Top 5 Best Tires For Chevy Cruze [2023 Review]

By Tire Expert, Ryan Nichols
By Tire Expert, Ryan Nichols

The Chevy Cruze has been a decent little sedan to cruise around in since 2008. And chances are, if you’re reading this then your Chevy Cruze needs new tires.

Where are your best tire options for buying new treads in this modern-day world? Online, and the important part is to find the right tire for your specific driving habits.

On that note, check my top 5 best tires for Chevy Cruze picks below:

Our Top Pick
Goodyear Assurance Maxlife
Goodyear Assurance Maxlife
★★★★★ 4.0/5
4.0
  • Longest-lasting all-weather tire
  • Better traction when turning & accelerating simultaneously
Check Price
Read Review
Best Budget
Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91
Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91
★★★★★ 3.5/5
3.5
  • Attractive sidewall design
  • Effective slight asymmetrical design
Check Price
Read Review
Best High End
Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R
Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R
★★★★★ 2.5/5
2.5
  • Insane cornering capability in dry conditions
  • Unique and sporty tread design
Check Price
Read Review
Most Economical
General Altimax RT43
General Altimax RT43
★★★★★ 4.5/5
4.5
  • Excellent ride comfort
  • High durability (check UTQG ratings)
Check Price
Read Review
Best Tread Life
Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack
Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack
★★★★★ 3.5/5
3.5
  • One of the longest lasting tires on the market
  • Great all-season and wet traction
Check Price
Read Review

Updated as of September 13, 2024

Goodyear Assurance Maxlife

Goodyear Assurance Maxlife
Our rating:
4.0/5
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Check Price At TireRack

Pros and Cons

  • Longest-lasting all-weather tire
  • Better traction when turning & accelerating simultaneously
  • They maintain control in wet conditions/light snow
  • They don’t handle quite as well as sport tires
  • These aren’t run-flat tires (they’re also not snow tires)
  • More expensive than other all-season sets

Ratings

Wet Traction:
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Ride Handling:
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Dry Traction:
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Ride Noise:
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Snow Traction:
★★★★★ 3.0/5
Ride Comfort:
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Tread Life:
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Value For Money:
★★★★★ 3.0/5

I can’t think of a better tire for the Chevy Cruze than the Goodyear Assurance Maxlife. Boasting an impressive 6-year/85 thousand-mile treadwear warranty, Goodyear Assurance Maxlife provide excellent ride quality and the classic ride comfort that comes with all-season tires.

The main reason why I chose this tire is because it has the highest UTQC rating—that basically means they’ve beat out the competition when put side-by-side with its competitors.

Aside from the obvious reasons like the fact that Goodyear invented vulcanized rubber, I’d use these tires on a Chevy Cruze because they’re going to slide around a lot less than some other popular recommended sport-type tires, especially over time.

To me, nothing is more annoying than accelerating around a corner in a front-wheel-drive car like the Cruze and feel the front wheels stutter from lack of traction. And I feel that’s what sport tires do after just a short period of time.

On the contrary, Goodyear Assurance Maxlife tires hold steady and maintain control when turning at faster speeds in wet or light snow conditions.

The only real downside is a slightly more expensive price than other all-season sets, but that’s because they last much longer.

Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91

Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91
Our rating:
3.5/5
★★★★★ 3.5/5
Check Price At TireRack

Pros and Cons

  • Attractive sidewall design
  • Effective slight asymmetrical design
  • Unbeatable price for what you’re getting
  • Reduced ride comfort
  • Unimpressive treadwear warranty
  • Not winter tires

Ratings

Wet Traction:
★★★★★ 3.5/5
Ride Handling:
★★★★★ 3.5/5
Dry Traction:
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Ride Noise:
★★★★★ 3.5/5
Snow Traction:
★★★★★ 3.0/5
Ride Comfort:
★★★★★ 3.5/5
Tread Life:
★★★★★ 2.5/5
Value For Money:
★★★★★ 4.5/5

Pick up these Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91 if you need a cheap price because they’re a confident pick. These tires have all the attributes of a reliable all-season price without burning your back pocket.

What makes buying these Kumho tires any different than buying a cheap used set? It’s the two year hazard protection warranty that Tire Rack provides with these tires. The treadwear warranty on this set is for 6 years and 45 thousand miles which implies that these tires will last about half as long as some of the higher quality tires I’ve listed both above and below.

These Kumho do have a slightly higher speed rating (W — 168 MPH or 270 kph) compared to other all-season tires that makes them a bit sturdier over the bumps. I notice a slight downgrade in ride comfort compared to more quality all-season tires like General Altimax or Michelin Defender, but these win all when it comes to price and road hazard warranty.

