Looking for the right tire for the Lexus ES350? You've come to the right place. Over the years, I've done hundreds of tests to find the best tires for Lexus ES350.
And so far, I have picked out the 10 most valuable versions of 2024 for you to consider in the article below. Each promises to help you make the most of this luxury sedan's power.
So what are you waiting for? Continue scrolling down to check out the pros and cons of each.
Contents
In-Depth Reviews of the Best Tires for Lexus ES350 Available in 2024
With each of the 10 versions below, I spent months evaluating essential criteria such as performance, durability, and driving feel.
My practical experience can be pretty helpful for you in choosing the right Lexus ES350 tires.
1. Michelin Defender T+H
Best for Durability
The Michelin Defender T+H has an 80,000-mile tire wear warranty. That's far ahead of today's average 50,000-65,000-mile warranty. Yet, I'm not surprised that Michelin offers this tire model with such an impressive warranty period.
The Michelin Defender T+H features even traction distribution, high-quality tire compound, and a solid steel inner belt construction.
This combination has resulted in the most durable tire on the market today. Even when I drove 3,000 miles under the tire's belt, the product still did not appear to deform significantly.
In addition to durability, the overall performance of the Defender T+H is also quite impressive.
The product allows me to get the most out of the performance in dry road conditions. It was only when I accelerated to 130 mph that the traction of this tire model decreased.
The product's performance is most pronounced only when driving on wet roads.
Moving in heavy rains has always been a fear for me. However, when using the Defender T+H, the fear of hydroplaning or the out-of-control wheels was no longer in my mind.
Because of the ability to conduct water, optimizing this Michelin representative's surface contact area is really impressive.
Finally, I must also commend the comfortable experience that the product brings. The Defender T+H has low noise.
For me, this representative from France is always one of the products that bring the smoothest ride.
Unfortunately, to have such great experiences, you have to spend a large amount of money. That is the only drawback that I feel unsatisfied with Defender T+H.
Pros
Cons
2. Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack
Best for Comfort and Quiet Ride
Get $80 off a set of 4 Bridgestone tires
Valid through April 7, 2024
Available at TireRack.com - DiscountTire.com
Get $30 back by mail when you spend $500 or more
Valid through April 30, 2024
Available at TireRack.com
The Lexus ES350 has always been known for its smooth handling on all terrains, but now you can enhance your ride comfort by owning Bridgestone's Turanza QuietTrack.
The Turanza QuietTrack surprised me at first. I could barely detect the product's relatively tiny noise. Thanks to that, I can enjoy my favorite tunes during the trip.
During tire testing, I had many times accidentally driven through large potholes. Surprisingly, this tire absorbs vibrations, providing a wonderfully smooth ride.
Not only outstanding with quiet and comfort, but Turanza QuietTrack is also a product that offers a solid driving feeling.
According to my observations, the corners cannot make this tire difficult. In addition, based on several measurement methods, I was able to determine the braking distance of the product is relatively short, only 2.3 feet.
The above advantages have made a tire with a top wet grip and good snow handling ability. I hope, in the future, the manufacturer will focus on the grip of this version more for overall perfection.
Pros
Cons
3. Michelin CrossClimate 2
Best for All-weather
I think all-weather tires often have a soft tread compound to enhance snow performance. This favor inadvertently makes the all-weather tire's performance on dry, wet, or even ice roads less impressive.
However, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is an exception. The product successfully passed my wet and dry road performance tests.
The CrossClimate 2 continues to impress when operating on wet roads. With it, I didn't experience hydroplaning or lose control in cornering. The product's short braking distance is maintained when working on this harsh surface.
There is less handling on slippery roads than on performance tires. But, the CrossClimate 2 operates much quieter. I almost didn't notice any vibrations in the cabin and was always pleased with how comfortable it was to drive.
On the downside, the only thing I am wondering about is its high price. With a tight budget, I need to use more of my savings to buy a set.
Pros
Cons
Video created by: Engineering Explained
4. Vredestein Quatrac Pro
Best All-weather Tires for Comfort Ride
The Vredestein Quatrac Pro is one of the few products that is both smooth and quiet with handling and traction in all conditions.
