Jason ClarkAlmost all of the well-known manufacturers today offer an all-season solution for those people who don’t want to change their tires every season.
But here arises a very essential question – do they provide secure grip under all weather conditions?
Well, yes. The latest generation of all-season tires impresses with some really good performance on snow, wet and dry roads. But keep in mind – not every model and manufacturer is an all-year talent.
That is why we are here to help you with our selection of the best all-season tires on the market.
We’ve collected opinions from experienced tire technicians and independent industry reports to give you an autonomous opinion that you can rely on.
Continue reading and choose wisely because tires keep you on the road and may save your life.
This is probably one of the most important parts of your car because it all comes to safety here, do not neglect it.
Best All-Season Tires
1. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 | Editor’s Choice
The first and our favorite on the list is the Continental DWS 06. The DWS 06 is the newer, improved model of the older DWS from the ultra-high performance line.
The Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 comes with improved grip on snow, better handling on wet and dry, and extended durability.
This is the perfect tire choice for drivers with sporty cars who want to have a year-round performance with only one set of tires in stock.
The DWS 06 introduced the new SportPlus technology from Continental for the first time. This is another of the innovative technologies from Continental, designed to improve not only the handling and safety on wet slippery surfaces but also the entire operational period of the tire.
Traction grooves improve performance on snow by increasing the number of clinging edges, while X-sipes improve braking, maneuverability, and acceleration on wet roads, snow, and ice.
A very useful tread depth indicators are present to inform the driver of the overall performance of the tire.
The “DWS” indicator (dry, wet, snow) shows the current status of the tire which would be perfect to drive on the three surfaces as long as all the three letters are present.
Once the tire loses its capacity the letters will start disappearing as the first one would be the “S”, then the “W”. In this case, the indicator will only show the letter “D” which means the tire should be only driven and performs well on dry surfaces.
Key Product Details ✅
- Load Index: 88; Speed Rating: W; Tread Wear: 560
- SportPlus Technology for improved handling, wet grip, and wear
- Quick view indicators
- Tuned Performance Indicators (DWS)
- 50k Limited Warranty
2. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ | Best Performance All-Season Tires
A well deserved second place in our list is the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tire which belongs to the Ultra High-Performance category and is mainly designed for installation on sports cars such as BMW M3, Audi A5, Ford Mustang, etc.
Many experts and motorheads throughout the forums agree that this is the best all-season tire on the market.
This is a high-performance all-season tire with impressive traction performance on different road surfaces, as well as a long-running life and minimal noise.
The rubber mixture is produced with the addition of Extreme Silica Technology combined with sunflower oil.
This provides the tires with the necessary traction for safe driving under different road conditions including wet and snow and also contributes to their smooth wearing.
Variable Contact Patch and the asymmetric tread pattern technology from the Michelin Pilot Super Sport both contribute to an effective drainage system that instantly removes not only water from the contact patch but also dense slushy mass, melting snow, and water.
Thanks to the patented Variable Contact Patch 3.0 Technology, developers managed to achieve the evenest distribution of temperature and pressure over the entire contact area.
Key Product Details ✅
- Improved grip on dry and wet surfaces
- 28% better snow traction
- Improved resistance to aquaplaning
- Smooth and quiet
- Impressive braking on dry and wet roads
3. Bridgestone POTENZA RE980AS | Best Rated All-Season Tires
Bridgestone announced the launch of a replacement model of the old Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS.
The new generation of all-season Ultra High-Performance tires by Bridgestone brings the Potenza RE980AS which is developed to provide not only a high degree of safety when used on wet, dry, and light snow road surfaces but also a low-noise drive.
The Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS tires are focused on the drivers of sporty cars and have an asymmetrical tread design, which is designed to increase the reliability of dry and wet conditions while providing a comfortable movement.
To enhance the interaction of the rubber with the road and improve dry-road braking, Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS features a chamfered lateral slots with 3D full-depth sipes.
Key Product Details ✅
- Low-noise tread design
- Improved dry, wet, and light snow performance
- Predictable handling on high-speed driving
- Advanced braking and traction design
- Longer durability
4. Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season | Best in High-Performance Category
Goodyear manufactures tires for cars, trucks, SUVs, racing cars, planes, and other machines since 1898. The company is the most successful Formula 1 tire supplier of all time, with the most starts, wins, and titles in constructors than any other tire manufacturer.
No doubt that they have probably the best all-season tire in the high-performance category.
Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season tires are developed to provide drivers with year-round flexibility on dry, wet, and light snow.
We must say that they do their job perfectly providing responsive handling while keeping the noise down which makes it a real pleasure to drive with.
The asymmetric design of the tire ensures reliable performance, improves steering, and optimizes wear.
To ensure maximum stability in rainy weather, the circumferential grooves help the water to escape efficiently and full-depth sipes make sure the grip stays consistent even in bad, slushy weather.
Tires from the All-Season High-Performance category are the perfect choice for drivers who still own the sporty spirits but not really pushing their cars to the limits.
