The best winter tires for cars and small SUVs in 2024-2025
Auto123.com presents its winter tire buying guide for 2024-2025. Yesterday, we presented an overview of the current situation in the field. Today, we will discuss tires for cars and small SUVs. Tomorrow, we will cover tires for larger SUVs and trucks.
**Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 and R5 (and Nordman North 9)**
Launched last year, the latest addition to the Hakkapeliitta family, the **Hakkapeliitta 10**, is an evolution of the version 9 that was tested on a Volkswagen family car in Abitibi, Quebec. The **Hakkapeliitta 10**, available studded from the factory, proved reliable and performed exceptionally well on icy roads. The feedback from users has been positive. Additionally, the **R5** tires installed on a Porsche Cayenne provided great control in icy conditions and were very quiet on long drives. Nokian offers one of the best winter tires on the market, with prices reflecting its high quality.
**Michelin X-Ice Snow and North, and Alpin**
The French brand Michelin’s **X-Ice Snow** tire has been praised for being effective in snow and ice, addressing the shortcomings of its predecessor. The latest version of the X-Ice Snow is quiet, efficient, and durable. Michelin’s X-Ice Snow and **North** variants are manufactured in Canada at Michelin’s Nova Scotia plants. For performance or touring vehicles, Michelin’s **Alpin** range offers good performance in snow and ice, albeit at a higher cost.
**Bridgestone Blizzak**
Despite being on the market for several years, the **Blizzak WS90** from Bridgestone remains a top choice for winter tires. While effective in snow and ice, some competitors have caught up in terms of grip quality. Bridgestone is expected to announce updates, including the **Blizzak Spike 3**, but as of writing, it is not available in Canada.
**Continental Ultimate Contact Winter**
The new **Ultimate Contact Winter tire from Continental** features PolarPlus technology, providing optimal grip on ice and snow. It is designed for electric vehicles, offering low rolling resistance and reduced noise. Continental aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and uses vegetable oil to improve rubber elasticity, enhancing grip in all conditions.
**Motomaster Winter Edge II**
The **Motomaster Winter Edge II** from Canadian Tire, developed by Hankook, proved effective in snow and ice, even with vehicle stability systems disabled. It offers good traction and performance in winter conditions.
**Goodyear WinterCommand Plus**
The **WinterCommand** line from Goodyear is designed for new-generation winter tires, rivaling popular models like the Bridgestone Blizzak. It is available with studs and offers reasonable prices across its range.
**Pirelli Sottozero**
Italian manufacturer Pirelli offers excellent winter tires, including the **Sottozero 2 and 3** for performance vehicles. These tires have impressed users, providing good performance in snow and ice, despite slightly faster wear than competitors.
Each tire brand mentioned offers a range of winter tire options, from high-end to more budget-friendly models. Customers can choose based on their needs and preferences.