I am pretty satisfied with what Quatrac Pro brings in terms of smoothness and quietness. Even when I drove through concrete cuts on the road, this tire maintained good damping and noise reduction.
With handling and traction, the Quatrac Pro passed my test with excellent results. At 50 mph, it's hard to find a tire with more impressive horizontal traction than the representative from Vredestein.
Meanwhile, on most terrain, tires have a reasonably short braking distance. The above good braking performance has partly overcome the biggest drawback of the product: ambiguous handling, not giving a good driving feeling.
In addition to the two main advantages above, this product's durability is a commendable advantage.
I've been with Quatrac Pro through rough terrain for a long time. And I appreciate its sturdy sidewall.
The combination of optimal design and high-quality materials has resulted in a tire that challenges in-class models in terms of durability.
Although I love this durable tire, I still have to complain about its not-so-good steering feel. Hopefully, the manufacturer will successfully improve this weakness in the following versions.
Pros
Cons
5. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus
Best All-season Performance Tires for Overall
Performance tires are always the ideal choice for you to get the most out of your Lexus ES350. The Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS is one of the best all-season performance tires you can put on your Lexus.
I tested its performance in dry, wet, ice, and snow conditions. This tire model offers a firm grip and balanced handling on dry roads. In particular, even when pushed to the limit, the Continental tires still respond pretty skillfully.
Tested on slippery road conditions, the advantages of this German model continue to show more clearly. It maintained top traction in slippery road conditions, allowing me to accelerate safely even in heavy rain.
With pretty good performance in wet road conditions, I had high expectations for this product's snow performance.
The fact has proven the ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS did not disappoint me. All product operations are predictable, providing a safe, secure ride.
Despite an extreme performance tire, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS does not have an annoying noise.
The only problem with this product is that the driving feeling is quite vague on the highway. It is also a common drawback of high-performance tires.
Pros
Cons
6. Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
Best All-season Performance Tires for Dry and Wet
Wet and dry performance are the two things I'm most impressed with in the Pilot Sport All Season 4.
The product's contact patches have come into play on the dry road, providing more support. This advantage allows me to do a lot of difficult cornering.
However, I only appreciate the dry performance of this tire model on the average street. When testing on the track, I had trouble with Pilot Sport All Season 4 handling corners and high-performance summer tires are better in this category.
On wet roads, Pilot Sport All Season 4 continues to affirm the traditional advantage of the Michelin brand: high handling performance.
Through personal experience, I can fully explain its advantage on the wet grip.
Firstly, this tire model uses a proprietary silica compound that is flexible in all weather conditions. In addition, the wide perimeter grooves provide good support for water drainage. In particular, the 360-degree variable tube also helps Pilot Sport All Season 4 handle harsh conditions well.
Overall, I am pretty pleased with this high-performance all-season tire's wet and dry performance. My only complaint is the relatively short warranty, only 45,000 miles for a rather expensive version. Since I run a lot on the road in a year, I expect more support from the manufacturer.
Pros
Cons
7. Sumitomo HTR A/S P03
Best All-season Performance Tires for Budget
In the past, I thought that only high-priced performance tires would make the Lexus ES350 better to drive. However, this opinion changed until I tested the Sumitomo HTR A/S P03, which has outstanding performance at a low price.
The three surfaces I used when I tested the Sumitomo were dry, wet, and snow. And on all three surfaces, the results are pretty impressive.
On dry roads, the steering response of the HTR A/S P03 is quite impressive.
I almost didn't need to slow down when cornering or braking hard. Because the product's dry grip allows me to control the tire as I want.
However, the tire did not maintain excellent traction when operating on slippery roads. It slips slightly every time you accelerate or turn on a rainy highway. Luckily, Sumitomo quickly regained traction to ensure a steady ride.
Performance on wet roads is not as expected, but in return, the HTR A/S P03 has good snow handling. Tests on its acceleration time and braking distance both gave entirely satisfactory results. Therefore, this version has always been the most outstanding light snow handling tire in the segment in my experience.
I know I shouldn't ask too much of an affordable yet high-performance product like the HTR A/S P03.
However, I still hope that the Japanese manufacturer can reduce the noise. Its medium volume at high-speed many times made my driving feel incomplete.
