The best budget winter tires for SUV 235/65 R17

Slovenian Matador tires roll off the assembly line under the strict supervision of the parent corporation Continental AG. For passenger cars and SUVs, the brand's range includes the remarkable economy-level winter tire MP 93 Nordicca.

Compared to its predecessor, the Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow, the tire now uses a symmetrical directional tread pattern design instead of pronounced asymmetry. The V-shaped placement of the blocks in the central core creates many additional grip edges, and water and melted snow masses are instantly removed from the tire's contact patch along the diagonal hydroevacuation grooves.

The tire's traction properties on snow are enhanced by the wavy sipes in the tread elements. They help maintain the proper rigidity of the blocks and bite into the slippery road with their sharp edges. At the same time, the pressure is distributed evenly across the entire plane of the contact patch - thereby reducing rolling resistance, preventing uneven wear of the tread, and increasing the smoothness of the ride and acoustic comfort.

The compound of the model contains an increased proportion of silica and functional elastomers are added, due to which the rubber mixture of Matador MP 93 Nordicca remains elastic even in severe frosts. The main thing is that the tire is completely devoid of significant flaws. In the budget segment of winter friction tires, it rightfully occupies one of the leading positions.

Debica Frigo SUV 2 is an economy option of good non-studded tires for crossovers and SUVs with outstanding dynamic capabilities.

The tire tread design is symmetrical with a distinct direction. Compared to the first-generation model (Debica Frigo SUV), the tread pattern is more detailed, which is done for the benefit of increasing the efficiency of traction in winter driving conditions. The tire tread blocks are covered with multidirectional lamellas, the work of which is aimed at preventing slipping and skidding.

The fast cleaning of the Debica Frigo SUV 2 tread is ensured by the circumferential hydroevacuation channels together with the drainage grooves that branch out from the center to the shoulders. The slit-like cuts in the central section of the tread also accelerate the outflow of water masses. The aquadrainage network has a variable depth in different areas, which gives an additional impetus to the movement of water and melted snow.

The frost-resistant rubber compound of the model ensures the density of the tire's contact with the wet and snow-covered road surface under the car's wheels. But on ice, the tire does not show the shortest braking distance and does not have the best handling. However, this is still not a studded tire - the rubber works out its friction qualities perfectly, while captivating with low rolling resistance. For every thousand kilometers of mileage, the tire helps save from 3 to 7 liters of fuel (depending on driving style and gasoline quality).

Under the wing of the Continental AG concern with headquarters in Hanover, Germany, a good dozen subsidiaries successfully operate. One of the most famous of these is the Czech brand Barum. Its Polaris 5 tires are suitable for both passenger cars and SUVs with a high center of gravity.

The model uses a popular symmetrical directional pattern in the tread design. Winter tires with such a tread are focused on ensuring stable grip properties together with maintaining confident traction and braking qualities. The tire in question reliably grips wet road surfaces and exhibits adequate stability on packed snow.

The tire's aqua drainage network consists of three circumferential hydroevacuation channels and inclined grooves that diverge from the center. The model's tread is instantly cleared of water and melted snow, reducing the risk of aquaplaning and slushplaning. At the same time, the shape of the circumferential channels helps to capture and retain snow, which improves the efficiency of traction on winter roads.

Across the wheel rotation vector, the tread blocks of the Barum Polaris 5 have S-shaped lamellas of different depths cut into them. They were introduced into the tread pattern to enhance the edge effect. The model has additional significant trump cards up its sleeve - a high level of ride comfort and a long mileage before the tread wears out. The tire ensures proper driving safety in winter, and its purchase has a minimal impact on the thickness of the wallet.

The Fulda tire brand is manufactured under the auspices of the venerable parent corporation Goodyear. The Kristall Control Snow model provides confident control on snowy winter roads.

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 tread blocks are responsible for the honed reactions to steering commands. They form numerous edges due to sharp edges and Bubble Blades lamellas, which guarantees reliable grip on the winter road.

The running part of the tire tread has special SnowCatcher grooves. In addition to the drainage function, they also act as snow catchers. Fulda Kristall Control Snow provides dynamic control of the car on snow and effective transmission of traction. The powerful braking properties of the 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 its rubber formula has an increased percentage of silica. As a result, lower rolling resistance is achieved and fuel consumption is reduced. As the tire is used, it wears evenly, and in general, it has a high mileage before the tread wears out.

Toyo Snowprox S954 SUV is a friction tire for heavy passenger cars with high ground clearance. The model stands out from its colleagues in the industry with one interesting feature.

The design of the tire tread pattern emphasizes the asymmetric layout of the functional blocks. The model also combines thick and thin lamellas, the work of which is aimed at improving the "wet" grip properties and maintaining the performance characteristics of the rubber on snow. The know-how in the tread design is additional inclined cuts in the shoulder blocks to increase acceleration and braking dynamics on slippery roads.

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

An important advantage of the tire is the 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 solid middling product with balanced driving qualities.