Editor’s Note: We update this list with latest tire models every year, and republish it. In compiling this list of the best, we did our best to choose brands and models based on our own tire experience, reviews, research, and opinions.
Winter tires are essential for conquering snow, sleet, and ice—skip the all-seasons if you can. From budget-friendly to premium options, this guide covers top picks and standout contenders. Plus, we answer key questions: Are snow tires worth it, and do they offer good value?
This guide covers:
CARS & CROSSOVERS
Best Budget Winter Tire | Best Performance Winter Tire | Best Midrange Winter Tire | Best Premium Winter/Snow Tire
SUV & LIGHT TRUCKS
Best Budget Winter Tire for SUV | Best Performance Winter Tire for SUV | Best Midrange Winter Tire for SUV | Best Premium Winter Tire for SUV
- Best Budget-Friendly Winter Tire: rubber at a reasonable price without compromising quality
- Best Performance Winter Tire: for ultimate handling and control in the white stuff
- Best Midrange Winter Tire: priced and positioned right in the middle of the pack
- Best Premium Winter Tire: top-of-the-range snow tires with pricing to match
Now, let’s get on with it…
CARS & CROSSOVERS
Best Budget-Friendly Winter Tire
Top Pick: Sailun IceBlazer WSTX
Takeaway:
Replacing Sailun’s best-selling Ice Blazer WST1, the latest WSTX winter tire is also aimed at cars and crossovers, offering good snow performance for buyers on a budget.
Why we like it:
Winter performance at a budget price, replaces WST1
Directional tread pattern with aggressive sipes for grip on snow and ice
Excellent size coverage
The IceBlazer WSTX is a studdable winter tire by Chinese manufacturer Sailun that comes in more than 60 sizes. In 2023 it replaced the company’s biggest-selling winter product, the Ice Blazer WST1, and in total, more than a million Canadians have bought Sailun IceBlazers for winter use.
A specially formulated, silica-reinforced compound is designed to keep the rubber flexible for maximum grip in extreme cold temperatures. In a comparison test for Finnish publication Tuulilasi the outgoing WST1 performed particularly well in snow braking and in wet conditions.
The new variant looks to continue this trend, thanks to a specialized compound and polymer blend, maintaining flexibility for peak performance, while enhancing safety and handling. With its proprietary silica-reinforced formula, the WSTX is said to deliver reliable grip in frigid temperatures. It bears the 3PMS (3-peak mountain snowflake) symbol of a certified winter tire and is a great choice for winter drivers on a budget.
Sailun is part of Mesnac, a company you won’t have heard of but that provides tire-building technology to many of the world’s top tire companies. It has also invested in cutting-edge tire materials and environmental technology. Here’s more info and Ice Blazer WSTX sizes.
Top Contenders:
Cooper Evolution Winter
The Evolution Winter’s tread is optimized for deep snow, with Cooper’s patented saw-tooth design trapping snow in the tread to provide snow-on-snow traction. The tire can be studded for even greater grip and is available in dozens of sizes from 15-20in rim diameters, for cars and crossovers.
Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 4
Uniroyal’s affordable option was upgraded to the Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 4 in 2024. Sold only in Canada, it offers better ice braking and 8% less rolling resistance than the long-running predecessor tire, the Ice & Snow 3. However, unlike the 3, the 4 is not studdable. The Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 4 is available in 57 sizes for 15-19in wheels and comes with an impressive six-year limited warranty.
CARS & CROSSOVERS continued:
Best Performance Winter Tire
Top Pick: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Takeaway: The Sottozero 3 has performance that’s backed by luxury car manufacturers and incorporates innovative technologies to keep you mobile in an emergency.
Why we like it:
Available runflat, self-sealing and noise-cancellation technologies
Homologation from 11 prestige car manufacturers
High scores in hydroplaning resistance, snow traction and ice braking in Consumer Reports testing
Dedicated to high-end, premium vehicles, Pirelli deployed new compounds and a new sipe design when it introduced the Winter Sottozero 3. The tire was co-developed with luxury-vehicle OEMs, has been homologated by brands including Bentley, Maserati and Tesla, and is available in rim sizes from 16-21in.
There are 3D sipes for improved handling in dry conditions, with high sipe density for better grip on snow. Two wide, longitudinal grooves benefit wet handling and braking. Inside the tire, the ‘Seal Inside’ technology enables you to to drive on without losing air pressure even after a puncture and is said to cover around 85% of possible accidental causes of pressure loss. The Winter Sottozero 3’s are a good choice for sport sedans too, according to TorqueNews.
