Here are the Tire Reviews best winter tires for the 2020 winter tire season.
As usual, all these tires have been picked based on data from Tire Reviews testing, other tests from around the world, and user reviews - think of this as one big meta-analysis of the best winter / snow / studded tires on the market. This video covers European, Nordic and North American winter tires / tires, and covers cars, SUV's and Electric vehicles (EVs.)
Other videos you should watch if you're trying to make up your mind if you need to fit winter tires / all season tires / nordic studless friction tires / studded winter tires etc:
- Different winter tire types compared
- Different winter tire types tested at different temperatures
- Full all season tire test
Top Winter Tires for the 2020 Winter
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 has a well rounded balance of performances, with outstanding grip during wet braking testing.
Average wear.
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 improved on the WS80, which is an American market favourite extreme winter tire.
The Michelin X-Ice Snow improves snow grip by 4% and ice grip by 8% when compared to the predecessor, making it particularly suited to extreme winter climates where studs aren't appropriate.
Slightly extended dry braking.
The Continental VikingContact 7 is an outstanding studless winter tire in the snow, with good ice handling and high levels of grip in the wet.
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 is continues to be a leading studless friction winter tire with excellent handling on snow, ice, dry and wet conditions.
The Michelin X-Ice North 4 has the highest levels of grip on ice in the Test World nordic test, with good snow performance and short dry and wet braking distances.
Higher rolling resistance than some competitors tires.
The Continental IceContact 3 is a very well rounded studded winter tire, with excellent grip in the dry, wet, snow and ice.
The Michelin Alpin 6 is good in the dry, wet and snow, with good steering and very low wear.
Expensive to buy, higher noise.
The studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 consistently tests well in extreme winter conditions, with high levels of grip on snow and ice.
Slight weakness in the dry.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ is a balance winter tire with a very strong snow performance, good braking in the wet and low fuel use.
Slightly extended dry braking distances.
The new Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 has won both tests it has featured in, with high levels of grip in all conditions, very low wear, low fuel use.
Expensive to buy.
The new Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ looks to have a very good snow and wet performance, with low fuel use.
Slight weakness in the dry.
The Hankook Winter I'Cept RS2 is a well balance, well priced winter tire with good grip in all conditions, especially the wet.
Average fuel use.
The Continental WinterContact TS860S is a sporty winter tire with precise steering and high levels of grip in the dry.
Expensive to buy, extended wet braking.
While the Continental WinterContact TS860 should have now been replaced by the TS870, the TS860 is still an excellent rounded winter tire with good grip in the snow and wet.
Slight weakness in the dry.
The Kleber Krisalp HP3 is a well priced winter tire with excellent snow performance and high aquaplaning resistance.
Limited dry performances.
The Dunlop WinterSport 5 might be 5 years old now, but is still an excellent performer on snow covered roads, with good aquaplaning resistance.
Extended dry braking.
The Vredestein Wintrac Pro is a very consistent well priced winter tire, with a balanced performance in all weather conditions.
Increased fuel usage.
The BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 is a well priced winter tire with excellent snow performance and high aquaplaning resistance.
Limited dry performances.
Did you compare TS860S vs VikingContact7 (ice braking)? I can not find any tests for different types of tires..
Are there any 225/50R17 winter/summer tires with AR homologation?
If that's a fitment size on the car there might well be, but one to ask the dealer I think
AR dealers are clueless with regards to most questions being asked :). For sure, Continental EcoContact 6 have the AR marking, but can't find anything on winter ones. Should be Pirellis most probably, but according to their website, only the 18" runflat variant.
The last time it has snowed in my area (18cm) was 2018. I bought a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 a couple of years ago, maybe this year I will get a chance to use them!
Fingers crossed :D
Hi,
just wanted to ask you a question. I just bought a set of Bridgestone
LM005 (Dot 3220 made in hungary) and i noticed that the profile and
sipes are quite hard. Very unusual for a new tire. I have not jet driven
on them and the factory oils are still on them as they feel very slick.
Just wanted to pick your brain. Have you noticed anything like that?
Not something I've heard of, but they're new DOTs so I'd just assume that's how it is. They're a well regarded winter tire so I wouldn't be worried.
Afternoon
I have a 2016 xc90 with 275/45 r20 wheels I live in the east midlands so not much snow but I did slide into a kerb a few weeks ago on snow and buckle a couple of alloys the tires that were on at the time are contisport contact 5 and were terrible.
I would like your advise on what to put on now I was thinking a winter tire and swapping back to summer tires in spring ( storage not a problem) and insurance paying for new tires so cost not a factor either. The blizzard lm005 are not available. Or should I just go Michelin cross climate?
I'd certainly consider the CrossClimate SUV, it will have much better cold weather / snow performance than your existing tires, with the added bonus of being usable in the summer should you decide changing is too much effort.
"The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 has a well rounded balance of performances, without outstanding grip during wet braking testing."
Typo - ''without' should be 'with'?
Updated, thank you