Top 5 Best Tires For Hyundai Sonata [2023 Review]

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

Are you searching for the best tires for a Hyundai Sonata?

Look no further. I have seen countless customers in your shoes and not know what tire is best for their vehicle.

I have serviced and sold tires to hundreds of customers who own these reliable Korean-made cars. You will find that there’s an option recommended for every category someone would be looking for in Hyundai Sonata tires (even for the hybrid options).

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

Let’s get started with these tire reviews!

Our Top Pick
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
4.0/5
4.0
Best Budget
GT Radial Touring VP Plus
GT Radial Touring VP Plus
3.0/5
3.0
Best High End
Michelin Defender 2
Michelin Defender 2
4.0/5
4.0
Most Fuel Efficient
Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus
Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus
3.5/5
3.5
Best Tread Life
Yokohama Avid Ascend LX
Yokohama Avid Ascend LX
4.0/5
4.0

Updated as of September 22, 2023

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
Our rating:
4.0/5
4.0/5

Pros and Cons

Ratings

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

Ever since Goodyear started a restructuring plan, they have released some tires that are top of the line. I used to stay away from the Goodyear tire brand because they always wore out fast and lost a lot of traction halfway through their tread life.

The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady is a perfect example of how they are cementing themselves as a top-tier manufacturer.

This tire made the top pick for a Hyundai Sonata for its exceptional all-season traction, handling, and comfort. Sedans like the Sonata are not known for being luxurious vehicles, but the WetherReady can change that.

Rounded shoulder blocks make a difference when cornering. They are not performance tires by any means, but the steering response will provide confidence that your tires will go in the direction you point the steering wheel.

You will notice it has a fairly aggressive tread pattern which you won’t find on many touring tires. This pattern allows water to evacuate efficiently on wet roads and snow to pack in to provide extra grip in freezing temperatures.

A bonus feature is that they have a three-peak mountain snowflake rating branded on the sidewall. This means the rubber compound doesn’t lose flexibility in below forty-degree weather.

The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady is a tire I recommend for the Hyundai Sonata.

GT Radial Touring VP Plus

GT Radial Touring VP 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:
4.0/5
Ride Noise:
2.5/5
Snow Traction:
2.5/5
Ride Comfort:
3.0/5
Tread Life:
3.5/5
Value For Money:
4.0/5

I try to not recommend exclusive tires, but when they are the best option, I can’t ignore them. The GT Radial Touring VP Plus is an exclusive car tire you will only find at Discount Tire.

For the best budget, I wanted to provide an option that would meet the needs of anyone’s Sonata. And the GT Radial will be everything anyone could want from a cheap tire.

Most inexpensive tires tend to wear out much faster than more expensive options. I have seen this tire receive as many as sixty thousand miles, which is ten thousand more than the mileage guarantee they offer.

The all-season performance will be a concern in light snow. Since the Sonata is a front-wheel drive (FWD), it will struggle on any type of incline when the roads are icy.

It will be a different story in dry conditions. They will not be better than UHP summer tires, but they will give top brand competitors like Continental a run for their money.

Ride quality is where some may find it lacks, and this is true thanks to the low-quality rubber compound. It picks up noise from every crack in the road.

The GT Radial Touring VP Plus will be a great low-budget option for anyone who needs a new set of tires but doesn’t have the means to shell out Pirelli brand kind of money.

Michelin Defender 2

Michelin Defender 2
Our rating:
4.0/5
4.0/5

Pros and Cons

Ratings

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

The Michelin Defender 2 performs so well in every category that it could have been the pick for every tire. But that doesn’t make for an informative guide to help you find the right tires for your Hyundai.

This new model replaced the Defender T+H, another fantastic tire Michelin built. The best part about this manufacturer is that it never makes the same mistake twice.

The Defender 2 improves on every area the T+H lacks. These areas were uneven wear and road noise. Updating the tread design to conform to a symmetrical pattern allows the 2 to achieve more even wear and a quieter ride.

With widened circumferential grooves and zig-zag siping, water in wet conditions won’t get the opportunity to build up underneath the tread and cause hydroplaning.

If there was one area I would say this tire could improve would be in the snow. There is insufficient open spacing for snow to pack in and have extra grip. But they’re touring tires without any snow rating, so it should be expected to need a set of winter tires.

Since the Michelin Defender 2 is so well-rounded and offers an extreme mileage warranty of eighty thousand miles. It was a no-brainer as the best high-end option for a Sonata.

Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus

Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus
Our rating:
3.5/5
3.5/5

Pros and Cons

Ratings

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

I made sure to include an option for those who need a tire to provide the best fuel efficiency since the Sonata is available in a hybrid option. The Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus has other qualities that make it the best choice for this category, like a quiet ride, comfort, and wet weather traction.

The biggest question is, will it actually increase fuel economy?

Yes, it utilizes Bridgestones NanoPro-Tech, which allows the rubber compound to create minimal road friction. This results in lower rolling resistance and requires less power from the engine to move the tires. A University Of Michigan study found that these tires could result in almost a 7% increase in fuel economy.

