Top 10 Best Tires For Tesla Model 3 In 2024

Small and compact, the Tesla Model 3 serves as an impressive entry sedan for any driver seeking the first electric vehicle for their drive. Nevertheless, despite all the technical advantages compared to regular cars, the model still needs premium and compatible tires to boost its handling characteristics to the maximum – hence our attempts to perform rigorous assessments to determine the best tires for Model 3.

More insights and discussion will be disclosed as follows.

A. How to Choose The Best Tire for Tesla Model 3

1. Understanding The Tesla Model 3

The Model 3 is a compact electric sedan from Tesla, meant to deliver smooth, quiet rides and zero emissions due to the complete lack of internal combustion engines. Hence, you should look for tires with even rolls and well-distributed pressures to ensure optimal riding comfort.

Furthermore, aided by powerful electric motors (and the rear-wheel drive/RWD system for some models), the Tesla Model 3 can offer instant torque for extremely responsive performance and quick acceleration. You can look for premium tires that adapt well to midway changes and speed revs, especially on highways, to quench your thirst for spirited riding and dynamic road manners. Sipes in the central ribs would be welcomed in your set of tires for crisper steering feedback.

Some other Tesla 3 models are equipped with the AWD/all-wheel-drive system to handle various conditions, such as ice, snow, and rainy conditions. Nevertheless, its limited ranges (compared to regular gasoline vehicles) make extended trips quite a challenge, so you will be fine settling for low-to-middle-range tires that can handle moderate traveling distances with good/decent integrity. There is no need to set your eyes on too-expensive options.

On another note,  this electric sedan prioritizes comfort above all, so off-road conditions are clearly out of its league; you should avoid all-terrain or off-road max traction tires during your browsing. Payload capacity is also far from its greatest strengths (only about 954 lbs); thus, you do not have to overspend your budget on tires with extreme load ratings.

2. Choose The Right Type of Tire for Your Tesla Model 3

a. Touring All-Season Tires

Do you want smooth, comfortable rides all year round and across various weather? Then touring all-season tires will promise you exactly that, though small differences could be noted between niche subcategories:

Standard Touring Tires: Among the most affordable ranges in the market (though there are still some exceptions), these tires give you ample riding comfort with very low tread noises. Most are long-lasting and can also handle light snow pretty well; you can aim for more expensive models if your Tesla must often travel through deep snow/ice in winter.

Grand Touring Tires: If you want to retain the same comfort offered by standard touring tires and enjoy slightly better cornering/handling, then grand touring tires will be the best choice. Their road manners are sharp and precise without sacrificing smooth experiences, and higher-quality models also deal well with harsh snow and ice.

b. Performance Tires

Are you a spirited driver longing for enhanced cornering, handling, and higher-speed traction? Then these sporty tires are definitely for you – and just like touring tires, they are further categorized into subgroups based on your more specific preferences:

Ultra High-Performance Tires: With these tires, you can enjoy consistent, extreme year-round traction efficiency across various on-road conditions, while still receiving relatively the same comfort and traction as touring tires. Naturally, their charges are quite high, though you may consider lower-priced options if there are few demands regarding other criteria (e.g., noise control, treadwear, etc.)

Max Performance Summer Tires: As their name suggests, you will receive exceptional handling on dry and slippery roads alike during summer with these tires; their grip and steering through high-speed endeavors are also extremely mind-blowing. Remember that these tires are not meant for winter or cold conditions.

Ultra-High Performance Summer Tires: Though a tad lower than their max performance counterparts, ultra-high performance summer tires still promise you exceptional grip and aggressive cornerings through most dry terrains should you wish for a more spirited and high-speed driving. Some can help you handle cool weather or mild snow decently, but are still not recommended for harsher winter conditions.

c. Winter/Snow Tires

Even the lowest-range snow tires can ensure decent safety for you during harsh snow or thick ice buildups – a great choice to help you frequent such terrains often during wintertime. 

And what if you find it quite time-consuming to switch to other tire sets when winter is over? In that case, we suggest you turn to premium snow tires with good/reliable summer composure – such as the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, which we will introduce in the latter half of the article. 

B. How Did We Pick and Test The Best Tesla Model 3 Tires

After a shortlist was established from 196 best-sellers during the first round of our COR Wheels Tire Test, we installed their 235/45R18 tire size versions on our Tesla Model 3 Standard Range 2022 for further narrowing. 

Once compared with the gathered customer feedback, the total scores were negotiated and polished for the final chart, which helped us single out the top 10 highest-ranking options. 

