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Last updated 12/13/2024 - Originally published 12/13/2024
Written by SimpleTire
All-weather tires have always been confused with all-season tires, but all-weather tires give you an extra edge during winters, so it would not be wrong to say that they are a cross between an all-season and winter tires. If you are looking for strong traction and performance in wet and dry conditions, plus better performance in winter weather you can opt for one.
General and Nokian are two names that excel in delivering great tires, especially in the all-weather category. Both organizations are renowned for their innovative strategies that not only meet but exceed customer expectations. By tailoring their products and services to meet these specific needs, they achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction.
The same is visible in their tire range of the General AltiMAX 365 AW and the Nokian WR G4. Both of these tires are meant for use on passenger cars and SUVs. While both tires offer great performance, one has to be better than the other, right? Let’s compare General AltiMAX 365 AW vs Nokian WR G4 tires using SimpleScore to show where each tire excels and which one might be right for you.
General AltiMAX 365 AW tires
All-weather tires are essentially a cross between all-season and winter tires. A tire like the General AltiMAX 365 AW, is designed for use on coupes, sedans, CUVs, SUVs, and minivans and offers drivers excellent traction and performance in dry, wet, and light winter weather conditions plus a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. Loaded with features like angled tread blocks and open shoulders that reduce hydroplaning, the Altimax 365 AW’s dense siping creates additional biting edges for a strong grip year-round.
Talking about the SimpleScore, it displays a great average score of 8.7, you also get Visual Alignment Indicators that allow you to easily see if your vehicle is misaligned, and this tire is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified thanks to its ability to perform in severe winter weather conditions.
Nokian WR G4 tires
If you are looking for an alternate tire brand that is equally efficient in gripping the roads and delivering great performance all year round, look at the Nokian WR G4 tire that is also an all-weather tire that's designed for use on coupes and sedans and offers drivers outstanding traction and handling performance year-round along with a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
Features of this all-weather tire include four wide grooves, and open shoulders that help improve wet grip, while large, angle tread blocks and dense siping enhance grip by biting into the road. As an all-weather tire, the WR G4 will offer solid performance in light winter weather conditions. It boasts an impressive average SimpleScore of 8.8 out of 10, excelling in handling, longevity, and traction. Additionally, this is a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified thanks to its ability to perform in severe winter weather conditions.
General AltiMAX 365 AW vs Nokian WR G4 tires on traction
Traction plays an important role in tire performance, especially for all-weather tires. These versatile tires are meticulously crafted to deliver reliable grip across a wide range of weather conditions. Their goal is to achieve a harmonious balance between performance on dry roads, wet surfaces, and even light snowy terrain.
Comparing the above two based on traction, you will see that the General AltiMAX 365 AW is designed with angled tread blocks, dense sipings, and open shoulders to force water, slush, and melting snow out of the tire for consistent traction in wet and wintry weather. This has helped this tire to reach an average traction SimpleScore of 8.7 which is great when it comes to performance. Being a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake Certified tire it is ideal for use in moderate to severe winter weather conditions.
The Nokian WR G4, on the other hand, takes a long leap with a score of 9.6 out of 10 in traction. This is thanks to its innovative tread pattern that improves handling capabilities on dry and wintry roads, and wide grooves for excellent traction on wet roads. You get considerate traction with this tire and can depend on it for your all-weather great traction performance. Additionally, this tire is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified which means this tire is certified to perform in severe snow conditions.
When it comes to traction, the General AltiMAX 365 AW falls way behind the Nokian WR G4.
ADVANTAGE: Nokian WR G4
General AltiMAX 365 AW vs Nokian WR G4 tires on handling
All-weather tires are designed to balance performance for various weather conditions, including dry, wet, and light snow. The handling of a tire is improved by different elements of the tire’s tread pattern, in addition to the tire’s overall design. The General AltiMAX 365 AW sports a solid 8.7 SimpleScore for handling, which is largely driven by the tire’s core rib that runs continuously, allowing it to be more durable and improving its handling.
