What are the best SUV tires? Talk about a loaded question!
We’ve never tackled a more daunting list or one with so many possible answers. And to help give you an answer that actually matters, and one that will give you some genuinely helpful real world advice, we’ve also never researched any list this much.
Is there one best overall SUV tire? Maybe. We’ve listed our favorite below. But we know that the “best” tire really depends on you and your machine, what you use it for and what you value the most in a tire. Is it long life? Is it off-road grip? Is it price? Or, most likely, it’s some combination of those factors and a few more.
Best SUV Tire
BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2
Sure, we could pick a tire with better road manners or a milage guarantee, but we love off-roading and if you don’t like getting stuck, this is the tire for you. It definitely is for us!
The BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 has incredible grip, with almost mud-terrain-like features for an all terrain tire. Plus it really holds up well over time, despite its aggressive design and incredible off-road capability. For all those reasons it’s tops on our list of the best SUV tires.
It’s now equipped with a 50,000 mile tread life warranty, plus some versions are certified for extreme winter use and feature the three-peak mountain snowflake logo on their sidewall as proof.
We understand that our off-road preference isn’t what everyone is after, so read on for our selections in different categories. Or just buy the BFG T/A KO2s and you’ll never look back! (Unless it’s to see your friends stuck in the mud)!
Best Budget SUV Tire
Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
We’re as surprised as you are to recommend a Yokohama tire as a budget offering. It’s hardly a discount tire brand. And yet, the Geolandar A/T G015 is just incredibly affordable. Starting at just $87 it’s hard to find a cheaper tire.
With great off-road traction and solid on-road manners, it’s also certified as a true winter tire and comes with a 60,000 mile treadwear warranty.
Basically, you just can’t go wrong.
We’d also recommend the Atturo, which is actually a few dollars cheaper when you look at specific sizes. Plus you can see some other options here.
Best SUV Tire for Long Life
Michelin Defender T+H
We’re going to recommend two tires for the best long life SUV tire. The first being the Michelin Defender T+H. A highway terrain tire, what it lacks in off-road grip it makes up for in on-road performance, specifically when it comes to long life.
You simply can’t go wrong with the 80,000 mile treadwear warranty which trounces every other highway terrain tire offering.
Starting at $98 per tire.
An alternative in this segment is the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus. It’s less off-road capable but better on-road and shares the same 80,000 mile treadwear warranty. Plus, it’s got decent road manners.
Best Four-Season SUV Tire
Goodyear Assurance Weather Ready
This unique tire isn’t just a solid all-season offering, it’s an all-season tire that actually performs in the winter. That’s because unlike a lot of other so-called all-seasons it features the three-peak mountain snowflake logo, meaning it’s certified for extreme winter use.
In addition, Goodyear engineered the smaller tire tread blocks to lock together in spirited summer driving, allowing this tire to still maintain excellent summer and dry weather grip.
And in addition to all that it’s uniquely capable in the wet. Another impressive technology feature that’s been engineered into the tire are water evacuation channels that become wider as they wear, so as the tread depth decreases over time, the water evacuation capabilities of this tire don’t.
A 60,000 mile warranty is a bit less than some others, but you won’t have to worry about swapping tires when the seasons change any more!
Best All-Terrain Tire for SUVs
Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S
If you’re looking for a long lasting tire that’s more off-road capable we recommend the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S. It’s a true all-terrain tire with exceptional off-road grip and durability. Plus it’s impressive on-road when it comes to driving dynamics and comfort. It’s also a certified tire for winter use. And all this comes with a 65,000 mile treadwear warranty, the highest of any all-terrain tire, so you won’t be tire shopping again any time soon.
Best High Performance Tire for SUVs
Michelin Latitude Sport 3
High performance tires and Michelin go together like Ferrari and the color red, so it’s no surprise that even though we’re recommending two different tires for our choices of best high performance SUV tire, both of them are Michelins.
First up is the Latitude Sport 3, an ultra-high performance tire designed for class-leading dry weather performance and excellent wet weather grip – especially under braking. If there’s a down side to these tires it’s that they don’t have long life and come with just a 20,000 mile treadwear warranty.