C. Best All-Season Tire For Tesla Model 3

1. Michelin CrossClimate2

Best uses: high-speed endeavors, deep water, tight curves, deep snow, short-traveling on ice, year-round usage, long-term driving

There is not much to complain about CrossClimate2’s superstar performances on dry roads, as its aligning blocks and sturdy V-ramp chamfers take little time to familiarize with most asphalt driving patterns. Your Tesla Model 3 will easily breeze through the pavement grooves without major drifting, aided by the incredibly responsive steering that rarely falls behind steps whenever you engage in abrupt or deep-diving moves through tight turns. Speed accelerations are hardly something you should worry about, either, judging by the stable on-center ribs and well-supported sidewalls despite fluctuating control inputs.

In wet conditions, this tire option continues to be a total delight, keeping almost the same dry confidence on slippery surfaces (save for occasional water intrusion at very deep water, which you can easily navigate by punctual downshifts). You can even attempt intentional late brakings around low-radius chicanes and still ensure the grip recovers within acceptable margins.

For a non-winter tire, Michelin CrossClimate 2 remains impressively stable through all wintry conditions; it delivers every bit of its premium pricing with strong snowy bites and rugged clawing actions through 2-7 inches of snow in little to no drama. Even on extremely thick ice buildups that make even some winter tires falter, CrossClimate2 only plummets slightly at higher speeds (beyond 50 MPH) and remains pleasantly predictable during your casual rides.

You will likely have no problems with the tire’s riding quality and lifespan, though some noise-sensitive drivers do wish for slightly more noise control refinements during steep ascents and zigzag switchbacks.

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2. Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3

Best uses: paved roads, sweeping corners, casual winter rides on snow, traveling of 2-3 people

With impressive outboard shoulder blocks that serve as a major glow-up from its predecessors, the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 bonded instantly onto the roads as if it belonged; we confidently started our tests at 45 MPH and experienced no significant issues weaving through lanes and vehicle flows. 

Braking distances were clean-cut and very composed, meaning you can easily navigate possible collisions or sidestep unwanted roadblocks anytime you want to at minimal to moderate steering inputs. Better yet, there is hardly any major difference between the tire’s straight-line and cornering behaviors, owing most of its edges to the well-balanced sipes and circumferential grooves that restrict unnecessary void space to the maximum.

Rainfalls and moderate to deep water could hardly deter the AS Plus 3 from its aggressive confidence; the worst we experienced was some pronounced chokes on graded surfaces (e.g., bridges) and mountain passes, which you can mitigate by reducing the number of passengers and accompanying luggage. Winter performances might not be that exceptional but easily tick into your favors, relying on the deep zigzag sipes to gum the tire walls onto the thick, cold snow without frequent shudders or stalls. 

Judging by the impressive integrity under temperature extremes or on-road cracks, you can settle all your worries regarding the tire’s tread wear rates and riding quality. The only major concern is the tire’s slightly erratic jostles on the ice at any driving rate beyond 40 MPH – which is tolerable if you are an average driver but seems quite a throw-off for fresh novices. 

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3. General AltiMax RT45

Best uses: dry roads (even with deep corners), moderate water depth, budget choice

With robust tread blocks interlocking well into each other, General AltiMax RT45 will give you a total blast in any basic daily driving situation. This tire model recovers fast while still delivering impressive integrity through wildly fluctuating turns and seems unfazed by all attempts to veer mid-way into corners or deep crooks. 

Naturally, high speeds tend to strip more steering edges of its tire walls, but the difference occurs gradually and within acceptable margins; you do not have to brace yourself for unpredictable delays or sudden plummeting at ill timing.

While its wet performances admittedly witness a slightly pronounced traction drop due to occasional hydroplaning every now and then, Altimax 45 still plays within safe territories and manages its jostles well in casual driving rates (preferably below 45 MPH). And if you are an experienced driver, trampling the water layers using extra steering force should be a general non-issue.

Snow performances are far from exceptional but not exactly disastrous, either, especially given the budget-friendly price; you can still plow decently through light and deep snow when keeping both your passengers and driving rates civilized. 

Still, since this tire is cheap, do not expect class-leading treadwear rates or noise control with it: Altimax seems muter in cold weather and struggles to keep road noises away when strolling through rougher surfaces.

