Continental VikingContact 8 vs Bridgestone Blizzak 6 tires

Offering top-notch quality tires since the 1870s, Continental is amongst the leading tire manufacturers in the world and has its headquarters in Hanover, Germany. It utilizes advanced technologies and new-age features to offer a high-end driving experience. Continental tires are suitable for use on passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, pickup trucks, commercial vehicles, farm applications, and industrial equipment, and the manufacturer’s variety of tires includes all-season, winter, UHP summer, UHP all-season, all-weather, all-terrain, and others.

On the other hand, Bridgestone is among the top two tire manufacturers in the world and represents the brilliance of Japanese tire technologies. The tire maker was introduced in 1931 and has its base in Kyobashi, Japan. Bridgestone’s popular lines include Alenza, Blizzak, DriveGuard, Dueler, Ecopia, Turanza, and Potenza. Its tires are suitable for use on passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, CUVs, EVs, commercial vehicles, OTRs, and farm applications. The popular tire types offered by Bridgestone include all-season, UHP summer, winter, UHP all-season, all-terrain, all-weather, touring, and more.

While both manufacturers offer some exceptional winter tires to combat extreme snowy or icy roads, the VikingContact 8 and the Blizzak 6 are two close competitors chosen for the comparison here. Both are studless winter tires built and designed for driving in low temperatures and come with a flexible rubber compound that can adapt to varying conditions in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification additionally confirms their ability to offer solid performance in winter weather conditions.

To help you make an informed decision, this VikingContact 8 vs Winter Sottozero 3 tires comparison offers a transparent analysis, comparing their traction, handling, longevity, and overall abilities. So, read on this comparison based on our proprietary tire rating system SimpleScore and choose the tire that best suits your driving style and needs.

Continental VikingContact 8 tires

Launched in February 2024, the Continental VikingContact 8 is suitable for use on passenger cars, electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrids and utilizes advanced features and technologies for a confident driving experience in winter weather. The severe snow rating confirms its ability to perform in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, while the innovative tread pattern with an advanced rubber compound improves flexibility to withstand harsh Nordic winter conditions. The tire’s construction and pattern promote quieter and comfortable drives, and the low rolling resistance compound controls fuel consumption and improves drive range.

Overall, the VikingContact 8 is rated an 8.8 SimpleScore, thanks to its outstanding traction, reliable handling, and extended service life.

Get Continental VikingContact 8 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Bridgestone Blizzak 6 tires

The Bridgestone Blizzak 6 is comparatively new and was introduced in January 2025. This all-new winter tire, with its severe snow rating and other advanced features, offers solid performance in winter driving conditions, especially on snowy and icy roads. It is suitable for use on sedans and sports cars, and is tuned to offer excellent winter traction, sporty and responsive drive, long-lasting tread life, and precision handling and control on snowy and icy roads. This new-generation tire also utilizes the patented ENLITEN technology for longer wear.

Overall, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 achieves a great 8.6 SimpleScore because of its lasting tread life, reliable handling, and exceptional winter traction.

Get Bridgestone Blizzak 6 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Continental VikingContact 8 vs Bridgestone Blizzak 6 tires on traction

Let’s start comparing the traction abilities of these tires and find out which of the two is better when it comes to maintaining grip on snow and ice. Both tires earn outstanding scores in this area, and because of a marginal difference, one of them takes the lead.

The VikingContact 8 is rated an outstanding 9.3 SimpleScore in traction, and the credit goes to its innovative pattern design and adaptive tread compound. The tire features 3D sipes, snow edges, and three-layer sipes on the shoulders for increased traction in wet, snowy, icy, and slushy conditions. The rubber compound maintains flexibility in low temperatures for improved grip and performance, while the lateral grooves force water and slush out of the footprint for consistent traction and grip.

On the other hand, the Blizzak 6 scores an impressive 9.4 in traction, assuring better performance in low temperatures and on snow and ice. Thanks to the high-density sipes, the traction performance is remarkably improved. The directional pattern with grooves further helps in maintaining contact with the surface by evacuating water and slush. The wide and flat contact patch allows a larger area to come in contact with the road for a better and consistent grip.

In traction, it's the Blizzak 6 that takes the lead, scoring a marginally higher rating than the VikingContact 8.

