Your purpose-built off-road SUV will come with a whole host of all-terrain features to help you tackle the trails, the great outdoors and terrifying obstacles. And with off-roading’s increasing popularity and flush of newcomers, it bears researching the best tires for your off-road ready rig.
As your vehicle’s first and only contact with any driving surface, your tires and wheels are extremely important factors in all-terrain performance. Your original equipment (OE) tires are often specifically chosen to max out performance per your vehicle’s chosen trim or package. Likewise, off-road specific packages typically tend to offer all-terrain or mud-terrain tires to start (and sometimes even off-road specific wheels).
Like what came with your 4x4 SUV? We have replacement OE tires ready for you. But if you want to cater to a specific type of terrain or obstacle, we have you covered with our huge selection of aftermarket SUV tires.
We’ve done some of the legwork for you and made a list of the best tires for your off-road SUV, from your Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, or Ford Bronco to your Honda Pilot Trailsport. Let’s make your next run a good one!
(Want to just shop our all-terrain or mud terrain tire inventory? No problem!)
JEEP OFF-ROAD SUVS AND TIRES
You simply can’t speak of off-road adventuring without mentioning the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. For many, it’s the de facto vehicle of choice for 4x4 fun and work.
Despite its rough-and-tumble military beginning, the Wrangler has come up to near luxury standards when it comes to drive comfort. We don’t mean Cadillac comfort but certainly you’re not bouncing around in a military grade Hummer anymore, either. And the Jeep Wrangler line offers more opportunity for personalization than just about any other off-road SUV, whether you’re talking specs, performance stats or structure (have you ever heard of a “naked” Jeep?).
The modern Wrangler Rubicon comes with a 3.6L V6 engine with 285 ponies in either a six speed manual or eight speed automatic transmission. It reliably tows a max of 3,500 lbs, which is great for any smaller toys you want to bring along for your weekend trip.
If you like to go big, you can upgrade to the Rubicon 392 trim which comes with a 6.4L V8 engine and eight speed automatic transmission as standard.
The Wrangler Rubicon rolls on either 255/75R17, 315/70R17 or 285/70R17 tires with a set of BFGoodrich Mud Terrain KM3. These are an excellent OE Jeep tire with significant protection design for all out toughness, including mud-phobic bars, a notched shoulder design and TractionArmor Sidewall Sculpture (to fortify against sidewall splitting).
Looking for a good replacement option? We can’t recommend the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss M/T enough. It’s got serious puncture resistance via its updated PowerPly XD construction, and its high-void pattern is perfect for even the most challenging terrain like sand, rocks and mud. Aggressive stone ejector ribs spit out any rocky fragments or gravel, protecting the carcass from stone drilling.
While the Wrangler Rubicon is all about utilitarian fun, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has traditionally been about a capable-yet-luxe drive. This changed with the introduction of the Trailhawk trim of Jeep vehicles, which were introduced in Moab, Utah for the 2012 Easter Jeep Safari.
Today’s Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is now only available in Jeep’s 4xe plug-in hybrid 2.0L I-4 engine with electric drive motor with 375 horses and 470 lb-ft of torque under its hood. It’s important to note that the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk’s impressive power pairs with its relative lightweight (5,500 lbs) makes it a speedy off-road bird.It goes from zero to 60mph in 5.83 seconds.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk rolls off the factory floor on a set of Goodyear Wrangler Territory AT tires in a 265/60R18 size. These Wrangler’s (the tire, not the Jeep) are often the OE tire of choice for the Ford F-150 as well. It’s a popular option because of its competent performance on a variety of driving surfaces, including the road, dirt, rock and gravel. Integrated siping also allows for confident wet weather grip.
But if you’re going to be rolling on anything harsher than a service road, we’d recommend switching to the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W. Wildly popular with our customers, this all-terrain tire comes with a nice 55,000-mile warranty and a three-peak mountain snowflake severe weather designation. This all-terrain covers all your bases with an emphasis on wear, wet and winter performance (and considerable off-road chops). Customers especially love the aggressive sidewall and tread design, which bites into terrain and propels you forward with ease.
