For those drivers who experience tough weather conditions, a set of winter tires is an absolute must.
Winter weather brings with it roads covered with snow and slush that brings about added stress for drivers as vehicles lose control and are unable to maintain a grip. Winter tires have special design features that allow exceptional performance in snow.
The gripping force on offer allows passenger cars and SUVs the ability to power through the elements.
BEST OF THE BEST WR G3 Nokian Check Price | BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK Eagle Winter Grip Ice Goodyear Check Price | RUNNER UP SP Winter Sport 3D Dunlop Check Price |
Best Winter Tires (Our Review)
Nokian WR G3
This model features a unique Cryogenic Canola Compound and Cryo silane in the silica to deliver outstanding traction in snow and ice. For sedan and minivan owners, the WRG3 from Nokian makes an excellent choice for an all-weather tire. The Nokian WR G3 resists the effects of hydroplaning to allow for improved performance on wet and slushy surfaces. The tire features a tread design that enables it to maintain grip even while negotiating sharp corners.
Key Features
- Tread compound is silica infused to increase traction on snow covered roads
- Enhanced tread design to reduce hydroplaning
- Remaining tread life is shown through driving safety indicator
Pros
- Cornering ability is impressive on wet and dry road surfaces
- Exceptional handling on snow and slush
Cons
- These tires are deemed to generate considerable noise on the roads
Goodyear Eagle Winter Grip Ice WRT
The Goodyear Eagle enables your vehicle to accelerate, brake and corner without fear of the car slipping or unable to maintain traction on slush or snow. The directional tread design with accompanying grooves expels water away from the tire footprint, increasing traction on wet surfaces.
Goodyear makes the top ten with their Ultra Grip Ice WRT (Winter Reactive Technology) tire. This model delivers excellent deep snow traction, and has a ride that is also comfortable at the same time.
Key features
- Cornering grip is enhanced through 3D Treadblock technology
- Winter reactive technology increases performance on snow covered road surfaces
- Traction on wet roads is enhanced through grooves which expel water from the tires
Pros
- Exceptional grip on ice and snow
- Drivers will experience great stability on both wet and dry roads
Cons
- Drivers have complained about tires being too noisy
Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D
The Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D is a tire worthy of being considered the best winter tire available in 2020. The claim is based on how well the tire performs on slush and even in hard packed snow when most tires suffer from decreased traction.
If you drive a high performance coupe or sedan, the SP Winter Sport 3D from Dunlop is one of the best in class. With a reactive silica tread compound for enhanced performance in cold temps and 3D sipes for increased traction, this is a tire that is built to handle tough conditions while providing excellent dry, wet and winter driving performance.
Key features
- Tread especially designed to reduce the risk of hydroplaning
- Jointless band technology which reduces expansion of tires over long distances
- Winter traction is enhanced through silica infused tread design
Pros
- Comfortable driving experience
- Performance on snow is exceptional
- Stability is enhanced on highways and streets
Cons
- Durability of tires are below standard
- Could be an improvement for cornering on wet roads
Michelin X Ice Xi3
The Michelin X-Ice Xi3 features an attractive tread pattern with indicators that inform the driver of the remaining tread depth of the tire, after which traction in snow will decline considerably. Smart design features, coupled with GreenX technology that increases the fuel efficiency of the tire, make it one of the best snow tires available in 2020. The Michelin X-Ice lineup is well known for their high quality winter tires, and the Xi3 sits at the top of the list. It’s Flex Ice Silica-Based Tread Compound provides added flexibility in very cold temperatures, while Cross-Z sipes deliver increased grip on snow and ice.
Key features
- 30000 to 40000 mile warranty depending on speed rating
- Winter traction increased Cross Z-sipes
- Increased handling on dry and wet roads due to silica based tread compound
Pros
- Comfortable driving experience
- Exceptional ice and snow traction
- Stable grip on dry surfaces
Cons
- Wet road cornering ability could be improved
How long do Michelin X ice tires last?
Michelin gives you 60,000 kilometres. Given that most drivers cover 10,000 kilometres every winter, you can safely assume that your tires will be good for at least five years without any deterioration—which is not the case for cheap tires. In sum, the Michelin X-ICE Xi3 isn’t the cheapest winter tire on the market.
