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.

The Best SUV Tires of 2023

Best All-Around SUV Tire: BFGoo drich Advantage T/A Sport LT
Best Road Tripper Tire: Continental CrossContact LX25
Best Luxury SUV Tire: Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3
Best Summer SUV Tire: Michelin Latitude Sport 3
Best All-Season Commuter SUV Tire: Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max
Best On/Off Road Hybrid: General Grabber A/TX
Best Off-Road SUV Tire: BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3
Best Snow & Ice (Studless) SUV Tire: Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2
Best All-Around Crossover Tire: Falken WILDPEAK A/T TRAIL
Best All-Terrain Crossover Tire: Toyo Open Country A/T III
Best OEM Replacement Crossover Tire: Cooper Endeavor Plus

Pros

Great handling on asphalt
Durability on dirt
Hydroplaning resistance

Cons

Heavier tires mean a drop in fuel efficiency
Owners mention road noise and comfort don't quite match the top-tier premier touring all-season tires

If you want a great tire that will go just about anywhere, BFGoodrich’s Advantage Sport LT ($231) is the one. The distinctive-looking SUV/crossover standout emphasizes superb handling and responsiveness on the road.

The all-season tread has an asymmetrical design with circumferential grooves that help channel water through the contact patch to help prevent hydroplaning. Moreover, the 3D Active Sipe tech improves traction in rain and snow.

At higher speeds, the Next Gen Equal Tension Containment System provides admirable handling and stability. The low-profile tread minimizes road noise and vibration. On top of this, the wide steel belt and spirally wrapped nylon reinforcements add strength and durability on dirt roads.

The Advantage Sport LT has you covered if you’re looking for a tire that’ll keep you comfortable on the way to work but can also handle fire roads on the weekends.

Pros

Delivers a plush on-road experience
All-season tread works well on dry, wet, and snowy roads
EcoPlus+ Tech helps extend tread life and reduce braking distances on wet surfaces
Flanged sidewall helps protect against curb rash

Cons

Wet and icy performance is good but not great
Ride feels unsettled over repetitive bumps

For long hauls in any weather, Continental’s CrossContact LX25 ($214) is a great road-tripper for SUVs and crossover vehicles. Designed mostly for highway use with some mild off-road cred, the CrossContact LX25 offers a long tread life and respectable performance in wet conditions.

The off-road and wet-weather performance are stellar. Mostly due to Continental’s Tg-F Polymers and +Silane additives that contribute to tread durability, improving fuel efficiency, and increasing traction on wet roads.

Steering response and balanced handling make for an effortless drive. The wet road performance, enhanced via the four circumferential grooves and ridges in outboard grooves (aka Traction Grooves), also boosts traction in the snow. Collectively, the CrossContact LX25 is a solid, all-around performer.

Pros

Built specifically for SUVs and crossovers
Carries over all the accomplished qualities of the original
Scores high in wet, dry, and snowy conditions

Cons

Not 3PMSF rated

Aimed at North American drivers, the Pirelli Scorpion All Season Plus 3 ($228) got a complete overhaul. It boasts a new tread compound and internal construction to improve the foundation built by its predecessor while preserving its strengths. On-road refinement is first-rate and an accomplished match for any luxury SUV or crossover that wants to benefit from a sophisticated ride.

The Scorpion lineup is specifically engineered for SUVs, crossovers, and light trucks. As such, the new AS Plus 3 gratifyingly brings together responsive steering and an engaging personality. According to professional tests and consumer feedback, the steering feel is direct and natural with the right amount of effort. To that end, it demonstrates poise and comfort over all surfaces and bumps.

Pros

Outstanding wet and dry traction, handling, and cornering
Excellent tire feedback and response
Predictable and smooth

Cons

Not built for snow or ice
Treadwear

The Latitude Sport 3 from Michelin ($415) is a great option if you drive chiefly in fair weather. Purposely made for high-performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, this tire will hustle when called forth. It is designed to provide solid traction in wet and dry conditions and delivers excellent grip, handling, and cornering.

For the third generation, the Latitude 3 boasts a new tread compound with an asymmetric design that provides better wet-condition performance than the previous releases. The sipes are variable in thickness, which helps improve rolling resistance as well as fuel economy. Cornering grip, braking, and overall traction also get a bump in performance.

Considered the best-in-class ultra high-performance summer tire — the Latitude Sport 3 built explicitly for the burgeoning crossover and SUV market — simply rocks. The bottom line is that these high-performance bad boys are ideally suited for high-performance vehicles. You may not be able to afford a Bentley Bentayga or Range Rover, but at least your ride can have the same shoes.

