These days, SUVs sell like hotcakes because consumers can’t get enough of their higher ride height, more cargo room, and other convenient features.
While SUVs can be helpful in some situations, they also have drawbacks. However, an SUV will never be handled like a regular car does in the corners due to a higher center of gravity. Therefore, tires are a crucial component in ensuring the safety of you, your loved ones, and everyone else on the road.
How Often Should You Replace Tires?
Replace tires older than ten years, as the rubber’s chemical compounds lose their efficacy and structural integrity after that time. Due to the softer material of specialty tires, such as winter tires, you will likely get less mileage. Additionally, mud-terrain and all-terrain tires must be replaced more frequently due to the abrasive nature of off-road driving.
Without further ado, let’s dive into some of the best SUV tires that you must consider for your vehicle:
1. Continental CrossContact LX25 (Touring All-Season)
The CrossContact LX25 is a perfect example of why Continental tires always perform well in comparison testing against dozens of other tires. This tire is versatile and effective, with no obvious drawbacks. This is arguably the greatest all-season tire for SUVs.
This is truly a high-end product that performs exceptionally well in any climate. The tire’s smooth handling and excellent road grip make for a pleasurable experience on dry pavement.
It has great overall traction and superb hydroplaning resistance, making it one of the best rain tires for SUVs. Also, it’s quite easy to handle in the rain, even at high speeds, which many cheaper tires have trouble with.
In addition, Continental provides coverage for such claims with a treadwear warranty of 70,000 miles on H-speed and T-speed rated models and a warranty of 65,000 miles on V-speed rated models.
| Pros | Cons |
| Exceptional performance in wet conditions | The cost is high |
| Excellent road performance on dry pavement. | Uncomfortable over damaged surfaces. |
| Excellent light snow traction and control | |
| Long tread life | |
| Quiet functioning |
2. Michelin CrossClimate 2 (3PMSF All-Season)
CrossClimate 2 is an excellent option if you desire greater peace of mind during the winter. The only true sacrifice would be tread life (60,000-mile treadwear warranty), which is not terrible but still inferior to a standard all-season tire.
Additionally, there is no reason to dread rain, as the braking and handling on wet surfaces are exceptional. The greatest aspect of the CrossClimate 2 is its snow performance. On snow-covered routes, the tire provides superior braking and acceleration compared to other all-season or all-weather tires.
And despite its exceptional snow performance, the CrossClimate 2 is exceptionally silent – something that cannot be said about winter tires. Still, the ride quality is not as remarkable, especially over repeated bumps.
| Pros | Cons |
| Superior steering and stopping power on dry roads | High Cost |
| One of the finest all-season tires in the rain | The ride lacks composure. |
| Well-balanced snow performance with excellent traction and grip | For the price, the 60,000-mile treadwear warranty is substandard. |
| Excellent stopping power on snow-covered roads. | |
| Quiet at highway speeds |
3. Bridgestone Alenza A/S Ultra (Touring All-Season)
CrossContact LX25’s most formidable rival is the Bridgestone Alenza A/S Ultra, which surpasses its German counterpart in certain performance metrics but ultimately loses due to slightly longer stopping distances on dry roads and a somewhat noisy tread growl.
The Alenza A/S Ultra continues to impress in the rain, as its handling at the limit and extremely high levels of traction continue to impress. Additionally, the stopping distances are among the shortest in its class, and the resistance to hydroplaning is exceptional.
However, the most remarkable aspect of the Alenza A/S Ultra is its durability; all sizes come with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is the best in the category. Therefore, if durability is a concern, this is the tire to purchase.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent lateral traction on a dry surface | Longer stopping distances in dry weather |
| Excellent traction and well-balanced handling in damp conditions | Not as silent as its premium rivals |
| Very agile and light steering for a touring tire. | |
| Best-in-class warranty on treadwear | |
| Very smooth ride, even over fractured pavement and larger bumps | |
| Good (but not exceptional) snow traction and maneuverability |
4. Vredestein Quatrac Pro (3PMSF All-Season)
The Quatrac Pro is a slightly less expensive alternative to the CrossClimate 2 but possesses comparable snow performance. This Vredestein product offers superior braking and acceleration on light and substantial snow and sure-footed handling.
