Update: winter tire recommendations

[Dan McInerney]

With the first snows falling in the mountain West, I want to buy a set of winter tires for my 2018 Clarity Touring PHEV. Not a lot of choices in my area. But the dealer has offered good prices on Michelin X-Ice, Bridgestone Blizzak, and Continental VikingContact 7. Any new -- or updated -- suggestions from other owners about their experiences and recommendations? Thanks very much.

 

[KentuckyKen]

I grew up in that Deep South and know diddly squat about winter driving and snow tires.
But I can tell you that our wonderful Yankee and Canadian Clarity owners have posted many glowing recommendations on the X-Ice, the Blizzak, and something called a Hapakapootitootie, or however you spell and pronounce it. Those seem to be the 3 most recommended by those living in the frigid North. I have not seen any posts on the Continental.
Hope this helps you narrow it down.

PS: The only thing most of us Southerners know about driving on ice and snow is that if you go through an intersection sideways, screaming in panic with your hand on the horn, then people will usually give you the right of way.

 

[Dan McInerney]

I grew up in that Deep South and know diddly squat about winter driving and snow tires.
But I can tell you that our wonderful Yankee and Canadian Clarity owners have posted many glowing recommendations on the X-Ice, the Blizzak, and something called a Hapakapootitootie, or however you spell and pronounce it. Those seem to be the 3 most recommended by those living in the frigid North. I have not seen any posts on the Continental.
Hope this helps you narrow it down.

PS: The only thing most of us Southerners know about driving on ice and snow is that if you go through an intersection sideways, screaming in panic with your hand in the horn, then people will usually give you the right of way.

--First big laugh of my morning. Thanks so much for your funny and helpful posting.--

 

[petteyg359]

FWIW, I'd avoid the Bridgestone solely because the marketing department that named it needs to be fired. Tires should never be associated with laser sound effects from Star Wars.

 

[Sandroad]

For the same reason @petteyg359 posted above, maybe avoid the "Hapakapootitootie" too. (though I've heard it's a great winter tire).

 

[css28]

We've used X-Ice 3's on our Prius for several years and are very happy with them.
In addition to offering enhanced traction, they seem as low in rolling resistance as the Ecopia 420+ all seasons that we use the rest of the year.

 

[MPower]

Put on the X-Ice 3s last winter after having liked them for my Prius Plugin. (I didn't think about the fact that they would be almost too heavy to lift since I never had a big car with big tires be before.)

They seemed to work very well in the ice and snow and seemed to be much quieter than the OEM tires. I actually drive more in the winter because that is when I usually drive out to Kansas and to a couple of dance festivals.