Top 10 Best Tires for Toyota Tacoma: Latest Options

The Ford F-150 is the pickup-truck king in North America, but when it comes to mid-size trucks, the Tacoma reigns supreme. Ever since it launched in 1995, the Tacoma struck a chord among buyers that wanted a reliable truck with good off-road abilities.

In the latest-gen model, Toyota doubled down on off-roading with the TRD Pro versions while ensuring the reliability aspect is intact.

However, while the Tacoma is undoubtedly a capable on-road and off-road machine, it won't go anywhere without a good set of tires. Like on every other truck, the tires ensure road safety and, depending on the model/type, also provide you with enough traction, so you don't get stuck when off-roading.

The thing is, though, not every tire that you can buy is a good fit for the Tacoma. Some tires aren't worth it due to the use of low-cost materials and underdeveloped tread patterns, while others are simply not designed to work with the Japanese truck.

But you don't need to worry about that, as in this article, I cherrypicked only tires that work well with Tacoma's abilities. Moreover, I covered every type of tire that would fit a truck owner's lifestyle, including highway all-season tires, all-terrain tires, off-road tires, and winter tires. I omitted performance tires because I haven't seen any Tacoma owner put them on the truck.

The type of tire you choose, though, is entirely up to your preferences. If you drive mostly on paved roads, a highway all-season tire makes the most sense, as it will provide you with the highest traction and most comfortable ride. These tires also work well on hardpacked surfaces, such as dirt and gravel.

Meanwhile, Tacoma owners that also go off-roading might want to check all-terrain tires, which are designed to give you more traction on slippery terrains without sacrificing on-road traction and comfort much. If you are serious about having the best possible off-road traction, though, I recommend going for mud (maximum traction off-road) tires.

Now, most all-terrain and mud-terrain tires can provide you with excellent traction on unpacked snow, the type you encounter when off-roading. However, I still recommend going for proper winter (snow) tires for street driving, as they work much better on packed snow, especially ice and slush.

After clearing all those things out, let's dig into the matter and have a look at the best tires for Toyota Tacoma!

Top 10 Best Tires for Toyota Tacoma Available in 2024

1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Best Highway All-Season Tires for Toyota Tacoma

If you mostly drive on the highway and in urban scenarios, there is no better tire for your Tacoma than the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. This highway all-season tire is designed to give you a safe ride in all weather conditions, with an excellent treadlife as a bonus.

Notably, the Defender LTX M/S is very responsive on the road and doesn't feel like the highway tires of yore.

Moreover, the dry traction is excellent, accompanied by a very solid cornering grip. Tacoma owners that frequently tow also won't need to worry, as this tire continues to drive well when loaded to the teeth.

Like most Michelin tires, the rain traction is among the best in the category, with especially short stopping distances. The handling is also balanced, even at the limit, and the highway stability is excellent thanks to the strong hydroplaning resistance.

Although it's not designed for severe weather, the Defender LTX M/S does provide good traction on light snow and could work for drivers that live in areas with mild winters.

It's also a very comfortable tire – noise isn't an issue, even on rough surfaces, and the ride is very smooth for a highway tire.

Overall, the Defender LTX M/S is an outstanding product with very few drawbacks. It will cost you dearly, though!

2. Continental TerrainContact H/T

Best Highway All-Season Tires for Toyota Tacoma

The TerrainContact H/T is the closest competitor to the Defender LTX M/S, with performance that's close to or better than its counterpart.

Like with most Continental tires, the TerrainContact H/T works outstandingly well in rainy conditions. The acceleration is strong and smooth, the braking distances are the shortest in the category, and the handling is very surefooted and balanced, even at the limit.

Furthermore, the dry traction is excellent – no surprises there, and the handling feels natural and easy to correct when it slides. I would've liked more responsive and accurate steering slightly, but I think most Tacoma owners won't mind this.

Perhaps more important is the fact that the TerrainContact H/T is the best highway all-season tire on snow, with high levels of traction and easy-to-drive nature. The tire even provides some traction on ice, unlike other tires in the category. Off-roading is a different story – although this tire is durable enough, it loses traction quite quickly on slippery terrains.

As for comfort, the ride is stiff, but it never feels uncomfortable, and there is almost no tire noise at highway speeds. Finally, the TerrainContact H/T comes with a long treadwear warranty and has excellent treadlife.

