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Last updated 2/14/2025 - Originally published 2/14/2025
Written by SimpleTire, Expertly reviewed by Brett Antosh
With several tire brands and models on the market, it’s a challenge to choose the right all-weather tire for your needs. Two compelling options in the budget category are the GT Radial MaxClimate and the Petlas Imperium PT535. A subsidiary of Giti Tires, GT Radial manufactures the MaxClimate, which is known for its balance of performance and affordability, offering all-season capabilities and enhanced grip in different driving conditions, including dry, wet, and moderate light snow. It features an asymmetric tread pattern designed for year-round performance.
On the other hand, the Imperium PT535 from Petlasis also engineered to provide reliable all-weather traction. It’s crucial to understand how these two tires stack up against each other in terms of performance, features, and overall value. This comparison will delve into the specifics of each tire, examining its strengths and weaknesses to help you determine which is the best fit for your vehicle and driving needs. We'll consider factors like traction, handling, and longevity to provide a comprehensive overview. So, which one will you choose? Let’s compare GT Radial MaxClimate vs. Petlas Imperium PT535 tires based on our proprietary SimpleScore to know the answer.
GT Radial MaxClimate tires
The GT Radial MaxClimate, launched in December 2024, is an all-weather tire designed for use on passenger cars and minivans. Its asymmetric tread pattern and specialized all-weather compound return improved braking, traction, and control in dry, wet, and moderate to severe winter conditions. Deep, wide circumferential grooves efficiently evacuate water, reducing hydroplaning risk and boosting wet performance. The Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certification ensures the GT Radial returns reassuring winter performance. While the MaxClimate features full-depth zigzag sipes and grooves for superior grip in diverse conditions, including snow, its optimized tread pitch sequence minimizes noise and vibrations for a comfortable ride.
GT Radial's first foray into the all-weather category, the MaxClimate is backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, 24-hour roadside assistance, and a road hazard warranty, which not only offers peace of mind but also underlines GT Radial's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
With an 8.2 average SimpleScore, the GT Radial MaxClimate assures great grip, traction, and handling along with exceptional tread life in different driving conditions including moderate to severe winter.
Get GT Radial MaxClimate tires at the best deals for your vehicle here
Petlas Imperium PT535 tires
Designed for passenger cars, the Petlas Imperium PT535 is an all-weather tire designed to deliver a great balance of performance and value. While the Imperium PT535 provides reliable traction and handling in a variety of weather conditions, including light snow, its optimized tread pattern is engineered to promote even wear and a quiet ride, leading to improved driving comfort. While not specifically a winter tire, the Petlas tire’s design incorporates features intended to enhance grip in wet and snow, which includes dense sipes and deep grooves. This makes it a potential option for drivers seeking an all-around tire that can handle occasional winter flurries without compromising performance in dry and wet conditions. The circumferential and connected lateral grooves help push water and slush out of the tread to avoid the risk of hydroplaning and boost traction and handling.
With an overall 7.5 SimpleScore, the Petlas Imperium PT535 provides adequate traction, grip, and year-round usability in unpredictable driving conditions.
Get Petlas Imperium PT535 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here
GT Radial MaxClimate vs Petlas Imperium PT535 tires on traction
Traction keeps you going in different conditions by providing the necessary grip. All-weather tires – GT Radial MaxClimate and Petlas Imperium PT535 – assure adequate traction in challenging conditions. Let’s check their traction scores.
With a respectable 7.6 score, the MaxClimate boasts full-depth zigzag sipes, creating extra biting edges for enhanced grip and traction in dry, wet, and snowy conditions. While the circumferential grooves of the GT Radial all-weather tire efficiently channel water and slush away to boost wet traction, the advanced rubber compound of the 3PMSF-certified tire maintains flexibility for consistent year-round grip and traction.
Scoring 7.4 in traction, the Imperium PT535 features circumferential and lateral grooves to quickly expel water and slush from the tread for increased wet and snow traction. The strategically placed sipes of the Petlas all-weather tire provide extra grip and traction in different driving conditions of dry, wet, and snow.
While close, the GT Radial MaxClimate's traction performance is better than the Petlas Imperium PT535.
ADVANTAGE: GT Radial MaxClimate
GT Radial MaxClimate vs Petlas Imperium PT535 tires on handling
Handling is highly critical if you’re driving in treacherous terrain consisting of water, snow, and ice. The GT Radial and Petlas all-weather tires promise great stability and steering response in different driving conditions.
The asymmetric tread design of the GT Radial tire allows increased grip on the surface leading to precise steering response and improved stability in changing weather conditions, earning it an 8 for handling. Meanwhile, the zigzag sipes and interconnected grooves provide extra biting edges for surefooted control in snow and ice.
Stunning the MaxClimate, the Petlas Imperium PT535 scores significantly higher in handling – 8.3 out of 10. Thanks to the special silica tread compound with Fine Silica Technology that returns great stability and handling characteristics. With a solid center rib and shoulders, the Petlas all-weather tire interlocks with the surface nicely to provide accurate steering response, stability, and control in light winter conditions.
The Petlas Imperium PT535 demonstrates superior handling, edging out the GT Radial.
ADVANTAGE: Petlas Imperium PT535
GT Radial MaxClimate vs Petlas Imperium PT535 tires on longevity
The last and most crucial aspect of the tire buying process is longevity. While GT Radial comes with a mileage warranty, the Petlas tire gives it a miss. Let’s check out their longevity scores.
Boasting an excellent 9, the GT Radial tire balances traction and handling performance with adequate tread life. With its optimized tread design, it distributes the driving pressure evenly across the tire to resist uneven wear and boost uniform wear. It is backed by a strong 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
On the other hand, the Petlas Imperium PT535 scores a moderate 7.4 thanks to its special rubber compound that adapts to the changing driving needs to provide consistent performance all year round. The strategic pressure distribution ensures the tire wears evenly, giving you a longer service life.
With an exceptional score, the GT Radial MaxClimate proves to be too good for the Petlas Imperium PT535.
ADVANTAGE: GT Radial MaxClimate
When to use each
All-weather tires are designed to offer a balanced all-season performance with enhanced winter capability. While they provide better ice and snow grip than all-season tires, they are not meant for regions that receive heavy snowfall and experience temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 months or more. You should opt for dedicated winter tires for combatting extreme weather conditions.
The GT Radial MaxClimate is a great all-weather tire if you want a really long service life with fantastic grip and traction all year round with 3PMSF certficiation. Similarly, the Petlas Imperium PT535 is the go-to tire if you prefer better control, stability, and performance in dry, wet, and light to moderate snow and ice. However, you would need to trade off longevity for better handling with the Petlas all-weather tire.
Which one should you choose?
In a nutshell, the GT Radial MaxClimate wins two out of three areas needed to qualify for a better all-weather tire. While it bags the traction and longevity sections, the Petlas Imperium PT535 manages to return improved control and handling than the GT Radial.
Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the GT Radial MaxClimate if you:
- Drive vehicles like the Chevrolet Cruze, Tesla Model 3, and Hyundai Elantra
- Are looking for enhanced traction (7.6 vs 7.4)
- Want a long-lasting tire (9 vs 7.4)
- Want a tire with Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification
- Prefer an all-weather tire with a mileage warranty (60,000 miles)
You can opt for the Petlas Imperium PT535 if you:
- Drive vehicles like the Buick Verano Pro, Audi A3, and Dodge Neon.
- Want better handling performance (8.3 vs 8)
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help. Our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.