Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are no longer a rarity and are increasingly popular both among enthusiasts and ordinary drivers. They are highly appreciated for their endurance, speed, versatility, and good looks. They do well both on city roads/highways and cross-country terrains. They require due care and, particularly, a bit of research when it comes to choosing the right type of tires. There are countless types of SUV tires, and choosing the best one can be a great challenge.
SUV owners are demonstrating a growing interest in all-season tires, and summer tires are actually falling out of use within this category. SUV owners just do not need to use these, as they are better suited for sedans, sports coupes, etc. Modern all-season tires do very well on different types of surfaces (gravel, asphalt) and in different weather (light snow, rain). They demonstrate a firm grip, excellent traction and predictable braking behavior in temperate climates, where winters are not very harsh. Although they are not good enough to handle a lot of snow and hard frost, they do very well in warmer climates.
This does not mean that you should rush for a set of all-season tires right now. It takes quite a bit of thinking and analysis to choose the right type of tires for your SUV. There are lots of factors that you should take into account and questions you should answer: do you need touring, off-road, or all-terrain tires? Where, why and how do you usually drive? What are you driving plans, if any, for the nearest several months? How far are you going to travel this year and for how long? The market is cluttered with tires that differ in type, designation and quality, while there is only one right decision you should make. Now you are the one who is fully responsible for your and your loved ones’ comfort and, most important, safety.
To make things just a little easier for you, we are going to narrow the choice down to ten best all-season SUV tires, so you can clearly see what is good for your particular case and what is not. This post describes ten SUV tires from different manufacturers, each having its own strong and weak points. Here you can read details about each one, conclude if it is really worth the price it goes for, and, finally, choose the best tires your SUV can handle and you can afford.
How to Buy a High Quality Tire for a SUV
1. Most SUV Drivers Choose Crossover/SUV Touring Tires: Let’s See Why
Today, not only SUVs and crossovers use touring tires. Most passenger car owners find them attractive, and there are good reasons why. They are intended for driving in various terrains and conditions and combine all basic qualities, which most car owners seek. They feature a kind of tread compound that helps them meet all modern standards and preferences.
Durability is one of the biggest pluses of SUV tires. It is the most important criterion for drivers in the USA and elsewhere, who travel about 15,000 miles every year and therefore need to be sure that their tires will last as long as possible. It is the main reason why modern SUV touring tires have a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty (please, count how many years should pass before you need to replace your tires!) This appears to be energy-efficient (lower fuel consumption) and cost-effective. Most touring tires, even premium ones, are quite affordable. They boast a long tread life, high chip resistance, highway stability and excellent performance in various terrains and retain these qualities throughout the warranty period. In this context, buying a touring SUV tire appears to be a decent investment.
Comfort is another great advantage of SUV tires. They feature specific compounds and sidewall structure, which provide for a smooth ride even on roads that are far from perfect. Manufacturers continue to invent and implement tread patterns to increase comfort and reduce high-speed noise. These qualities are crucial for drivers, who travel far and wide, and therefore need more comfort.
Generally, touring tires demonstrate high performance, and most crossover and SUV drivers overlook relatively low responsiveness, which is the most common downside of these tires. They boast excellent traction, grip and braking behavior and therefore ensure a safer ride. Also, they have good hydroplaning characteristics, which make them effective on wet roads during rain. Most drivers put safety above comfort and admit that they are intended for safe and economic driving rather than for pleasure rides.
It should be noted that even though SUV tires do boast great traction, they are not good enough for hauling or towing. The traction and grip goes away when you put these tires on high-horsepower vehicles. If you are considering a possibility of towing small to middle-size trailers, you can pick out a set of tires with a higher load capacity. However, if you are planning to tow and/or haul on a regular basis, you’d better look for a different category.
2. Tow and Haul with Highway Tires!
Highway tires are intended for different things, although they do have a lot in common with touring tires. In order to tow a trailer or another vehicle, one must be sure that his/her vehicle has the capacity to do so, and the choice of tires is quite a factor. Highway tires feature more reinforcement elements than touring tires and hence they can handle more cargo. Also, this adds to highway stability, handling, traction and grip.
If you are not planning to tow or haul a lot and appreciate comfort, highway tires are not the best option for you. They feel tougher and harsher on roads with even minor imperfections. The ride will be even bumpier if your car is not loaded to capacity or empty. Highway tires will be harder for you to maintain, and you may end up with higher gas consumption. Before buying a set of highway tires, please, make sure you really need it.
3. A Sporty SUV Deserves Street/Sport Tires
Street/Sport tires are designed to give you the excitement of a sporty ride in your sports car. These tires are produced with a focus on handling and responsiveness and are similar to those used in passenger cars in many ways. They demonstrate good grip and traction, exceptional braking capabilities and high-speed stability. You can make sharp turns without fearing a skid, press on the break and stop right away. Needless to say, these tires have a high hydroplaning resistance and do very well on wet roads.
