Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 review – Great Choice For Winter Tire

By David Barlow
Last updated: Jan 3, 2023
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 reviews

Bridgestone, a 90-year-old tiremaker, has officially become the biggest tire manufacturer in the world as of 2021. With about 180 factories and R&D facilities, this brand has always released high-quality products to the market.

And Blizzak, one of Bridgestone’s most popular product lines, has been doing a great job in terms of winter tires. If you don’t know how well these tires perform in harsh conditions, this article will give you a satisfying answer. 

The Japanese manufacturer has shown excellent results in producing and improving winter tires. In Blizzak WS90, there are more advanced materials, technologies, and features compared to the previous model WS80. With these highlights, it can surely compete with high-end products from other famous brands.

Outstanding Features Of Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

“A leader in control on ice” is what Bridgestone said about Blizzak WS90. And indeed, these products are designed to bring the best control in the most severe winter conditions.

Safety is always the priority, especially when driving in the winter due to the harsh conditions. The WS90 model will give you peace of mind thanks to its EdgePerformance Technology Package. 

The tread’s contact area is greater, and the block edges are 15% more than in the WS80 to increase ice traction. You will have a shorter braking distance, bringing safer and more confident driving on ice and snow.

Bridgestone makes this product from their newest technology – Multi-Cell compound with bite particles. This material helps get rid of the thinnest layer of water developing between the tread pattern and icy surfaces. It, then, promises a better and firmer grip on ice and allows you to drive safely in slippery conditions.

There is also 30% more block stiffness added in the tread pattern of the Blizzak WS90, improving responsiveness and wear life. So you will get sturdy tires for comfortable steering in the winter and a long lifespan.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Incredible accelerating, handling, and braking on snow
  • Exceptional handling and braking on icy roads
  • Great performance on wet conditions
  • Very comfortable driving on dry roads
  • Long tread’s lifespan
Cons
  • Fairly stiff on uneven roads
  • Not good on off-road and rocky terrain

Tire Drive Test

In Wet Conditions

The Blizzak WS90 has performed greatly in wet and slippery conditions. We have driven under heavy rains and snow with much confidence, stability, and safety. 

The Multi-Cell compound has really shown its effectiveness in removing water layer on the tread patterns for firm driving. You will feel secure at every acceleration during the rain and through the puddles. There isn’t any feeling of oversteering or understeering. 

What makes this product more reliable is the braking capacity, which is much better than other premium winter tires. It helps your vehicle stop at a shorter distance than average and thus, sets a new standard for rainy-weather tires. 

In Snowy Weather

As said, Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is designed to conquer the roads under wintry conditions. The snowy or icy surface is not an issue. 

Most of us are afraid to drive out during the heavy snow as we might get stuck, but that doesn’t happen with the Blizzak WS90. We can drive, accelerate, and brake easily on even a thick layer of snow, thanks to the tread patterns. The handling is so responsive and comfortable that we don’t feel insecure about oversteering. 

What about the ice surface? The WS80’s successor works incredibly in both braking and accelerating. 

If you notice, 15% more block edges and 30% more block stiffness have really brought an outstanding braking performance. We faced some sudden situations on the icy road, and we didn’t slip over thanks to the braking capacity of the WS90.  

Meanwhile, the tread material helps increase ice traction and offers an excellent grip on ice. This enables you to accelerate smoothly and safely on the icy surface. 

Some reviews do not mention any problems while you drive, but we had some issues with the bends at a bit high speed. The Blizzak WS90 is, indeed, great on a long and straight highway. When it comes to the bends on an icy road, you should be careful and drive at a stable, medium speed.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Snow Tire Test

Who Will Find This Tire Suitable?

Is there often snow and heavy rain in your area? If your answer is yes, then Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is suitable for you. It’s a winter tire that performs well in both dry and wet conditions. The tires are compatible with sedans, coupes, minivans, hatchbacks, and small-size crossovers.

You can rest assured that this model of Blizzak can even compete with premium winter tires, as it has exceptional performance at a more economical price. 

Conclusion

This post review has given you an overall look at this impressive winter tire. 

The Japanese manufacturer always knows how to make excellent, compact, and specific products on the market. This Blizzak WS90 has set new standards for a tire working under harsh, wintry conditions with outstanding features.

Treadlife Warranty:
None 
Uniformity Warranty:1 Year / first 2/32″ of wear
Workmanship & Materials Warranty:
5 Years / Prorated until 2/32″ remaining depth.
Manufacturer’s Road Hazard Warranty:None
Manufacturer Special Warranty:None
Warranty summary for replacement tires purchased on or after 01/01/21Tire Rack
1415
185/65R14175/65R15195/60R15
185/55R15195/65R15
185/60R15205/65R15
185/65R15215/70R15
1617
185/55R16215/60R16205/40R17225/50R17
195/55R16215/65R16205/50R17225/55R17
195/60R16225/60R16215/45R17225/65R17
205/55R16225/65R16215/50R17235/45R17
205/60R16235/60R16215/55R17235/55R17
205/65R16235/65R16215/60R17235/60R17
215/55R16215/65R17245/45R17
225/45R17P 245/50R17
1819
215/55R18235/45R18235/50R19245/45R19
225/40R18235/50R18
225/45R18245/40R18
225/50R18245/45R18
225/55R18245/50R18
235/40R18255/35R18

