Top 5 Best Tires For Hyundai Santa Fe [2023 Review]

By Tire Expert, Joe Steffen
By Tire Expert, Joe Steffen

Are you searching for the best tires for a Hyundai Santa Fe?

Look no further. I have been in your shoes and had a hard time deciding what tires would be best, so I chose the top five to help make your decision much more straightforward.

I have serviced and sold tires to hundreds of customers who own these reliable Korean cars. It’s an added bonus that I have this vehicle sitting in my driveway. You cant trust that I know exactly what Hyundai Santa Fe tires you should be looking for.

You will find out why these five options are the best, and after reading through the reviews, I also compiled all the things vital for you to know about tires on the Santa Fes.

Let’s get started with these tire reviews!

Our Top Pick
Bridgestone WeatherPeak
Bridgestone WeatherPeak
4.0/5
4.0
Best Budget
Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S
Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S
3.0/5
3.0
Best High End
Michelin Defender LTX
Michelin Defender LTX M/S
4.0/5
4.0
Best High Performance
Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus
Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II
4.0/5
4.0
Best Tread Life
Goodyear Assurance Maxlife
Goodyear Assurance Maxlife
4.0/5
4.0

Updated as of September 22, 2023

Bridgestone WeatherPeak

Bridgestone WeatherPeak
Our rating:
4.0/5
4.0/5

Pros and Cons

Ratings

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

In terms of tires that can handle any season, the Bridgestone WeatherPeak will be the best. The Hyundai Sante Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV that offers top-rated safety traction when equipped with AWD. But only when equipped with the right tire.

The WeatherPeak is not an all-season tire. It is classified as all-weather. It earns this mark by having a three-peak mountain snowflake rating, which means it can maintain a flexible tread compound in sub-forty degree temperatures.

The 3PMSF rating signified on the sidewall means that you won’t need winter tires in conditions that typically require them.

Having traction in winter conditions wasn’t enough for Bridgestone. They went ahead and backed this tire with a seventy-thousand-mile treadwear warranty to take this tire to the next level.

Bridgestone is a tire brand known for manufacturing UHP (ultra-high-performance) car tires in their Potenza lineup. And the WeatherPeak goes to show how they further cement themselves as a well-rounded flagship brand.

In my experience, Bridgestone has excellent handling tires but always lacks in the ride comfort department. Since the WeatherPeak is a new product, I don’t have much feedback to go off of for the ride comfort. From what I have researched, it seems they softened the rubber compound to have a more comfortable ride.

I know the WeatherPeak will be the next tire for my Hyundai Sante Fe, and it should be yours too.

Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S

Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S
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:
3.0/5
Snow Traction:
3.0/5
Ride Comfort:
3.0/5
Tread Life:
4.0/5
Value For Money:
4.5/5

I could have quickly picked the absolute cheapest tire for this category, but that wouldn’t be fair to the readers. Instead, I tested my skills to try and find an inexpensive tire that would also offer value. I came up with Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S.

Most don’t know that Uniroyal is owned by Michelin (they also own BFGoodrich). This makes them the highest quality of low-priced choices. And the fact they came with a high mileage warranty of seventy-five thousand miles, in the H speed rating, made this a no-brainer.

The Hyundai Sante Fe is recommended to have an H speed rating in the 18-inch tire size and a V for 19-inch. These speed ratings are essential to ensure the tires will perform the way intended for the car.

Traction in wet conditions will not be better than the original equipment Hankook Dynapros, but you shouldn’t expect a cheaper tire to outperform higher quality factory tire. However, using safe driving practices in the rain will be safe enough.

Snow traction is an area you may need to consider snow tires depending on how severe your winters are. I recommend the Yokohama iceGUARD iG53.

Handling isn’t a high point for this tire. When cornering, you will feel confident you won’t slide into the middle of an intersection. Don’t take turns too fast, or you will feel the body roll.

