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Best Winter Tires for SUV

Best Winter Tires for SUV

Best Winter Tires for SUV: Winter tires, commonly referred to as snow tires, studless, or Nordic tires, are essential for safe driving in severe cold weather conditions. These specialized tires are designed to provide superior traction and handling on snow-covered and icy roads, ensuring better safety and performance for your SUV.

It’s important to note that some manufacturers offer distinct tire lines for SUVs and passenger cars, while others do not differentiate, producing tires suitable for both vehicle types. In this guide, we will focus on the best winter tires specifically for SUVs, highlighting options based on rigorous test results to help you make an informed decision for your winter driving needs. Whether you’re navigating snowy city streets or embarking on a winter adventure, the right set of winter tires can make all the difference.

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV

When it comes to the best of the best winter tires for SUV, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV emerges as a standout choice, particularly for its exceptional performance in ice and snow conditions. This tire’s dominance was clearly demonstrated in the 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tire Test, where it achieved impressive results.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV excelled in the crucial categories of Snow Braking and Snow Handling, securing the first position. Its performance in Snow Traction was also noteworthy, coming in at a strong second place. These results highlight the tire’s exceptional ability to handle challenging snow conditions, offering drivers enhanced safety and control.

Moreover, the tire’s performance on ice was remarkable, sweeping the first position in all three ice-related categories: Ice Braking, Ice Traction, and Ice Handling. This exemplary performance underscores its superior design and technology, specifically engineered to provide outstanding grip and stability on icy surfaces.

Winner:

  • 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test

Such achievements in both ice and snow categories firmly establish the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV as a leading choice for SUV drivers who face severe winter conditions. Whether navigating through heavy snow or traversing icy roads, this tire offers unmatched performance, making it an ideal choice for those seeking the utmost in winter safety and reliability for their SUV. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV not only meets the high standards of winter tire performance but sets a new benchmark in the category, ensuring drivers have the best possible experience in challenging winter environments.

Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV

  • Launch: 2022
  • Press test wins: 1/1
  • Strength: Ice & Snow

Check our head to head comparison of Hakkapeliitta R5 against its competitors.

Hakkapeliitta R5 vs

Price

2. Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2

Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2
Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2

In the realm of “Best Winter Tires for SUVs,” the Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2 stands out as a top contender, especially for drivers who prioritize performance in varied winter conditions. This tire is specifically designed as a dedicated SUV winter tire, featuring a unique pattern tailored to the demands of larger vehicles.

After a comprehensive comparison with the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV, it’s evident that the Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2 excels in several key areas. Its superior performance in wet conditions, enhanced hydroplaning resistance, and more effective dry braking set it apart. Additionally, the Blizzak DM V2 offers an improved ride comfort, a significant advantage in regions experiencing mixed winter weather conditions.

The Blizzak DM V2’s specific attributes make it a highly suitable choice for SUV drivers who value reliable handling and comfort during winter. Its specialized design caters to the unique needs of SUVs, ensuring better control and safety on wet, snowy, and icy roads. While the Michelin X Ice Snow has its own advantages, particularly for electric vehicles, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2 emerges as a top pick for those prioritizing wet and dry handling and overall ride comfort in their SUVs. This makes it a worthy consideration for anyone looking to enhance their winter driving experience with a tire that’s tailored to the challenges of cold-weather driving.

Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2

  • Launch: 2014
  • Press test wins: 0/1
  • Strength: Hydroplaning & Ride comfort

Check our head to head comparison of Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2 against its competitors.

Blizzak DM V2 vs

Price

3. Michelin X-Ice SNOW SUV

Michelin X-Ice SNOW

When looking around for the best winter tires for SUVs, the Michelin X-Ice SNOW SUV emerges as a strong contender, especially for its commendable performance in ice and snow categories. This is evident from its performance in the 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tire Test, where it showcased impressive capabilities.