The greatest aspect of the Quatrac Pro is that it does not compromise other performance characteristics. In particular, it remains easy to drive on dry roads, with responsive steering and excellent cornering traction. The tire also excels in damp conditions; the braking distances on a wet road are among the shortest in its class, and the handling is exceptional.
Moreover, the Quatrac Pro is an exceptionally comfortable tire, as it remains silent on rough pavement and offers a very smooth journey. Vredestein only offers a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, shorter than its competitors’ warranties.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent lateral traction and braking on dry pavement. | Inferior treadwear compared to the leading rival |
| Excellent overall performance in the rain | The 50,000-mile treadwear warranty falls short of category standards. |
| Very good traction and maneuverability in moderate snow | |
| Extremely comfortable over bumps. | |
| Quiet |
5. Continental TerrainContact H/T (Highway All-Season)
The Continental TerrainContact H/T is a new addition to the category of highway all-season tires, and it will serve as the standard for the foreseeable future.
This is due to the fact that it provides consistent traction regardless of weather or load. The TerrainContact H/T excels in wet conditions due to its well-balanced handling, excellent behavior at the limit, and exceptional grip and traction.
In addition, the snow traction is by far the best of any highway all-season tire, which correlates to extremely short stopping distances, swift acceleration, and excellent handling. Even on ice, the TerrainContact H/T provides adequate traction, something that cannot be said for most of its competitors.
Continental has also created a highway tire suitable for driving on dry roadways, even when towing or hauling. Comfort is also excellent, with almost no tire noise penetrating the cabin and a controlled ride.
Lastly, the TerrainContact H/T has an outstanding treadwear warranty of 70,000 miles for standard sizes and 60,000 miles for LT-metric sizes.
| Pros | Cons |
| Exceptional braking performance on damp pavement | The steering feels somewhat inaccurate and imprecise. |
| Exceptional lateral adhesion in the rain | It may be costly for some. |
| Superb adhesion and traction on dry roads | |
| Superior deceleration and acceleration in light snow conditions | |
| Extremely quiet, even over rugged terrain | |
| Very well-balanced light-snow control with solid lateral traction. | |
| The ride is firm but never unpleasant | |
| Long treadwear guarantee |
6. Michelin Defender LTX M/S (Highway All-Season)
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is a popular option among SUV owners who desire a durable tire, as demonstrated by its superb tread life. It also includes a treadwear warranty of 70,000 miles (T-speed and H-speed rated), which is among the finest in the category.
The Defender LTX M/S, like most Michelin tires, performs well regardless of the conditions. It provides quick and linear steering and outstanding cornering grip and braking performance. The wet traction is also very powerful, though not as strong as the TerrainContact H/T. Moreover, the tire inspires great confidence at the limit.
The category’s light-snow traction is also exceptional, which correlates to excellent braking and acceleration. Moreover, the tire feels extremely composed when cornering.
Comfort-wise, the Defender LTX M/S provides a very silent and smooth ride for a highway tire. The Defender LTX M/S, like all other Michelin products, is unfortunately expensive.
| Pros | Cons |
| Superior damp traction and maneuverability | Too expensive |
| Superior longitudinal grip and cornering traction on dry roadways | |
| Stable when loaded (towing or hauling) on the highway. | |
| Comfortable ride for a highway tire. | |
| Outstanding treadlife and extensive treadwear warranty | |
| Exceptional grip on mild snow |
7. Firestone Destination LE3 (Highway All-Season)
If you find the Continental TerrainContact H/T and Michelin Defender LTX M/S very expensive, the Firestone Destination LE3 could be an excellent alternative.