Overall the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S will provide great value and enough traction to keep you safe.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Michelin Defender LTX
Our rating:
4.0/5
4.0/5

Pros and Cons

Ratings

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

There are so many high-end manufacturers to choose from, and rarely will anyone be able to beat out Michelin when it comes to quality.

What makes the Michelin Defender LTX M/S the best high-end option is its ability to maintain traction in severe weather and not have an uncomfortable ride. Typically for a tire to perform in harsh conditions, it will need to have an aggressive tread pattern which tends to be noisier and has more ride vibrations.

The Defenders can achieve the best of both worlds, keeping you on the pavement in the heaviest downpours. Even if your job requires you to work in muddy off-road conditions, they will keep you moving forward without getting stuck.

When purchasing the Defenders, ensure you’re not being sold the light truck size option. This will cause a very uncomfortable ride and extreme loss of fuel efficiency. While some sales associates may know what they are doing, it’s possible to get someone who doesn’t.

Comfort and quietness are two words that best describe all Michelin products (even their summer tires). And the Defender will undoubtedly provide both of those qualities to your Sante Fe.

I strongly recommend the Michelin Defender LTX M/S to anyone wanting a high-end performance tire.

Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II

Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus
Our rating:
4.0/5
4.0/5

Pros and Cons

Ratings

Wet Traction:
4.5/5
Ride Handling:
5.0/5
Dry Traction:
4.5/5
Ride Noise:
3.5/5
Snow Traction:
4.0/5
Ride Comfort:
3.5/5
Tread Life:
3.5/5
Value For Money:
3.0/5

I know that some of you like to put the Sante Fe in sport mode and test the limits. For those who keep it in sport mode 24-7-365, I picked the Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II.

The Scorpion Verde keeps the ride fun while maintaining superb traction in the wet, dry, and snow. I think this tire has some of the best snow traction for an all-season that doesn’t have a three-peak mountain snowflake or mud+snow rating.

The asymmetrical tread pattern allows water to evacuate efficiently and snow to pack inside the tread without ice building up.

Even though the Sante Fe is not a performance SUV, the Pirelli Scorpion will make them handle similar to a BMW or Audi. I’m not kidding. I test-drove these tires on a Toyota Rav4 and almost forgot I was in a Toyota.

The steering response is so receptive that making the slightest jerk in the wheel makes the car want to go that way. Body roll is minimal when taking turns with high velocity, effortlessly maneuvering through a sharp corner.

Anyone who likes to push the limits of their Hyundai will have tons of fun on the Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II. And don’t worry about them wearing out too quickly. They come with a sixty-five thousand mile warranty.

Goodyear Assurance Maxlife

Goodyear Assurance Maxlife
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:
4.5/5
Snow Traction:
2.5/5
Ride Comfort:
4.5/5
Tread Life:
4.5/5
Value For Money:
4.0/5

Most consumers purchase the Hyundai Sante Fe for its ability to last a long time. They come with one of the most extended power train warranties on the market. Having a tire in the top five with the best tread life makes sense.

The Goodyear Assurance Maxlife offers a treadwear rating that will actually hold up. Unlike other manufacturers like Kumho and Nexen, who claim high mileage only for them to get half of what is warranted. The Maxlife is backed by an attainable eighty-five thousand mile warranty.

Of course, you can’t expect to achieve a lot of miles if you don’t maintain your tires. So make sure you rotate and check the tire pressures.

What I find fantastic about these tires is their comfortable and quietness when traveling at high speeds. The Sante Fe doesn’t have the quietest cabin, so this quality will significantly impact long trips.

Featuring a symmetric tread pattern allows this tire to wear even and prevent irregular wear that generates a lot of road noise. And don’t worry about driving in the rain. It won’t be very likely to hydroplane on them.

If I was someone who needed a tire to last a long time, the Goodyear Assurance Maxlife would be my go-to.

What To Look For When Buying The Best Tires For Hyundai Sante FE?

To find the best tires for your Hyundai Sante Fe, you need to look for the speed rating, tire size, and if it will have rebates. You will find why these things are essential below.

