There are several types of all-season tires, each targeting a common application, such as cars, SUVs, and trucks. Even performance vehicles can benefit from the year-round traction and convenience of all-season tires tailored to their specific needs.
We recommend sticking with the type and size that was originally fitted to your vehicle. (For those who want to increase performance, it is possible to replace all four tires with the next step up, often reflected by the speed rating, but never step down a class or speed rating.)
For true high-performance driving and off-road use, drivers would be best served by seeking more targeted tires that excel in those conditions.
“Modern all-season tires are truly the Swiss Army knife of tires,” says Ryan Pszczolkowski, Consumer Reports’ tire program manager. “They provide good year-round grip for most consumers, including modest winter/snow traction. Those living in areas where winter is harsh should look into all-weather or even dedicated winter/snow tires.”
When judging all-season tires, Consumer Reports looks at several key performance factors, placing more emphasis on safety-related aspects in scoring, including braking, hydroplaning resistance, and handling. Value factors such as rolling resistance (which affects fuel economy) are emphasized less, and we don’t factor the price of the tire into our Overall Score.
Below are the best all-season tires for each category, available to members, along with our pick for the best value. All are recommended by CR, and each is presented with basic ratings.
Click through the tire model names to see the full, detailed ratings.
