Offroad Tires

While I will not go over every facet of tire construction in one post, there are several traits that I look for that are more likely to lead to a pleasant and quiet driving experience. When looking for a quiet tire, I try to avoid tires that have large tread blocks with spacing far apart. This pattern, which is commonly seen in aggressive all-terrain and off-road truck tires, offers a huge amount of biting edges. It also tends to produce a roar as the tire travels along the road surface. A tire doesn't have to be overly aggressive to be an effective all-season option. In most cases, finding a tire with balance is best. 

Even though directional tires serve their purpose at evacuating water effectively, they also tend to have a negative effect on noise quality. This type of tread pattern also reduces your ability to effectively rotate the tire. With symmetrical or asymmetric tires, you're able to rotate front-to-back and side-to-side. With a directional tire, you may only rotate front-to-back.

Consider the following options when looking for a tire that provides a quiet ride.

Michelin Defender

Bridgestone Ecopia EP422

Kumho Ecsta 4X

Passenger All-Season and Standard Touring All-Season:

• Michelin Defender
• Goodyear Assurance ComforTred    
• Continental ProContact with EcoPlus Technology

Grand Touring All-Season:

• Michelin Primacy MXV4     
• Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus      
• Bridgestone Ecopia EP422

Ultra High Performance All-Season:

• Continental ExtremeContact DWS     
• Kumho Ecsta 4X

Take a look at our Tire Survey Results to compare options and find the tire that's right for you.

Since its introduction in the United States in 2001, the Toyota Highlander has been a popular luxury SUV/CUV. The second generation of the vehicle was introduced in 2008 and has continued to be a great choice for many drivers. Given the popularity of the Toyota Highlander, I'm often asked about what replacement tires are best for the vehicle. Below are my top picks that work well for each generation:

2001-2007 Toyota Highlander

Firestone Destination LE 2

Michelin LTX M/S2

The Michelin LTX M/S2 and Firestone Destination LE2 are the top two tires in our Highway All-Season category, and for good reason. Both tires offer a smooth and quiet ride, with excellent traction in all conditions. Firestone's Destination LE 2 is also designed to combine a long wear with a comfortable ride. Its internal structure features twin steel belts reinforced with spirally wrapped nylon to provide strength, uniformity and durability on top of a polyester cord body to help cushion the ride. Destination LE 2 tires come with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty.

Compared to the original LTX M/S, the Michelin LTX M/S2 is an evolution in looks...and a leap forward in performance. It molds a long wearing, silica-enhanced, all-season compound into a tread profile that features Michelin's MaxTouch Construction to produce a contact patch that promotes reliable traction with long wear by evenly distributing acceleration, braking and cornering forces. The tire is offered with a 70,000-mile treadlife warranty.

2008-2013 Toyota Highlander

Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology

Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza

Both the Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology and the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza rank near the top of the Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season category. The CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology is a relatively new tire, but initial customer feedback and testing data show it to be a top contending tire. This ecologically friendly tire performs on the highway, as well as in mild off-road conditions. Designed to enhance driving pleasure, the tire saves fuel and maintains grip when braking on wet surfaces while providing long wear and all-season traction, even in light snow.

Bridgestone's Dueler H/L Alenza has been a reliable favorite for many years and is consistently praised for its smooth and quiet ride, as well as great wet traction and wear. The tire provides elegance with an edge, along with year-round traction, even in light snow. Featuring Bridgestone's UNI-T technology takes the tire's behavior to a higher level by increasing comfort and control, in order to further enhance wet traction over the life of the tire.

Shop by vehicle to view all tire options available for your Toyota Highlander.

When it comes to maintaining your vehicle, everyone wants to save money without compromising safety. That's why we test tires and currently provide over 2.8 billion miles of customer feedback to help you select the right tire. With many different options to choose from, you're likely to find an option that works for you and your budget.

In addition to these services, we're also fortunate to have strong relationships with the manufacturers so we can offer you some great tires with closeout savings. At this time, take advantage of the the Ultra High Performance Summer Fuzion ZRi and On-/Off-Road All-Terrain Fuzion XTi at amazing pricing.

Fuzion ZRi

Fuzion XTi

Take a look at the popular 225/45R17 ZRi that's been marked down to $61*. This tire is a good choice for drivers in rainy climates, such as Florida, because of its wet grip capabilities. Developed to meet the needs of sport compact and sports car driving enthusiasts and tuners, the tire provides crisp and responsive handling in both wet and dry conditions. Fuzion ZRi tires also feature Rim Guard rubber ridges on its lower sidewalls to function as bumpers to help protect wheels from curb damage.