They’re offered in numerous fitments in larger sizes including 20-, 21- and 22-inch sizes for larger European high performance SUVs and crossovers.
Best High Performance Tire for SUVs (Alternative)
Michelin 4×4 Diamaris
A slightly different option that the Latitude Sport 3 (and we do mean slight) the 4×4 Diamaris offers some minor pros and cons compared to that tire. A high performance summer tire, rather than an ultra-high performance summer tire, it offers slightly less grip, but slightly longer tread life with a 25,000 mile treadwear warranty.
In terms of on-road performance you get slightly worse braking performance, but slightly better comfort.
Taking those factors into consideration, the choice is yours.
If we had to recommend a non-Michelin performance tire for crossovers and SUVs, we’d also look at the Continental CrossContact UHP.
Quietest SUV Tire
Bridgestone Dueler HL 422 Ecopia
Offering a higher milage guarantee, the Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia is one of the chosen few on our list of quietest SUV tires.
It comes with a 65,000 mile treadwear warranty, which is 5,000 miles more than the Michelin. In addition to being designed for optimum quietness, they are also built for long long with a low rolling resistance compound and sidewalls designed to move more smoothly through the air.
Pricing starts at $212, which is considerably more than the Michelin, but don’t make your decision just on that. These tires are available only in 18-inch (and up) sizes, compared to the Michelins which start at 16-inches.
Best Winter tire for SUVs
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV
We’re again going to make two suggestions here. First up is the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV tire.
Never heard of Nokian? Well, we don’t blame you. But trust us, these tires are legit.
Nokian is from Finland, and they know a thing or two about winter, and making great winter tires. Designed specifically for SUVs, these are multi-purpose winter tires, meaning they’re equally good in deep snow as they are on ice. (Not all snow tires are created equal and while we do love tire like the Michelin X-ice for driving on icy surfaces or dry but frozen roads, they aren’t great in actual deep snow).
And if the natural tread grip isn’t enough for you, these tires are studdable too.
Best Winter Tire for SUVs (Alternative)
Bridgestone Blizzak LT
Think of the Blizzak tire as essentially the Hakkapeliitta with great marketing behind it. Arguably the most popular choice for winter tires, there’s a reason they’ve become the default for so many drivers. Yes, they are just that good.
Of note, Bridgestone makes Blizzaks for all kinds of different vehicles and these are designed specifically for use on light trucks and real SUVs. The Blizzak DMV2 is another option that’s purpose built for utility vehicles.
Best Tire for Crossovers
Michelin Defender LTX MS
A popular choice for crossovers or SUVs, the Michelin Defender LTX MS isn’t going to win any price comparisons but it’s incredibly long lasting and offers something very few all-season tires do – good grip in the winter. It’s poorly kept secret that all-season tires aren’t really good in all seasons. And while this tire is not a truly winter-capable option, Michelin claims it’ll stop significantly shorter in cold weather or light snow – and several independent tests back that up. Dry weather grip is a bit less than most rivals, but this tire makes up for it when you’re really asking for more grip.
Best Tire for Crossovers (Alternative)
Continental Cross Contact LX 25
Perhaps the most well-rounded tire for any crossover or SUV, the Continental Cross Contact LX 25 is a true premium tire that isn’t prohibitively expensive. The aggressive tread pattern provides better grip in cold or wintry weather than most (though not quite as good at the Michelins above) while the reinforced shoulder blocks make for solid handling. Plus, it’s quiet and offers excellent highway manners, with a 70,000 mile warranty too.
Best All-Terrain Tire for Crossovers
Falken Wildpeak AT Trail
If you need extreme off-roading capability, you should probably look at a Jeep Wrangle or Toyota 4Runner. Instead, you bought a crossover for the more balanced approach to offering on-road practicality with some off-road skills.
Similarly, you don’t need an extreme all-terrain tire for that vehicle. So don’t waste money on something that is extreme when you won’t use it’s true potential and won’t like living with its drawbacks.
Enter the Falken Wildpeak AT Trail, which is designed for lighter off-roading, but is still extremely durable and comes with a 65,000 mile warranty. It’s also better on-road in terms of low noise levels and we weather grip. Plus it’s even certified for true winter capability.