Key Product Details ✅
- RaceWrap Construction Technology used in Nascar tires
- H-/V- speed rated
- Perfect behavior on wet and slushy roads
- Suitable for a wide range of vehicles
- Excellent cornering and traction on dry roads
5. BFGoodrich G-Force COMP-2 A/S | Best Performance On Snow
Another all-season tire with outstanding performance lined up in the Ultra-High Performance category.
As the manufacturer claims it is their most successful all-season tire ever made and from all the feedback we have it seems that they have really done a good job with the BFGoodrich G-Force COMP-2 A/S.
Developed to meet BFGoodrich’s “ABC” criteria which include improved/faster acceleration, shorter braking distances, and better control, the G-Force COMP-2 A/S shows impressive performance on wet and snowy roads.
The V-shaped directional tread design along with BFG’s UltiGrip Technology both contribute to improved cold weather and snow grip while ensuring equal and longer wearing.
Enhanced handling at higher speeds and dry road traction is ensured by the better rubber-to-road design and the ETEC System.
Key Product Details ✅
- DSS (Dynamic Suspension System) for superior control and comfort drive
- Tread design optimized for sharp cornering at higher speeds
- High-silica compound improves dry, cold, and wet surface performance
- Optimized tread area for greater rubber-to-road contact
- Thick walls to protect rims
6. Michelin CROSSCLIMATE+ | Best Value For Money
Here comes another from our all-season favorites and that is the Michelin CROSSCLIMATE+. We had the chance to test them in one of our cars so here is what to expect.
We have been using them for nearly six months and we must say that they have excellent behavior on dry and wet roads and good behavior in winter conditions.
They do perform surprisingly well on snow and ice. Here it is important to note that our car is heavy with rear-wheel drive.
Of course, the level of the best winter tires cannot be expected but they are a good alternative to the middle-class winter tires and they are also perfect for people who drive in areas without too much snowfall.
Key Product Details ✅
- Strong performance on dry cornering
- Impressive wet and snow traction
- Long tread life
- Optimized to reduce fuel consumption
- Suitable for sedans, coupes, SWs, crossovers
7. Michelin Defender T+H | Longest Treadlife
The original Michelin Defender was introduced in 2012, and five years later the company launched the newer version to the public. One of the major improvements here is the rubber compound which is made to extend the tread life.
Michelin actually claims that the Defender T+H will last four times longer than some of its direct competitors in the category and to strengthen their theory the tire has a warranty millage of 80 000 miles.
In addition, the speed index was increased to H, so that the tires can be installed on a wider range of vehicles.
The new Michelin Defender T + H is manufactured using a number of technologies that are also used in the production of tires Michelin Defender LTX M / S, presented in 2015.
To name a few, the MaxTouch Construction is responsible for lowering rolling resistance during braking, acceleration, and hard cornering which significantly extends the tread life and at the same time improves fuel efficiency.
This is where the EverTread compound also takes place to give more durability and extend the tire life.
Michelin Defender T+H provides strong performance during the entire year and all road conditions with a comfortable ride and optimized fuel consumption.
Key Product Details ✅
- Suitable for sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, crossovers, minivans
- Michelin Total Performance Technology
- 80 000-mile tread life warranty
- A soft and relaxed drive
- Good on fuel economy
8. Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring | Best All-Season in Grand Touring Category
Goodyear Assurance ComforTred is developed with the experience and analysis of countless previous types of tires produced by the company. They combine premium quality and a reasonable price.
A number of tests by independent professionals and media have been undertaken to confirm the exceptionally high level of grip on wet and dry surfaces. It also shows sufficient performance on slush and light snow.
The tire behaves well on dry roads during hot summer while still maintains moderate wearing which seems to be one of the hardest tasks in tiremaking.
Goodyear Assurance ComforTred tires feature a mildly asymmetric tread design that combines independent shoulder blocks with notched intermediate and center ribs to blend dry and wet road traction and handling.
What you will realize only from the first few miles is how responsive the handling is. At the same time due to the aggressive tread design, small bumps on the road will not go unnoticed as the tire is not that soft though.
The specifically designed independent shoulder blocks with notched intermediate and center ribs of the tire are designed for optimum performance on dry asphalt, followed by a four wide circumferential grooves zone that prevents aquaplaning and ensures the faster water drainage to enhance grip on wet surfaces.
Responsible for handling the snowy and icy conditions are the tread grooves, notches and sipes that form biting edges ensuring safe winter drives.
Key Product Details ✅
- Suitable for mid-range and upscale coupes, sedans, and minivans
- Warranty rated for 80 000 miles
- Responsive handling
- ComfortEdge sidewall provides more comfort and better handling
- Good traction on snow
9. Bridgestone DUELER H/L ALENZA PLUS | Best for SUV/Crossover Touring
Our top pick for the owners of SUVs and light trucks who are looking for an all-season tire solution is the Bridgestone DUELER H/L ALENZA PLUS.
The first pleasant impression that you get from the tires is how quietly they run even at higher speeds.
