Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 review

The winning tyre was launched at the start of 2019, just too late for last year’s test, and Bridgestone said it was the first winter tyre with an ‘A’ tyre label grade for wet grip across the full range, which covers a huge 14-22 inches. It’s the only tyre on test with an A ranking and, while label ratings don’t always match our results, they do here. 

It took three wins and two runner-up positions in the wet tests and finished a clear step ahead of all but Hankook. It didn’t feel the sharpest on the handling track, but it was super-effective. 

That prowess was followed up by a win in dry braking, plus it was one of the quietest tyres on test. Bridgestone also combined wet grip and economy, with the LM005 at the front of the chasing pack behind the Nokian in rolling resistance. 

However, that focus on good wet grip came at the expense of performance on snow, where it finished last across the three tests, but remained within around four per cent of the best.

We say: Thanks to standard-setting wet performance, the Blizzak is an ideal tyre for British winters, which see far more rain than snow on the road.

Blackcircles.Com says: Customers have rated the tyre highly, giving it an overall score of 4.7/5. Feedback focuses on impressive grip in winter weather and reliable stopping distances in the wet and dry.