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4. Goodyear Assurance MaxLife

Best uses: paved roads, long-term usage, highways, light rains

One of the best standard touring tires in the market, Goodyear Assurance MaxLife utilizes the notched ribs and blocks for maximum dry-road prowess. The tire roared so confidently through the first part of our test (40-45 MPH) that we transitioned from regular roads to highways only 3-4 miles later while revving up to 60 MPH. Assurance keeps shining on highways without difficulties thanks to the well-blended compounds, choking up traction losses gracefully and taking little time to adapt to tightly-spaced, extended curves along the way. 

This Goodyear model also withstood temperature overheats very well (hence the impressive treadwear rates), though we could not help but notice a notable grip falter when the Tesla entered slippery surfaces. Due to the lack of well-opened evacuation channels, the tire encounters quite some hydroplaning around non-straight road sections and mostly manages its composure at moderate speeds (below 45 MPH) in shallow to moderate puddles. 

Given the upper-pricing range, Assurance MaxLife is frankly disappointing during wintertime; minus the somewhat decent light snow traction, MaxLife shakes horribly on snow blankets of 5 inches onwards and is almost unrideable when you step onto thick ice. Likewise, tread noises are acceptable on casual paved roads but definitely have room for improvements around corners and wide skids.

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5. Michelin Defender2

Best uses: spirited ridings, diverse steering techniques, wet corners, moderate-speed snow traveling, very long-term usage

Another strong Michelin competitor on our list, the Defender2 will delight you right after the first few bites with its wide grooves and dynamic rotation patterns. Just 3-4 miles into the rides, even the slightest rib wavers (often seen in cheaper tires on less-paved roads) subdue almost completely, allowing you to experiment with numerous steering techniques while having enough margins to fall back on when unexpected roadblocks or slippage happens around twistier crooks.

You will be pleased with how Defender2 navigates around wet surfaces, too. Sure, extended trips still mute out its feedback more often than you might have liked, but be confident that none of these stutters are intrusive or safety-compromising. Even as a beginner, you can dive into wet/flooded corners from gentle approach angles with minimum input, and the way Defender2 shrugs itself into composure just seconds after an accidental oversteer also feels very assuring.

The longitudinal and lateral sipes do quite a great job sustaining Defender2’s power edges on snow (though the tire still seems to get more hesitant at high speeds or when moving to slightly more textured icy paths). Better yet, treadwear rates and impact handling are the last things you need to worry about, aided by the extremely competitive 80,000-mile warranty to ensure mindless driving for you for at least half a decade.

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D. Best Performance Tire for Tesla Model 3

6. Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+

Best uses: deep turns, low-angled cornering, high-speed on-road traveling, long-term usage, light loading tasks, moderate water depth

Potenza’s intricate lateral slots and chamfered edges promise excellent dry traction – and indeed, they translate well to actual practice: our Tesla Model 3 sank onto the road patterns with smooth, cushioned feel rarely seen in other Bridgestone tires of the same sector, so we could strike breezily and almost effortlessly through deep turns and low-angled corners at 40 to 55 MPH. 

Revving towards 65 MPH and higher is totally possible even if you are not experienced, thanks to the interconnected grooves and slots that support the on-center ribs extremely well. Aided by the punctual steering feedback, this tire will rarely put you into actual danger around tight carousels and blind curves.

We noticed a lack a bit of confidence when entering wet surfaces; fortunately, the sidewall wavers were not enough to truly compromise the Tesla’s overall momentum. You can still maintain good to decent grip around most straight-line endeavors and wide, gentle crooks, only suffering from pronounced shakes during ascents or with slightly heavier cargo (beyond 400 lbs) at higher speeds.

The tire holds its ground well against debris and thicker gravel, and the relatively quiet, low-key rumblings will also sit well for most of your rides. Unfortunately, given its price, the winter performances are rather underwhelming (downright dangerous over deep snow and icy roads), which takes away several points.

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7. Falken Azenis FK460 A/S

Best uses: Dynamic summer rides, casual wet trips, light towing/loading, warm temperatures, long rides with great comfort

Equipped with powerful chamfered edges and the 4D Nano Tech, hardly any mishaps could stall FK460’s aggressive boils over the roads. The tire-road connection is well-established right from the start and grows more solid the longer you ride, trampling traction losses instantly under the sidewalls while maximizing footprints to the fullest with constant and sensitive tire flexes. The steering responses are just as punctual, falling neatly behind every input with impressive alignments and only experiencing minor delays upon unexpected corner twists.

While these highlights seem to dim more or less in wet weather conditions, they exude sufficient power for you to cope with straight-line flooded roads, slightly angled transitions (e.g., moving from regular streets towards the bridges), or puddles with stickier mud. You can also afford some very light cargo loads (200 to 300 lbs) without too much dragging underneath the flank.

