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
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- Terrific snow traction
- Durable
- Low rolling resistance means better gas mileage
- Less traction on wet or dry roads
- Noisy
Ground walnut shells give the Toyo Observe G-02 Plus better traction, reviews say: It's one of the top-rated studless winter tires on ice and snow. It also offers low rolling resistance (for better gas mileage) and a deep, durable tread. Unfortunately, like many other winter tires, testers say the Toyo Observe G-02 Plus doesn't grip well on wet or dry roads, and it's noisy. Critics prefer the Michelin X-Ice Xi2 (*Est. $95), which delivers the best snow and ice traction along with low rolling resistance and a quiet, comfortable ride.
ConsumerReports.org subjects the Toyo Observe G-02 Plus to its usual rigorous comparison testing. Canada's Automobile Protection Association (APA) also tests many winter tires and awards them overall star ratings, but it doesn't give detailed test results. Wheels.ca lists the best winter tires according to reviewer John Mahler, but without ranking the picks in order. The Toyo Observe G-02 Plus gets plenty of owner feedback at 1010Tires.com.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org tests 32 winter tires, including the Toyo Observe G-02 Plus, on every winter road surface -- snowy, icy, dry and wet. Experts also rate each tire's comfort, noise and rolling resistance, ranking the tires from best to worst.
Review: Winter Tires, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, As of Nov. 2009
2. Automobile Protection Association
Even though it's "not the best performer on ice," the Toyo Observe G-02 Plus earns the highest five-star rating from this Canadian nonprofit group. The review praises its durability.
Review: Winter Tires for Passenger Vehicles 2008-2009, Editors of Automobile Protection Association, Not Dated
3. Wheels.ca
The Toyo Observe G-02 Plus earns a spot on this list by John Mahler, the Toronto Star's tire expert. Ground walnut shells give the Toyo extra traction, he says.
Review: Top 10 Winter Tire Choices Meet Varied Needs, John Mahler, Oct. 3, 2009
The Toyo Observe G-02 Plus earns a middling rating of 3.8 stars (out of five) from 50 customers at this retail site. Owners give it high marks for snow performance, but lower scores on wet and dry roads.
Review: Toyo Observe G-02, Contributors to 1010Tires.com
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