Overall Rating
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Tire
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The Blizzak WS90 stands out as the ‘Best Overall Winter Tire’ offering a safe and smooth driving experience. This tire can surely transform your winter driving experience beyond your expectations.
The great grip on icy roads and exceptional comfort have put the Blizzak WS90 in high demand. Here’s one thing I can guarantee for vehicle owners who desire peace of mind during the freezing months – You can’t go wrong choosing the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90.
When it comes to durability and reliability, the cutting-edge materials and technology make the WS90 exceptional.
This tire will definitely deliver maximum comfort, handling, stability, and safety even in the worst winter conditions.
You can hardly get this full package from its competitors. However, the tire may wear out faster than expected. Nevertheless, this is not an issue compared to its overall performance.
Suitable for
Not Suitable for
What Do Drivers Say About Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Tire?
Many users highlight the tire’s proficiency under snow and icy conditions. They continually praise its safe and reliable winter performance.
Numerous reviews consistently mention the tire’s effective traction in winter, as well as on dry and wet surfaces. Furthermore, the WS90 has received dozens of accolades for its low noise levels and comfortable ride. These key characteristics have made this tire a top choice for drivers who prioritize comfort.
Pricing and Availability
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 tires are available in 53 sizes for different wheel diameters ranging from 14 – 19 inches. The tires are estimated to cost around $115 – $270. The WS90 pricing is roughly the same as that of the WS80.
However, your vehicle’s tire specification, tire retailer, and location are some factors that can affect the price. Whatever the price, buying the WS90 is a perfectly wise decision. Whether for coupes or minivans, the WS90 is just the perfect tire.
Specifications of Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
- Category: Winter tires
- UTQG: N/A
- Maximum Speed: 130 MPH
- Treadwear Warranty: N/A
- Workmanship & Materials Warranty: 5 Years / Prorated until 2/32″ remaining depth.
- Manufacturer’s Road Hazard Warranty: No
- Maximum Inflation Pressure: Ranges from 44 to 50 psi depending on tire sizes
- Tread Depth: 11/32″ – 12/32″
- Rim Width Range: Rim width comes in different sizes with a minimum of 5 inches and a maximum of 10 inches.
- Load Range: SL or XL
- Tire sizes: This tire is designed for 14-19-inch wheels, offering 53 sizes.
- Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) Rating: Yes
Key Features of Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Tires
- The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 features an updated silica-enhanced rubber compound offering stronger overall performance.
- The Blizzak WS90 tires have deep tread grooves and a wide tire contact area, which enhances their capability in snowy conditions.
- Features excellent tread block stiffness and an interlocking three-dimensional sipe design. These help to improve handling response in dry conditions and enhance minimal wear.
- In comparison with the previous model, the WS90 comes with a design that improves its lifespan, capable of lasting an additional season.
- Features a greater number of biting edges on its tread’s shoulders. This enhances the tire’s directional grip, mostly when turning on snow.
- The tire compound has hydrophilic properties for removing thin layers of water on ice. This helps to improve its ability to grip excellently.
- Features maintenance indicators that help to track tire wear.
Detailed Performance Analysis of Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Tires
Treadwear and Tread Life
The Blizzak WS90’s new rubber compound and unique tread design are built to enhance significantly less wear. The WS90 provides an additional season of usability as an advantage over its previous models.
On the contrary, some third-party tire reviews claim that the WS90 is likely to wear down faster than expected. This limitation may be due to the tire’s soft rubber compounds. Although it was used to ensure that the tire remains flexible in a harsh winter season, it appears to be a drawback.
Irrespective of some users complaining about quick wear, the WS90 is more durable than its previous WS80 model. This is because 30% more silica is used in the Blizzak WS90 tire’s manufacturing process.
I can assure you of getting around 35,000 – 40,000 miles from using WS90 tires. However, this is possible when you practice proper maintenance, especially timely rotation, proper alignment, and inflation. Did I forget to mention that you must also use the tires only in the winter season?
One amazing thing I like about the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is the maintenance indicators. They help track tire wear and suggest a recommendation to replace the tire once it attains 5/32 inch tread depth.
Here’s some vital info I need you to know. Once the WS90 reaches a tread depth of 5/32 inches, the tire automatically loses its ice and packed snow traction. In this case, it will perform as a standard winter tire having only light snow traction.
Winter Performance (Snow and Ice)
When it comes to winter performance, the WS90 is particularly respected for its extraordinary ice grip. This superior performance is guaranteed during acceleration and braking.
