There’s no overstating the importance of quality tires, especially in winter conditions. Here are KBB’s preferred snowshoes for your ride this winter.
There are plenty of mods and accessories that you can add to your vehicle to make it more capable on snow and ice, but none will have the impact of a good set of winter tires. All-season tires are certainly a viable option if you live somewhere that only gets a small amount of snow, but if you’re often trudging through deeper amounts, specially engineered winter tires with a larger contact area, deeper treads, and cutting-edge technology to stay effective in freezing temperatures will make a huge difference.
As is the case when searching for any type of tire, it can be challenging to narrow down the best choice for you. However, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) makes it a little easier, providing its picks for the best winter tires available right now. Covering a variety of brands positioned in different market segments, here’s a closer look at the six winter tires that KBB recommends, and what sets them apart from the competition. Continental VikingContact 7
Continental’s price tags position it as a more premium brand, but its tires remain affordable enough, especially given the value you get for the money. For colder climates, Continental currently offers two models, with the well-established VikingContact 7 tire being the one that features among KBB’s best.
As with any tire, it’s crucial to make sure you check your car’s specific size requirement before making an investment. The VikingContact 7 does a solid job of covering a lot of ground in this area, with available sizes ranging from 155/70 for 16-inch rims to 315/35 for 22-inch rims. As is the case with most new tires, it features radial construction. Max load amounts range from 908 pounds in the smallest tire to 2,469 pounds for the 285/25 R20 set, so be sure to check that the rating is high enough for your vehicle.
KBB’s favorite aspects of the tire are its quietness and low rolling resistance, but clarifies that the tire isn’t the best in extreme conditions. This can be expected as these tires are non-studded, but the use of Continental’s grip-enhancing PolarPlus tech keeps it a versatile choice on the snow. Taking into account hundreds of owner reviews on TireRack.com, the VikingContact 7 receives an 8.8/10 rating for winter conditions, with owners praising the tire’s safety and performance throughout the most challenging time of the year.Goodyear WinterCommand Ultra
A direct rival to Goodyear, no matter what type of tire you’re looking for, it’s no surprise to see Goodyear offer one of the best winter tires on the market. In fact, Goodyear has one of the most comprehensive selections specifically designed for harsher conditions, with multiple lines offering something slightly different to suit your needs. Only one Goodyear tire model makes it onto KBB’s best-of list, however, that being the WinterCommand Ultra. The Ultra tire is the most affordable of the four WinterCommand tires available in 2025, but it doesn’t fall short in capabilities, thanks to the reliance on cutting-edge features.
