Top 10 Best Tires For Toyota 4Runner: Performance Highlights

Midsize SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner have dominated the automobile market for years, known for extreme versatility that helps them easily switch between daily driving and off-road modes. None of these features can shift through when compromised by low-quality tires, however – hence our team’s rigorous testing to determine the best 4runner tires to date.

Scroll for further insights and overviews for each tire.

A. How to Choose The Best Tire for Toyota 4Runner

1. Understanding The Toyota 4Runner

Toyota 4Runner is a midsize SUV designed to cater to various driving purposes and terrains, even offering diverse drive systems (AWD/all-wheel drive, RWD/rear-wheel drive,  or 4WD/four-wheel drive, depending on models).

• Is your model an AWD? Then, its design can handle all-season terrains and light off-road surfaces. You should aim for strong yet flexible tires that balance grip maintenance with good riding comfort – preferably with wide, stable grooves to work well on both dry and wet roads. 
• 4WD models, on the other hand, are excellent for extreme off-road endeavors or very thick snow. Aggressive tire options with rugged sidewalls, well-blended shoulders, and extra off-road features (e.g., stone ejectors, earth diggers, snow bites, etc.) will be the best choices for you. 
• RWD balances performance and handling characteristics to quench your thirst for spirited rides, especially on highways. Aim for smooth rotation-focused tires that remain unwavering through long highway curves and extended switchbacks without sacrificing durability and overall impact cushion. 

And like most midsize SUVs, the Toyota 4Runner is also up for heavy loading (1,495 to 1,700 lbs of payloads and about 5,000 lbs of towing capacity). Set your eyes on tires with a load index of 93 onwards.

2. Choosing The Right Tire Type for Your Toyota 4Runner

a. All-Season Tires

Do you want optimal traction all year round and across diverse on-road terrains, ranging from dry pavements to snow-covered surfaces? Then, all-season tires are the best choices for you, a great balance between good grip and overall riding comfort.

• Choose highway all-season models if you want to reach maximum traction and smooth cushion feels on highways. Premium models are usually puncture-resistant and very long-lasting, but feel free to negotiate between your top priorities and budgets for the most suitable deals.
• Crossover/SUV touring tires are the best choice if you have light/moderate loading demands. They deliver great road grips and handle snow/wet surfaces decently, though some lower-range models might not deal well with abrupt accelerations. 

b. All-Terrain Tires

Do you have driving demands on both on- and off-road surfaces? All-terrain tires will handle that job for you – but to what extent depends on your preferences and driving habits:

• Choose on-road AT tires if you mostly travel on regular roads and only pan over to light off-road paths from time to time.
• Off-road AT tires are the best when you prioritize off-road performance but do not want to compromise general on-road comfort during the process.
• Off-road max traction tires will bring your off-road travel to the highest level with unprecedented stability and footing. They are usually not as sharp when rolling on on-road paths, but you can always aim for premium/pricier models to tackle that issue.
• Rugged AT tires balance on- and off-road traction well (but are not exactly exceptional at either) – a good choice if you do not have high demands on both terrain types. They are also much more affordable than the other three. 

c. Dedicated Winter Tires

As the name suggests clearly, these tires bond well with snow and ice at varying depths. These features do not usually translate to non-winter conditions, though you can always seek premium/high-quality tires from reputed brands (obviously at a much higher cost than the average) to address that issue. 

B. How Did We Pick and Test 4runner Tire Recommendations

196 best-selling tires were selected for the first round of our COR Wheels Tire Test. 

Once all the low-quality contenders were deleted, we continued to test the 265/70R17 tire size version of the remaining tires on our Toyota 4Runner 2022 SR5. Customer feedback was also cross-referenced during the scoring process to conclude the 10 highest-ranking performers overall.

C. Best All-Season Tires for 4Runner

1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Best uses: highways, paved and rough roads, deep water, heavy towing, moderate snow depth, sweeping corners, dirt and gravel roads

As one of the most reputed Michelin representatives, Defender LTX M/S punches through dry roads in aggressive confidence with the help of its optimal MaxTouch Construction and 3D Active Sipes. Each contact point is established quickly and grows more stable the longer you ride, embracing the road patterns (both paved and rough) in aligning tandems to gum this power SUV tightly around roadblocks and during lane merges in little to no drama. 

Speed accelerations prove to be a total non-issue on regular streets and less so as the car steps on highways, reacting so well to the smooth asphalts that you can easily pack the car beyond 1000 lbs and experience almost no sidewall drags. You will also love the extremely instant understeering recovery at deep corners, which relies on the stable on-center ribs to afford ample margins for experimental steering and dynamic leans – a terrific choice if you are an adventurous spirit on the road!

