Snow Tires: Reviews

Updated November 2012

Just because it snows where you live doesn't mean you need a car with all-wheel drive - all you need are snow tires. Winter tires' softer compounds and special tread patterns grip cold, slick roads far better than all-season tires. To find the best snow tires, we analyze both owner reviews and rigorous expert winter-tire tests - including those from Scandinavian publications that we have professionally translated.

Michelin X-Ice Xi3

Best winter tire

*Est. $105

Estimated Price

Experts say the new Michelin X-Ice Xi3 is the best winter tire for drivers who travel regularly on snow-packed or icy pavement. It rides quietly and comfortably, and experts say it should be as durable as the Michelin X-Ice Xi2 tire it replaces. There's only one drawback: Like a lot of specialized winter tires, the X-Ice Xi3 doesn't perform very well on dry pavement, particularly when it comes to braking. If you need a winter tire for milder climates, consider the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 (*Est. $185) instead.

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Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7

Studded snow tire

*Est. $165

Estimated Price

If you live in a region where the roads are buried under snow and ice for weeks at a time, studded snow tires are a must. For maximum ice grip, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 is the perennial champion studded snow tire. Its metal teeth literally bite into ice and snow -- but they don't grip as well on cleared roads. Studded tires are noisy and can destroy pavement; for this reason they're banned in some states. But for extreme climates, few tires can match the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7.

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Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3

Winter performance tire

*Est. $185

Estimated Price

If you drive a sports car, your regular tires will be useless in freezing temperatures -- but that's where the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 shines. It clings to cold, bare pavement and won't leave you stranded when the snow and ice call. The Michelin rides quietly on most types of pavement.

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Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1

Winter tire for SUVs and trucks

*Est. $135

Estimated Price

Snow and ice can prove a hazard for trucks and SUVs using all-season or all-terrain tires, but reviews say the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 powers through blizzards with confidence. Owners say these Bridgestone tires offer a smooth, fairly quiet ride, and many reviewers are fiercely loyal to the brand. Note that these tires do not carry a treadware warranty; that said, most reviews we read suggest this is a fairly durable winter tire.

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