Top 5 Best Tires For SUVs [2023 Review]

By Tire Expert, Joe Steffen

Are you tired of searching the internet to find the best SUV tires?

I know reading tons of reviews on tires that just regurgitate tire jargon can be exhausting and makes you feel like you’re getting nowhere.

Look no further. My reviews turn that nonsensical tire jargon into real-world examples anyone can understand. So you can put the dictionary down and keep reading with ease.

I have compiled a list of the top five all-terrain/all-season tires for SUVs on the market. Using my nine-plus years of experience in the tire industry, I have researched and hand-picked each of these tires to fit any needs you are looking for.

In this list of tires, you will find that I don’t just tell you how they are great, but I also address why you may not want to go with them. Keep scrolling to see why these five tires made the cut and how these options might not be suitable for your needs.

Our Top Pick

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

★★★★★ 4.0/5

4.0

Best Budget

Corsa Highway Terrain Plus

★★★★★ 3.0/5

3.0

Read Review

Best High End

Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus II

★★★★★ 4.0/5

4.0

Read Review

Best For Daily Driving

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT/4S

★★★★★ 4.0/5

4.0

Read Review

Best For Highway Driving

Continental TerrainContact H/T

★★★★★ 4.0/5

4.0

Read Review

Updated as of September 13, 2024

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Our rating:

4.0/5

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Pros and Cons

Ratings

Wet Traction:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Ride Handling:

★★★★★ 3.5/5

Dry Traction:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Ride Noise:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Snow Traction:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Ride Comfort:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Tread Life:

★★★★★ 3.5/5

Value For Money:

★★★★★ 3.0/5

I chose the Michelin Defender LTX M/S as the top pick for various reasons, but the three that really made this tire stand out were its tread life, all-season traction, and ride quality. Michelin tires are of the highest standard in the industry, and manufacturers to this day can’t keep up with the advanced technology they use in their rubber products.

When looking for a long-lasting tire, you won’t need to keep searching. The tread life on the Defender LTX M/S is the most extended I have seen in my experience.

It is backed by a seventy thousand mile treadwear warranty in P-metric sizes while having a fifty thousand mile warranty in light truck tire sizes. Now just because it has a much shorter life expectancy in the light truck sizes doesn’t mean it will wear out that much faster.

I have seen the Defenders, on average, get between sixty to seventy-five thousand miles in the light truck option, which exceeds the treadwear expectancy significantly. In the P-metric option, I saw it receive anywhere from sixty-five to eighty thousand miles. In one very unique situation, a customer had put one hundred and forty thousand miles!

This Michelin is not three-peak mountain snowflake rated, but it is mud and snow rated. The difference between these two ratings is that a 3pmsf allows the tire to withstand a sub-forty-degree temperature without traction and performance loss. The M+S rating means that the tread is designed to perform in heavy snow but does not have the same capability in freezing temperatures.

I have seen customers run them year-round with no complaints in an area that averages five feet of snow a year.

What really sets the Defender apart from the competition is the ride quality. When driving on the Defenders, you will feel how smooth it is when they roll over even the roughest roads. SUV tires have a terrible habit of creating a lot of body roll when turning corners. Michelin combats this using MaxTouch construction, making it more durable and keeping as much rubber on the road as possible.

There are a couple of aspects that may deter you from purchasing this tire. The price of Michelins are some of the most expensive on the market, but if you can afford to spend the extra money, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S is well worth it.

The Defenders are a high-quality tire, and if you have ever purchased a high-quality product, you know how important it is to maintain them. I bought a six-hundred-dollar vacuum and returned it because of how frequently the filter needed to be cleaned.

If you are someone who has a bad habit of missing tire rotations, you will not be happy with how quickly they wear out. Michelin tires are ones that, if you don’t rotate, you are guaranteed to receive less than half the miles they are warrantied for.

Regarding the warranty, Michelin will not honor it if you did not rotate them every six to eight thousand miles. So if you spend the money on them, make sure you take care of them; otherwise, they won’t take care of you.

You can read more about the Michelin Defender LTX M/S here.