Can I drive Michelin X ice in the summer?
Yes the rubber gets soft during summer time but I’m not driving so hard and so fast I never experienced fast tread wear. So if you are a light footed driver, go ahead and use your winter tires all year long you will be fine.
Are Michelin X ice winter tires?
Does this tire fit your vehicle? The X-Ice Xi3 is Michelin’s third-generation Studless Ice & Snow winter tire developed for the drivers of coupes, sedans, family vans and small crossover vehicles that are looking for ice and snow traction along with predictable handling in cold, dry and wet wintry conditions.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS580
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 is designed with biting edges on the tread that allow it to dig into the snow. The tire has an exceptional ability to perform well on dry and wet roads by offering great steering response and stability. Featuring the latest in snow tire technology such as its NanoPro Tech Multicell tread compound and 3-D zigzag sipes, the Blizzak WS80 is one of Bridgestone’s highest performing winter tires. Grip on ice covered roads is exceptional among all brands.
Key features
- Grooves expel water away from the footprint
- Nano Pro Tech tire compound improves traction snowy and wet roads
- 3D sipes produce biting edges for better traction
Pros
- Comfortable driving experience
- Excellent performance on snow covered roads
- Exceptional traction on wet and dry roads
Cons
- Tread life is not up to standard
How long do Bridgestone Blizzak tires last?
Typically that equals about 12,000-15,000 miles before the critical Multicell tread compound wears out. But, that’s the best and safest drive you can get and that really “safe time” lasts approximately 3 to 4 winter driving seasons. Please do not reinstall once that 55% of tire tread has worn off.
Can I use Bridgestone Blizzak in summer?
Bridgestone experts say that Blizzak tires can last three or four winter seasons if you do not use them year-round. You don’t want to use winter tires in the heat of the summer, as they will wear out very quickly. Also, after about 50% of the tread depth is gone, most of the magic Blizzak compound is also gone.
Where are Bridgestone Blizzak made?
The Bridgestone Blizzak LT tire will be manufactured in North America at the company’s passenger and light truck tire manufacturing facility in Joliette, Quebec.
General Altimax Arctic
The Altimax Arctic from General has consistently ranked as one of the best-selling winter tires for several years now. Built to handle the toughest in winter weather conditions, this model features an all-weather dual tread compound and high-density siping, as well as an optional studdable design. This is a spectacular tire to feature as the top 10 winter tires available in 2020.
The General Altimax Arctic provides tremendous bang for your buck, excellent traction on all surfaces, and excellent steering control even in the harshest of weather conditions.
Key features
- Enhanced siped that increase acceleration and braking on snowy road surfaces
- Wet traction is enhanced through dual tread compound
- Stability on highways is increased due to center rib design feature
Pros
- Value for money
- Cornering and braking on snow surfaces is highly impressive
- Exceptional stability and acceleration on snow
Cons
- Dry road performance could be better
Are General AltiMax Arctic tires good?
We can safely say that the Altimax Arctic from General is one of the better studdable winter tires you’ll find available today. Yes, it’s that good. Traction and grip on wet, snow and ice covered road surfaces is exceptional, and arguably the best in deep snow of any brand of winter tire.
Where are General Altimax tires made?
Mostly manufactured in Europe, the new tire replaces the current AltiMax Arctic and fits passenger cars, minivans, crossovers and compact SUVs.
Are Continental and General tires the same?
Alright, the real truth is that the General Tire Company is actually a part of Continental AG, a company that manufactures everything from tires to engine injection systems based out of Hanover, Germany However, there is more to General Tires than the takeover by Continental in the 1980’s.
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4
The Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 is a slightly expensive tire design perfect for tuner and luxury cars that need to extract the highest performance to function well on ice and slush conditions. The tires have been designed with Michelin’s StabiliGrip technology that improves acceleration, braking, and handling. Michelin built the Pilot Alpin PA4 to provide exceptional winter traction to go with summer tire like driving on dry or wet pavement, and this tire does just that. A sunflower oil-enriched helio tread compound combines with variable thickness sipes to give the PA4 outstanding overall performance.
