Available in more than 100 sizes, this is Toyo’s one-size-fits-all solution for compact vehicles to full-size pickup trucks. Tire optimized for deep snow, ice and slush. One of the better choices even though it is not a distinguished performer on cleared or wet roads and can be noisier than average in some applications. Superior tire life due to the deep tread and long-wearing rubber compound makes the GSi-5 popular with fleets. Well-suited for heavy vehicles. In the H speed rating this tire is a good solution for European SUVs like the BMW X5, X6 and Audi Q5 and Range Rover. Available as a run flat tire.

Introduced more than eight years ago, the X-Ice Xi2 offers best-in-class performance on wet and dry pavement, and excellent ride comfort. Very effective on ice, but the shallow, conservative tread limits traction in deep snow and in slush. This tire is a favorite among tire dealers surveyed. Quiet. Long wearing, but the tricky mileage warranty requires the tires to be virtual banana peels before you can collect. Run flats offered in a limited number of sizes. Expensive.

redictable performance on snow and ice, and soft riding on pavement. Projected tire life is good, superior to the Bridgestone DM-V2 and lower than the Toyo GSi-5.

(The older Yokohama IceGuard iG51v performs well on ice and in slush. Good quality tire offered with a large $90 rebate on a set of four while it is being phased out.)

Formally an Italian company, Pirelli was acquired by a Chinese conglomerate. Lively performer on pavement. Good control on ice, but undistinguished in deep snow. Quiet. A good choice for European SUVs because of its superior handling on paved roads, and availability of run flats.

Goodyear’s best winter tire, the WRT (Winter Reactive Tire) performs nicely on a wide variety of winter road surfaces. Expensive.

This tire for pickups and truck-based SUVs replaced the long-running Firestone Winterforce in 2018. Good snow traction; undistinguished on cleared or wet roads. Can accept studs. Some sizes are made in Quebec. Well priced. No autumn rebate.

Good traction at low speeds but the tire reached its limit of adhesion fairly early when cornering and braking on uncleared roads at speed. Made by the Nankang Rubber Tire Company of Taiwan.

The GT Radial brand belongs to GiTi Tire of Indonesia. They’re the 10th-ranked tiremaker in the world, and now have a plant in the United States. The Ice Pro SUV is made in China. Predictable tire that is easy to control on snow. Mediocre on ice and cleared roads, and noisy. The hard rubber compound is long wearing. Will accept studs. Widely distributed for a second-tier tire brand. Available in a wide range of sizes and very well priced, especially in larger tire sizes, this is one of the better choices in a budget tire.

Conventional winter tire design optimized for snow traction. Unimpressive on ice. Cornering was relatively imprecise. Braking distances on snow and cleared roads were longer than average. Can accept studs.