The best budget winter tires for SUV 235/65 R17

In recent years, Chinese industry has built up its muscles in many areas. Let's take, for example, winter tires from the Middle Kingdom Triangle TRIN PL01, which can impose worthy competition on European tires of the strong mid-range.

The tire is produced in both passenger and off-road sizes. The external appearance of the model is formed by a V-shaped tread pattern with a powerful central rib. On either side of it, acute-angled blocks with deep lamellas diverge in a “herringbone” pattern. With the edges of the sipes, the tire literally bites into slippery surfaces, demonstrating good traction on snowy roads and predictable handling.

Approximately half of the tire contact patch area is occupied by massive “shoulders”. Their powerful size contributes to good maneuverability in winter weather conditions when driving a car. Also, the model is in perfect order with the evacuation of excess water masses from the surface of the treadmill. She doesn’t care about the phenomena of aquaplaning and slashplaning.

The Triangle TRIN PL01 did not work out well on icy road surfaces - the grip of the rubber on ice is frankly weak. It is a suitable option for traveling on cleared winter roads and in urban driving conditions. Moreover, it is very affordable in terms of cost.

The Turkish tire Lassa Competus Winter 2 is designed for use on the wheels of large SUVs, crossovers and city SUVs. It is supposed to be used during the cold season.

When developing the second generation, the models did not “reinvent the wheel” and borrowed the tread pattern from their passenger counterpart Lassa Snoways 3. The blocks in the central zone of the tire tread are distributed alternately. They form a monolithic ridge, which is responsible for excellent directional stability and prompt reactions to steering wheel rotations. Zigzag lamellas are cut into the tread blocks, aimed at increasing the edge effect and “slippery” grip properties.

Wide circumferential drainage channels, together with perpendicular drainage grooves, perform the function of quickly self-cleaning the tread from water and melted snow. The tire confidently resists aquaplaning and slashplaning. It won’t let you down on dry asphalt either —the model’s braking performance is rated “excellent.”

The Lassa Competus Winter 2 tire cocktail is characterized by a higher content of additives added to ensure frost resistance. The rubber responds adequately to fluctuations in the mercury column of the thermometer, and the model also impresses with its long mileage. Ahead of the winter season 2021-2022. Turkish tire makers have released an improved version of the tire in question with the Plus prefix. Its design has undergone virtually no changes, and changes have affected the composition of the rubber mixture in order to significantly improve grip properties.

The WinterCraft range of winter tires from Kumho combines under the wing tires for “iron” horses” of the medium segment and the premium level. South Korean tire makers have released the Kumho WinterCraft SUV Ice WS51 model, specially for SUVs and city SUVs.

The working surface of the tire is made in a symmetrical form with a pronounced winter orientation. A monolithic stiffening rib is installed in its center, which increases the accuracy of reactions to steering commands and the directional stability of the car at high speeds. In turn, large shoulder blocks reduce the risk of lateral skidding when making turns on winter roads.

The drainage system of the model is formed by longitudinal grooves and transverse grooves intersecting them. The tire does a solid job of removing excess moisture from the contact patch. As befits winter Velcro, the tread blocks of the Kumho WinterCraft SUV Ice WS51 are generously dotted with wavy sipes. The dense lamellaization of the blocks contributes to a more tenacious grip of the tire on the road surface.

The advantages of the model include low noise and soft running. And the only complaint about it is that it is not the most responsive behavior on ice and slush. However, for harsh winter conditions it is better to take a closer look at specialized studded tires. Kumho WinterCraft SUV Ice WS51 is more suitable for urban travel and mild winters.

Fulda tire brand products are manufactured under the auspices of the venerable parent corporation Goodyear. Confident control on snowy winter roads is provided by the Kristall Control Snow model.

The tire was designed taking into account the “anatomical” features of crossovers and SUVs, which have a high center of gravity and high ground clearance. The model's tread is characterized by pronounced directionality and symmetry. The treadmill blocks are responsible for precise reactions to steering commands. They form numerous edges due to the sharp edges and Bubble Blades, which guarantees reliable grip on winter roads.

Special SnowCatcher grooves are cut into the running part of the tire tread. In addition to the drainage function, they also act as snow catchers. Fulda Kristall Control Snow ensures dynamic control of the machine on snow and efficient transfer of traction forces. The powerful braking properties of a tire are the key to using reinforced shoulder elements with large-caliber blocks. Well, the “humps” between the blocks in the central segment of the tread increase the safety of driving on dry asphalt.

The tire has a lightweight design, and an increased percentage of silica has been added to its rubber formula. As a result, lower rolling resistance is achieved and fuel consumption is reduced. As the tire is used, it wears out evenly; in general, it is characterized by a long mileage before the tread wears out.

Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV is a friction tire for heavy passenger cars with high ground clearance. Compared to its colleagues in the shop, the model stands out with one interesting feature.

The design of the tire tread pattern places emphasis on an asymmetrical arrangement of functional blocks. The model also combines thick and thin lamellas, the work of which is aimed at improving “wet” grip properties and maintaining the performance characteristics of rubber on snow. Know-how in the tread design - additional inclined slots in the shoulder blocks to increase acceleration and braking dynamics on slippery roads.

The Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV drainage system consists of two radial channels and a large number of diagonal grooves. They instantly drain water and melted snow, which is done for the sake of quick self-cleaning of the tread. The tire confidently resists aquaplaning and slashplaning, does not slip from the start and is practically not subject to lateral drift.

An important advantage of tires is a high level of driving comfort, supported by the fuel efficiency of the model. But in terms of noise when rolling, the tire is slightly inferior to its peers with a directional symmetrical tread pattern. However, this is the only complaint about the model - on all other fronts, the tire is a strong average with balanced driving characteristics.