The Grandtrek SJ6 snow tire from Dunlop is a specially designed snow tire for light SUVs, pickups, and 4x4s. This tire fits the 15 and 16 inch rims of smaller vehicles very well. It has certain upsides and downsides you should consider when deciding which snow tire to buy this winter.
Compared to the SJ5 model, the Dunlop Grandtrek SJ6 is better suited to smaller and lighter vehicles. These include Jeeps (Wrangler, Cherokee, Commander, Compass, Patriot, Liberty), Honda (Passport, Element, CR-V, Pilot, Ridgeline), Toyota (Highlander, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, RAV4), Hyundai (Tucson, Santa Fe, Veracruz), Ford (Flex, Edge, Escape, Explorer, Ranger), Mazda (CX-7, CX-9), BMW X3, etc. If you have a larger vehicle such as a Chevrolet Suburban then you should consider the SJ5 instead.
Now that you’ve decided the SJ6 falls in your vehicle’s size range, what are the positive features associated with the Dunlop Grandtrek SJ6?
First, the tire has excellent snow grip, drainage of slush and water, and is resistant to hydroplaning. This comes from the wide tread openings and tread shape designed for heavy winter conditions. Drivers often report passing multiple cars stuck in the snow on the side of the road as they drive by on their SJ6’s.
Second, the tire has strong braking performance in the snow and wet. This comes from the soft compound and aggressive tread, which bites down rather than floating above like a standard all weather tire might. Wouldn’t you want the extra safety of short stopping distance in dangerous winter conditions?
Third, customer ratings are high for this tire — 8 out of 10! That’s a good vote of confidence in a competitive snow tire market.
Now for the downsides of the Dunlop Grandtrek SJ6. This isn’t the best specialty tire for hard ice. Some owners mention that they felt the Dunlop Graspic tires are better for driving on slick ice. For most temperatures down to 0 degrees F, these tires should work fine. In predominantly rainy conditions (no snow), all-weather tires perform much better and provide longer tread life, better handling, and a more responsive feel. Clearly its snow performance is what puts the Dunlop Grandtrek SJ6 at or near the top of the heap.