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Bridgestone Blizzak LM80 EVO vs Continental WinterContact TS 860 S — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 1 + 1 road tests and 2 + 16 owner reviews. How we score

WinterContact TS 860 S is ahead, 76–67

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Bridgestone Blizzak LM80 EVO
Tire ABridgestone

Blizzak LM80 EVO

Winter

± 9Provisional

Tests 67 · 1 test Owners 68 · 2 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 9 in 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test (noise)

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
Tire BContinental

WinterContact TS 860 S

Winter

± 7Provisional

Tests 71 · 1 test Owners 80 · 16 reviews

Best test result: #2 of 11 in 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (dry handling)

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 66

    Dry

    WinterContact TS 860 S +10
    76
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM80 EVOWinterContact TS 860 S
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests6473
    Reviews found online7180

    Blizzak LM80 EVO: 60% × 63.6 + 40% × 70.6 = 66

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 73 + 40% × 79.5 = 76

  2. 64

    Wet

    WinterContact TS 860 S +11
    75
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM80 EVOWinterContact TS 860 S
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests6370
    Reviews found online6783

    Blizzak LM80 EVO: 60% × 62.6 + 40% × 67.3 = 64

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 70 + 40% × 82.9 = 75

  3. 72

    Snow

    WinterContact TS 860 S +2
    74
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM80 EVOWinterContact TS 860 S
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests7371
    Reviews found online≈ 71 (est.)78

    Blizzak LM80 EVO: 60% × 72.7 + 40% × 71.2 (est.) = 72

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 70.5 + 40% × 78.1 = 74

    No owner ratings of snow for Blizzak LM80 EVO. The owner half is estimated from its road-test score, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).

  4. 65

    Comfort

    WinterContact TS 860 S +12
    77
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM80 EVOWinterContact TS 860 S
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 68 (est.)≈ 71 (est.)
    Reviews found online6481

    Blizzak LM80 EVO: 40% × 67.7 (est.) + 60% × 63.9 = 65

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 40% × 71.2 (est.) + 60% × 81.4 = 77

    No road tests of comfort for Blizzak LM80 EVO. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

    No road tests of comfort for WinterContact TS 860 S. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  5. 72

    Noise

    Blizzak LM80 EVO +1
    71
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM80 EVOWinterContact TS 860 S
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests7673
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)

    Blizzak LM80 EVO: 60% × 75.7 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 72

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 73.3 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 71

    No owner ratings of noise for Blizzak LM80 EVO or WinterContact TS 860 S. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  6. –

    Treadwear

    No comparison
    75
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM80 EVOWinterContact TS 860 S
    Professional tests (TWG score)–≈ 71 (est.)
    Reviews found online–80

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 71.3 (est.) + 40% × 79.7 = 75

    No road tests of treadwear for WinterContact TS 860 S. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 66

    Handling (owners)

    WinterContact TS 860 S +18
    84
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM80 EVOWinterContact TS 860 S
    Reviews found online6684
  8. 67

    Efficiency

    WinterContact TS 860 S +10
    77
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM80 EVOWinterContact TS 860 S
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests6777
Scores at a glance
CategoryBridgestone Blizzak LM80 EVOContinental WinterContact TS 860 S
Relative Score 67 76
Dry 66 76
Wet 64 75
Snow 72 74
Comfort 65 77
Noise 72 71
Treadwear – 75
Handling (owners) 66 84
Efficiency 67 77

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost

Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.

Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 9

Blizzak LM80 EVO

± 7

WinterContact TS 860 S

Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.

The professional test results behind the scores

Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.

DisciplineCategoryBlizzak LM80 EVOWinterContact TS 860 SΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 93% #9/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test 98% #4/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 99% #4/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test 99% #2/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 93% #7/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test 90% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 86% #8/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test 91% #6/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 93% #8/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test 97% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 100% #1/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test 96% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 98% #6/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test 98% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 100% #1/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test 98% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 87% #5/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 45% #6/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test 55% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #6/9 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test #4/11 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Blizzak LM80 EVO

Pros

  • Strong performance in snow and alpine conditions
  • Reliable grip on dry surfaces
  • Capable handling on unpaved or rough roads

Cons

  • Increased road noise compared to summer tires
  • Occasional traction loss in cold, wet conditions
  • Perceived lack of premium refinement
All owner themes in the Blizzak LM80 EVO review

Tire B WinterContact TS 860 S

Pros

  • Exceptional handling and grip in wet, dry, and snow conditions
  • Stiff sidewalls providing precise road feedback and cornering stability
  • Summer-tire-like driving dynamics and confidence at low temperatures

Cons

  • Long break-in (scrub-in) period required before optimal grip is reached
  • Lateral grip in wet conditions can occasionally feel lacking during sudden maneuvers
  • High price point
All owner themes in the WinterContact TS 860 S review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM80 EVO B · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4Passenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available3492
Rim diameters15″ – 20″16″ – 23″
Tread depth—10 - 11/32″
Sidewall—Black Side Wall
Max pressure—50 - 51 psi
Sizes in common33

Which one should you actually buy?

Bridgestone Blizzak LM80 EVO

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S

Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 860 S — better handling, comfort and wet. Where the Bridgestone Blizzak LM80 EVO is ahead, it is by less than 3 points. Bridgestone Blizzak LM80 EVO rests on little evidence so far (1 test, 2 reviews), so read this result as provisional. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S rests on little evidence so far (1 test, 16 reviews), so read this result as provisional.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 84 vs 66 on handling.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 77 vs 65 on comfort.

Pick tire B Your priority is wet-weather safety

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 75 vs 64 on wet.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 76 vs 66 on dry.

Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM80 EVO
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Tire B · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
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Blizzak LM80 EVO or WinterContact TS 860 S?

Which is better in the wet, Blizzak LM80 EVO or WinterContact TS 860 S?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S, 75 vs 64 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Blizzak LM80 EVO or WinterContact TS 860 S?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S, 76 vs 66 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, Blizzak LM80 EVO or WinterContact TS 860 S?

Neither, by our numbers: 72 vs 74 on the snow score, within 3 points.

Which is quieter, Blizzak LM80 EVO or WinterContact TS 860 S?

Neither, by our numbers: 72 vs 71 on the noise score, within 3 points.

Which is more comfortable, Blizzak LM80 EVO or WinterContact TS 860 S?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S, 77 vs 65 on our comfort score.

Which rolls more easily, Blizzak LM80 EVO or WinterContact TS 860 S?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S, 77 vs 67 on our efficiency score.

How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology