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2023/24 Best All Terrain Tyres In Snow

Compare each discipline in the tested size. See the measured result, position and gap to the best tyre, then read the verdict for the trade-offs behind the finishing order.

Tested size
275/65 R18
Tyres tested
7
Disciplines
3

Read the measurements, not just the rank

Lower is better for braking distances and lap times; higher is better for subjective scores and aquaplaning speed. Bars start at zero. Read the gap alongside the position: adjacent tyres can be separated by very different margins.

Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tyres does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.

Snow

3

Snow Braking

Snow braking in meters (32 - 8 km/h)

Lower is better ↓
Snow Braking
Position / TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
RefMichelin X Ice Snow SUV
32.93 m -6.15 m 0 km/h
39.08 m Best 0 km/h
RefMichelin Defender LTX MS
43.39 m +4.31 m 41 km/h
45.5 m +6.42 m 49 km/h
47.84 m +8.76 m 56 km/h
49.97 m +10.89 m 61 km/h
50.59 m +11.51 m 62 km/h
51.11 m +12.03 m 63 km/h
51.55 m +12.47 m 64 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 56.5% (18.62 m ≈ 4.1 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Yokohama Geolandar AT G015 would still be travelling at 64 km/h when the BFGoodrich Trail Terrain TA had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Snow Traction

Snow acceleration time (8 - 32 km/h)

Lower is better ↓
Snow Traction
Position / TyreResultGap to best
RefMichelin X Ice Snow SUV
4.28 s -0.29 s
4.57 s Best
RefMichelin Defender LTX MS
5.05 s +0.48 s
5.07 s +0.50 s
5.61 s +1.04 s
5.66 s +1.09 s
6.07 s +1.50 s
6.26 s +1.69 s
6.93 s +2.36 s

The difference between best and worst was 61.9% (2.65 s).

Snow Handling

Snow handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Snow Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
RefMichelin X Ice Snow SUV
85.89 s -11.51 s
97.4 s Best
97.73 s +0.33 s
RefMichelin Defender LTX MS
101.03 s +3.63 s
101.77 s +4.37 s
102.45 s +5.05 s
102.56 s +5.16 s
111.18 s +13.78 s
111.23 s +13.83 s

The difference between best and worst was 29.5% (25.34 s).

Test setup & methodology

The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.

Show full testing methodology

Recorded test conditions

Snow Braking
32 → 8 km/h
Snow Traction
8 → 32 km/h

Score Weighting

Weights express the scoring priorities, not how much each discipline actually changed the finishing order. The size of the performance gaps matters too. Category weights contribute to the overall score. Within each category, discipline weights divide that category’s share. Published finishing positions also need to be read alongside the editorial verdict.

TestWithin categoryShare of overall score
Snow · 100%
Snow Braking40%40%
Snow Traction30%30%
Snow Handling30%30%

Our standard methods

The conditions above are recorded for this test. The descriptions below explain our standard procedures; measurement windows and run counts can vary by test.

Snow Braking

For snow braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 50 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on a groomed, compacted snow surface, measuring 45-5 km/h. I generally use a wide VDA (vehicle dynamic area) and progressively move across the surface between runs so that no tyre ever brakes on the same piece of snow twice. My standard programme is twelve runs per tyre set, although the sequence can extend further if the data justify it. I analyse the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. The surface is regularly groomed throughout the session. To correct for changing snow surface conditions, I run reference tyres repeatedly — typically every two candidate test sets.

Snow Traction

For snow traction, I accelerate the vehicle from rest on a groomed snow surface with traction control active and measure speed and time using GPS telemetry. I typically use a 5–35 km/h measurement window to reduce the influence of launch transients and powertrain irregularities. I use a wide VDA (vehicle dynamic area) and progressively move across the surface between runs so that no tyre ever accelerates on the same piece of snow twice. The surface is regularly groomed throughout the session. I complete multiple runs per tyre set and average the valid results. Reference tyres are run typically every two candidate test sets to correct for changing snow surface conditions.

Snow Handling

For snow handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated snow handling circuit with ESC disabled where possible. The circuit is groomed and prepared after every run while tyres are being changed, so each set runs on a consistently prepared surface. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tyre set, excluding laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Because snow surfaces degrade more rapidly than asphalt, control runs are carried out more frequently — typically every two candidate test sets.

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