The Best SUV Tires of 2023

One of the most crucial components of any vehicle is often overlooked — tires. Bear in mind that tires are your auto’s only point of contact with the ground. Their traction keeps you rolling in the intended direction, and their properties contribute to your vehicle’s handling, performance, and fuel economy. Though your stock tires are usually adequate, they ought to be the first thing you should consider upgrading.

Aftermarket tires give you great bang for your buck when scaling up your ride’s performance. And if you have an SUV or crossover vehicle, there are a multitude of choices on the market to sort through.

Since most SUVs can go anywhere from the pavement to paths less traveled, tires are available for every situation. Some tires can dramatically improve comfort and handling on the road, others focus on all-weather performance, and a select group performs exceptionally well on dirt, rocks, and whatever other terrains you find.

We diligently scoured the market to find the best SUV tires for specific categories. Between on-vehicle testing and perusing countless reviews, we’ve gathered the best of the bunch to help you find the right tires for your SUV. As a result, we’ve got a killer set of SUV tires for you, whether you’re looking to tighten up your cornering, improve performance in rain and snow, or take your ride off the road.

Scroll through our carefully curated selection below, and if you need more help deciding, be sure to check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide, and FAQ at the end of this article.

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Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Tire for Your SUV

Below are a few key considerations that you will want to contemplate when choosing the best SUV tires for your particular vehicle and use case.

Size

Finding an equivalent replacement is straightforward if you’re not looking for a bigger tire size. You can just look at the specs listed on your current tires’ sidewalls and buy the same size. Things get a little more complicated if you’re planning on going bigger. The clearance for bigger tires sometimes requires a body or suspension lift.

Also, verify the wheel wells will accommodate a full turning radius with your tires. Few things are more disconcerting than hearing your tires grind away at your fenders when you’re making a sharp turn.

Many manufacturers like Michelin and BFGoodrich have tire size charts and calculators to help you determine what size tires you need. If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to a local mechanic or tire shop to have them assess your needs.

An in-person assessment is preferred if you’re planning on lifting your ride. A shop visit allows an experienced professional to get eyes on your vehicle and figure out how much clearance you’ll have and what size tires you’ll be able to clear.

If you’re going with bigger tires, be aware that a heavier tire will add weight to your vehicle. More weight translates into poorer gas mileage. Larger tires will also raise your vehicle higher off the ground, which can also lower your fuel economy. Unless you’re specifically looking to increase your ground clearance for serious off-roading, you’ll probably want to look for a set of tires that won’t add much height or weight to your SUV.

Driving Conditions and Tire Type

There are about as many tires on the market as there are ways to use your SUV, so make certain that the tires you get work as intended.

Performance Tires

If you’re planning on using your SUV exclusively on the road, shoot for a set of performance tires, like the Latitude Sport 3 from Michelin. These tires come stock with high-performance SUVs.

If you’re looking for a smoother ride with better cornering and handling on the pavement, tires like these are the way to go. They often sport low-profile treads to diminish road noise at speed and are designed to minimize rolling resistance and maximize fuel economy.

All-Season Tires

All-season tires will be a good idea if you live in an area with predominantly warm weather. Generally, they are similar to performance tires and often share many features. The main difference is that all-season tires will provide a degree of performance in all but extreme weather conditions.

In industry terms, the all-season designation means that these tires will work and stay pliable in temperatures above 44 degrees Fahrenheit. Hence, they perform best in summer, spring, and fall. For good measure, the optimized tread design sheds water and works well in warmer climates.

An all-season tire has firmer rubber than all-weather or winter tires, which adds durability and treadwear life. Unfortunately, that rubber compound usually hardens in temperatures below 44 degrees, which affects traction and thereby increases the risk of sliding in frigid temperatures, ice, or snow.

Winter Tires

Winter or snow tires are preferable if you live in colder climates. By design, winter tires will stay soft and flexible in below-freezing temperatures. The rubber won’t stiffen in temperatures below 44 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing it to grip asphalt and ice better.

They also shed water and slush well due to the tread design. Needless to say, that soft rubber will wear down quickly when used during the summer months.

All-Weather Tires

All-weather tires combine the properties of winter tires and all-season tires. The rubber in these tires is firmer than winter tires but softer than all-season tires. Accordingly, they will grip well in colder temperatures but not wear down as quickly when the weather heats up. They’re not as grippy as winter tires or durable as all-season tires.

Nevertheless, if you live in an area where the climate varies wildly throughout the year, and you don’t want to invest in two sets of tires, they’re a great all-around choice.

Highway Tires

Highway tires generally have an all-season tread pattern and are designed with durable rubber and tread patterns that resist wearing. These properties make a great option if you’re using your SUV for on-pavement road trips or as a daily commuter. The smooth ride and low road noise make them great for on-road use.

All-Purpose Tires

Slightly more rugged than your standard highway tire, all-purpose tires usually feature fewer sipes than highway tires. They typically feature a tread pattern with overlapping blocks to add more off-road traction as well. They’re great for drivers who spend most of their time on the road but will hit the occasional dirt road or fire trail.

All-Terrain Tires

All-terrain tires are an invaluable choice for drivers who go off-road as often as on-road. This type of tire features larger tread blocks and more tread gaps for added grip. Designed for use in gravel, sand, and light mud, these tires provide an off-road capability, an aggressive look, comfort, durability, and minimal road noise. Check out our All-Terrain Tires Guide for more info.

Mud-Terrain Tires

If you’re a mudder, you’ll want to find a pair of mud terrains. These tires sport extremely aggressive tread patterns with wider voids and larger lugs to provide traction in deep mud and sand. The tread tends to run over the sidewalls as well. This detail adds more traction in deep muck and gives a more aggressive look.

Moreover, the reinforced sidewalls protect against punctures and tears. The downside to these tires is that they add quite a bit of road noise and vibration compared to all-terrain or all-purpose tires.

Price and Durability

Depending on your tire needs, a set of tires can cost from under $100 up to several hundred per tire. On average, many choices are in the $100-200 range.

Be sure to check on a tire’s durability when shopping. The average lifespan of a tire is typically around 30,000 to 60,000 miles or 3-5 years, depending on maintenance, driving style, road conditions, climate, and other factors. Replace tires older than 10 years because the chemical compounds used in rubber will lose their effectiveness and lose their structural integrity.

If you have a specialty tire like a winter tire, you’ll likely get less mileage due to the tire’s softer rubber. Also, mud-terrains and all-terrains need replacement more frequently, as off-road usage is hard on a tire.

FAQ