Speed Rating

The Sante Fe is not a high-speed car by any means. It was designed for comfort and longevity, not high performance.

Ensuring you select the suitable speed rating is critical because choosing a speed rating lower than recommended will lead to tires wearing out faster than the warranty.

I recommend a rating no lower than H and no higher than V to achieve optimal tread life and handling.

Size

Correct tire size is essential for a multitude of reasons. Still, the most important will be fuel efficiency and weight-carrying capacity.

Tires larger in diameter require more power to be rolled forward, increasing the rolling resistance and decreasing MPG.

Installing a smaller size may increase the fuel economy, but you risk the tire being unable to carry this 4,000 pounds of Korean power. Smaller tires carry less weight due to thinner, smaller sidewalls.

Rebates

Rebates are an awesome way to save some cash. Besides saving some dough, they will also increase the purchase value of tires.

Manufacturers typically run rebates once a month for a week or two. They also run rebates through various retailers simultaneously, so odds are you will find one with a bit of leg work.

How Much Do Tires For Sante Fes Cost?

I shopped for price quotes online at retailers like TireRack, Discount Tire, and Amazon to provide some estimates on how much tires will cost you.

Four New Tires

A set of new tires will run up a bill between $450 to $1,200.

Two New Tires

Only two new tires will cost anywhere from $250 to $650

Single Tire

If you only need to replace one of your tires, be prepared to shell out $125 to $350.

NOTE: On the AWD (all-wheel drive) models, replacing anything less than four matching tires is not recommended. Doing so could result in premature drivetrain failure.

What Tire Size Is Best For A Hyundai Sante Fe?

The best tire size for the Sante Fe is the original equipment dimensions. Even tho you may be able to fit larger or smaller options, it could result in negative performance.

How Long Should Your Hyundai Sante Fe Tires Last?

In my experience, I have seen tires last around fifty to seventy thousand miles on the Hyundai Sante Fe. This will depend more or less on your ability to perform routine tire maintenance.

Rotating tires and checking tire pressure is the best way to achieve many miles. And if you read the warranty disclaimers, you void any treadwear guarantee by not maintaining the tires.

When To Replace Tires On Your Hyundai Sante Fe?

It is recommended to replace the tires on the Sante Fe when the tread teachers 4/32nds of tread or six years of age.

The tire rubber compound is only designed to stay oiled and moist for six years. Driving on them longer than this period could result in tread separation or tire failure.

Does The Brand Matter For An Hyundai Sante Fe When Replacing Tires?

The brand of tire will matter in terms of performance. Name brands like Falken, Firestone, Toyo, and Michelin will offer much better ride quality and longevity.

I have a general saying, “if you can’t pronounce the name of the tire, it’s a good idea to stay away from them.” Cheap brands have hard-to-say names, and their quality is about as good as their naming department.

Does the Year of Your Hyundai Sante Fe Matter When Buying New Tires?

The first year Sante Fes was released was in 2001. They are built to last, and most will still be on the road today.

Therefore, the year of it should not impact the tire decision process unless you plan to get rid of it or had major mechanical issues.

What Are The Biggest Tires I Can Put On A Hyundai Sante Fe?

The largest tire I have seen installed on a Sante Fe without modifications is a 245/65R18. This size is significantly greater in diameter than the factory 235/60R18 options.

If you have a 19-inch rim, the largest size you can fit will be a 235/60R19. You may find it difficult to find tires in this size since it’s not very common.

Frequently Asked Questions
Hyundai is a Korean-based car manufacturer. They use Korean tires Hankook, Kumho, and Nexen on vehicles from the factory.
Original equipment tires have the shortest life span out of any tires. They will typically last between twenty and thirty-five thousand miles.
The tire size will look like this 225/50R17. 205 is the width in millimeters, and 50 is the width percentage, so 50 percent of 205 will give you the height in millimeters (102.5MM). And finally, R17, R stands for radial, and 17 is the rim diameter in inches.

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