Dedicated winter tires can add another dimension of performance to your already pretty capable Toyota 4Runner. They have been designed to clear as much debris and snow from the tread as possible thus maximizing traction.
Performance aside, safety is the number one reason people invest in dedicated winter tires. Even the slightest amounts of frozen dew is sufficient enough to significantly hamper braking performance of your all-terrain or even all-season tires.
Thus, it is highly recommended to spend a few extra bucks to get quality winter tires to ensure your and your loved ones safety.
The Top 5 Best Snow Tires for 4runner
We have carefully shortlisted five such amazing winter tires for you. The first three are for the stock sized 17 inch wheels you get on most models while the next ones are for those who have or intend to change their wheels to a different diameter. Here’s an overview:
Best snow tires for stock sized 4Runner wheels:
- Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV 225/60R17/XL 103T (Editor’s choice)
- Firestone Winterforce 2 UV 235/65R17 104 S
- Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 235/60R17 99H
Best snow tires for after-market 4Runner wheels:
- Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 265/60R18 110R
- Cooper Discoverer True North 265/50R20 107T
General Tire Grabber Arctic LT Winter Tire
You are sure to be amazed by its capability…
Pros:
- Incredible grip over snow
- Studdable
- Great handling
- Low noise
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Decrease fuel economy
- Not cheap
General tires have come up with a few tires that have overtaken even the biggest names in the industry. The Grabber Arctic is one of them. It is one of the most complete winter tires we have ever tested.
The biggest upside to this tire is the incredible grip over snow. You will be surprised at how well it performs in the worst of conditions. Driving on these tires, one can literally feel them digging and clawing their way out.
They also handle great. You will never run out of grip while accelerating or braking or even steering at high speeds. This is a rare feat for a winter tire to achieve.
General Grabber Arctic performs well enough on snow on its own. On top of that, they offer a level up in capability by studding them up with stud screws.
They are extremely comfortable and quiet making for a complete package. The amazing ride makes this tire the most complete winter tire we have ever tested.
The only real downside to them is the price which is a bit high compared to the alternatives. But if you take into consideration the premium build and the extensive list of favorable points, the equation becomes a bit more clear.
2. Firestone Winterforce 2 UV 235/65R17 104 S
Everything you could ask for in a a winter tire…
Pros:
- Performs well on ice and in moderate snow
- OE tire for many vehicles
- Sipes provide strong grip
- Quiet and comfortable
- Studdable
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Not suitable for deep snow
This 17-inch tire by Firestone is superior to other tires in terms of its materials and the ridiculously low price. If you prefer an OEM recommended tire for your 4runner, this is the one for you.
This is a dedicated winter tire which is built in correspondence to the requirements of driving in snow. The tread compound is specialized for adequate performance in snow, without compromising safety. Its tread pattern is symmetrical, which allows it to evacuate water and slush so that they do not hinder the ride.
The pattern is further aided by the open shoulders, which are a preferable feature for a winter tire. Like other good winter tires, this tire also has sipes in its tread, which provide a steady grip in snow. However, it is to be kept in mind that this tire is only suitable for light to medium snow, and should be avoided in very deep snow.
The tread life of this tire is considerably long, thanks to its innovative design and premium construction materials. This means that it can last for long periods of time without any noticeable change in appearance or the quality of ride.
The ride is smooth and comfortable, and the noise produced during driving is minimal. The deep features are also helpful in case of hard ice or slush, and work by removing them from the tread.
This tire does everything perfectly and more but it is simply not capable enough of handling heavy snow. If you are looking for a winter tire for mild to moderate snow, look no further because this is one of the best and most affordable options out there.
3. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 235/60R17 99H
The best budget buy possible…
Pros:
- Amazing snow traction
- Safe to use in heavy snow
- Low road noise levels
Cons:
- A bit bumpy
- Not much feedback
Bridgestone have always made exceptional winter tires and this one is no exception. According to my experience the WS90 has one of the best winter braking performance in class and this further adds to Bridgestone’s claims that it was a leader in snow braking during their in-house testing. Top qualities, if you are looking for a good winter tire!
