EmailBest Reviewed
Snow Tires
- Best winter tire Michelin X-Ice Xi2 *Est. $95
- Budget snow tire General Altimax Arctic *Est. $65
- Studded snow tire Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 *Est. $145
- Mild-winter performance tire Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 *Est. $145
- SUV/Light truck winter tire Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 *Est. $135
Get info about new reports and updates
SUV/Light truck winter tire
- Improved grip
- Replaces the well-regarded Blizzak DM-Z3
- Prior model performed poorly on dry roads
Reviews have long recommended Bridgestone Blizzaks as the best snow tires for SUVs and light trucks, especially in harsh winter climates. The new Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 replaces a former reviewer favorite, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3 (*Est. $95 on closeout). The DM-Z3 wowed experts on snow and ice, but not on dry and wet roads. Bridgestone claims that the DM-V1, a studless winter tire, gets better grip on wet roads, as well as snow and ice. If you prefer studded tires, experts say the studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 (*Est. $265 in SUV sizes) can't be beat on snow and ice.
The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 was so new at the time of this update that none of our sources had tested it. However, the tire it replaces -- the Blizzak DM-Z3 -- is included in the most recent winter tire tests at ConsumerReports.org and Canada's Automobile Protection Association (APA). CanadianDriver.com and TireRack.com both evaluate the DM-Z3 and point out the DM-V1 as a worthy successor. The entire Blizzak line of tires gets impressive ratings from owners at Epinions.com.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
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 |  41 store reviews | In Stock. | $133.90 | See It |
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org conducts unbiased, thorough tests. Four winter tires for light trucks and SUVs are tested, including the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3 (predecessor of the new Blizzak DM-V1). A chart clearly evaluates each tire's performance on snow, ice and wet and dry pavement, along with noise and other measures.
Review: Winter Tires, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, As of Nov. 2009
2. Automobile Protection Association
Based on tests, this independent Canadian nonprofit organization selects the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3 as a top pick for SUVs, giving it the maximum score (five stars) and high ratings for performance in both ice and deep snow. The ratings predate the fall of 2009, when the Blizzak DM-V1 replaced the DM-Z3.
Review: Winter Tires for Sport Utility Vehicles 2008-2009, Editors of Automobile Protection Association, Not Dated
Reviewer James Bergeron highly recommends the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3, describing how much better the tires perform on Ottawa snow and ice than the all-terrains that came on his Nissan Titan. This article doesn't say so, but elsewhere CanadianDriver.com points out that the Blizzak DM-V1 has replaced the DM-Z3.
Review: Feature: Winter Tires -- Trucks Need Them Too!, James Bergeron, Oct. 14, 2009
4. Tire Rack
This retail site also conducts expert tire tests, but staffers had not yet tested the brand-new Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 when we checked. However, this TireRack.com blogger says its improved compound and tread pattern "should allow the new model to be a strong performer."
Review: New Bridgestone Winter Tires for Your Truck/SUV, Kyle Schirripa, Sept. 25, 2009
5. Epinions.com
The Bridgestone Blizzak series gets the highest possible rating (five stars) at Epinions.com, with more than 30 reviews. Reviews for all of the different Blizzak models are lumped together here, and the latest review was from 2008 when we checked.
Review: Bridgestone Blizzak Passenger/Performance Tire, Contributors to Epinions.com
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