Other closeout ZRi sizes include:

• 205/55R16 at $64*
• 245/45R16 at $86*
• 215/40R17 at $66*
• 235/40R17 at $88*
• 255/40R17 at $88*
• 215/35R18 at $85*
• 265/35R18 at $119*
• 245/35R19 at $177*
• 255/35R20 at $111*

Are you looking for some moderate off-road capability and a more rugged look for your Jeep, 1/2-ton truck or SUV? The Fuzion XTi will do the job without bombarding you with mud tire drone. Blending overall performance with aggressive styling, this tire meets enthusiasts needs without compromising comfort or affordability. Even better, you can purchase this tire at a great price! For example, the 225/70R16 option is priced at only $79*.

Other closeout XTi sizes include:

• 245/70R16 at $92*
• 255/70R16 at $88*
• 235/65R17 at $88*
• 265/65R17 at $109*
• 275/55R20 at $117*

Whether you're ready for cruising the strip or about to hit some trails, take a look at what some customers are saying about their experiences with the tires:

"These tires have proved exceptional. Dry weather cornering is outstanding and very predictable. The main revelation is in the wet where the Fuzion has completely cured the unstable understeer exhibited with my previous tires. The A6 2.7T Quattro is quick, but heavy. It had an unpredictable push on the previous tires, but now it is a joy in both the wet and dry." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2004 Audi A6 2.7T (Fuzion ZRi)

"I really liked the look of this tire for the price. This is the best tire I have ever bought. As an outdoorsman, this tire has been off road for many hunting trips. This tire has outperformed any tire in any condition I have subjected it to. I am on your website today to purchase a new set!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4x4 Regular Cab Long Box (Fuzion XTi)

*Limited stock, prices subject to change

Dedicated winter / snow tires perform better than non-winter tires on snow- and ice-covered roads. The downside is that winter tires aren't designed for year-round use, therefore an additional set of tires is needed.  

In light of this, some light truck and SUV drivers choose to compromise and use one set of tires all 12 months of the year. Many will choose a tire from the Highway All-Season or Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season category because of their quiet ride and long wear. 

However, for drivers who are willing to deal with more road road noise and slightly reduced road handling, On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires are worth considering for their better snow traction. On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires (commonly referred to as A/T tires) typically have snow and ice traction that's better than street all-season tires but fall short of the winter performance of a dedicated winter / snow tire. 

Which of the On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires have the best snow traction? The following are my top three choices:

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO

General Grabber AT 2

Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor

As you can see, all three tires have a fairly aggressive tread pattern with many small tread blocks and multiple sipes for better snow, ice and off-road traction. Based on our extensive customer survey data, the General Grabber AT 2 has higher ratings for deep snow traction, light snow traction and ice traction, while being a bit louder and slightly stiffer riding than the other two options. However, these differences were separated by very few points, so it's hard to go wrong with any one of these tires. 

Take a look at what some of our customers are saying about their experiences with the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO, General Grabber AT 2 and Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor:

"I bought these to replace my Original Equipment which honestly were horrible in snow. I slid everywhere, even in the rain. Bought these (BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO) and it is like a whole different truck. I love these tires and will buy them for every truck I ever own as long as they stay this good. Have had them on for about 10,000 miles and they still look new, and I am what they call an aggressive driver. I really love these tires. If they made them to fit all my vehicles, I would buy them for all of them. Best tires I have come across for my truck hands down! Buy them, you won't be disappointed." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2008 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab 4wd (BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO)

"These tires are amazing! i just put a new set on my truck because I was so happy with the performance of the last set. I live in rural North Dakota, so they get plenty of time to play in the mud, gravel and snow. My tire size is mountain/snowflake rated and I see why. They go through deep snow. When it starts snowing in town and you see all the other cars unable to get traction, I can keep it in two-wheel drive and go like it's dry pavement. Even blizzards can't slow them down!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 1999 Nissan Frontier XE 4wd (General Grabber AT 2)

"Best tires I have ever bought! Awesome traction in any condition: wet, dry, snow and even ice. Goodyear hit a home run with this design. 5 stars. I can't say enough good about this tire." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review (Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor)

Shop by vehicle today and upgrade your vehicle's snow and ice traction!

The Jeep has been around for decades and is loved by many. It's easily one of the most modified vehicles on the road and has a very strong and enthusiastic group of owners. Many owners look to their tires as one of the modifications they want to make. Going with a larger and more aggressive tire is one of the most popular and easiest ways to customize your Jeep.

If you're looking for a tire that delivers traction in any direction on gravel roads and dirt trails, while also providing all-season versatility, take a look at tires that are good on and off the road. The first tire that comes to mind when I think of the Jeep is the BFGoodrich All -Terrain T/A KO. This tire seems like it's been around as long as the Jeep, and is easily the most popular tire for the Jeep. These two go together hand and hand, so to speak.