Minus very infrequent and brief hydroplaning at particularly rougher patches, Defender LTX has no trouble composing its tire flex on slippery surfaces; the way its well-blended Evertread compounds distribute tire rolls evenly for better stability and ground also feels very assuring. Better yet, this road tire clearly does not have to sacrifice any riding comfort or self-control highlights for such a feat, judging by the noiseless, smooth cushioned feel through huge road cracks and graded surfaces.

And while these anti-slippage features do not translate as much into snow as you might have hoped (a bit disappointing for such an expensive tire), Defender LTX still plays mostly in your favor with predictable and ground-down snowy bites through 2-7 inches of snow blankets. On icy roads, keeping things civilized at 25-30 MPH should help you retain momentum down to the last destination points. 

Off-road performances are not the tire’s best highlights – but like snow traction, you can trust them to handle basic driving situations at regular driving rates just fine. Except for deep mud pits, your Toyota 4Runner bonds great with most light textures (especially off-road dirt and gravel) and can dive into gentle corners (guaranteed good preparations). 

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2. Continental TerrainContact H/T

Best uses: regular roads, spirited highway endeavors, heavy towing, deep stagnant/flowing water, light snow or dirt

TerrainContact H/T is equipped with strong, stable blocks and wide lateral notches, which did a spectacular job in helping us connect intimately with the roads through the entire test. The initial few shakes at the first 1-2 miles were mostly due to the cold weather conditions rather than the lackluster tread grooves, and even those stutters subsided quickly as we implemented more consistent push-pull. 

Obviously, these behaviors only strengthen once you move from regular roads to highways, benefiting a great deal from the stable +Silane additives that trample drifting symptoms quickly before they hamper your car’s general momentum. 

You will also be pleased with how TerrainContact H/T retains most of these sharp, dry edges during rainfall seasons, judging by how our Toyota 4Runner evacuated water easily through the open channels without the need for extra steering input. Wet brakings were also the last thing we had to worry about, even in stagnant water as deep as 9 inches: the car pulled forward so gently yet decisively that we believe you can easily do the same even as a beginner. Needless to say, moderate towing and loading will not compromise the tire’s stability or general self-composure.

While on-road riding comfort and integrity are excellent, you might notice a rather pronounced dip when traveling to off-road terrains: the tire is generally decent on light dirt and small rocks but seems to struggle much more with its impact handling on loose terrains (unless you travel on non-twisty roads at below 40 MPH). Snow performances are alright (and very predictable on light snow) but admittedly fall behind the brand’s advertisement regarding its powerful winter bites and clawing actions.

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3. BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport LT

Best uses: moderate to heavy towing, casual rides, average water depth, light snow traveling, budget choice

As the best SUV/crossover tire from BFGoodrich, the Advantage Sport LT is well-supported by stable, continuous ribs and very strong rotation-focused tread patterns, which explains why its dry grip on regular roads will feel very effortless for you. 

Tire drags are very few and far between (mostly due to the slackening wheel rather than the incompetent grooves) and seem generally unaffected when towing a 1400 lbs trailer. Sure, you might not be able to engage in smooth accelerations with such a heavy extra weight, but most heavy-duty SUV drivers rarely regard it as a priority anyway.

Hydroplaning issues seem to grow more prominent around tight corners and graded surfaces once your Toyota 4Runner moves to wet roads. Fortunately, the tire is still mostly well-behaved in any driving situation, compensated by the wide circumferential grooves that punch strongly through the water layers for maximum slippage reduction. 

They also translate decently to light/deep snow and grow more confident once equipped with snow chains; icy roads give the tire much more shudders at 30 MPH onwards but, overall, are generally manageable.

Some drivers in our survey complained about the loud squeaking around corners and through steep ascents; the obvious internal stalls in colder temperature extremes also need to be addressed. But in compensation, the tire is quite budget-friendly, meaning these oversights are acceptable to a certain extent.

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D. Best All-Terrain Tires for 4Runner

4. Nitto Nomad Grappler

Best uses: spirited on-road ridings, deep water, all wintry conditions, light to moderate towing, light dirt paths

Supported by large tread blocks and progressive staggered notches, Nomad Grappler clearly suffered no trouble navigating around dry roads of all textures. We started at 40 MPH easily and smoothly into the pavement grooves, with only some minor jostles at slightly bumpier sections that neither felt disconcerting nor intrusive. Aided by the extremely deft steering and cornering ribs, Nomad Grappler will help you dive into tight corners from all angles in power, clean cuts rarely seen in other Nitto lineups.

We also noticed that the tire retained almost the same traction confidence in wet weather as in dry; the interlocking blocks and tapered edges adapted well to the puddles and cold rainwater, further boosted by the well-placed triangular sipes to keep hydroplaning issues delightfully at bay. Better yet, these anti-hydroplaning features work so well into snow performances that you can even travel into deep, dense snow and thick textured ice without snow chains or any extra technical help.