On another note, traveling on Azenis FK460 in wintertime definitely requires lots of caution; the tire struggles amidst the dense snow (even with the help of snow chains) and literally has to wrestle with itself to move forward upon thicker ice. Its impact handling is decent but not that impressive, worsened by the loud cornering screeches and lack of internal composure in colder temperatures.

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8. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

Best uses: all summer terrains, moderate water depth, very light towing, seasonal usage

Do you prioritize summer traction above all else? Then, Pilot Sport 4S is the best choice, stabilizing the sidewalls and flanks in aggressive cuts through the hybrid rubber compounds and large shoulders to ensure no steering delays regardless of your techniques and road textures. 

It settled into abrupt directional changes and speed revs so confidently that we could twist the steering wheels in more slackening fashions without major plummeting; around shorter toll plaza curves, even 180-degree wide skids with cargos of 100-200 lbs proved to be just as smooth as any other casual on-road driving situation.

The excellent and very aligning steering feedback plays a large part in such a feat – though you might notice a notable slump as the Tesla enters deeper roads. Nevertheless, the tire still manages good overall composure thanks to the wet, silica-infused compounds, and its wet braking distance is also surprisingly decent despite the lack of focused features.

In return, this expensive tire must sacrifice lots of durability and noise control to boost summer traction, so do not be surprised when the screechings seem to be triggered by almost any steering input along the way. And clearly, Pilot Sport 4S is never meant for snow and ice terrains; our team did not even take a test there.

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9. Firestone Firehawk Indy 500

Best uses: extreme summer usage, high-speed endeavors, moderately wet & straight roads

Firehawk Indy 500 is among the first summer models that use Long Link Carbons to improve cornering and handling abilities within the tread blocks, so its excellent grip maintenance across paved and rugged textures alike is truly unsurprising. 

All your mid-way changes, like swift veering, reversing, or correction skids, will land very assuringly within the margins and remain unfazed by sudden speed changes, paving the way for smooth and safe dives into deep corners. Likewise, steering responses are sharp and punctual, with very brief delays through ascents that are barely noticeable in the grand scheme of things.

However, you might have to lower your expectations a little in rainfall seasons. Sure, Indy 500 is generally predictable in casual rides and straight roads, but spirited leans or unplanned veerings seem to throw the tire into back-to-back stutters more often than expected. 

Plus, the channeled grooves are not exactly well-designed (as this tire still caters mostly to dry seasons), so tread noises and impact handling through moderate water depth are far from the best. And like most other summer tires, snow (even very lightly-covered roads) will be totally out of the question for you.

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E. Best Winter Tires for Tesla Model 3

10. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

Best uses: all winter terrains, rainy seasons, occasional summer drives

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Blizzak WS90 utilizes 15% more block edges than its predecessors to create extra plowing actions on snow, so we could enjoy extremely stable footings across all snow depths between 2 and 11 inches. The contact patch was entirely unaffected by the thick snow layers and still managed to launch each punch with decisive confidence, which means you can even surge straight to speed extremes (75 to 85 MPH) and still retain most of the traction without any help from snow chains. 

Even thick, inconsistent ice buildups can only make the Tesla titter slightly around the edges at best; otherwise, you can confidently keep things civilized at 40-55 MPH on straight roads and during cornering attempts alike.

While not as flexible as its own winter behaviors, Blizzak still impresses once summer comes. The pleasant cushion of its well-blended rubbers on smooth asphalts felt quite similar to a middle-range touring tire, breezing the Tesla easily through roadblocks and lane changes in little to no drama at casual speeds. Wet traction will also play in your favor – if not even better than dry traction due to its similar nature to wet light snow – resulting in well-controlled hydroplaning and excellent slippage recovery upon graded surfaces.

As a seasonal tire, Blizzak WS90 is not exactly the best choice for long-term usage, but the way it adapts to temperature extremes is favorable enough to afford all-time winter and occasional spirited summer rides all year round. What takes most of its score, however, is the noise control, which is barely tolerable on paved roads and gets downright annoying on thick, textured paths.

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Conclusion

Though the electric car is meant to work well with various all-season and high-performance tires, that is not a cue for you to breeze through your hunt for the best replacement tires for Tesla Model 3. Assess your budgets, driving needs, and the tire’s real metrics carefully through our detailed reports (all available on our COR Wheels website), and contact the manufacturer directly if there is anything you need to clarify.