Continental CrossContact LX20 EcoPlus

For a lot less money, the Continental CrossContact LX20 EcoPlus equals the top-rated Michelin LTX M/S2 (*Est. $225) in most ways, reviews say. Both of these all-season SUV/light truck tires grip tenaciously on wet, dry and snowy roads, with good ice traction, experts and owners say. Both ride quietly and comfortably, but the pricier Michelin's tread lasts much longer in an independent test, even though both tires carry the same six-year/70,000-mile tread-life warranty.

As an "EcoPlus" tire, the Continental is designed to minimize rolling resistance, which can, in turn, help a driver save fuel. But it's not quite as fuel-efficient as some other brands' eco-friendly tires, TireRack.com experts find. Still, they recommend the Continental over those other brands, because it gets better traction. TireRack.com hasn't tested the Michelin's fuel economy, but another test finds that the Michelin and Continental offer about the same good level of rolling resistance.

Keep in mind that these all-season tires aren't meant to go off-roading. All-terrain tires like the Cooper Discoverer A/T3 (*Est. $200) and Kumho Road Venture SAT KL61 (*Est. $145) are better suited to that, but all-terrain tires don't grip as well on ice as all-seasons do.

ConsumerReports.org tests the Continental CrossContact LX20 EcoPlus on wet, dry, snowy and icy roads, comparing it with 22 other all-season tires. TireRack.com experts also test this tire, but only on wet and dry roads, and against only two other tires. TireRack.com posts owner reviews for the CrossContact LX20 EcoPlus.