Top 10 Best Tires for Toyota Highlander: Latest Options

On different terrains, you can boost power and on-road performance with your Toyota Highlander, a high-performance SUV. Replacing its built-in tires with suitable models will be a reasonable solution.

While the Highlander's existing tires are alright, more is needed to handle heavy loads or bad weather in many US states. How to pick up the best tires for Toyota Highlander? Which brand guarantees the best quality for your SUV tires?

Continue reading my post below to find the answer right now!

In-Depth Reviews of the Best Tires for Toyota Highlander Available in 2024

In today's article, I will give you the top 10 best tires for Toyota Highlander worth buying on the market. Each product is suitable for different needs.

No matter which brand the tires come from, you don't need to worry about their quality. I took the time to test, review, and select the ideal models for your SUVs.

1. Michelin CrossClimate 2

Best for Overall

The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is a pure all-weather product. So I only needed to test drive a little to see its wet and dry performance advantages. It demonstrated compelling traction on dry road surfaces, even in the first mile.

Another advantage I discovered during dry riding with tires was the surprisingly short stopping distance. In many tests, it significantly shortened the braking distance when I stepped on the brake slowly instead of braking sharply. Therefore, I no longer have to worry about unexpected incidents on the road.

Not only did it meet my needs for dry performance well, but this Michelin product did the same when traveling in wet areas.

Handling is very predictable on wet pavement, especially when I'm doing fast-response maneuvers on the highway. And that's why my steering feels with the tires is apparent even in the heavy rain.

A stable side grip and low slip make traveling with the CrossClimate 2 safer. I feel very confident on the highway, even at 75 mph. Moreover, the tires easily get through deep puddles, without any problems. The hydroplaning resistance is excellent with this tire.

I waited until the snowy winter to do my actual tests. Surprisingly, it quickly passed with 5 inches of deep snow and some thin ice with very good acceleration and a short stopping distance.

Furthermore, I'm really impressed with how the tires handle ice so well, much better than other all-season tires I've experienced.

What's even more impressive is that the tires are very quiet, even on the highway, when I accelerated up to 75 mph but still did not notice any noise from the tires.

The ride is also very smooth, which I noticed immediately from the first mile. However, the trip is a bit harsh when encountering large potholes, or rough road surfaces. Of course, I don't think you will encounter this often.

Michelin tires like the CrossClimate 2 are much more expensive than tires in the same segment, and this reason can be a significant drawback. However, you will enjoy the performance of the best SUV tire model today.

Pros:

• Short braking distance on dry pavement
• Excellent traction on dry surfaces
• Excellent hydroplaning resistance
• Excellent on wet surfaces, even in heavy rain
• Excellent acceleration and braking distance in light snow
• Impressive traction on ice for an all-weather tire
• Quiet ride, even at highway speeds

Cons:

• The trip is a bit harsh when encountering large potholes, or rough road surface
• High price

2. Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady

Best for Light Snow Traction

As its name suggests, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady is a suitable choice for you to be ready to travel even in light snow areas.

This tire model has 3PMSF certification, representing stable snow performance even on harsh snow roads. Yet, the Assurance WeatherReady performs better on thin snow surfaces.

The tire can move in places where the snow is thicker. Yet, comfort and other control factors are all much less than when I operated the tire on thin snow.

My measurements also show that the Goodyear tire model is suitable for traveling in areas with thinner snow. Even compared to all-season in-class tires, WeatherReady's performance is even better.

It quickly passed my grip and brake tests on shallow snow. Meanwhile, only some all-season templates are solid and robust enough to complete these tests.

Not only does it work well in snow conditions, but the WeatherReady gives us excellent performance in dry areas. Therefore, I appreciate the balanced performance that the manufacturer has integrated into this impressive tire. The Assurance WeatherReady is highly safe and stable on dry roads.

Handling corners or braking does not also take too much effort. The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady rides relatively quietly if you keep the speed steady at medium, but the tire will make a light tread growl on the highway when I accelerate above 70 mph.

