Don’t cheap out on winter tires. Nokian makes great winter tires, only available from Kal Tire. Michelin X-Ice are great too. I’ve also had success with Bridgestone Blizzak but that was a long time ago, not sure how the current models are.
I would recommend some Nokian winter tires, Hakkapeliitta R3 work well on my car.
I considered reskinning the stock 19" Pretorias with winter rubber, but instead will go with a set of factory 18" Pretorias shod in Nokian WR-G4. My motivation was to have zero fitment concerns, slight upgrade in tire protection, keep the current rolling-stock look which I love, try a tread type that is slightly less winter-storm-focused and instead mixed-winter-climate-focused.
I have these in 225-55-17, great 3 season 80K mile tire for us, very quiet and minimal MPG hit even going with the taller sidewall, double bonus, they are made in russia just like our Haka 8s.
When I first started autocross, I was on mismatched all seasons with different tires all around. A local autocrosser with old tires took pity on me and gifted me a set of used Toyo Proxes R1R he didn't need any more. Mind. Blown.
I’ve decided skip Winter tires for my Golf Sportwagen this year and just go with Nokian WR G4 All weather tires to replace the stock all seasons. My reasoning is I got another car ( VW Routan) with dedicated Winter tires and on the bad days I have the choice to either drive the other car with Winter tires or even better work from home whenever school is cancelled due to snow. Given my circumstances, the All weather Nokians for the GSW make a lot of sense.
We have had winter specific tires on vehicles from 4x4 big pickups to the VW rabbits. Have use Michelin X-ice, Blizzaks, Winterforce studded and Nokian Hakka's, both studded and unstudded. Would not go through a winter without the Nokians. Last winter the big 4x4 truck ran Nokian Rotiiva's and they worked but not as well as winter specific tires. Wife's Ford Escape - Nokian Hakka's non-studded. A great ride. Good traction and road feel, snow and ice as well as base clear pavement.
I have run Nokian R2SUV full winter and am now on Nokian WRG3. I used to have mounted and dedicated winter tires, but the Nokian All Weather (not all season) are a great solution (they invented snow tires in the 30's and pioneered All Weathers). The Nokian R2's are better than the Blizzaks, Michelin Pilot Alpin and Michelin X-Ice in snow/ice. The Nokian WRG3 are approximately equivalent, but without the spongy (and no braking from Blizzaks) on dry pavement. The Pilot Alpin and Nokian WRG3 are actually fun to drive.
I’m planning on giving All Weather tires a try myself. I will be going with Nokian WR G4 in the 195 65 15 91H size for my base model GSW S. All Weather tires are definitely a step up from all season tires in the Winter.
Whatever you do, don't buy Toyo tires. They do not go well with the Sonic....worst traction of any tire I've ever had on a car in my 45 years of driving.
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