Key features
- Fuel efficiency is great
- Traction in snow is improved through to Helio Compound
- Asymmetric tread design with enhanced grooves for excellent grip on wet roads
Pros
- Remarkably comfortable driving experience
- Impressive braking and acceleration
- Snow traction is exceptional
Cons
- Nothing to be negative about with these tires
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2
Braking and acceleration on winter roads is among the best you’ll find regardless of model. The tire provides stability during high-speed cornering and even long highway commutes, making this a perfect tire to purchase for the winter season. Nokian’s latest winter tire, the Hakkapeliitta R2 offers impressive snow and ice performance while also maintaining fuel economy with its lower rolling resistance tread design. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 has been specially designed with a unique silica-based tread compound that allows this tire to grip onto surfaces.
Key features
- Tread compound produces supreme traction in the snow
- Claw tire design for extra grip
- Fuel efficient due to lower rolling resistance
Pros
- Extremely comfortable ride on the roads
- Dry road stability is exceptional
- Outstanding performance in snow conditions
Cons
- Durability could be better on these tires
Is Nokian a good winter tire?
While it makes summer tires, Nokian specializes in winter-tire manufacturing, and it shows. It feels more like a summer tire in the wet than a winter tire in the snow. And saying Hakkapeliitta out loud is nearly as enjoyable as driving them. The one category this tire didn’t win is price.
Are Nokian tires worth it?
This is also an environmentally friendly tire as it uses Nokian’s green technologies, including only purified, low aromatic oils. It’s also quite affordable, especially considering the quality of the materials, making it overall one of the best value for money all-season tires.
How long do Nokian tires last?
What does tire life mean? While the law does not define tire life or stipulate manufacturing dates, tires can only be considered and sold as “new” if they were manufactured within the last five years. The recommended use/life of a tire is six years and the recommended maximum age is ten years.
Continental ExtremeWinterContact
The Continental ExtremeWinterContact is priced lower than most other offerings that make up the best winter tires available in 2018. The tire provides precise steering control in dry and wet conditions while boasting of an attractive tread pattern. For drivers of pickups, crossovers, minivans and SUV’s, the ExtremeWinterContact from Continental has a lot going for it. Not only does this tire deliver dependable grip in deep snow and ice, but it also provides a quiet and more comfortable ride at the same time.
Key features
- Excellent grip on snow surfaces due to edged design
- Siping on tread compound for improved traction on snow
- Dry road performance enhanced through lateral grooves
Pros
- Driving experience is beyond comfortable
- Excellent performance on snowy roads
- Cornering capabilities are great on both dry and wet roads
Cons
- Durability on tread may become an issue
Are Continental tires good in snow?
The Continental was impressive in the wet-braking test and has a good balance of all-weather performance and tread life. Almost all of the winter tires proved excellent at snow traction, and most were good to excellent at ice braking. Winter tires are desirable in places with moderate to severe snow and ice conditions.
Are Continental tires good quality?
The Continental is an all-around good performer. The Pirelli gets top marks for handling, but its tread-life score was just fair. Many of the 62 all-season tires scored well in the three-season driving categories, and several models performed well in snow traction and ice braking.
Who is Continental tires made by?
Continental is based in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany. Continental is the world’s fourth-largest tire manufacturer.
Hankook I*Cept Evo W310
Hankook’s I*Cept Evo delivers very good all-around winter driving performance. It’s handling and traction in the snow is exceptional among winter tires due in part to unique Polar Bear Claw traction grooves in the tread that provide extra bite on snow and ice. The Hankook I*Cept Evo is a solid performing tire featuring a simple, yet attractive, tread pattern that enables it to provide a stable and comfortable driving experience on both, dry and wet roads.
Key Features
- Biting effect created through specially designed grooves
- Braking ability improved through ribbed design
- Asymmetric tread pattern allows for excellent traction on dry and wet roads
Pros
- Comfortable driving experience
- Tire performs well and snow and dry road surfaces
Cons
- Braking isn’t up to standard on slushy wet roads
- Cornering ability is lackluster on wet roads
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