2019 - 2020 Passenger Car and Minivan Tire Reviews

Bridgestone introduced the Blizzak line in the 1990s, the first tire to feature a special rubber compound that dramatically improved performance on ice. New for autumn 2019, the WS 90 is the seventh generation of the Blizzak concept and ranked provisionally this year. Directional tire, optimized for snow and ice. Compared to the WS 80 which this tire superseded, the tread has significantly less tread siping. Bridgestone states that durability and ice traction are improved. Mail-in rebate when you buy four tires.

This tire superseded the Hakka R2, and is Nokian's version of a non-studdable ice tire like the Blizzak WS 90. The tread is a little more aggressive on the R3 to improve performance in snow. Superior ice braking. Confident braking. Despite its low R speed rating, it is a good alternative for drivers of rear-wheel-drive sporty vehicles looking for a good balance of severe weather performance and acceptable handling on pavement. A factory road hazard warranty is included, limited to the first 40% of tire wear. Some sizes are available as runflat tires. Expensive, with a limited distribution network. Mail-in rebate when you buy four tires.

(The Hakkappelitta 9 will likely be more popular in Eastern Canada. A Nordic snow tire for deep snow and poor winter road conditions, coupled with good ice traction. Tire rotation is a important to ensure even wear. Expensive, about 25 percent higher than Toyo or Bridgestone, but it comes standard with a road hazard warranty limited to the first  40% of tire wear. Long wearing. Available with sophisticated factory-installed studs. Negatives are a high price, limited distribution network.)

This tire which replaced the ExtremeWinterContact is now being phased out. It offers superior grip in cornering and braking and runs quietly. The tread design is directional. Tread depth is just 10/32" when new which can reduce tire life. Look for low clearance pricing. Prepaid Mastercard gift card when you buy four tires.

Replaced the Nord*Frost 100, with a tread pattern resembling the old Continental ExtremeWinterContact. A good choice for buyers looking for a tire available with European-style diamond-shaped factory studs. Generous 12/32" tread depth when new.

Among Consumer Reports’ preferred tires in testing because of its superior performance on wet and dry roads, and ride comfort. Optimized for ice and snow, this tire was among the favorites with tire dealers surveyed. Some consumers using this tire reported that traction in slush was unimpressive, and that the shallow, conservative tread limits its traction in deep snow. Best-in-class performance on pavement. Quiet. Long wearing. Expensive. Tricky mileage warranty requires the tires to be virtual banana peels before you can collect. Mail-in rebate with the purchase of four tires.

The Pirelli Ice Zero FR (friction) provided superior snow traction and good steering control. Symmetric tread design with features in treadblocks that improve ice traction; this is the best general purpose passenger vehicle winter tire from Pirelli. Good longevity, traditionally superior to the Bridgestone Blizzak series, makes  this a good choice for heavier vehicles or vehicles that are driven more aggressively when roads are clear. Widely available and well-priced. Made in Russia. Pirelli was acquired by a Chinese conglomerate. Mail-in rebate on a set of four tires.The Ice Zero Studded is a different tire, available with factory studs. Mail-in rebate when you buy four tires.

The GSI 5 is being replaced gradually by the GSI 6. The GSI 5 is optimized for deep snow and ice. 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. APA's recommended tire retailers have a lot of experience with this tire and received good feedback. Superior treadwear due to the deep tread and long-wearing rubber compound. Well-suited for heavy vehicles. Superior rating from Consumer Reports on ice and snow, but ranked low overall because it performed poorly in their tests on cleared pavement. Mail-in rebate with the purchase of four tires.

This tire is manufactured by tire giant Sumitomo of Japan. Asymmetric tread design. The tread compound is not as sponge-like as the most advanced winter tires, so ice performance does not equal tires in the higher ratings groups. Good performance on snow. Quiet. Superior treadlife. Offered in a large range of sizes. Canadian distribution is handled by Goodyear, which ensures good availability. Competitive price for a tire still made in Japan that features excellent manufacturing quality. Mail-in rebate on a set of four.

Competent handling on a wide variety of winter road surfaces. Directional tread with open blocks offering good snow and ice traction. Fairly hard riding. Predicted tire durability is good. Expensive. Mail-in rebate with the purchase of four tires. Mail-in rebate when you buy four tires.

Very limited distribution and currently being phased out.Tire developed in conjunction with Giugiaro, the Italian design house better known for its work on automobiles. Marketed primarily to owners of European prestige automobiles, the SnowTrac 5 is a Euro-style winter tire, optimised for fast running on cleared roads, with good ice braking and cornering. Vredestein was originally a Dutch company but is now part of Apollo Tire, the Indian conglomerate. The SnowTrac 5 is still made in Holland. 

Clearance priced with a higher rebate this year, this tire is  being replaced by the  IG53. Although in its  final year, this directional winter tire still offers superior traction on ice and in slush and is quiet and smooth riding; traction on wet surfaces was  undistinguished. Average treadlife predicted. Mail-in rebate with the purchase of four tires.

This conventional snow tire has been on market for a few years. Good snow traction, unexceptional in other conditions. The tire will accept studs. The I*Cept IZ 2 performs better and likely would rank with tires in the Good ratings group. Mail-in rebate with the purchase of four tires. Mail-in rebate when you buy four tires.

The Goodyear Nordic has been distributed exclusively through Canadian Tire network; it is similar to a Kelly tire, which is a Goodyear sub-brand. The hard compound rubber tread is long wearing, but performance on ice is unimpressive. Overall grip is not high, and the tire can be unpredictable when it starts to slide at the limit of adhesion. Fairly noisy and imprecise on cleared roads. Well-priced on promotion. Mail-in rebate when you buy four tires.

Lower-priced entry from Toyo, made in Malaysia. Acceleration and braking were undistinguished, cornering was very predictable. Available with factory-installed studs. Mail-in rebate when you buy four tires.

Among the tires in this ratings group, the Champiro IcePro 3 is the best value, so we've listed it first. 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. Predictable tire, easy to control on snow and ice. Mediocre handling on cleared roads and noisy. The hard rubber compound is long wearing. Very well priced, especially in larger tire sizes. Very large range of tire sizes. Will accept studs. Made in China. Mail-in rebate when you buy four tires.

Clearance tire being phased out. This tire is made in an old-style clamshell mould. Good traction in deep snow but performance on other surfaces lags. Reasonably durable. Pricing is high for the older technology and quality of tire. Studdable. Mail-in rebate when you buy four tires.

Mediocre and noisy. Poor control in corners. Available in a large range of sizes. Inexpensive. Made in China by Zhaoqing Junhong Tire. Mail-in rebate when you buy four tires.

The tire looks contemporary, but performance is mediocre. Can accept studs installed by the retailer. Limited availability.

Adequate performance on uncleared roads. Poor on ice. Noisy, fairly rapid wear. Will accept studs installed by the retailer. Made in China by Hangzhou Zhongce.