The Best Tyres for SUVs

From navigating city streets to tackling rugged terrains, the right tyres will boost the performance and safety of your SUV.

Selecting the best tyres for your SUV can significantly enhance your driving experience, especially if you enjoy off-road adventures. In this article, we’ll look at the best tyres for SUVs in Australia – including highway terrain, all-terrain and off-road options.

Do SUVs need special tyres?

Regular SUVs generally don’t require specially engineered tyres unless you’re using your vehicle for industrial purposes or extreme off-roading. Having said that, there are certain tyre features that can improve the way your SUV handles. 

If you’re wondering which tyre is the best for SUVs, your choice will ultimately come down to your driving preferences. Do you mainly use your SUV in urban settings, or do you like to take it off-road into uneven terrain? This will be the biggest deciding factor when buying new tyres for your vehicle.

These are the main tyre categories that are suitable for SUVs: 

All season tyres

Commonly used for everyday driving, these are generally the best tyres for SUVs. While they don’t have as much on-road grip as performance tyres, they’re still reasonably robust and durable. Please note that all-season tyres are usually not great for snowy conditions. 

Highway terrain tyres

With a smooth and symmetrical tread pattern, highway terrain (HT) tyres provide a quiet and comfortable ride on paved roads. HT tyres also offer good braking and handling at high speeds, making them some of the best tyres for SUV drivers who regularly hit freeways.

 Despite the name, HTs can handle some light off-roading — think established fire trails, not roughing it in mud pits. For something tougher, look for all-terrain tyres.

All terrain tyres

Equipping your SUV with all-terrain (AT) tyres gives you the freedom to indulge in a hardcore bush bash or an occasional off-road adventure. ATs are durable, versatile, good in all weather conditions, and capable of dealing with dry, loose surfaces and wet roads.

What are the best tyres for SUVs?

1. Pirelli Scorpion™ All Terrain Plus

When it comes to all-season tyres for SUVs, this Pirelli model sets the bar high. Reviewers agree that these tyres have excellent grip in wet and dry conditions, while also providing a smooth ride and responsive handling.

The Scorpion AS Plus 3 offers enhanced ride comfort and an extended tread life. It also has reliable traction in various conditions – even light snow – thanks to its advanced tread compound and asymmetric tread pattern. Deep sipes contribute to the tyre’s exceptional handling and enhanced wet road traction. However, there are a few customers who think the grip is too good: claiming that these tyres tend to follow longitudinal road surface grooves (colloquially known as ‘tramlining’).

Regardless, we rate the Pirelli Scorpion™ All Terrain Plus as one of the best tyres for SUVs in Australian conditions thanks to its versatility and reliability.

2. Firestone Destination LE-02

Exceptional highway tyres for SUVs should offer ride comfort, a long lifespan and minimal noise – and this is precisely what the Firestone Destination LE-02 delivers.

According to Firestone, this tyre incorporates a silica-enhanced compound and a symmetric tread design, helping it maintain grip on dry, wet and winter roads. The footprint has grooves that help prevent hydroplaning, making this a good tyre for slippery conditions. 

Although the Destination LE-02 can handle light snow, you should think about investing in dedicated winter tyres if you’re expecting heavy snowfall. 

3. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A® KO2

Other all-terrain tyres wish they were as tough as the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A® KO2. Engineered with BFGoodrich’s championship off-road motorsports racing technology, the KO2 4×4 tyre delivers exceptional toughness, durability and traction to conquer challenging conditions such as gravel, dirt, rock, mud and snow.

4. Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015

Wondering which tyre is best for SUV driving in harsh winter conditions? We rate the Geolander A/T G015 for its superb handling in wet and icy weather, thanks to its traction and long-lasting tread. 

Reenforced casing gives this tyre extra hardiness against damage from cuts, chips and extreme temperature changes. Reviews applaud the Geolandar A/T G015 for being whisper-quiet (compared to other ATs, at least) but some suggest the grip doesn’t stand up on gravel roads.

5. Continental CrossContact ART

Regarded as one of the best Continental tyres for SUVs, the CrossContact ART is ideal for people who mainly drive their SUV on sealed roads, but also do a bit of casual off-roading. The sidewall protection makes this tyre good in both wet and dry conditions, and the multiple sipes on the tread pattern contribute to its excellent braking performance. 

Reviews agree that the CrossContact ATR provides a comfortable and quiet ride thanks to the noise blockers in the shoulder, reducing noise generated in the centre of the pattern. It’s also a good looking tyre, too. 

Explore the best tyres for SUVs at Mobile Tyre Shop

If you’re looking for the perfect tyres to match your SUV driving needs, Mobile Tyre Shop has you covered. Whether you need highway comfort or you want to set out on an intrepid adventure, we’ve got options to enhance your vehicle’s performance and safety.