Grip over dry surfaces is also something to be conscious of when buying a winter tire because not everyone has to always drive up a hill of snow to get to the nearest grocery store. The WS90 is on par with its competitors in this regard but there is not anything exceptional here to talk about either. The tire does not provide a lot of feedback and does not absorb bumps as good as one would expect.
As mentioned previously, the ride is a bit bumpy so comfort suffers as well. It does partly make up for it by doubling down on the noise control. Overall, I was pretty impressed with the overall ride experience.
Another pleasant surprise is the price on this thing: at 155$ a pop, as of date, it gives a run for its money to both Michelin X-ice Xi3 and Continental VikingContact 7 in terms of value. If you are willing to give a bit on comfort for the sake of safety, this could be your best option to choose.
4. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 265/60R18 110R
Great ride, handling and durability…
Pros:
- Performs well on heavy snow
- Very strong grip
- Easy handling
- Excellent traction
Cons:
- Not the highest durability
This elegant 18-inch tire by Bridgestone is another great option for your 4runner. It has an aesthetically pleasant tread design that is unique in terms of both appearance and performance. The tread allows for a firm grip on snow, which is further enhanced by the small ‘studs’ that are present on it.
These claw into the surface underneath, and together with the sipes, they hold onto the ground firmly no matter how deep the snow is. The compound is also soft and adheres to the snow. This results in an unparalleled snow traction, thus making this tire a very safe option.
Furthermore, the tread compound is innovatively designed, and its advanced construction makes it capable of clearing off excess water. Needless to say, this tire is one of the few aggressive winter tires that performs equally well on wet surfaces.
The comfort and quality of ride offered by this tire is also exceptionally good. It is easy to handle and turns around corners without any difficulty, and without even the slightest compromise on grip. In addition, the ride is also quiet. You simply can not expect that much grip from a winter tire.
However, the soft tread compound of this tire can be challenging to deal with on hard ice and pavements. Also a softer tire tends to deteriorate more over time. This was not much of an issue during our testing but it could be for a lot of people looking to squeeze every last possible mile out of their tires.
5. Cooper Discoverer True North 265/50R20 107T
Best for slushy roads…
Pros:
- Sever snow service rated
- High load capacity
- Reputable brand
Cons:
- Floaty on dry roads
Cooper has managed to produce a tire that can easily increase the confidence of nay driver in winters. This is owing to the magnificent grip that is provides over ice or slush.
The Tre Norths are geared towards rougher conditions and may not provide you with the best handling experience. That being said, they do provide acceptable grip during acceleration, braking and cornering.
The wet handling is also very good but they feel a bit floaty on dry pavement. As such, these tires are only recommended to be used in winters, with all-season tires for the other three seasons.
The tread wear on these is also pretty good, especially for a dedicated winter tire. Even after 30,000 miles on these winter tires, 13/32nds were remaining.
How to buy the best winter tires for your 4Runner?
If you are looking to get the best winter tires for a Toyota 4Runner, or for that matter, any other vehicle, keep these few things in mind:
1. Choose tires with sipes
Sipes are small slits arranged circumferentially. They serve different purposes in different types of tires but in the case of winter tires, they dramatically increase traction on snow, especially off the line. They are able to do so by packing in small amounts of snow and clawing their way out of loose snow. Over hard ice, however, these are of little benefit.
2. Choose tires with good wet traction
Tires that have been evolved to suit snowy conditions better often perform poorly in snow. Since it is practically impossible to switch to a set of all-season tires every time it rains during winters, choose tires that have adequate wet traction. Doing so can prove to be a life-saver since winter tires consistently perform poorly on wet braking tests.
You might also find a great option inside this article of ours that lists the best tire options for both snow and rain.
3. Choose softer tires
Softer compounds have proven to perform significantly better than their harder compounds over snow. The reason behind it is probably a greater ability to conform the shape of the tread and the voids to better grip the loose packets of superficial snow.
The rubber compound and the manufacturing process of the better snow tires is also slightly different to retain as much compliance as possible, thus minimizing loss of traction in freezing temperatures.
Alternatively if you’re looking for the best all-terrain tires for your 4Runner, you can find them here: Best All Terrain Tires for 4Runner