Corsa Highway Terrain Plus

Our rating:

3.0/5

★★★★★ 3.0/5

Pros and Cons

Ratings

Wet Traction:

★★★★★ 3.0/5

Ride Handling:

★★★★★ 3.0/5

Dry Traction:

★★★★★ 3.0/5

Ride Noise:

★★★★★ 2.5/5

Snow Traction:

★★★★★ 1.5/5

Ride Comfort:

★★★★★ 3.0/5

Tread Life:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Value For Money:

★★★★★ 4.5/5

When shopping for tires, everyone is quick to try and tell you to purchase the most expensive option out there. Not everyone has the means to afford a set of tires that costs a thousand dollars.

The Corsa Highway Terrain Plus is the best option for anyone who is looking for a budget-friendly option because of its tread life, affordability, and durability.

This tire will come with a forty-thousand-mile treadwear warranty which is nothing to write home about. What makes the tread life one of the reasons I picked the Corsa is the fact that, on average, I would consistently see this tire exceed its warranty mileage.

You can realistically expect fifty to sixty thousand miles on this Corsa tire, given that you follow tire maintenance practices. Tire maintenance will include tire rotations, keeping your tires properly inflated, and having a wheel alignment that is within the vehicle manufactures specifications. When not maintained, you should only expect twenty to thirty thousand miles.

Of course, I would choose an affordable tire in the budget category. The Corsa Highway Terrain Plus is not just low-priced, but it’s the most affordable tire that comes with free road-hazard protection. It’s an exclusive tire from the tire retailer Discount Tire.

Exclusive means that the tire is only manufactured for a specific retailer and cannot be found anywhere else. Discount Tire, Americas Tire, and Discount Tire Direct will be the only place to purchase the Corsa, but it will come with Discount Tires’ free pro-rated road hazard warranty.

When compared to other low-priced options out there, I found they won’t come with the same warranty at no additional cost. Which makes the Corsa have much more value than the competition.

Common problems I have seen with cheap tires are sidewall blowouts which are attributed to the lower quality of construction used in inexpensive tires. I have to say that I am very impressed with how the Corsa holds up as I would very infrequently see it come in with issues related to the sidewall.

When installing these tires, I noticed how heavy they were, especially the light truck model. The sidewalls have next to no flex, which means extra plies of rubber are used to create a stronger construction.

The downside to having such a thick, solid, heavy overall construction is the rigid rubber compound used generates a lot of road noise. The noise won’t be horrible on smooth road conditions, but you may hear a slight buzz coming from the tires.

Another area I found for much improvement was the light snow traction the tread design utilized in the Corsa is based on a symmetric tread pattern. The symmetric tread is highly effective in the snow only when used in an all-terrain tire because of its large tread blocks and open tread channels.

If you purchase the Corsa and live in severe weather conditions, I recommend winter tires for safer traction in harsh winters.

However, the snow traction is not an indicator of how well this tire performs on wet roads. When faced with wet weather, you will feel confident that you will stay on the road.

It may have a few downsides, but the positive aspects far outweigh them. The Corsa Highway Terrain Plus is a highly affordable tire that I highly recommend to anyone looking for new tires on a budget.

Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus II

Our rating:

4.0/5

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Pros and Cons

Ratings

Wet Traction:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Ride Handling:

★★★★★ 4.5/5

Dry Traction:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Ride Noise:

★★★★★ 3.0/5

Snow Traction:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Ride Comfort:

★★★★★ 3.5/5

Tread Life:

★★★★★ 3.5/5

Value For Money:

★★★★★ 3.0/5

You may not have known that Pirelli manufactures tires for passenger cars and trucks until you read this. Pirelli is known for its involvement in high-performance Formula One racing, where you will see big red, yellow, or green letters on their tires’ sidewalls that say PIRELLI.

The Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus II is one tire I had the pleasure of testing at a Pirelli event in Las Vegas. I tested the Pirellis against its competitors in the Bridgestone Dueler Alenza and Michelin CrossClimate SUV tire options. All of these tires were tested on Toyota Highlanders.

I decided to pick the Pirelli Scorpion Verde as the best high-end tire for all-season traction, ride quality, and handling. After comparing it to Michelin and Bridgestone, I found it far outperformed Bridgestone, but Michelin was the overall winner for me.

Whether you take trips up to the mountains for a ski vacation or live in Florida, where the rain can get so bad, it will push your car right off the street. The Pirelli Scorpion will have no problem in either case (maybe not so much in a flooded street).

