Subaru Forester is a rather popular crossover – at least in, some countries. It’s a very versatile car. Although it’s much better to use it as a regular family-sized vehicle fit for long trips and constant use, it can also be a pretty efficient off-road mode of transport. That’s right, with proper tires you can travel to the countryside in this Subaru.
There are yet more touring options for all preferences, however. Depending on your concerns, you can pick either a well-rounded optimal solution for all-year driving or an extreme tread for snowy/fast/rainy travels. Subaru can be as versatile as these tires. For your comfort, here are several intriguing choices.
Nitto NT421Q
Upsides:
- Superb grip all round;
- Obedient handling;
- Good dose of comfort
Downsides:
- None
Let’s start with a powerful contender. If you only intend to use your Forester on paved roads, you’ll want this one. It’s helpless in the countryside, but very efficient on tarmac. The control is outstanding both in summer (dry/wet) and winter (mostly snow). They are very efficient at evacuating water, in particular.
They didn’t forget about the comfort, either. In fact, Nitto spent no effort to make these tires comfortable. They are quiet and smooth, as a result, but not perfect. Plus, they’ll last for at least 100.000 km.
Overall, they give you everything you need as a touring option. For constant driving and long trips, they are superior to most.
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
Upsides:
- Great winter performance;
- Decent in dry and wet;
- No excess noise
Downsides:
- Not too durable;
- Mediocre responsiveness
Assurance WeatherReady is a sound all-season tire. It’s great for cautious drivers who risk neither in summer nor in winter. The grip is superb all year round, even considering that it’s pretty hard to make a supply decent snow/ice grip. They aren’t very good for speeding – the handling is poorer than on most tires.
But if you intend to drive carefully, you’ll likely enjoy a quiet smooth ride. It’s not going to be an extremely long experience, though (at least, compared to other options), given a measly 95.000 km warranty.
Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS
Upsides:
- Superb handling and response;
- Outstanding traction in dry;
- Decent traction in wet
Downsides:
- Deteriorates faster than most;
- Loud
Now, if you were looking for something more sport-oriented, Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS is a quality choice. Foresters aren’t usually seen racing around, but they might use extra handling and grip. And gripping the ground is something these tires are best at.
Dry traction is absolutely flawless, and driving on watered roads is also a pleasant experience. Snow, if thin, is good to go, too. The response, of course, is the best feature here – they are always on track, and always obey your commands with care.
But, like all semi-racing tires, they are dead before you know it (only ~80.000 km in treadlife) and produce a lot of noise.
Falken Pro G4 AS
Upsides:
- Outstanding control in summer;
- Decent grip in winter;
- Smooth enough;
Downsides:
- Rather loud
Falken tires are commonly a bit rougher than competitors. A lot of their tires are either off-road or sports options. This is neither – Pro G4 AS is a simple everyday all-season tire. But their habits remain – the tire is pretty loud and even the smoothness could be better.
But the grip is what’s important this time. In summer, it’s fantastic whether it’s raining or not (courtesy of the 3D siping and grooving). In winter, the same grooving is giving you a bit more grasp onto the ground, but not too much. It’s better in the summer.
Pro G4 is an adequate touring tire. It won’t surprise or disappoint you, but all accounts.
Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter
Upsides:
- Great snow grip;
- Decent wet and dry traction;
- Affordable
Downsides:
- None
Ultra Grip Winter tires are low-cost winter performance tires. They aren’t to be absolutely flawless in snow – in fact, if the snow is too thick, they won’t help you. You can expect a decent job, though. In addition to that, results in wet and dry aren’t too bad, either.
In short, for a relatively low cost, UGP will guarantee effective control in winter and even a reliable grip in summer. It’s an outstanding option if you’re looking for something affordable, but not at an expense of performance.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
Upsides:
- Flawless winter performance;
- Fine summer performance;
- Great handling
Downsides:
- Cost
If you want a proper set of winter tires that don’t just provide good winter mobility, but go even beyond that – then Blizzak is the way to go. Handling is superb both in summer and in winter, but you also get a superior response even in deeper snow. They are basically reliable regardless of the weather conditions, and that’s great.
Now, they do come at a cost, as one of the best winter performance treads at the moment. Stating the price is useless, because it differs from country to country and from dealer to dealer. But, suffice it to say, they are amongst the most expensive on this list.
Cooper Zeon RS3-A
Upsides:
- Excellent wet traction;
- Great dry traction;
- Admirable responsiveness;
- Quiet and smooth
Downsides:
- Not too durable
Zeon is the first ultra-performance tire on this list. It means that it’s supposed to provide great traction and handling regardless of the precipitation problems. Generally, it’s true – the excessive siping and silica-enhanced compound make sure you get proper grip on dry and especially wet ground.
The responsiveness is the main shtick of UHP tires – they handle well even at high speeds. Considering that these tires are also pretty quiet and smooth even when you’re speeding, Zeon is an absolute bargain. It would be even better, though, if they lasted more than 70,000 km, but you can’t have everything.
Pirelli Cinturato P7 AS Plus
Upsides:
- Respectable wet and dry grip;
- Superb handling and control;
- Environmentally friendly;
- Durable;
- Quiet
Downsides:
- None
Cinturato P7 is one of the most balanced all-season touring tires. The rubber is made from a silica composition that naturally enhances its strength and gripping qualities. That and several well-positioned horizontal channels make it indispensable in wet environment. Moreover, it handles exceptionally well – crucial for a touring tire.
Interestingly, one of its key qualities is the decreased fuel consumption. It takes less effort to roll this tire, which means less fuel goes to waste and less nature dies as a result. The warranty projects a nice 115.000 km mileage.
Continental ExtremeContact DWS06
Upsides:
- Superior traction in water and snow;
- Great for dry trips;
- Superb handling;
- Tough and resistant
Downsides:
- Not too durable
DWS06 is a recent ultra-performance tire. It’s great for all sorts of weather, but it especially excels on icy, snowy and damp roads. It has a lot to do with silica- and silane-rich composition, but you can also notice the main factor right away – the middle cuts.
The central section is filled to the brim with interlocking grooves and sipes. Not only does it help with hydroplaning, but it’s also an aggressive biting pattern that immensely helps with ice. In fact, because of the pattern and since it’s so tough (the compound, again), it’s pretty safe to use it in mild countryside. Basically, it’s neat even off-road.
The longevity is the only issue. 80.000 km of warranty is really not enough, sadly.
Continental TerrainContact AT
Upsides:
- Awesome in wet and dry;
- Terrific handling;
- Quiet (especially for an off-road tire);
- Durable
Downsides:
- Not particularly good in mud
TerrainContact is perhaps the best-suited tire for a Forester. Just like Forester, it can drive well off-road, but it’s not really used there. For occasional trips over dirt or gravel, it’s splendid. However, it bogs down in mud and other such slog.
On-road, however, the tread is exceptional. It’s perfect for dry and wet, and – remarkably – the noise isn’t obnoxious. It’s a comfortable and effective tire that can be used off-road to a great effect. In fact, it’s better on-road than off-road. It’s also highly durable for an AT tire – about 100.000 km of projected mileage.