A comb copolymer viscosity modifier may be made by polymerization comprising at least, or consisting essentially of, the following monomers: (a) a hydrogenated polybutadiene-based (alk)acrylate ester macromonomer (which repeat units may comprise from 7.0 wt % to 18 wt % of the repeat units of the comb copolymer viscosity modifier); (b) a C3-C8 alkyl (alk)acrylate ester monomer (which repeat units may comprise from 40 wt % to 71 wt % or from 45 wt % to 64 wt % of the repeat units of the comb copolymer viscosity modifier); and (c) a C12-C24 alkyl (alk)acrylate ester monomer, wherein repeat units based on the C12-C24 alkyl (alk)acrylate ester monomer comprise at least 21.0 wt % (and optionally up to 35.0 wt %) of repeat units of the comb copolymer viscosity modifier. Lubricant compositions comprising the comb copolymer viscosity modifier, as well as uses thereof and methods for modifying viscosity, are also contemplated herein.