Very rarely will you see an SUV touring tire come with an asymmetrical tread pattern, but that’s what makes the Scorpion Verde special. Asymmetrical patterns help with water evacuation and increase dry road traction. Its traction makes it a top competitor for the best all-season tire on SUVs.

Another benefit to using the asymmetrical design is that you get increased handling. Since the tread is able to flex and move in different directions, it means no matter which way you turn or how sudden the maneuver is, the tires will grip.

When I drove on the Scorpion Verdes, it almost made me forget that I was driving a Toyota and made it feel more like a luxury SUV. If I would turn the steering wheel, the tires were right there, immediately responding to every twitch.

Compared to the Michelin, it felt like the Pirelli knew what it wanted, and the Michelin would lag on turns and generate a ton of body roll which is no surprise. Pirelli builds tires for racecars, so they know how to make a tire that can handle.

I got to take these Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires over simulated bumpy roads, and let me tell you. I was pretty impressed with how well the tires absorbed the vibrations from these bumps. You will still feel the bumps, no doubt about it but what I like is its ability to prevent the car from jerking all over the place.

The Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus II might not be the perfect option if you prefer a quiet ride. As I drove on them, they were very quiet, but I have received a few complaints from customers with high-end vehicles. I received complaints that as they wear down, they get noisy.

High-end vehicles such as Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes tend to have very quiet rides, so the smallest amount of road noise can travel into the cabin. It may not be something you notice on more common cars such as Chevrolets, Nissans, and Hondas.

With high-end tire products, it is imperative to maintain them. Missing just one scheduled tire rotation can cause them to wear out much faster than warranted. They will come with a high treadwear warranty of sixty-five thousand miles, but you can only expect this to happen if you maintain your rotations, tire pressures, and wheel alignment.

The Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus II will provide excellent traction, a smooth ride, and the best handling for anyone looking for a high-end tire. Keep in mind to regularly maintain them if you purchase them!

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT/4S

Our rating:

4.0/5

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Pros and Cons

Ratings

Wet Traction:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Ride Handling:

★★★★★ 3.5/5

Dry Traction:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Ride Noise:

★★★★★ 3.5/5

Snow Traction:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Ride Comfort:

★★★★★ 3.5/5

Tread Life:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Value For Money:

★★★★★ 3.5/5

Cooper Tires is the oldest rubber manufacturer in America, so it should come as no surprise that they made the cut. The Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT /4S is an all-terrain tire that comes in two tire size metrics. The 4S will be the P-metric which would be the best fitment for most SUVs, but if you have a three-quarter-ton SUV, they offer the XLT in the light truck.

The 4S and XLT have the same tread compound. The only difference is the warranties and amount of plies in the sidewall.

I know what you might be thinking, “an all-terrain for daily driving?”

Yes, I picked this Cooper Discoverer for its ride quality, tread life, and traction capability. It is one of the more mildly designed all-terrain tires that offers the best on-road performance in its class. Continue reading to see why and how this tire excels.

Regarding ride quality, you won’t find a tire that offers the same level of all-season capability and quiet ride. The AT3 uses sound barriers in between each shoulder tread block which you will surely notice when on the road as they prevent road noise from traveling past the tread.

Your SUV’s suspension will surely be grateful that these Coopers won’t vibrate through the shocks and into your steering wheel. When a tire has a massive amount of vibrations, it causes a vehicle’s suspension components to wear out faster. You will also be thankful that they shake your steering wheel and seats every day.

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 comes with a three-peak mountain snowflake rating which means the rubber compound won’t stiffen up and not perform in sub-forty-degree temperatures. I have had customers run these year-round and swear they don’t need snow tires because they are that excellent in snow traction. Someone who drives daily needs an all-weather tire, and the AT3 provides that.

Maybe you live in an area that gets heavy amounts of rain every year and needs to make sure your tires have great hydroplaning resistance. The Discoverer AT3 has leading wet weather traction by circumferential grooves designed like channels to allow water to pass right through them.

Circumferential grooves are vertical grooves that encompass the entire tread.

For consumers who drive every day, finding a tire that will last you as long as possible is crucial. The Discover AT3 4S comes with a sixty-five-thousand-mile treadwear warranty, while the XLT option will come with a sixty-thousand-mile warranty.

