75
/ 100
Objective (60%)
96/100
35 professional tests
User signal (40%)
71/100
110 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
78
/ 100
Objective (60%)
77/100
7 professional tests
User signal (40%)
85/100
59 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 — better treadwear, comfort and handling. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 if noise and wet matter most to you.
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Category breakdown
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
WinGuard Sport 2 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 87 |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 86 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 93 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 96% | 98% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 100% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 91 | 71 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 85 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 93 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 100% | 83% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 97% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
WinGuard Sport 2 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 78 |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 89 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 99% | 94% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 99% | 98% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 95% | 91% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
WinGuard Sport 2 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 84 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 85 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 92 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 21
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 63 | 13 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 84 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinGuard Sport 2 leads by 27
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 64 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 59 | 85 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 87 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinGuard Sport 2 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 78 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 78 |
| Dry | 84 | 88 |
| Wet | 88 | 78 |
| Snow | 77 | 81 |
| Comfort | 80 | 88 |
| Noise | 63 | 42 |
| Treadwear | 59 | 86 |
| Handling | 73 | 78 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
75
/ 100
Tire A
78
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 96% #7/9 · 2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tyre Test | 98% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -1.7 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #6/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -0.8 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 82% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 89% #8/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | -7 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 98% #1/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test | 94% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +4.2 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 82% #8/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 61% #1/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | +20.3 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 100% #6/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | 67% #3/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +32.6 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 76% #15/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 79% #10/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -3.5 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 14% #7/16 · 2021 ADAC 15 Inch Winter Tyre Test | 14% #7/18 · 2021 ADAC 17 Inch Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 99% #2/30 · 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test | 94% #22/31 · 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | +5.6 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% #6/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 98% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +0.9 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 95% #5/10 · 2020 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 91% #10/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | +3.7 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 99% #2/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 93% #9/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +5.6 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #6/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | 0% #17/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 100% #1/10 · 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | 83% #30/54 · 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | +17.2 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #2/7 · 2022 Sport Auto All Season Tyre Test | 97% #9/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +0.9 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 is widely regarded as a class-leading winter tire for wet and slushy conditions, offering exceptional grip and braking performance that rivals summer tires. While it performs reliably in fresh snow, user consensus indicates a significant decline in performance and tread life after the first two seasons, with many owners reporting premature wear and increased noise levels as the tire ages.
Pros
- Exceptional wet-weather grip and aquaplaning resistance.
- Predictable and stable handling on dry roads.
- Strong performance in slush and fresh snow when new.
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise levels during the initial phase of ownership.
Cons
- Rapid and premature tread wear, often failing to last beyond 15,000–20,000 km.
- Significant performance degradation in snow and ice after the first or second season.
- Development of loud humming or buzzing noises as the tire ages.
- Reports of tread deformation, wobbly blocks, or uneven wear patterns.
Observations
- Heavy vehicles, including EVs and large SUVs, appear to accelerate the rapid tread wear observed by many users.
- Users with RWD vehicles noted that while the tire is predictable, it can struggle with traction on steep inclines once the tread depth drops below 5mm.
- Drivers of performance-oriented or heavier cars reported noticeable understeer during spirited driving in dry conditions.
The Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 is widely regarded as a high-value, performance-oriented winter tire that excels in cold, wet, and light-to-moderate snow conditions. While it offers impressive comfort and low noise levels that rival premium brands, some users report concerns regarding long-term structural integrity and inconsistent performance on pure ice.
Pros
- Excellent value for money compared to premium winter tire brands
- High levels of ride comfort and low road noise
- Strong performance on cold, wet, and slushy pavement
- Reliable traction in light-to-moderate snow conditions
Cons
- Reports of structural 'egging' or wobbling after extended use
- Inconsistent performance on hard-packed ice or deep snow
- Potential for increased rolling resistance and minor fuel economy loss
- Vague handling feedback under aggressive driving conditions
Observations
- Users with high-performance AWD vehicles (e.g., BMW xDrive, Subaru WRX) report excellent snow mobility, though some note a 'rolly' feel in corners.
- Owners of high-torque or heavy vehicles noted that the sidewalls can feel soft, leading to less precise handling compared to dedicated summer tires.
- Some users reported that the actual tread width on specific sizes (e.g., 235/55/19) appeared narrower than the advertised specification.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | B · Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 11 | 61 |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 21″ | 15″ – 20″ |
| Tread depth | 9/32″ | 10.5/32″ |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | 51 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
75
/ 100
Bridgestone
78
/ 100
Nexen
Winner: Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 — better treadwear, comfort and handling. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 if noise and wet matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 scores 86 vs 59 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 63 vs 42 on noise.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 88 vs 78 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 scores 88 vs 80 on comfort.
Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Tire B · Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
More comparisons
Also compared with
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 also compared with
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.