They cannot boast the comfort of touring tires simply because they are not meant to. They feel harsher and produce more noise at high speeds. However, sports car manufacturers have taken this into account and added sound insulation in many models, which pretty much solves the problem. Their biggest downsides are short tread life and high price compared to highway and touring tires.
4. All-Terrain Tires: Best On-Road and Off-Road Performance Ever
Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are good for both highway and off-road driving. Drivers, who plan to off-road a lot, should consider buying a set of all-terrain tires. Modern all-terrain tires combine high on-road stability with off-road impact resistance and traction. This is where touring and highway tires will not hold a candle to all-terrain tires.
These tires are fully intended for driving on rocky, sandy, muddy and other types of extreme terrains. They feature a special kind of tread compound, which is resistant to harsh outer influences and therefore ensures stable performance year round. Deep grooves and sipes contribute to high light-snow traction. It is noteworthy that some models have a high Three-Peak Mountain SnowFlake (3PMSF) rating, i. e. they can be used in harsher climates.
Although all-terrain tires do have great advantages, they are hot intended for speedy drives, because they are less responsive and therefore less predictable at high speeds than touring and highway tires. They have lower traction and grip and longer braking distance compared to sports tires. Finally, they are much noisier at high speeds and in general.
5. Mud-Terrain Tires for Ardent Off-Roaders
All-terrain tires do boast great off-road performance, but only in general: this is hardly enough for devoted off-road fans. They should look for mud-terrain tires with top-level traction to handle extreme terrains. These tires are not intended for mere street or highway driving. They are intended for driving in mud, dirt, sand, rock, gravel, etc., and should be able to meet their owners’ bravest expectations.
They are strong enough to withstand all sorts of physical impact and are made of puncture-resistant materials. Mud-terrain tires have a little shorter tread life and therefore come with a little shorter treadwear warranty than highway and all-terrain tires. Please, do not expect high responsiveness on a highway from such tires. They are not as good in rain either. On the other hand, the deep grooves contribute to a better snow traction. Mud-terrain tires use tread compounds, which ensure safe and stable year-round use.
1. Michelin Premier LTX
What’s good about it?
- Highly responsive.
- Excellent performance in dry weather.
- Excellent performance in wet weather.
- Very smooth and quiet ride.
What’s bad about it?
- The treadwear warranty is lower than many competitors.
- High price.
The Michelin Premier LTX is second to none in responsiveness within its segment, so it is an attraction for drivers seeking this particular characteristic for their SUVs. Many drivers say that vehicles with these tires immediately react to every little move of the foot or hand. Also, the tire demonstrates exceptional grip, traction, braking, and high-speed stability, pretty much thanks to the Emerging Grooves crossing the shoulders, which ensure high performance on dry, wet and slightly snowed-up roads. The biggest downside of the tire is its very high price for a 60,000 treadwear warranty.
2. Continental CrossContact LX20: the EcoPlus Technology in Use
What’s good about it?
- Very good handling and responsiveness both on wet and dry surfaces.
- Very smooth and quiet ride.
- Higher than average fuel economy.
What’s bad about it?
- There are better treadwear warranty options in the market.
The Continental CrossContact LX20 boasts a standard and balanced array of features and qualities, which are highly appreciated by most drivers. These include very smooth and quiet ride even at high speeds. Also, the tire is very durable and shows predictable cornering and braking behavior on various types of surfaces, both wet and dry, as well as in light snow. The EcoPlus Technology helps reduce fuel consumption and does not have any negative influence on general performance. Most users find the 70,000-mile treadwear warranty an attractive option even though it is not the longest one within the category.
3. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus
What’s good about it?
- Very high level of comfort.
- Very quiet.
- High durability.
- Stable performance on dry/wet surfaces.
- Excellent traction and grip in light snow.
What’s bad about it?
- Some drivers say it is not responsive enough.
For many SUV and crossover drivers, the Bridgestone Dueler is a must-have thing, because the tire demonstrates superb traction, grip and general quality in different climates, weather, and on different types of surfaces. Also, it is among the quietest tires within its category, as it produces little noise at high speeds, great stability and responsiveness. On top of that, it comes with a 80,000-mile treadwear warranty.
4. Cooper Discoverer SRX
What’s good about it?
- Very high responsiveness on both wet and dry surfaces.
- Ensures a comfortable ride on even bumpy cross-country terrains.
- A 75,000-mile treadwear warranty.
What’s bad about it?
- Snow traction is not the best in the category.
The Cooper Discoverer SRX does well in dry and wet weather and in many ways pars with the premium version. Given the much lower price, it appears to be an attractive alternative. Drivers note superb grip, braking and traction on rainy days in various terrain types.
