Top 10 Best Tires for Toyota 4runner: Latest Options

Hey, there fellow Toyota 4Runner owners! If you're like me, you love taking your 4Runner on all sorts of adventures, whether it's hitting the trails, cruising on the highway, or just running errands around town. But no matter what kind of driving you do, having the right tires can make all the difference in the performance and safety of your vehicle.

That's why I've put together this article to help you find the best tires for Toyota 4Runner. I've done the research and testing so you don't have to, and I'll share my top picks with you based on factors like off-road performance, handling, comfort, and durability. Whether you're looking for all-terrain tires, mud-terrain tires, or highway tires, I've got you covered.

So buckle up and get ready to upgrade your 4Runner's performance and take your adventures to the next level!

In-Depth Reviews of the Best Tires for Toyota 4runner Available in 2023

Finding replacement tire models has never been difficult with a famous version like the Toyota 4runner. However, this diversity makes the review and decision so much more complicated.

The good news is that you won't have to worry about the overwhelming variety of Toyota 4runner tires.

I have tested dozens of different tires for you from all brands. In the eight months, I've been doing this, I've filtered out 10 of the hundreds of the most promising options.

Here are the most valuable names that we can choose to buy and use in 2023.

Touring All-Season Tires

Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra

While camping at the edge of the forest, the tire model almost never experienced a loss of traction. I choose this place to test tires because the stability here is usually low on average. Large amounts of gravel and fallen leaves are also challenges for tires.

It's great that what Alenza AS Ultra shows is up to expectations. In rock and thick leaves, the tire can still stop and advance 5 times continuously. Even the instant acceleration from 0 to 60km/h takes place smoothly. However, accelerating quickly in both conditions is often quite dangerous, and you should not follow it.

On hot weather days, traveling with this tire model will help you safer. In addition to traction, Alenza AS Ultra also possesses quite good heat resistance.

After a trip to the forest's edge, I decided my next destination would be a beautiful beach in the North. But to get to this place, I need to cross a 3km long road with the surface having a temperature of 50 degrees.

The high price can be quite a barrier with the tight budget of many people. You will have to accept to pay more for a high-quality version like the Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra.

Pros:

• The excellent grip on dry tarmac
• Balanced handling and excellent traction in wet conditions
• Very responsive for a touring tire
• Impressive snow handling
• Rapid acceleration even on unstable surfaces

Cons:

• High price

Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3

Comfort is an essential factor that an all-season touring tire for Toyota 4runner needs to achieve. If you prioritize this criterion, Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 will be the most suitable choice.

I feel very comfortable, especially when sitting in the car for a long time. On my most recent business trip, I had to go to a city far away from where I live. So my colleague and I decided to take turns driving and resting.

I needed to drink a large amount of coffee to stay awake. But I could fall asleep and wake up refreshed comfortably for some reason.

Later that day, I discovered that the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 was still mounted on the 4runner rim. It didn't have noisy tire friction even though my colleague said he drove the car up to 70km/h.

During my turn, there was a sudden downpour. There wouldn't be much to say if this rain hadn't damaged a section of the road. Fortunately, I braked in time, and the Scorpion AS Plus 3 only skidded 10m even though the running speed in this situation was about 75km/h.

So, the braking ability is superior to many other products.

In terms of downside, the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 is a quality tire. However, the money needed to own this product is often not suitable for most users.

Pros:

• No noise
• Premium all-season tire
• Advance tread design
• Enhanced controllability and braking
• High driving comfort
• Long term warranty

Cons:

• High price

Highway All-Season Tires

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is an all-season highway tire that possesses unique elements. Most significantly, this version is much more durable than other competitors. To prove it, I have repeatedly tested the Defender LTX M/S on a 500m snowy road with many obstacles next to the house.

The road I used to check the tires exactly didn't exist on the map. Because it is a small dirt road, heavy rain makes the obstacles much more difficult. Despite moving in such harsh conditions, the Defender LTX M/S still did not encounter much damage with its outstanding acceleration.

I even let the car turn around to go through this road a second time to ensure my conclusion. The result was not unexpected when no deep cuts appeared. This test also taught me that the tire possesses excellent braking ability. Also, on this track, I tried some other Toyota 4runner tires products.

The final results show that the shortest track length belongs to LTX M/S with a figure of only 10m at 65km/h.