Are you looking to mix it up and go with more of a modern tire? Take a look at the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac. This On-/Off-Road Commercial Traction tire is really aggressive and is awesome for some serious off-road use. Branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol, the tire meets the industry's severe snow service standards and can also accept optional metal studs to enhance ice traction.

Another very popular option is the General Grabber AT 2. This tire is fairly aggressive and provides great on- and off-road manners at a more cost-effective price. Its internal structure includes twin steel belts on top of a two-ply polyester cord body to combine strength and durability with a quiet ride.

BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO

Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac

General Grabber AT 2

What if you desire a super aggressive tire that can handle tough challenges such as muddy surfaces? Getting through mud is needed by most Jeep owners and tires in the Off-Road Maximum Traction category are the perfect option. 

Goodyear's Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar is designed to increase tire toughness when it conquers mud, crawls over rocks and explores trails, thus making it a top choice for rock climbers. The Kevlar helps stabilize the sidewalls when drivers return to the pavement for the ride home.

Another tire in the category worth considering is the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2. This tire features open and deep lugs that will plow through any off-road condition. It features a cut- and chip-resistant sidewall compound and BFGoodrich's TriGard carcass (three-ply polyester construction) with sidewall cords that are up to 33 percent stronger than the previous Mud-Terrain T/A KM tire.

Firestone's Destination M/T uses UNI-T Technology to combine off-road traction with enhanced on-road capabilities. UNI-T is a combination of technologies that merge a comprehensive design with innovative manufacturing to enhance tire comfort, performance and wear.

Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2

Firestone Destination M/T

Shop by vehicle to find the tire that's right for your Jeep.

Most often, one of the biggest concerns when replacing tires is winter weather performance. If you're the owner of a light truck or SUV and need an On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tire that can perform to an exceptional level in winter conditions, then choosing a tire branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol will assure you have the very best winter traction offered.

In 1999, the U.S. Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) agreed on a performance based standard to identify passenger and light truck tires that attain a traction index equal to, or greater than 110 (compared to a reference tire which is rated 100) during the specified American Society for Testing and Materials traction tests on packed snow. The new standard helps ensure that drivers can easily identify tires that provide a higher level of snow traction.

On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires typically have as much capability off the road as they do on the road. These tires feature multifaceted tread blocks to help deliver traction in any direction on gravel roads and dirt trails, as well as are branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol indicating their ability to provide all-season versatility, including traction in snow.

Currently, three well-received options in this category include the General Grabber AT 2, Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor, and BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO. Certain sizes of these tires display the mountain/snowflake symbol for severe snow service requirements and will be suitable for all-season use.

General Grabber AT 2

Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO

The General Grabber AT 2 has a chip- and tear-resistant tread compound molded into an aggressive, symmetric tread design featuring five rows of independent tread blocks that blends on-road handling with off-road traction. Its internal structure includes twin steel belts on top of a two-ply polyester cord body to combine strength and durability with a quiet ride.

Wrangler SilentArmor tires feature Goodyear's Durawell rubber compound molded at the base of the tread grooves to increase resistance to stone/rock drilling. The tire's internal structure is designed with an Armor Zone that consists of twin, high-tensile steel belts that are reinforced by a layer of DuPont KEVLAR cord to combine strength with comfort.

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO tires are designed to deliver go-anywhere traction along with outstanding durability and great wear. The tire is ranked in the top ten of our Tire Survey Results and our customers have great things to say about it, including the owner of a 2003 Ford F150 Super Crew 4wd who says "This is my fourth set of BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO tires. These tires are rugged. Despite the rugged tread design, they are quiet on the highway. They will get you anywhere you want to go: sand, mud, light snow, deep snow...bring it on!"

NOTE: While most General Grabber AT 2, Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor and BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO tires meet the industry's severe snow service requirements (and are branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol), selected tires do not. Specific tires/sizes not meeting the industry's severe snow service requirements are identified with a "Not Rated For Severe Snow" notation under the Sizes & Pricing, as well as the Specs tab.

To find the tire that's right for your on-road and off-road travels including snow-covered roads, view all On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires.

Looking for an aggressive tire? Do your off-road challenges include deep mud, loose soil, slippery rocks and tough trails? If so, take a look at the options available in the Off-Road Maximum Traction category. These tires are super aggressive, with deep and open lug patterns. They are designed primarily for extreme off-road use, capable of ripping through the mud and dirt with total confidence.

