Continental VikingContact 8 vs Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires

When the temperature drops below freezing, dedicated winter tires are essential for safety and control, particularly for SUVs and light trucks. This comparison focuses on two of the most highly regarded studless winter tires in the North American market: the Continental VikingContact 8 and the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2.

The Continental VikingContact 8 is engineered with a next-generation Nordic compound and a multi-layered 3D sipe structure, delivering outstanding grip and braking stability on icy and snowy roads. Continental also places emphasis on low rolling resistance, aiming to control fuel consumption and enhance ride comfort.

In contrast, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 utilizes a unique NanoPro-Tech Multicell compound. This technology from Bridgestone creates microscopic pores in the tread that actively remove water from the surface of the ice, maximizing biting edges and grip. Specifically designed for SUVs and light trucks, the DM-V2 focuses on powerful traction and stability in challenging winter scenarios.

With both tires looking formidable, let’s analyse both to know which one suits you better. We will be considering their SimpleScores in traction, handling, and longevity. SimpleScore is our proprietary scoring mechanism that calculates the performance of a tire in each attribute on a scale of 0 to 10. Without further ado, let’s delve into more details of this Continental VikingContact 8 vs Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 comparison.

Continental VikingContact 8 tires

A premium, high-performance studless winter tire, the Continental VikingContact 8, debuted in August 2025 and is specifically designed to deliver superior grip, control, durability, and safety for coupes, sedans, crossovers, SUVs, and light trucks in extreme winter weather conditions. The VikingContact 8 is both Ice-Grip certified and carries the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, assuring its superior performance in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The advanced pattern of the Continental winter tire is also optimized to reduce road noise, providing a quieter and more enjoyable ride.

While its advanced Nordic rubber compound provides maximum flexibility in freezing temperatures, ensuring a strong, reliable grip on snow and ice, the Conti’s innovative, directional tread pattern features three-layer sipes that effectively channel water and slush away from the contact patch, significantly enhancing traction and braking performance.

With an exciting overall SimpleScore of 8.8, the Continental VikingContact 8 promises incredible control, traction, grip, handling, and braking in challenging winter conditions.

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

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires

Designed for SUVs, CUVs, and light trucks, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 is an exceptional studless winter tire for driving in severe ice and snow conditions. The Bridgestone tire’s exceptional winter traction is achieved through the proprietary NanoPro-Tech Multicell Compound, which features a hydrophilic coating and microscopic pores that actively draw water away from the ice surface. By doing this, the rubber compound ensures direct contact with the frozen pavement, significantly increasing grip and reducing braking distances. The DM-V2’s directional tread pattern and rigid blocks provide confident handling and enhanced stability on both snow-covered roads and dry winter pavement, making it a reliable choice for drivers in harsh climates.

With a 9.0 overall SimpleScore, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 returns exceptional grip, traction, stability, handling, and tread life.

Get Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Continental VikingContact 8 vs Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires on traction

Winter makes the surface slippery, posing a serious threat of skidding to vehicles. Tires with high traction and grip hold the surface without skidding and imbibe confidence in the driver. The VikingContact 8 and Blizzak DM-V2 promise enhanced grip and traction in moderate to severe winter conditions.

Scoring an excellent 9.3 in traction, the Continental winter tire’s performance is driven by a directional tread design that utilizes multiple sipes and wide grooves to quickly evacuate water and slush, effectively resisting hydroplaning and boosting grip. Reassuring severe winter performance is further confirmed by the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification.

Achieving an incredible 9.4 in traction, the Blizzak DM-V2 is slightly ahead of the Continental tire thanks to its NanoPro-Tech Multicell Compound, which features a hydrophilic coating and microscopic pores that clear water from the snow, leading to direct contact with the ice and snow to provide effective grip and traction in frigid conditions. Meanwhile, hundreds of sipes lend extra biting edges for superior grip and traction. It is also Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified.

The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 wins the traction battle with a whisker (0.1).

ADVANTAGE: Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

Continental VikingContact 8 vs Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires on handling

In deep snow and ice, it’s all about the control and steering response that ascertains your safety. The Continental and Bridgestone tires both offer superb handling and stability in harsh conditions, but one scores better than the other. Time to do handling analysis.

Securing an 8.8 in handling, the VikingContact 8 delivers responsive control and great stability. This stability is ensured by a combination of the next-generation rubber compound, 3D sipes, and snow-edge shoulders, which deliver superb steering response and consistent control at high speeds on snow and ice.

On the other hand, the Bridgestone falls short of the Conti in handling and scores an 8.6. Thanks to the aggressive tread blocks and deep tread design, the Blizzak DM-V2 returns spectacular steering response and stability in areas with low temperatures. Additionally, the optimized contact patch not only reduces noise levels but also boosts control and handling.

The Continental VikingContact 8 fights back and registers a win in the handling department, levelling the scores 1-1.

ADVANTAGE: Continental VikingContact 8

Continental VikingContact 8 vs Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires on longevity

You don’t expect winter tires to last long, as their rubber compound isn’t designed to maintain flexibility over a longer period of time. However, one of the winter tires stands out with its incredible tread life.

The VikingContact 8 scores a fine 8.2 in longevity, which is achieved by its advanced rubber compound that maintains flexibility even in low temperature conditions. The tire’s innovative tread design promotes uniform wear while actively resisting uneven degradation throughout its service life.

Contrarily, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 scores an exceptional longevity score of 9.0, a rare sight in the case of winter tires. Thanks to Bridgestone’s patented next-generation Multicell rubber compound, the Blizzak DM-V2 limits uneven wear and promotes a longer, uniform wear throughout its lifecycle.

The Blizzak DM-V2 has the last laugh as it wins the tread life battle comprehensively.

ADVANTAGE: Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

When to use each

Winter tires are essential when temperatures consistently drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. They use specialized soft rubber compounds that remain flexible in the cold, maintaining grip. Aggressive tread patterns with deep sipes provide solid traction and stability on snow and ice, significantly reducing braking distances compared to all-season tires.

However, these tires can’t be used year-round in warmer conditions as their rubber compound isn’t designed to suit high temperatures. The Continental tire should be your choice if you need better steering response and control in challenging conditions, while the Bridgestone tire is for drivers wanting great traction and exceptional longevity.

Which one should you choose?

To sum up, the Continental VikingContact 8 has the handling section to its name, while the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 wins the traction and longevity race. Overall, it’s the Bridgestone winter tire that takes the crown of this comparison. However, both tires have their advantages, which should be considered as per one’s priorities. Lastly, we have the most critical aspect of the tire-buying process, the price!

For the 235/55R20 size, the Continental tire costs $211 per tire, while a set of four tires costs $844. Similarly, the Bridgestone tire costs $251 per tire, while four tires cost $1004 (a difference of $160 on four tires).

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

• Drive vehicles like the GMC Terrain, Honda CR-V, and the Kia Sportage
• Want better handling (8.8 vs 8.6)
• Prefer a strong winter tire at an affordable price

Contrarily, you should go for the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Subaru Crosstrek, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and Toyota RAV4
• Want a tire with reduced noise and vibrations
• Want a tire with a longer tread life (9.0 vs 8.2)
• Prefer winter tire that offers exceptional grip and traction (9.4 vs 9.3)

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.