Bridgestone Blizzak Tires: WS90 Review

The WS90 is the most recent addition to the Bridgestone Blizzak tire lineup. It is an upgrade over the WS80, with more advanced features, materials, and technologies to improve performance, particularly in hard-packed snow and ice.

Bridgestone offers the WS90 in sizes ranging from 14 to 19 inches, making it a suitable choice for many vehicles, including sedans, compact hatchbacks, minivans, and mid-sized crossovers. This review looks at the WS90’s standout features, performance under various conditions, warranty policy, and vehicle compatibility. 

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Review: Features

Bridgestone’s Blizzak WS90 winter tire is designed to perform well in the harshest winter driving conditions. This is accomplished through a high-tech rubber compound and a meticulously designed tread pattern.

The WS90, like all other Blizzak tires, incorporates Bridgestone’s proprietary Multi-Cell technology with bite particles, which is a game changer in terms of winter driving performance and safety. The technology entails removing the thin layer of water between the tire tread and the ice. This significantly improves traction and, more importantly, reduces stopping distances.

In addition, the Blizzak WS90 directional tread pattern has 30% more block stiffness for improved steering response, linearity, and wear life. The result is a sturdy tire with a long lifespan for comfortable winter steering.

Bridgestone added more silica to the tread and increased the contact area of the WS90 to improve its performance on dry roads. 

Finally, the tire includes the company’s new EdgePerformance Technology Package. This consists of full-depth grooves and interlocking sipes in the tread design, which creates a greater number of edges for improved wet and snow performance.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Review: Performance 

Handling and steering 

This is one of the best winter tires when it comes to handling. Compared to most competitors, the tire feels relatively quick to respond. More importantly, the steering is linear and never surprises the driver. In addition, the tire has a very good on-centre feel.

The driving experience is more enjoyable than most other winter tires, though it is far from that of a performance summer or all-season tire.

Dry grip and traction

People frequently associate winter with snow, ice, slush, and rain, but winter tires also spend a significant amount of time on dry roads.

The Blizzak WS90 dry results are impressive. To begin with, the acceleration traction is superior to that of nearly every other winter tire. Hence, you will experience less tire squeal when you step on the pedal.  

Furthermore, the braking distances are the shortest in the category, and the overall performance for a winter tire is impressive. If that’s not enough, the Blizzak WS90 also performed admirably in turns.

Wet grip and traction

Like in dry handling, the WS90 is a very capable tire in wet conditions. It has outstanding hydroplaning resistance, even when it is heavily raining.

The tire also has excellent wet-road acceleration traction and one of the shortest braking distances in the category. It has a superb cornering grip, but it also feels natural and safely understeers when pushed to the limit.

The Blizzak WS90 may be the best winter tire for driving on wet roads.

Snow and ice performance

Bridgestone describes the Blizzak WS90 as “a leader in ice control.” True to this, the WS90 is an exceptional ice tire, allowing you to brake and accelerate easily. In that regard, it is far superior to any other studless winter tire on the market. It also steers well and keeps your vehicle stable as long as you drive carefully. 

The Blizzak WS90 continues to impress on snow. The longitudinal traction is among the best in the studless winter tire category, implying that acceleration is effortless and stopping distances are short. The tire also performs admirably on snow-covered roads, leaving you confident and secure.

With a set of this tire, you will have the best blend of acceleration, braking, and cornering on snowy and icy roads.

Noise and Comfort

There is always a trade-off for the best; for the Blizzak WS90, that trade-off is comfort and noise levels. It’s not the worst, but it’s no match for the class-leading tires.

There is a noticeable tread growl, especially on rough terrain. The noise is accompanied by excessive surface vibration, making the ride slightly unsettling.

The Blizzak WS90 is not the market’s quietest or smooth winter tire. However, it is not so bad that it is un-drivable; you can live with it perfectly well.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Review: Warranty 

Bridgestone provides no tread life warranty on this tire; the uniformity warranty is only for the first 2/32″ of wear.

The workmanship and materials warranty is valid for 5 years from the date of purchase and is prorated until 2/32″ of the remaining tread. 

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Vehicle Fitment

The WS90 can fit several vehicles, including 

• Cadillac: ATS, DTS, CT4, CT6, CT5, STS
• Dodge: Journey, Caliber, Grand Caravan, Charger, Avenger, Dart
• Ford: Fiesta, Escape, Bronco Sport, EcoSport, C-Max, Focus, Crown Victoria, Flex, Fusion, Transit, Mustang, Taurus
• Chevrolet: Camaro, Corvette, Equinox, City Express, Caprice, Cruze, Colorado, Corvette, Malibu, Impala, Sonic, Trailblazer, Volt, Spark, Trax
• Jeep: Renegade, Cherokee, Patriot, Compass
• Honda: Clarity, CR-V, Crosstour, Civic, Insight, Fit, HR-V
• Mazda: CX-3, RX-8, CX-30, Mazda 2 to 6, CX-5
• Mitsubishi: Galant, Outlander Sport, Eclipse, Lancer, Outlander Sport
• Hyundai: Kona, Azera, Elantra, Accent, Kona Electric, Sonata, Ioniq, Tucson, Venue, Veloster
• Nissan: Versa, Quest, Sentra, Rogue, Sentra, Maxima, Kicks, Leaf, Cube, 370Z
• Toyota: Matrix, Corolla, Prius, Mirai, RAV4, Camry, Avalon, Tacoma, Sienna, Yaris, C-HR
• Acura: CL, CL Premium, CSX Premium, CSX Touring, ILX, ILX Hybrid, RSX, RSX Type-S
• BMW: 128i, 320i, 323Ci
• Kia: Forte Koup EX, Forte LX, Forte LXS, Forte S, Forte5 EX
• Lexus: CT200h, IS250, IS300, IS300 Sport cross

Conclusion 

The Blizzak WS90 is one of the most impressive winter tires available and accomplishes everything it sets out to do. It provides excellent traction and grip on ice and snow. Its performance in rainy conditions is equally impressive, as are its steering and handling. You should think about it when looking for appropriate winter tires. 

For more information, read our in-depth Blizzak Winter Tire Buyer’s Guide or contact your local Trail Tire Auto Center.