I'm a huge fan of the Nokians, having tried some of the softer multicell compounds such as the Blizzaks on both Quattro Audis as well as my Explorer I'm sold on these. They might not start or stop quite as fast on ice as the multicell tires, but they have better turn-in on snow, slush etc. When you change lanes on the highway and go thorugh that mound of slush in the middle, these are the best yet at maintaining control. You'll be itching to go for a drive as soon as the roads are covered with snow since these tires love to be driven 'rally style'. This is perhaps why I like them better than the softer tires, that and they last significantly longer too!