ADVANTAGE: Bridgestone Blizzak 6

Continental VikingContact 8 vs Bridgestone Blizzak 6 tires on handling

Here, in the handling analysis, we will learn which of the two tires is better when it comes to attributes like steering response, lane-changing ability, braking performance, stability, ride control, and cornering.

First, let’s talk about the VikingContact 8 that scores an 8.8 SimpleScore in handling. The higher rating assures a controlled ride and sharper steering response on snow and ice. While the tread pattern keeps the tread noise levels low for enhanced ride comfort, the sipes across the tread improve gripping ability and braking performance on wet and icy surfaces. The wider, flat footprint additionally improves stability and handling response. Likewise, the shoulders are extended and reinforced to handle the cornering pressures for an overall confident driving experience.

Contrarily, the Blizzak 6 achieves an 8.4 SimpleScore in handling. The decent score assures a reliable braking performance, steering, response, cornering performance, and overall great controllability in snowy, slushy, and icy conditions. While the optimized directional tread pattern and even contact footprint ensure sporty and responsive drive, the solid, extended shoulder blocks improve cornering performance.

In handling, it is the Continental tire that takes the lead with a higher rating and assures better overall ride control and steering response than the Bridgestone tire.

ADVANTAGE: Continental VikingContact 8

Continental VikingContact 8 vs Bridgestone Blizzak 6 tires on longevity

Compared to all-season tires, winter tires wear faster and therefore, it is important to understand which of the two winter tires lasts longer.

The VikingContact 8 is rated at 8.2 SimpleScore in longevity, which means that this winter tire can be trusted for its extended service. The credit goes to its energy-efficient construction that slows down the wear rate and also the low rolling resistance compound that promotes longevity. The tread of the tire utilizes next-generation rubber compound to restrict tire deformation for a longer service, and likewise, the flat contact patch also controls premature wear to promote long-lasting performance in winter weather.

On the contrary, the Blizzak 6 scores an 8.0 SimpleScore in longevity. Thanks to the ENLITEN technology, the wear rate is controlled, and longevity is achieved. The advanced rubber compound also improves tread life by promoting more even and long-lasting wear. The inner construction of the tire is also strong and keeps the tire in shape to prevent uneven and premature wear.

In longevity, it is the VikingContact 8 that takes the lead, leaving the Bridgestone tire behind.

ADVANTAGE: Continental VikingContact 8

When to use each

Both the VikingContact 8 and the Blizzak 6 are winter tires and are optimized for driving on snow and ice in winter weather, when the temperature is consistently below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Buying either of these tires would make sense for you if you live in a region that witnesses severe snowfall or where the roads are typically covered with layers of snow or ice for more than 6 months in a year. In case you live in an area that receives light snow and want tires that can be used year-round, consider a set of all-season tires. Or else, you can also consider choosing all-weather tires if the winter conditions in your region are typically moderate to severe.

Do not use winter tires in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or in warmer weather, as they wear faster in such conditions and are not engineered to perform in summer environments.

When it comes to the rim sizes concerned, the VikingContact 8 is offered in 15- to 22-inch rim sizes, whereas the Blizzak 6 is available in 17- to 21-inch rim choices.

Which one should you choose?

Looking at overall SimpleScores, the VikingContact 8 is better than the Blizzak 6 (8.8 vs 8.6). However, both tires are strong in one or the other area, and therefore, your decision to buy tires must be based on your driving preferences, needs, and budget.

Coming to the prices, the VikingContact 8 is offered at a starting price of at least $116 per tire, while the Blizzak 6 is available at a starting price of at least $202 per tire. This means that a set of four VikingContact 8 tires can be bought at a price of at least $464, whereas a set of four Blizzak 6 tires is offered at a starting price of at least $808.

Based on SimpleScore, you should consider the Continental VikingContact 8 if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Subaru Crosstrek, Ford Escape, or Chevrolet Cruze.
• Want a tire that’s better in handling (8.8 vs 8.4) and longevity (8.2 vs 8.0).
• Want a tire that can be used on vehicles with rim sizes in the range of 15- to 22-inch.
• Want an overall better tire at a lower price.

Comparatively, you should prefer the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Audi A6, Honda CR-V, or Tesla Model S.
• Want a tire that’s better in traction (9.4 vs 9.3).
• Want a tire in the rim size range of 17- to 21-inch.
• Are comfortable paying more to buy a premium winter tire with better traction and grip.

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.