It really took Volkswagen too long to get into this segment. And now that the Atlas is here, it’s even more obvious that the brand should have been competing here all along.

Offering premium equipment, style and refinement in a reasonably priced package for families the Atlas is a handsome alternative that more and more shoppers are turning to.

If you’re looking for the best VW Atlas tires, we’ve assembled our top picks based on performance, tread life, driving dynamics and price.

VW Atlas Tire Size

All versions of the Atlas come in one of the three tire sizes listed below.

• 245/60/18 or 255/50/20 or 265/45/21

Best Tire for VW Atlas

Continental Terrain Contact HT

One of the best tires for any utility vehicle, the Continental Terrain Contact HT delivers a premium ride and sporty driving dynamics. It’s 70,000 mile warranty is one of the longest you’ll find for this class of vehicle, while pricing is noticeably more affordable than competitor tires.

   

Best Tire for VW Atlas (alternative)

Michelin Defender LTX MS

As you’d expect for a Michelin tire, the Defender LTX MS runs on the more expensive side of the spectrum. And that’s for good reason. The 70,000 mile warranty is near the top of its class, while driving dynamics are first rate and braking performance in the dry is also excellent. Wet braking performance is a bit lower than some other competitor tires, however, where the Michelin shines is when it comes to all-weather capability. It’s still not a true winter-rated tire, but it does offer superior grip in cold and mild winter conditions.

   

Best All Season Tire for VWAtlas

Goodyear Assurance Weather Ready

If you are looking for a tire with true four-season capability, the Goodyear Assurance Weather Ready is unique. It’s a proper all-season tire with great performance in the dry and wet, plus it’s certified for true winter driving. And it features the three-peak mountain snowflake logo on its sidewall as proof.

Some winter-rated all-seasons tend to be pretty poor performers in the summer months and on dry roads, but not here. That’s because in order to compensate for the smaller tread blocks required to deliver winter grip, Goodyear made it so they can lock together in aggressive summer driving, providing the stable handling you’d expect.

A 60,000 mile tread life warranty isn’t as impressive as some other tires in this class, but some compromise has to be made to deliver this winter performance. Plus, if you don’t ever have to think abut winter tires again, you’ll more than make up the savings!

   

Best All-Terrain Tire for VW Atlas

Falken Wildpeak AT Trail

Most all-terrain tires are far too aggressive and, dare we say it, crude for a vehicle like the Atlas. But not here.

Falken engineered the Wildpeak AT Trail for light off-roading duty. That means it’s not as extreme as some all-terrain tires, but it is still quite impressive off-road.

The tread design is purpose made for dirt trails and gravel roads. And the tread compound is made to last too. At 65,000 miles it comes with one of the longest warranties of any all-terrain tire.

As for on-road, due to its unique purpose, it’s better there as well, with superior wet braking performance and a quieter ride.

   

Best Budget Tire for VW Atlas

Falken Pro G5 CSV

Those looking to save a little on replacement tires for their Atlas should look a the Falken Pro G5 CSV. Purpose built for modern utility vehicles, it’s designed for a comfortable and quiet ride. It’s not as engaging as some rival tires and the warranty is a touch lower at 60,000 miles, however, it’s a solid 25% less expensive and at that price represents an impressive value.

Cheapest Tire for VW Atlas

GT Radial Savero HT2

If you just want to get the cheapest tires available, the GT Radial Savero HT2 wins this contest. Costing not much more than $100 per tire, this option makes use of a stickier tread compound to deliver it’s grip in the dry, with plenty of notches and siping in the tread for wet weather performance. Unfortunately wet weather grip does come up considerably short of rivals, while the gripper tread also wears faster. As a result, it comes with a 50,000 mile warranty.

Longest Lasting Tire for VW Atlas

Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenza Plus

If maximum tire life is what you’re after the Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenza Plus comes equipped with an 80,000 mile warranty. That means you won’t be tire shopping again any time soon.

The tire itself performs admirably in all circumstances and the the ultra-wide center rib makes for an incredibly stable highway ride.

Pricing is on the high end, but you’ll get your money’s worth out of this tire.

   

Best Performance Tire for VW Atlas

Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06

An impressive all-season performance tire, the Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 looks serious and has performance to match. The tread design is build with unique elements for grip on dry roads, wet roads and even in mild winter weather.

Wider exterior tread blocks work to deliver cornering stability on dry roads, while deep circumferential grooves and swooping curves push water away from the contact patch for superior wet traction. There’s even decent winter grip due to the x-pattern tread blocks that help grip.

A stickier tread compound helps it retain traction, though does result in a lower 50,000 mile warranty. If you want more summer grip, that’s the price you have to pay.

To be transparent, there are superior tires for more extreme grip, like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, but that’s a dedicated summer tire that only lasts around 20,000 miles and costs considerably more.

So if you want performance, but also value grip in more seasons than just one, this Continental is a fantastic choice.

   

Best Winter Tire for VW Atlas

Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2

Always a contender for best winter tire, the Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2 just delivers that extra level of grip we appreciate on particularly snowy days. Built with an ultra-wide center section for maximum stability on snow covered roads, this also enables the best driving dynamics (on snow) of pretty much any winter tire.

And for what you get, it’s also reasonably priced.

   

What tires come on the VW Atlas?

Regardless of the tire size, all Volkswagen Atlas models come from the factory with one of four different tire options:

• Goodyear Assurance Finesse
• Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season
• Continental Cross Contact LX Sport
• Kumho Crugen Premium

How long do VW Atlas Tires Last?

The factory equipped tires on a VW Atlas should last approximately 60,000 miles. While the Goodyear, Pirelli and Continental OEM options don’t come with a manufacturer warranty, the Kumho Crugen Premium tires are warrantied for 60,000 miles. This, of course, depends on proper tire rotation and inflation over the life of the tires.

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.