Pros

Low rolling resistance benefits fuel efficiency
Proficient wet and dry traction
Smooth and comfortable ride
Best-in-class treadwear

Cons

Road noise increases as tires get older
Winter traction has room for improvement

The rising cost of fuel can put a severe dent in your wallet. Driving on a set of Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max ($227) is one way SUV and crossover drivers can lessen the pain at the pump. At the forefront is a comprehensive design that capitalizes on reduced rolling resistance and extended treadwear life for optimal fuel economy.

Tests and customer surveys show that the Assurance CS Fuel Max performs admirably in dry, wet, and wintry conditions. They also like the tire’s low rolling resistance and snow traction.

Pros

Equally capable on and off the road
Solid traction and balance on hard-packed surfaces
Long treadwear life expectancy
Durable
Studdable
Affordable price

Cons

Lots of highway noise

For drivers who split their time between asphalt and dirt, the Grabber A/TX from General ($222) is the ideal way to go. Built for work trucks, vans, and SUVs, the Grabber holds its own in dirt and mud. It also does well at providing traction on wet roads and even light snow.

The Grabber A/TX is highly durable and can withstand a good deal of abuse thanks to the tire’s cut- and chip-resistant compound. A wide footprint and optimized pattern stiffness add to its durability.

For on-road use, the tire uses General’s Comfort Balance tech. The innovation is an absorption layer under the tread and an acoustic tread pattern to minimize road vibration and noise. Experts agree the steering response is direct and offers more control.

Off-road, stone bumpers between the shoulder blocks help eject rocks and debris. The sidewall protective lugs add sidewall puncture resistance and give the Grabbers a sweet aggressive aesthetic.

Deeper tread depths, traction notches, and multi-angle tread blocks provide optimal traction on dirt and rainy or snow-covered surfaces. Those deep grooves open up the airflow, contributing to more road noise.

Pros

Excellent off-road grip
Durability
Wide grooves perform well on soft snow and muddy conditions

Cons

Lots of freeway noise
Commands a high price tag

It’s hard to go wrong with a classic. If you’re looking for an off-road tire for your ride, the newest version of BFGoodrich’s hallowed off-road tire, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 ($206), is a worthy choice. It strikes a nice balance between being aggressive enough for the trail and having commendable road manners.

The KM3 benefits from a compound BFGoodrich calls Krawl-Tek, designed to enhance traction on rocks and slick surfaces. That compound is molded into a symmetric, Terrain-Attack tread that provides a solid grip in loose, rocky terrain and delivers that control in a wide range of directions and angle approaches. The beefed-up sidewalls prevent snagging, punctures, and lacerations, while the notched shoulders add grip in mud.

Wide grooves and lateral notches channel water away from the tire, while mud-phobic bars help shed mud and dirt when powering through at slow speeds. The KM3’s thick sidewall rubber, extended shoulder, and three-ply polyester casing provide excellent puncture resistance and durability.

Read our review of the BFG Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 to learn how it performs in the wild.

Pros

Excellent traction on ice and snow
Effective siping
Meets severe snow service requirements
Drives like an all-season tire
Resistant to hydroplaning

Cons

Reduced traction in deep slush and slow
Not as grippy as studded tires
Not intended for season-long deep snow

If your drive time covers a lot of snow- or ice-covered roads, the Latitude X-Ice Xi2 from Michelin ($270) is a terrific tire choice. Featuring a unique compound formulated to stay flexible in extreme cold, the Latitude X-Ice Xi2 won’t stiffen up and lose traction in frigid weather. For good measure, Michelin added a specific sipe technology to help the tire maintain grip in winter conditions.

The wide tread contact patch helps maintain traction during acceleration, braking, and cornering on icy roads. The directional tread features channels to flush out water and slush to minimize hydroplaning in rain and sleet.

Pros

High center of gravity
Equally comfortable on asphalt and dirt
Road noise doesn’t increase as the tire wears over time
Relative low weight

Cons

Not as aggressive as off-road-specific tires

Intentionally designed for light SUVs and crossovers, Falken’s WildPeak A/T Trail ($190) is a terrific option for drivers who want on- and off-road performance. The WildPeak A/T only adds about 5 pounds per tire over the weight of stock tires, but the silica-enhanced rubber compound delivers phenomenal grip on wet roads.