Besides, I felt comfortable throughout my experience with this tire around town, and even on the highway. However, like the CrossClimate 2, it is a bit harsh when going through large potholes or broken pavement.

Also, the thing I complain about this tire is its handling on wet surfaces. I have directly tested it on the highway wet many times, but its grip and cornering ability have decreased significantly beyond my expectations, although the hydroplaning resistance is still very good.

Of course, I'm comparing this tire to the CrossClimate 2 or the TrueContact Tour, which is great in the rain that I've used before. The Assurance WeatherReady is still safe for daily driving in the rain, just not as good as the two tires above.

Pros:

• Excellent acceleration and cornering in the snow
• Easy handling on snow
• Short braking distance in the snow
• Very responsive to a linear steering
• Very good traction on dry surfaces
• Very good hydroplaning resistance
• Ride comfortably on smooth roads
• Excellent treadlife

Cons:

• Light tread growl at highway speed
• The trip can be a bit harsh when encountering big potholes
• Need to improve performance in the rain

3. Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3

Best All-Season Tires for Comfort and Quiet Ride

The Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 is the choice that is recommended for those who want to enjoy comfort or often have to travel with the elderly and children. This Pirelli model has almost no rival for comfort and quiet operation on this list.

I rarely set my expectations too high with the comfort of an SUV tire model. But what the Scorpion AS Plus 3 shows ultimately convinces me.

I tried placing modern sensors to check for vibrations in its cabin. In my many attempts, the results have unexpectedly exceeded my expectations. Even when I tried to drive onto an uneven roadway, my Highlander didn't vibrate at all, the tires absorb bumps on the road very well.

The best thing that really impressed me is that the Scorpion AS Plus 3 is very quiet on rough roads. Most of the tires I've experienced before making noise on rough pavement, and I needed to turn up the radio volume to hear it clearly. But with the Scorpion AS Plus 3, I can keep the volume low.

Moreover, even on the highway when I accelerated to 75 mph I barely heard any noise from the tires. The ride is truly amazing, and very few tires can do the same.

For performance, this tire can meet almost all my basic needs. On dry roads, the tires give a great driving feel with much better traction and cornering than many other all-season tires I've used.

Moreover, the tire handling is very responsive, and stable on the highway. The straight-line tracking is also excellent. I didn't notice any vibration even when I accelerated to 75 mph with this tire.

On wet pavement, I had the chance to experience 2 heavy rains with these tires while driving in town and about 60 miles on the highway.

I found the tire to handle excellently with very good traction, giving me a lot of confidence on slippery surfaces. Moreover, the braking distance is very impressive, I did not notice the difference in braking distance between the Scorpion AS Plus 3 and the Michelin CrossClimate 2 that I have tested before.

Even on the highway, when I accelerated up to 75 mph, the tires retained excellent stability, I did not notice any vibration, even when entering corners. At the same time, the hydroplaning resistance is also excellent.

It's great that I had a chance to test these tires this past winter, and they handle 3 inches of snow with ease with quick acceleration and I didn't notice any slip or spin.

In the hard-packed snow and some ice, I noticed the tires skid and spin more when accelerating, the braking distance was also significantly longer.

In about 8 to 9 inches of snow, I almost got stuck. I had to install snow chains to get out of that area. This is probably a great tire for someone who lives in an area with mild winters with light snowfall.

Pros:

• Extremely quiet, even on the highway
• Very comfortable, even on rough roads
• Stable handling and short distances on dry pavement
• Excellent straight-line tracking
• Stability in corners
• Excellent hydroplaning resistance
• Excellent handling and stability in heavy rain
• Excellent acceleration and braking distance in light snow
• Easy driving on light snow

Cons:

• Not enough traction on hard-packed snow and ice

4. Continental CrossContact LX25

Best for Rain Traction

The Continental CrossContact LX25 is an all-season tire that consistently ranks at the top of the best tire lists for owners of crossovers and SUVs.

