Tires Toyo or Nokia

As with all tires, go for quality. Nokkian is the gold standard for studded winter tires.

Studded Nokian Hallapeliittas would've got you up this.

My 2021 GLI drives great with Hakkapelitas

I just installed Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 studded winter tires 275/45R21 on the OEM 21x9" rim just in time for the big storm. We got 16" of snow yesterday. It did great in deep snow and ice, going up hills no problem. This is my first winter with the iX and I was hoping the stock Goodyear Eagle Touring would be sufficient in light snow, but I wouldn't recommend driving it unless the roads are perfectly cleared. It was difficult driving on the Goodyear Eagle Touring tires even with just an inch of snow before the roads were cleared, which is what prompted me to install winter tires mid-winter. If you live in an area that gets snow or ice in the winter, it could be worth getting a winter set. Having two sets of tires will also reduce the mileage on your summer set, allowing them to last longer. I don't think it's possible for the stock tires to last the entire 3 year duration of the lease. Based on current wear and other reviews, I expect the Goodyears to last maybe 15,000 miles.

Even with the stock Toyos, this car handled like a champ.

Running Nokian Hakkapelitta LT3 and MSW Type 52 (Black) on my R1T right now!

I purchased a winter tire and wheel set from Tire Rack tires week and couldn't be happier. Tires: Nokian Hakkapelitta R5 - 275/60-20

Personally, I have the Nokian WRG5 on my work van, and they have been... I don't know... OK I guess... I work in rural North Dakota, mostly highway driving but some gravel and I think they are pretty sloppy feeling on gravel at any decent speed...

Last year I used the factory AT 20s. Traction in snow was ok, but lateral control was absolute garbage. I didn’t feel confident at all.

I got 65k from my WRG4’s and 60k from my WRG3’s. Coincidentally I only got 50k from my CC2’s not because I ran out of tread, but because they were **so damn loud** I ditched them early.