The Defender LTX M/S is always on the list of the most expensive Michelin tires. However, its severe off-road performance didn't convince me. If you need to get through rough terrain better then use the appropriate mud or all-terrain tires.

Pros:

• Durable
• Excellent highway stability, even when towing or hauling
• Outstanding acceleration
• Excellent handling in the rain
• Good traction on light snow
• Ideal tread life
• Perfect for light off-roading
• Withstands the impact of small agents

Cons:

• Expensive

Firestone Destination LE3

The most significant advantage of the Firestone Destination LE3 is its perfect performance on the highway. Regardless of your speed or weather, the tire can still maintain its inherent stability.

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to experience the Destination LE3 firsthand at two of the most extreme times. The first is at midday when the long highway's surface temperature begins to peak.

Although I received many warnings about tire explosions when the asphalt surface was at 40 degrees, I decided to take a risk. The results are remarkable when the tension of the Destination LE3, according to the equipment shows, is constant. It proves that the heat from friction with the hot road surface does not cause expansion for the tire.

On the other day, on this same road, there was heavy snowy rain while driving the vehicle. I quickly increased the throttle to 110km/h to test to see if the tire would lose stability. Even when the speed needle points to 110km/h, the car vibrates slightly. But soon, the feeling of driving returned even though the road was quite slippery outside.

Moving on the road with many obstacles is always a difficult challenge that the Firestone Destination LE3 cannot overcome. In general, you need to avoid this terrain if you are using tires

Pros:

• High stability
• Good anti-expansion
• Good steering feel and response
• Stable handling on snow
• Highway all-season tires
• Quiet operation
• Long treadwear warranty

Cons:

• Less comfortable on uneven road surface

All-Terrain tires

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is a robust all-terrain tire that can grip most terrain with different surfaces.

During a steep climb with the T/A KO2, I discovered that this tire easily traverses rocky roads. Surprisingly, there was no sign of impact imprinting on the surface. Instead of finding a way to resist cuts like many other manufacturers, BFGoodrich developed the ability to push obstacles. Rocks or debris colliding with the tire's elastic surface will tend to bounce off.

All-terrain tires often prioritize performance over comfort. For me, this manufacturer version is entirely appropriate because it can guarantee durability and helps the vehicle move more smoothly.

Sitting a lot in the car caused me some problems with my back. Whenever going to the ramps with obstacles, the pain will surely come.

Before using the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, I am sure no product has improved the situation. After equipping the tires, moving on sloping surfaces or flat roads does not make much difference.

On the downside, in my experience, although All-Terrain T/A KO2 has owned a lot of mechanisms to reduce noise, it still can't keep quiet when moving at high speed.

Pros:

• Smooth moving
• Responsive steering
• Works on unpacked snow well
• Excellent on hardpacked surfaces
• Good mud traction
• Long treadwear warranty
• Good durability thanks to a special mechanism

Cons:

• Noisy at high speed

Falken WildPeak A/T3W

The Falken WildPeak A/T3W is one of the few all-terrain tires to achieve the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) certification. Any version with this certification can stabilize movement in the iciest regions.

To test the tire's snow and ice performance, I drove to areas with pre-inclement weather. With year-round runways, only the best products can travel on them.

Welcoming me was a 600m long frozen road with a slippery surface. Before moving down this road, I tried to get out of the car to check the furtive. The truth is that I have difficulty getting on my feet, so the road slip will be pretty significant.

At the start, I put the car at 35km/h and then went up to 40 and 45 without any problems. At 50km/h, my car started slipping, but everything was under control.

As we move deeper into this area, snow begins to fall. But out of habit, I started measuring tire sizes. After about 30 minutes of traveling in -4 degree weather, I arrived at the rest station.

At this point, the measurement work takes place. The results are pretty positive when the difference is only about 0.05%. This number proves that the tire does not shrink despite the continuous decrease in temperature.

If you want to use a highly responsive product then the Falken WildPeak A/T3W will not be the right choice. This tire model has a huge problem in responding to the effects of the environment on itself.