Also check Laufenn G Fit AS if you’re looking for cheap tires for a Chevy Cruze. Honestly, the Chevy Cruze is a lightweight 1.4 liter engine car that doesn’t need anything fancy— I’d definitely put these on my Chevy Cruze if I had one.

Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R

Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R
Our rating:
2.5/5
★★★★★ 2.5/5
Check Price At TireRack

Pros and Cons

  • Insane cornering capability in dry conditions
  • Unique and sporty tread design
  • DOT-approved high-performance tires
  • Cannot be driven in wet conditions or snow
  • No road hazard protection
  • No treadwear warranty

Ratings

Wet Traction:
★★★★★ 0.0/5
Ride Handling:
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Dry Traction:
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Ride Noise:
★★★★★ 5/5
Snow Traction:
★★★★★ 0.0/5
Ride Comfort:
★★★★★ 3.0/5
Tread Life:
★★★★★ 2.0/5
Value For Money:
★★★★★ 2.0/5

What P Zero Trofeo R tires will do for you, however, is feel great on smooth highways like I-5 in California or I-90 in New York. Sport tires like these aren’t going to give you the added ~2 mpg fuel economy that an all-season set will give you, but they’ll sure be fun at highway speeds.

Visually, these tires look like they’re completely bald on one side—that’s because they’re an asymmetrical track/street design (it was originally made for the Camaro). Pirelli uses highly aromatic oil-free compounds (HAOF) to craft a tire that’s truly magnificent for rallying high speeds and turns.

Let me break it to you—these tires are not going to cut it in wet conditions or light snow, so don’t even take your Chevy Cruze out of the garage if there’s weather coming. They’re not even intended for use in cold conditions.

So, if you want your Chevy Cruze to drive more like a Porsche (and less like a Honda), I suggest you try these Pirelli P Zero Trofeo out for some fun. These tires are worth noting because of their handling quality and unique treads, but you might want to buy a more practical Pirelli model for your Chevy Cruze, like Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3.

General Altimax RT43

General Altimax RT43
Our rating:
4.5/5
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Check Price At TireRack

Pros and Cons

  • Excellent ride comfort
  • High durability (check UTQG ratings)
  • Visual treadwear indicators
  • Not for racing
  • 50% more expensive than the budget option
  • No run flat option

Ratings

Wet Traction:
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Ride Handling:
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Dry Traction:
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Ride Noise:
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Snow Traction:
★★★★★ 3.5/5
Ride Comfort:
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Tread Life:
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Value For Money:
★★★★★ 4.5/5

These are looking like the best current choice for getting the best fuel economy and treadwear mileage. General Altimax RT43 come with an impressive 75 thousand mile treadwear warranty (completely awesome for the price).

The bread and butter of these tires is a Twin Cushion Silica Tread Compound technology that stacks a high density compound designed for durability on top of a low-density compound that reduces road noise and vibration.

The other selling point of these tires is their visual treadwear indicators—General prints letters and indicators on all sections of the treads to help you easily identify uneven treadwear and dangerously low tread depths.

These are one of the most sold tires on the market today simply because they last a long time, they’re comfortable, reliable, and they also out-compete their competitors when it comes to UTQG ratings.

These might be a bit pricier than other all-season tires, so for that reason I’m not sure I’d put them on a car like the Chevy Cruze. Regardless, though, these tires last for a long time. It’s a smart purchase.

Read more about General Altimax RT43 tires on our site.

Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack

Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack
Our rating:
3.5/5
★★★★★ 3.5/5
Check Price At TireRack

Pros and Cons

  • One of the longest lasting tires on the market
  • Great all-season and wet traction
  • Slightly asymmetrical + lateral sipes for hydroplaning performance
  • They’re over double the price of your budget option
  • Only rated for light snow
  • Definitely not the highest performing all-season tires

Ratings

Wet Traction:
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Ride Handling:
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Dry Traction:
★★★★★ 3.5/5
Ride Noise:
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Snow Traction:
★★★★★ 3.0/5
Ride Comfort:
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Tread Life:
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Value For Money:
★★★★★ 3.5/5

First, let’s clarify that the Goodyear Assurance Maxlife I listed above have technically the longest tread life based on warranty, but these Bridgstone Turanza are a close second for lasting the longest.

To fleet and rental car owners, buying tires that last longer is a huge deal because the numbers matter when buying bulk. For rideshare drivers and commuters, it’s nice to purchase tires like Bridgestone Turanza to drive with the confidence that you’re sitting on top of quality tires that won’t let you down.

