Buick made a big shift with the Encore, moving away from big sedans to add a tiny crossover to its lineup. And the move has been nothing but good news, with the Encore proving to be a hit.
With a rather unique tire size there aren’t a lot of different options for the Encore. That should make selecting a set of new tires easier. To further simplify the process we’ve listed below our top selections for the Encore based on warranty, driving dynamics, ride quality and price.
Buick Encore Tire Size
Just one tire size option is available for the Encore from the factory.
215/55/18
What are the Best Tires for a Buick Encore?
Best Buick Encore Tires
Michelin Defender T+H
You just can’t argue with the package that Michelin has put together a fantastic offering with the Defender T+H. This performance all season tire combines practicality with driving enjoyment in a long-lasting a reasonably affordable package.
Stopping power in both the dry and wet are impressive with this tire, while overall driving dynamics are excellent. The lateral grooves across the tread blocks line up to force water away from the contact patch and allow the tire to maintain handling capability in the wet.
Pricing is reasonable, though a bit on the high side. But that’s pretty easy to swallow for all the other benefits, not to mention the 80,000 mile warranty.
Longest Lasting Buick Encore Tires
Goodyear Assurance MaxLife
If 80,000 miles just isn’t enough for you, then Goodyear offers a tire with the longest mileage guarantee on the market. The Assurance Max Life tire raises the stakes by 5,000 miles for a total of 85,000 miles of warranty.
Priced slightly lower than the Michelins, they do make for an attractive offer and are roughly equal when comparing braking performance in the dry and wet. The Michelins, however, are designed to be slightly sportier to drive.
Best Budget Tire for Buick Encore
General Altimax RT43
The General Altimax RT43 isn’t looking to wow anyone with engaging performance. Instead, it’s a true touring tire, designed to deliver a calm and quiet ride, reliably for miles and miles.
Wet and dry braking performance are reduced somewhat compared to the tires above, though not significantly. The biggest difference between this tire and a performance all-season is in driving dynamics. But if you’re not that concerned with handling capability and would trade that for a smooth and quiet highway ride, then this is a great option.
The milage warranty of 75,000 miles is quite impressive, especially at this price point.
Best Winter Tires for Buick Encore
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
Stay safe this winter with the amazing grip the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 delivers. The WS90 version of the Blizzak is designed more for cars than trucks, and due to the Encore’s smaller size, it’s a perfect fit here.
The tire features a directional tread patter to help deliver excellent handling in the cold and on snow-covered roads. It also works to help clear slush from the contact patch and maximize grip.
The plentiful amount of sipes, 15% increase in biting edges (compared to this tire’s predecessor) and unique tread compound helps it grip fantastically on snow covered roads.
Bridgestone also made advancements with this tire on clear or ice-covered roads, where a new tread compound helps to remove the layer of water that forms between the tire and an icy surface (which is what makes traction so limited on ice) to further improve grip.
Pricier than most winter tires, Blizzaks are worth it!
Additional Buick Encore Tires
Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 Plus
What Tires Come on the Buick Encore?
Direct from the factory, all Buick Encore models come quipped with the Continental ContiPro Contact Tires.
How Long Should Buick Encore Tires Last?
The Continental ContiPro Contact tires fitted to every Buick Encore model come with a 60,000 mile tread life warranty.
Tire Buying FAQ
Where can I find the best price on tires?
There is no one answer to this question unfortunately. Sites like Tire Rack and Discount tire offer deals all the time on specific brands. You can also find deals on Amazon though they are much harder to find and often only apply to a specific size or group of sizes. Visit our Tire Deals page for more info.
When is the best time to buy tires?
It’s common that many shoppers buy tires once its already too late. At that point you don’t have a lot of choice and can often over-pay. If you’re planning ahead, generally, retailers offer significant tire deals around major holiday weekends (especially in the summer), as well as Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
How much is Shipping?
Shipping is often included when you purchase tires online. Many retailers offer free shipping if you get your tires shipped to an installer that they recommend. Even if you ship to your home, Tire Rack offers free shipping on purchases over $50. And if you’re buying new tires, that won’t be hard.
How long does shipping take?
Shipping can take just a few days, or over a week in the worst cases. Often it depends on where you live. anyone in a larger urban center or living closer to a tire distribution center can get them quite quickly.
Does anyone offer mobile tire installation?
Depending on where you live, there may be numerous local mobile tire installers available. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of tracking one down, TireRack offers its own service. You don’t even have to purchase tires from TireRack to use it.
While it’s more expensive than bringing your tires to the shop, it’s also a lot more convenient. Prices start at $25 per tire.
How much does it cost to install a tire?
Generally you’ll pay between $25 and $50 per tire for installation services. This includes mounting and balancing, while using the latest tools so your rims don’t get scuffed or scraped.
Do I need to replace the tire pressure monitoring system when I change tires?
It’s not necessary to replace TMPS sensors when you change tires, but you may want to consider it. The units can fail over time due to damage or corrosion. Also, most units contain a battery and as a sealed unit, they must be replaced when the battery wears down. While most tire installers will handle sourcing these parts for you, you can also buy your own here.
Do online tire retailers offer rebates?
Absolutely! In fact, rebates are offered by most brands (even premium ones). Often these incentives are offered with other deals including up-front discounts and credit card offers.