(We hear the A/T4W is coming soon, too!)
TOYOTA OFF-ROAD SUV AND TIRES
If you’re the outdoorsy type, you’ve probably seen herds of Toyota Tacomas bumping along trails. But Toyota offers more than just the Tacoma; their off-road SUVs are a frequent sight in the wilderness. And probably you’ve seen (or even driven) a Toyota 4Runner TRD PRO!
Toyota’s TRD PRO trim level is based on performance. The TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development and is frequently a blue ribbon winner in off-road racing. ‘Yota claims that the 4Runner TRD PRO is “ready to impress” with its constant fine tuning on a tried and true body frame.
It comes with 270 horsepower towing up to 5,000lbs in a 4.0L V6 engine twisting 278 lb.-ft of torque and part time 4WD. Fans are quick to point out its TRD FOX high-performance shocks with TRD tuned front springs, Multi-Terrain Monitor and Crawl Control with Multi-Terrain Select features. The skid plate, roof rack, trim specific grill and black 17 inch wheels are standard with this trim.
Probably due to their size and structure, they’re a popular overlanding vehicle with room for a roof-top tent on top and immense storage in the cabin and rear. You’ll like the sliding rear cargo deck with an under floor storage compartment for gear. While it may look like a commuter SUV, the 4Runner is a true off-road machine that can handle hairy obstacles and difficult trails. It’s a well-rounded option for many prospective drivers.
Solid, capable, practical and cool–what else is there to ask for?
It rolls out on 265/70R17 Nitto Terra Grappler All Terrain tires (which Nitto has replaced with the Nitto Terra Grappler G2) and comes with a full-size spare mounted under the body. The Terra Grappler All Terrain is an all-terrain and performance oriented design with competent off-road traction in sand and mud. It’s great for drivers who use their 4Runner as a commuter vehicle thanks to its weather and on-road handling.
The Terra Grappler G2 adds extra goodies like a severe weather designation, a 65k-mile warranty and a more all-terrain focused tread with alternating shoulder lugs for grip for soft surfaces. It also has a wear-resistant tread, helping your fun last longer.
Wanting a recommendation for replacement? We suggest the BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 to ramp up your off-road skills with your 4Runner TRD PRO. Like the Nitto G2, it comes with a mileage warranty (50k), severe weather badging and a signature Serrated Shoulder Design for maxed out grip in rock, mud and snow (especially when aired down). It’s considered the gold-standard of all-terrain fun across the country.
On the other end of the off-road spectrum for the TRD PRO series is the luxe Toyota Sequoia TRD PRO. Robust in size (it’s based on a Tundra’s frame), it offers tons of passenger space (that 3rd row is a popular benefit) and cargo area. Toyota says, “...this powerful ride is destined for greatness,” speaking to its flagship presence as their largest available SUV.
Granted, you don’t often see these on trails. The starting price (higher than the Ford Expedition Timberline or even upgraded GMC Yukon AT4) may be part of this. But the TRD PRO trim offers tons of wilderness related features, including 18-inch black forged aluminum wheels, a TRD PRO off-road suspension with 2.5 inch FOX Internal Bypass coil-overs with rear remote-reservoir shocks and a TRD PRO front stabilizing bar.
It’s powered by an i-FORCE MAX twin-turbo V6 hybrid engine pulled by 437 horsepower at 583 lb.-ft. Torque. This 4WD standard drive train is controlled with a 10-speed Electronically controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i).
A bit wide for both street and trail driving, it’s not meant for racing or autocross; it’s a comfortable dirt boat that can handle rough terrains for fun family excursions.
The Sequoia TRD PRO comes with 285/65R18 sized Falken Wildpeak A/T3W, a popular all-terrain option with tons of treadwear, aggressive sidewall and weather related tread elements. Keep in mind though, that OE A/T3Ws do not include a severe weather designation. If you like this tire, we can definitely equip you with some A/T3Ws that do include that feature.