Turanzas are another elite tire model that comes with an 80 thousand mile treadwear warranty (compare this to cheaper tires that only last 50 thousand miles or even much less). That means if you keep them inflated with nitrogen and your suspension/alignment maintained they’re going to serve you for at least a few years.

The slightly asymmetric tread pattern on these tires helps to both maintain traction when cornering and provide an easy exit path for water, and Bridgestone uses plenty of relevant technology that most quality all-season tire makers use, including four circumferential grooves that run wide and deep and a stiff outboard section that add a lot of stability when turning.

I’m more of a Pirelli/General tires guy, but I’d still put these Bridgestone Turanza on a Chevy Cruze because of how long they last and how much safer of a purchase they are compared to cheaper tires.

What To Look For When Buying The Best Tires For Chevy Cruze?

Here’s some quick advice to help you buy the right tires for your Chevy Cruze:

All-season or sport traction

I highly recommend a quality set of all-season tires for your Chevy Cruze for increased wet traction and ride comfort. Otherwise known as grand touring tires, all-season treads get slightly better gas mileage when compared to summer tires, and the’re also a bit smoother over those bumps that sometimes separate road slabs.

All-terrain tires are typically made for off-road driving which you probably don’t do in your Chevy Cruze.

Road hazard warranty

No one deserves to be penalized for driving over a nail. That’s why the road hazard warranty is a significant factor to look out for. I highly recommend checking for this perk when buying your next set of Chevy Cruze tires.

Treadwear warranty

Treadwear warranty protects you from extreme cases of premature treadwear. Tires on this list range from no offered treadwear warranty to 85 thousand miles (Goodyear Assurance Maxlife).

To me, the treadwear warranty is a rough estimate of how long the tires could potentially last when properly inflated and rotated. For example, the Kumho Majesty tires I recommended above as the ‘budget option’ are guaranteed for 45 thousand miles.

How Much Do Tires For Chevy Cruze Cost?

Here’s a quick cost breakdown for Chevy Cruze tires:

Four New Tires

A full set of Chevy Cruze tires fully installed costs anywhere from ~$450-$1200.

Two New Tires

~$225-$600 is a pretty reasonable price range for buying two brand new tires.

Single Tire

One Chevy Cruze tire costs any from ~$100-$300, Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91 being your cheapest option and Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R as one of the most expensive models.

What Tire Size Is Best For A Chevy Cruze?

Whatever the stock size is for your specific Chevy Cruze trim package whether it be L, LT, Premier, etc.

225/45R17 and 225/40R18 are two of the most common Chevy Cruze tire sizes, but you’ll also see 15 and 16-inch rim diameters.

How Long Should Your Chevy Cruze Tires Last?

Expect Chevy Cruze tires to last anywhere from 30 to 85 thousand+ miles depending on which brand and tire type you go with. All-season tires last the longest.

When To Replace Chevrolet Cruze Tires?

Check your tread depths during every oil change. You should also maintain constant tire pressure for the longest tread life.

Once the treads get down to 2/32” (1.6mm) it’s time to find a good set of replacement tires.

Does The Brand Matter For A Chevy Cruze When Replacing Tires?

Brand does matter because it’s a better idea to buy from places like Tire Rack among others who offer ~2-year road hazard protection.

Other Chevrolet Cruze tires you might pick are Continental TrueContact, Bridgestone Blizzak (these are a great snow tires), Michelin Defender, Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring, Pirelli Cinturato, etc.

Does the Year of Your Chevy Cruze Matter When Buying New Tires?

Yes, the 2008 Chevy Cruze featured 15-inch stock wheels, and you’ll see anything from 15 to 18-inch wheel diameters on your specific Chevy Cruze trim package (i.e., L LS, LT, Premier, Diesel).

You obviously shouldn’t spend a lot of money on an old junky Chevy Cruze that might break down, and you should most definitely buy quality for your newer Cruze (even though this car was discontinued after the 2019 model).

What Are The Biggest Tires I Can Put On A Chevy Cruze?

The biggest current tire size for Chevy Cruze is 225/40R18. Have fun putting a lift on your Chevy Cruze and adding 20-inch wheels (worse things have happened).

I love to watch people put custom suspension lifts on little cars like the Cruze, and I’ve definitely modified a few sedans myself to make room for bigger tires and more capable driving.

Frequently Asked Questions
Chevy Cruze typically either have summer tires or all-season tires mounted up.
35 PSI. Recommended tire pressures are always printed on the inside of the driver’s door panel.
All-season or summer tires. Plug your Chevy Cruze year and trim model into Tire Rack’s site to see all compatible tires.

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