Bridgestone has developed the DUELER H/L ALENZA PLUS with comfort, fuel efficiency, and long wear in mind.
The tire construction is designed to provide stability on dry roads and higher speeds while also ensuring traction on wet and snowy surfaces.
Bridgestone DUELER H/L ALENZA PLUS do handle all kinds of weather conditions including heavy rain and light snow as expected without, of course, being too aggressive and pushing the vehicle to the limits.
Key Product Details ✅
- Low noise
- Longer tread life
- Looks like OEM tires when installed
- Responsive handling
- Suitable for SUVs, light trucks, crossovers, pickups
10. Kumho CRUGEN HT51| Best All-Season Tires For SUV
Another top contender for owners of SUVs who are not likely to leave the comfort of highways and regular asphalt roads is the Kumho CRUGEN HT51.
The new generation of CRUGEN HT51 (starting from April 2017) is officially on the market with the (3PMSF) sign ensuring that the tire complies with the requirements for severe snow service rating.
Wide grooves quickly divert water and shush while the optimally chosen compound retains the elasticity of the tire when the air temperature fluctuates.
CRUGEN HT51’s tread design ensures short braking lines on wet, consistent traction on light snow and at the same time maximizing tread life.
Key Product Details ✅
- Competitive price in the category
- Upgraded straight-line driving technology
- Perfect for highway and in town trips
- Relatively quiet
- Suitable for light-duty pickups, SUVs, vans, crossovers
The Best All-Season Tires Buying Guide & FAQ
As you are already familiar with the best all-season tires on the market, we will give some very useful information that will help you decide whether they are the right choice for you.
All season tires vs Winter tires
A question that we have been asked very often is “Do I need winter tires or all-season tires?”. We can not take that decision for you but would rather give you some information that will help decide yourself.
Your region
Different regions have different regulations when it comes to winter tires. In some places, they are mandatory, while others are recommended.
For those who live in places with a more mild climate, they are rarely a necessity. So the first thing you need to check is whether winter tires are mandatory in your state or country.
If the weather conditions are particularly harsh and winter tires are mandatory, you have no choice whether to put winter or all-season tires, you will have to change the winter with summer around every six months.
Your local weather conditions
If your local law stipulates that winter tires are recommended but not mandatory, you will need to make your own choice whether you want winter or all-season tires, depending on the conditions you usually drive.
Winter tires are made of a high silica rubber compound with a tread pattern that is specially designed to remain flexible at low temperatures (below 34 °F/ + 7 ° C). Although not ideal for year-round use, they provide the best protection for snow and ice.
Your average annual mileage
If you live somewhere where winter temperatures are not too extreme and do not drive too often, especially in winter, it may not be worth buying separate winter and summer tires.
Advantages and Disadvantages of All-season Tires vs Winter Tires and Summer Tires
- Winter tires cannot be used throughout the entire year. All-season tires can.
- All-season tires are generally less noisy than winter tires
- All-season tires have excellent performance in rainy weather
- All season tires are expected to have longer tread life
- Winter tires are specially designed for snow, ice, and cold roads. All-season tires have better winter performance than summer tires but are not as effective on snow and ice as winter tires.
- All season tires save time and money. It is expensive to change winter and summer tires two times a year. All-season tires should not be changed.
- In the same way that all-season tires will never perform better than winter tires in snowy weather, they will not perform better than summer tires in hot weather. All-season tires are a good all-season solution but for places with extreme weather amplitudes, they are compromised.
Different Types of Tread Patterns
As you saw in the descriptions above, the tires have three main types of different tread patterns. We’ll explain them briefly below so you get the idea.
Symmetrical Tread Pattern
Symmetric tires are mounted so that the direction of rotation (“Rotation”), shown with arrows on the tire sidewall, matches the direction of the vehicle (forward). Most winter tires are symmetrical.
Asymmetric Tread Pattern
Asymmetric tires must be fitted with the appropriate side inwards or outwards to the vehicle’s side. In this case, the inside of the tire is identified by the words “Side Facing Inwards” and “Side Facing Outwards”.
Unidirectional Tread Pattern
The unidirectional tires are both symmetrical and asymmetrical. These tires must be mounted in such a way that the direction of rotation indicated by the arrows on the sidewall is the same as the direction of travel of the vehicle and the side walls are correctly oriented towards the inside or outside of the vehicle.
Conclusion
Here in MotorCieties, we believe that all-season tires can become a reliable alternative to the winter and summer tires but only if they have similar performance to the best all-season tires we have presented above.
If manufacturers continue to develop new technologies, maybe one day we will have a tire that works the same way as a winter tire on heavy snow and on hot roads as a summer tire.
And because our top priority is safety, we must remind you that all-season tires with such qualities and performance do not exist yet. Living in regions with extreme weather temperatures still requires two sets of different tires – winter and summer.
To sum up, everything being said, all-season tires are the perfect choice for regions without heavy and constant snow during the winter.
They do perform very well in rain and have a longer tread life. All-season tires will save you money and time and you will have much less noisy rides compared to your current winter tires.
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