Best Tires for SUVs for 2024

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Last Updated: January 12, 2024

Best Overall Tire for SUV

Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive

Cost: $223 - $382 per tire

Warranty: 60,000 miles

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Best Mid-Sized SUV Tire

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Cost: $197 - $462 per tire

Warranty: 70,000 miles

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Best All-Season Tire for Crossovers

Michelin CrossClimate SUV

Cost: $194 $408 per tire

Warranty: 40,000 - 50,000 miles

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The Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive emerges as a top-tier choice for drivers seeking the best all-season tire for crossovers, delivering a harmonious blend of year-round traction, durability, and performance. Priced at $270.00 each, these tires offer a premium solution for your crossover, SUV, or pickup, providing dependable performance from summer through winter. The Scorpion WeatherActive stands out with its innovative design and materials, ensuring flexibility across a wide temperature range and maintaining traction even in Arctic-like conditions. Its Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake severe weather rating attests to its capability in challenging winter conditions.

Pirelli has engineered the Scorpion WeatherActive with trumpet-shaped lateral grooves, which efficiently eject water from the tire's contact patch. This design significantly reduces the risk of hydroplaning while enhancing wet performance, making it a reliable choice for rainy conditions. The tire's narrow, long footprint contributes to even tread wear and improved snow traction. The deep and continuous siping adds numerous biting edges, offering exceptional wet and wintry grip throughout the tire's life. The three-rib tread block design optimizes tire stiffness and balance, promoting uniform wear and extending the service life.



Pirelli backs the Scorpion WeatherActive with a 60,000-mile warranty, emphasizing its commitment to lasting quality. For added peace of mind, Pirelli offers the option to include Certificates for complete tire protection coverage. A replacement is provided at no extra cost if a tire can't be safely repaired. With its severe weather rating, low noise profile, and excellent traction in both wet and wintry conditions, the Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive is an ideal all-season tire for crossovers, SUVs, and pickups, designed to deliver performance and safety in all driving conditions.

The Michelin Defender LTX M/S tire is a highly regarded option for drivers looking for a blend of performance, durability, and comfort. Priced between $197.00 and $462.00 per tire, plus installation costs, it represents a significant investment in vehicle performance. The tire comes in various sizes, suitable for various vehicle types, including light trucks, SUVs, and CUVs.

The customization options extend to the load index/speed rating, load range (from C1 to XL), and sidewall type, offering tailored solutions for different driving needs and vehicle specifications. The Defender LTX M/S boasts an impressive 4.8 rating based on customer reviews, reflecting its popularity and reliability among users. We dug through tire websites as well as forums and Facebook groups while doing our in-depth research. Michelin Defender LTX M/S had raving reviews all across.

In terms of features, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S stands out for its all-season capability, ensuring performance in various weather conditions. Depending on the specific model, the tire has a substantial warranty of 50,000 to 70,000 miles. The tire is equipped with the advanced Evertread compound, enhancing durability, especially under heavy loads and severe road conditions. Its MaxTouch Construction is designed to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness, offering a smoother driving experience and fuel efficiency.

The Michelin Defender LTX M/S also excels in safety and performance metrics. It provides shorter stopping distances in winter weather and wet conditions than other tires with similar warranties. With treadwear ratings ranging from 720 to 800, it offers solid traction (graded A - AA) and temperature (A) performance. You can read our full Michelin Defender review for a more in-depth look at the conclusions that we drew from testing these tires ourselves.

The CrossClimate SUV for Michelin has become the best choice for its excellent durability and traction. However, you can maintain this tire's dry and wet traction. Regarding durability and tread pattern, Michelin CrossClimate SUV tire is a great fit for a smaller SUV. There are quite a few chats online about how CrossClimate SUV tires are one-directional, therefore they can't be rotated and some people do not like that fact. To me, that's an advantage of not having to worry about tire rotation.

With its 3D SipeLock technology and multiple tread blocks, Michelin CrossClimate SUV offers outstanding traction for dry and wet driving conditions. In addition, the ingenious tread design of the tire coupled with the advanced Thermal Adaptive compound also performs wonders. Due to its commendable technologies, Michelin CrossClimate SUV remains flexible enough in harsh winter conditions.