3. Firestone Destination LE3

Best Highway All-Season Tires for Toyota Tacoma

The Firestone Destination LE3 is a lower-cost alternative to the Michelin and Continental and also the newest tire on this list, inheriting the very popular LE2.

You'll get a lot for the money if you opt for this tire, as it works excellently in dry conditions, with solid traction and balanced handling. The highway stability with a trailer attached is also impressive and is the biggest reason why Tacoma owners opt for this tire.

The Destination LE3 also performs very well in rainy conditions, with very surefooted handling and strong braking. The snow traction isn't as impressive, but at least the Firestone is easy to drive in the corners.

However, while the Destination LE3 is a very durable tire with excellent treadlife, it isn't the most comfortable one. Notably, the ride can feel harsh over repetitive impacts, and the tread noise can be an issue at higher speeds.

4. Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015

Best Cheap All-Terrain Tires for Toyota Tacoma

The Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 is currently the most accomplished all-terrain tire because it combines on-road and off-road abilities like nobody else. This is a tire with excellent traction on hardpacked surfaces, like dirt and gravel, and it also works well on turf and sand. The mud traction isn't as good, but then again, this is not an off-road tire.

What you lose in the mud, you gain on the road – the Geolandar A/T G015 is an impressive tire on dry and wet surfaces, with excellent grip and short stopping distances. The tire is also impressive on light snow and could give you enough traction on unpacked snow when off-roading.

Still, while Yokohama managed to minimize the road noise, the ride isn't as impressive – the Geolandar A/T G015 can be harsh over impacts.

5. Falken Wildpeak A/T3W

Best All-Terrain Tires for Toyota Tacoma

The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W provides a bump in off-road traction compared to the Geolandar A/T G015, especially in shallow mud and over medium rocks.

The dirt and gravel traction are also impressive, accompanied by excellent drivability on the street, with very good traction and grip on dry surfaces. This is definitely one of the best all terrain tires for Tacoma.

The handling remains good when it starts raining, joined by excellent braking and strong acceleration. The Wildpeak A/T3W is also an impressive snow tire, both on packed and unpacked snow. Notably, the acceleration is exceptional, and the braking distances are among the shortest in the category.

Despite the aggressive tread pattern, the Wildpeak A/T3W is also a very comfortable tire, providing a very smooth ride and good noise characteristics. The only gripe I have with it is the unresponsive steering, but I guess that's a small price to pay for the otherwise excellent performance.

6. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

Best All-Terrain Tires for Toyota Tacoma

The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 has long been a favorite among off-road enthusiasts because it's one of the few all-terrain tires that provide strong off-road traction on most terrains.

Notably, this tire works outstandingly well on dirt, gravel, turf, and sand, but it can also provide you with enough traction on shallow mud and medium rocks.

On the road, the All-Terrain T/A KO2 shows its age compared to its newer rivals when it rains, as the traction is pretty average. There is also a reasonable amount of road noise, but nothing too serious.

Fortunately, the BFGoodrich works excellently on dry surfaces and provides good stability when loaded. The snow traction is also very good, both over unpacked and packed snow.

Lastly, this is one of the toughest and most durable all-terrain tires on the market.

7. Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T

Best All Terrain Tires for Tacoma

If you want an all-terrain tire that can get you faraway places, look no further than the Baja Boss A/T. Mickey Thompson is a specialist in making good off-road tires, and that shows – the Baja Boss provides excellent traction on hardpacked surfaces, turf, and sand.

Even more impressive is the fact that the mud and rock traction are close to what an off-road tire provides! Oh, and you won't have to worry about snow when off-roading, as there is ample traction.

On the road, the Baja Boss A/T feels a bit cumbersome to drive and doesn't feel responsive. Moreover, the traction is lower than the class-leading tires, regardless if you drive on dry or wet tarmac.

Still, you won't need to worry about comfort, as the ride is very smooth, and there is almost no road noise at regular speeds. Lastly, the Baja Boss A/T is one of the toughest and most durable all-terrain tires.

8. BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3

Best Mud-Terrain (Off-Road) Tires for Toyota Tacoma

The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is the best tire for Toyota Tacoma off-road enthusiasts, providing exceptional traction and durability on all surfaces.

You won't get stuck with this tire anywhere, particularly if you know what you're doing, even in deep mud and over large rocks. So, if you are into rock crawling and mud diving, this is the tire for you.

However, as expected, you'll sacrifice on-road performance. The Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is a smooth-riding tire, but it's also noisy at speed.

