I recently had the chance to test drive the biggest model in the Subaru line-up. It’s their family SUV, the Subaru Ascent 2022. The brand is known for its focus on safety on the road. The vehicle comes standard with symmetrical all-wheel drive, which is supposed to ensure stability on the road and even in corners.
So you can imagine my surprise when, after a snowstorm, just when I thought I was driving a safe vehicle, I started to skid… I quickly realized that it wasn’t because of the mechanics, but because the choice of tires was somewhat lacking!
This is what inspired me to reveal my three tire choices for the 2022 Subaru Ascent. I hope they will prevent you from having an experience similar to mine!
For winter: Continental Viking Contact 7
The best thing for snowy or icy roads is certainly to choose a winter tire. Outside of Quebec, it is not mandatory, but I strongly recommend it! For SUVs like the Ascent, I prefer a balanced choice like the Continental Viking Contact 7. It’s both responsive and affordable, and its handling is quite impressive.
Its tread, which incorporates silica additives and canola oil, adapts to any road surface, even when it’s wet. Designed to handle the harsh winter weather, the Viking Contact 7 features 3D sipes on its tread pattern to increase traction on ice. This is what allows it to brake for such a short distance!
Extreme durability: Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S
Uniroyal’s latest addition is the Tiger Paw Touring A/S, an all-season tire that was developed with comfort in mind. The exclusive tread design allows the tire to be both more efficient and more durable. It has a grippy and responsive ride on all types of road surfaces, thanks in part to its circumferential grooves.
The risk of hydroplaning is greatly reduced thanks to its efficient water evacuation. What makes them so great, however, is their ultra-quiet ride and their 120,000 kilometer warranty. You’ll be able to enjoy that silence for a long time!
My four-season choice: BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport LT
In terms of all-season tires, my preference is probably more towards the BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport LT. It’s a bit more expensive and certainly less quiet than the Uniroyal, but it’s a champion of grip. Plus, it’s built specifically for pickup trucks and heavier vehicles, so it’s perfect to complement your Ascent. The secrets of its effectiveness are surely the different technologies developed by the American company. We’re talking about the ETEC (Equal Tension Containment System) and the g-Wedge side stabilizer that increase both handling and stability.
Whatever your choice, I believe that these three tires are more than enough to avoid skidding! My advice, however, is to always go with the right choice for the season.
