Michelin LTX M/S2

Experts and owners agree: The Michelin LTX M/S2 is the best all-season tire you can buy for your SUV or light truck. It's excellent in all weather conditions -- it even brakes well on ice -- and owners testify to its real-world performance in reviews. Pro reviewers and owners say it's quiet and comfortable, and an independent test confirms that it doesn't create too much rolling resistance, which helps drivers eke out better gas mileage. Its tread also lasts a long time.

The Michelin LTX M/S2 carries a 70,000-mile tread-life warranty, but plenty of owners report getting 90,000 miles or more out of these tires with no decline in performance. It's expensive, though: The cheaper Continental CrossContact LX20 EcoPlus (*Est. $165) performs equally well, but has inferior tread life in tests.

Note that these all-season tires are designed for use on paved roads. If you regularly venture off-road, an all-terrain tire like the Cooper Discoverer A/T3 (*Est. $200) or Kumho Road Venture SAT KL61 (*Est. $145) might suit you better, though as a general rule, all-terrain tires don't grip as well on ice as all-seasons do.

ConsumerReports.org extensively tests the Michelin LTX M/S2, comparing it with other all-season tires. Two retail websites, TireRack.com and 1010Tires.com, post reviews written by customers who own the Michelin LTX M/S2. SaferCar.gov is the place to find tires' government traction, temperature and tread-wear ratings.