Best Tires For Toyota 4Runner - Complete Guide

11 Best Tires For Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner was initially introduced in 1984 as a compact SUV to meet demand in a growing subsection of the vehicle market. It wasn’t until 1995 when it was reclassified as a mid-size SUV where it still ranks today.

The off-roading capabilities on this vehicle are excellent, and it handles with precision, especially in the winter and on the mud when equipped with reliable tires. In this guide, we will show you some of the best tires to use for these situations.

Tires are grouped into specific categories based on their driving strengths. For example, the tire categories include all-season, all-terrain, highway, and more. Keep reading to learn more about the 11 best tires for the Toyota 4Runner.

Yokohama YK-HTX - Best All-Season

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The Toyota 4Runner provides incredible driving versatility and handles challenging weather well. Equipping yours with a solid all-season tire is the perfect way to prepare it for year-round driving while maintaining high-end durability features too. We rank the Yokohama YK-HTX as the best all-season tire for the 4Runner.

The tread is made with orange oil and high amounts of silica to increase the tire’s flexibility. Orange oil works in an exciting way to make the tire more eco-friendly by reducing CO2 emissions and improving gas mileage. The tread life is also significantly better with this compound.

The tire contact patches have been made larger with thicker sidewalls and wider shoulder blocks. This allows the tire to hit corners with much more precision and improve the overall responsiveness when handling and braking in your 4Runner. These adaptive shoulder blocks also contact noise reduction features for a more comfortable, quieter ride.

The most impressive part of this tire is the way it can handle wet pavement, ice, and snow. There are triple 3D sipes built in to add extra strength and maximum biting edges when driving to grip the ground firmly. Estimates indicate there are over 1,000 total added sipes on the tire.

Pros:

• All-season traction is reliable and consistent.
• Excels in the rain and winter due to massive amounts of sipes and bite particles.
• Ride comfort is solid.
• Orange oil compound creates an eco-friendly tire.
• Excellent tread life and warranty coverage.  

Cons:

• Off-roading is below average.
• Short-distance braking on the dry pavement could be better.

What sizes can I buy this tire in?

The YK-HTX can be found in a wide range of sizes. Yokohama was sure to make this all-season tire available for many drivers with sizes ranging between 15” and 20” in rim diameter.

What warranty is offered with this tire?

Yokohama provides a five-year or 70,000-mile limited tread life warranty on all P class tires. Coverage is a bit lower for LT tires at only 50,000 miles.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 - Best Touring

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Initially, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S was the top-selling tire for SUVs and light trucks. This lasted for a while until a new tire was released that replaced it at the top of these lists. That tire was an upgraded version from Michelin to create the Defender LTX M/S2. This is the best touring tire on the market for the Toyota 4Runner.

The Defender LTX M/S2 is made with an all-season high content silica tread and designed into a symmetrical pattern to optimize road grip, durability, and performance. The highly specific design creates better braking and handling capabilities too.

For winter and wet road driving, there are 3D active sipes that release tons of bite particles and biting edges when needed on ice and snow. These are spread out on the tire to act like a claw to grip the road better.

There are also circumferential grooves to provide outflowing channels where water can escape to keep the contact patches dry. These grooves along with additional lateral grooves and shoulder slots create hydroplaning resistance for more accurate braking and responsiveness.

Michelin also uses Max-Touch technology in this upgraded tire to extend the contact patch area to allow for more rubber to road contact. The more even contact creates better tread life and traction.    

Pros:

• Excellent tread life and a top-notch warranty.
• Steering and handling responsiveness is consistent.
• Dry traction is firm.
• Wet traction and handling are best among competing tires.

Cons:

• Cornering could be improved.

What sizes can I buy this tire in?

Michelin releases this tire in plenty of sizes for both LT and non-LT drivers. The sizes available range between 15” and 20” in rim diameter.

What warranty is offered with this tire?

There is a six-year or 70,000-mile limited tread life warranty on this tire. Other warranties include a uniformity guarantee for the first 2/32” in wear. Both policies cover all sizes.

Goodyear Wrangler SR-A - Best Touring

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Touring tires provide excellent support on highways and streets with reliable tread life and handling features. These are all important qualities for the Toyota 4Runner. This is why the Goodyear Wrangler SR-A ranks as one of the best touring tires available for this vehicle.

The tread is made from an all-season compound or a special technology known as WetTrac developed by Goodyear. The symmetrical pattern allows this technology to create better tire grip on wet surfaces like heavy rain or ice.

The circumferential grooves are made deeper to allow for more precise hydroplaning resistance. There are also zig-zag sipes in the design to expel water from tire grooves while releasing bite particles during winter drives.

This tire handles exceptionally well on dry roads too. There are independent tread blocks that have the ability to interlock with the shoulder blocks and lateral grooves to enhance the short-distance braking ability.

Tire noise is minimal while driving too. The tread design includes noise reduction rubber to keep driving comfortable, especially over bumps and potholes.    

Pros:

• Steering responsiveness is fantastic.
• Comfortable driving experience with low noise levels.
• Dry pavement driving is sharp.
• Handling and braking on wet roads are reliable.

Cons:

• There have been instances of shorter-lasting tread life than expected.

What sizes can I buy this tire in?

This tie is available in both LT and non-LT sizes. It can be found in rim diameter sizes ranging between 15” and 20” to perfectly fit your 4Runner.

What warranty is offered with this tire?

Goodyear provides a six year or 50,000-mile limited tread life warranty on the Wrangler SR-A tire.

Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 - Best Winter

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Winter driving in harsh conditions requires a tire that can remain flexible despite the dropping temperatures. Unlike any other tire, winter tires are made from softer rubber to make this possible. For the Toyota 4Runner, we recommend the Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 as the best winter tire choice.

The tread is made from a special silica compound that has excellent flexibility features. As the temperature drops, this tire becomes stronger and more precise. It handles both slippery roads and dry roads with perfection because of the directional tread pattern.

The design also creates a tire that corners exceptionally well, brakes at short distances with confidence, and accelerates quickly without spinning out or sliding.

The traction features include tread block technology, cross-z sipes, and deeper grooves. In fact, the grooves are created with snow and ice in mind so the tire doesn’t slide when the snow or slush gets too deep.

The tread life on this tire is also amazing. Michelin claims that it will last 75% longer than any other competing winter tires on the market. This is a bold claim to make unless you are completely confident in your product’s ability to back it up.  

Pros:

• Excellent warrant for a winter tire.
• Traction on snow and ice is unbeatable.
• Braking is solid.
• Comfortable riding experience on all road surfaces.

Cons:

• Cornering could be improved on both dry and slippery surfaces.

What sizes can I buy this tire in?

Michelin releases this tire in plenty of sizes ranging between 14” and 18” in rim diameter to fit select Toyota 4Runner models.

What warranty is offered with this tire?

Typically, winter tires are not covered with any warranty. Michelin takes it a step up and provides a six-year or 40,000-mile limited tread life warranty on this tire.

Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus - Best Performance Street

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If you are in the market for a high-performance tire with excellent traction on traditional streets and roads, we recommend shopping in this category. The Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus is a match made in heaven for the Toyota 4Runner when it comes to street performance.

Pirelli builds excellent tires that maximize the performance of your vehicle. This particular tire is made with a silica tread to focus on reducing the rolling resistance, CO2 emissions, and improving the carbon footprint made by usage.

The asymmetric tread design creates a more confident tire that grips the road despite the conditions and maintains solid durability. The winter performance is above average too for an all-season tire, but we really low how well it handles during street driving.

The rubber to void ratio is specifically optimized to create more direct contact with the road to improve traction and tire wear and tear.

There are four wide circumferential grooves to create a way for the contact patches on the tire to remain dry in wet weather. The longitudinal sipes also help to add extra grip for better high-speed driving stability.  

Pros:

• A widely available tire with plenty of sizes to choose from.
• Affordable tire.
• Handling is exceptional on both dry and slippery roads.
• Tread life is fantastic and long-lasting.
• Corning is accurate and precise.

Cons:

• Road noise is noticeable on highways at higher speeds.

What sizes can I buy this tire in?

Pirelli manufactures this tire in sizes ranging between 16” and 22” in rim diameter for many drivers to use.

What warranty is offered with this tire?

The warranty available is excellent. It is an unlimited time policy that covers up to 65,000 miles in tread life.

Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus - Best Highway

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Highway driving requires a tire that focuses on faster speeds while remaining durable with stability. The Toyota 4Runner is a popular vehicle for touring and highway rides too. This is why we recommend using the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus as the best highway tire option available.

This tire is made with a symmetric tread pattern that includes noise reduction features to optimize road comfort. The shoulder blocks connect with the lateral grooves through a high-strength continuous rib with interlocking capabilities.

There are circumferential grooves, lateral grooves, notches, and extra sipes to create a well-rounded tire. The performance in light snow, ice, rain, and cold temperatures is excellent but this tire excels on highways because of durability and comfort.

The internal structure is built well to maximize stability when driving. There are twin steel belts and polyester chords to ensure the sidewall operates at maximum strength at all times.

Pros:

• Excellent all-season driving capability.
• Responsiveness with steering and braking works well.
• High-level tread life warranty.
• Incredibly durable tire.

Cons:

• Cornering on ice is below average.

What sizes can I buy this tire in?

Bridgestone releases this tire in a variety of sizes ranging between 15” and 20” in rim diameter.

What warranty is offered with this tire?

The warranty is one of the best available on the market. It provides 5 years or 80,000 miles in limited tread life coverage.

Firestone Destination A/T2 - Best All-Terrain

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The Toyota 4Runner has a design made for off-road driving and testing performance on all types of terrains. However, you will need a compatible tire that can handle these situations. We recommend using the Firestone Destination A/T2 as a durable all-terrain tire for maximum performance.

All-terrain capability is supported by a new and improved tread made from more rugged compounds. The voids have also been increased to improve the tread lug performance when trying to expel water to maintain traction. This means better hydroplaning resistance too.

The tread lugs on the tire are much more aggressive than their predecessor. They contain more sipes now to add extra bite claws to grip the various road surfaces you will drive on with your 4Runner.

The responsiveness on traditional roads is amazing too. Highway driving is very stable and smooth with minimal road noise for such a high-performing tire. This new model also contains a certified 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake grade to now be considered an all-season truck tire.    

Pros:

• Contains winter driving capability now.
• Tread life is excellent.
• All-terrain driving is better and more aggressive.
• Steering responsiveness is crisp.

Cons:

• Braking at short distances on all surfaces needs to be better.

What sizes can I buy this tire in?

Firestone makes this tire in sizes ranging between 15” and 22” to accommodate all Toyota 4Runner models.

What warranty is offered with this tire?

The warranty on this tire was also improved. The coverage is now a 55,000-mile limited tread life policy.

BFGoodrich T/A KM3 - Best Mud-Terrain

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Similar to all-terrain driving, there are situations when mud is the primary driving surface. This requires a highly optimized tire that knows how to handle, brake, and remain stable despite the change in conditions. The BFGoodrich T/A KM3 is the best mud-terrain tire to pair with the Toyota 4Runner.

This tire contains staggered lugs and grooves to cut through the mud with ease. The design allows for a more accurate grip on slippery and hard-to-handle surfaces. This tire was made for high-level off-road driving.

The sidewall protection is superb. The rubber compound is cut and chip resistant to avoid flat tires or damages from stone or rock punctures. It is a long-lasting product.

This new model provides 5% better performance in the mud with improved traction, braking, and overall responsiveness. It is also made from a more flexible rubber so when the temperature drops it still provides above-average driving.

Pros:

• Excellent tread life and tire strength.
• Braking is reliable and accurate.
• Mud-traction is best-in-class.

Cons:

• On-road driving can get noisy and uncomfortable at times.

What sizes can I buy this tire in?

There are over 50 different sizes available ranging from 15” all the way through to 22” in rim diameter.

What warranty is offered with this tire?

There is no limited tread life warranty on this tire.

Falken Wildpeak AT3W - Best Sport Truck

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Another awesome part about driving a Toyota 4Runner is the sporty feel it provides on the road. It maintains the power you are looking for in towing and off-roading situations but remains versatile enough to drive with a sporty feel on the road. To maximize this feature, use the Falken Wildpeak AT3W as your sport truck tire.

This tire is built with a highly optimized tread to provide maximum performance on-road driving. While it handles exceptionally well on the road, the off-road capabilities are excellent too. It provides full support for drivers.

The treads are made deeper than usual to handle difficult terrains but the cornering capability is reliable because of extended shoulder blocks. The inner tread blocks are also secure to create better driving stability.

The tire also uses support ramps and rigid tread blocks in the design for more consistent all-terrain handling and traction.    

Pros:

• Long-lasting tread life.
• The cornering is extremely sharp.
•  Snow performance is above average.

Cons:

• Road noise is poor.

What sizes can I buy this tire in?

This tire is available in sizes ranging between 17” and 20” in rim diameter to perfectly fit any 4Runner model.

What warranty is offered with this tire?

Falken provides a 55,000-mile limited warranty to cover tread life for all drivers.

Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar - Best All-Purpose

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The Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar is the best all-purpose tire because it has amazing features to make it a reliable option in many different situations. It can drive off-road with precision, remains comfortable on highways, and brakes with confidence on ice and snow. It works best as an all-purpose tire on the Toyota 4Runner.

The tread compound is made from silica to emphasize traction and durability. You can expect the asymmetric pattern to improve the off-road performance too with better handling features.

The Kevlar-reinforced sidewall is what makes this tire so special. It is one of the most powerful and longest-lasting tires available for the Toyota 4Runner. Flat tires rarely happen because of this design.

The tread design is also made with a special technology to clean mud as it goes from the grooves to avoid hydroplaning or sliding on surfaces. The Kevlar claims to increase the strength by over 35% against punctures.  

Pros:

• Longest lasting tire available.
• Off-road performance is flawless.
• Steering is sharp and precise.

Cons:

• Road noise is a major weakness.

What sizes can I buy this tire in?

This is an LT tire found in sizes between 15” and 20”.

What warranty is offered with this tire?

There is no limited tread life warranty offered by Goodyear on this tire.

Falken FK-090 Spare Tire - Best Temporary Spare

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When driving with no backup plan, you put yourself at risk of flat tires and other emergencies. Especially in off-road or winter driving situations. This is why we always recommend packing a compact temporary spare in the trunk like the Falken FK-090 spare tire.

This spare is a reliable option because it comes in a compact size for easy storage. It is also extremely lightweight so you shouldn’t expect it to add extra pounds to your trunk. It is easy to handle and install too.

Remember these spares are meant to only drive short distances at lower speeds as a temporary solution. It is best to replace them with a new tire as soon as possible.  

Pros:

• Easy installation process.
• Compact for storage.
• Extremely affordable option.

Cons:

• Temporary usage only.
• Limited sizes are available.  

What is the maximum speed on this spare?

The maximum speed you should drive this temporary spare is 50 MPH. Driving any faster will put you and your vehicle at risk for potential damage. It is best to avoid highways if possible too.  

How far can I drive this temporary spare tire?

This temporary spare can be driven for up to 70 miles before it begins to severely wear down.  

Nitto Terra Grappler G2 - Factory Tire

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All of the new Toyota 4Runner drivers will see their vehicle equipped with the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tires. This is a confident all-terrain tire that drives well off-road. We believe it is an above-average tire but prefer some other options discussed earlier due to better available features and durability.

The tread is updated to contain new and rugged compounds to improve the all-terrain performance. They are also built to add more tread life compared to previous models. Expect high performance every time you use this tire.

The reason we don’t prefer this as our top all-terrain pick is that the full-depth sipes do not provide enough traction support on tougher terrains. The performance tends to dip and the grip on the surface becomes more slippery.

We do like the staggered shoulder lugs though because they improve tire durability. There is less of a chance you will see a puncture from an external object thanks to this unique structure.

Other features include solid road noise levels, decent driving comfort, and a variable pitch design to optimize the rubber to road ratio.  

Pros:

• Very solid tread life capability.
• On-road driving is extremely reliable.
• Traction is strong.
• Top-tier warranty.  

Cons:

• Performance dips on tougher terrains.

What sizes can I buy this tire in?

This tire is found in both LT and non-LT sizes between 17” and 22” in rim size.

What warranty is offered with this tire?

Nitto gives all drivers a 65,000-mile limited tread life warranty for P-rated tires. Coverage drops to only 50,000 miles on LT tires.

What’s the best type of tire for a Toyota 4Runner?

The best tire type for the Toyota 4Runner depends entirely on what you are looking to accomplish from your vehicle. We have heard from drivers who want to maximize the off-road driving capabilities while others prefer a comfortable tire for long highway rides.

We believe a tire like the Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar is a perfect choice if you want complete balance. However, if you would like to avoid off-road driving then we recommend sticking to a touring or highway tire because they provide excellent all-season traction while maintaining longevity.

How to Read a Toyota 4Runner Tire

Tire shopping requires you to find tires that match your Toyota 4Runner in size too. This means you will be tasked with reading tire sizes located right on the tire sidewall. If this is something you have never done before, we have created an easy-to-understand chart to help you.

Review the chart below to learn about each element of a tire size to better find matching tires for your Toyota 4Runner model.

Available Toyota 4Runner Tire Sizes & Models

The Toyota 4Runner only uses two primary sizes on their vehicle models, making it easier to shop and find the correct tires for you. The two sizes are 245/60R20 and 265/70R17, meaning you will be shopping either for 17” tires or 20” depending on the model you own.

• ‍245/60R20
• 265/70R17

If you are not sure what the size is on your model, we can help there too. The chart below lists every model released since 2017 along with the corresponding tire size that fits this model. Find your vehicle year and model type in the chart and match it with the appropriate size before buying a new tire.