Want another recommendation for when your OEs wear out? Check out the Goodyear Wrangler UltraTerrain AT, an all-terrain with powerful off-road traction, dependable weather grip and a quiet ride. Also sporting a severe weather designation, happy customers are thrilled with its handling in light snow, mud, sand and rock. Its optimized void ratio self cleans, keeping rocks and mud from clogging up its tread.
FORD OFF-ROAD SUVS AND TIRES
When you think of Ford, you probably default to thinking about its flagship truck model, the F-150. However, when it comes to off-road SUVs, the Ford Bronco truly is king.
The Bronco, either a full or compact SUV depending on what year we’re talking about, went on a long sabbatical after 1996 and was replaced by the full-size Expedition. Ford brought back the Bronco in 2021 to directly compete with the Jeep Wrangler and it has done so in spectacular fashion.
Like the Wrangler, it comes in a huge array of available trims and packages to truly curate your outdoor adventure experience. The Ford Bronco Raptor trim starts at nearly $90k and offers the most serious of performance specs. But even basic trim levels have an impressive spec list, including a 300 horsepower turbocharged inline-four with a 10-speed transmission (a seven speed manual is also available). It’s available in both two and four door variants and, like the Jeep, can be broken down with removable doors and top for that “naked” experience.
Amongst the available packages and trims there are three turbo charged engine options with G.O.A.T ModesⓇ and Trail Control™ to help you handle any terrain.
The original equipment tires and size you can expect from your Ford Bronco heavily depend upon its trim. The most basic package, Big Bend (two-door) comes with 32 inch tires and 17 inch wheels (Carbonized gray-painted aluminum beauties). Specifically, the tires are the Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S in the 255/75R17 size. This Dueler is an excellent option for the base trim as it offers all-terrain control while maintaining a focus on a long lived tread, wet and dry on-road traction and driving comfort–perfect for a trim that’s probably going to see light off-road work.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Bronco Raptor rolls out impressive 37 inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s in the 37x12.5R17 size. The KO2 is perhaps the gold standard when it comes to off-roading tires. It has an enormous customer following who love its reliable and aggressive traction in rock, mud and sand, severe weather capability and rare 50k-mile warranty.
BFG has recently released the updated KO3 as well!
We also like the Nitto Ridge Grappler for the Bronco. This all-terrain tire is often touted as a “hybrid” between an all-terrain and a mud tire. It commands a confident presence both on and off-road, while its variable pitch tread pattern keeps things quiet on pavement. Its rugged tread is super strong, stone drilling resistant, and perfect for a wide range of driving surfaces. Plus, customers love its iconic tread pattern and functional sidewall.
Of course, we can’t forget the Ford Expedition Timberline. Full size vehicles make for an interesting off-road experience as their size can inhibit advancing on trails with tricky, narrow obstacles but it can clamber over rocks, tree roots and other bumpy terrain without a fuss. F-150 Raptor-sourced skid plates, rough road suspension, Trail Turn Assist and significant ground clearance (10.6’’), approach, departure and break over angles keep it from getting bogged down in more open places.
It features a twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V6 engine with 440 horses and 510 lb-ft of torque. It’s no slouch despite its notably large size. For example, the similarly sized Chevy Tahoe Z71 needs 7.5 seconds to reach 60mph, while the Expedition Timberline can do it in 5.1.
You certainly won’t take your Expedition out to climb walls or canvas boulders (not even with the Timberline trim) but thanks to its passenger (8) and cargo friendly size (19 ft³), 6,000lb towing capacity and comfortable cabin, it’s great for mild off-road family fun. The original equipment tire is the Goodyear Wrangler Territory A/S in the 265/70R18 size. The Wrangler Territory is an all-season member of the Wrangler family with less emphasis on the off-road capabilities of the Timberline identity.
The Bridgestone Dueler LT A/T Revo 3 is a solid replacement tire. It’s an all-terrain tire with ample on and off-road chutzpah and a robust 60,000-mile warranty kicker. This tire focuses on traction (both terrain and weather-wise) and comfort with a bold tread pattern that enhances wear life with a unique groove stepping design. For soft, irregular surfaces like dirt, gravel, and light snow, it’s a pick.