On the flip side, the Nokian WR G4 takes a long lead here over the General AltiMAX 365 AW for handling as the tire comes in with a SimpleScore of 9.4 Featuring an innovative design that gives drivers a quiet, comfortable ride, plus an optimized footprint that allows for even wear to extend the tire's tread life.
ADVANTAGE: Nokian WR G4
General AltiMAX 365 AW vs Nokian WR G4 tires on longevity
The longevity aspect is equally important to traction and handling when purchasing a tire. The longevity of a tire depends on several factors, including the quality of the tire, driving habits, road conditions, and maintenance. Based on SimpleScore, this was the biggest gap between the two tires.
Starting with the General AltiMAX 365 AW, the tire offers an exceptional SimpleScore of 9 out of 10 on the longevity front. The tire’s tough, rugged rubber compound and reinforced construction work together to increase handling which allows for a longer tread life. Additionally, it has features of Visual Alignment Indicators that allow drivers to easily see if their vehicle is misaligned.
Conversely, the WR G4’s 8.2 SimpleScore in longevity shows that it falls a little behind here. The Nokian WR G4 also features reinforced construction, and its innovative tread design gives drivers a quiet, comfortable ride, plus even wear to extend the tire's tread life.
Here you will notice progress in terms of longevity for the Nokian WR G4 over General AltiMAX 365 AW.
Although both the tires perform solid when it comes to longevity, the General AltiMAX 365 AW and the Nokian WR G4 both come with a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
ADVANTAGE: General AltiMAX 365 AW
When to use each
While all-weather tires offer convenience and versatility, they tend to have a longer lifespan compared to tires designed specifically for certain weather conditions, such as winter tires or summer tires. This is because they are constructed with a tread compound that balances handling and performance across different seasons.
Both the General AltiMAX 365 AW and Nokian WR G4 may not provide optimal performance in extreme winter weather conditions. For example, in areas with heavy snowfall, dedicated winter tires might be necessary for improved traction and safety. That said, all-weather tires are an excellent choice if you live in an area that only gets light snow.
Additionally, cautious driving habits and avoiding harsh conditions can help preserve the tread and overall integrity of the tires.
Which one should you choose?
So, which all-weather tire is the right option for you? When looking at SimpleScore, the General AltiMAX 365 AW and the Nokian WR G4 come with an overall score of 8.7 vs 8.8. As noted above, there are key differences between the two tires and these need to be weighed against each other to determine what’s best for you.
Finally (and maybe, most importantly), pricing on these two tires is a bit different as General AltiMAX 365 AW tires cost approx $112.99 per tire while Nokian WR G4 tires cost approx $100.98 per tire. That means a set of four General AltiMAX 365 AW all-weather tires will cost you approx $451.96 for a set of four, while a set of four Nokian WR G4 tires will cost you approx $403.92.
Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the General AltiMAX 365 AW if you:
- Drive a vehicle like the Acura CL, Audi A6, Buick Encore, or the Chevrolet Cruze
- Want a longer-lasting tire (9 vs 8.2)
- Are willing to pay more for better longevity
Conversely, you should choose the Nokian WR G4 if you:
- Drive a Honda Pilot, Nissan Navara, or a Ford Ranger
- Want a tire with better traction (9.6 vs 8.7)
- Vehicle handling takes priority for your choice at an increased score of (9.4 vs 8.7)
- Are looking for a tire that belongs to the Nokian brand and is more affordable between the two
General AltiMAX 365 AW vs Nokian WR G4 tires might not seem a close comparison on the surface, but the above clearly shows that either is a great option.
Remember, both of the tire brands are some of the best tire manufacturers on the market, and that tradition continues with the General AltiMAX 365 AW and Nokian WR G4. At the end of the day, the decision to buy one or the other depends on your vehicle, where (and how) you drive, and what you care more about in terms of traction, handling, longevity, and price.
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.