Firestone’s new highway all-season tire offers impressive performance at a lower price than its predecessor, the LE2. Even with a very large trailer affixed, this tire will provide stable and safe handling on dry roads, and the steering feels natural.
In contrast to other inexpensive options, the Destination LE3 performs well in wet conditions, with outstanding braking and balanced handling. Conversely, the tire feels balanced when cornering on snow, although its deceleration distances are slightly longer than its competitors.
Price-wise, Firestone’s treadwear warranty of 70,000 miles on the tire is impressive.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent traction and stability on dry surfaces | It could have been refined over repeated impacts. |
| Excellent damp traction and grip | On snow, longitudinal traction could have been improved. |
| Linear and responsive handling | |
| Ideal for towing | |
| Balanced performance in moderate snow | |
| Extremely silent for highway tires. | |
| Outstanding treadwear coverage for the price. | |
| Smooth travel over the majority of road surfaces |
8. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus (Performance All-Season)
On this list, Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus is one of the finest all-season tires for SUVs. The high levels of traction and grip the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus provides on both dry and damp surfaces will make your sporty SUV more capable than ever.
This tire steers, brakes, and accelerates with authority in those conditions, even when pushed very hard. And even though the steering could be more responsive, the overall driving experience is exceptional.
However, the greatest aspect of the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus is that it also performs well in light snow, offering greater traction than some touring/highway all-season tires. And in contrast to other performance tires, the ride is exceptionally quiet and smooth, with minimal tread noise penetrating the cabin.
| Pros | Cons |
| Outstanding performance in wet conditions | The control could be more sensitive. |
| Superior lateral grip and balanced dry handling | |
| Excellent traction on mild snow | |
| Extremely pleasing for a performance tire | |
| Long service life |
9. Pirelli Scorpion Zero All-Season Plus (Performance All-Season)
The Pirelli Scorpion Zero All-Season Plus solves the steering problem of the Continental; it is an exceedingly responsive tire with linear steering. As with most “Zero” products, the tire’s cornering grip is exceptional, regardless of whether you’re driving on dry or wet pavement, and it also brakes and accelerates, as well as the finest tires on the market.
The Scorpion Zero All-Season Plus performs quite well in snow, with balanced handling and strong braking/acceleration. However, ice traction is insufficient, which is a common issue with performance all-season tires.
Regarding comfort, Pirelli did an excellent job mitigating noise and absorbing most impacts. The Italian tire manufacturer provides a superb treadwear warranty of 50,000 miles for performance tires.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent steering response | Expensive |
| Extremely high adhesion and traction on dry surfaces | Inadequate ice traction |
| Outstanding highway steadiness and straight-line tracking | |
| Excellent damp grip and handling | |
| Even though the traction is average for an all-season tire, snow handling is excellent. | |
| Comfortable travel over most surfaces |
10. Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 (All-Terrain All-Season)
These tires are excellent on soil, gravel, and shallow mud, allowing you to travel to distant destinations. Extreme off-roading (deep mud and gravel crawling) will be problematic, but this is typical for an all-terrain tire.
The Geolandar A/T G015 performs exceptionally well on public roads, regardless of the weather. The all-terrain tire from Yokohama provides sure-footed and balanced handling in dry, wet, and snowy conditions, as well as small stopping distances and excellent acceleration traction.
Yokohama provides an exceptional 60,000-mile warranty for standard sizes and a 50,000-mile warranty for LT-metric sizes. In addition to being relatively silent for an all-terrain tire, the Geolandar A/T G015 can be harsh over repeated bumps. Nonetheless, this is a minor flaw in an otherwise outstanding performance.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent traction on soil and gravel | It can be rough over repetitive impacts |
| Outstanding road performance | |
| Good handling and braking in the rain | |
| Solid traction and handling in moderate snow | |
| Quiet relative to all-terrain tires. | |
| Long warranty on treadwear for the category |
How to Select the Optimal Tires for Your SUV
Consider the following factors when selecting the best SUV tires for your specific vehicle and application.