After much experience on the Toyota Highlander, I found this tire to be especially impressive in the rain, with hydroplaning resistance and wet traction being excellent, even when I encountered very heavy rains.

Even my Toyota Highlander was very stable on the highway in the rain, even when I accelerated up to 75 mph. There aren't any wheel slip or vibration issues here.

Moreover, the tires are very stable in the corners that I have experienced on the interstate. Along with that, the braking distance is also very short, and as far as I observe, the stopping distance is equivalent to the CrossClimate 2 that I have experienced before.

The handling on dry pavement is also excellent at almost any speed and on any surface.
I made the 270-mile trip from Lewiston to Caldwell, Idaho and back to Lewiston the next day. And the tires handled superbly, while delivering very strong traction at 70 to 75 mph during the journey.

During that multi-hour journey, the tires were very responsive to the steering wheel, and the straight line tracking was excellent. At the same time, these tires are very stable when going through corners. Moreover, the dry braking distance is also very short.

Performance in winter is something that I am very interested in. And as I expected, the tires were easy to pass through light snow with about 3 to 4 inches and some roads with thin ice.

Acceleration is excellent in those conditions. I feel my Toyota Highlander is very stable and safe with very strong traction on light snow.

The stopping distance on the snow is also very short. In my experience, the braking distance of the CrossContact LX25 and the CrossClimate 2 differ by only a very small margin, even though the CrossClimate 2 is an all-weather tire with the 3PMSF symbol.

Even on a snow-covered uphill road, my Toyota Highlander easily moved forward without any problems, but I found the tires spinning quite a bit on some of the other cars around.

In terms of comfort, I am very satisfied with this tire. The ride is very comfortable, the tires absorb very well the small imperfections on the road, so I don't feel them at all. However, the ride is a bit less comfortable when going through larger potholes or broken surfaces.

Moreover, the ride is also very quiet, even on the highway at speeds up to 75 mph, with almost no noise from the tires entering the cabin. This has made my driving experience so much better when driving long distances.

Overall, if you want a set of tires from a premium brand at an average price point for everyday driving, this is the right tire for your Toyota Highlander.

Pros:

• Excellent acceleration and very short braking distance in the rain
• Excellent hydroplaning resistance
• Easy to drive in the rain
• Excellent performance on dry surfaces
• Fast acceleration and short braking distances on light snow
• Very good cornering on most surfaces and weather conditions
• Great responsiveness and very good straight line tracking
• The ride is very quiet, even at highway speeds
• Improved fuel economy

Cons:

• The ride may be less comfortable on broken surfaces or larger potholes

5. Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra

Best for Durability

Durability is a factor I always appreciate when looking for a great replacement tire for my Highlander. The Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra would be the most suitable choice for this aspect.

The Alenza A/S Ultra comes with an 80,000-mile tire wear warranty on all sizes, one of the longest warranties for all-season tires.

Besides, my friend who is using Alenza A/S Ultra on his Subaru Outback also told me that, after about 9000 miles he has driven, the tires still have not shown any signs of wear.

In terms of performance, I found the Alenza AS Ultra to be quite on par with the Continental CrossContact LX25 that I had previously experienced.

On dry pavement, the tires are very stable on the highway, without any vibration even at speeds above 70 mph. Moreover, I can easily control the steering wheel through the corners with very responsive and precise handling.

Perhaps the only thing that I don't like about the Alenza AS Ultra is the braking distance. The dry braking distance is slightly longer than that of the CrossContact LX25. However, it is still a safe distance that allows me to handle situations on the road well.

On wet pavement, the Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra exceeded my expectations. I've been through two heavy rains with this tire on the highway, and to my surprise my Toyota Highlander is still very stable even at 70 mph, and the hydroplaning resistance is excellent.

Moreover, when going through corners on the interstate highway, the tires still handle very well. Besides, the wet braking distance is also very short, and on par with the CrossContact LX25 that I have ever experienced.

With winter performance, you should probably only use them on light snowy surfaces. Because from my experience this past winter, the Alenza AS Ultra easily handles 3 to 4 inches of snow with solid traction, and is predictable and easy to control.