Top Contenders:
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
The latest generation of Michelin’s acclaimed Pilot Alpin (PA) series is said to improve braking performance and hydroplaning resistance, compared with the previous PA4, while a new functional polymer is incorporated to provide more grip in all conditions. The recipe has been enough to secure homologations from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. In Germany, a highly regarded ADAC winter tire test (think AAA/CAA) placed the PA5 at the top of the tree in 2020.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32
Blizzaks of any description are always a solid winter tire choice. The popular WS90 for mainstream cars and minivans, for example, scores well in comparison tests. The runflat LM-32 meanwhile has a directional tread pattern and is designed for the drivers of luxury sports cars and performance sedans, “who need premium performance on winter’s demanding snow-covered roads,” according Bridgestone. Here’s our full review of the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2.
CARS & CROSSOVERS continued:
Best Midrange Winter Tire
Top Pick: Goodyear WinterCommand (CUV)
Takeaway: Dedicated truck version of the WinterCommand is well suited to snowy conditions.
Why we like it:
Excellent snow traction
Good size coverage
Performance tailored to different vehicles
The studdable WinterCommand is also available for cars and minivans, but this CUV/SUV version is aimed at the performance demands of crossovers, SUVs and light trucks. As such, there are variations in the tread pattern, which boasts full-depth, zigzag sipes. In Consumer Reports testing, the WinterCommand got maximum points for snow traction and solid scores for ride comfort and fuel-saving rolling resistance but was less impressive in wet conditions.
Top Contenders:
Cooper Discoverer True North
Cooper says the widely available Discoverer True North is ideal for commuters who drive cars and minivans on plowed and treated roads, dealing with slush and black ice through the winter months. The coupled silica compound is designed to improve traction on ice and negate the need for studs.
BFGoodrich Winter T/A KSI
We were impressed when we reviewed the Winter T/A KSI available in Canada. We liked its blend of winter-conditions performance – enhanced by saw-toothed groove edges for better grip – and measures to reduce noise and handling compromises on clear pavement. The tire’s high-density silica compound is said to deliver traction in sub-freezing temperatures and extended durability on warmer winter days.
CARS & CROSSOVERS continued:
Best Premium Winter/Snow Tire
Top Pick: Michelin X-Ice SNOW
Takeaway: Picks up where the X-Ice Xi3 left off, adding new technologies for long-lasting performance.
Why we like it:
Scored 5/5 for owner satisfaction in Consumer Reports testing
Performance may remain at a high level for longer than on some other tires
With 150 sizes available, it’s highly likely to fit your vehicle
Introduced in the winter of 2020-21, the X-Ice SNOW is the successor to the much-lauded X-Ice Xi3 we reviewed here and Latitude X-Ice Xi2. Developed at Michelin’s Nordic test centres and produced mostly at the company’s plant in Nova Scotia, Canada, the X-Ice SNOW improves on its predecessor’s snow traction and braking. Michelin claims the newcomer also comes out well in treadwear testing against leading competitors.
A new, V-shaped tread is designed to maintain its shape – and therefore its performance – even when worn, as does the deployment of the EverGrip technologies that we’ve seen on other Michelin products. The company’s ‘Flex-Ice 2.0’ tread compound is said to consist of, “a unique rubber mix with a full silica-based compound,” to maintain flexibility in severe cold-climate conditions.
Top Contenders:
Continental VikingContact 7
The VikingContact 7 made its debut in 2019 but is still a strong performer. It is available in more than 100 sizes. Conti developed the tire to provide a balance between flexibility and stiffness, so that it performs well in both wintry and wet conditions. Canadian tire buyers looking for a tire specifically for extreme cold conditions should also check out the Canada-only IceContact XTRM (see review here), which comes in both studded and non-studded versions.
Goodyear WinterCommand Ultra
Launched in 2020, the WinterCommand Ultra is said to be Goodyear’s best winter tire yet. It features a ‘Cryo-Adaptative’ compound that’s engineered to stay pliable in extreme cold conditions and ‘V-Tred technology’ – hydrodynamic grooves to evacuate water, slush and snow without compromising ride comfort, all while retaining a quiet ride. Check out this review by Road & Track for an owner’s perspective on a tire that is available in more than 40 sizes.
SUV & LIGHT TRUCKS
Best Budget Winter Tire for SUV
Top Pick: Sailun Terramax A/T 3PMS
Takeaway: Versatile, rugged all-terrain tire that is approved for winter use with 3PMS certification.
Why we like it:
All-terrain tire with winter certification
Design features to improve comfort
More than 40 sizes available for 15-20in rims, including LT sizes
Sailun recently upgraded its Terramax A/T for better winter performance, enabling the tire to achieve 3-peak mountain snowflake certification. It’s designed to deliver excellent traction for SUVs, pickups and vans, on and off the road, while also delivering good handling, stability and a quiet, comfortable ride.
The tire features an aggressive, open-shoulder tread design that aims to improve traction by expelling water, snow, slush and mud. A solid centre rib is employed for better ride comfort and handling precision, while deep, multidirectional tread sipes are said to improve comfort without sacrificing traction. Here’s more info and Sailun TerraMax A/T sizes available.