Bridgestone and Michelin have the best technology for achieving an eco tire. Compared to other manufacturers’ tires like the Kumho Solus, Toyo Extensa, and Falken Sincera. Consumers told me they have actually received worse gas mileage with these on.

Another reason to choose this Bridgestone tire for your hybrid Sonata is the high-performance in on-road driving. They can turn studdering handling into concise and confident cornering capability.

You can trust that the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus will be your Sonata’s most fuel-efficient all-season tire.

Yokohama Avid Ascend LX

Yokohama Avid Ascend LX
Our rating:
4.0/5
4.0/5

Pros and Cons

Ratings

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

If tread life is the game, Yokohama Avid Ascend LX is the name.

Yokohama is known for producing high-performance sports car tires, the Advan lineup being the most popular. Who would have guessed that they would be able to make a tire that lasts on average seventy-five to ninety thousand miles (depending on tire maintenance).

The Hyundai Sonata is the perfect car for commuting, and if you need to drive a lot of miles for it, the Avid is an ideal choice. It will not only last but also offer a quiet ride, solid handling, and ultimate ride comfort.

I would exercise caution in light snow; they are touring tires featuring a symmetric tread pattern, so don’t expect them to trudge through winter storms.

It will make up for snow traction in wet and dry conditions, especially at high speeds. Nobody wants to take the risk of hydroplaning, and might I say this Avid Ascend will keep you straight in heavy downpours.

Due to its snow traction capability, this tire would be best suited for consumers who drive in mainly dry and wet climates.

For anyone who needs a tire to last them for years to come, the Yokohama Avid Ascend LX will be the right tire for you.

What To Look For When Buying The Best Tires For A Hyundai Sonata?

Since this is a guide on the best tires, I wanted to include three important things to look for to ensure you get the absolute best option for your Sonata. You will see why these things are so critical below.

Tread Pattern

Depending on what you want to get out of your tires, the tread pattern will significantly impact how the tire will perform.

Symmetric- Meant to exceed in treadwear, ride comfort, and even wear.

Asymmetric- Offers improved traction and handling over symmetric tires.

Directional– Will have the best all-season traction, especially in wet weather but lack in ride quality.

Rebates

Bang for the buck will be critical to ensure you get the most value from your purchase. Rebates are a great way to reduce costs and increase your purchase power.

Manufacturers run rebates through various retailers at separate times. It will require a little leg work but will be well worth it.

Warranty

Treadwear is not the only type of guarantee tires come with. Some manufacturers will offer road hazard protection, flat tire assistance, ride trials, and protection from defects.

Understanding what a tire will guarantee will be necessary to provide peace of mind on the road.

How Much Do Tires For Hyundai Sonatas Cost?

Below you will find estimates on how much tires will cost for a Sonata. Pricing will vary based on the tire size you have.

Four New Tires

A set of four tires will run anywhere between $350 and $1,100.

Two New Tires

Replacing only two tires will cost anywhere from $175 and $600.

Single Tire

If you only need to change one tire, be prepared to spend a whopping $90 to $250.

The Sonata is a two-wheel drive vehicle, and it will always be recommended to replace at least two tires at a time.

What Tire Size Is Best For A Sonata?

The best size for the Sonata will be its factory size options. This vehicle was designed to handle and perform based on Hyundai’s fitment. Changing it could adversely affect vehicle performance.

If you want to find the factory size. Pop open the driver’s door and refer to the tire information sticker inside the door jam.

How Long Should Your Sonatas Tires Last?

You should reasonably expect between fifty and seventy thousand miles. Now it will depend more or less on your ability to perform routine tire maintenance.

When To Replace Tires On Your Sonata?

It is recommended to replace your tires when the tread reaches 4/32nds of tread or six years of age. The minimal amount of tread you should drive on is 2/32nds of tread, but you should consider replacement at 4 because of the significant performance loss.

Does The Brand Matter For A Sonata When Replacing Tires?

The tire brand will not matter regarding working on the vehicle. The brand will matter if you want a tire that provides a good ride quality and long tread life.

As long as the tire meets the load carrying capacity and speed ratings, you can safely put any brand on.

Does the Year of Your Sonata Matter When Buying New Tires?

How old your Sonata is will affect what kind of tire you will go with. Typically, most consumers will not shell out tons of cash for a higher-quality tire on a vehicle with many miles on it.

Older models also tend to carry sizes that are not as common. If this is the case, you may not have various options.

What Are The Biggest Tires I Can Put On A Sonata?

Unfortunately, Sonatas have little room in the fender wells to play with the size. The most you can do with the size is increase the width by up to 10 millimeters.

For example, if you have a 205/60R16, you can go up to a 215/60R16. Increasing the width will also slightly increase the height of the sidewall.

Frequently Asked Questions
Hyundai uses various Korean-based tire manufacturers like Nexen, Hankook, and Kumho.
You can replace one tire if that is what you prefer. However, keep in mind that replacing only one tire will cause potential harm to the drive train if installed on the drive axle.
The only way to reset tpms on a Sonata is to have a tpms reset tool that plugs into the OBD II. You can take your vehicle to most tire retailers, and often times they will do this service at no cost.

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