Is all-wheel drive essential for winter, or are tires the real game changer?

This video examines the common debate over whether all-wheel drive or specialized winter tires are necessary for snowy roads. It compares the performance of summer, all-season, and winter tires while addressing the unique challenges electric vehicles face when navigating harsh winter conditions.

The video explores how all-wheel drive paired with winter tires offers the most confidence in winter weather. However, for electric vehicle owners, winter tires present specific trade-offs: they are typically louder, increase rolling resistance which lowers driving range, and wear out faster due to the heavier weight of EVs.

To address these issues, the video highlights the Hankook iON i*cept, a tire engineered specifically to handle the demands of electric vehicles in winter. It emphasizes that achieving peak winter performance often requires accepting compromises in other areas of vehicle operation.

Source: Do You Really Need AWD? Settling The Winter Tire Debate