Note: The company recently released a rugged terrain (R/T) version of the TerraMax, alongside this all-terrain (A/T) variant. Here’s our review of the 3PMS-certified TerraMax RT.
Top Contenders:
General Grabber Arctic LT
With the exception of wet braking performance, the Grabber Arctic LT from General Tire, another of Continental’s brands, scored highly across the board in Consumer Reports testing. With durability in mind it features a robust, cut-and-chip-resistant compound and high-strength belts. The tire is studdable and comes with a six-year treadwear warranty.
GT Radial IcePro SUV 3
Available in a range of sizes to fit 16-20in rims, the IcePro SUV 3 can be used with or without studs, on pickup trucks and SUVs. It outperformed more expensive tires in testing by Consumer Reports, during which it scored maximum points for snow traction, ice braking and rolling resistance. The IcePro SUV 3 comes with a five-year limited warranty.
SUV & LIGHT TRUCKS continued:
Best Performance Winter Tire for SUV
Top Pick: Bridgestone Blizzak LM80 RFT
Takeaway: With low-profile sizes for drivers who want to retain their vehicle’s sporty appearance, the Blizzak LM80 is aimed squarely at high-performance crossovers and SUVs.
Why we like it:
Available reinforced sidewalls for runflat capability
Low-profile sizes to match summer tire appearance
Outstanding Blizzak brand reputation
The LM80’s direction tread pattern features an uninterrupted central rib for more precise steering response and better high-speed stability. As with other Blizzak designs, the LM80 features the Lamellen ‘edge effect’, whereby differently oriented sipes in the tread blocks create edges to bite into the snow, aiding snow grip and traction. Transversal grooves remove water and slush from below the tire’s footprint to resist hydroplaning. Bridgestone makes two versions of the LM80 – the RFT with runflat capability, and the Evo, without.
Top Contenders:
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 SUV
The Winter Sport 5 SUV is aimed drivers of high-performance crossovers, combining winter performance with fuel efficiency. It has racked up several strong performances in independent tests since its launch in 2015. Its sister tire for cars and smaller crossovers, the Winter Sport 5, also continues to hold its own in comparison tests, taking home second place in the 215/55 R17 size in a 2024 test by Germany’s ADAC ahead of rival products from Continental and Pirelli.
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
Vredestein is long-established in the field of winter tires, but they have only been sold in North America since the Apollo-owned brand arrived here in 2020. It brought with it the Wintrac Pro, which has a strong reputation in Europe as a performance winter tire for cars and SUVs. Even in a 2024 ADAC winter test, six years after its launch, the tire placed third, just as it did in a Consumer Reports performance tire comparison.
Note that the Wintrac Pro+ has now replaced this tire in Europe. All sizes will go on sale to consumers in North America in the fall of 2025.
SUV & LIGHT TRUCKS continued:
Best Midrange Winter Tire for SUV
Top Pick: Yokohama iceGUARD iG51v
Takeaway: The iceGUARD iG51v offers a great blend of value and performance in the midrange sector.
Why we like it:
Good winter performance for the price
Proven capability in our real-world test
Centre rib for stability in dry conditions
There are several winter tires in Yokohama’s iceGUARD family, including the recent iG53 for cars and minivans and the G075 for vans, crossovers and SUVs. This iG51v is designed for crossovers, SUVs and light trucks. The tread design features zigzag circumferential grooves with a 3D-shaped wall to pack and expel snow, as well as grooves to disperse slush and snow. Interlocking and adaptive 3D sipes – the small grooves that enable the tire to generate friction on ice – are said to enhance stability and grip, while a variable-angle centre rib improves rigidity on dry pavement.
Don’t miss our full review of the iG51v, which pointed to its excellent grip in snow and highlighted how the Yokohamas’ tread squirm – always an issue for winter tires due to the softer tread compounds – was less than on some designs we’d tested.
Top Contenders:
Cooper Discoverer Snow Claw
Launched in 2020, the Discoverer Snow Claw is Cooper’s studdable SUV and light-truck tire for extreme cold, snow and ice. It was tested in four countries on three continents and has a tread compound that has been engineered to stay supple in bitterly cold conditions. The ‘Snow Groove’ technology featured on other Cooper designs is also present to enhance traction, handling and braking.
Toyo Open Country WLT1
This Toyo offering is aimed at vehicles that typically carry a heavier load than the average light truck. The maker says that the Open Country WLT1 delivers secure ice and snow traction and that it has a deeper tread depth than average, for longer wear life. There’s a longitudinal waved-sipe for improved cornering performance on ice while the straight sipe and dimple design on the outside of the tread increases the tire’s resistance to wandering.
SUV & LIGHT TRUCKS continued:
Best Premium Winter Tire for SUV
Top Pick: Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
Takeaway: The Scorpion Winter 2 has proven performance and excellent size coverage for luxury SUVs.
