Tests 78 · 6 tests Owners 57 · 3 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test (snow traction)
Head-to-head
Updated
Pirelli Ice Zero 2 vs Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP — 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 6 + 2 road tests and 3 + 14 owner reviews. How we score
Observe GSi-6 HP leads, 71–67 Narrow edge
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Tests 69 · 2 tests Owners 73 · 14 reviews
Best test result: #5 of 20 in 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test (dry braking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
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72
Dry
Observe GSi-6 HP +375Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 Observe GSi-6 HP Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 1 tests 82 73 Reviews found online 57 77 Ice Zero 2: 60% × 81.8 + 40% × 56.8 = 72
Observe GSi-6 HP: 60% × 73 + 40% × 76.9 = 75
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73
Wet
Observe GSi-6 HP +275Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 Observe GSi-6 HP Professional tests (TWG score) · 5 / 2 tests 81 71 Reviews found online 61 81 Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 87% 83% Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–0 60% 60% Ice Zero 2: 60% × 81.1 + 40% × 60.9 = 73
Observe GSi-6 HP: 60% × 71.5 + 40% × 80.8 = 75
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70
Snow
Ice Zero 2 +466Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 Observe GSi-6 HP Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 2 tests 76 60 Reviews found online 63 75 Ice Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 70% 40% Snow Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 90% 70% Ice Zero 2: 60% × 75.6 + 40% × 62.8 = 70
Observe GSi-6 HP: 60% × 59.5 + 40% × 74.7 = 66
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58
Comfort
Observe GSi-6 HP +1775Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 Observe GSi-6 HP Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 1 tests 72 77 Reviews found online 49 74 Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 60% 80% Ice Zero 2: 40% × 72 + 60% × 49.2 = 58
Observe GSi-6 HP: 40% × 76.7 + 60% × 73.9 = 75
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65
Noise
Observe GSi-6 HP +570Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 Observe GSi-6 HP Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 1 tests 65 72 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Ice Zero 2: 60% × 64.8 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 65
Observe GSi-6 HP: 60% × 71.6 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 70
No owner ratings of noise for Ice Zero 2 or Observe GSi-6 HP. 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.
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56
Treadwear
Observe GSi-6 HP +662Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 Observe GSi-6 HP Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 60 (est.) ≈ 64 (est.) Reviews found online 49 59 Ice Zero 2: 60% × 60.3 (est.) + 40% × 49.3 = 56
Observe GSi-6 HP: 60% × 63.6 (est.) + 40% × 58.5 = 62
No road tests of treadwear for Ice Zero 2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).
No road tests of treadwear for Observe GSi-6 HP. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).
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53
Handling (owners)
Observe GSi-6 HP +2275Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 Observe GSi-6 HP Reviews found online 53 75 -
70
Efficiency
Ice Zero 2 +466Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 Observe GSi-6 HP Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 1 tests 70 66 Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 96% 96%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Pirelli Ice Zero 2 | Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 67 | 71 |
| Dry | 72 | 75 |
| Wet | 73 | 75 |
| Snow | 70 | 66 |
| Comfort | 58 | 75 |
| Noise | 65 | 70 |
| Treadwear | 56 | 62 |
| Handling (owners) | 53 | 75 |
| Efficiency | 70 | 66 |
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
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Important
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Neutral
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Less important
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Recomputed
Headline score
67
/ 100
Ice Zero 2
71
/ 100
Observe GSi-6 HP
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.
In the overall rankings of 1 tests that ran both, Pirelli Ice Zero 2 finished ahead 0 times and Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP 1 times.
| Discipline | Category | Ice Zero 2 | Observe GSi-6 HP | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 97% #9/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 97% #5/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 87% | 83% | +3.9 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 100% #8/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 81% #7/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #1/8 · 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tyre Test | 97% #8/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 60% | 60% | 0.0 | 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 78% #13/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 79% #18/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Ice Handling | Snow | 92% #7/8 · 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tyre Test | 85% #18/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Ice Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 70% | 40% | +30.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Ice Traction | Snow | 68% #4/8 · 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tyre Test | 57% #18/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 99% #9/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 99% #8/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 97% #5/8 · 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tyre Test | 98% #12/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 90% | 70% | +20.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 99% #2/8 · 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tyre Test | 95% #16/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 60% | 80% | −20.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Noise (tester's mark) | Noise | 80% #2/8 · 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tyre Test | 89% #10/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 96% | 96% | −0.6 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #16/20 | #12/20 | – | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Ice Zero 2
Pros
- Very good traction and performance on snow
- Reasonably quiet for a studded winter tire
- Adequate performance on wet and salty roads
Cons
- Dangerous slipping on ice at low speeds in cold climates
- Strong, intrusive howling noise at speeds above 95 km/h
- Poor overall handling compared to competing studded winter tires like the Nokian Hakkapeliitta
Tire B Observe GSi-6 HP
Pros
- Exceptional traction and stability in snow and slush
- Impressive wet-weather performance and hydroplaning resistance
- Remarkably quiet ride quality for a winter tire
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life reports, with some users experiencing premature wear
- Occasional reports of structural failure or tread separation
- Slightly vague steering feel at lower speeds
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Pirelli Ice Zero 2 | B · Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
| Sizes available | — | 39 |
| Rim diameters | — | 16″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | — | 11 - 12/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Black Side Wall |
| Max pressure | — | 50 - 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
67
/ 100
Pirelli Ice Zero 2
71
/ 100
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP
Narrow edge: Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP — better handling, comfort and treadwear. Pick the Pirelli Ice Zero 2 if snow and efficiency matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP scores 75 vs 53 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP scores 75 vs 58 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP scores 62 vs 56 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP scores 70 vs 65 on noise.
Tire A · Pirelli Ice Zero 2
Tire B · Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP
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Ice Zero 2 or Observe GSi-6 HP?
Which is better in the wet, Ice Zero 2 or Observe GSi-6 HP?
Neither, by our numbers: 73 vs 75 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Which grips better on dry roads, Ice Zero 2 or Observe GSi-6 HP?
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP, 75 vs 72 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Ice Zero 2 or Observe GSi-6 HP?
Pirelli Ice Zero 2, 70 vs 66 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Ice Zero 2 or Observe GSi-6 HP?
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP, 70 vs 65 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Ice Zero 2 or Observe GSi-6 HP?
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP, 75 vs 58 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Ice Zero 2 or Observe GSi-6 HP?
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP, 62 vs 56 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Ice Zero 2 or Observe GSi-6 HP?
Pirelli Ice Zero 2, 70 vs 66 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