As we headed out to Complexe ICAR outside of Montreal, Canada, it was -5 degrees. I felt like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in my fur-lined pants and puffy parka, but nothing was going to stand in my way of driving Alfa Romeos on ice. Even if it meant my eyelashes would freeze together when stepping outside the vehicle.
Ice Driving: Alfa Romeo and Blizzak
Why we were there
The Alfa Romeo Tonale gets some design changes for the 2026 model year, and Bridgestone is introducing the Blizzak IcePeak, an all-new winter tire. Then, for giggles, we got to drive the Stelvio and Giulia equipped in Blizzak 6 winter tires, getting a peek at what makes both tires so good.
What’s new on the Tonale
Perhaps the biggest change you’ll see on the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale is to the nose. The front fascia has been restyled, and there is a new concave “scudetto” grille. Structural changes include a slightly wider track and shortened front overhang. Other changes include a red leather interior option as well as three new colors: Rosso Brera, Verde Monza, and Giallo Ocra.
The plug-in hybrid has been dropped for 2026, so the only powertrain is the turbocharged 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine that delivers 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is standard.
We only had time with the new Tonale in brief spurts and on ice, but the general sense is that it remains a comfortable vehicle, and the interior seems a bit quieter.
What’s the deal with Blizzak IcePeak winter tires?
While Alfa Romeo wanted to give us a sneak peek at the new Tonale, the second part of the drive was to introduce us to the new Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak tire. This becomes the new flagship winter tire for the brand, and it features Enliten technology as well as 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake and Ice Grip certifications. Translated into plain English, these tires get more grip for better stopping ability, remain pliable in sub-freezing temperatures, and last longer.
The IcePeak will replace the Blizzak WS90 and Blizzak DM-V2 tires, and they can be fitted on sedans, minivans, CUVs, SUVs and trucks (a.k.a. all the things).
As Bridgestone points out in its press release, the key benefits of the Blizzak IcePeak tires are:
- Enhanced stopping power on ice because of MultiCell technology and interlocking sipes.
- Better ability to claw through snow, which minimizes tire spin.
- Long-lasting wear, which means you could get an extra season out of them.
- Ice Grip Certification, which means this tire performed at least 18% better than a standard tire in an ice-braking test.
Do you actually need winter tires?
We’ve had numerous guests on the Car Stuff Podcast talking about winter tires, and when we ask this question, the answer is always: Yes, if you live in a climate that has winter. Winter tires have different compounds in them that allow them to stay pliable and grippy in cold temperatures. So, if you live in the Northeast or Midwest, where temperatures regularly dip below 40 degrees from December through March and April, winter tires are worth it.
In places like Quebec, which is the province where Montreal is located, it’s required by law to put winter tires on your vehicle starting December 1.
While some will make the argument that they’re too expensive, we’ll concede that the original outlay for two sets of tires is a lot all at once. But when you consider you have to buy new tires every four years or so, if you add winter tires into the mix, you will only need new tires every eight to ten years.
So, how’d the Blizzaks do?
My first several laps on the ice at ICAR were done in the Blizzak 6 tires, first on the Stelvio and then in the Giulia. These tires are bred for snow performance. You’ve got high-density sipes for winter traction as well as a directional tread pattern for an even contact footprint. Both of those things helped the Stelvio and Giulia get better grip on the ice but also allowed for a little drifting into the corners. Both vehicles are equipped with a 280-horsepower inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine, and the models we were testing both had all-wheel drive, which is standard on Stelvio and available on Giulia.
Overall, I found the Blizzak 6 tires to be pliable on the ice so that they could grip when grip could be found. But they were also slippy enough to have a little fun in the corners. Acceleration, as long as I didn’t put my foot immediately and completely to the floor, was smooth and quick. Well, as quick as you can be on solid ice.
When I switched over to the Tonale with the Blizzak IcePeak tires, I was shocked. In a good way. The grip was exponentially better, and I found that even though the Tonale was the least powered vehicle on the ice, it ended up being the fastest–-off the line, through the corners, out of the corners, etc. It also had the best stopping ability. In fact, I had a hard time getting the Tonale to drift into the corners because the tires were that good. In a moment of frustration, I added more juice with a harsher turn of the wheel, and I ended up doing a perfectly choreographed 360 in the middle of the ice. When the vehicle was done with its tight circle, I was pointed in the correct direction of travel and continued on with only a slight pause. It was genuinely impressive.
Our take
While we weren’t testing the Blizzak tires against any other brands, I have tested other tires on snow and ice before, so I feel confident in saying these are good winter tires. You can’t go wrong with the Blizzak 6 or IcePeak options, and it really depends on how you drive and what you’re looking for in a winter tire.
For my money, however, if I were putting winter tires on our car, which I’ve been trying to talk my husband into for years, I’d opt for the IcePeaks for the sheer safety and overall maneuverability aspect. People drive silly in snow, and I want to be able to get out of their way as quickly and smoothly as possible. I think IcePeaks would do that.
The Blizzak 6 tires (starting at $240.99 per tire) are already on sale, and the IcePeaks (pricing not yet available) will be available starting in May 2026.
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