BMW has the studded generals and both Hondas have the Blizzaks. Both are capable and good rubber for colder climates. I live in the interior of AK where owning a set of winter tires is a necessity. Blizzak=more $, general=inexpensive and pretty darn good. I have the generals on my wife's BMW for assurance on icy roads and rwd peace of mind. I had Dunlop m3 which sucked here. I run the bizzaks year round as do many folks for the sake that the weather can change quickly. no significant tire wear to note.
Then two years ago, I went with the Altimax Arctic, and I'm not going back. They're quiet and perform fantastic in ice and snow. They're on all my cars now.
Had a set of these installed on my Focus. So far I'm impressed by their dry handling capabilities. And they're quiet too.
Run them on my 2010 Grand Caravan for the past two years and they are great. I would recommend them to everyone.
Altimax Arctic. Ran them last winter on this Jetta, plenty pleased with how they ride. Roads are mostly dry here too. The tires are quiet, handle fine in normal driving, and roll well. Made in Germany too (not China). Had WS-50s on my old Impreza. Made the car an unstoppable tank in all snow conditions. Great for lower-mile driving, but too soft for long, dry highway commutes. I assume the WS-70 is similar.
My current all-around favorite is the General Altimax Arctic. It's not the most stable or quietest on a warm sunny day (in fact it can feel a bit squirrely) but when the temps drop below freezing they tighten up and become excellent tires. They dig through deep snow, grip on glare ice, cut through deep standing water and find traction where physics would seem to suggest none exist such as the slippery wet clay I found myself on one time last spring. Another big vote for these tires. I even prefer them over Hakkas (the king of all things snow) which as many will tell you is saying a LOT!
I bought a set of Altimax Arctics last November for my Outback, and I've been driving on them ever since. In the rain, they're great. On dry pavement, they're great. On snow, they're awesome. Little bit more noise than non-snows, but worth it in my opinion. I have 30K on mine and they're wearing nicely. Still lots of tread left. For the price, you can't go wrong.
I had the altimax arctic's as my snow tire last year and was very very pleased. Great value and never left me stranded....I had to deal with quite a winter last year too! I definitely suggest them! I drove highway a lot and didn't find them squirmy at all!
Last winter I threw 4 Altimax arctics on my wife's CR-V. I was so impressed with them I put another set on my STi for this winter. I have used Blizzaks, Arctic Alpin and Toyo Observe snow tires in the past. The Altimax arcitcs are the best by far in deep snow. They are no louder than any other snow tire I have used in the past. They are quieter than the Arctic Alpin's by a long shot though. Those things are LOUD in the rain.
Another vote for the General Altimax Arctic. Got a set last winter and was pleased. Seems a good compromise for high speed drives too - a quiet tire with good grip. Made in Germany, FWIW.
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