Also, the rain traction is only average for the category, and you won't get enough traction on packed snow (the one you encounter on the street). The tire does work exceptionally well on unpacked snow, though, the type you encounter when off-roading.

9. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

Best Winter (Snow) Tires for Toyota Tacoma

The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 is by far the best non-studdable snow tire for trucks right now. This is one of the few winter tires where you won't miss the studs, as it provides exceptional traction on packed and unpacked snow, ice, and slush. 

Unlike most winter tires, this one also works very well on dry and cold tarmac, with strong traction and balanced handling. The wet cornering is also impressive, accompanied by very short stopping distances.

That said, the Blizzak DM-V2 feels a bit clumsy to drive in the corners, and it can become noisy on the highway. Still, these are not big issues considering the exceptional snow/ice abilities.

10. Firestone Winterforce 2 UV

Best Winter (Snow) Tires for Toyota Tacoma

If you want a studdable winter tire for some really harsh wintry conditions, Bridgestone has a tire to offer via its sub-brand, Firestone.

The Winterforce 2 UV uses technology from the Blizzak tires and, as a result, provides strong traction on snow, ice, and slush. The real advantage if you go for this tire is the added ice traction with the studs attached, which can make a difference in areas with very harsh wintry conditions.

The Winterforce 2 UV isn't as impressive as the Blizzak DM-V2 on dry and wet tarmac, but it's still very safe. In terms of comfort, the ride is reasonably smooth, but there is a noticeable tread growl on the highway.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What tires should I put on a lifted Tacoma?

A lifted Toyota Tacoma would require different tire sizes than the OEM ones, i.e., models with larger sidewalls. These are called "flotation tires" and are made to work with less air, making them float over the surface. Hence, they are very helpful when you drive on sand dunes or sediments and can also increase the traction on large rocks.

The larger sidewalls will also fill the tire well better and give your Tacoma a tough appearance. However, make sure you don't go with overly large tires, as they might touch the truck's body. You can find information on the maximum size from the manufacturer of the lifting kit.

• Are highway tires good for off-road use?

Highway all-season tires are tougher than regular touring all-season tires. This means that they can tow larger trailers and carry heavier loads generally, but it also makes them more resistant to cuts and punctures. Thus, they might be a good solution for drivers that only drive on mild off-road terrains, such as gravel.

However, highway all-season tires are still not the best option for general off-roading, as the tread pattern isn't designed to give you higher traction. In other words, it would be easier to get stuck with highway tires than with all-terrains (and particularly mud-terrains).

• Are all-terrain tires good for off-roading?

All-terrain tires are an excellent option for campers and overlanders, as they provide solid traction on most surfaces, like dirt, gravel, shallow mud, turf, sand, and medium rocks.

However, not all of these tires are created equal – some are rated as "mild," meaning they are designed more for road use, while others are rated as "aggressive" and provide higher off-road traction. Generally, though, any all-terrain tire will do for most people.

Still, if you are an off-road enthusiast that wants to explore the capabilities of the Tacoma, you will need to go with mud-terrain tires. These models have the most aggressive tread patterns, helping them provide the highest possible traction in deep mud or over large rocks.

• What are the benefits of going for a higher load rating tire?

The Toyota Tacoma isn't a heavy-duty pickup truck and only comes with P-metric tires from the factory. These provide solid payload capacity and even let you tow most trailers without worrying about blowouts.

However, going for an LT-metric, i.e., high load rating tire, will give you more leeway in doing all of those tasks. It will also work better for off-roading because the stiffer sidewalls allow you to drive at much lower pressures (psi) than on regular P-metric tires.

There are some disadvantages that you should be aware of, though. An LT-metric tire is significantly less smooth over bumps, and because it's heavier, it can hurt your Tacoma's performance and fuel economy.

Conclusion

Like with any other truck, getting the most out of your Toyota Tacoma means taking regular care of the engine, drivetrain, and suspension, but also installing high-quality Toyota Tacoma tires.

This is a truck, after all, meaning owners use it for all sorts of things, like highway driving, towing, hauling, and visiting the wilderness, which puts a lot of stress on the tires.

But you won't need to worry about that, as each model in this will get the job done without causing you the trouble along the way! Just make sure that you choose Toyota Tacoma tires that suit your driving style and driving needs, and I'm sure you'll be satisfied with the purchase!