Pros
Cons
8. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
Best for Summer Performance
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is positioned as a high-performance summer tire.
The manufacturer boasts of this tire model's advantages, which include short braking distances, good traction, and outstanding longevity.
To test all the above advantages, I spent more than half a year doing a series of tests. The results that this summer high-performance tire has achieved are surprising.
The braking distance on both dry and wet surfaces of the Pilot Sport 4S is several times shorter than that of its classmate. When traveling on a dry road at 100 km/h, the tire only takes 33.66m to stop completely. Meanwhile, some competitors in the same segment take more than 34m to stop completely.
When driving at 80km/h on wet roads, the braking distance of the Pilot Sport 4S is 27.73m. Meanwhile, most of the summer models I have used take at least more than 30m to come to a complete stop.
In addition to braking, the product's performance on dry and wet roads is also reflected in its balanced handling and strong traction.
My only complaint about the product's performance is that some parts below the middle corner are pretty uncomfortable when cornering on slippery roads.
Another commendable advantage of this Michelin tire is its good durability in the segment. Compared to direct competitors from Continental or Bridgestone, the Pilot Sport 4S is the only name with durability beyond 50,000 km.
Durable and high-performance, the Pilot Sport 4S is precisely the Lexus ES350 tires you've been looking for. However, you should also note that the product is not an option to move on ice and snow because it is a summer tire. The harsh winter climate will negatively affect the grip of the tires.
Pros
Cons
9. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
Best for Snow and Ice
Get $80 off a set of 4 Bridgestone tires
Valid through April 7, 2024
Available at TireRack.com - DiscountTire.com
Get $30 back by mail when you spend $500 or more
Valid through April 30, 2024
Available at TireRack.com
If summer performance tires like the Pilot Sport 4S are not suitable for the harsh winter climate where you live, you can look at the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90. This tire model can perform well in even the worst conditions.
I used the Blizzak WS90 to get through deep snow or slippery ice. In any case, the product provides enough traction to get the job done.
In addition to providing strong traction, the Blizzak WS90 also meets the demanding braking performance requirements on ice, provides reasonable road control, ensuring a safe ride.
Not only that, but the impressive braking performance also helps the Blizzak WS90 to always be ready to handle any problems on the road. Any driver errors are quickly remedied thanks to this advantage.
With the Blizzak WS90, Bridgestone prioritizes improving stability and safety when traveling in winter. However, that doesn't mean the wet-dry handling of this version has diminished.
The product's dry traction meets city driving needs. In heavy rain conditions, the Blizzak WS90 performed exceptionally well. With the thin layer of water between the road surface and the tire is quickly removed, providing better grip.
In addition to handling, the driving experience that Bridgestone tires bring also makes me satisfied. Unlike the usual growl on winter tires, the Blizzak WS90's reverberation did not bother me. Only when driving on the highway, can its volume catch my attention.
In terms of weakness, its suspension handling on gravel roads is not as perfect as expected. Medium bumps tend to bounce back, which makes me not comfortable.
Pros
Cons
10. Continental VikingContact 7
Best Winter Tires for Comfort Ride
Winter tire models often do not satisfy users who love comfort and refinement. But the Continental VikingContact 7 is an exception.
In addition to quietness, Continental tires provide a smooth ride on highways and streets, where I did my test with this tire.
The steering wheel is a bit out of control on this type of road surface. However, in return, I am pretty satisfied with the product's smoothness.
As a winter tire model, in addition to comfort, the product's most significant advantage is its ability to handle snow very well.
The VikingContact 7 takes just a few seconds to accelerate on this harsh surface. It maintains good handling and excellent grip even when driving at high speeds.
During hard braking at 25 mph in the snow, the VikingContact 7 took just a few seconds to come to a complete stop after I stepped on the brake.
The short braking distance continued to be maintained when I tested the VikingContact 7 on dry roads. According to my tests, this pattern continues to take only 95.7 feet to a complete stop. This number exceeds many current high-end winter models.
If you are looking for a quiet and high-performance winter tire for your Lexus ES350, the Continental VikingContact 7 will be my preferred recommendation.
