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General Altimax Arctic 12 Test Results

Tested 2020 to 2026 2 publications

Tested 2 times by independent publications, the General Altimax Arctic 12 averages a finish of 6th.

  • 2Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 0Podium finishes
  • 6thAverage finish
  • 44%Field beaten on average
  • 2Publications
General Altimax Arctic 12

2 tests, 2020 to 2026

The latest test

2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tire Test P4 of 5Winter

The Altimax Arctic 12 is the value winter choice here. Even unstudded it is comfortably better in snow and on ice than any all-season tire in the test, and it is easy to live with day to day, but its road manners and steering precision are the price of that. Predictable and forgiving rather than sharp.

Strong: Wet Circle, Subj. Noise Weak: Dry Braking, Subj. Road Score, Wet Braking, Snow Braking, Snow Handling, Subj. Snow Handling, Ice Braking, Ice Traction, Subj. Comfort Winner: Continental VikingContact 8

Record by discipline

Where the General Altimax Arctic 12 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 1 P4 of 5 25% -
Dry Circle 1 P3 of 5 50% -
Subj. Road Score 1 P5 of 5 0% -
Wet
Wet Braking 1 P4 of 5 25% -
Wet Circle 1 P2 of 5 75% -
Snow
Snow Braking 1 P4 of 5 25% -
Snow Handling 1 P4 of 5 25% -
Subj. Snow Handling 1 P4 of 5 25% -
Ice
Ice Braking 1 P4 of 5 25% -
Ice Traction 1 P4 of 5 25% -
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 1 P4 of 5 25% -
Subj. Noise 1 P2 of 5 75% -

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 2 tests. Updated October 28, 2026.

The General Altimax Arctic 12 has a mixed winter test record, with low noise more consistent than its outright grip. Consumer Reports placed it seventh of 17 in its 2020 North America Winter Tire Test, describing its snow and ice ratings as excellent for the category and finding it quieter than most alternatives. In the 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tire Test it finished fourth of five winter tires. Noise remained a relative strength, second of five in that class, while dry circle grip was joint best within the winter group.

The newer test was less favorable on braking and steering. Wet braking was fourth of five winter tires, 22.2% behind the class best, and dry braking was also fourth, 11.5% behind. Snow braking and handling were fourth in class, while ice braking was fourth, 18.6% behind the best winter result. That unusually weak winter showing contrasts with the favorable 2020 verdict. Tire Rack also criticised imprecise self-centring and quick wheelspin in snow. Its praise for comfort and its advantage over all-season tires on ice gives useful context, but does not remove those weaknesses within the winter class.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

  • Wet braking Minor in 1 of 2 tests
    Details
    • Fourth of five winter tires, 22.2% behind class best, 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tire Test
  • Dry braking Minor in 1 of 2 tests
    Details
    • Fourth of five winter tires, 11.5% behind class best, 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tire Test
  • Steering feel Minor in 1 of 2 tests
    Details
    • Weakest steering and poor self-centring, 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tire Test

Every test, newest first 2

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2026 1 test
P4 of 5 Winter Beat 25% of the field

2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tire Test

Tire Rack 215/55 R17

The Altimax Arctic 12 is the value winter choice here. Even unstudded it is comfortably better in snow and on ice than any all-season tire in the test, and it is easy to live with day to day, but its road manners and steering precision are the price of that. Predictable and forgiving rather than sharp.

StrongWet CircleSubj. Noise WeakDry BrakingSubj. Road ScoreWet BrakingSnow BrakingSnow HandlingSubj. Snow HandlingIce BrakingIce TractionSubj. Comfort WinnerContinental VikingContact 8

2020 1 test
P7 of 17 Beat 63% of the field

2020 Consumer Reports North America Winter Tire Test

Consumer Reports 215/60 R16

The General Altimax Arctic 12 scores high among other winter/snow tire options in most of tests. Its Excellent ratings for snow and ice are on a par for the category, but it's quieter than most alternatives.

WinnerBridgestone Blizzak WS90

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