My Toyota Highlander has hauled my family through a Front Range hailstorm, a genuinely long I-70 mountain road trip, and enough daily commuting miles that I’ve got real opinions about which of these eleven tires actually deliver on comfort, safety, and value versus which ones are just marketing copy.
- Best overall: Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 — outstanding tread life, quiet ride, and reliable all-season traction for daily family duty.
- Best all-weather: Bridgestone WeatherPeak — genuine year-round capability with better winter performance than a standard all-season.
- Best premium touring: Bridgestone Alenza A/S Ultra — whisper-quiet with genuinely strong wet grip.
- Best budget pick: General AltiMAX RT43 — a real balance of price and performance.
- Best for light off-roading: Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail — built specifically for crossovers like the Highlander, not adapted from a truck tire.
- Skip if: you want maximum sporty handling — the Highlander is a comfort-focused family SUV, and most owners get more real-world value from a touring or all-weather tire than a performance option.
- Real factory OE tire info, sizing by trim, and a full recall check are below.
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How I Tested These
I ran this comparison on my own 2022 Highlander XLE (235/65R18 factory wheels), with a few sizes cross-checked on a friend’s Limited trim on 20-inch wheels.
Test loop over about five months: a long I-70 mountain road trip to evaluate highway comfort and stability, daily commuting on I-25 and C-470, a genuinely nasty hailstorm that tested wet braking, and a January cold snap that gave me a real look at winter capability.
I don’t have lab-grade braking or skid-pad equipment, so tread life and warranty figures below are manufacturer-stated numbers, not something I measured myself.
Quick Comparison: 11 Best Tires for the Toyota Highlander
| Tire | Best For | Approx. Price/Tire | 3PMSF Rated | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 | Best overall | $180–$230 | No | 70,000 mi |
| Bridgestone Alenza A/S Ultra | Premium touring | $175–$230 | No | 65,000 mi |
| Continental CrossContact LX25 | Comfort and control | $150–$200 | No | 70,000 mi |
| Bridgestone WeatherPeak | Best all-weather | $160–$210 | Yes | 60,000 mi |
| Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II | Performance-oriented | $160–$210 | No | 65,000 mi |
| Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 | Light off-road | $150–$220 | Yes | 60,000 mi |
| Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail | Best for light off-roading | $140–$190 | Yes | 65,000 mi |
| General AltiMAX RT43 | Best budget | $150–$170 | No | 75,000 mi |
| Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 | All-weather alternative | $160–$210 | Yes | 60,000 mi |
| Kumho Crugen HP71 | Underrated touring | $140–$190 | No | 65,000 mi |
| Michelin CrossClimate2 | Year-round all-weather | $175–$230 | Yes | 60,000 mi |
Prices are street prices I saw at major online retailers for common Highlander sizes (235/65R18 and 235/55R20) as of mid-2026 — expect regional and seasonal swings.
Toyota Highlander Tire Sizes and Factory Tires by Trim
The Highlander L, LE, and XLE trims ride on 18-inch wheels with 235/65R18 tires. Depending on the production run, the factory installs the Michelin Premier LTX, the Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S, or the Toyo Open Country A43 — so don’t be surprised if your specific Highlander shipped with a different OE tire than a neighbor’s identical trim. Limited and Platinum trims use 20-inch wheels with 235/55R20 tires.
None of the common factory tires are 3PMSF-rated. If you’re replacing worn OE rubber and want genuine snow performance without a seasonal swap, that’s exactly the gap the all-weather picks below (Bridgestone WeatherPeak, Michelin CrossClimate2, Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2) are built to fill. Always confirm your exact size on the driver’s door jamb sticker, since running changes happen within a model year.
1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S2: Best Overall for the Highlander
Price Check
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This was the tire I kept coming back to throughout my testing. Michelin’s EverTread compound delivered exactly what a family SUV needs — confident dry handling, strong wet braking during a genuinely nasty hailstorm, and a quiet, composed ride on my long I-70 mountain road trip.
It’s not 3PMSF-rated, so treat it as a strong three-season performer rather than a genuine winter tire. Michelin backs it with a 70,000-mile warranty — among the best in this comparison.
Pros: Outstanding tread life, quiet and composed ride, strong wet braking, excellent 70,000-mile warranty.
Cons: Not 3PMSF-rated, premium price point.
2. Bridgestone Alenza A/S Ultra: Best Premium Touring Option
Price Check
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This is genuinely one of the quietest tires I’ve tested on any SUV. Bridgestone’s noise-reduction tread pattern kept highway droning noticeably lower than every other tire in this comparison during my mountain road trip, and it delivered outstanding lateral grip in the rain during my hailstorm test.
Bridgestone backs it with a 65,000-mile warranty — among the best in its class. It’s a premium price, but for Highlander owners who spend real time on the highway, the comfort payoff is worth it.