The tire also provides exceptional traction and stability in winter conditions. Thanks to the greater number of biting edges which help to enhance snow performance at all times.
Users praise the tire for beating its competitors in snow and ice braking distance tests. In other words, the WS90 offers shorter stopping distances. Also, the tire demonstrated stable handling, regardless of driving at high speeds on snowed-in roads.
What more? The tire features significant longitudinal traction on relatively light snow and dry winter roads. When it has to do with heavy snow, the WS90 tire’s braking system remains responsive and stable.
Although the WS90’s performance on black ice is just above average, it still offers safety and is capable of maneuvering steep icy surfaces. This tire is a definition of excellence in all ramifications. Its ability to resist harsh winter conditions and still deliver maximally is simply amazing.
Dry Grip and Traction
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 tires feature stiffer tread blocks and an advanced sipe design. This innovative tread pattern contributes greatly to the enhanced handling response in dry conditions.
The tire is described as having a reassuring level of stability and responsiveness. This automatically translates to solid dry grip and traction.
The Blizzak WS90 has an exceptional dry pavement braking system, which is precise and effective. The tire’s silica-fortified compound offers a firm grip and superb braking distance on dry asphalt.
When traveling on dry roads, the Blizzak ws90 winter tires provide a quiet and comfortable ride. Undoubtedly, this tire’s quality and quietness are second to none. The WS90 has proven to be a leader among its counterparts. Its steering control and handling both on dry and wet surfaces are excellent. This winter tire is suitable for virtually any surface.
Wet Grip and Hydroplaning Resistance
The Blizzak WS90 offers high block stiffness for swift response in both dry and wet road conditions. The tire’s grip is significantly enhanced by its deep tread groove and EdgePerformance technology package.
Based on consumer feedback, the WS90 demonstrated superior turn-in bite into corners on packed snow. Also, the tire delivered a stable and controlled handling experience in wet conditions.
Furthermore, the new compound’s hydrophilic properties help in water evacuation, minimizing the risk of hydroplaning. Also, two circumferential water channels help in routing water away, thereby improving wet grip.
The above characteristics associated with the Blizzak WS90 provide a natural, safe feeling at the limit, thereby supporting short stopping distances on wet surfaces.
I personally think Bridgestone tires come with some of the most sophisticated features and technologies. The WS90 is not an exception. Whether your needs are dry or wet roads, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 seems to be a perfect match for your vehicle.
Noise and Comfort
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is not the ‘Best Overall Winter Tire’ for nothing. It is the quietest winter tire in its class in the market.
It is simply amazing to know that there are no negative comments about noise and comfort from its users. I can guarantee that this tire doesn’t have any issues in these areas at all.
Also, the tire’s improved stability and feedback suggest a reliable and comfortable driving experience. The WS90 tires are known for having extremely low road noise on dry surfaces, thereby validating its quietness.
In fact, their performance score exceeds users’ expectations and even beats their competitors to a large extent.
Comparison with Competitor Tires
In controlled tests, the Blizzak WS90 delivered a superior ice grip to that of the Michelin X-Ice Snow. This tire is noted to be a strong contender as far as the winter tires segment is concerned. Its improvement over the X-Ice Xi3 has granted the tire a top rank in its class.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 leads in pricing compared to the Michelin X-Ice Snow and other premium alternatives i.e. Continental winter tires. Nonetheless, the Michelin X-Ice black ice performance appears to be better than the WS90. Notwithstanding, the WS90 can meet virtually all your winter needs.
Some Notable Alternatives
1st Alternative
Michelin X-Ice Snow
Michelin X-Ice Xi3 has comparable performance to that of Blizzak WS90. Its black ice grip tread life is impressive. Also has excellent ride comfort and tread life.
2nd Alternative
Continental VikingContact 7
Continental VikingContact 7 is a close contender having good overall snow and ice traction.
3rd Alternative
Firestone Winterforce 2 UV
Firestone Winterforce 2 UV is slightly cheaper than its counterparts and offers a strong grip in snow and other winter conditions. A high-selling tire with good user reviews.
How We Review the Tires?
There is a lot of work behind our detailed tire reviews. We adopt a multi-dimensional approach rather than just a ‘single person experience’. Our reviews are a collective wisdom of many users rather than a single user.
Before reviewing, we undertake extensive market research, meticulously examine the specifications of each tire, and carry out a very thorough analysis of user reviews from top retailers. Finally, our keen tire experts apply their experience and expertise and provide a well-rounded assessment of tires. Read our detailed review process.