Along with a rating of 3 PMSF, the manufacturer also uses PIANO noise reduction technology to make your ride more comfortable and smoother. This tire also comes with a 40,000 to 50,000 mile warranty for improved durability. The handling of Michelin CrossClimate SUV tire is also quite balanced, with only a hint that you have entered the corner. We have extensively tested the sister tire Michelin CrossClimate2 with only great things to say.

The Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 stands as the best premium tire choice for SUVs, combining luxury, longevity, and versatile performance. With a price range of $179.00 to $320.00, this tire is designed specifically to cater to the demands of drivers in the North American market, particularly those with crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks. The Scorpion AS Plus 3, a newly redesigned addition to the esteemed Scorpion line, brings forth innovative features like a novel tread pattern, advanced compound, and improved construction. These enhancements bolster snow performance and significantly upgrade wet and dry handling, making it an ideal all-season option.

Key performance features of the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 include an optimized mold profile that creates a shorter and larger footprint, enhancing braking, mileage, and tread life. The improved tread pattern ensures increased surface contact and slower tread wear, extending tire longevity. The tire also boasts consistent traction, handling, and braking in all weather conditions, including snow, thanks to deep, zig-zag central sipes and horizontal, vertical 3D sipes in the shoulders. However, if you want to have a superior grip in extreme winter conditions, you should look at the best winter tires list or other tires on this page with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating. Additionally, the fewer and longer shoulder blocks increase tire stiffness, improving handling, while the carcass and tread design dampens bumps for a quiet and comfortable ride.

With a 70,000-mile manufacturer warranty, the Pirelli Scorpion All Season Plus 3 promises high-end, durable performance across all seasons. The Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 is not just a tire; it's a commitment to a quiet, comfortable, and dependable all-season driving experience for SUV owners who value premium quality.

The Continental CrossContact LX25 exemplifies efficiency-focused design for SUVs and crossovers, offering a blend of all-season performance, durability, and fuel efficiency. This tire, a second generation in the CrossContact family, comes with a generous 65-70,000-mile warranty, reflecting its robust construction and long-lasting tread life. One of its most notable features is the EcoPlus Technology, which enhances fuel efficiency and ensures shorter stopping distances on wet roads. This technology, coupled with the extended tread life, positions the CrossContact LX25 as a top choice for drivers prioritizing environmental consciousness and safety.

Regarding ride quality and handling, the Continental CrossContact LX25 excels with its Comfort Ride Technology. This feature ensures a smoother, quieter driving experience like a new car. The tire's design focuses on delivering sharp handling and sticky traction in various conditions, including wet, dry, and light snow. The lateral and diagonal siping and traction grooves provide a solid grip in slippery conditions, enhancing the tire's versatility across different weather scenarios. The internal construction is equally impressive, with a polyester cord body supported by two heavy-duty steel belts, ensuring durability and longevity.



The CrossContact LX25's versatility is further highlighted by its wide range of fitment options, suitable for wheel diameters from 16 to 22 inches. This makes it a perfect match for a diverse array of vehicles. The spirally wound polyamide reinforcement augments the high-speed capability and handling, adding to the tire's overall stability and performance. With such comprehensive features, the CrossContact LX25 stands out as the best efficiency-focused tire for SUVs, offering a balanced mix of performance, comfort, and environmental friendliness.

The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 epitomizes rugged durability and versatility, making it the best all-terrain tire choice for SUVs. With a price range of $183.00 to $674.00, the KO2 is an investment for drivers seeking superior off-road capability without sacrificing on-road performance. The tire is lauded for its exceptional all-year performance, capable of handling diverse conditions, including rain and snow, making it a perfect fit for adventurous SUV owners. The KO2's fame partially comes from its lineage – it is the successor of the world's first all-terrain tire and carries the legacy of BFGoodrich's innovation in the segment.

BFGoodrich's CoreGard Technology, a standout feature of the KO2, contributes to a 20% tougher sidewall compared to its predecessor. This technology, derived from BFGoodrich's Baja T/A KR2, increases the rubber thickness and enhances sidewall composition, offering resistance to bruising and splitting in rough terrains. The tire also includes the Advanced Deflection Design system to protect its structural integrity, which is particularly useful in extreme off-roading conditions. Other noteworthy features include:

• A 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake Rating.
• Superior traction in severe winter weather.
• A complex network of interlocking tread elements for stable handling on various surfaces.

