Stay Safe and Confident on Winter Roads: Top 10 Best Snow Tires for SUV in 2023 – Premium and Budget Options Reviewed

Current sport-utility vehicles, also known as SUVs, are among the most capable automobiles that money can purchase. Each one of them comes standard with a plethora of electronic driving assists, each of which has the potential to significantly enhance the traction in adverse conditions. Even better, sport utility vehicles and crossovers that have all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) systems can give you exceptional traction on snow and ice. Because of these systems, accelerating and turning won’t be too much of a hassle for you.

On the other hand, if you want to get the most out of your SUV or crossover, you’ll need tires designed specifically for the winter or snow. To tell you the truth, there are some locations where you won’t require these tires at all. If you reside in a warm climate like Florida or California, for example, you may find that a set of tires designed for all seasons performs very well during the winter.

However, if you reside further north, you’ll find that things become more challenging. This is due to the fact that summer or all-season tires cannot be used effectively on any vehicle during the winter months. If the tires do not have sufficient traction, no electronic assistance or all-wheel-drive device will be able to help you. And perhaps most significantly, the handling of your SUV won’t be very good, and the stopping distances will be excessive.

I just wanted to point out that during the winter months, traveling without snow tires can be an extremely risky proposition. Because of this, I always advise purchasing a pair, and this is particularly the case if you live in an area that experiences severe winter conditions. In the winter, you can get the most out of your SUV by equipping it with snow tires that are up to the task. In addition to this, your vehicle will be more stable when going around corners and will always come to a halt in a timely manner.

All of the things I mentioned are particularly important to keep in mind if the roads are covered in ice. There is not a single all-season tire on the market today that functions well on water that has frozen over. In the majority of locations, snow and ice combine to make the roadways hazardous during the winter months. For driving in such conditions, your only option is to purchase winter tires, which you probably already surmised.

Is there a difference between snow and winter tires?

You probably took note of the fact that I discussed snow tires as well as winter tires. This is due to the fact that in modern times, they constitute one and the same entity. In the past, there was a category of tires called snow tires that were created particularly for the challenges of driving on snow, slush, and ice.

Nevertheless, we still refer to them as winter tires despite the fact that they can be used on both arid and wet terrain. Even in the most northern regions, it does not consistently snow throughout the entire winter. As a result of this, winter tires are required to fulfill a variety of functions. They have to be stable and drivable on dry roads, offer decent traction when it’s raining, and perform exceptionally well when there is snow, ice, or slush on the road.

That’s quite a tall assignment to fill. If you want a tire to be more responsive on dry roadways, you typically have to sacrifice its ability to provide traction on snow and ice. And the other way around, of course. However, there are some manufacturers that do a superior job than others. Premium winter tires are an investment that almost never disappoints. These items frequently come equipped with the most recent technologies and make use of cutting-edge materials. On the other hand, in comparison to low-cost alternatives, their prices are significantly higher.

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered – I’ve compiled a list of the top snow tires for SUVs, and I’ve included both high-end and more affordable choices. In addition to that, I mentioned tires that are suitable for larger SUVs and crossovers, as well as tires that are suitable for compact ones. Be positive that the one you buy is suitable for your automobile by checking the sizing information on our affiliate partners’ websites before making a purchase.

Therefore, without further ado, let’s dive right into the list and discover some fantastic snow tires for your cherished SUV, shall we?

Best Snow Tires for SUVs for 2023

1. Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2

There is not a better SUV winter tire on the market right now than the Latitude X-Ice Xi2 tire. This is due to the fact that this tire is excellent in all aspects. The only drawback is the greater cost, but other than that, the tire excels in every condition it faces. The acquisition is a no-brainer if you don’t mind paying the asking price.

And everything revolves around how well it operates on snow. The traction in this area is unimaginably excellent, so you won’t have any trouble moving around at all. The handling is also of the highest caliber. When you’re behind the wheel, you won’t feel as if you’re losing control of the vehicle like you do when driving on most winter tires.

In addition, the X-Ice Xi2 performs exceptionally well when used on ice. It’s true that a studded tire will perform better, but when it comes to regular winter tires, Michelin makes one of the finest options available. The hydroplaning resistance of the tire is exceptional, and there is a great deal of traction; therefore, snow and rain do not present any challenges for it. A winter tire should have outstanding dry traction, grip, and braking performance as well.

At the end of the day, the tire comes with an excellent treadwear guarantee from Michelin that lasts for 40,000 miles. There is not a single other manufacturer that even comes close to that. In point of fact, they do not offer any sort of treadwear guarantee on their winter tires! You should now have an understanding of why the Michelin X-Ice Xi2 is more expensive than some of the other choices on this list.

2. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

When comparing overall effectiveness as well as cost, the Blizzak DM-V2 is very comparable to the Michelin. The fact that Bridgestone does not offer a treadwear guarantee on the tire, however, causes it to fall further down the list than the other options. Despite this, it is still an incredible buy, particularly considering the excellent treadlife that owners report.

Additionally, the Blizzak DM-V2 is not one to let you down when it comes to its performance in the weather. Both traction and stopping are significantly improved on snow. Additionally, the tire has a feeling of surefootedness in the corners and offers exceptional steering ability to the driver.

Traction on icy surfaces is another area in which the Bridgestone excels. To reiterate, the handling is very excellent for a non-studded winter tire, and the stopping distances aren’t very long either. In addition, the tire is able to easily handle slush and rain, which contributes to an enjoyable and secure driving experience for the motorist.

Last but not least, the tire has a very responsive feel to it and performs well in dry circumstances. It handles corners competently, stops in a timely manner, and offers an excellent level of stability when driving on the freeway.

3. Yokohama iceGUARD G075

Recently, Yokohama introduced the iceGUARD G075, and immediately after its release, the tire was a huge success. Even though it is priced significantly lower than the premium competitors from Michelin and Bridgestone, it performs exceptionally well on a wide variety of terrains and under a variety of weather conditions.

In severe wintry conditions, I discovered that the Yokohama performed exceptionally well. The iceGUARD G075 provides very usable traction over ice-covered roadways, which is something that you can’t say for other budget-friendly tires because it makes use of a specialized winter tread compound. Other tires don’t have this feature.

In addition, the snow traction is among the finest that can be found in any winter tire on the market today. Both compacted snow and unpacked snow won’t be much of a challenge for your SUV when it comes to acceleration. In addition to this, the tire has a confident stopping ability and feels surefooted when turning.

The Yokohama demonstrates its superiority over snow and water by continuing to do so. Both the resistance to hydroplaning and the amount of traction available are more than adequate for secure driving. Having said that, even though the tire can be driven securely on dry roads, I get the impression that it is not quite as responsive as I had hoped it would be. Yokohama, to their credit, designed their tires with a technology that reduces the amount of rolling resistance, which results in improved gas mileage.

Best Snow Tires for Compact SUVs and Crossovers

4. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

When it comes to snow tires for compact crossovers and SUVs like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Ford Escape, the Blizzak WS90 is by far the finest option available. This is particularly the case if you live in an area that experiences extremely severe winter conditions, which is exactly where the Bridgestone truly shines.

On ice, the Blizzak WS90 performs exceptionally well for a winter tire that does not have reinforced lugs. On roadways covered in ice, I have never encountered a tire that maintains such a high level of integrity. It will accelerate without causing you too much trouble, it will brake effectively, and it will even give you excellent cornering abilities.

You shouldn’t be nervous about driving in the snow with this tire because it can easily handle the conditions. The category’s best acceleration adhesion, and also the category’s best stopping distances, are both attributes of this product. In addition to this, the Blizzak WS90 has a very surefooted feeling even when turning corners.

Even on arid surfaces, Bridgestone was able to coax some performance out of the tire. Even though the Blizzak WS90 is not a performance tire, it still manages to operate surprisingly well in comparison to others in its class. The hydroplaning resistance of the tire is exceptional, and there is sufficient traction available on board. Rain and slush do not present a challenge for the tire either.

Having said that, Bridgestone is still not offering any sort of treadwear warranty on its winter tires, which is a shame.

5. Continental VikingContact 7

There aren’t many tires that can compete with the VikingContact 7 in severe winter circumstances. The Continental is a genuinely remarkable tire that should be utilized by motorists who spend the majority of their time driving on snow and ice.

For instance, the VikingContact 7 is the snow tire that offers the finest handling of any option currently available. When you move the steering wheel, it almost feels like you’re getting away with something. Because of the tire’s powerful grip and biting ability in the snow, you have a great deal of assurance that you can drive your SUV further. Additionally, the stopping distances are very brief, and there is a sufficient amount of traction for acceleration. In general, this is probably the finest tire that can be purchased for use when driving on snow.

In addition to that, the ice traction that this tire offers is again up there with the finest that its category has to offer. The area has outstanding traction, the stopping distances aren’t particularly lengthy, and the handling doesn’t feel particularly risky.

The handling of the VikingContact 7 is excellent, even on roadways that are slick with rain. However, the stopping distances are significantly greater than expected, which was a shock. In addition to that, the roadway has a discernible tread growl to it. The tire, however, comes into its own when used on dry roadways, where it performs exceptionally well.

6. Cooper Discoverer True North

Best Studdable Snow Tires for SUVs

7. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV

8. Firestone Winterforce 2 UV

Even though it contains a number of cutting-edge technologies, Firestone’s most recent winter tire model is still more affordable than expensive tires. And perhaps most significantly, it functions admirably in a wide variety of icy environments.

