’m a true fan of Bridgestone.