Surprisingly, off-road traction seemed to be the tire’s weakest point: it’s not half-bad per se, but felt clearly lackluster compared to all the abovementioned terrain tests. It would be best to keep your driving rates and cargo low-key (especially on rough rocks or riverbeds) and steer clear of tight curves and zigzag switchbacks.

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5. Vredestein Pinza AT

Best uses: spirited rides, dynamic road handlings, deep water, thick/dense snow, long-term usage, light dirt/sand/rock, long rides

Pinza AT has rugged sidewalls and aggressive shoulder terrains that work very well on regular roads. Its sure-footed, assuring thuds after each steering input can settle all your worries even as a beginner, to the point that you can afford occasional intentional brakings mid-way without letting the 4Runner plummet. 

The stable and punctual steering feedback also deserves some spotlights, staying in such close tandem with your input that you should have problems navigating road mishaps at the last minute or push-pull through particularly low-radius crooks.

Deep water and rainy conditions hardly deter the tire’s aggressive reactions upon the road pavements, except for tolerable shudders that you can easily sidestep by taking down the cargo weight to below 800 lbs. Better yet, these sipes combine well with the extra snow bites and zigzag grooves, resulting in excellent, solid snow footings that remain unwavering even with no snow chains – an impressive feat for a non-winter tire!

Off-road features surprisingly do not deliver as many clawing actions as on snow – a bit disappointing for a tire of the upper-pricing range. But there is nothing to worry about: the multi-pitch patterns balance pressure well and strike through sticky, wet gravel and debris with sufficient/predictable self-composure. 

Brief fumblings on mud aside, it retains almost the same traction across dirt, sand, and rock, ensuring your car can navigate inconsistently texture transitions along the way without choking the car’s flanks. Plus, given the 70,000-mile warranty, mindless driving on these off-beaten paths should be totally within reach for the first 6-7 years.

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6. Hankook Dynapro AT2

Best uses: casual rides, paved and even roads, light gravel dirt, moderate speeds,  light to moderate loading

Considered one of the best on-road AT tires on the market, Hankook Dynapro AT2 did not disappoint with its stable tie bars and stepped edges, which breezed our car conveniently through small cracks and textured roads while keeping airborne noises at decent levels. 

As we applied higher and more abrupt accelerations (usually in seconds beyond 60 MPH), the tire’s footing choked up a little, but that was likely the only instance where we had to be more careful with our steering input. Dynapro AT2 behaves well otherwise, so you could hardly detect its burnout during extended curves. The tire will grow impressively more settled once you familiarize yourself with the patterns and steering techniques.

Wet road performance is not really exceptional or sharp, of course, given the budget price – but enough to ensure good/tolerable stutters around corners at moderate water depth without compromising the car’s overall grip. You can also get more experimental with your loading tasks here – guaranteed the total weight does not exceed 1000 lbs.

On another note, budget on-road AT tires do not pull much focus on off-road terrains compared to on-road, so we were unsurprised by the frequent plummets on rock and mud. Cornerings also proved to be a challenge unless we returned to light off-road dirt and sand at below 25 MPH, so think twice before you travel here with a full-packed Toyota 4Runner.

Likewise, snow traction is only decent at best on light, snowy roads (3-4 inches) and has to wrestle with itself to cope with thicker blankets and ice packs. Snow chains might help you a little around non-twisty roads but barely offer any extra bite through ascents or tight chicanes.

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7. Toyo Open Country A/T III

Best uses: all off-road terrains (sand, mud, dirt, rock), dry roads, deep water, light/deep snow, average towing/loading

The solid sidewalls and ample lateral grooves clearly benefit Open Country AT III on off-road terrains, evident in the confident, aggressive footprint this tire imprints on every gravel trail of all textures and depths; you will feel as if this car is striking through paved on-road paths. Traction losses mostly occur during the first bites and subdue themselves bit by bit as you get more stable with the steering, disappearing completely once you choose to settle with a particular driving rate below 55 MPH.

Sand and rock traction also brings tons of delights. Despite the sheer difference in textures on these two terrains, Open Country III retains the same footing solidity across both of them using bolstering sips and 3D Multiwave grooves. 

Thicker particles and pebbles are distributed so well that you will still have ample margins to experiment with more dynamic steering, and the way this tire regains composure fast after accidental oversteering around tight corners also paves the way for safe loadings of 500 to 1200 lbs into blind curves or mountain passes.

While mud traction feels slightly more hesitant than other off-road terrains, Open Country III will still play mostly in your favor on casual pits or regular mud fields, ensuring common driving rates and basic steering situations are totally within reach. 

