Top 10 Best Tires for Honda Pilot: Latest Options

The Honda Pilot is one of those understated SUVs that doesn’t stir the senses, with a forgettable design (except the latest 2023 model) and average performance. But what it doesn’t have in appeal, the Pilot has in abilities – the Japanese model is one of the most practical mid-size SUVs out there and supremely reliable.

Thus, although it’s not love at first sight, owners tend to keep it for longer than most other SUVs. Still, despite being cheap to run for its size, the Pilot requires continuous maintenance to keep going.

One of the most important parts you’ll need to replace are Honda Pilot tires, as they are directly related to safety. However, they are also expensive, so you’ll need to make sure that your money goes to the right place.

The thing is, the market is flooded with options, ranging from super-cheap tires from Chinese manufacturers to expensive premium models, making the decision quite challenging. On top of that, you have a few different categories of tires to choose from, which only adds insult to injury.

But you don’t have to worry about that, as I tested the best tires for Honda Pilot on the market to give you a definitive conclusion. In this article, I’ll give you my ten favorites from three categories I think are viable for Honda Pilot owners – touring all-season, highway all-season, and winter tires. So, without further ado, let’s dig in!

In-Depth Reviews of the Best Tires for Honda Pilot Available in 2024

Best Touring All-Season Tires for Honda Pilot

1. Bridgestone Alenza A/S Ultra

The Alenza A/S Ultra is Bridgestone’s latest and greatest tire for SUVs, in my opinion, the best-suited one for the Honda Pilot. It is an almost perfect tire with only slightly higher noise on the highway and slightly longer stopping distances than its closest premium rivals.

But put an accent on “slightly” here, as in general terms, the Alenza A/S Ultra is quiet and brakes better than most tires available on the market. In other words, you don’t have to worry about braking, as it’s more than good enough, and I think you’ll be completely satisfied with the noise performance, just like I was.

In every other area, the Alenza A/S Ultra excels. For instance, it’s a great tire to drive on a twisty road, thanks to the quick and direct steering. The lateral grip is also excellent for an all-season tire, and I found that it behaves naturally at the limit. It’s the same in rainy conditions – the Alenza A/S Ultra provides a surefooted ride with outstanding grip and balanced handling.

Snow traction is also very strong for the category – although it didn’t beat the CrossContact LX25s I have on my Highlander, it’s still an excellent performer. Notably, the longitudinal traction (acceleration and braking) is very good, and there is enough lateral grip to keep you in line.

After many test drives, I was also particularly impressed by the Alenza A/S Ultra’s ride, which is perhaps the most comfortable in the category – surprising considering the fact that the steering is so responsive.

But the thing that impresses the most about the Alenza A/S Ultra is the treadwear warranty, which stands at 80,000 miles – the longest you’ll get from any crossover/SUV touring all-season tire. Owners of the predecessor were also generally satisfied with the treadlife, meaning you should get exceptional real-life longevity out of the Alenza A/S Ultra.

Thanks to its class-leading durability and a successful blend of performance and comfort, the Alenza A/S Ultra is, in my eyes, the best Honda Pilot tire at the moment.

Pros:

• Excellent grip in dry conditions
• Very quick and direct steering
• Outstanding lateral grip on wet tarmac
• Balanced handling in the rain
• Solid traction on light snow with surefooted handling
• Buttery-smooth ride on every surface I encountered
• Class-leading treadwear warranty

Cons:

• Slightly longer stopping distances on dry tarmac than its main premium competitors
• Not as quiet as its direct competitors

2. Continental CrossContact LX25

The Continental CrossContact LX25 is a tire that I have owned for two years now, and in my eyes, it’s almost perfect. Apart from the choppy ride on broken pavement and the higher price, Continental’s latest touring tire for crossovers and SUVs is perfect.

I am still impressed by the LX25’s handling in rainy conditions, which is way better than the tires I had before. The overall traction is impressive for a touring tire, with outstanding lateral grip and very strong braking.

Moreover, thanks to its balanced behavior at the limit, the CrossContact LX25 lets me drive faster in rainy weather without worrying about losing in the corners.