Size
If you’re not searching for a larger tire size, finding a suitable replacement is simple. You can examine the specifications listed on the sidewalls of your current tires and purchase the same size. Things become slightly more complicated if you intend to replace it with a bigger tire.
Numerous manufacturers provide tire size charts and calculators to help you determine the correct tire size for your vehicle.
Driving Conditions and Tire Type
There are roughly as many types of tires on the market as there are methods to use an SUV, so ensure that the tires you purchase function as intended.
Performance Tires
If you intend to use your SUV solely on the road, you should invest in performance tires. These tires are standard equipment on high-performance SUVs.
All-Season Tires
All-season tires are recommended if you reside in a region where mild weather predominates. They are generally comparable to performance tires and frequently share many characteristics. The primary distinction is that all-season tires offer some level of efficacy in all but the most extreme weather conditions.
Winter Tires
If you reside in colder climates, winter or snow tires are recommended. Winter tires are designed to remain supple and flexible in subfreezing temperatures.
All-Weather Tires
All-weather tires incorporate the characteristics of all-season and winter tires. These tires have firmer rubber than winter tires but gentler rubber than all-season tires.
Highway Tires
Generally, highway tires have an all-season tread pattern and are constructed with wear-resistant rubber and tread patterns. These properties are an excellent option if you use your SUV for paved road travels or as a daily commuter.
All-Purpose Tires
Slightly more robust than the typical highway tire. Typically, they have a tread pattern with overlapping blocks to improve off-road traction. They are ideal for drivers who spend most of their time on paved roads but occasionally travel on gravel roads or fire trails.
All-Terrain Tires
All-terrain tires are an indispensable option for drivers who frequently travel both on and off-road. This type of tire has larger tread blocks and greater tread gaps for increased traction.
Mud-Terrain Tires
You should get a pair of mud terrains if you are a mudder. These tires feature exceedingly aggressive tread patterns with larger voids and lugs to provide traction in mud and sand.
Price and Lifespan
Depending on your tire requirements, a set of tires can cost anywhere from less than $100 to several hundred dollars per tire. On average, many options are priced between $100 and $200.
Check the tire’s durability before purchasing. Tires typically last between 30,000 and 60,000 miles or three to five years, depending on maintenance, driving technique, road conditions, climate, and other factors.
FAQs
What is the finest tire brand for an SUV?
There is no response to this query. No brand necessarily offers superior tires for one vehicle class over another. You must ask yourself a series of queries regarding your tire requirements.
Are you primarily interested in off-road performance, or do you desire a peaceful ride on the highway? Are you searching for a tire with a long life or excellent cornering traction? You can then begin to narrow down your options and locate a tire within your budget.
Read More: Top 10 Best Tire Brands (A 2023 Guide)
What is the ideal tire pressure for an SUV?
Inside your SUV’s driver’s side door, you’ll find a white and yellow label with specific tire pressure recommendations. This tire pressure can also vary based on the number of passengers and cargo in the vehicle and off-road conditions. Note that the pressure displayed on the tire is never the ideal pressure but rather the utmost.
Read More: What Is Normal Tire Pressure For SUVs? 30, 40, Or 50?
How often should I rotate the tires on my SUV?
Tire rotation has more to do with the tire than with the vehicle. The average distance between tire rotations is between 5,000 and 7,000 miles, though specific cars and tires may alter these figures slightly. Without all-wheel or four-wheel drive, uneven tire wear is more common, making tire rotation even more essential. Don’t disregard this service.
What is the finest tire-changing kit for an SUV?
Depending on your SUV, the spare tire may be mounted inside the cargo area under the floor or outside the vehicle under the same area. In addition, there will be instruments for changing the tire. In this instance, you already have everything necessary to change the tire physically, but you may wish to carry an additional roadside emergency kit with an upgraded lug wrench, electrical cables, and emergency markers, just in case.