The best part about the tread life is that I have seen it exceed expectations when properly maintained on SUVs. On average, you could expect to receive between sixty and seventy-five-thousand miles.

I do need to mention that they are not the most fuel-efficient tire out there. What makes the Discoverers perform so well is also what makes them have a higher rolling resistance than typical SUV tires. Depending on whether your SUV has a big V-8 or a smaller engine, you may not notice the MPG (miles per gallon) decrease that much.

I believe that the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT /4S is an excellent tire for daily drivers because it provides the most traction year-round, a smooth, quiet ride, and increased durability over conventional all-season tires.

Just because it’s an all-terrain doesn’t mean it’s not the right tire for you. Look past the name all-terrain and focus on where these tires shine. You will find that it can be the best option for daily driving.

Learn more about the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT here.

Continental TerrainContact H/T

Our rating:

4.0/5

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Pros and Cons

Ratings

Wet Traction:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Ride Handling:

★★★★★ 3.5/5

Dry Traction:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Ride Noise:

★★★★★ 3.5/5

Snow Traction:

★★★★★ 2.5/5

Ride Comfort:

★★★★★ 3.5/5

Tread Life:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Value For Money:

★★★★★ 4.0/5

Continental is not as widely known compared to Michelin or Bridgestone, but its quality is comparable to Yokohama, BFGoodrich, and Firestone. When looking for tires best for highway driving, there are a few qualities you want them to have. Those qualities are quiet, comfortable, resistant to hydroplaning, and long tread life.

All of those qualities are ones that the Continental TerrainContact H/T has. I was debating between the Goodyear Assurance Maxlife and the Continentals. I ultimately chose the TerrainContact because it is offered in more sizes and has the best value warranty package.

You can trust that they will keep you between the lines in wet conditions. Most hydroplaning situations occur at high speeds because of the amount of water that builds up between the tire and road surface. The TerrainContact H/T does a great job evacuating accumulated water on the road using tractionplus+ technology.

Continentals tractionplus+ technology is a +silane compound that allows the tire to remain flexible and durable. It doesn’t only provide better wet weather traction but also quieter road noise and improved traction in dry conditions.

You will appreciate the smooth, quiet ride it provides when driving on a long road trip or far commute. Utilizing a symmetrical tread pattern makes this tire wear more evenly, reducing road noise and preventing irregular wear patterns from setting in.

The tread life of the TerrainContact is where you will be the most impressed, as I have seen this tire wear out no less than sixty-thousand miles. Always maintain your tires to make this kind of treadwear life possible. Otherwise, you can end up receiving less than half of what is guaranteed.

The TerrainContact H/T will come with a seventy-thousand-mile treadwear warranty in P-metric sizes and a sixty-thousand-mile warranty in light truck sizes. On top of having a long-lasting tread life, it comes with Continentals Total Confidence Plan.

Included in their plan will be the following things. If you purchase these tires, it is critical to register them with the Continentals website to receive these benefits.

Free road hazard replacement in the first twelve months
Sixty-day satisfaction trial
Flat tire roadside assistance up to 150 miles
Emergency trip interruption coverage which covers eligible expenses in the event of a mechanical breakdown

There is only a couple of reasons that may deter you from the TerrainContact. They do not come with a three-peak mountain snowflake rating and are not designed to go off-road.

The three-peak mountain snowflake would make them a much better-performing tire in snow traction. When a tire comes with this rating, it allows the rubber compound to stay flexible and pack snow in the tread more efficiently. You will need a set of winter tires for severe snow conditions.

The fact that it does not have any traction off-road should not completely deter you unless you make frequent off-the-grid camping trips. The tread blocks are not designed to grab uneven terrain. If you take frequent off-road trips, I recommend the Continental TerrainContact A/T.

I am taking into account all the benefits the Continental TerrainContact H/T offers. I recommend it to anyone who finds themself always on the highway.

What To Look For When Buying The Best Tires For An SUV?

SUV tires are a difficult thing to shop for because they fall into a category between passenger and light truck tires. For this odd gray area, I have listed three things you want to look for in SUV tires and why to help make your tire purchase process much more manageable.

Light Truck Or P-Metric?

You will see a lot of tires that are available for SUVs come in light truck sizing. Even though they will work, unless you have a three-quarter-ton SUV or do heavy off-road driving, there is no reason to go with a light-truck tire.