Why we like it:
Available technologies to reduce noise and self-seal/run flat after a puncture
Excellent size coverage, especially for larger rims
Also offered in ‘Elect’ versions for EVs and plug-in hybrids
The Scorpion Winter was a leader in its class for a decade from its launch in 2012, with several comparison test wins to its name. We were also big fans: read our full Scorpion Winter test here.
The latest Scorpion Winter 2 replaced the original model in 2022. It has 3D sipes that are designed to change shape according to the state of wear of the tread, which increases their surface area and effectiveness, even when worn. Pirelli says the total area of grip on snow is up 20% compared with the previous Scorpion Winter. Meanwhile the tread compound, which uses the latest liquid polymers, also improves performance in rain and snow compared with the predecessor tire.
Many luxury and high-performance car manufacturers have homologated the Scorpion Winter 2 for their vehicles, including luxury electric and hybrid vehicles. Approvals include the Lamborghini Urus SE (22in rims) and Porsche Cayenne (all sizes).
Top Contenders:
Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT
This studdable Goodyear is available in different versions for light trucks or crossovers and SUVs. Design features include two-dimensional blades in the centre zone that are said to offer enhanced braking and traction on snow and ice, 3D tread-lock blades in the shoulder that lock together for grip in turns, and a rim protector to guard against curb damage.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV
Finnish brand Nokian is the oldest name in winter tires, having produced its first in 1934. One of the latest in a long line of fantastic winter products is the non-studdable Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV, launched in 2022 to improve upon the previous R3. The R5 SUV has outstanding size coverage for 14-20in rims, with most marked ‘XL’ for the highest possible load capacity – including suitability for heavier electric vehicles (EVs). At the time of writing, it was the highest-scoring winter truck tire in Consumer Reports testing.
Snow Tire FAQs
There you have it, our picks for some of the best winter and snow tires for cars, crossovers, sport utilities, and light trucks. Now, a couple popular FAQs answered, explaining whether snow tires are worth the time and expense, and if they offer any real value (short answer: yes). Read on.
Can I fit winter tires to an electric vehicle (EV)?
Yes. The high torque and increased weight of EVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) means that they can be tricky to handle on slippery roads, so winter tires are essential for safe progress in winter conditions. Some tire makers have dedicated, specially marked EV winter tires featuring technologies to lower rolling resistance to boost range, and sound-deadening measures to reduce road noise. Examples include the Pirelli ‘Elect’ models, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 EV and Hankook iON i*cept. But regular winter tires will also work fine, so long as they can handle your vehicle’s weight. Look for the ‘XL’ load capacity indicator and seek the advice of your local dealer or tire specialist.
Are snow tires even worth it?
All-season tires come as the default option on most cars, trucks and SUVs sold in North America. All-seasons are designed to keep you moving in most conditions and many will have an M+S (mud + snow) designation on the sidewall, but they are not designed to perform at their best in temperatures below 7°C/45°F. For anywhere that experiences these low temperatures for more than a few weeks a year, winter tires are well worth the expense – and in some territories, they’re mandatory.
Winter tires – the term ‘snow tire’ is a misnomer – come into their own in cold conditions, as they feature a softer, more flexible tread compound that’s designed to generate friction even when other tires go hard. Certified winter tires carry the 3-peak mountain snowflake (3PMS) symbol.
Traction in snowy or icy conditions is important, of course, helped by the many small grooves or ‘sipes’ that dig into the surface, but the main safety benefit lies in the braking and handling performance. With or without studs, winter tires will stop considerably faster than typical all-seasons on snow or ice and enable you to hold a turn much better, reducing the risk of an accident. Studs will further enhance grip if you drive regularly on ice.
Note that 4WD or AWD will help with winter traction – getting you moving on a slippery surface – but won’t help you stop faster. Any vehicle is only as good as that all-important connection between the tire’s ‘footprint’ and the road surface.
Do winter tires provide good value?
Winter tires do represent an additional expense. However, aside from the important safety benefits, they can pay back some of that cost over time by prolonging the life of the all-season or summer tires that you remove from the vehicle during the winter months.
The softer rubber compound used means that winter tires do not usually enjoy the same treadwear performance of a typical all-season tire, while the importance for grip of the myriad sharp edges in the tread pattern means that performance can drop off noticeably as the tire wears. Treadwear warranties are correspondingly lower for winter tires, or not available at all, although regular warranties against a defective product are normal. Michelin’s is one of the best, guaranteeing treadwear for up to 60,000km (40,000 miles), depending on the product.
It’s been proven the relative performance of premium winter tires, economy winter tires and all-season tires deteriorated over time. As ever with tires, aim to buy the best-performing product that you can afford, as better tires will likely retain their performance over a longer period of time.
