Toyota Camry: Winter Tire Reviews

This article applies to the Toyota Camry (1997-2011).

If you experience harsh winter weather conditions on your daily commute, it's extremely important to have a good set of winter tires to accompany you on the drive. In the old days, winter/snow tires were only good for one thing—snow. They also tended to be a bit clunky in any other driving conditions. Today's winter tires, however, provide a much better ride quality in a variety of weathers and greatly improve your car's handling.

When deciding which winter tires to purchase, you'll need to consider the severity of the road conditions and whether you'll be driving on wet or dry pavement (or maybe both). We are going to compare four brands of studless snow and ice tires, which have several advantages over studded tires. Deeper tread depths, flexible materials, and modified tread designs all work to offer enhanced traction, better handling, and improved stopping distances. Remember, it is always best to replace and match all four tires at the same time; this will allow you the best performance and safety.

Toyota Camry Winter Tire Comparison Chart

Bridgestone Blizzak WS80

Price – $110+ per tire

Looks – Blackwall

Weight – 23 lbs

Performance – Studless snow and ice

Speed Rating – 130 mph

Tread Depth – 12/32"

Warranty – 5 years or to a remaining 2/32" of tread depth

Bridgestone's WS80 winter tires have the highest consumer rating for overall performance. They have excellent traction in all winter driving conditions and perform particularly well in deep snow. While they are the most expensive tires, the WS80s will also deliver a high-quality driving experience through the widest variety of winter conditions. The handling may be a bit stiff, but it still falls in the "excellent" range. Drivers have noted that you have to make sure to remove these tires as soon as temperatures start to increase. Recommended if you live in a cold climate with constant rain, snow, and ice.

Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT

Price – $100+ per tire

Looks – Backwall

Weight – 22 lbs

Performance – Studless snow and ice

Speed Rating – 118 mph

Tread Depth – 12/32"

Warranty – First 2/32" of tread wear

Goodyear's WRT winter tires are great for a wide range of snow and ice conditions, but they perform the best in light snow. These tires will also perform admirably in wet weather, providing good traction on rainy roads. Reviewers are pleased with their performance on long highway trips. One area where they fail is tire noise; also, the steering response is good, but could use some improvement. Recommended if you drive in lighter winter weather conditions.

Michelin X-Ice Xi3

Price – $102+ per tire

Looks – Blackwall

Weight – 22 lbs

Performance – Studless snow and ice

Speed Rating – 130 mph

Tread Depth – 10.5/32"

Warranty – 40,000 miles/6 years, or first 2/32" of tread wear

The Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tires are perfect for a mix of winter driving conditions. They resist hydroplaning and provide good traction in light snow as well as ice. They are the most quiet of all the tires featured here and are the only brand with a 40,000 mile tread wear warranty. If you find yourself routinely driving in deep snow, these will provide a good grip but not as much as other brands; also, many drivers do complain of sluggishness on slushy road conditions. Recommended if you drive a lot in mild to harsh winter weather conditions.

Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c

Price – $90+ per tire

Looks – Blackwall

Weight – 23 lbs

Performance – Studless snow and ice

Speed Rating – 118 mph

Tread Depth – 11/32"

Warranty – 60 months to remaining 2/32" tread depth

As the cheapest tires of the bunch, Yokohama's iceGUARD tires provide the least traction on wet roads. Although they can also be a bit noisy, these tires perform best in light-to-deep snow and also provide decent handling in wet or dry weather. While many reviewers have experienced some slipping in wet conditions, most claim excellent grip on hilly climbs. Overall, these are a good, lower-priced option for winter driving. These tires are also well suited for someone who has to slog through snow. Recommended if you travel short distances in snowy conditions, or do a lot of city driving.

Related Discussions and Sites

• Winter Tire Speed Rating and Downsizing - CamryForums.com
• Winter Driving - CamryForums.com
• Tire Matching - TireRack.com
• Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 - TireRack.com
• Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT - TireRack.com
• Michelin X-Ice Xi3 - TireRack.com
• Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c - TireRack.com