The Best Winter Tires for SUVs and Crossovers

SUVs are a great choice for winter driving, but you need to ensure you have the right tires. Winter tires are designed to provide better traction and handling in snow and ice, and they can make a big difference in your SUV’s performance. 

If you’re looking for the best winter tires for your SUV, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of the six best winter tires for SUVs based on our expert knowledge and customer reviews. So, we’ve got you covered whether you’re looking for the best winter tires for performance, traction, or durability.

The 6 Best SUV and Crossover Winter Tires 

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90: 

The Blizzak WS90 can only be described as “outstanding.” This is the best winter tire for compact crossovers and SUVs, providing exceptional grip, braking, traction, and stability in the harshest winter conditions.

This tire is not afraid of snow. The acceleration and traction are the best in class, as are the stopping distances. Besides that, the WS90 feels very stable when cornering. On the ice, the tire accelerates smoothly, brakes effectively, and maintains cornering ability.

Rain and slush are no problem for the tire as the hydroplaning resistance is excellent, and plenty of traction is on board. Unlike most winter tires, this one also performs surprisingly well on dry roads. 

It has a noticeable growl, especially at high speeds, but considering its other capabilities, it can be overlooked. 

Pros

• Stellar braking and traction on snow
• Best-in-class acceleration and braking on ice
• Excellent handling and braking on dry surfaces
• Outstanding hydroplaning resistance 

Cons

• A bit noisy 

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2: Best Studless 

Another exceptional tire from the Japanese manufacturer, the Blizzak DM-V2, is one of the most aggressive studless tires designed for people who frequently encounter severe ice and snow conditions.

Traction and braking on snow are exceptional. Also, the tire feels sure-footed in the corners and gives the driver excellent handling ability. Ice traction is another strength of the Bridgestone. Again, handling is excellent, and the stopping distances aren’t very long. 

On wet roads, hydroplaning resistance is excellent, as is traction, making driving in deep puddles or on slippery roads a breeze.

Ultimately, the tire is very responsive and handles dry conditions well. It corners well, stops quickly, and provides excellent highway stability.

That said, two major drawbacks of the DM-V2 are its high price tag and road noise on dry pavement. 

Pros

• Outstanding traction, handling, and braking on snow and ice
• Impressive hydroplaning resistance and traction in rain and slush
• Excellent handling and braking on dry roads 

Cons

• High road noise 
• Expensive

Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2: Best High-Performance/ Treadwear Warranty 

The Latitude X-Ice Xi2 is a tire that excels in every situation. The traction on snow and ice is incredible—you won’t get stuck anywhere. The handling is also excellent, allowing you to feel in command behind the wheel.

Slush and rain are also no match for the tire’s hydroplaning resistance and traction capabilities, as are its dry traction, grip, and braking. 

The tire’s 40,000-mile treadwear warranty is the icing on the cake—something no other tire manufacturer offers. So, if you don’t mind the price, this is a no-brainer purchase.

Pros

• Outstanding grip and traction on packed and unpacked snow
• Exceptional traction and braking on ice
• Very good hydroplaning resistance
• Great handling on dry surfaces
• Excellent 40,000-mile treadwear warranty

Cons

• Expensive 

Firestone Winterforce 2 UV: Best Value

The Winterforce 2 UV is the newest addition to the Winterforce lineup, incorporating new technologies. It is less expensive than other top-tier tires but performs better than most.

Performance is strong across the board thanks to the directional tread pattern, high-speed density, and a winter-inspired compound. And if things worsen, it is pre-moulded to accept #11 metal studs.

The Winterforce 2 UV is capable of biting into anything cold. It performs particularly well on snow, where traction is comparable to that of the best premium tires. You’ll have no trouble accelerating in packed or unpacked snow, and cornering will be a cakewalk.

Add the studs, and the Winterforce 2 UV transforms into an ice carver. You can easily accelerate, steer, and stop without fear of losing traction.

However, the dry handling is adequate but not outstanding. Noise can also be an issue, particularly at highway speeds, and the ride is bouncy on uneven roads.

Pros

• Excellent traction on packed and unpacked snow
• Superior traction on ice with the studs attached
• Reasonably priced 

Cons:

• Poor performance on dry roads
• Noisy at higher speeds
• Poor ride quality, especially on uneven roads

Continental VikingContact 7: Best Ice Traction

The Continental VikingContact 7 is another heavy hitter that handles snow and slush like a champ. Unlike its rivals, this one offers sporty driving and great handling on the road.

The VikingContact 7 provides exceptional traction on snow, with some of the shortest braking distances you’ll encounter. The handling is also excellent, and you’ll have no trouble steering your SUV in either packed or unpacked snow.

Additionally, this tire’s ice traction is among the best in its class. Traction is excellent, stopping distances are short, and handling is stable. 

Only a few times on this list can match the VikingContact 7’s wet traction and grip performance, especially how it drives through corners. Dry braking and handling are both impressive and superior to most competitors.

The VikingContact 7 emits a growl on rough roads or over bumps, as do all winter tires. However, the noise is not too loud and is rather pleasant.

Pros

• Best-in-class handling and traction on snow
• Superior wet traction and handling are at the top of the chain
• Excellent handling and acceleration on ice

Cons

• Noisy on strong impact

Cooper Evolution Winter: Best Studdable and Budget

The Evolution Winter is a budget-friendly studdable tire equipped with a specialized winter compound, wide shoulder blocks, deep grooves, and angled slots to offer the best performance on snow and ice. 

The most notable advantage of Evolution Winter is its excellent grip. This Cooper tire provides excellent friction to keep the car from skidding on ice while maintaining performance on less stable surfaces.

The Evolution Winter handles well on wet and slick roads. Hydroplaning will not be an issue, and traction will be excellent. It also has the same short stopping distances as the more expensive premium models.

The tire continues to impress on dry surfaces with great handling and traction. Its braking distance is also relatively short, ensuring a safe ride.

Pros

• Impressive hydroplaning resistance
• Outstanding handling and acceleration on snow and ice
• Excellent traction on dry and wet roads
• It fits a variety of SUVs and crossover vehicles
• Affordable 

Cons

• Noisy 

Best Winter Tires for SUVs: Honourable Mentions

1. Michelin X-Ice Snow: Second Runner’s up for Best Overall
2. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: High-performance
3. Toyo Observe GSi-6: High-performance
4. General AltiMAX Artic 12: Budget

Conclusion

Whether you want the best traction, value, or all-around performance, there’s a winter tire here to meet your requirements. Considering the benefits and drawbacks, you should have no trouble finding the best one. Shop online or visit your local Trail Tire Auto Center for a full selection of our tires.