The Car Guide's 2015 Top 10 Best Winter Tires
For most drivers, shopping for snow tires is no less complicated than shopping for a new car. There are so many products out there that consumers don't know which way to turn. To make your life easier, we’ve compiled our top 10 picks of the best winter tires on the market.
Most of the manufacturers in our ranking are popular, must-have brands like Michelin, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Yokohama, Toyo, Continental and Nokian. Others like Gislaved and Vredestein are coming to the fore this year with new products and so we’ve added them to our winter comparison.
As per usual, we evaluated each tire on different winter surfaces (ice, hard or deep snow, dry surfaces). A special thanks goes out to Autodrome Saint-Eustache, which made this possible by making a part of its facilities available to us last winter for computer measurements and several specific exercises.
The tests also took place on side roads and sections of highways – in particular for our noise meter measurements – in order to corroborate all the data. The classic tests included accelerating and braking, successions of different types of corners, lane changes and slaloms. Finally, a subjective score that accounted for a minuscule part of the overall evaluation added a personal touch and helped us finalize the ranking. The differences between certain products are minimal, while others are much more pronounced.
Benefitting from cutting-edge technology, the Hakka 8 is in a class by itself. This tire is equally fantastic in snow and on ice. On option, it is also available with studs installed directly at the plant. On dry surfaces, with or without studs, it is noisier than its rivals. Drivers who prefer a smoother ride will appreciate its kid brother, the Nokian R2 (without studs), which competes more directly with the Japanese and European ice tires.
- 81 sizes: 13 to 21 inches
- Studs: Yes, at the plant
Our evaluation (Hakka 8)
- Braking on ice: Excellent
- Traction in snow: Excellent
- Handling on dry surfaces: Good
The Bridgestone WS80 is the most recent addition to the Blizzak lineup. Its handling on ice is exemplary and the tread and shoulder block design make it extremely efficient in the snow. Its poor reputation for faster wear than its closest competitors is now ancient history.
- 47 sizes: 15 to 18 inches
- Studs: No
Our evaluation
- Braking on ice: Excellent
- Traction in snow: Very good
- Handling on dry surfaces: Very good
The technological improvements made by its rivals Hakka and Blizzak over the last few years have relegated Michelin X-Ice Xi3 from first to third place. Nonetheless, it remains a yardstick in the category for its smooth ride and longevity. It offers very short braking distances and good handling on ice and hard snow, but loses a few points in heavy snow since the shoulder blocks of its treads are tightly woven and do not evacuate snow terribly quickly.
- 60 sizes: 14 to 19 inches
- Studs: No
Our evaluation
- Braking on ice: Excellent
- Traction in snow: Good
- Handling on dry surfaces: Excellent
The Observe GSi5 is a versatile ice tire that offers very good traction in all types of snow and slush. To be suitable for several vehicle types, it is available in about a hundred sizes. To expand their offer and reduce prices, Toyo unveiled the G3-Ice last year. It’s a little less dynamic than the GSi5 on ice but you can get it with studs for improved grip on slippery surfaces.
- 105 sizes: 13 to 20 inches
- Studs: No (GSi5), yes (G3-Ice)
Our evaluation (GSi5)
- Braking on ice: Excellent
- Traction in snow: Very good
- Handling on dry surfaces: Good
# 5. Continental Winter Contact Si
The Continental Winter Contact Si is a newcomer for 2015-2016. It picks up the torch from the Extreme Winter Contact whose asymmetrical tread suited performance cars but was a fish out of water when fitted on economical vehicles. Inspired by its predecessor’s technology, the Winter Contact Si can handle itself on ice, dry surfaces and in snow. The now unidirectional tread and closer, V-shaped shoulder blocks are very quiet and good at filtering the road’s imperfections.
- 33 sizes: 15 to 20 inches
- Studs: No
Our evaluation
- Braking on ice: Very good
- Traction in snow: Good
- Handling on dry surfaces: Excellent
Just like its rival the Continental Winter Contact Si, the Pirelli Ice Zero is a new winter tire this year. The tread features an asymmetrical design and a tread compound that makes braking distances short on ice. On dry or clear surfaces, it has excellent handling and a quiet ride comparable to that of the Michelin X-Ice Xi3.
Another version of the Ice Zero will also be available with factory-installed studs. The tread design is very different and there aren’t many sizes for the time being. The studs made with a tungsten tip are exclusive and their W shape is supposed to improve grip on slippery surfaces. The rest, however, remains to be tested on icy roads...
- 24 sizes: 14 to 19 inches (without studs)
- 62 sizes (to come): 14 to 20 inches (with studs)
Our evaluation (without studs)
- Braking on ice: Very good
- Traction in snow: Good
- Handling on dry surfaces: Excellent
Gislaved winter tires were long compared to Nokian products, but its Finnish rival’s technology left it behind over time. Nevertheless, the Nord Frost 100 has an enviable reputation and rivals the efficiency of Hakkapeliitta tires in snow. However, it doesn’t come close to the Hakka family’s dexterity on ice. One powerful argument in its favour is its more affordable price.
- 44 sizes: 14 to 19 inches
- Studs: Yes (at the plant)
Our evaluation
- Braking on ice: Good
- Traction in snow: Excellent
- Handling on dry surfaces: Good
Year after year, Yokohama winter tires are ranked among the best on the market and the iG52c is a worthy successor to the renowned iceGUARD iG20. Compared to its illustrious predecessor, its capabilities on ice and in slush are superior. Handling on dry surfaces is flawless and the smooth ride is exemplary. As for durability, it lasts longer than the late iG20.
- 50 sizes: 13 to 18 inches
- Studs: No
Our evaluation
- Braking on ice: Very good
- Traction in snow: Good
- Handling on dry surfaces: Very good
The Vredestein name is as evocative as Nokian and Gislaved in the world of winter tires. However, like Gislaved, the Netherlands-based manufacturer was not able to match the pace set by Nokian, Bridgestone and the other big manufacturers. Featuring an eye-catching design, the SnowTrac 5 offers good handling on dry surfaces and good performance when braking and in curves on icy surfaces. Its distribution is very limited but it guarantees its user a certain amount of exclusivity, which will impress your friends and colleagues to no end.
- 60 sizes: 13 to 17 inches
- Studs: No
Our evaluation
- Braking on ice: Very good
- Traction in snow: Good
- Handling on dry surfaces: Good
# 10. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT
The Ultra Grip Ice WRT managed to squeeze into our top 10, but it could have been overtaken by one or many lesser known tires had we not taken its durability or large distribution network into account. Be that as it may, it offers excellent handling on dry surfaces in very cold temperatures and a very comfortable ride. Moreover, it also stood out during braking tests on icy surfaces. Too bad it, like many other ice tires that perform in good weather, ran into some difficulties in deep snow.
- 34 sizes: 15 to 20 inches
- Studs: No
Our evaluation
- Braking on ice: Very good
- Traction in snow: Average
- Handling on dry surfaces: Excellent
And the rest...
Had we extended our list to a top 15 or 20, we could have found other good products such as the Hercules Avalanche R G2, General Altimax Arctic, Dunlop Winter Maxx, Hankook i*Pike RS (W419) and BF Goodrich Winter Slalom KSI. Finally, a trio of products made in China that offer decent performance are the acclaimed GT Radial Champiro Icepro and the Maxtrek Trek M7 and Eskay Winter X.