The tread design balances low road noise with excellent water clearance and winter performance. These tires provide an impressive combination of control on asphalt and dirt with a minimal drop in fuel economy. The road noise and handling differences, compared to road-specific tires, are also negligible, thanks to the tires’ optimized tread design.

The Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail tires handle twisty mountain roads with aplomb. They won’t match the precision of high-performance touring tires, but they come close. According to some reports, the steering response is sharp, and the ride quality equals or exceeds OEM tires.

Pros

Stellar traction and performance on any terrain or surface conditions
Steering is precise and responsive to natural effort
Great snow grip
Accomplished at towing and carrying large loads
Sturdy appearance looks good, and flaunts its intentions

Cons

Noise level is not ideal
On-road performance isn’t the Open Country AT3’s strength
Decreased fuel economy compared to all-season tires
Deep mud and snow can get packed

The Toyo Open Country AT III ($434) all-terrain tire is designed specifically for crossovers, SUVs, and AWD vehicles. Its aggressive tread design and wide groove pattern ensure plenty of traction when venturing on rough trails in dry, muddy, and snowy conditions.

The oversized grooves and broad shoulders quickly fling off mud and snow. However, its reduced contact patch doesn’t do as well as a Yokohama Geolander A/T G015 on roads slick with rain or ice.

The Open Country AT3’s broad grooves and smaller contact patch are great for rough terrain but contribute to road noise and reduced ride comfort.

Thanks to the Open Country AT3’s open tread and strong inner belts, these tires are well-equipped to head off the pavement, tackling rocky and sandy terrain with ease. Although AT3 isn’t a beefy tire meant for heavy-duty off-roading, it’s robust enough to hold up to rough dirt roads.

Granted, the Open Country AT3 costs a little more. Then again, its strengths lean toward proficient off-road traction and robust durability.

Read our Toyo Open Country AT3 review for more details about its performance.

Pros

Smooth and quiet on the road
Excellent steering feel
Wet and snow traction above average
6-year, 65k mile warranty

Cons

Room for improvement for grip in the snow

The Cooper Endeavor Plus ($141) all-season tire is a recent addition to the crossover and light truck all-season category. As such, it incorporates the latest tire technology and silica compounds that protect against punctures, improve wet traction, lower road noise, and reduce rolling resistance.

The result is an all-season crossover tire that is quiet, smooth, and does surprisingly well in light snow conditions, according to customer feedback. Both expert and consumer reviews mention that driver confidence improves due to the Endeavor Plus’s surprisingly excellent stability and traction.

2023 Cadillac Escalade-V — (Photo/Cadillac)

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

toyo open country at 3 driving on muddy trail — (Photo/Bryon Dorr)

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

Many great brands make tires specifically for SUVs and crossovers. If you’re unsure who to go with, look at the more well-known brands like Michelin, BFGoodrich, Continental, Bridgestone, or Pirelli. These companies devote a lot of time to refine the tires they build and have millions of miles of experience. They also tend to have excellent warranties on their tires, so in the unlikely event that something goes wrong, they tend to back up their product and make things right.

That’s not to say that the second-tier tire makers, like Falken and Toyo, aren’t worth a look. The less prominent brands tend to innovate and may incorporate features or compounds that other, more widely known brands may not. Plus, they often offer solid guarantees on their products.

If you’re looking for a tire for driving specifically on snow and ice, we’d recommend an all-weather or winter tire. These tires have softer compounds than all-season tires. The winterized formula prevents the tire from stiffening up and losing traction in frigid temperatures.

Most SUV tires last around 30,000-60,000 miles or 3-5 years on average. Maintenance, driving style, road conditions, climate, and other factors will determine how many miles you’ll get from a set of tires.

Nonetheless, replacing tires after a maximum of 10 years or when the tread is worn to 2/32 of an inch or less is strongly recommended. High-performance, winter, and mud-terrain tires may need replacement sooner, depending on how hard you ride them.

If you’re wondering how far your tires will go the distance, check the manufacturer’s replacement policies. It can reflect a product’s longevity based on how long the manufacturer thinks it will last. Tires with higher warranties, say 60,000 miles, should get you more mileage than tires backed by a 30,000-mile warranty.

Buying tires from the dealership can be more convenient. You can usually choose your tires and have them installed when you get an oil change or any scheduled service.

The downside to buying from a dealership is that it limits your tire options. Often, choices are limited to original equipment tires, so if you want something more unique or specialized, you may be better off shopping elsewhere.