P-metric tires are much lighter and offer a more comfortable ride and better fuel efficiency due to having less heavy plies in the sidewall.

Depending on what you use the vehicle for will determine which you need.

All-Season or All-Terrain?

All terrains are offered from all major tire brands, and whether they are the best option for you will depend on what you use the vehicle for. If you work at a site off-road or like to take your SUV on trail runs, all terrains would be better suited for you. Maybe you live in regions with harsh winters and need tires to perform year-round. All terrains provide much better winter traction than all-season tires.

All-season tires are better suited for anyone whose vehicle spends all its time on the road. They will offer a smoother, quieter ride than their off-road counterparts. All seasons are the most popular tire by far because they are offered in the most sizes and fit any vehicle, whether it’s a crossover, sedan, truck, or SUV.

Tire Size

Making sure you purchase the correct tire size is crucial. Even going to one size smaller than what is recommended can result in the tire being unable to carry the vehicle’s weight. When a tire can’t carry the vehicle’s weight, it can lead to tread separation or complete tire failure.

To find the correct tire size for your vehicle, refer to the placard sticker in your door jam. The size will be stated on it and look something like 265/70R17.

How Much Do SUV Tires Typically Cost?

Tire price is a significant factor when deciding what tires to buy. Nobody wants to walk into a tire store blind and get sticker shock from how expensive tires are now. I went ahead and compared prices from retailers like Amazon, TIreRack, SimpleTire, and many more. Here is what I found.

Four New Tires

When shopping for four brand new tires on your SUV, you can expect to pay anywhere between $600 and $2000.

Two New Tires

Should you only need to buy a pair of brand new tires, you can expect to pay between $400 and $1000.

It is always recommended to replace your tires in sets of four to ensure proper treadwear and to prevent any potential mechanical issues, especially if it is an all-wheel drive.

Single Tire

If you only need to replace a single tire, you can expect to pay between $150 and $500.

It is never recommended only to replace one of your tires unless your other three have brand new tread. Replacing one tire can cause your new one to wear out much faster and change how the vehicle handles.

How Long Should Your SUV Tires Last?

Mileage expectancy will vary depending on factors such as your driving habits, climate conditions, tire quality, and the vehicle they are installed on. The majority of tires that I have seen on SUVs wear out between fifty and seventy thousand miles.

For anyone to achieve long tread life, it is crucial to maintain your tires. I have listed some tire maintenance tips below.

Tire rotation every five to eight thousand miles
Maintaining proper tire pressure by performing air checks once a month
Ensuring your wheel alignment is within the vehicle manufacturer’s specs

Does the Year of Your Vehicle Matter When Buying New SUV Tires?

The year of your vehicle may matter when deciding what quality or how much to spend on a set of tires. Many customers I have helped in the past were never likely to pull the trigger on a thousand-dollar set of tires for their thirty-year-old car since they weren’t sure how long they would keep it.

Anything Else Worth Knowing When Buying SUV Tires?

When buying SUV tires, it is always a great idea to look for any rebates or specials being run. Tire sales associates will not always be inclined to share manufacturer rebate incentives, so always ask.

Most tire retailers will run the best deals of the year on major holidays like Presidents Day, Fourth Of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If you need tires and a major holiday is coming up, it may be in your best interest to wait if you can.

Frequently Asked Questions

Top 5 Best Tires For SUVs [2023 Review]

Updated as of September 13, 2024

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Pros and Cons

Ratings

Corsa Highway Terrain Plus

Pros and Cons

Ratings

Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus II

Pros and Cons

Ratings

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT/4S

Pros and Cons

Ratings

Continental TerrainContact H/T

Pros and Cons

Ratings

What To Look For When Buying The Best Tires For An SUV?

Light Truck Or P-Metric?

All-Season or All-Terrain?

Tire Size

How Much Do SUV Tires Typically Cost?

Four New Tires

Two New Tires

Single Tire

How Long Should Your SUV Tires Last?

Does the Year of Your Vehicle Matter When Buying New SUV Tires?

Anything Else Worth Knowing When Buying SUV Tires?

Do you need Special tires for an SUV?

How much should I spend on tires?

Are Bridgestone and Michelin the same company?