Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 review
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, praised for its exceptional traction in deep snow and on icy inclines. While some users note a 'squishy' feel on wet pavement, the consensus highlights its reliability and longevity in harsh, rural winter conditions.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
82%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 5 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, praised for its exceptional traction in deep snow and on icy inclines. While some users note a 'squishy' feel on wet pavement, the consensus highlights its reliability and longevity in harsh, rural winter conditions.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and climbing ability on deep snow and ice
- Impressive tread longevity when properly rotated
- High confidence and stability in severe winter weather conditions
- Quiet road noise levels
Cons
- Noticeable 'squishy' or soft handling characteristics on wet roads
- Potential for reduced performance in slush compared to newer compounds
- Handling feedback can feel vague to the average driver
Worth knowing
- Subaru Forester owners report excellent capability in deep snow, even when conditions exceed subframe depth.
- Small vehicle owners, such as those driving Scion XDs, noted significant performance advantages on steep, snow-covered hills compared to other vehicles.