However, in light snow it is not as good as the premium version. Therefore, the Cooper Discoverer SPX is quite an option for those who live and drive in warm climates with snowless winters. With a 75,000-mile warranty, it can be a very money- and fuel-saving solution.
5. Michelin CrossClimate SUV
What’s good about it?
- Responsive handling.
- Very good snow traction.
- Firm grip and good braking.
- Great wet traction.
What’s bad about it?
- Short treadwear warranty (50,000 miles).
The short treadwear warranty is the only big downside of the tire. Many SUV drivers say that there are other things that pretty much outweigh the drawback. The name speaks for itself: the CrossClimate SUV is really good in all types of weather: it demonstrates superb snow and ice traction and does very well on wet roads. It does just fine in warm and rainy weather, since it hydroplanes well and feels firm and stable. Finally, the tire demonstrates high comfort and low high-speed noise. Many SUV owners choose the Michelin CrossClimate SUV and do not seem to care much about the short treadwear warranty.
6. Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max
What’s good about it?
- Easy handling.
- Good light-snow, dry and wet traction.
- Fuel economy.
- High hydroplaning characteristics.
What’s bad about it?
- 65,000-mile warranty.
- Relatively low comfort characteristics.
Despite the short warranty and somewhat bumpy ride, the Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max has quite a bunch of positive features. Particularly, it demonstrates best-in-class handling on wet and dry surfaces, because its tread pattern features the Wet Tread Zone and the Dry Tread Zone. The tire displays great traction and braking in all terrains and surfaces, even in heavy snow. The Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max retains good handling and reduces fuel consumption.
7. Michelin Defender LTX M/S
What’s good about it?
- Comfortable and quiet ride.
- Superb grip and traction for hauling and towing.
- Great performance in cold and warm weather.
- Excellent wet traction.
- High chip resistance.
What’s bad about it?
- Not great in harsh climates
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S provides for a quiet and stable ride thanks to the MaxTouch technology. Second, it shows superb traction, braking and grip on both a sunny and rainy day. This contributes to its usability in SUVes that are used for towing and hauling. Third, the tire is made of the high quality EverTread compound, which is highly resistant to physical impact and therefore is good in off-road and cross-country terrains. Finally, it boasts high comfort. Some drivers say that light-snow traction leaves something to be desired.
T- H- & V-Speed Rated Michelin Defender LTX tires have a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty,and W-Speed rated ones have a 50,000-miles warranty. These are the best indicators for the highway category.
8. BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3
What’s good about it?
- Great performance in muddy areas.
- Great for cross-country rides.
- High integrity and durability.
- Highway stability and easy handling.
What’s bad about it?
- High-speed noise.
The BFGoodrich Mud-terrain T/A KM3 is but the rightest option for all-season and all-terrain driving. The tire has proved to be great for off-roaders. It boasts excellent grip and traction on all types of roads, as well as in rocky, dusty, sandy and muddy terrains. On-road performance is high too. The tire demonstrates a superb response, ease of handling and smoothness at high speed. Although many drivers do complain about a lot of high-speed noise, the advantages pretty much compensate for the downside.
9. Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar
What’s good about it?
- Firm and robust construction.
- Great off-road and cross-country characteristics.
- Great highway stability.
- Good light-snow traction.
- 60,000-mile treadwear warranty.
What’s bad about it?
- A little noisy at high speed.
The Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar meets all basic all-season tire standards and characteristics. Apart from easy handling, traction, grip and braking both in dry and wet weather, it ranks 3PMSF in snow/ice performance. The tire has a tread pattern with deep grooves, which provide for a firm grip and traction in rocky, muddy and waterlogged places. Most drivers agree that it is one of the best all-terrain tires, although, they say, they tend to produce some noise at high speed.
10. General Grabber HTS60
What’s good about it?
- Great towing characteristics.
- Low high-speed noise and comfortable ride.
- Does very well in dry and wet weather.
- Affordable.
What’s bad about it?
- Not all versions are good on wet roads.
Although the Grabber HTS60 is a relatively cheap tire, it does quite so well in some aspects. First, it demonstrates good traction, braking and grip in dry and wet (light-duty versions) weather. Second, it uses a specific chip-resistant compound, which makes the tire great for towing. The 65,000-mile warranty is among the best within the category.
However, heavy-duty versions are not as good on wet roads because of a slightly different groove shape.
Conclusion
This post describes only high-quality all-season SUV tires, which offer best price/quality ratios. We did so to ease the process of choice for you, because there are tons of cheap poor quality tires in the market, which lack durability, show poor wet-road and snow performance and therefore do not guarantee driving safety. We have mentioned reputable and trustworthy tire manufacturers, who invest a lot of money, time and effort, because they take great care about quality, safety and customer satisfaction.