General Altimax Nordic 12 review
The General Altimax Nordic 12 is widely regarded as an exceptional value-oriented winter tire that delivers impressive traction in deep snow, slush, and icy conditions. While some users note a slight increase in road noise and a softer sidewall feel compared to all-season tires, the consensus is that its winter performance rivals more expensive premium brands.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
87.3%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 54 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The General Altimax Nordic 12 is widely regarded as an exceptional value-oriented winter tire that delivers impressive traction in deep snow, slush, and icy conditions. While some users note a slight increase in road noise and a softer sidewall feel compared to all-season tires, the consensus is that its winter performance rivals more expensive premium brands.
Pros
- Outstanding traction and grip in snow, slush, and ice
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Strong tread life and durability for a winter compound
- Predictable handling in severe winter weather
Cons
- Increased road noise as the tire wears
- Softer sidewall feel leading to less precise handling on dry pavement
- Can feel 'squishy' during cornering compared to all-season tires
Worth knowing
- Users with RWD vehicles, such as the BMW Z4, reported high confidence in deep snow despite the vehicle's inherent traction challenges.
- Owners of light-duty trucks and SUVs, including the Honda CR-V and Ram pickups, noted the tire's capability in unplowed, deep snow conditions.
- Drivers of smaller FWD vehicles like the Honda Civic and Chevy HHR praised the tire for significantly improving winter safety and mobility.