Pros:

• Good grip
• Excellent on hardpacked surfaces
• Good traction in mud
• Strong performer on dry road
• Very good braking in wet
• Strong balanced handling on snow
• No slippage when operating at high speed

Cons:

• Low responsive

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

The Cooper AT3 4S is a pretty powerful tire. I had the opportunity to witness the product's performance when moving up the snowy steep road near my house. A 25-degree slope with lots of sand and crushed rock is a big challenge. But fortunately, this product can still pass easily.

On more snowy roads, its handling and grip still did not disappoint.

Its high thickness and deep spikes allowed it to get out of the 5-inch-thick snow quickly.
More remarkable, my car could still cross over 200m of thick ice afterward with a relatively perfect response.

But no product will be so perfect that no damage will occur, and the Discoverer AT3 4S is no exception. With intense testing on many complex terrains, the tire eventually encountered problems.

Since the time to repair complex damage is quite long, I decided to have the tire checked quickly. With the lifetime warranty program, the expense is almost non-existent. So the issue of time is the only thing that concerns me.

After many business days, I received a notification of a tire problem, and the product's texture caused the damage. As a rule, I get a free replacement, and the testing procedures are back to normal within a week.

This product can handle dry corners very well, but this performance is significantly reduced on wet roads. The Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S will easily slip away and crash somewhere.

Pros:

• Short stopping distances
• Excellent braking on snow
• Surefooted handling on snow
• Solid ice traction
• Very good drivability on gravel
• Quick response to tire problems

Cons:

• Not good cornering on a wet road

Best Cheap All-Terrain Tires

Vredestein Pinza AT

Finding a product that can move well on wet surfaces at such a low price as the Vredestein Pinza AT is complex. If the cost issue always worries you, do not hesitate to choose this tire model immediately.

Affordable is what I often say about the Vredestein Pinza AT because you will get 2 for the same amount for the other versions. Compared to high-end tires, this price difference is even more significant. If you have to choose between Pinza products and other premium tire models, you need to consider your needs.

This version achieves the best performance when traveling on wet surfaces. Whether in melting the heavy rain, the tire performance is equally reliable. During a nighttime move, it suddenly rained heavily and quickly engulfed the road I was traveling on.

Because it was urgent, I decided to put my faith in Pinza AT instead of stopping. Compared to the manufacturer's advertisements, the tire does much better.

Although the water level is now up to one-third of the tire surface, hydrolysis still does not occur. When I got to the S-turn, I could still correctly perform the maneuvers to make a safe turn.

Vredestein Pinza AT's snow performance is quite poor. Even what this tire model shows on the thin snow surface is not outstanding in my opinion.

Pros:

• Cheap all-terrain tires
• Amazing wet cornering
• Outstanding cornering grip on dry
• Excellent drivability in the rain
• Good responsive steering
• Noise resistance on the highway
• Smooth ride for an all-terrain tire

Cons:

• Need to improve performance on snow

Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015

If I have enough budget, I will always prioritize a set of the Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 tires to serve my cornering preferences. With an affordable price tag, excellent handling, and grip, this version is ideal for more experienced riders.

I enjoyed challenging my tires into sharp turns at high speeds, something only experienced drivers can do. As soon as I received the Geolandar A/T G015, I quickly took the car and this tire model for testing.

The area that I chose is a high mountain area with perilous turns. In the first 500m, I will have to encounter an S corner and a left turn. In the following 500m, the challenge will be to plunge with two consecutive S turns. At a safe speed of 50km/h, I took the S corner at the first 500m. The feeling of strabismus of the Geolandar A/T G015 is relatively stable.

The grip that the product creates is moderate and does not cause discomfort when having to steer continuously. Its processing speed was more evident when I went downhill at the last 500m.

Braking and cornering is a rather tricky technique and requires the tire to be very flexible. This version of Yokohama is not inferior to competitors in the same segment. I finally completed the challenging route with satisfaction.

On the disadvantage, I had a lot of trouble driving through a rather deep mud field with this tire. Traction in deep mud is not high. Furthermore, the tires didn't have enough traction on large rocks, even though I reduced the tire pressure to 15 psi.

Pros:

• Good handling ability
• Great on dry and wet pavement
• Quiet and comfortable for an all-terrain tire
• Good handling on light snow
• Extremely flexible
• Good driving feeling

Cons:

• Not enough traction in deep mud and large rocks

Winter tires

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

The difference between a winter tires like the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 with all-season products is the level of grip on the road.