But the CrossContact LX25 is equally impressive in dry conditions. Sure, it’s not as fun to drive as a performance tire, but the steering is still fairly natural, and the lateral grip is excellent for the category. It’s also exceptionally quiet, making my family trips a more pleasurable experience.

On top of everything else, I also didn’t encounter any issues during the winter. The CrossContact LX25 is more than capable of tackling light snow, and I was impressed by how well it handled the corners.

Not to forget, the CrossContact LX25 comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty on Honda Pilot tire sizes, which is among the best in the category.

Pros:

• Exceptional traction in rainy conditions
• Responsive steering and strong lateral grip on dry pavement
• Very capable on light snow
• Excellent treadlife and a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty
• Supremely quiet – great for longer journeys

Cons:

• It can be expensive for some
• Choppy ride over broken tarmac

3. Michelin CrossClimate 2

The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is the most innovative grand-touring all-season tire currently on the market, with a directional tread pattern that brings many benefits without sacrifices.

Anytime I drive these tires, I come out impressed – the CrossClimate 2 is hugely impressive in dry and wet conditions, with excellent overall traction and very balanced handling.

The steering is also very responsive for such a tire, and I had no issues covering many miles on the highway thanks to the exceptional straight-line tracking and stability.

But the biggest draw of the CrossClimate 2 is the outstanding snow traction. Thanks to its innovative tread pattern and advanced compound, this tire provides surefooted handling on light snow, along with good acceleration and excellent braking.

Furthermore, unlike the predecessor, the CrossClimate 2 is very quiet on the highway, which makes long-distance driving much more comfortable. Still, I found that the ride quality wasn’t as smooth, especially over broken asphalt.

Finally, the CrossClimate 2 comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is good, but nowhere near its main premium rivals, the Bridgestone Alenza A/S Ultra and Continental CrossContact LX25. For the price, I would’ve liked a bit higher warranty.

Pros:

• Excellent grip and braking on dry tarmac
• Outstanding traction and braking in rainy weather
• Quick and natural steering
• Surefooted handling on snow with excellent grip
• Short stopping distances on snow
• Very quiet, even at highway speeds

Cons:

• It can be expensive for some people
• Harsh ride over broken surfaces
• The 60,000-mile treadwear warranty is low for a premium grand-touring all-season tire

4. Cooper Endeavor Plus

If the first three tires on this list are expensive for you, then I recommend the Endeavor Plus. It’s a tire that I haven’t tested officially, but I covered extensive miles on my friend’s Grand Cherokee and came out impressed. Sure, it’s not as good as its rivals from Bridgestone, Michelin, and Continental, but for the money, it’s a steal.

The only thing that I noticed was the tread growl, which was noticeable at lower speeds. But apart from that, the Endeavor Plus is an excellent performer, with good traction on dry and wet tarmac and very balanced handling. It also offers a very comfortable ride over bumps, canceling out the smaller imperfections on the road.

From the limited time I had with it on snow, I found it to be very capable, providing usable traction and surefooted handling.

The Cooper Endeavor Plus comes with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is among the best in its price range.

Pros:

• Surprisingly good wet traction and handling for the money
• Balanced handling and grip in dry conditions
• Smooth ride over most surfaces
• Excellent treadlife and treadwear warranty (65,000 miles) for a budget-friendly tire
• Capable of tackling light snow

Cons:

• It can be noisy at lower speeds, though it settles down on the highway

Best Highway All-Season Tires for Honda Pilot

5. Continental TerrainContact H/T

If you plan on towing with your Honda Pilot or want a tougher tire for driving on dirt and gravel, the TerrainContact H/T is currently the best option on the market. It’s a tire with almost no disadvantages, apart probably from the somewhat vague and “truck-ish” steering.

The TerrainContact H/T will have you covered regardless of the weather, as it’s a tire that provides exceptional traction in any climate. I was particularly impressed with the dry and wet traction, both class-leading but also handling, which felt very balanced. The light-snow traction is also very strong, beating most of its competitors with ease.

