Best Tyres for the Toyota Matrix (Corolla wagon) FWD

Bought these three winters ago. First impressions were excellent with quiet highway and excellent traction. However, at end of the first season we noticed the front tires lost a lot of studs and submitted a warranty claim. Got the front two replaced (prorated of of course). The second winter season was short due to warranty replacement but we did loose studs on older tires. Third winter we lost studs on all 4 tires. One tire is missing 54 studs, and other tire 40 studs and the newer tires are missing 18 and 9 studs. We maybe have 20,000 km on the newer tires and max 30,000 km on all of them. These are installed on base Toyota matrix so not a power house car. We also have a van with Hakkepeleta tires (8 and before and now 10’s) for years and never have a studs loss issues. My recommendation is go with Nordman or Hakkepeleta. I love Michelin tires but they haven’t figures out the studs part. Hope these make this season then switching to Nokian.

Tires are wearing out well. Over 10,000 km of city driving on them and the rear still has 8mm tread while the front has 6mm. Felt great even in the ice and snow. Not as grippy in the ice and snow as Blizzaks or Ice Guards but works well.

I drive hard: used to rally, some autocross also. Due to my location, I always buy all-season tyres -- though I still expect HIGH performance. In the past I've had Bridgestone RE960AS and Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. The DWS surpasses ALL tyres I've owned: greatest grip in dry, wet, and snow (especially wet and snow). HOWEVER, I initially disliked them for the FEELING when driving them at (and slightly beyond) the limit -- the sidewalls are VERY soft, which makes for a nice ride, and probably accounts for the grip in wet and snow, but eliminates anything resembling turn-in or precise handling. After greatly increasing pressures front and rear, they are now acceptable to me, but only just. Although they are spectacular tyres due to their incredibly high grip levels -- especially considering they're all-seasons -- I won't likely buy them again (though perhaps for my wife's car) since I miss the precise feeling of a true performance tyre.