What are the best winter, snow, all-season, and off-road tires for your Subaru Forester, Outback, or Crosstrek vehicle? Do you really need winter or snow tires on your all-wheel-drive SUV? I'll answer those questions and more here.
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I need new tires for my Subaru. Which are the best tires?
That is a question I often get from readers. With winter coming, should you buy winter, snow, or all-season tires? And what's the difference?
A new report from Consumer Reports (by subscription) ranks the best tires this winter for cars, Small SUVs, Midsize SUVs, and off-roaders. I will show the best for Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, Solterra all-wheel-drive vehicle SUVs, Impreza compact hatch, Legacy sedan, and WRX and BRZ sports cars. I'll also cover the best off-road tires.
Consumer Reports (CR), a trusted authority in the automotive industry, emphasizes, "Tires may all look similar, but our testing shows that performance can vary significantly: how well they grip, affect braking distances, and even how long they last."
CR manages a comprehensive tire-testing program based in its 327-acre Auto Test Center. They drive in northern Michigan snow, evaluate ice braking at a skating rink, run lab simulations to measure rolling resistance and conduct 16,000-mile, real-world tread wear tests on Texas roads, ensuring the most reliable recommendations for Subaru owners.
If you don't have a Consumer Reports subscription, that's no problem. I'll cover the best picks for your Subaru model here.
Do you need winter or snow tires with your all-wheel-drive vehicle? It all depends on where you live and how much extreme or severe weather you will experience. I answered the question in my report here.
What are the best winter tires for customers in cold climates for an Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, or another Subaru all-wheel-drive model?
Here are the best-recommended picks from CR for winter and all-season tires this winter. Note: Click on the blue links to get more information on each tire.
CR's best winter/snow tire recommendations for SUVs.
For Subaru owners who live in cold climates where you see snow and ice, CR recommends the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5, $240. They are excellent for Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, Ascent, and Solterra all-wheel-drive SUVs.
CR says, "By definition, most tires in this category have excellent snow traction and braking grip on ice, but their performance varies in other tests. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5, Continental VikingContact 7, and Michelin X Ice Snow are all recommended, but each has slight advantages in different tests. The Continental has higher scores for ride comfort and noise, but member satisfaction is higher for Nokian and Michelin."
What are the best winter/snow tires for the Subaru WRX and BRZ sports cars?
CR says that for the best winter/snow performance tire, they recommend the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, which is $278.
CR says, "The best-performance winter/snow tire is the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005. It excels in hydroplaning resistance, snow traction, and ice braking, which are the very reasons you should consider this category. It's also above average for dry braking, a characteristic often compromised in this category."
"Tying it is the less expensive Hankook Winter i*cept Evo 3. It matches the hydroplaning resistance, snow traction, and ice braking ratings but trails the Bridgestone in some other measures."
What are the best all-season tires for your Subaru SUV?
CR recommends the Michelin CrossClimate2, $232 is ranked number one. The Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3, $202-$228, is the best value all-season tire.
CR says, "These all-season SUV tires are tuned for those vehicles' performance, comfortable ride, and light-duty towing capabilities."
What are the best all-season tires for your Subaru Impreza or Legacy?
CR recommends the Michelin Defender2, which is $177-$200 and is ranked number one. The Hankook Kinergy XP, $149, is the best value all-season tire.
What are the best tires for your Subaru if you go off-road?
CR recommends the Continental TerrainContact A/T, $252.
CR says, "The Continental TerrainContact A/T earns average or better scores in all test categories, including dry braking, handling, and hydroplaning resistance. Of special note, it receives top marks for noise, a trait that can be a particular concern in this category."
"Even with its off-road capabilities, our tests indicate that this tire can be expected to last up to 65,000 miles. All told, this Continental is a great on-road performer in a category focused on off-road adventure and cosmetics."
Regardless of what winter/snow tires you buy, look for an Alpine pictograph (a snowflake inside a mountain) on the tire's sidewall. When you see this icon, you can be assured it meets more stringent winter traction performance requirements. This includes snowy, slippery roads and low temperatures.
Winter tire tips.
Regardless of what winter/snow tires you buy, look for an Alpine pictograph (a snowflake inside a mountain) on the tire's sidewall. When you see this icon, you can be assured it meets more stringent winter traction performance requirements. This includes snowy, slippery roads and low temperatures.
Becasue your Subaru vehcile comes with Subaru's excellent all-wheel-drive tech, when you get new treads for winter, you should get four winter/snow tires of the same size and identical category to maintain optimal driving performance.
Buying the right winter tires can give you instant "bolt-on" traction, confidence, and control for your Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, or another Subaru vehicle.
Have you had excellent tires on your Subaru that you want to share with fellow readers? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Riley Subaru
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Have the new Nokian Remedy…
Have the new Nokian Remedy all weather Kevlars. They seem to work well for my Impreza in dry and wet pavements. They do make the ride a bit bumpy and stiff though. Yet to test on snow and ice.
I have had Michelin…
I have had Michelin Crossclimates on my 2019 Forester for several years. I live in NC and travel to WV several times each year. I have been very happy with the tires, but need new ones soon. The only thing I don't like about these tires is the limited ability to rotate them. Also, they seem to love picking up objects and getting punctured.
I have a set of Bridgestone…
I have a set of Bridgestone Blizzak DMV-2 on my 2020 Forester Sport. It is an absolute machine in any winter conditions and gives me confidence to get where I need to be safely. Instead of worrying about traction, steering and braking, I can focus on the cars sliding all over the place on worn all season tires! 😁
On my '13 Impreza, used the…
On my '13 Impreza, used the Michelin X-ice Snow 205/55-16. Handles well for a winter tire, quiet ride. Slow down on ice, especially when the surface is wet. Keep away from larger SUV's, most do not have winter tires and they can spin out of control as the driver speeds along. In summer, used the Pirelli P7 all season plus, and now the Vredestein Hi-Trac all season plus. The Vredestein is a good buy and gives long tread life.
Love our Falken WildPeak AT…
Love our Falken WildPeak AT Trail tires. Excellent traction and handling 3 Peak snow rated and typically less rotating mass than other comparable tires which equates to better acceleration and stopping. Though there can be a little road noise after reaching their half life. Have 17" on both our '15 XV and '17 FXT. Little to no sidewall roll. I love the extra curb clearance and added cushion on poor city streets compared to 18". (Though not dedicated snow tires like the Blizzaks on our '16WRX which are like cleats in the white stuff.) They're still great all around tires. With aggressive, rugged looks too. Work well in slush or mud as long as the bottom isn't too deep.
After a bad trip in Wyoming…
After a bad trip in Wyoming on solid ice and snow and 60 m.p.h wind, I purchased a set of Blizzaks, put those on in the winter for about 4 to 5 months. South Dakota. Big difference in traction and surprisingly even on ice during braking. Much more so in traction in heavy snow, even around curves. We have a 2014 Subaru Outback and are looking to trade it off next year. If these Blizzaks fit our new Subaru, I’ll keep them. If not I’ll buy a new set of Blizzaks. The only time we don’t drive in the winter is when they close the roads! Next best to sliced bread! Best one-two punch. Subaru+Blizzaks.