Best Tires for 4Runner

They don’t make them like this any more. Hell, even Jeeps have become pretty modern these days. But the 4Runner is a low-tech wonder with its V6 and 5-speed transmission. (And in true Toyota fashion it’s as reliable as the sun).

Plus, while other truck makers are trying to make their SUVs look all boxy and retro, the 4Runner is already there… because it hasn’t been redesign in a decade.

As the old saying goes…  if it ain’t broke…

So here are the Best Tires for 4Runner no matter what you’re looking to do with your truck, from street-focused tires to off-road grip and everything in between.

Best Tires for 4Runner

Nitto Terra Grappler G2

Standard equipment on the current TRD Pro model, we recommend the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is a well-rounded on/off road tire for pretty much every 4Runner owner (regardless of trim).

These aren’t the most extreme all-terrain tire you can buy, but they deliver more than capable grip while retaining a high level of civility. There’s impressive traction in all low-grip situations from rocks to dirt to mud and even sand. Plus, this second generation version of the Terra Grappler adds on better on-road performance, improved comfort and a 65,000 mile tread life warranty on some trims.

There’s a reason Toyota trusts these tires from the factory.

     

Best 4Runner Tires for Daily Driving

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Great for base trims, SR5 and even Limited models, the LTX M/S delivers the sort of off-roading capability you need to get to the cottage, with a lot more of the on-road performance and comfort you’ll want year round.

Day in and day out, this is an all-season tire that’s both comfortable and quiet. It tracks much more steadily on the highway than the ponderous all-terrain tires and delivers top-notch grip in both dry and wet conditions. A perfect companion for the big 20-inch wheels on Limited models, it’ll also make for a more sophisticated ride on other trims.

All that and it comes with a 70,000 mile tread life warranty so it’ll last and last, just like your Toyota.

     

The Best Mud Tire for Toyota 4Runner

BFGoodrich T/A KM3

If you want the best mud tire for your 4Runnner, get the best mud tire there is: the BFGoodrich T/A KM3. The third generation of BFG’s mud tire the T/A KM3 is build for mud… but also dirt, gravel, sand, rock-crawling… whatever. Using a unique tread design to toss-away mud, the Krawl-Tek rubber compound designed specifically for this tire ensures amazing durability. It help prevents against cuts and scrapes and gives this tire surprising long-life.

If you’re a true off-road enthusiast, we’re preaching to the choir here. If you’re not, then let’s just say that our only warning is not to get these just to look cool. Yes, they look great, but be prepared for noise levels above what you’re used to.

Oh, and they’re pricey. But you get what you pay for here.

     

The Best All-Terrain Tire for Toyota 4Runner

BF Goodrich T/A KO2

First up, we’ll start by saying this is a bit of a redundant category from our overall choice. However, if you’re looking for an all-terrain tire that’s more off-road capable than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2s mentioned above, but slightly less focused on on-road dynamics, comfort and life, the BFG T/A KO2 just can’t be beat.

It edges out the Nitto in outright grip, but on the flip side offers a lower milage guarantee. The best you’ll get for a guarantee is 50,000 miles. That sounds unattractive, but so does getting left behind when the trails get rough.

     

The Best Sand Tire for Toyota 4Runner

Nitto Dune Grappler

Nitto’s tires don’t often make it to the top of our recommended lists, but here we’ve got two!

The Dune Grappler is one of the most unique tires available anywhere. Custom build for sand it looks like nothing else – unless maybe you own some ATV tires.

The tread pattern looks like a bunch of little fire emojis but there’s nothing cute about it. That unique design makes miracles when it comes to shovelling away the sand, while at the same time helps your truck sit on top of even the finest sand, so you don’t even get dug-in in the first place.

Adding to this tire’s many features is that it also comes with a three-ply casing, allowing it to withstand being aired-down and re-inflated repeatedly.

     

The Best Winter Tires for 4Runner

Michelin xIce

We always waiver between two different winter tires and try to pick those that are best for the majority of drivers and situations. The Michelin xIce is out top pick here. While the name does suggest it performs better on ice, you can really take that to men it performs on icy (and cold) roads. In other words, it’s better for driving on clear or plowed roads in low temperatures.

And as a reminder, once the thermometer gets into the 40s, winter tires (designated by the three-peak mountain snowflake) provide superior grip. This is in many ways due to unique tread compounds that don’t freeze up.

We’ll add in here that if your climate is more snowy, then we recommend the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2.

     

The Best Budget Tire for Toyota 4Runner

Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015

Are there cheaper off road tires for the 4Runner? Certainly. And fee free to check out our list of cheap all-terrain tires that don’t suck for more.

We’ll put our bias on the line here and say that we assume 4Runner owners don’t mind spending a bit more for quality. So even though this is a budget tire suggestion, it’s not in the ultra-cheap category. Instead, we’re recommending a very recognizable name brand, Yokohama. The Geolandar A/T G015 is a reputable all-terrain tire with decent performance no matter the terrain. It’s not going to blow you away off-road and it really doesn’t tank up with the capability of some AT tires, but it’s still a solid pick.

The most surprising thing about this tire is that for a name brand, it’s a bargain.

     

Best Tire for 4Runner Limited

Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenza Plus

One of the top recommend truck tires, the Dueler HL Alenza Plus offers excellent all-season capability in a robust package. The ride quality is excellent and well-suited to the Limited trim, with a luxuriously smooth ride. It also gets top marks for low road noise. Because it’s made for trucks it holds up well on a proper SUV like the 4Runner. Tread life is impressively long with an estimated 80,000 mile life, which is some of the very best in the industry. It’s also surprisingly affordable. If there’s any drawback to this tire it’s that it’s not great off-road, but we figure owners of the Limited trim are less concerned with off-road capability.

     

Toyota 4Runner Tire Size

Below is a list of each trim level of Toyota 4Runner as well as the tire sizes available for that trim from the factory.

• Limited 245/60/20
• Nightshade Edition 245/60/20
• SR5 265/70/17
• TRD OffRoad 265/70/17
• TRD Pro 265/70/17

What Tires Come on the 4Runner?

Below are the factory tire options for the 4Runner based on the wheel options available.

17-inch

• Bridgestone Dueler HT D684 II
• Dunlop Grandtrek AT20

20-inch

• Yokohama Geolandar G96B
• Bridgestone Dueler HT D684 II

How Long do Toyota 4Runner Tires Last?

The factory tires on your 4Runner should last approximately 50,000 miles or roughly four years. However, you should replace your tires when they need replacing (at 4/32-inch of wear remaining) not based on miles driven.

The majority of the choices listed above will match or exceed that 50,000 mile factory range.

Will All-Terrain Tires Affect the Ride Quality of my 4Runner?

In terms of ride comfort, you won’t see any impact from switching to all-terrain tires on a 4Runner. Some versions of this SUV already come with AT tires from the factory. That said, there are more extreme all-terrain tires and some that are less-extreme, and that will make a difference.

All-Terrain tires can be slightly louder than conventional all-seasons, although again it depends on which versions you get. More extreme models like the BFGoodrich All-Terrain TA KO2 will be a bit louder while options from Michelin, Continental, Cooper and Pirelli will be unnoticeable.

One area you may see a drawback is in on-road performance in the wet, where more extreme off-road-focused tires will offer less wet on-road grip.

A potential in-between step is to look at highway terrain tires, which offer some light off-roading grip but are much more civilized on road, offer better on-road driving dynamics and generally have a tread life that’s around 10,000 miles longer.

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.