The stabilized tread center and BFGoodrich's Serrated Shoulder Design also maximize grip in challenging conditions like mud and snow. The All-Terrain T/A KO2 not only promises durability but also longevity. BFGoodrich's attention to the tire's footprint allows for an even distribution of vehicle weight, contributing to extended tread life. A 50,000-mile manufacturer's warranty backs this. For additional protection, drivers can opt for exclusive Certificate coverage. The KO2 is a tire that equips your SUV for almost any adventure, ensuring that traffic is the only thing you might get stuck in.

The Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV tire stands as a pinnacle in the winter tire category for SUVs, offering unmatched performance in the harshest of winter conditions. Priced between $186.00 and $520.00, these tires are designed to instill confidence in SUV drivers facing icy, snowy, and slushy roads. Michelin's commitment to safety and innovation is evident in the X-Ice Snow SUV's ability to stop up to 8.85 feet shorter on ice than other leading winter tires, a testament to the advanced Ice Snow Michelin Evergrip technologies employed in its design.

Evergrip technology, the core of the X-Ice Snow SUV's prowess, features a rigid polymer-based rubber compound that enhances grip on ice and snow throughout the tire's lifespan. This, coupled with full-depth sipes and a wear-resistant tread design, ensures consistent and long-lasting winter traction. The tire is also designed to be fuel-efficient, with almost a 10% decrease in rolling resistance, which translates to better gas mileage without compromising winter performance. The tire's 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake Rating signifies its capability to exceed the Rubber Manufacturer Association's requirements for severe snow and winter weather traction.

Regarding treadwear and warranty, the Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV is designed for longevity. Its wear-resistant tread compound and optimized tread design facilitate even wear across the tire's lifespan. Michelin backs this tire with a 40,000-mile limited manufacturer's warranty, offering peace of mind to drivers. Exclusive Certificate coverage is available for those seeking additional protection, covering the tires down to 3/32" of wear. The Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV is not just a winter tire; it's a commitment to safe, confident, and efficient winter driving for SUV owners.

The BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport LT is an exceptional all-season tire designed for a broad range of SUVs. Renowned for its versatility, it offers excellent traction across wet, dry, and lightly snowy conditions, making it a reliable choice for diverse weather patterns.

This tire is engineered for extended tread life, thanks to its optimized footprint that evenly distributes stress and contact pressure, enhancing both durability and ride quality. The Advantage T/A Sport LT is also known for its responsive steering and stable handling, credited to its reinforced internal structure. This makes it ideal for drivers who value a dynamic driving experience.

Despite its rugged design, it provides a smooth and quiet ride, absorbing road vibrations effectively, which is essential for everyday commuting and long road trips. Available in various sizes and load ratings, it fits a diverse array of SUVs, from compact crossovers to full-size models.

In essence, the BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport LT stands out in the SUV tire market for its all-season performance, durability, handling, and comfort, making it a top choice for SUV drivers seeking a tire that balances quality and versatility.

How are SUV tires different from regular car tires?

Regarding tires, the distinction between SUVs and regular cars is crucial, as each vehicle type has specific requirements for optimal performance and safety. SUV tires are designed to accommodate the unique characteristics of these larger, heavier vehicles. In contrast, regular car tires cater to the needs of smaller, lighter passenger cars. In this section, we'll explore the key differences between SUV tires and regular car tires to help you understand the importance of selecting the right tires for your vehicle.

One of the primary differences between SUVs and regular car tires is their load-carrying capacity. With their larger size and heavier weight, SUVs require tires that can handle increased load demands without compromising performance or safety. As a result, SUV tires are typically constructed with stronger materials and reinforced sidewalls, which provide better support and durability. These tires are also designed to handle higher air pressure, which is essential for evenly distributing the vehicle's weight and ensuring a smooth ride.

Another key difference between SUVs and regular car tires is their performance in various driving conditions. SUVs are often equipped with all-wheel or four-wheel drive systems and are built to handle a wide range of terrains, from highways to off-road trails. Consequently, SUV tires are crafted with deeper, more aggressive tread patterns that improve traction and grip on diverse surfaces, such as mud, snow, and sand. On the other hand, regular car tires typically have shallower tread patterns designed for smoother, paved roads, focusing on fuel efficiency, ride comfort, and road noise reduction.

In summary, SUV tires and regular car tires are designed to cater to the specific needs of their respective vehicle types. SUV tires offer enhanced load-carrying capacity, durability, and traction for various driving conditions, while regular car tires prioritize fuel efficiency, ride comfort, and reduced road noise. Understanding these differences is vital when choosing the right tires for your vehicle, as the right tires can significantly impact your driving experience, safety, and performance.