At the same time, acceleration on snow is also very good, but of course, it is still a bit slower than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.

In terms of comfort, I am really satisfied after many experiences with them. The ride is very smooth, even on broken pavement. Once I drove through the uneven concrete, but my wife still slept very well in the cabin.

Besides, the Alenza AS Ultra was pretty quiet when I was driving around town, and there were only a few small growls when I was driving on the highway. But as long as I close the windows or turn on the music a little louder, I barely hear any noise from the tires in the cabin.

Pros:

• Excellent durability and long warranty
• Excellent traction on dry surfaces
• Stability on the highway
• Excellent cornering ability
• Excellent hydroplaning resistance
• Easy to drive in the rain with great handling
• The steering is very responsive
• Good traction and handling on light snow
• Comfortable ride, even on broken surfaces

Cons:

• Slightly longer stopping distances on dry surfaces
• Some light growls on the highway

6. Goodyear Assurance MaxLife

Best for Handling on the Road

You need a good model for handling the road to move through roads with many obstacles or bends. The right choice for the best handling on the road would be the Goodyear Assurance MaxLife.

The first aspect that contributes to its impressively responsive handling is dry grip. Although I have tried many different models, I have never found a worthy opponent for MaxLife.

Because of this advantage, I hardly worry about losing control or slipping off the road, even at high speed. What makes it even better is its ideal grip on wet roads.

Through many practical tests, I witnessed its braking distance on wet and slippery roads is impressively short. So, I can still handle sudden emergency braking situations more safely at high speeds.

Its wet road stability is always the highest of the models I choose for my Toyota Highlander. The tests showed that the symmetrical tread design kept my car's center of gravity.

Even with fast acceleration, I did not see any unusual problems. It's even so stable that I can keep control of my full-size SUV when it loses traction midway.

I had a chance to test these tires this past winter and they easily overcame the 2 to 3 inches deep snow-covered roads I've encountered. Acceleration on light snow is pretty good compared to many other all-season tires I've used before.

However, I don't like this tire's long stopping distance in the snow. Worse than most of the all-season and all-weather tires on this list.

Worse yet, after I turned onto a road with deep snow, I got stuck there. I recommend using this tire only in areas with light snowfall for safety.

It's amazing that comfort and road noise is something I've always been looking for that met my driving needs. I didn't notice much highway noise, even when I sped up to 75 mph. It can be said that they are really quiet.

Sitting in the cabin, I always feel very comfortable, even after driving for many hours continuously. The tires absorb bumps very well, I didn't notice any vibrations entering the cabin.

Pros:

• Excellent tread warranty (85,000 miles)
• Strong brakes and excellent traction on dry surfaces
• Stable cornering on both dry and wet pavement
• Easy to drive in the rain, even at highway speeds
• Short braking distance on wet pavement
• Excellent hydroplaning resistance
• Fairly good acceleration on light snow with good enough traction
• Very comfortable and quiet ride on most surfaces and at all speeds
• Good responsiveness

Cons:

• Longer stopping distances on snow than other premium tires
• Can get stuck in deep snow

7. Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Best Highway Tires for Towing And Hauling

Pulling trailers or rear trunks is quite simple, with a model as powerful as the Toyota Highlander. Yet, only when equipped with the right tires can it perform this task well. The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is the best fit for towing and hauling. This model also possesses many features that help the car operate stably on the highway.

I tested a wide range of tow axles from simple to complex and heavy on my the LTX M/S equipped Highlander. The results show that stability and grip on the road are always high. Even when I accelerated to enter the highway, the stats still didn't tend to drop.

I also observed the simulation parameters and received reports similar to the actual results. Towing a trailer and traveling at high speed has always been more complex. Therefore, I highly appreciate this advantage of the Defender LTX M/S.

Wet handling is also gone on this highway tire. Instead of sacrificing one element in exchange for another, Michelin kept it all. I can drive stably on hot, dry, wet, or rainy roads.