Blizzak WS90 prices range approximately from $79.15 to $232.99 (Tire Rack)

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 – Compare Prices

We found 5 online tire retailers selling Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 . Refer to the details below to get the best price

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
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Blizzak WS90 Ratings By Consumer

Blizzak WS90 ratings by consumer

Dry
92%
Wet
92%
Snow
96%
Comfort
96%
Noise
76%
Treadwear
88%

By 05 driver(s)

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  • Avatar

    Lila Jordan

    I’m a Minnesotan, accustomed to cold temperatures and hefty snowfalls. It was the perfect time for testing winter tires; with nine inches of expected snowfall on one day alone! I put them through their paces in various weather conditions – here’s my honest review:
    The steering wheel has no response when you turn it- giving an oddly neutral feeling that takes some getting used to. The tyres produce a slight growl too – but this is only natural given how much grip they offer due to their tread depth.

    Driving home from work in the thick layer of unplowed snow was no problem at all for these trusty tires. We felt safe and secure travelling up to 55 mph, as our headlights were able to light even the gloomiest winter night ahead of us.

    But come near-glare ice? No worries; we still managed 40mph with great traction – truly a testament to their effectiveness! Even when it’s dry out, be assured you can brake hard without any squealing: These tires have got your back every step (or drive) along the way!

    Winter tires are truly remarkable; it’s a shame that I hadn’t invested in them sooner! Until now, cost has been my priority when selecting all-season tires. That will no longer be the case from here on out.

    December 31, 2021

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  • Avatar

    Gerald Maynard

    I come from Minneapolis, Minnesota which is a 45-mile drive away. My car of choice for my daily journeys? A 6-speed manual rear wheel driven vehicle with all weather tires to get me through spring and fall seasons as well as summer tires specifically designed for warmer temperatures. Last winter I had the Michelin Xice Xi3 tire while this year it’s Bridgestone WS90 – both earning highly favorable reviews! With such great quality wise hardware in tow, driving during snowstorms between 0°F up to 60°F along with some pretty piercing freezing rain didn’t phase me at all.
    Comparing WS90 to Xi3:

    1) I find the WS90 less squirmy and have better steering feel on dry pavement. I’m afraid I have to disagree with other reviewers complaining about poor steering and an off-center feel of the WS90.

    2) Both WS90 (and Xi3) can handle interstate sweepers and freeway speeds in poor conditions. Extremely cold and sheer ice conditions have impressed me the most.

    3) The WS90 tread design is chunkier and has deeper and wider grooves suitable for snow and slush. This observation is subjective and does not necessarily reflect higher performance.

    4) If I had the chance to guess, the Xi3 might do better on cold, sheer ice (0-15*F) and cold, wet pavement. I would choose the WS90 in all other circumstances.

    Bridgestone has masterfully created a tire that meets even the harshest winter conditions with ease. Even when pushed hard, minimal spin is produced on dry pavement while cold and wet surfaces are handled effectively due to their innovative WS90 tires.

    Indeed, these difficult road scenarios can be conquered without worry as Bridgestone continues its commitment for excellent wear performance!

    November 30, 2021

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    Brooklynn Pugh

    For maximum preparedness when conquering the snowy slopes, it’s important to understand the difference between snow tires and all-season tires. I’ve personally experienced greater control from a 2WD vehicle outfitted with quality snow tire models like Blizzaks; in fact, my BMW Z3 was fit for 35 skiing adventures each year!

    Questions followed about what one should do with such an unusual car – but on winter roads as perilous as these, that kind of preparation can be worth its weight in gold.

    July 26, 2021

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    Clarissa Fry

    I was expecting the WS80s but ended up with the reliable and robust winter tires – the WS90s, which have proven to be outstanding for both braking/decelerating in wet conditions as well as accelerating from a stop. The grip on slippery surfaces like slush, snow or ice is remarkable; no more sliding worries! These incredible tires also perform very well when it comes to water displacement–no hydroplaning here. I am truly impressed by their performance so far!

    These tires offer a thrilling performance on dry roads, but with it comes the distinct drone and whine of large sidewalls. Don’t let that put you off though: their snow and ice handling is exceptional! With typical use here fluctuating between icy winter weather and salty summer conditions, this tire’s tread life will be carefully monitored to see how well they stand up over time.

    July 20, 2021

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    Bradyn Marquez

    After driving tractor-trailers for 40 years in the east and midwest of America, I had faith that my Blizzak W90 tires – purchased for a 2013 Sonata 2011 car – would handle anything it was met with. True to expectation, they delivered dependable performance across eight winter seasons; even outstripping those on 4WD pickups! A wonderful tire indeed that offered great value for money.

    July 14, 2021

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Wet
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Noise
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Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
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David Barlow

Automotive Experts at World Tire Review

Hi everyone, I’m David (Tireguy). I believe that finding tires can lead to a lot of confusion and frustration for almost every driver. That’s why I would like to bring my experiences and knowledges to develop World Tire Review blog, it will give people a deeper understanding of what choosing the right tire is really like