Tests 63 · 1 test Owners 70 · 31 reviews
Best test result: #7 of 17 in 2020 Consumer Reports North America Winter Tyre Test (overall ranking)
Head-to-head
Updated
General Altimax Arctic 12 vs Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Observe GSi-6 HP leads, 71–67 Narrow edge
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Tests 69 · 2 tests Owners 75 · 14 reviews
Best test result: #5 of 20 in 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test (dry braking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
51
Dry
Observe GSi-6 HP +2475Why this score
Source Altimax Arctic 12 Observe GSi-6 HP Professional tests (TWG score) 46 73 Reviews found online 58 79 Dry Braking (% of best) 81% 97% -
69
Wet
Observe GSi-6 HP +675Why this score
Source Altimax Arctic 12 Observe GSi-6 HP Professional tests (TWG score) 65 71 Reviews found online 75 81 Wet Braking (% of best) 76% 81% -
76
Snow
Altimax Arctic 12 +1066Why this score
Source Altimax Arctic 12 Observe GSi-6 HP Professional tests (TWG score) 74 60 Reviews found online 79 75 Snow Braking (% of best) 75% 99% Snow Handling (% of best) 90% 98% -
68
Comfort
Observe GSi-6 HP +977Why this score
Source Altimax Arctic 12 Observe GSi-6 HP Professional tests (TWG score) 68 77 Reviews found online 67 77 -
69
Noise
Observe GSi-6 HP +170Why this score
Source Altimax Arctic 12 Observe GSi-6 HP Professional tests (TWG score) 72 72 Reviews found online 65 – -
70
Treadwear
Altimax Arctic 12 +565Why this score
Source Altimax Arctic 12 Observe GSi-6 HP Reviews found online 72 65 -
69
Handling
Observe GSi-6 HP +877Why this score
Source Altimax Arctic 12 Observe GSi-6 HP Reviews found online 69 77
Scores at a glance
| Category | General Altimax Arctic 12 | Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 67 | 71 |
| Dry | 51 | 75 |
| Wet | 69 | 75 |
| Snow | 76 | 66 |
| Comfort | 68 | 77 |
| Noise | 69 | 70 |
| Treadwear | 70 | 65 |
| Handling | 69 | 77 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
67
/ 100
Altimax Arctic 12
71
/ 100
Observe GSi-6 HP
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Altimax Arctic 12 | Observe GSi-6 HP | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 81% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 97% #5/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | −16.4 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 84% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 79% #18/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +5.8 | Different tests |
| Ice Traction | Ice | 91% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 57% #18/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +34.2 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 14% #7/17 · 2020 Consumer Reports North America Winter Tyre Test | 8% #12/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | +6.0 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 75% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 99% #8/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | −24.0 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 90% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 98% #12/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | −8.4 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 94% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 80% #6/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | +13.8 | Different tests |
| Subj. Noise | Subj | 94% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 89% #10/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +4.9 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 58% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 70% #13/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | −11.9 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 76% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 81% #7/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | −5.2 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Altimax Arctic 12
Pros
- Outstanding grip and traction in heavy snow, slush, and ice
- Excellent value and affordable price point compared to premium winter tires
- Impressive tread life and long-term durability across multiple winter seasons
Cons
- Noticeable road noise, which can increase as the tires wear
- Slightly soft, squishy, or vague handling characteristics on dry pavement
- Higher rolling resistance resulting in a minor decrease in fuel economy
Tire B Observe GSi-6 HP
Pros
- Exceptional traction and stability in snow and slush
- Impressive wet-weather performance and hydroplaning resistance
- Remarkably quiet ride quality for a winter tire
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life reports, with some users experiencing premature wear
- Occasional reports of structural failure or tread separation
- Slightly vague steering feel at lower speeds
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · General Altimax Arctic 12 | B · Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Premium Touring Winter tire | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
| Sizes available | 38 | 39 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 19″ | 16″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | 12/32″ | 11 - 12/32″ |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Black Side Wall |
| Max pressure | 51 psi | 50 - 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
67
/ 100
General Altimax Arctic 12
71
/ 100
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP
Winner: Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP — better dry, comfort and handling. Pick the General Altimax Arctic 12 if snow and treadwear matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP scores 75 vs 51 on dry.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
General Altimax Arctic 12 scores 76 vs 66 on snow.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP scores 77 vs 68 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP scores 77 vs 69 on handling.
Tire A · General Altimax Arctic 12
Tire B · Toyo Observe GSi-6 HP
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How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.