Presenting our Top-picks for your SUV!
A sport utility vehicle is a vehicle similar to a wagon, generally with a high ground clearance, mostly equipped with four-wheel drive for on- and off-road ability. SUVs may potentially have the towing capacity of a truck with a passenger-carrying space of a minivan. Plus, these vehicles are optimized to function according to every terrain. When all-wheel drive is not required, the SUV may administer power only to the front or rear wheels.
The AWD drive system relies on the vehicle’s computers to determine which one of the four wheels needs power and traction without much driver input thus distributing the power throughout the vehicle. .Most AWD systems limit the drive to one pair of wheels and only involve the other set of wheels when the system detects a lack of traction. The sole purpose of all-wheel drive revolves around off-road driving. Users that drive in regions with harsh weather conditions will find that all-wheel drive delivers decent traction and grip off road as compared to other vehicles.
Selecting the best SUV tires as per your driving style, the landscape in your area, and the type of SUV you possess is extremely important if you want a safe, reliable, and comfortable driving experience. There is a huge range of top-notch tires available in the market for your SUVs. The absolute best of them, in our opinion, are listed below.
The 5 Best Tires for AWD SUVs
Here’s a quick overview:
- Goodyear Wrangler SR-A Radial Tire – 275/60R20 114S (Editor’s choice)
- Michelin Defender All-Season Radial Tire 275/55R20 113T
- General Tire Grabber HTS60 All-Season Radial Tire – 265/75R15 112S
- Continental CrossContact LX20 Radial Tire – 235/60R18 107H XL
- Cooper Discoverer SRX 255/65R17 Radial Tire
1. Goodyear Wrangler SR-A Radial Tire – 275/60R20 114S (Editor’s choice)
It’s insane steering response makes it our NO. 1 CHOICE…
No quality tire selection can be complete without the inclusion of a Goodyear tire as they have become a staple in the SUV and light truck department. There are reasons for that, obviously. The tenacious grip offered by them during dry conditions coupled with a healthy amount of tire life for the price point has made Goodyear the go to tire for many manufacturers as well the tire of choice for replacement for many users around the globe and particularly in the states.
This particular model is no exception when it comes to handling and steering response. This is achieved by the incorporation of independent blocks along with a wider contact patch. The lateral grooves get their job of expulsion of water done under wet conditions but this is by no means a conversation starter here. The obvious tilting point for most buyers of this tire is the smooth and quiet ride these offer without compromising the tire life. Reinforced with two high tensile steel belts, these tires leave little to worry about in terms of durability and thus value.
Pros:
- Tenacious grip
- Outstanding handling under dry conditions
- Appropriately priced
- Smooth, buttery ride
- Premium brand
Cons:
- Unimpressive wet handling
2. Michelin Defender All-Season Radial Tire 275/55R20 113T
Smoothness and quietness remastered…
The Michelin Defender LTX is one of our top picks due to its sophisticated and sleek-looking design. The tire offers ultimate road performance features. The tire is designed to provide year-round performance with an asymmetric pattern having rubber on the outer surface which offers a good grip.
As a sport utility vehicle tire, it is the most suitable for light trucks, crossovers, vans, and heavy-duty trucks. This versatile tire is constructed out of a long-lasting all-season tread pattern. Boasting a claimed tire life of 70,000 miles, there is little to worry about regarding durability and thus value. Another significant component is Michelin’s Evertread compound that expands the symmetric tread design, giving the SUV a more stable ride while also lessening the vehicle’s stopping distances.
One of the most precious qualities of the Defender LTX is its steady and quiet ride quality all year round. Whether you drive on dry cement, slick streets, or in light wintry conditions, the tires are smooth and comfortable.
Pros:
- Eerily quiet
- Sophisticated looks
- Top notch handling
- Premium Michelin brand
Cons:
- Not enough grip in snow
3. General Tire Grabber HTS60 All-Season Radial Tire – 265/75R15 112S
The best economical tire among the pack…
General Tire is a well-known manufacturer of tires. The Grabber HTS60 is a much more budget-friendly option than other tires in the market. And still, it does not compromise on the performance. These SUV tires also feature a chip-resistant compound and provide the driver with exceptional highway stability during towing. Grip, traction, and braking in dry weather are perfect, while traction is fine on wet roads too. The Grabber comes with a 65,000-mile tread wear warranty, one of the highest in the category. The flatter footprint, the optimized tread pattern provide a long even wear.
Pros:
- Budget friendly
- Reliable brand
- Perfect dry handling
- Adequate tread life
Cons:
- Not good in rainy conditions
4. Continental CrossContact LX20 Radial Tire – 235/60R18 107H XL
The confidence and creaminess of Continental…
Luxury and smoothness are the words that pop up up in minds when the brand ‘Continental’ is mentioned. The Continental Cross contact is one of the most popular all season tires for SUVs as it provides a bunch of exceptional qualities that will satisfy a driver. Their topmost rubber quality is able to provide comfort and smooth ride. These tires produce practically zero noise on the highway!
Another advantage is that they are also highly responsive, providing the driver with adequate grip, traction, and braking in dry, wet, and snowy conditions.
The EcoPlus Technology these tires possess lowers the fuel consumption of your SUV, without having any effect on performance. The 70,000-mile tread wear warranty is adequate as well.
Pros:
- Responsive handling
- Smooth, buttery ride
- Quiet
- Extensively reviewed
Cons:
- Compromised tread life due to a softer compound
5. Cooper Discoverer SRX 255/65R17 Radial Tire
The best economical tire among the pack…
The Discoverer SRX is another excellent touring tire for SUVs, and also the best all seasons tires for SUV. Despite the lower price, the SRX offers promising handling on dry roads, with higher levels of grip, traction, and strong braking.
Not to mention, these tires are providing better traction and grip in heavy rain than their competitors. The grooves present on the external surface offer maximum water evacuation which makes it easily gripped by wet roads. The load capacity is sufficient along with extended durability. The Cooper competitor also provides a 75,000-mile tread wear warranty for T-Rated models and 70,000-mile for H-Rated models making the, the ultimate option for budget tires. For more information on Cooper tires, read: Are Cooper tires good?
Pros:
- Really cheap for the quality
- Impressive year round peformance
Cons:
- Not good in snow
- Not extensively reviewed
How to buy the best tires for SUV?
While looking over the key features of a tire, size and tread life are two important components.
The appropriate size facilitates a comfortable ride and will specify your SUV’s stopping or braking power as well as its fuel efficiency. If you’re specifically on the lookout for fuel efficient tires for your SUV, read Best truck tires for fuel economy. Your tire’s manual or sidewall will provide the tire size information. They will also provide you a range of other tire sizes that will fit in your vehicle.
The mileage or the life of the tire relies on the brand and the technology of the tire. Some manufacturers try their best to maintain high standards with their tires and may have a tire with a 100,000-mile tread life, while others in the same category may offer a life of 50,000 miles. The type of tire (eg: all terrain tires) is also a contributing factor to the tire’s life. Here’s a complete article on Do All Terrain tires wear faster? Also OEM tires tend to wear faster. For more information on that, read the article Do OEM tires wear faster?
Along with these features are the other considerations like rolling resistance, load index, and speed rating that matter a lot. We created the above list by meticulously keeping all these features in mind. We hope that this article turns out to be helpful in your purchase.
