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Winter tire Winter Touring tires Updated May 2026

Taurus Winter 601 review

The Taurus Winter 601 receives a highly polarized reception, with users divided between those who find it a functional budget option for casual driving and those who report significant safety concerns. While some drivers appreciate its performance in snow and off-road conditions, others cite severe deficiencies in wet-weather grip and overall handling feedback.

Relative score
64/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
64/100
7 reviews
Taurus Winter 601
Scores

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

64%
Would buy again 51%
Dry
Overall dry
61%
Corner stability
43%
Dry traction
56.5%
Steering response
39.5%
Wet
Overall wet
49%
Wet traction
35%
Snow & ice
Overall snow & ice
93%
Ice
90%
Comfort
Overall comfort
66%
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
66%
Handling
Overall handling
56%
From owners

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 7 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.

The Taurus Winter 601 receives a highly polarized reception, with users divided between those who find it a functional budget option for casual driving and those who report significant safety concerns. While some drivers appreciate its performance in snow and off-road conditions, others cite severe deficiencies in wet-weather grip and overall handling feedback.

Pros

  • Competitively priced for budget-conscious buyers
  • Adequate traction in snowy conditions
  • Acceptable tread wear longevity for normal driving
  • Suitable for low-horsepower, family-oriented vehicles

Cons

  • Poor wet-weather performance and high risk of skidding
  • Lack of steering feedback and road feel
  • Increased noise levels at higher speeds
  • Not recommended for high-performance or heavy vehicles

Worth knowing

  • Users report that the tire is ill-suited for vehicles with over 100 horsepower, noting it is not designed for spirited driving.
  • Drivers of RWD vehicles reported mixed experiences, with some finding confidence in snow while others noted a lack of steering precision.
Test results

1 published test appearance

Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.

2018 51 Winter tire Shootout · 195/65 R15

47th of 51
DisciplinePlacementField position