The directional tread pattern appears to be capable of biting into anything that is frigid. It is particularly effective in snow, where you can anticipate traction that is nearly on par with that provided by the very finest premium tires. Acceleration will not be a problem for you regardless of whether the snow is compacted or unpacked. In the meantime, your SUV will come to a controlled halt and easily navigate corners.

When you attach those TSMI #11 blue spikes, the Winterforce 2 UV morphs into an ice carver. When the studs are connected, there is a significant improvement in traction on ice. You won’t have any trouble accelerating, steering, or stopping, and you won’t have to worry about loosing traction either. I was also taken aback by the tire’s performance in the rain; there were no significant drawbacks in this regard.

Having said that, the dry handling is decent, but it’s not particularly impressive. Additionally, there may be an issue with noise, particularly when traveling at highway velocities, and the ride may be bouncy on roadways with uneven surfaces.

9. General AltiMAX Arctic 12

This is a manufacturer that never fails to take our breath away, and that manufacturer is General Tire. It consistently offers drivers a driving experience of a higher standard at prices that are lower than those offered by premium competitors. Additionally, they were successful once more with the AltiMAX Arctic 12.

On dry roadways, the handling isn’t going to blow your mind, that much is certain. However, if you want greater traction in the winter, that’s a small price to pay in my opinion. On top of that, the AltiMAX Arctic 12 is able to at the very least provide a safe experience, which is more than sufficient when traveling on dry roadways.

Most significantly, the tire performs exceptionally well on roads that are covered in snow. It accelerates without making a lot of noise, maintains its position well in the corners, and comes to a halt on schedule. Even without the studs attached, ice traction is satisfactory; however, in these conditions, you should have the studs connected.

You can also anticipate exceptional levels of traction, steering, and stopping power once they are installed. Even in wet conditions, the AltiMAX Arctic 12 performs admirably, particularly on account of its exceptional resilience to hydroplaning. Even though General Tire guarantees a long treadlife, we have not yet had the opportunity to test it because it is the most recent model on this list.

10. GT Radial IcePro SUV 3 Studdable

The GT IcePro SUV 3 is the tire with the lowest price on this list, and to tell you the truth, it isn’t perfect by any means. In spite of the tire’s aggressive tread pattern, which features numerous zig-zag sipes, it is not capable of keeping up with premium competitors when driving on snow and ice. At the very least, there are no nails on it. The stopping distances are greater, and there is a tendency for the vehicle to understeer when turning.

When the screws are installed, the tire, fortunately, lives up to its potential. You will have plenty of traction as soon as it begins biting into the snow and ice that you are walking on. The handling is noticeably improved, and the stopping distances are cut down by a significant amount.

It’s interesting to note that the GT IcePro SUV 3 performs exceptionally well on both dry and wet roadways. This is probably due to the fact that the tread compound is designed to perform better in warm circumstances as opposed to cold ones. Keep in mind that without the spikes, this tire does not perform very well on snow and ice. In any case, the stopping distances on dry and wet roadways are remarkable, and the handling has a surefooted, if not dynamic, feel to it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• When should I replace my winter tires?

As soon as the tread depth on your winter tires approaches 5/32 of an inch, which is equal to 4 millimeters, you should immediately replace your winter tires. It is a commonly held belief that winter tires will not function properly on snow and ice below that temperature.

• Can I put winter tires only on the driven axle?

Absolutely not. You will definitely get improved acceleration thanks to the increased traction, but what about the handling and the braking? When only one axle is equipped with winter tires, the vehicle’s performance becomes much less predictable. If you put winter tires on both axles of your vehicle, it will actually handle corners better.

• Do I need to rotate my winter tires?

Sure! In this manner, you can prevent the tread from wearing in an uneven pattern, which is one of the main factors that significantly reduces a tire’s lifespan. It is recommended that you rotate your winter tires every winter, or every 4,000-6,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.

• Do I need winter tires on my AWD/4WD car?

If you happen to reside in an area that experiences severe winters, then without a doubt. Because your vehicle has an all-wheel-drive system, there is a good chance that it will have improved stability and acceleration. Nevertheless, as soon as you apply pressure to the break pedal, your SUV will begin to skid like a sled. In addition to this, there is a possibility that you will be unable to make a proper shift into a corner.

• Should I use different rims for my winter tires?

You won’t have any trouble using the wheels that are already on the car. However, the harsh circumstances of winter can damage or otherwise degrade your rims. This is due to the fact that the authorities use sand and salt to melt the snow in order to clear the roadways. In addition, both salt and grit are abrasive substances, which means that they have the potential to easily scratch your rims. For this reason, I suggest purchasing some inexpensive outdated steel wheels to use during the winter.

Conclusion