These days the leader of the pack is the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2. This off-road option is very popular with rock climbers. It's the second generation KM tire and features BFGoodrich's Krawler TEK sidewall and carcass. Krawler TEK consists of three components that include aggressive sidewall lugs, cut- and chip-resistant sidewall compounds and BFGoodrich's TriGard carcass (three-ply polyester construction) with sidewall cords that are up to 33 percent stronger than the previous Mud-Terrain T/A KM tire. BFGoodrich's Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires are branded with the M+S symbol and are able to churn through deep snow, their typical oversize applications and absence of snow-biting sipes in their large smooth lugs can challenge their on-road wintertime traction on packed snow and icy surfaces.

Another great tire to consider is the Firestone Destination M/T. This proven tire has been around for many years and simply gets the job done. The Destination M/T features a Long Link Carbon (a special form of molecular re-engineered carbon black) enhanced tread compound for improved wet performance and wear on the road while maintaining cut, tear and abrasion resistance off the road. Currently ranked second in our Tire Survey Results, the Firestone Destination M/T receives high marks for its dry, light snow and wet traction capabilities.

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2

Firestone Destination M/T

Dunlop Radial Mud Rover

Rounding out this group is the Dunlop Radial Mud Rover. This tire has been very popular with the off-road crowd for many years and features a serviceable and self-cleaning lug pattern that handles most off-road elements. The tire's internal structure includes six full plies under the tread (2 nylon, 2 steel and 2 polyester) to improve overall durability. Then the two-ply polyester sidewalls feature high ply turn-ups to enhance lower sidewall toughness and handling.

All three tires have been well received by consumers and evidence is in the comments they've made about their experience with them:

"These tires are amazing off-road and will take anything I throw at them. They are really good on the road as well. Overall, I am very pleased with the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 and will be buying five more when these wear out." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2)

"I have driven in some of the most difficult conditions with these tires and they have never let me down! I can't say enough good things about these tires. Well worth the money and I have no reluctance to buy another set. If you drive in the mud or on the highway, these tires are just the ticket. Two big thumbs up from me." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 1996 Ford F150 4wd Pick-up (Firestone Destination M/T)

"I have driven these tires everywhere - through mud, snow, deep water and on ice. Best bang for my buck! I will definitely buy these tires again." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 1992 GMC Sonoma 4x4 (Dunlop Radial Mud Rover)

Are you looking to get a little mud on the tires? Want to take your truck off-road? Do you need some better traction on those trails? Or maybe you just want a more aggressive looking tire. If any of these scenarios sound like something you've been looking for, Tire Rack has you covered with a wide range of On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires.

First and foremost, the most popular all-terrain tire in the category and considered the standard by many, is the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO. This tire has been on the market for many years, but still continues to impress. It features a unique and aggressive tread design, along with innovative siping to provide traction and handling without generating excessive noise. The tire will help you plow through dirt and sand with ease.

Another great tire in the category is the Firestone Destination A/T. This tire is designed to get you to your off-road destination. Whether it's that hunting spot or that camping site, the Destination A/T will give you total confidence in most conditions, including snow. With over 24 million miles reported, customers enjoy many features of this tire, including ride comfort, steering response and dry traction. Drivers enjoy the tire so much that it's currently the top-ranked tire in our Tire Survey Results.

Another highly rated tire in the On-/Off-Road All-Terrain performance category is the Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor. As the name entails, the tire will get you almost anywhere while providing a quiet and comfortable ride. Wrangler Silent Armor tires are branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol to identify they meet the industry's severe snow service standards.

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO

Firestone Destination A/T

Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor

As all three options are favorites among our customers, take a look at what some of them are saying about their experience with the tires:

"Love this tire! Gets me everywhere I want to go. Totally satisfied and will buy these again and again. I love to climb the hills that most say are too tough. I smile all the way up and back down. Thumbs up on this tire!  It even has the extreme weather stamp. What more could a person ask for?" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 1994 Toyota 4Runner 4wd (BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO)

"I racked up 54,000 smooth, quiet trouble free miles in all kinds of Michigan weather. This tire has been extremely quiet and it's just aggressive enough to satisfy the casual sportsman. These were great for driving to and from work. Then when things turned rough late in season, these tires glued me to the road, displaying incredible traction in rain, snow and ice. I just replaced them with a fresh set!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2003 Dodge Durango 4WD (Firestone Destination A/T)

"This tire has exceeded my expectations. I live in an area that is the last to be snow plowed and have never had a worry if I was going to get stuck. Mud? No problem, I get to my hunting ground easily. On the highway they handle the rain very well." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2008 Chevrolet Colorado LT Extended Cab 4wd Z71 Off-Road Package (Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor)