Top 10 Best Tires for Jeep Wrangler: 2024 Tire Test

Jeep Wrangler is equipped with powerful driving modes, compact designs, and constant updates since its first release in 1986. To this day, many still laud the car as one of the most high-performance Jeep SUV models, though its driving efficiency also depends significantly on your choice of tire type/tire quality. 

Hence, our COR Wheels Team has strived to determine the best tires for the Jeep Wrangler through rigorous performance tests that lasted in both Summer and Winter. Scroll through our guides for more inclusive reviews. 

A. How to Choose The Best Tires for Jeep Wrangler

1. Understanding The Jeep Wrangler

Jeep Wrangler is a compact, mid-sized off-road SUV meant for construction workers, outdoor enthusiasts, or adventurers who travel on rugged terrains. Hence, standard touring all-season tires are clearly not meant for this SUV; you should omit them entirely during your browsing to seek stronger tires for highway/off-road endeavors.

All Jeep Wrangler models arrive with the 4WD (four-wheel drive) system that distributes power evenly to all wheels to enhance control and traction. Aided by the very spacious high-ground clearance (when compared to regular SUVs), the car should handle extreme obstacles, thick rocks, and harsh winter conditions just fine. We suggest you choose extremely high-traction tires with responsive and very aggressive clawing actions regardless of steering techniques and road textures – but feel free to lower your standards a little if you do not travel off-road that often.

Modern generations of Jeep Wranglers introduce aligned suspension systems, which absorb shocks to provide smoother rides even on rough surfaces – contrary to popular beliefs that off-road SUVs are often ill-cushioned and uncomfortable. Thus, it would be best to settle on tires with well-distributed pressure, even rolls, and noise-absorption layers under the tread to maximize your riding quality.

The Wrangler also offers underbody protection and rugged chassis to keep punctures, rock drilling, and other off-road damage at bay. You should look for tires with deep initial depths, chamfered edges, and reinforced bumpers to maintain consistent performances over longer periods.

Loading up to 1351 pounds (full passengers and cargo) is also totally within the operation scope of this 5-passenger SUV. You do not have to pay much attention to this area if there are no demands; otherwise, remember to single out premium tires with a load index of 91 onwards (higher ratings if you frequently hauling something).

2. Choosing The Right Tire Type for Your Jeep Wrangler

As each driver frequents different terrains and has different purposes, assess your driving habits, terrains, riding demands, and budgets carefully to settle on one of the following tire types:

a. Highway All-Season Tires

Do you look for balanced comfort and versatility through everyday commuting and highway driving? Then these tires are for you, as they work well into wet, dry, and mild snow conditions while still prioritizing smooth experiences and riding comfort. 

Compared to other specialized tires (e.g., winter/summer tires), highway tires enjoy much longer durability thanks to the even wear and sturdy rubber compounds. Their pricing range is quite broad (ranging from as low as $50 to $250), so negotiate your needs well to avoid overspending.

b. All-Terrain Tires

• AT tires offer highlighted features for both on- and off-road capabilities. Which tire works best for your situation, however, depends on your prioritized driving terrain.
• Choose on-road AT tires if you still put daily commuting above off-road ventures at the end of the day. They offer comfortable rides and low noise while typically falling into the middle spectrum of the pricing range.
• Off-road AT tires will be a much better choice when you demand high-quality off-road handling without sacrificing decent on-road practicality. They are often priced from middle to upper ranges, depending on your further niche preferences regarding riding quality and tread life. 
• Want a tire similar to off-road AT tires but with more durability features and on-road balance? Rugged AT tires are the way to go, with pricing categories similar to off-road AT tires in terms of size, brands, durability, comfort, etc. 
• If you have low demands on both terrains and wish to keep your budgets within the lines, a commercial tire should do – though note that its traction and riding comfort might not be on par with other more specialized rivals. 

c. Off-road Max Traction Tires

AT tires are catered to light off-road conditions only, so off-road max traction tires will obviously be a much better choice if you wish to engage in extreme off-road ridings involving deep pits, tough riverbeds, etc. Most of them do not emphasize on-road traction much, though you can compensate for that by aiming for more premium tire models – and, of course, at a very high price.

d. Winter Tires

If you live in harsh winter climates or only use Jeep Wrangler around winter months, a couple of winter tires should do. 

Depending on tire brands and models, you can choose to omit snowless features out of your priority; note that more capabilities in non-winter conditions will inevitably equate to higher costs. 

B. How Did We Test and Pick The Best Tires for Jeep Wrangler

A shortlist was established after we evaluated 196+ best-selling tires in the first round of the COR Wheels Tire Test. Their 285/70R17 versions were then installed on the Jeep Wrangler 2022 Rubicon for further assessments. Finally, we combined our own scores with gathered customer feedback to conclude the ten best tire options in the current market.

C. Best Highway All-Season Tires for Jeep Wrangler

1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Best uses: high-speed highways, water below 10 inches, paved roads, snow terrains, off-road rock/dirt, sweeping curves, long trips

This outstanding Michelin representative is a spot-on choice for highway driving. With the stable Evertread compounds equipped with multiple active sipes, the tire has no trouble embracing the smooth asphalt while keeping over-reaction around turns and curves at an impressive minimum. 

Steering feedback was amazing, if not downright punctual, even when we tested it with the most impromptu inputs (especially when we had to act quickly at sudden roadblocks or during immediate braking). As a result, even beginners should have quite a blast with adventurous leans, deep dives, and low-angled thrusts while breezing 900 to 1000 lbs of cargo throughout the ride.

Defender’s confidence continued to shine in wet weather with relatively the same sharp dry edges, only suffering from very brief hydroplaning at very deep water (beyond 10 inches) – and even then, we didn’t consider the stutters truly dangerous given low cargo weight. 

You will also enjoy the tire’s pretty predictable strikes on off-road dirt and rock. While these performances still have room for refinements at high speeds and twisty curves, they remain generally tame at regular driving rates – and, compared to loose terrains, exhibit much better footing stability dealing with hard brakings. Not to say it is a bad performer on loose terrains; for a non-off-road tire, the way it grips onto soft mud and sad without immediate plummeting still plays mostly in your favor.

The tire’s riding quality and noise control are extremely impressive regardless of terrain; you could hardly spot any major jostles and noises even when using one-palm control over rugged cobblestones or rocks. Better yet, it achieves such a feat without sacrificing treadwear, ensuring at least six years of convenient ridings with its notable integrity and competitive 70,000-mile warranty. 

While some tighter-budget customers might find its pricing a little bit reaching, it still lies within the middle range of the market. Plus, given all the benefits it delivers, the pricing is totally well-deserved.

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2. Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse HT

Best uses: adventurous highway rides, tight-spaced curves, moderate snow, light off-road dirt, moderate water depth, comfortable long rides

One of Goodyear’s most recognized highway models, the Goodyear Wrangler HT settled immediately at the start of our highway tests thanks to the aggressive shoulders and weaving, interlocking tread blocks. Drifting symptoms can hardly intrude to damper the tire’s footings or extra margins saved for emergencies, resulting in free-spirited riding dynamics that will give your adventurous soul the best time of its life through tight-spaced curves and on graded surfaces. Unplanned speed changes or high cargo load beyond 1000 lbs seem hardly relevant to the tire’s drags or road connections, bonding well with the sidewalls from beginning to end. 

These behaviors translate very well to regular roads thanks to the consistent steering feedback and stable on-center ribs. Even on slippery surfaces, the tire only stuttered when dealing with slightly deeper water (beyond 5 inches) and remained generally predictable in any other situation. You will also be pleased with its quite decent composure on light and deep snow, which gets twice better when equipped with snow chains while kept civilized at below 40 MPH.

Performances on off-road terrains (except for gravel trails) are frankly disappointing, and the way Wrangler kept tumbling over thin air on moderate ice buildups also pushed this tire in admittedly bad lighting. Fortunately, Goodyear compensates for these oversights by offering quite budget-friendly pricing compared to the rest of the brand’s lineups; its riding quality and treadwear rates on-road are also excellent, equivalent to 5-6 years with extra support from the 60,000-mile warranty.

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D. Best All-Terrain Tires for Jeep Wrangler

3. Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

Best uses: rugged surfaces, moderate snow, moderately long trips through ice, light off-road dirt, soft rocks, descents

With the inclusion of stable five-rib designs and accompanied Secure-Grip grooves, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is one of the best AT tires for Jeep Wrangler across all on-road terrains. Paved roads are an obvious given due to the lack of constant bumps, but even rugged brick paths with occasional cracks here and there could not throw this on-road AT tire off its momentum. 

Shaky drifting is trampled down quickly before it can really slip further into the footprint – and, aided by the punctual steering response, will not lose much internal composure when subjected to multiple steering techniques back-to-back. Thanks to such classy flexibility, you should find towing tasks of 1000 lbs quite a breeze through tight curves, deep crooks, or even through very angled ascents.

Its wet-weather performance is also quite stable thanks to the AquaVac Channels – though it is the tire’s snow traction that impresses most. Indeed, Discover is even more composed on snow than on wet roads, using extra clawing actions to clean off the operation margin and pave power cuts for the car to plunge conveniently forward. 

Similarly, the tire thrives on off-road dirt utilizing the same channels and clawing acts. Rock and loose-terrain traction experiences a more pronounced lack of confidence through sharp turns and textured paths but is still very good overall, having little problem keeping coughs and jostles well-controlled at 35 to 40 MPH.

While Cooper AT3 4S behaves well on straight-line roads and rarely produces significant vibrations (minus brief jostles upon ascents), its noise control around corners and deep stagnant water could still be better. 

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4. Continental TerrainContact A/T

Best uses: all on-road terrains, light dirt, moderate snow, short trips through rocks and sands

The edge-block traction grooves are among TerrainContact’s most reliable assistants on regular roads, paving the way for smooth and punching road connections that could hardly be deterred through abrupt turns, wide-degree skids, or even straight deep dives into carousels with little to no preparations. 

We also loved the well-placed support for the tire’s on-center rib, which supported our Jeep well from corner entries to exits while having enough margins to support occasional understeering/oversteering accidents. We loaded up to 1000 lbs just fine regardless of steering techniques and speeds, though it would be better to play safe with 700-800 lbs if you are a beginner SUV driver.

Given the impressive full-depth sipes and strong steel belts, no wonder Continental TerrainContact still manages to bond well with rainwater and thicker on-road puddles during most parts of the rides (we did experience minor drags on wet bridges, but they were brief and rather infrequent). Most of these evacuation channels continue to shine on off-road dirt, dispersing gravel and mild soil in nice, clean cuts that cushion the tire’s feel very well through non-twisty roads and gentle curves at 40-45 MPH; you will feel as if you are returning to daily sidewalks!

While the tire’s behaviors on rocks, sand, and mud can still be considered decent, you might notice a significant traction drop through ascents and tight curves compared to on off-road dirt; the tire also needs more solid footprints when shrugging out of deep pits or stacked, elevated surfaces. Its slightly more pronounced jostles and noises on these terrains – coupled with the high premium pricing – is another factor you should consider, too.

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5. Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx

Best uses: Paved roads, all light off-road terrains, moderate-distance trips in snow, shallow puddles

Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx shines best on paved roads and lightly rugged textures in daily driving, owing most of its power edges to the hundreds of block edges and open bites that react well to the asphalts and dry tarmac. The tire does admittedly fade out a little through extended trips, but lower cargo weight (below 500 lbs) and more frequent downshifts could easily fix that slight drawback.

And for a commercial tire, the way Discoverer behaves on off-road terrains is truly incredible: its in-block sipes retain relatively the same grip on on-road terrains, offering ample cornering and climbing support through spirited turns with little to no major steering delays. 

The stone ejectors within the blocks also do a great job throwing stones off the contact patch and smoothing out the rough rock textures. Even loose sand and mud (usually considered most tires’ notorious downsides) bond well with Discoverer at regular driving rates, only needing a little more refinement when the Jeep takes deeper dives into consecutive switchbacks.

On another note, the high-void patterns strangely work much better on snow than on regular roads; the latter often suffers from frequent hydroplaning and slippage when revved beyond 45 MPH. The rides are noisy/ far from comfortable, and the clear absence of integrity against cold temperatures also makes it quite difficult to use the tire in longer runs.

But in its defense, these oversights are to be expected for a tire with this pricing. Indeed, compared to many other tires of the same sectors and costs, Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx is still lauded by many as one of the best tire values to date.

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6. Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek

Best uses: Dry roads, all off-road terrains (dirt, sand, mud, rock), moderate snow

The tire’s startlingly intimate road connections just seconds into the ride settled all our worries regarding its performance; its omnidirectional gauges and StableTrac Tech boost traction maintenance tenfold while aligning the steering feedback in close tandem with each strike and movement. When we revved to higher speeds than 60 MPH, brief flurries of shudders were sent down the contact patch; but other than that, mindless dives and spirited leans were totally within reach, to the point that we even exceeded the Jeep’s towing capacity a little without plummeting.

As a rugged all-terrain tire, Discoverer Rugged Trek strikes an impressive balance between its on-road and off-road qualities; indeed, you will find its grippy contact points on off-road gravel to be not that much different from dry road traction, if not growing even more stable when you keep unwavering push-pull at 45-47 MPH. 

We were also pleased with the consistent grip on loose terrains and rocks (quite an impressive feat, since most AT tires perform on rocks much better than on loose surfaces). The built-in stone blockages smoothed out rough textures while spreading out smaller stones underneath the sidewalls. And its well-molded Earth Diggers took care of deep pits and clays in close alignment with midway steering changes and directional turns.

The tire also performs surprisingly decently in winter; minus thick icy roads where clear burnout symptoms lurk around, it introduces sufficient clawing actions to push through moderate snow at 40-50 MPH without excessive snow chains. 

Unless you embark on extreme speed limits right away, riding the Jeep Wrangler with Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek tires should remain cushioned and pretty smooth most of the time from casual approaches. Unfortunately, the horrendous, intrusive squeaks in slightly colder temperatures do not sit right with noise-sensitive drivers.

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E. Best Off-Road Tires for Jeep Wrangler

7. Falken WildPeak A/T3W

Best uses: Dry and wet roads with gentle curves, smooth surfaces, off-road dirt and sand, deep snow

This off-road AT tire shines best on dirt and sand; its aggressive sidewalls and stepped edges easily trample over debris and light rock while preventing punctures and internal damage through well-distributed, even tire rolls. Fresh beginners still have to tame their loading/towing needs; but if you are an average to advanced driver, carrying 800-1000 lbs should be a non-issue even through tight corners and zigzag switchbacks. 

Surprisingly, WildPeak feels slightly more stable on sand than rocks, having no trouble padding the thick sand particles into thinner, widespread layers that are easy for the grooves to tackle sequentially. When transitioning to mud, WildPeak A/T3W hesitates more often when the Jeep is packed full (five people) or engages sharper turns than necessary – but overall, still stays within safe territories at 35-40 MPH.

Off-road performance aside, WildPeak is very reliable and consistent on on-road terrains (both snowed and snowless), thanks to the capable 3D canyon sipes that adapt well to most textures and ambient temperatures. In fact, you will find the tire’s snow clawing actions to be even more pronounced than on sand/mud and still manage gentle curves on thick ice buildups. Hydroplaning mostly occurs in very strong flowing water and is generally well-controlled at other times.

Treadwear rates and noises definitely have room for improvement due to the tire’s overreactions in overheating summer – but for an off-road AT tire, such drawbacks are still considered acceptable. 

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8. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

Best uses: all off-road terrains, long summer trips, moderate winter traveling, water depth below 8 inches, gentle corners

The tough serrated shoulders and strong sidewall armors are clearly KO2’s best-selling points in off-road conditions. 

We noticed that KO2 traveled smoothly on straight off-road gravel terrains (with natural bumps and textures thrown in between) and prepared itself well for unexpected corner dives while tolerating occasional understeering and intentional late brakings. It is also among the first few off-road AT tires in the market that retain almost the same confidence on sand and rock alike, whose loose-terrain features surprisingly work just as fine with smaller rocks and pebbles. 

Mud performances might not enjoy the same aggressive reactions as the tire sinks deep into thick, sticky pits, but the interlocking sipes manage decent push-pull power to wriggle the Jeep out of the mess regardless – and hence, still play well in your favor. 

In winter, the tire was just as confident as on off-the-beaten paths (minus frequent stumblings on ice when we reached beyond 45 MPH). T/A KO2 issues its contact points and adapts to speed revs so well in deep snow that it could replace a dedicated winter tire, choking up even twice better traction when you keep cargo and passengers at a minimum (or preferably remove them altogether).

Needless to say, paved daily roads are a breeze for the tire to handle in both dry and wet weather, smoothing out all attempts to reverse, navigate, or change lanes. The constant vibrations at tight corners and slightly louder hiccups on slippery surfaces put some damper on the tire’s overall score, though. 

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9. Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003

Best uses: extreme off-road rides, deep snow, straight/regular roads, snow storms, long-term uses

Geolandar’s unbeatable Geo-Shield Construction, aided by the high-density blocks and sidewall armors, makes it one of the best off-road tires for Jeep Wrangler. You will be astounded by its incredible integrity across dirt, mud, and rock with barely any difference, save for minor lags on mud due to the stickier soil and water. Even its “weakest” point – sand traction – still exceeds other rivals by a very long slide thanks to the built-in sidewall reinforcements, easily adapting to spirited accelerations below 85 MPH with only minor/predictable stutters through extended sandy curves. 

Most off-road max traction tires pay little attention to on-road performances. Not Yokohama Geolandar, though: it composes itself well on straight-line endeavors and dives into low-angle grooves with excellent input alignments, which gives the Jeep ample opportunities to back out/change steering techniques mid-way without major slippage. You should also experience more or less the same traction confidence on wet roads; hydroplaning does happen on deeper water, but that is totally expected given the lack of sturdy evacuation channels often seen in on-road tires. 

Geolandar M/T G003 certainly impresses with its incredible treadwear rates and impressively even rolls (which is quite rare for off-road tires). Riding quality is also surprisingly decent, though the intrusive, deafening screechings at every off-road turn are rather a huge put-off. Plus, compared to other on-/off-road terrains, Geolandar’s behavior on ice is disappointing, especially given the high price. 

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F. Best Winter/Snow Tire For Jeep Wrangler

10. Firestone WinterForce LT

Best uses: Light snow, moderate traveling in deep snow, low-speed rides on ice roads, casual rides on well-paved roads in summer

If you mostly use Jeep Wrangler in winter, a set of Firestone WinterForce LT should offer sufficient edges thanks to the extra bites from its aggressive patterns and molded tread blocks. The tire is unfazed plowing through light snow at constant, almost abrupt acceleration inputs (e.g., 30 to 75 MPH in seconds), and suffers no steering delays when speeding their way through smooth highways and steep mountain passes. 

Its deep-snow performance could get just as confident as on light snow when we equipped it with optional studs – but even without them, WinterForce still handled our basic on-road driving situation with ease at below 55 MPH. Even on ice, the worst you will experience is the slight plummeting on textured paths that can easily be negotiated by reducing cargo weight/speed rates to 500 lbs/30 MPH.

On another note, you should not have too much hope for the tire’s composure once winter is over; it is decent for light, casual rides and cool/warm temperatures but hardly enough for stronger handling dynamics. Likewise, we found jostles and vibrations acceptable, mostly appearing on paved roads and growing more obvious as we entered rougher textures; squeaking cornering noises also need to be addressed.

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Conclusion

Powerful as it is, the Jeep Wrangler cannot reach its peak if paired with subpar tire models. Keep our buying guides in mind while confirming the tire’s real-life metrics through trustable sources, particularly the 2023 COR Wheels Tire Reports available on the official websites, to land on the best tires for Jeep Wrangler daily driver. Reach out to the manufacturers themselves for more information if necessary.