With such impressive integrity, there is no doubt about Toyo Open’s performances back to on-road streets: steering responses get twice sharper and do not seem to be affected much by flowing water or deep, sticky mud during rainfall seasons. Even snow and moderate ice buildups bond well with its 3PMSF-labeled bites – quite a great deal for a tire in the middle-pricing range. But hard-packed ice witnesses a drastic traction drop, so you’d better play safe on such surfaces.

So far, this tire does not exhibit any significant drawback worth mentioning – though you might wish for lower squeaking noises with maximum cargo loadings or during tight navigations through extended high-speed curves.

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8. Nitto Ridge Grappler

Best uses: dirt and rock trails, paved/dry on-road surfaces, moderate towing 

If you prefer balanced traction on both on- and off-road (with none overshadowing the other), Nitto Ridge Grappler does the job spectacularly with its staggered lugs and stepped edges. These features reacted quite similarly to paved on-road and off-road gravel or rocky roads, recovered around the same margins at understeering accidents, and established the same contact point intensity when traveling on slightly more graded surfaces. 

This is good news if you have to frequent both of them alternatively during back-to-back rides, as the common chokes and stutters often seen in abrupt texture transitions hardly have any room to flourish here.

Admittedly, Ridge Grappler was not as confident on loose terrains and mud; fortunately, we felt its Z- and lateral grooves consistent and solid enough to deliver sufficient clawings through thick particles and gritty riverbeds. Better yet, we could tackle gentle corners or sharp turns at casual speeds, provided our passengers and cargo weight did not get out of line/exceed 600 lbs.

Treadwear rates and riding quality are not exactly exceptional, but still considered generally good in the grand scheme of things – even better if you do not have high demands for tough handlings or extreme speed limits. 

Nevertheless, given the high price, its obviously subdued traction in wet seasons and cold winters is a bit disappointing. You can still use snow chains to generate more edges on light and deep snow, of course, but they are by no means as powerful or consistent as the advertisement claimed. 

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9. BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3

Best uses: all extreme off-road terrains, casual on-road rides, heavy loading/towing

Do you seek extreme off-road clawings that can push through any tough/beaten terrain? Then this T/A KM3 model from BFGoodrich clearly qualifies, equipped with a powerful combination of Krawl-Tek compounds, Traction-Amor sculptures, and Terrain-Attack stone ejectors that make them almost vulnerable to sharp punctures and damage. 

As such, your travels through deep dunes, stack rocks, and thick, wet off-road dirt will remain impressively consistent and stable regardless of steering technique; on gentle crooks, you can even apply lackluster one-hand control and still experience no significant tire drags or plummets, a total contrast to many sub-standard tires from the same sector.

Even on thicker sand packs (supposedly this tire’s weakest off-road area), the worst you will experience are minor shudders when the tire redistributes sand layers at high speeds; stick to any number below 60 MPH, and you can guarantee safe, predictable strikes till the last destination points.

A tire clearly meant for tough terrains, T/A KM3 does not deliver the same smooth, cushioned feel on-road; its over-reactions lurk around quite often during sharp turns and wide skids, though they are fortunately still composed enough to guarantee good to decent maneuverings in basing lane merges, reversing, and backing. Likewise, deep water and thick snow mute out the feedback but still leave enough margins for you to navigate casual rides and non-twisty roads.

What takes most of the scores away from the T/A KM3 mud terrain tire, however, is the horrid, unrideable ice traction – a huge throw-off considering that this tire is actually quite decent on snow. Its loud, screeching protests that only get more deafening along the ride (even with low speeds) are another issue you have to keep in mind before purchasing. 

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E. Best Winter/Snow Tire For Toyota 4Runner

10. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

Best uses: all winter terrains, moderate summer travelings, deep water, moderate towing, moderate- to high-speed endeavors 

With power bites and zigzag grooves clearly meant for extreme snow conditions, nothing can deter this premium winter tire from striking clean, aggressive cuts through deep snow packs. 

We could afford extremely low-angled leans around carousels effortlessly. And the way this tire showed no hesitancy adapting to mid-way revs and directional changes also sat well with the car’s general momentum. For thicker ice buildups, just reduce your driving rates to somewhere between 20 and 45 MPH, and you are good to go.

On-road drives are clearly a non-issue – though this tire seems to behave much more predictably on wet surfaces than on dry (due to the grooves’ similar reactions to rainwater and snow). Riding comfort is also the last thing you need to worry about – and while some of you might complain about the clear groove caving in hot summer (hence the slightly underwhelming treadwear rates), the fact that this is a winter tire is enough to justify that oversight.

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Conclusion

Choosing the best all-season, off-road, or all-terrain tires for the Toyota 4Runner can be quite daunting, especially given the sheer availability of models and qualities from hundreds of brands. 

Keep in mind our buying tips and recommendations to narrow your shortlist, and do not forget to research the tire’s metrics/scan our detailed testing reports on each tire for the best overview.