One of the other popular off-road Ford SUVs is the Ford Explorer Timberline. The Ford Explorer was one of the earliest sport utility vehicles available and has remained immensely popular. This mid-size SUV offers something for everybody, and the Timberline trim delivers even more “explorer” based features for adventurers anywhere.
This is a newer trim for the Explorer and includes tons of off-road centric hardware features, like its Torsen limited-slip rear differential, front rebound springs, dampers (taken from their police line of Explorers), redesigned fascias and underbody skid plates. Ford has also improved its approach, departure and breakover angles, anti-roll bars and a more cohesive suspension. Is it a Bronco or Wrangler? No, but the Explorer Timberline isn’t for drivers who need one.
That’s probably why the original equipment tire is the aforementioned Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3 in a 265/65R18 tire size. It delivers an admirable mixture of both on and off-road capabilities, as long as you don’t intend to scaffold the Grand Canyon.
You also get 18 inch wheels to start, and likely that’s suitable for your off-road needs.
If you’re looking for a good replacement tire for your Ford Explorer Timberline, consider the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W (the A/T4W should be releasing soon, too). Like the Dueler, the Wildpeak A/T3W delivers high degrees of all-terrain and all-season performance. It boasts the three-peak mountain snowflake severe weather designation, a handy 55,000-mile warranty and considerable off-road grip. Its aggressive sidewall resists punctures and abrasions while its step down features and support ramps resist stone drilling and stabilizes your tread.
NISSAN PATHFINDER ROCK CREEK TIRES
An often forgotten entry in the off-road SUV race is the Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek. Certainly not as well known as its Toyota competition, the Rock Creek trim is an emerging trim Nissan is hoping will cement its place in the outdoor recreation niche.
Now in its second generation, the Pathfinder Rock Creek is a midsize SUV that offers more than just aesthetic features like exclusive badging. Nissan incorporates real utility in the Pathfinder with enhanced suspension, all-terrain tires, a roof rack and 18-inch beadlock wheels.
It’s equipped with a 3.5L DOHC 24-valve Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG) V6 engine pulled by 284 ponies with 259 lb-ft. of torque with an Intelligent 4WD drivetrain. For those who like to feel in control, it offers paddle shifters, drive and terrain mode dial selectors (7 modes total) and a nine speed automatic transmission. It also has a max towing capacity of 6,000lbs, more than most SUVs its size.
The Rock Creek trim is definitely still in its growing phase. It’s not a true off-roading warrior, but it has enough power and performance to help you and your friends (or family) tackle light off-roading, like overlanding with a rooftop tent in less challenging terrain. The affordable price point is also very attractive.
As a sign of their faith in its off-road prowess, Nissan equips the Pathfinder Rock Creek with Toyo Open Country A/T III tires in the 265/60R18 size. It includes a 65k-mile warranty, three-peak mountain snowflake severe weather designation and perfectly competent all-terrain capability, especially over mud, wet terrain, gravel and snow. Its self-cleaning tread is fantastic for keeping heavy, wet elements out of the tire’s contact patch (where all the traction action happens)!
The Open Country A/T III is an excellent replacement tire, too, when your original equipment tires are ready to retire. If you want to balance all-terrain grip with on-road manners, try the Nitto Nomad Grappler.
The Nomad Grappler is an all-terrain tire with performance and touring features to give you the best of all three. It also includes a nice 60,000-mile warranty. Versatile, its severe weather designation means that, whether rain or shine (or even light snow) on pavement, dirt or gravel, it’s got you covered. Triangular shaped siping and a full silica tread compound offer dry, wet and non-pavement traction. It’s designed for off-road centric SUVs and CUVs and boasts equal talents both on and off-road.