Things to Look for When Buying SUV Tires

Selecting the right tires for your SUV is essential for optimizing performance, safety, and fuel efficiency. However, with numerous available options, choosing the best tires for your specific needs can take time and effort. To help you make an informed decision, consider the following factors when purchasing SUV tires:

1. Load-carrying capacity: SUVs are typically heavier than regular cars, so choosing tires that can handle the increased weight is crucial. Check the load index on the tire's sidewall, which indicates the maximum weight the tire can support. Ensure the load index aligns with your vehicle's requirements, as the owner's manual specifies.
2. Driving conditions: Consider the types of driving conditions you regularly encounter, such as urban streets, highways, or off-road trails. For example, if you frequently drive on rough terrain or in harsh weather, look for all-terrain or mud-terrain tires with deep, aggressive tread patterns for improved traction and grip.
3. Tire size: Choosing the right tire size for your SUV is essential to maintain proper handling, fuel efficiency, and ride comfort. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual or the tire information placard (typically on the driver's side door jamb) for the recommended tire size.
4. Speed rating: The speed rating indicates the maximum speed a tire can safely maintain over time. While SUVs may not typically reach high speeds, choosing a tire with an appropriate speed rating for your driving habits and vehicle performance requirements is still important.
5. Tread life and warranty: Tread life is an important factor to consider when assessing the long-term value of a tire. Look for tires with a longer tread life and a warranty that covers tread wear, as this can save you money in the long run.
6. Fuel efficiency: Some tires are specifically designed to optimize fuel efficiency by reducing rolling resistance. If fuel economy is a priority for you, consider investing in low-rolling resistance tires.
7. Noise and ride comfort: The tire's design and materials can significantly impact road noise and ride comfort. Look for tires that provide a smooth, quiet ride, particularly if you spend a lot of time driving on highways.
8. Price and brand reputation: While the most expensive tires aren't always the best, it's essential to consider the reputation of the tire brand and find a balance between quality and cost. Research customer reviews and expert recommendations to ensure you invest in a reliable product.

Considering these factors when purchasing SUV tires, you can find the right set to match your driving needs and preferences, ensuring optimal performance, safety, and value for your investment.

The Car Data Tire Testing Methodology

We take pride in providing thorough and unbiased reviews of the latest tire models. To ensure that our ratings are accurate and consistent, we have developed a rating methodology that considers various factors and incorporates statistical analysis.

1. Performance: We test tires for their performance in various driving conditions, including wet and dry roads, snow and ice, and off-road terrain. We also consider handling, braking, noise, and ride comfort factors. These tests are conducted using standardized procedures, and the results are analyzed using statistical methods to determine the mean and standard deviation.
2. Durability: We assess the durability of tires based on factors such as tread life, resistance to punctures and cuts, and sidewall strength. These tests are conducted using standardized procedures or data gathered from third-party websites where real users share their experiences with the products we are reviewing. We then analyze the results using statistical methods to determine the mean and standard deviation.
3. Value: We consider the price of the tire and compare it to its performance and durability to determine its overall value. We pay close attention to how long the tires last, the reported lifespan of the tires, as well as the ratio of those metrics when compared to the price.
4. Customer reviews: We consider the experiences and opinions of other drivers who have used the tire. We do our best to disregard what seems to be fake reviews (good or bad) and make judgment calls based on our ability to filter bogus reviews well. We are human; therefore, mistakes can be made. The best reviews we provide are the ones where we extensively test the products and share real-life experiences with our readers.
5. Expert opinions: We consult industry experts and gather their insights and opinions on the tire. An expert can even consist of a person with extensive knowledge of the use of tires and practical experience with them.

Our ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 5, with one being the lowest and five being the highest. We strive to provide detailed and comprehensive reviews that give drivers the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions. Overall, this methodology, which incorporates statistical analysis, allows us to provide accurate and reliable ratings for the tires we review on our site.

Best Tires for SUVs: Bottom Line

Finding a reliable set of tires for your SUV is vital to ensure a comfortable and safe ride in all-terrain and weather conditions. When choosing SUV tires, you must consider the tire size, traction, performance, and price to get the best deal that suits your vehicle's needs and budget. You can buy any of the tires mentioned above for SUVs to get back on the road safely and affordably.