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Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 vs Pirelli Scorpion Winter — 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.
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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
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 58 | 94 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 85 |
| SimpleTire owners | 88 | 80 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 90% | 99% |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 55 | 81 |
| Tire Rack owners | 91 | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | 86 | 90 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 79% | 87% |
Snow
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 65 | 81 |
| Tire Rack owners | 93 | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 78 |
| SimpleTire owners | 91 | 93 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 98% | 97% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 85% | 100% |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | 85 | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 64 | 81 |
| SimpleTire owners | 87 | 93 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | 77 | 73 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 84 | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 72 |
| SimpleTire owners | 82 | 73 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 80 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | Pirelli Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 74 | 81 |
| Dry | 68 | 91 |
| Wet | 67 | 82 |
| Snow | 76 | 78 |
| Comfort | 84 | 80 |
| Noise | 77 | 85 |
| Treadwear | 79 | 73 |
| Handling | 65 | 80 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
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 | 90% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | -8.4 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/19 · The Best Winter Tyres for 2020 | 50% #2/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 97% #5/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | +1.1 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 85% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 100% #9/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | -14.6 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 79% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 87% #8/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | -8.2 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction and confidence-inspiring performance on ice, deep snow, and slush. While users occasionally note increased road noise or less precise handling on dry pavement compared to all-season alternatives, the consensus remains that it is a premier choice for severe winter climates.
Pros
- Outstanding grip and acceleration on ice and hard-packed snow
- Excellent braking performance in hazardous winter conditions
- Strong capability in slush and deep snow
- High level of driver confidence in extreme weather
Cons
- Increased road noise during highway driving
- Less responsive or 'softer' handling feel on dry pavement
- Potential for minor rubbing depending on vehicle fitment
- Perceived as less refined in dry conditions compared to the previous WS80 generation
Observations
- Users operating rear-wheel-drive vehicles without modern traction control reported high satisfaction with the tire's ability to maintain mobility.
- Drivers of front-wheel-drive sedans noted significant improvements in winter handling and the ability to avoid using four-wheel-drive modes in moderate conditions.
The Pirelli Scorpion Winter is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in wet and dry conditions, often mimicking the handling characteristics of a summer tire. While many users praise its confidence-inspiring grip on highways and in heavy rain, consensus is mixed regarding its performance in severe ice and deep slush, where some drivers report a lack of traction.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather performance and resistance to aquaplaning
- Strong dry road handling and stability at high speeds
- Comfortable and quiet ride quality for long-distance cruising
- Predictable and confidence-inspiring grip in light to moderate snow
Cons
- Inconsistent performance on hard ice and slushy conditions
- Faster tread wear compared to standard summer tires
- Reduced snow traction as the tire ages and tread depth decreases
- High-speed stability can feel vague at extreme velocities
Observations
- Users with heavy SUVs and performance crossovers report high satisfaction with highway handling but note faster tread wear.
- Drivers utilizing staggered fitments on 20-inch wheels report good feedback and handling, though some note the design is aging compared to newer iterations.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | B · Pirelli Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | SUV and 4x4 |
| Sizes available | 45 | 44 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 19″ | 17″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | 11/32″ | 10/32″ |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 51 psi | 50 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
Bridgestone
Pirelli
Winner: Pirelli Scorpion Winter — better dry, wet and handling. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 if treadwear and comfort matter most to you.
Pirelli Scorpion Winter scores 91 vs 68 on dry.
Pirelli Scorpion Winter scores 82 vs 67 on wet.
Pirelli Scorpion Winter scores 80 vs 65 on handling.
Pirelli Scorpion Winter scores 85 vs 77 on noise.
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.