Continental combines all those qualities with exceptional comfort – the TerrainContact H/T provides a comfortable ride over broken asphalt and remains quiet on the highway. Despite that, it’s a tough product that will remain stable when you tow a heavy trailer.

Lastly, the TerrainContact H/T comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty on Honda Pilot tire sizes, which is among the longest in the category.

Pros:

• Best-in-class braking and exceptional grip on wet tarmac
• Excellent grip and traction in dry conditions
• Shortest stopping distances on snow of any highway all-season tire
• Excellent grip and balanced on snow
• Very quiet, even on rough tarmac
• Comfortable ride on any surface I encountered
• Excellent treadwear warranty

Cons:

• Somewhat vague steering
• One of the most expensive highway all-season tires

6. Michelin Defender LTX M/S

The Defender LTX M/S is perhaps the most popular highway all-season tire on the market and one that I drove on numerous vehicles in many different conditions.

What I found is that this is an outstanding tire with real year-round traction and one that’s especially durable. The Defender LTX M/S comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is among the best in the category, but real-life scenarios also show it’s the longest-lasting highway tire.

On top of that, the Defender LTX M/S offers excellent traction in dry conditions, accompanied by stable handling with natural behavior at the limit. Performance in rainy conditions is also very good, though the overall traction is lower than the TerrainContact H/T.

Still, the light-snow traction is also for an all-season tire, and you’ll have no issues steering your Honda Pilot, thanks to the surefooted handling.

Finally, the Defender LTX M/S is very comfortable, with the smoothest and quietest ride in its category, so it’s a great option for those that cover a lot of miles.

Pros:

• Excellent lateral grip and braking on dry roads
• Good performance in rainy conditions
• Very good traction on light snow for a highway all-season tire
• Good stability when towing or hauling heavy cargo
• Smooth and quiet ride for a highway tire
• Exceptional treadlife and very long treadwear warranty

Cons:

• Lower wet traction than the class-leading tires
• Expensive for most people

7. Firestone Destination LE3

The Firestone Destination LE3 is an excellent highway all-season tire for people with tighter budgets, as it offers most of the qualities of its premium rivals, albeit at a lower price point.

I found that the Destination LE3 is a very capable performer in dry and wet conditions, with solid traction and balanced handling. The steering is also very direct and linear for a highway tire, and overall, the tire is quiet and smooth. Still, the ride isn’t as refined on broken asphalt, especially when you encounter repetitive impacts.

Wintertime traction is also slightly worse than what you’d get in the premium competition, but at least the Destination LE3 handles well in the corners without erratic behavior at the limit.

Finally, Firestone offers a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty on this tire, similar to the more expensive premium rivals. So, overall, the Destination LE3 is a tire with many strengths and almost no weaknesses.

Pros:

• Balanced handling and strong traction in dry conditions
• Solid traction in rainy conditions for the price
• Responsive and linear steering
• Great for towing thanks to its tough construction
• Easy to drive on light snow
• Smooth and quiet ride over most surfaces
• Outstanding treadwear warranty for the price

Cons:

• Less refined over repetitive impacts and broken asphalt
• Acceleration and braking on snow could be better

Best Winter Tires for Honda Pilot

8. Continental VikingContact 7

The VikingContact 7 is the newest winter tire for Honda Pilot and perhaps the best one if you encounter harsh wintry conditions.

Although I’ve always been a Blizzak fan, it’s hard not to be impressed with Continental’s latest snow tire. Driving on snow with a set of VikingContact 7 on is super easy, as the tires grip outstandingly well and provide you with very balanced handling at the limit.

The braking distances are also exceptionally short, and there is enough acceleration traction to get you out of any trouble. The tire is also very capable on ice, where it provides as much traction as you could get from a non-studded winter tire.

The VikingContact 7 is also stellar in dry and wet conditions, where it provides outstanding traction for a winter tire and strong braking. Noise is also a non-issue, and the ride is generally smooth, though the VikingContact 7 is noisy when it hits a pothole.