What surprised me the most was that with such an impressive performance, the Defender LTX M/S still moved very quietly and quite comfortable on most surfaces. Meanwhile, other highway patterns often produce a lot of annoying operating sounds.

With a Michelin tire model as powerful and famous as the LTX M/S, you will pay a much higher price than similar versions from other manufacturers. So, it's not nearly for middle-income drivers.

Pros:

• Very good traction on both dry and wet roads
• Stable operation even at high speed
• Good traction on light snow
• Can be used on hard packing surfaces such as gravel and dirt
• Very quiet, even on the highway
• The ride is quite comfortable on most surfaces

Cons:

• Still too expensive for many drivers

8. Firestone Destination LE3

Best Highway Tires for Budget

The Destination LE3 is the most affordable model on my list. Also, this Firestone version is the best budget highway tires I've tried.

Because of its low price, any service driver can buy and use the LE3 for himself. For me, this model is the breakthrough for the mid-range tire line.

I do not think the manufacturer cannot integrate so many outstanding features at a low price. As a typical highway product, the Destination LE3 can handle well at high speeds in certain areas.

What this tire model does is beyond my imagination. It still moves highly stable over long distances regardless of the weather conditions, rain or shine.

I even witnessed how the tire maintained its acceleration even on the snow. Compared to other low-priced tires, these factors of the LE3 are too superior.

My driving feeling while controlling the Firestone Destination LE3 is comfortable and smooth. Not only does the noise decrease deeply, but this tire model also has a mechanism for much better feedback and control. If this one doesn't have to navigate rough road areas, it can conquer any fastidious driver.

Pros:

• Low price
• More accessible
• Steady acceleration
• Can move in many kinds of weather, even snow
• Move comfortably with good steering support
• Extremely quiet ride

Cons:

• Less comfortable on rough roads

9. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

Best for Snow and Ice

The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 is the safest and best way to drive a Toyota Highlander to snowy areas. This model has different tread designs and mechanisms for smoother, less dangerous driving.

While testing the Blizzak DM-V2, I was shocked at its acceleration on the snow surface. Usually, even specialized snow tires will have difficulty gaining acceleration on too-weak surfaces. But Bridgestone has overcome this drawback, giving my heavy SUVs great acceleration.

Its braking performance and handling on wet and snowy roads are also remarkable. After many tests on measuring devices and in reality, I have entirely assured the results received, which are within my expectations.

Even though I've crossed many roads, I can barely notice any shaking or loss of control. Only a few performer models have such perfect performances.

I wonder why Bridgestone doesn't offer a treadwear warranty on a high-priced snowy model like the Blizzak DM-V2. Despite its solid design and impeccable performance, it would be better if the manufacturer provided a full warranty.

Pros:

• Stable braking in snowy conditions
• Excellent handling on deep snow and ice surfaces
• Good acceleration on the snow and ice surfaces
• Maintains processing performance on both dry and wet surfaces

Cons:

• No treadwear warranty

10. Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV

Best Winter Tires for a Comfortable and Quiet Ride

Winter tires and comfortable and quiet rides are often distinct features that appear together on a traditional tire model. But with changing cutting-edge technology, Michelin created the X-ICE SNOW SUV to fill this void.

Driving on a porous snow surface is not as smooth and smooth as you might think. It is almost impossible to avoid sharp obstacles while running on the runway, which causes significant noise and discomfort to the driver.

Yet, the excellent shock absorption of the X-ICE SNOW SUV partly offsets this disadvantage. Now even someone who is quite sensitive to vibrations like me is somewhat more comfortable thanks to the appearance of this tire.

Like the smoothness, the noise on the Michelin X-ICE SNOW SUV is no longer a big concern. Although I can still hear the small friction sounds, at least I can no longer feel their loudness. So, trips in the snow will also make less noise.

The snow and ice performance of the X-ICE SNOW SUV is very good. Notably, the braking distance on the snow is very short, it is similar to the Blizzak DM-V2 tires that I tested earlier. Along with that is the ability to accelerate very quickly on snow and ice surfaces. There's nothing for me to complain about here.