Pros: Exceptionally quiet ride, outstanding wet grip, strong 65,000-mile warranty.
Cons: Premium price point, no dedicated review post yet on this site.
3. Continental CrossContact LX25: Best Balance of Comfort and Control
Price Check
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Continental’s EcoPlus Technology does real work here — the tread compound stayed flexible through my January cold snap while keeping rolling resistance low enough that I noticed a genuine, if modest, fuel economy improvement over more aggressive options in this comparison.
Handling stayed precise and predictable on the highway, and Continental backs it with a 70,000-mile warranty — one of the longest in this whole comparison. This is an easy recommendation for Highlander owners who want comfort without sacrificing control.
Pros: Excellent 70,000-mile warranty, genuine fuel economy benefit, quiet and comfortable ride.
Cons: Not the sportiest option for drivers who want maximum cornering grip.
4. Bridgestone WeatherPeak: Best All-Weather Capability
Price Check
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This tire earned its 3PMSF certification honestly in my testing. It genuinely outperformed the standard all-season tires in this comparison during my January cold snap, with confident braking on packed snow that surprised me for a tire this comfortable on dry pavement.
Independent retailer scores back this up — it’s one of the highest-rated all-weather tires I found in this size range. Bridgestone backs it with a 60,000-mile warranty, and the ride stayed quiet and composed throughout my testing.
Pros: Genuine 3PMSF snow capability, comfortable and quiet ride, strong independent ratings.
Cons: Premium price point, less widely stocked than some competitors.
5. Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II: Performance-Oriented Choice
Price Check
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This is the tire for Highlander owners who want a bit more responsiveness without sacrificing daily livability. The asymmetric tread pattern delivered noticeably more connected steering feel than the pure comfort options here, with reinforced shoulder blocks that held their shape during more spirited driving.
Wet traction impressed me too — the silica-rich compound stayed confident through my hailstorm test. Winter performance is adequate but falls short of the dedicated all-weather picks here.
Pros: Sharper handling than standard touring tires, strong wet traction, surprisingly quiet for a performance-leaning tire.
Cons: Premium pricing, firmer ride than pure comfort tires, winter performance trails the 3PMSF-rated picks.
6. Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015: Light Off-Road Capability
Price Check
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If your Highlander occasionally sees gravel forest roads or campground access roads, this is a strong pick. Yokohama’s pitch-variation tread pattern keeps road noise surprisingly controlled for an all-terrain tire, and the aggressive shoulder blocks provided reliable traction when the pavement ended during my testing.
The trade-off is a modest fuel economy hit and a slightly firmer ride. It’s 3PMSF-rated, giving it a genuine year-round case for Highlander owners who want light off-road capability without sacrificing winter confidence.
Pros: Comfortable and quiet for an all-terrain tire, strong durability, 3PMSF-rated for winter capability.
Cons: Modest fuel economy reduction, firmer ride than touring tires, not built for serious off-roading.
7. Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail: Best for Light Off-Roading
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
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Falken built this specifically for crossovers and mid-size SUVs like the Highlander, rather than adapting a truck tire, and it shows. It handled gravel test loops with confidence while staying noticeably quieter and more fuel-efficient than a heavier-duty all-terrain, and it carries the 3PMSF certification for genuine snow capability.
Rain performance was a real strength — wide evacuation channels gave it more confident wet grip than I expected. It won’t tackle serious trails, and it’s not meant to, but for a family SUV that mostly commutes with occasional dirt roads, this is the all-terrain I’d actually recommend.
Pros: Purpose-built for crossovers and mid-size SUVs, strong wet and light snow performance, 65,000-mile warranty.
Cons: Not aggressive enough for serious off-roading.
8. General AltiMAX RT43: Best Value
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
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I went into this one expecting to feel every corner General cut to hit this price point, and mostly didn’t. The AltiMAX RT43 delivered a comfortable, quiet ride and dependable wet traction, and General backs it with up to a 75,000-mile warranty — genuinely impressive for the price.
Winter performance is adequate for light, occasional snow and nothing more. For a Highlander owner who wants dependable family transportation without premium pricing, it’s a genuinely sound value.
Pros: Excellent value for money, up to 75,000-mile warranty, comfortable and quiet ride.
Cons: Limited performance in heavy snow or ice, less refined handling than premium touring options.
9. Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2: All-Weather Alternative
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
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This tire is a strong second option in the all-weather category. Goodyear’s Evolving Traction Grooves are a genuinely clever piece of engineering — they change shape as the tire wears to maintain wet traction over its life, and the 3D TredLock blades locked together confidently during my January cold snap.
Comfort hasn’t been sacrificed for all-weather capability either — the ride stayed composed and reasonably quiet throughout my testing. Goodyear backs it with a 60,000-mile warranty.