Besides, this version works very well on wet roads with outstanding traction and handling.
On the rough road, the steering feel and noise were not what I expected. Hopefully, the manufacturer will fix this weakness as soon as possible.
Pros
Cons
Buying Guides: How to Choose the Best Tires for Lexus ES350
There are quite a few models available for you to consider, including performance, winter, summer, four-season, and all-weather tires. If you do not have much experience in these categories, this section will be helpful for you.
- Touring tires
Touring tires are the most popular choice among Lexus ES 350 owners.
The outstanding advantage of this tire is its high durability. Along with durability is a tire wear warranty that can go up to 90,000 miles. With such impressive mileage, it is not surprising that you can accompany this type for 5-6 years.
The price is also the reason why many car owners favor travel tires. Compared with specialized tires, touring tires help you save a large budget.
However, they still have some disadvantages. This one has a relatively slow response rate, not suitable for handling corners at high speed. Touring tires can only meet your requirements for safe and reliable driving.
- All-weather tires (the best choice for all weather conditions)
In addition to travel tires, all-weather tires are an option worth considering for ES350 owners.
This type of tire has a reasonably wide temperature range, meeting year-round driving needs. The all-weather tires provide safe traction and braking distance even in light snow conditions.
However, all-season tires won't be suitable if you live in an area with severe winters. Because although it can work on light snow, this one cannot replace specialized winter tires.
- High-performance all-season tires (the Best Choice for ES350 F-Sport)
You'll need a four-season high-performance tire to get the most out of the ES350 F-Sport.
The high-performance tires provide outstanding traction, completely changing how you drive the ES350 F-Sport. The driving feeling that these tires bring will be more impressive. Even with solid steering, the car will still react quickly.
The biggest downside of these high-performance tires is the shallow treads, which affect performance in the rain.
Besides, the unique tread surface design also makes high-performance tires not the ideal choice if you want a smooth and quiet ride.
- Performance summer tires (the Best Choice for ES350 F-Sport)
Summer tires are also an option worth considering for the ES350 F-Sport.
This model gives you the sensitivity and stickiness you need for safe driving in high temperatures. I will recommend this tire if you appreciate the sensitivity and responsiveness when driving.
However, I would never recommend summer tires if you live in an area with severe winters. In low-temperature conditions, the summer tire compound becomes too brittle, negatively affecting the trip's safety.
- Winter tires
If you live in an area with harsh winters, equip your Lexus ES350 with a specialized winter tire model. This tire will provide adequate traction and handling on snow and ice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
After consulting the list and instructions above, all your questions have been solved? If the answer is no, check out some frequently asked questions below.
- How often should I rotate my Lexus ES350 tires?
You should be habitually rotating your tires every 5,000 - 8,000 miles.
- What's the correct tire pressure on my Lexus ES350?
For all four tires, the ideal tire pressure is 30 pounds per square inch, PSI.
- How long do Lexus ES350 tires last?
The average lifespan of a Lexus ES350 tire is about 3 years if you drive 12,000-15,000 miles a year on average.
- Can I use winter tires during the summer?
You can use winter tires during summer. You will, however, get the desired performance. Besides, the rubber compound of winter in high-temperature conditions can quickly inflate, affecting the tire's life.
- Can I drive performance summer tires in cold temperatures?
Summer performance tires are unsuitable for use in low temperatures with icy pavements. When the ambient temperature drops to just 40-45°F, it won't hold the exact grip as it initially did. Even when the temperature is too low, summer tires easily crack.
Final Thoughts
Each version in the list above has its advantages. For example, the Michelin Defender T+H tire always has a perfect lifetime warranty.
Meanwhile, the Sumitomo HTR A/S P03 attracted me with its low price, and the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 impressed me with its performance on snow and ice.
Whatever your choice, the best tires for Lexus ES350 are sure to meet your driving needs. Thank you for reading!
I’m Ivo Gievski, the content writer for Tireer. We built our website with over 15 years of experience and extensive research in the automotive and technology sectors. My dedication to delivering high-quality content is unwavering, and I strive to continuously hone my skills to stay ahead of industry trends and provide readers with informative, engaging, and valuable insights.