With layers of snow under 3 inches, I find that almost any all-season product works. But at 4 inches or more, the number of products available is very few.

The Blizzak DM-V2 is one of the few models capable of operating over 5 inches thick. After a giant blizzard, I realized that my Toyota 4runner was under more than 5 inches of snow. I will need help if I have been in this situation before. But with the Blizzak DM-V2, I just need to turn on the engine and run.

The grooves on the tire will automatically handle everything. To avoid snow clinging after a round of travel, the manufacturer has added deep grooves to handle this problem.

Even water from melted snow or pure snow cannot stick to the tires to reduce friction. Even hydroplaning cannot happen because there is no more liquid to cover.

The responsiveness of the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 is not really as good as I expected. Compared to many in-class others, the response time and truthfulness on this tire are quite bad.

Pros:

• Works nicely in heavy snow and ice
• Ideal traction on dirt and gravel
• Excellent on-road performance
• Amazing braking in the rain
• Perfect light-snow traction
• Excellent hydroplaning resistance

Cons:

• Poor responsiveness

Buying Guides: How to Choose the Best Tires for Toyota 4runner

The factors, including driving habits, seasons and weather, size, and warranty that I am about to analyze, will play a vital role in assessing the quality of tires.

A quality Toyota 4runner tires model must meet all these four essential factors.

• Your driving habits

Each person will have a different driving habit based on ability and preference.

Making a decision based on these factors will ensure your highest satisfaction with the product. Usually, touring tires will be the perfect choice for most users.

Because these products are known for balancing performance and comfort, you can consider this tire line if there is no particular need.

Highway tires will be the best fit if you want to move fast and enjoy the best drivability.

The construction of these products is specialized for high-speed operation. Meanwhile, off-road tires are products for those who love adventure and challenges.

• Seasons and Weather

The simplest option is all-season models. Except for places with extreme weather with a lot of snow and ice, this tire can serve us well anywhere.

However, if there is a higher demand for performance in a given season, you will need to find specialized tires.

• Tire size

The only and most suitable option for the size problem is based on the car's wheel size. Any choice of difference, whether larger or smaller, has significant consequences for your vehicle's durability and safety.

• Warranty

Warranty is the first factor you should pay attention to when choosing tires. Keep an eye out for products with extended warranties.

Although the amount of money spent to own these tire models may be higher, the difference is entirely worth it. Tires are not always able to perform at their best. So preparation in advance is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How long do Toyota 4Runner tires last?

The lifespan of Toyota 4Runner tires can vary depending on factors such as driving conditions, tire quality, and maintenance practices. On average, a set of tires can last between 50,000 to 70,000 miles.

• How often should I rotate my 4Runner's tires?

You should rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles to ensure even tire wear and prolong the life of your tires.

• What size tires can you fit on a stock 4th gen 4Runner?

The stock tire size for the 4th generation Toyota 4Runner is 265/70 R17. Tires within a range of 255/75 R17 to 285/70 R17 can fit on a stock 4th gen 4Runner.

• How do I make my 4Runner last longer?

To make your 4Runner last longer, follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule, keep the engine properly tuned, and perform regular tire rotations and balanced. Also, avoid overloading the vehicle, and drive at moderate speeds to reduce wear and tear.

• Will 33s fit on a stock 4Runner?

33-inch tires can fit on a stock 4th gen 4Runner, but you may need to make modifications to the suspension and/or fenders to ensure proper clearance.

• Can I use mud tires on my 4Runner for everyday driving?

No, mud-terrain tires are not recommended for everyday driving on 4Runner as they can be loud and have poor fuel efficiency. They are best suited for off-road use.

• What is the difference between all-terrain and mud-terrain tires for 4Runner?

All-terrain tires are designed to provide good performance on a variety of surfaces, including paved roads, gravel, and light off-road conditions. Mud tires are designed for more extreme off-road use, but may not perform as well on paved roads.

Conclusion

For me, products like Michelin Defender LTX M/S are the best choice overall, but Vredestein Pinza AT or Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 is much cheaper and more suitable for gravel roads. Meanwhile, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S possesses extremely powerful and explosive performance.

Have you picked your best tires for Toyota 4runner? I hope that through this article, you have come up with the most suitable version for yourself.

If you have any opinions to express, do not hesitate to leave a comment below to let us know. Thank you for reading!