Pros:

• Outstanding handling and grip on snow-covered roads
• Excellent acceleration traction and braking on ice-covered roads
• Outstanding handling and grip in wet conditions
• Very good dry grip
• Very quiet for a winter tire

Cons:

• Noisy when it hits a pothole or sharp cracks
• Expensive for some

9. Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV

The X-Ice Snow SUV is another outstanding winter tire for the Honda Pilot that will handle snow and ice with ease. I was impressed by how well this tire handles snow-covered roads – attacking any corner is handled with relative ease, and the overall traction is excellent.

Moreover, the X-Ice Snow SUV is equally capable on ice-covered roads, providing you with good traction and drivability.

The dry traction of the X-Ice Snow SUV also impressed me, and so did the way it behaved at the limit. The tire is also very capable in rainy conditions, though, in this category, it lags slightly behind the VikingContact 7. There is also slightly more noise than its German rival, but that’s nitpicking – the X-Ice Snow SUV is still very smooth and quiet overall.

Pros:

• Excellent longitudinal traction (acceleration and braking) on snow-covered roads
• Easy to drive on snow, with balanced handling
• Excellent traction on icy roads
• Strong performance in dry and cold conditions
• Excellent traction in rainy conditions
• Smooth and quiet ride over most surfaces 

Cons:

• Slightly noisier on some highways
• Slightly lower lateral wet grip than its closest rivals

10. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

The Blizzak DM-V2 is an SUV-focused winter tire that feels somewhat dull behind the wheel and can be noisier on the highway. Still, it’s exceptional otherwise – in my testing, it showed capable on snow and icy roads, with exceptionally high levels of traction and very balanced handling.

Bridgestone also did a great job with the wet and dry performance of the tire, which is among the best in the category. The braking distances are also very short for a winter tire, especially in rainy conditions.

And since I owned a set of these tires, I can confirm that it’s very durable, with excellent treadlife, despite the fact that it doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty.

Pros:

• Exceptional longitudinal traction (acceleration and braking) on snow
• Easy to drive in snowy conditions
• Very good traction on icy roads
• Good braking and grip on wet roads

Cons:

• Noisy at higher speeds
• The steering is a bit dull

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What’s the difference between touring and highway tires?

Touring and highway tires both fit modern SUVs and crossovers and look similar on the outside. However, there are a few things that differentiate them; touring tires are designed for lighter crossovers and SUVs and can only be used for light-duty stuff, while highway tires are a better choice for heavier crossovers and SUVs, especially if you tow frequently.

The main differentiation is in the internal construction – highway tires usually have more plies and stiffer sidewalls, which gives them a higher load rating. Thus, they can carry more weight without losing stability. This design also makes them more suitable for off-roading, as the stiffer casing is more resistant to cut and chips.

However, touring tires for crossovers and SUVs are generally quieter and much more comfortable over bumps, owing to the softer sidewalls. They are also lighter, meaning your Honda Pilot will feel more responsive and agile, and the fuel economy will be better.

All touring and highway tires offered in North America come are of the all-season variety. However, other markets also have summer-oriented.

• What’s the correct pressure on my Honda Pilot tires?

On most Honda Pilot models, the correct tire pressure is 35 psi. However, Honda’s SUV spanned across four generations, with multiple wheel and tire sizes on offer. Thus, the tire pressure the manufacturer recommends might vary, so it’s best to check on the driver’s door frame to see the recommended tire pressure for your particular Pilot model and wheel sizes.

• How often should I rotate my Honda Pilot tires?

I recommend rotating your Honda Pilot tires on every oil change or each 5,000 to 8,000 miles. You can ask your mechanic to rotate them for you, as it’s much easier to do once the whole car has been raised on the lift.

Conclusion

I sincerely hope that my top 10 list of the best Honda Pilot tires helped you find a set that works well for you and fits your budget.

If not, you can always browse through my website and find a model that suits your needs. I strive to review as many tires as possible to help you with the purchasing decision. Hence, it would be helpful if you buy your set through this website – you will still get the same price, yet we’ll earn a commission, helping us keep going.

Regardless, make sure you always purchase tires that come from a reputable manufacturer. Cheap tires, especially those from unknown manufacturers, are not worth it; they are not only less safe but also don’t last very long, meaning they won’t be as cheap in the long run.