HONDA TRAILSPORT TIRES
Usually, when you think of Honda and the off-road space, you imagine their tried and true line of dirt bikes, motocross presence and ATV/UTV models. However, they reintroduced their Trailsport trim for their auto line a few years ago when they noticed the huge (and growing!) trend towards outdoor recreation like overlanding, camping and general wilderness exploration.
Honda boosts two of their most popular all-terrain compatible SUVs with more all-terrain conquering features such as two choice AWD options (Real Time AWD or an intelligent Variable Torque Management for instantaneous power to your rear wheels for stability and control), a bump in front and rear track widths, increased height and a retuned suspension for better off-road capability.
For the Honda Pilot Trailsport, this serious reconfiguring includes all-terrain tires (with a full-size spare!), an inch more ground clearance (8.3’’ total), softer front anti-roll bar, skid plates, Hill Descent Control, TrailWatch™ and a torque-vectoring rear differential with even more torque capacity (20% y’all).
Another big draw? The Pilot’s size and towing capacity. It can seat up to eight passengers, tow up to 5,000lbs and comes with an i-VTM4 AWD system with Trail Torque Logic. It has 285 horses pulling a V6 engine with 10-speed automatic transmission (with Shift-By-Wire and Paddle shifters). It also includes a 7-Mode drive system that adapts to your vehicle’s needs and surroundings, such as sand, snow, towing, sport, ECON and more.
The AWD drivetrain indicates that, despite its surprisingly good stats compared to its peers (such as the Nissan Pathfinder), the Pilot Trailsport isn’t designed for really tough trails that require 4WD. You won’t be climbing boulders or scaling walls like a Jeep Wrangler. Instead, it’s a soft-road king with tons of room for camping or day trips to the wilderness. If there’s a trail that a typical sedan can’t possibly manage (but your Jeep neighbor flies over), that’s probably its maxed out terrain.
The Honda Pilot Trailsport rolls out on a set of Continental Terrain Contact A/T's in the 265/60R18 tire size, which do an excellent job of handling terrains like sand and gravel without being too noisy on paved surfaces. You can’t sneeze at the 60,000-mile warranty either, or its significant competence in inclement weather like rain.
Want a bit more bite? We recommend replacing your Honda Pilot Trailsport OE tires with the Toyo Open Country A/T III. Three-peak mountain snowflake rated, it combines weather, pavement and off-road traction in one high performing package. Its aggressive tread and damage resistant compound work in tandem with 3D multi-wave siping and lateral grooves to tackle most terrain and driving conditions, such as light snow and rain.
And when it comes to mid-sized off-road SUVs, there’s the Honda Passport Trailsport. For the latest model Honda listened to its customers and added revised suspension for some unique spring and damper settings, all-terrain tires, more space and anti-roll bars.
Honda claims that this is the “most rugged, off-road capable Passport ever with new off-road tuned suspension and all-terrain tires,” promising improved articulation and off-road quality that shouldn’t sacrifice on-road comfort and handling.
They also nudge customers in the direction of their upgraded Black Edition for more aggressive (and more premium) features like 20-inch wheels and blackout badging.
The Passport Trailsport comes with a 280 horsepower 3.5L V6 engine (basically the same as the Pilot) with Intelligent Traction management (snow, sand and mud modes included), nine speed transmission with paddle shifters and the i-VTM4 AWD system. It also is offered with a whole catalog of outdoor recreational accessories like ski or bike rack, die cast running boards and trailer hitch. The updated Passport Trailsport has a 0.4 inch wider front and rear track, for a better stance on rough surfaces.
For 2024, the Passport Trailsport comes with a freshly designed set of 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245/60R18 General Grabber A/T Sport tires. Prior year trims come with the Firestone Destination LE 2, an all-season that thankfully was switched out to the General for a significantly boosted off-road experience. The Grabbers are a pleasant surprise with a robust 60k-mile warranty and formidable weather and terrain traction. It uses an interesting five row tread design paired with alternating shoulder scoops to bite into terrain, delivering aggressive grip. This tire is studdable, too, so if you drive in mountainous regions, it’s an added bonus.
Ready to roll?
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