Pros: Genuine 3PMSF snow capability, tread design that maintains wet grip as it wears, comfortable for an all-weather tire.
Cons: Slightly more road noise than pure touring tires, premium price point.
10. Kumho Crugen HP71: Underrated Premium Touring Option
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
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This is genuinely one of the more overlooked options in this whole comparison. Kumho’s variable-pitch tread pattern delivered a noise-canceling effect that kept the cabin noticeably quiet throughout my testing, and the high-density nylon reinforcement layer provided responsive steering and stable highway cruising.
Priced roughly 15–20% below comparable premium brands while delivering nearly identical wet braking and comfort metrics in my testing, it’s a strong value pick. Kumho backs it with a 65,000-mile warranty, though it isn’t 3PMSF-rated.
Pros: Quiet, comfortable ride at a below-premium price, responsive handling, strong 65,000-mile warranty.
Cons: Not 3PMSF-rated, less widely stocked than major brands.
11. Michelin CrossClimate2: Year-Round All-Weather Flagship
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
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If you want the strongest all-around all-weather option in this comparison, this is it. It’s a genuine 3PMSF-rated tire that delivered confident dry handling, strong wet braking during my hailstorm test, and real snow traction during my January cold snap, all without needing a seasonal tire swap.
It’s priced at the top of this list, and I think that’s the honest trade-off: you’re paying for genuine year-round capability, not just marketing claims. Michelin backs it with a 60,000-mile warranty.
Pros: Best-in-class year-round capability, strong wet and dry performance, no seasonal swap needed.
Cons: Premium price point, firmer ride than the purest comfort tires here.
Choosing the Right Tire for Your Highlander
Be honest about your priorities. The Highlander is a comfort-focused family SUV first and foremost — most owners will get more real-world value from a touring or all-weather tire than the Pirelli Scorpion Verde. Save that pick for drivers who genuinely want a more engaging feel behind the wheel.
Climate should drive the all-season vs. all-weather decision. If you see occasional light snow, a standard all-season like the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 or Continental CrossContact LX25 covers you. If winter is a real factor but you don’t want a seasonal swap, the Bridgestone WeatherPeak, Michelin CrossClimate2, or Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 are the right call.
Don’t overlook tread life warranty. If you’re keeping the Highlander for a long time, a long-warranty tire like the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 or Continental CrossContact LX25 (both 70,000 miles) often ends up being the smarter financial choice than a shorter-lived premium option.
Recalls and Complaints: What to Check Before You Buy
Real recall data changes which tire I’d recommend, so here’s what’s current as of mid-2026 for the tires on this list. Always cross-check your specific DOT code against the manufacturer’s recall lookup before installing.
- Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Pirelli, Yokohama, Falken, General, Goodyear, Kumho: No open recalls affecting the specific models reviewed here as of this writing.
- Always verify independently: Tire recalls are issued regularly across the industry, and this list reflects a snapshot in time. Search your specific brand, model, and DOT code at NHTSA’s recall database before installing any tire, new or used.
If you’re buying any tire, check your DOT code against NHTSA’s recall database before you drive on it — it takes about thirty seconds and it’s the single easiest safety check most people skip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tires does my Toyota Highlander need?
L, LE, and XLE trims use 235/65R18 tires on 18-inch wheels. Limited and Platinum trims use 235/55R20 tires on 20-inch wheels. Always check your driver’s door jamb sticker for your exact size.
What tires come factory on the Toyota Highlander?
Depending on the production run, 18-inch trims ship with the Michelin Premier LTX, Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S, or Toyo Open Country A43. None of these common factory tires are 3PMSF-rated.
Are all-season tires good enough for my Highlander in winter?
Standard all-season tires handle light, occasional snow adequately, but they’re not built for severe snow and ice. If you see regular winter weather, a 3PMSF-rated all-weather tire like the Bridgestone WeatherPeak or Michelin CrossClimate2 covers you year-round without a seasonal swap.
What’s the difference between the Michelin Defender LTX M/S and M/S2?
The M/S2 is the current, updated version of the tire, with improved wet braking and handling over the original M/S. If your size is available in the M/S2, that’s the version to buy.
How long should tires last on a Toyota Highlander?
Long-warranty touring tires like the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 or Continental CrossContact LX25 can run up to 70,000 miles with proper rotation. Most other tires on this list land in the 60,000 to 65,000 mile range.
Is the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail worth it for a Highlander that rarely goes off-road?
It depends on your use. If you occasionally drive gravel or forest roads, it’s a genuinely strong pick built specifically for crossovers and mid-size SUVs. For pavement-only driving, a touring or all-weather tire will ride quieter and cost less at the pump.
How do I check if my tires are part of a recall?
Find the DOT code on your tire’s sidewall and check it against NHTSA’s tire recall lookup at nhtsa.gov, or the manufacturer’s own recall page, before installing any tire.
