Best Reviewed
Snow Tires
- Best winter tire Michelin X-Ice Xi2 *Est. $100
- Budget snow tire General Altimax Arctic *Est. $80
- Studded snow tire Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 *Est. $140
- Mild-winter performance tire Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 *Est. $155
- SUV/Light truck winter tire Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 *Est. $130
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- Great on snow and ice
- Studded tire for cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks
- Braking performance on dry or wet pavement
- Noisy on dry pavement
- Expensive
If winter in your area is relentlessly harsh, experts recommend the studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 more than any other tire. Its metal teeth grab icy, snowy roads better than studless tires -- and most other studded tires -- in tests. However, critics note that the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 isn't the best snow tire for areas with milder winters; even without studs, its tread can't grip wet or dry asphalt as well as top-rated studless winter performance tires such as the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 (*Est. $155). The Hakkapeliitta 5 is also expensive. A less costly studdable snow tire is the General Altimax Arctic (*Est. $80), which gets satisfactory reviews. Be aware that some areas restrict the use of studded snow tires because they can damage road surfaces.
We found the best comparison test of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 at ConsumerReports.org. Canada's Automobile Protection Association (APA) rates the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 alongside many other snow tires, but it doesn't review any of the tires in depth. The similar Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 is a top-rated tire in every single Scandinavian test we consulted.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org editors thoroughly test 36 winter tires, including the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5. The tires are ranked from best to worst according to their performance on snow, ice and wet and dry pavement, and for noise, comfort and rolling resistance.
Review: Winter Tire Ratings, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
2. Automobile Protection Association
Experts here rank nine winter tires for passenger cars. Each tire gets only a one-paragraph review, but tires are ranked from best to worst. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 is one of the best -- "a top performer in deep snow and superior on ice."
Review: Winter Tires for Passenger Vehicles 2009-2010, Editors of Automobile Protection Association
3. Motor
The European version of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 -- the Hakkapeliitta 7, which has the same specs but a slightly altered tread pattern -- win this Norwegian magazine's test, beating all other studded and studless winter tires on a snowy, icy test track near the Arctic Circle. The studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 gets the best grip on snow and ice.
Review: Winter Tire Test 2010, Jukka Antila and Rune Korsvoll, Oct. 5, 2010
4. Aftonbladet.seDetails/Subscribe
Sweden's Aftonbladet magazine participates in the same winter tire test as Motor (above), but editors draw their own conclusions about each tire. They agree on the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7; Aftonbladet says it's easily the best on ice, among the best in snow, and stable on bare pavement: "A winter tire for those who drive in winter conditions."
Review: Aftonbladet 2010 Winter Tire Test, Robert Collin, Oct. 2010
5. Teknikens VarldDetails/Subscribe
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 is a top finisher in this Swedish magazine's test as well. Its balanced performance on ice, snow and bare pavement makes it the smart choice among studded tires, editors say.
Review: Winter Tire Test 2010, Linus Pršjtz and Ruben Bšrjesson, Oct. 2010
6. Vi Bilagare
The studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 is the gold standard against which all studless tires are judged in this Swedish magazine's test. It's the best on ice and snow, but worse than the studless tires at braking on dry pavement.
Review: 5 Different Road Surfaces -- A Tough Challenge, Erik Ršnnblom, Sept. 14, 2010
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3 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: Auto Motor & Sport, Automobile Protection Association…
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