Comparison: Bridgestone Blizzak LM-005 vs. Dunlop SP Winter Response 2 (2026)

This is where the Blizzak LM-005 separates itself most dramatically. Its wet braking index of 94.6 and wet handling score of 93.1 place it among the finest wet-weather winter tyres available — in one celebrated test, it was the only tyre in its group to achieve the maximum score for braking from 80 km/h on wet asphalt. Aquaplaning resistance is equally strong at 84.9, and the tyre's wet safety margins have impressed testers across several years and test formats. The Dunlop SP Winter Response 2 is a competent wet performer with strong aquaplaning scores of 86.3 and solid wet handling at 89.8 on our index, but its wet braking score of 79.0 trails the Bridgestone by a significant margin. For drivers who face frequent rain mixed with cold temperatures — the reality of most European winters — the Blizzak's wet advantage is a meaningful safety differentiator.

On dry winter roads, neither tyre is a standout, but the gap between them is meaningful. The Blizzak LM-005 scores 81.2 on our dry braking index — respectable for a winter tyre, though extended dry stopping distances have been consistently flagged as its most notable weakness across multiple test programmes. Its dry handling is more confident than the braking numbers alone suggest, with precise turn-in and good steering feedback that testers describe as genuinely dynamic for the winter category. The Dunlop SP Winter Response 2 posts a slightly higher dry braking index of 82.0, but its overall dry score of 74.5 reflects a tyre that is less composed in dry handling conditions. For urban and suburban driving where dry roads dominate between cold spells, the Blizzak's more polished dry dynamics give it the edge in feel, even if both tyres remind you they are winter compounds when you push hard.

The tables turn on snow, and this is the Dunlop's strongest suit. Its snow score of 85.9 comfortably exceeds the Blizzak's 77.6, with strong measured results across snow braking, snow handling and traction — areas where the Blizzak has been criticised for average lateral guidance and a tendency toward understeer. The Dunlop earned an outright win in the ADAC 2021 195/65 R15 test, a result that reflects real snow competence rather than luck. The Blizzak is by no means dangerous in snow — it is described as quick and agile, and its acceleration scores on packed snow are strong — but its snow handling lacks the confidence margin of the Dunlop in deep or loose conditions. If regular snow driving is your primary concern, the Dunlop's winter credentials on the white stuff are genuinely impressive for its market position.

The Blizzak LM-005 is the more refined daily companion. Its comfort score of 80.6 and noise rating of 82.9 reflect a tyre that rides quietly and absorbs road imperfections with composure — one of the more pleasant winter tyres to live with on cold but dry motorways. Rolling resistance is low at 86.6, which helps fuel efficiency over a winter season. Where it disappoints is mileage: a score of 63.5 is genuinely poor, and tread wear has been flagged in tests as a weakness that limits its cost-per-kilometre value. The Dunlop SP Winter Response 2 scores lower on comfort (73.4) and noise (71.2), which real owners may notice on longer runs, but its mileage score of 72.0 and fuel efficiency index of 91 paint a picture of a tyre that goes further on less fuel — a meaningful advantage for budget-conscious buyers running smaller cars on tight finances.