The Michelin X-Ice SNOW SUV ranked highly in the crucial snow traction category, securing the 1st place. This indicates its exceptional ability to provide reliable grip and stability on snow-covered roads, a key factor for safe winter driving. Additionally, in the snow braking category, it achieved a respectable 3rd position, demonstrating its efficiency in reducing stopping distances in snowy conditions.

When it comes to performance on ice, the Michelin X-Ice SNOW SUV stood out as the 2nd best in both Ice Braking and Ice Traction categories. These results highlight the tire’s advanced design and technology, which enable it to maintain excellent control and safety on icy surfaces. Although its performance in Ice Handling and Snow Handling was slightly lower, placing 4th and 5th respectively, these results still reflect a well-rounded capability in various winter conditions.

Overall, the Michelin X-Ice SNOW SUV is a top choice for SUV drivers seeking a tire that balances performance across a range of challenging winter conditions. Its strong showing in both snow and ice categories makes it a reliable option for navigating through the demanding aspects of winter driving. Whether dealing with deep snow or treacherous ice, the Michelin X-Ice SNOW SUV ensures a high level of safety and performance, making it a notable choice in the realm of winter tires for SUVs.

  • X-Ice Snow SUV
    • Launch: 2020
    • Press test wins: 0/1
    • Strength: Snow traction.

Check our head to head comparison of X-Ice Snow against its competitors.

X-Ice Snow SUV vs

Price

4. Continental Viking Contact 7

Continental Viking Contact 7

The Continental Viking Contact 7: A Premier Choice for U.S. Winter Roads

In the discussion of “Best Winter Tires for SUVs,” the Continental VikingContact 7 is an interesting inclusion. While it’s not a dedicated SUV winter tire, it supports various tire sizes suitable for SUVs, offering a versatile option for drivers. Its reputation in the passenger car segment carries over into the SUV category, where it has demonstrated commendable performance in the 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tire Test, albeit not leading the pack.

The Continental VikingContact 7 showed its strengths more prominently in the ice categories. It secured the 4th position in both Ice Braking and Ice Traction, indicating its reliable performance on icy surfaces, a critical aspect of winter driving. Notably, its performance in Ice Handling was particularly impressive, achieving the 2nd position. This result underscores its ability to maintain control and stability on icy roads, which is essential for safe winter driving.

However, in the snow categories, the tire’s performance was somewhat modest, trailing behind some of the top contenders. It ranked 8th in Snow Braking, 6th in both Snow Traction and Snow Handling. These results reflect its decent capabilities in snowy conditions, though not at the top tier level of some other specialized SUV winter tires.

Overall, the Continental VikingContact 7 is a solid choice for SUV drivers who are looking for a reliable winter tire that can handle a variety of conditions. Borrowing from its legacy in the passenger car segment, this tire brings to the table a balanced performance, particularly in handling icy conditions. While it may not be the top performer in every category, its well-rounded capabilities make it a worthy consideration for those who need a versatile winter tire for their SUV.

Viking Contact 7

  • Launch: 2018
  • Press test wins: 24/27
  • Strength: Snow handling.
  • Tire Rack score: 8.7/10 (Rank 2nd)
  • Consumer Report score: 70/100 (Rank 3rd)

Check out our head to head comparison of Viking Contact 7 against its competitors.

Viking Contact 7 vs

Price

Conclusion

In conclusion, when choosing the best winter tire for your SUV, it’s crucial to consider specific performance aspects in snow and ice conditions. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV dominates in ice and snow categories, offering unparalleled performance in severe winter conditions. The Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2 stands out for its excellent handling in wet conditions and comfort, making it a great choice for mixed winter weather.

The Michelin X-Ice SNOW SUV, while not topping the charts, provides a balanced performance with strong snow traction and good ice handling. Lastly, the Continental VikingContact 7, although not a dedicated SUV winter tire, offers reliable performance, particularly in ice handling, making it a versatile choice for SUV drivers. Each of these tires has its strengths, and the best choice depends on your specific driving conditions and priorities.

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