Comparison: Bridgestone Blizzak LM-005 vs. GoodYear UltraGrip 9+ (2026)

This is where the Blizzak LM-005 makes its loudest argument. Its wet-braking score of 94.6 is among the best in any winter tyre test field, backed by an EU wet grip rating of A — the highest band. In the one shared test where braking distances were measured, the Autobild 2021 205/55 R16 braking comparison across 50 tyres, the Blizzak stopped from 80 km/h on wet asphalt in 32.1 metres versus the Goodyear's 35.2 metres — a 3.1-metre advantage that at motorway speeds is genuinely significant. The UltraGrip 9+'s wet-braking score of 75.6 and a B-rated EU wet grip label mark it as a competent but not exceptional wet performer. One important nuance: the Goodyear's aquaplaning resistance score of 90.2 actually outperforms the Blizzak's 84.9, meaning it copes better with standing water at speed. For most urban and highway wet conditions, though, the Blizzak's braking advantage is the dominant safety factor.

Neither tyre is a dry-road star, which is par for the course in the winter segment, but the gap between them is meaningful. The Blizzak LM-005 carries a dry score of 82.4 and a dry-braking score of 81.2 — respectable numbers that reflect genuinely stable and predictable dry handling. The UltraGrip 9+ sits lower at 76 and 69.8 respectively, and ADAC's 2023 evaluation flagged slight precision deficiencies on dry asphalt as its primary weakness. For most winter commuting this matters little, but drivers who spend significant time on clear winter roads will notice the Bridgestone's greater composure and shorter stopping distances under hard braking.

Snow is where the competitive picture flips somewhat. The UltraGrip 9+ carries a snow score of 80.5 versus the Blizzak's 77.6, and its ADAC-measured scores for snow traction (87.5), snow braking (87.3) and snow circle cornering (86.5) paint a picture of genuine winter competence. In the Autobild 2021 braking test the Goodyear stopped on snow in 27.5 metres versus the Blizzak's 28.1 metres — a small but real advantage. The Blizzak LM-005 has attracted consistent criticism for understeering behaviour and mediocre traction on snow-covered surfaces, a contrast to its wet dominance. Real owners of the UltraGrip 9+ back this up — good grip on snow and ice is the most frequently cited positive in customer reviews, mentioned twelve times, and one Seat Arona owner noted confidently driving uphill past stranded cars, including 4x4s, in snowy conditions. On snow, the Goodyear is the more accomplished tyre.

The UltraGrip 9+ is quieter and more durable in everyday use than its scores might suggest. Its noise level score of 75.8 trails the Blizzak's 82.9 on paper, yet low noise is the single most frequently mentioned positive in customer reviews — cited ten times — suggesting real-world refinement that resonates with owners. Tread life is another Goodyear strength: a mileage score of 74.7 versus the Blizzak's 63.5, and slow tread wear is mentioned six times in user feedback. The Bridgestone has been repeatedly flagged for below-average tread life, with ADAC noting higher-than-expected wear rates. On rolling resistance the Blizzak holds an advantage — a score of 86.6 and an EU fuel label of C against the Goodyear's 80.3 and an E label — though ADAC's 2023 real-world testing awarded the UltraGrip 9+ best-in-test efficiency at its native smaller sizes, suggesting the EU label may not tell the full story.