Moreover, the X-Ice Snow SUV is also great in the rain. It was stable on the highway, even when I was driving at 70 mph.

I didn't notice any hydroplaning, my Toyota Highlander was very stable even in wet corners when I was driving on the interstate.

On dry pavement, the tires were also very responsive and precise in handling the unexpected situations I encountered. Traction is very impressive to me.

Pros:

• Short braking distance on snow and ice
• Outstanding acceleration on snow-covered roads
• Easy to control on the snow
• Short braking and superior handling in the rain
• Good traction on dry pavement
• Best tread life and treadwear warranty in the segment

Cons:

• Not available in LT-metric sizes

Buying Guides: How to Choose the Best Tires for Toyota Highlander

In the following section, I will introduce you to some popular tire models for Toyota Highlander that are available on the market today. Let's see!

• All-Season Touring Tires

All-season touring tires are one of the most popular choices right now. These products are usually quite affordable while possessing many outstanding features to handle all seasons in a year.

Some products can even operate in light snow areas. They are the most economical investment you should consider.

• All-Weather Tires

All-weather tires are an improved, more expensive version of regular all-season touring tires. Now you can experience the performance of a 3PMSF-certified snow tire on a standard all-season tire. In other words, you can use all-weather tires almost any time of the year.

• Highway Tires

As its name suggests, highway tires are designed specifically for highway travel. 

To meet high speeds, friction, and excellent heat resistance, this tire line often has more details to help reinforce and increase grip. In short, highway tires cost much more than other models.

• Winter Tires

Winter tires can move stably and firmly in the cold wintertime. Unlike all-weather tires, winter tires also possess many specialized abilities, such as running on ice or accelerating on snow.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How often should I rotate my Toyota Highlander tires?

It would help if you did a tire rotation every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. It is the most standard timeline for the above operation. And if you intentionally exceed this limit, many dangers may follow.

• What's the correct tire pressure on my Toyota Highlander?

Thirty-six pounds per square inch is the standard number that Toyota recommends to customers and maintenance specialists to keep steady if you want the Highlander to move efficiently.

The correct tire pressure for your Toyota Highlander can be found on the tire information label located on the driver's side door jamb, or in the vehicle owner's manual.

• Is the Toyota Highlander good for off-road driving?

The Toyota Highlander is a powerful SUV, but the Highlander's ground clearance is only 8 inches, so this vehicle can help you overcome light terrain such as trails, gravel or dirt roads.

This vehicle will not be able to overcome any severe terrain such as crawling over large rocks or deep mud.

• Is the Toyota Highlander good on snowy roads?

The Toyota Highlander is equipped with front-wheel drive and can handle snow and ice reasonably well, but it may struggle in deeper snow due to its ground clearance. Four-wheel drive models may have better performance in snowy conditions.

• What is the best type of tire for the Toyota Highlander (all-season, winter, performance, etc.)?

The best type of tire for the Toyota Highlander will depend on the driving conditions and personal preference. For example, all-season tires are suitable for a variety of driving conditions, while winter tires provide better traction in snow and ice. Performance tires offer improved handling, while eco-friendly tires can reduce fuel consumption.

• Can I use different tire sizes on the front and rear of my Highlander?

No, you should not use different tire sizes for the front and rear wheels of your Toyota Highlander.

Doing so can affect the vehicle's handling, stability, and performance of the vehicle, and can also cause premature wear on the tires and other components.

We recommend using the same tire size on all four wheels of the Highlander to ensure proper handling, traction, and overall performance.

Conclusion

With the best tires for Toyota Highlander, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 remains my best recommendation because of its consistent year-round performance.

Meanwhile, the Bridgestone BLIZZAK DM-V2 or Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV are good for handling complex winter snow and ice terrain.

If quietness and comfort are your main concerns, then the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 or Goodyear Assurance MaxLife are the best options for your Toyota Highlander.

Via this article, please choose a version that best suits your needs and budget.

Thank you for reading!